There have been unanswered calls, deleted voicemails,  ignored texts, & friendly reminders that never make it out of the envelope...we both know it's been a while since you visited the dentist. If all our efforts to reconnect with you haven't convinced you, maybe the following 5 reasons to see the dentist will get you to take care of your teeth properly again!

Why not start getting your kids' smiles in shape this summer? Kids, & often moms & dads, have a little more free time during the summer, so it's a great time to get a jumpstart on necessary orthodontic treatment.

The temporomandibular joints are the joints on either side of your head that connect your jaw to your skull & allow you to open & close your mouth, chew, & speak. Because it can move in many different directions, these joints are some of the most complex in your body.

The answer: Bone loss. A common legend says that an astronaut who returned to Earth after an extended stay on a space station had bones so weak that he broke his arm lifting a tea cup.

There are two categories of mouthguards with two different purposes that you can get from your dentist. Mouthguards for sports are intended to prevent injury. Mouthguards worn while sleeping are intended to prevent problems associated with teeth grinding or other bite problems.

Bruxism is what dentists call teeth clenching and teeth grinding. The symptoms of bruxism are fairly easy to spot, as are the complications that can result from it.

Wisdom teeth are the name for your third permanent molars, which typically appear from age 17-25. It is thought the name "wisdom teeth" comes from the fact that they appear long after all your other permanent teeth, when you a much older & wiser. Most people have four wisdom teeth, one in each quadrant of the mouth (upper left, upper right, lower left, lower right).

Dental assistants are often described as the dentist's right hand. They are vital members of the dental team who ensure that you are cared for in a timely, efficient manner in a super clean, germ-free practice.

Simply put, an orthodontist is a type of dentist. However, many people don't know this because general dentistry and orthodontics are treated as two very separate kinds of dental care.

The most effective and best teeth whitening treatment you can receive is a professional teeth whitening session at the dentist. The dentist has access to specialized whitening products and knows how to whiten teeth quickly and effectively.