Blog

I employ various methods to rebuild a failing smile, depending on the nature of the failure, your goals, and your budget.

Failing can mean any combination of:

• Missing Teeth
• Infected Teeth
• Crumbling and Decayed Teeth
• Short and Worn Teeth

I first assess your smile to learn how restorative dentistry will benefit you and through what avenues.

Restoring a Failing Smile in Edwardsville, IL

After I’ve assessed your smile, ...

Taking care of your teeth and gums is the best way to avoid tooth decay, gum disease, and other oral health issues, but even if you make regular visits to your Edwardsville dentist and practice good oral hygiene at home, the time may come when you need more than a routine cleaning.

If this happens, you’ll probably have questions about how ...

As you age, your dental needs change, and you may start to notice that you’re experiencing more issues than you were when you were younger. When you’re busy raising your kids, taking care of your parents, and trying to build your career, sometimes your dental health takes a back seat, or perhaps you don’t notice the quiet changes your teeth ...

While it might feel awkward to present coworkers or acquaintances with oral hygiene gifts this holiday season, purchasing these kinds of presents for close friends and loved ones (in the proper context) is a legit way to show care.

For example, if you have a family member who travels frequently for work, creating travel-sized supplies is thoughtful and helpful. You don’t ...

Dental insurance can be confusing, and because you’re busy doing so many other things, you may not have the time to research what you’re paying for and ensure you’re getting the most out of your benefits.

Fortunately, at Hite Family Dentistry, we will file insurance claims on your behalf and try to demystify your dental insurance concerns.

So, what can ...

The thought of going to the dentist makes many people feel a bit anxious and apprehensive, especially when it’s your first time and you don’t know what to expect. It’s normal to feel unsure about what’s going to happen or how the dental team works to get you the care you deserve.

That’s why we thought it would be a good ...

Dental implants are impressively long-lasting. At the ten-year mark, implants have a success rate of 97% and can last for decades with good care. But sometimes, an implant or restoration (the part of the tooth you can see) fails. Your body will tell you if something is wrong. Take note if you have any of these warning ...

Choosing the best dentist for your family is just as important as picking the right general practitioner. You want to find someone who can accommodate your family’s dental needs and goals —a skilled yet practical practitioner.

Consider the following:

• A Wide Range of Treatments and Services
• Affordable and Convenient Dentistry
• A Skilled and Friendly Team

In this blog, we break down what to look for ...

All-on-x implants sound a bit mysterious. Perhaps like the beginning of a dental math equation. But in reality, all-on-x implants are a great solution for full tooth loss. At Hite Family Dentistry, four to six strategically placed implants can replace an entire arch of missing teeth. Sometimes known as permanent dentures, these implants offer years of stability, comfort, ...

If you’re a parent, you understand how frenzied school mornings can be; between backpacks, lunches, and missing shoes, it can feel impossible to prioritize your child’s oral health. At Hite Family Dentistry, we want you to know that we realize how busy you are; that’s why we work with busy families to establish a simple, at-home, school-day smile routine.

With an ...

Keeping your smile clean and healthy in 2025 is easier than ever if you have the right tools. At Hite Family Dentistry, we’re here to help you choose the best ones for your daily routine. Here’s how today’s top oral hygiene tools compare.

Manual Toothbrushes

Pros:

• Affordable and easy to find
• Great for travel or emergencies
• No batteries or charging required

Cons:

• Technique matters more to ...

The most important measures that safeguard your oral health are often the most simple. At home, consistent brushing, flossing, and regular antibacterial mouthwash rinses can drastically reduce your chances of running into serious dental issues. However, maintaining a radiant smile and healthy, robust bite goes beyond simple brushing and flossing.

Professional dental cleanings are another foundational part of long-term oral ...

Welcome to Edwardsville, IL! Whether you're relocating for work, school, or a fresh start, we're so glad to have you here. Moving to a new city can feel overwhelming, especially when finding trustworthy professionals, like a local doctor or family dentist in Edwardsville.

At Hite Family Dentistry, we believe choosing a dentist is about more than just checkups and cleanings. You ...

If you have severe tooth decay or have experienced dental trauma and have a damaged tooth, these aren’t things to leave untreated. When you don’t take action on issues with your teeth, it can lead to serious problems for you down the road—we’re talking about tooth loss, bleeding gums, jaw pain, and more.

But we know what you’re thinking. ...

How do you keep your smile dazzling? With regular dental cleanings! At Hite Family Dentistry, we encourage biannual dental cleanings for all of our patients because professional cleanings and dental evaluations are important to maintain good overall dental health. Our Edwardsville, Ill., office recommends our patients see us at least every six months for ...

Tooth loss happens in many ways, whether from an accident or poor oral hygiene and subsequent decay. This loss may lead people to search for reliable tooth replacement options that can restore their smile to its former glory. 

In recent years, more people have started choosing dental implants, as they are a practical solution that is ...

Who doesn’t dream of flashing a brighter, more vibrant smile? A dazzling set of pearly whites can boost your confidence and leave a lasting impression.

When it comes to achieving that radiant glow, teeth whitening stands out as one of the best ways to enhance your smile. But before you reach for those store-bought whitening strips, consider ...

Back-to-school season is a busy time of year, but that doesn’t mean you can overlook the importance of your child’s dental care. Prepare your child with school-ready oral health to ensure happy, healthy smiles all year long. Starting out the school year on the right foot will help your child stick to the right routine for lasting oral health.

The Significance ...

Tired of the traditional dental crown saga? You know the drill—multiple appointments and enough time spent waiting, you could have written a novel by the time your permanent crown arrives from the lab. Well, no more waiting! Your favorite Edwardsville dental practice has same-day crowns!

Yes, you heard that right—no more playing the waiting game and finding time in your busy ...

Missing teeth can make it painful to chew and difficult to speak—and it can also lead to a variety of oral health issues, from gum disease to bone loss. But there’s more to tooth loss than oral health concerns; the damage that this issue has on your smile can impact your mental health just as significantly as it can your ...

Picture this: you’re sitting in the waiting room of your dentist’s office, heart pounding, palms sweating, dreading the inevitable sound of the drill. If this scenario strikes a chord with you, you’re not alone. Dental anxiety is a universal hurdle, one that affects people from all walks of life, regardless of age or background. It’s the knot in your stomach ...

A bright, healthy smile is a confidence booster and reflects your overall well-being. However, lurking beneath the surface, gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, poses a significant threat to millions worldwide, often with little to no warning signs in its early stages.

Understanding this disease, including its prevention, detection, and treatment, is crucial for maintaining oral health and your entire ...

If you’ve needed a crown in the past, you probably remember how time-consuming the process was. From the initial appointment to the placement of a temporary crown and a return visit to the dentist, it certainly wasn’t a one-and-done situation. Thankfully, just as with technology, dentistry is always evolving. Now, you can get same day crowns all in the comfort ...

Do you wake up tired in the morning? Are you struggling to stay focused at work or at school? Have you ever driven somewhere and then wondered how you got there? Do you snore? If you answered yes to any of these questions, there is a chance that you are suffering from sleep apnea. And if that’s the case, you’re ...

We all have daily habits. Perhaps we wake up before the crack of dawn, get in a workout, and then take a nice shower, all before the little ones wake up. Or maybe, we roll out of bed on the third alarm and rush through the house to get everyone ready. No matter the routine, it was created over time. ...

With Valentine’s Day quickly approaching, you may be thinking about a special someone. Or you may just be planning to spend the evening treating yourself to some much-needed self-care. No matter what your Valentine’s Day plans are, why not prepare to be the best version of yourself that you can be? One easy way to do that is to give ...

Waking up tired after a full night’s sleep can leave you unsure of why you can’t get the rest you need. One common cause of sleep disturbances is sleep apnea, a condition that impacts your breathing as you sleep. Here is what you need to know about sleep apnea and how you can improve your sleep if you have this ...

If you’ve chipped your tooth or noticed any other damage, one option to consider is dental crowns. Same-day crowns have become immensely popular in recent years, offering the same great results as traditional crowns but much more swiftly.

Have you considered same-day dental crowns but are unsure whether they’re the right option? If so, getting the answers to pressing questions ...

Dental implants have transformed the world of tooth replacements, providing a durable and aesthetically pleasing solution for missing teeth. No more discomfort, no more hiding your smile, and you can finally say goodbye to limitations on what you can eat! With dental implants, you get the freedom to enjoy life with full confidence again.

Using state-of-the-art dental technology and surgical techniques, ...

As the New Year approaches, many of us are reflecting on the past year and setting new goals for a healthier, happier future. Getting more exercise or eating healthier are popular resolutions, but have you considered also making a commitment to your dental health?

A New Year’s Resolution for oral health could be the key to not only a radiant, 

Gum disease is a shockingly common but often overlooked health condition. According to the CDC, nearly half of adults over age 30 have some form of gum disease. Although the earliest stage of gum disease responds well to treatment, advanced gum disease can wreak havoc on a person’s smile. In fact, the most common cause of tooth loss ...

Sleep apnea, a sleep-disordered breathing condition associated with disruptive snoring and restless nights, has far-reaching effects that extend beyond the bedroom, impacting your mood and emotions in ways you may not realize. It’s more than just an annoyance for you and possibly your partner; it’s a serious health problem that can lead to emotional instability and ...

Halloween: a time for ghoulish costumes, eerie tales, and—let’s be honest—a mountain of sweet treats. When considering the latter, we can’t help but think about the effects of these sugar-laden delights on our not-so-spooky smiles.

Although the occasional candy indulgence is part of the holiday spirit, it can invite some unwanted guests: tooth decay and enamel damage. But fear not! Thanks ...

Are you doing everything you can to safeguard your child’s dental health? Parents play a vital role in guiding these early stages of development and building a solid foundation for the future. You can follow these tips below to provide the best habits and dental care for kids.

1. Starting Early: Baby’s First Dental Steps

It’s important to note that taking care ...

Are you doing everything you can to safeguard your child’s dental health? Parents play a vital role in guiding these early stages of development and building a solid foundation for the future. You can follow these tips below to provide the best habits and dental care for kids.

1. Starting Early: Baby’s First Dental Steps

It’s important to note that taking care ...

Missing teeth are a common dental problem and can affect patients of all ages. Missing many or all of your teeth can seriously impact overall health and quality of life. However, there are options available to replace missing teeth. Dental implants and dentures are among the most common, but how can you tell which is right for ...

If your recent dental treatment plan includes a crown, you should know you have multiple options. Dental crowns are a standard restorative procedure that offers patients options, including same-day crowns. 

You may have some concerns about how same-visit crowns compare to traditional crowns, and that’s understandable. Knowing the difference between these two practical solutions will help you choose the best solution ...

Everyone has something about their appearance that they don’t like. Sure, we know we’re supposed to love ourselves the way we are, but it’s not always that simple. It can feel as though everyone is staring straight at whatever we think of as an imperfection.

One common insecurity centers on our smile—or, more specifically, the teeth we reveal when we smile. 

It ...

If you are looking for ways to give your smile a refresh, you might be surprised at just how many teeth whitening options are out there. From professional whitening treatments to DIY methods, it can feel overwhelming trying to figure out the best way to whiten teeth. Take a look at what to consider and what to ...

Tooth decay is a serious issue, but it can be managed with effective prevention and early treatment. Catching a cavity before it gets too advanced can help avoid more extensive procedures, such as root canal treatment, down the line. 

However, it isn’t always easy to tell when you have a cavity as they don’t always cause pain or other noticeable symptoms. ...

Top Tips for Protecting Tooth Enamel

Tooth decay can be a stubborn foe, but you’re not powerless when it comes to cavity prevention. In fact, the majority of cavities are entirely avoidable; all you need to do is learn what works when it comes to reducing your tooth decay risk factors.

Here are 15 things you can start doing right now to ...

Tooth implants are a highly effective tooth replacement option for patients who have missing teeth. And though only 6% of Americans have dental implants today, it is estimated that the number will grow to 23% by 2026. This number continues to grow because patients have experienced the many benefits that tooth implants can bring ...

As kids, we’re supposed to lose our teeth. Those baby teeth create a space for permanent teeth that will begin making their presence known around the time your child turns seven. But permanent teeth are intended to be permanent, just as their name implies. So when adults lose their teeth prematurely, it can be problematic. Adults who are missing teeth ...

If you have dental anxiety, you may feel like you’re alone—but in reality, you’re far from it. In fact, dental anxiety is common in both children and adults. Some estimates find that somewhere between 50% and 80% of all American adults have dental anxiety, ranging from mild to severe. 

There’s no shame in feeling uncomfortable when  visiting the dentist, ...

No matter how great your oral hygiene routine is, there’s always going to be one thing that threatens your beautiful smile—time. Everything wears down as it ages, and people are no exception. While there may be no remedy for aging yet, there are some things you can do to combat the wear and tear that getting older can do to ...

If you are in need of a dental crown, you may be aware that they can take multiple visits to the dentist to be put into place. At Hite Family Dentistry in Edwardsville, Illinois, we offer single visit crowns that are durable and just as strong, if not stronger, than traditional crowns.

What is a crown and why are they needed?

A 

Over time, the brightness of your teeth can yellow and your smile can dim, thanks to stains from food and drink, or just regular wear and tear. If you want to make your smile whiter and more dazzling, Dr. Hite and his team at Hite Family Dentistry offer teeth whitening solutions that can be done in the office ...