Maintaining a dental website and associated social media accounts is a powerful means of acquiring more patients, but only if you consistently post valuable content. Statistics show that 35% of patients view dentists who are active on social media as more caring. As such, the content you provide, like before-and-after photos, makes it easier for patients to see themselves in your office. 

Consumers use social media accounts to conduct extensive research before investing in products, including choosing a dentist, which is why using proper search engine optimization (SEO) methods to keep your dental website current is crucial to keeping you near the top of every search result list. 

Using cornerstone (core) content to provide complete information will secure your position as an authority in the field, and you’ll notice that your practice begins to grow.   

The importance of cornerstone articles for SEO.

It can be challenging for dental blogs to rank for popular SEO keywords, but using a cornerstone article can boost your website’s chances. If your dental website contains a similar subject, you must identify which is the most important by creating an internal link structure between posts.

Internal and External Linking for Cornerstone Content 

Cornerstone articles must be easily accessible on your dental website. Visitors should be able to find them on your homepage and click directly into the article. Any related content should link back to the associated cornerstone article. 

As your dental blogs develop, you’ll have many new posts that address the topic from other perspectives, each linking back to the cornerstone article. This form of internal link-building improves the chances of your content ranking high among Google searches. 

External linking is another effective way of improving your rankings, especially with more difficult keywords. You can collaborate with other dental blogs and have them share your cornerstone article on their dental website and social media, and you can also share links to your cornerstone articles on your social media to increase the number of visitors to your site.

6 cornerstone articles everyone should have on their dental website. 

Your blog is often the first thing potential patients will discover when searching for a dentist online. Having fresh, relevant content will help increase traffic to your site, generate leads, and grow your patient list. But your content must provide value. 

Give your audience valuable and insightful information by creating cornerstone articles covering the following topics:

1. Oral Hygiene 101: The Ultimate Guide to Maintaining a Healthy Smile

It may seem like common sense, but not everyone knows how to keep their smile healthy, and it makes for an incredibly patient-friendly topic that will provide your readers with the value they seek. 

You can provide information on how to brush and floss or how often you should schedule routine dental visits. You can also explain the importance of fluoride, how your dental health impacts you, and common symptoms of tooth decay. 

2. What You Need to Know About Orthodontics: A Guide to Straightening Your Smile

Many patients have questions regarding orthodontics. They want to know the difference between braces and Invisalign, whether they are a candidate for Invisalign, and why they might need an expander. 

As such, you might include a section about how orthodontics improves oral health and the various types of orthodontic treatment beyond brackets and wires.

3. Gum Disease: Causes, Prevention, and Treatment for a Healthy Mouth 

A lot of people think gum disease is strictly related to inflammation, but numerous symptoms appear in varying ways, and several treatments are available depending on the severity of the condition. An article pertaining to the subject is the perfect opportunity to introduce what a periodontist is and how they help treat patients with gum disease. 

4. Tooth-Friendly Foods: Nourishing Your Smile for Optimal Dental Health

Everyone knows that sugary foods, like candy, are bad for their teeth, but knowing which foods are good for them is more of a rarity. Make a list of foods that contain nutrients that protect and restore your teeth. You can even include recipes to jumpstart their interest in such tooth-friendly foods. 

5. Cavity Prevention: Tips and Strategies for a Decay-Free Smile

Brushing and flossing are people’s most commonly used strategies for preventing tooth decay, but there is more to a healthy smile than minty-fresh breath. Giving your readers additional tips and techniques will help them improve their oral and whole-body health. 

6. Cosmetic Dentistry: Enhancing Your Smile and Boosting Your Confidence  

Not everyone understands the difference between cosmetic and restorative dentistry, so you could use a relevant article to explain the distinction to your patients and also explain how cosmetic dentistry can improve appearances and self-confidence. Just advise readers that their treatment will depend on their underlying oral health conditions and goals. 

Growing your practice through SEO strategies. 

The more information you post to your dental website, the more visible your brand becomes. You make people aware of the value you provide as a credible and reliable dentist and drive new patients to your office.  If you want to add orthodontics to your practice to help it grow even further, contact the American Orthodontic Society today to learn more about the courses we provide.