Wildwood Dentistry Blog

The word 'Dental Myths', next to a touthbrush and dental mirror leaning against a tooth.

Dental Myths

There are many myths surrounding dental care that have been passed down from generation to generation, leading to widespread misconceptions […]

A child at the dentist.

Dental Fear in Children

Parents want the best for their children's health and wellbeing, which includes dental health. A child's oral health can have an enormous effect on overall wellbeing, including speech development, eating ability, and self-esteem […]

How Important is the Condition of Your Child's Baby Teeth?

As a parent, you are responsible for ensuring that your child has good oral health care from an early age. This means caring for their baby teeth, even though they may ultimately be replaced by adult teeth one day […]

Can Dental Implants be Removed?

Learn if dental implants can be removed despite being a permanent tooth replacement option.

Teething Solutions

Your baby’s first tooth is an important milestone in their life. But it is also the start of teething, a time which can be painful and exhausting for them, and for that matter, you as well. Yes, it may mean some sleepless nights and difficult days, but there are some things you can do to […]

How to Properly Clean Your Dentures

Your new dentures are allowing you to eat and speak properly and comfortably once again. They have also restored the beauty of your smile. To enjoy the benefits of your dentures long term, it is imperative that you take good care of them. Dr. Michael O'Neill and our team are happy to explain the importance […]

Fall Smile Makeovers: Root Canals

Endodontists receive an additional two years of advanced training beyond medical school in order to perform complex endodontics treatments designed to save damaged teeth. This includes root canals. Every year in the United States alone, endodontic treatments are able to save millions of damaged teeth via root canal therapies. Root canal therapy is a highly […]

How are Cavities Invading Your Smile

Tooth decay and cavities are the main culprits in damaging a healthy smile. This happens when oral bacteria feed on sugary foods and create acids. This acid then mixes with bacteria, food particles and saliva to form a sticky film called plaque. Bacterial plaque erodes tooth enamel resulting in tiny openings in the tooth. These holes […]

How to Help Your Child Prevent Cavities

Do you want your child to have a cavity-free smile? If so, so do we! There’s not much worse than seeing your child undergo the dental drill because certain oral hygiene needs weren’t met. So, to help you help your child have a cavity-free smile in Toledo, Ohio, your dentist, Dr. Michael O'Neill, and our […]

Bruxism Symptoms and Night Guard Treatments

Have you ever heard of bruxism? Although bruxism is highly common, it is often an undetected condition that arises within individuals without them being aware of it. Bruxism, also known as teeth grinding, occurs unconsciously often while the victim is asleep. Typically, bruxism results in dental damage including chips or cracks on your teeth. Tissue […]

Oral Health Essentials: Thumb Sucking

Are you aware that thumb sucking is bad for your teeth and gums? Saving your child’s smile from the hazard of thumb sucking may seem like a daunting task, but it is important. Your child will not easily give up thumb sucking, but with patience and effort, you can help them. Most children use thumb […]

Dentures and Your Smile

Life is a majestic story and we all have our chapter to play. However, as with all stories, it may be a roller coaster ride of feelings and sentiments with many ups and downs. In some cases, the wheel of fate does not always spin in our direction. As far as your oral health is […]

What Is the Effect of Aging on Your Dental Health?

Have you ever wondered about the effects that aging can have on your smile? Fortunately, your teeth are well-built, and with a little care they can remain strong for rest of your life, and can continue to serve you well even as chewing and eating can wear them down. Here are a few suggestions to […]

How Can I Help My Child Have a Positive Upcoming Dental Appointment?

Your child deserves to have a positive dental experience. This can help them feel comfortable in the dental chair for many years to come. Dr. Michael O'Neill and our dental team will work hard to help your child enjoy their visit, but we also need your help. Fortunately, there are things you can do to […]

Without a Crown a Badly Chipped Tooth Might Suffer Serious Complications

A small dental fracture or chip can occur on a tooth from a wide variety of sources. Sometimes the damage can be minor and requires little more than a standard filling to repair the integrity of the tooth. Unfortunately, there are other times when a chip can be large or it affects the biting surface […]

Dental Veneers Can Give You a White and Easy to Maintain Smile

A bright, white smile free of discolored tooth enamel and physical imperfections can give you just the kind of boost you need in your social life and career. Many people in the Toledo, Ohio area who feel this way will consult with Dr. Michael O'Neill to find the best way to have a white smile […]

How to Rid Teeth-Grinding Habits or Reduce Their Effects on Your Smile

Do you tend to grind your teeth while you sleep? If so, your smile could be in grave danger. In fact, the teeth-grinding habit can destroy your teeth by wearing them away or even breaking them. This is why it’s important to do all you can to stop the habit altogether or protect your teeth […]

A Tobacco-Stained Smile Can Be Whitened by a Dental Bleaching Treatment

Tobacco is known to cause any number of oral health issues. Beyond the increased risk of oral and pharyngeal cancer, periodontal disease, and other oral infections, it can also severely stain your teeth. In a short amount of time, tar and tobacco-related chemicals can leave you with an unsightly yellow smile. In a situation like […]

A Tooth Missing From Your Smile Could Be Replaced by a Dental Implant

Missing a tooth from your smile due to untreated decay, severe damage, or a treatment-based extraction can leave you feeling self-conscious about your appearance. Fortunately, Dr. Michael O'Neill has several options for replacing the tooth’s presence in your mouth. For individuals who are not fully comfortable with a dental bridge restoration, Dr. Michael O'Neill might […]

A Tooth with a Bad Filling Needs Timely Treatment

Fillings are often used to repair chips and small cavities that form in tooth enamel. They are commonly made from artificial materials that are not susceptible to bacterial influence. Yet, poor oral hygiene can encourage the bacteria in your mouth to weaken the seam where dental adhesive bonds the filling to the healthy enamel. If […]

Keep Your Daily Tooth Care Habits Sharp

The proper care of your teeth is one of the best habits a person can develop. The maintaining and care of a healthy smile is something everyone should practice. If you are a child who’s just learning about the importance of brushing and flossing or if you’re an adult with a lifetime of experience, it’s […]

What Type of Toothpaste is Right for You?

Did you know that people have been using toothpaste since the late 1800s? This toothpaste was tasteless and came in a jar. Fortunately, toothpaste has come a long way since then. As you may know, several kinds of toothpaste have been made to meet a variety of needs. Still, how do you know which toothpaste […]

You Should Always Look for the American Dental Association Seal When Shopping for Oral Hygiene Products

The quality of the oral hygiene products you use in your daily oral hygiene routine is of critical importance. Accidentally using a product that only has cosmetic value can promote tooth decay, gum disease, and other oral maladies. To better help consumers wade through dubious advertising claims, the American Dental Association offers their Seal of […]

Your Smile Makeover Begins With Daily Oral Health Habits

A new year has bestowed its gifts upon us once again and granted us the ability to begin anew so to speak if we so choose. A new year’s resolution list should always consider ways to improve our health care including our oral health care. If you are not up to date on your oral […]

3 Things to Look for When Purchasing a Child’s Toothpaste

As you search for the perfect child’s toothpaste at the store, you might feel a little bit confused or overwhelmed. If that’s the case, you are not alone. Toothpaste can be very tricky, especially when it comes to picking the perfect paste for your child. So, to help you choose the best toothpaste, we recommend […]

Porcelain Crowns Are Often Employed in the Cosmetic Restoration of an Unappealing Tooth

Having an imperfect smile that has chips, discoloration or mismatched fillings can leave you feeling self-conscious about your appearance. One of the best methods for treating a problem like this is to have your dentist, Dr. Michael O'Neill, cosmetically restore the tooth with a porcelain dental crown. A dental crown in Toledo, Ohio, replicates the […]

The Many Options for Restoring Teeth

There are many options for restoring teeth. If you have a badly damaged or loose tooth, a dental crown or bridge may be your best bet. If you have completely lost a tooth or even all your teeth, dentures or dental implants can be crafted to suit all your needs. No matter what ailment your […]

How Your Overall Health Is Affected By Your Dental Health

You may know that you should brush your teeth if you’re interested in protecting the health of your teeth, but did you know that brushing and flossing could also help your overall health? If you don’t care for the health of your teeth, plaque and bacteria may enter your bloodstream and cause long-term damage. Even […]

Food Lodged in the Teeth Needs Careful Care

It’s not uncommon to get a small piece of food stuck between your teeth when you eat. In most cases, it comes free on its own. However, there are other times when you might get a tough piece of food, like a meat fiber or popcorn hull, uncomfortably stuck in your teeth. To help safely […]

A Smile with Multiple Cosmetic Imperfections Can Often Be Improved by Dental Veneers

A white and winning smile helps you in many business and social situations. However, stains brought on by dark beverages and foods can dull your once lustrous smile. This could also be compounded by past dental work that no longer matches the surrounding tooth enamel. In a situation like this, your Wildwood Family & Cosmetic […]

Dental Implants Are Often Used in Restoration Dentistry to Replace a Lost Tooth

If you’ve lost a tooth due to an untreated cavity, or otherwise required extraction, it can seriously compromise the function and appearance of your mouth. Beyond simply impairing your ability to chew food, it can mar your smile, and cause you to slur your speech. If the surrounding structure is not restored in a timely […]

The Many Benefits of Dental Veneers

Have you ever seen a flawless smile and dreamed you can have one too? If so, you are not alone. That is why cosmetic dentistry has exploded in our society thanks to the flawless results, and better technology available, to give everyone the dazzling smile of their dreams. Dental veneers is one of the newest […]

General Care and Cleaning Tips for Taking Care of Dentures

A set of dentures fitted by Dr. Michael O'Neill will effectively restore the function and appearance of your compromised or missing teeth. While the unit is made out of artificial materials that aren’t susceptible to tooth decay, it will still need to be included in your daily oral hygiene routine. Many denture wearers find that […]

Be Wary of the Early Symptoms of Oral and Pharyngeal Cancer

It’s estimated by the American Dental Association that 1 in 92 adults will develop some form of oral or pharyngeal cancer in their lifetime. Statistically, males are nearly twice as likely to develop oral cancer compared to females. Even though the average age of detection is 62 years of age, increased risk factors, such as […]

Boost Your Smile This Summer with Your Six-Month Cleaning and Exam

At Wildwood Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, the comprehensive family-friendly dental practice of Dr. Michael O’Neill and our friendly team in Toledo, Ohio, we are excited to help you get your smile ready for summer! Summer is an ideal time for a dental cleaning and exam to boost your oral health and your smile confidence. Why is six […]

Installing a New Bridge if one of Your Teeth is Knocked Out

Sometimes a blow to the face, or a hard fall can actually knock one of your teeth out of the socket. This is even more likely if you participate in contact sports or other vigorous activities without proper protection from a mouth guard. If there are any remnants of the tooth left in the socket […]

What Breastfeeding Can Do to Your Child’s Smile

Did you know that breastfeeding can be beneficial for your child’s smile and oral health? Well, it’s true! In fact, there are many facts you may not know about breastfeeding, and our Wildwood Family & Cosmetic Dentistry team is happy to tell you all about them! Some fun breastfeeding facts include: Breastfeeding can help build […]

The Tips You Need to Care for Your Smile While You Have an Eating Disorder

Do you have an eating disorder? If so, your smile could be in grave danger, which is why our Wildwood Family & Cosmetic Dentistry team strongly recommends that you seek professional help as soon as possible. The sooner you get the help you need, the sooner your body and oral health will be in tip-top […]

Understanding Your Filling Options

Small areas of tooth decay, known as cavities, can often be repaired with a basic filling. The size of the filling, the primary purpose of the tooth and its appearance in your smile with directly influence the material Wildwood Family & Cosmetic Dentistry recommends for the filling. The occlusal or biting surface, on premolars and […]

Six Causes of Tooth Discoloration in Infants

A child’s first tooth erupts around the age of six months. Typically, baby teeth are an ivory or off-white color, but some teeth may have a colored tint. Why is this? There are a few different causes of discoloration in baby teeth. 1. Weak enamel Inadequate enamel formation is a genetic issue. The enamel layer […]

Tips on How to Comfort Your Teething Baby

Sometimes having a baby is very challenging and difficult, especially when they are teething. However, there are things you can do to make the situation a bit easier, and our Wildwood Family & Cosmetic Dentistry team is more than happy to tell you what those things are! For a more successful teething experience, we recommend […]

What to do if You Injure Your Lip

It’s not unheard of for an accidental blow to the face or a fall to injure or even split your lip. In some extreme cases people have even accidentally even bitten through their lower lip. If the injury is severe you should consider calling 911 or going to the emergency room. Otherwise, you can call […]

The Details About Baby Teeth

Are you curious to know more about baby teeth? If so, we are thrilled to help you! Baby teeth are extremely important, and the more you know about them, the better. So, to help you better understand the details about baby teeth, we have provided the answers to the following questions: When do baby teeth […]

5 Interesting Facts about The American Dental Association

Many people have heard of the American Dental Association, also known as the ADA, however many people do not realize the long-term effect this association has had in our history. Over the years, the ADA has grown into the largest and oldest dental organization today. The ADA strives on keeping current with dental health and […]

Teething and Your Baby

Your baby’s growth is an exciting time, but when your baby’s teeth start to develop, it can also be a difficult time, for both of you. Your little one’s teeth form while they are still in the womb, and by the time baby is three, will have developed 20 primary teeth. Ten will line the […]

Have a Healthier Smile This Year by Making These Resolutions

Instead of making the same old resolutions each year, why not switch it up and make smile resolutions this year? If you make goals for your oral health and smile, you will have an increased chance at finally achieving the smile of your dreams. So, to help you finally work toward your perfect smile, we […]

What Is in Your Toothpaste?

You probably know that it’s extremely important to brush and floss every day, but do you know what’s in your toothpaste? Your toothpaste is made with abrasive agents to remove plaque, flavorings, humectants to keep your smile moist, thickeners to keep ideal texture, and often fluoride to strengthen teeth. While knowing what’s inside your toothpaste […]

Athletes and Their Oral Health

If you play sportsβ€”or if your child plays sportsβ€”you probably know how important it is to wear a mouthguard. A custom mouthguard can protect your falling out, cracking, and chipping. Your dentist can even create a custom mouthguard that will offer you more comfort and protection. If you wear a mouth guard, well done. This […]

Are Your Teeth Sensitive?

Do you suffer daily from the pain of sensitive teeth? This condition is common for many people, but it is often a sign that something is wrong with their dental health. Keep reading to learn more about sensitive teeth and call our dentist at to see if we can help. What Is Tooth Sensitivity? Tooth […]

Myths about Root Canals

You have a bad toothache and your tooth becomes sore when exposed to cold foods and drinks. You notice that your gums are swelling around the tooth. When you go to the dentist, you are told that you need root canal therapy. You’re worried because you’ve heard lots of unpleasant things about that procedure. However, […]

Why Do I Need To Floss?

Many people do not realize that flossing is an essential part of cleaning their teeth. They tend to get lazy or make up excuses when it comes to flossing. However, if you live your life without flossing, you are causing more damage to your oral health than you can possibly imagine. Flossing does more than […]