Healing Smiles

02/27/2026

Because good hair an good teeth just naturally go together.

02/26/2026

The American Heart Association now links gum disease to heart attack, stroke, and arterial plaque buildup. Your dentist isn't just protecting your smile — they may be protecting your heart. 🦷❤️

DALLAS, Dec. 16, 2025 — There is increasing evidence that gum disease is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular events, including heart attack, stroke, atrial fibrillation, heart failure and cardiometabolic health conditions. Effective...

02/25/2026

Delta Dental is now facing a class action for allegedly hiding how they calculate out-of-network reimbursements. No surprise here — it's one of the many reasons Dr. Chronister stopped accepting Delta. Patients deserve better.

A new class action lawsuit alleges Delta Dental misrepresents the percentage of out-of-network dental care it will cover.

02/24/2026

Big news — the Indian Health Service is going amalgam-free by 2027! Dr. Chronister stopped using amalgam in 1987, so this is nothing new to us. Have questions about your silver fillings? Just ask! 😊

In response to the announcement, the ADA said it continues to support the use of dental amalgam based on dentists' clinical judgment.

02/23/2026

💪 Regular exercise doesn't just boost your mood and heart health—it may help reduce your risk for 7+ types of cancer, including breast, colon, and kidney cancer.
Exercise helps by maintaining a healthy weight, balancing hormones, supporting digestion, and strengthening your immune system.

Learn how exercise can reduce the risk of cancer. Read on to get detailed guidance on how you should exercise to prevent cancer development.

02/20/2026

☀️ Vitamin D during pregnancy shapes your baby's dental health!

Adequate Vitamin D in childhood is linked to stronger teeth and lower cavity risk. Healthy teeth start before they even emerge! 🦷

Dental health is often viewed through the lens of brushing, flossing, and routine dental check-ups. However, there’s a lesser-known but vital player in this arena: Vitamin D. This essential nutrient not only fortifies bones but also plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy teeth and gums, espec...

02/19/2026

🥤 Diet soda isn't the healthy swap you think it is.

A major study found that drinking more than one can daily of either diet or regular soda increased fatty liver disease risk by 60% and 50% respectively. Even more surprising? Diet drinks were linked to higher liver-related mortality.

The fix is simple: Swapping soda for water reduced risk by up to 15%. If quitting soda is just not possible, diet soda is the healthier choice.💧

Soda is often treated as a harmless daily habit, but new research suggests even small amounts may affect liver health. In a study of healthcare workers, people who drank less than one soda a day still had higher rates of fatty liver disease. The findings don’t prove soda directly causes liver dama...

02/18/2026

🍅 New research reveals a surprising link between tomatoes and gum health!
Older adults with adequate lycopene intake had about one-third the risk of severe periodontitis compared to those who fell short sciencedaily. Yet over 75% of seniors aren't getting enough of this tomato nutrient.
Add more tomatoes to your plate for a healthier smile! 🦷

A large U.S. study suggests that not getting enough lycopene—the antioxidant that gives tomatoes their red color—may seriously raise the risk of severe gum disease in older adults. Researchers found that seniors with adequate lycopene intake had about one-third the risk of severe periodontitis c...

02/17/2026

👄 High blood sugar shows up in your saliva, feeding harmful bacteria that cause cavities and gum disease.
Manage your diabetes = protect your smile! 🦷

Taking good care of your teeth and gums is even more important if you have diabetes.

02/16/2026

🥗🦷 New Dietary Guidelines are out (2025–2030).
The updated HHS & USDA guidance emphasizes whole foods, less added sugar, and healthier eating patterns that support overall wellness—including better oral health—from childhood through older adulthood.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Agriculture released  Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025-2030.

02/13/2026

One of the best gifts you can give a loved one is a beautiful smile!

02/12/2026

🧬❤️ Your gut may predict heart health.
New research links certain gut microbiome patterns to future heart attack risk. Support your gut by cutting back on refined sugar and carbs, adding probiotics (capsules or live-culture foods like sauerkraut, kimchee, and real yogurt), and eating plenty of prebiotics from high-fiber foods.

A specific gut microbiota pattern was found to predict new cardiovascular events in patients with coronary heart disease, based on data from the CORDIOPREV study. Researchers developed a microbiota-based risk score that may improve secondary prevention.