January 6, 2020
Implant dentistry has come a long way in the past quarter century. Not only is having a dental implant becoming more commonplace, the restorations used to cover implants continue to improve making them more lifelike and virtually impossible to detect from natural teeth!
(Read More)October 7, 2019
How your teeth look is important to maintain a healthy, pleasant appearance. Teeth that are stained, chipped, or missing may prevent you from making a good impression. A consultation with your cosmetic dentist will demonstrate how to overcome many dental maladies.
(Read More)July 8, 2019
You may believe you are doing all the right things when it comes to brushing your teeth, but a quick review may reveal a couple of things you didn’t know. Your dentist is a wealth of information when it comes to brushing habits, and welcomes the opportunity to share that knowledge with you during your dental visits.
How often do you replace your toothbrush? Probably not often enough. If you brush for two minutes twice every day, the bristles on your toothbrush begin to wear down in three to four months. If you continue to use a toothbrush with worn bristles, you may not be getting your teeth as clean as you may think.
You should replace your toothbrush at least four times a year making sure the toothbrush you acquire carries the ADA Seal of Acceptance. If you should become ill, you should replace your toothbrush to prevent recontamination.
You should be using a toothbrush with soft bristles. While a hard bristle brush may seem like it would do a better job of cleaning your teeth, it can actually do more damage than good resulting in premature gum erosion and wearing away precious dental enamel.
Your dentist may recommend an electric toothbrush to help prevent brushing with a heavy hand. An electric toothbrush does all the work – you provide the guidance. And a timer will alert you when you’ve brushed the recommended two minutes.
You should brush two minutes twice a day, but did you know there is a correct way to brush? Using small circular motions, focus on a section of teeth at a time making sure you brush the front, back, and top of all teeth. Do not “scrub” your teeth – minimal pressure is all that is needed to clean your teeth. Brush gums and your tongue as well to keep them healthy.
Make sure you store your toothbrush correctly. Rinse it thoroughly following use and store it upright allowing it to dry out between uses. Make sure it does not touch other brushes that may be stored in the same container to prevent cross contamination.
Finally, since many foods and beverages contain acids that can soften dental enamel, you should wait at least thirty minutes to brush after eating or drinking. Feel free to rinse, but you can damage enamel if you brush too soon.
For more information or to schedule your next visit, contact our team at The Dental Place today.
April 5, 2019
Did you know that porcelain veneers can produce the appearance of a straight smile? It’s true. These cosmetic enhancements conceal an array of dental imperfections including orthodontic ones. When a series of porcelain veneers are bonded over teeth, a smile will appear perfectly straight and proportioned. For those with misaligned teeth and other imperfections, receiving porcelain veneers might be a great alternative to wearing braces.
Porcelain veneers and braces both produce straighter smiles but they do it in different ways. Veneers are cosmetic enhancements that are permanently cemented over the front surfaces of teeth. Braces, on the other hand, literally move teeth to straighter positions.
The straight-looking smile produced by porcelain veneers is done in two office appointments. Producing a straight smile with braces usually takes 18 months or longer, depending on a person’s orthodontic situation. There are many instances where braces are preferable to porcelain veneers since having your teeth aligned properly improves oral health.
Sometimes, however, braces might not produce the desired aesthetic one wants or porcelain veneers can be used to conceal minor imperfections in tooth placement that don’t necessarily pose risks to oral health. We recommend consulting with our cosmetic dentist to determine which treatment option meets your needs.
Veneers are a cosmetic treatment that creates a complete smile makeover. These ultra-thin enhancements are custom made to fit perfectly over the front sides of teeth. Once they are bonded to teeth, they create the appearance of a white, straight, and proportionate smile.
Beyond concealing orthodontic imperfections, porcelain veneers will hide stained and chipped or cracked teeth. They are also ideal for concealing misshapen teeth and teeth with jagged edges.
Veneers look very lifelike. Since they are made from fine porcelain and have a beautiful glaze, they mimic the structure, appearance, and texture of teeth quite closely. Those who receive veneers should practice meticulous oral hygiene and visit their cosmetic dentist regularly for checkups to get the most out of their cosmetic enhancements.
Call The Dental Place to reserve a smile makeover consultation with our skilled team.
January 7, 2019
Did you know that dental checkups are very thorough? Dental examinations can reveal a number of oral health and general wellness concerns. With routine checkups and cleanings, your dentist can help you stay on top of your oral health and overall wellbeing. Following are four important aspects of dental examinations that you might not know.
The state of your teeth and gums can reveal more than just oral health concerns. The health of the mouth and body is connected. Many oral health conditions coincide with general ailments, including chronic health problems like impaired immunity, fungal infections, and diabetes.
Are you losing sleep and peace of mind to stress? An oral healthcare provider might notice that you’re stressed out before you vocalize it. For instance, many people clench and grind their teeth – a habit called bruxism – as a response to stress. This habit can wear down your dentition and inflame your gums. The trained eye of an oral health professional might notice the effects of bruxism long before you do.
During checkups, the health of the entire oral cavity is evaluated. On top of examining the condition of structures like teeth, bones, and gums, dentists and specialists look for signs of oral cancer.
Oral cancer screenings are an important part of checkups. Cancers that develop in the oral cavity can be fatal, but a person’s chances of survival are far greater when oral cancer is detected and treated as early as possible.
Keeping regular appointments for checkups and cleanings can do more for you than just reveal issues; it can save you time and money. When problems are detected early on, they are less expensive and time consuming to treat.
For example, a small cavity is normally treated with a conservative restoration called a “filling”. Without treatment, that cavity will deepen and widen, making a filling ineffective. Larger areas of decay and damage require larger restorations like inlays and crowns, which are more costly and time consuming to receive.
Call The Dental Place today to reserve a checkup and cleaning with our dental team.
October 5, 2018
Parents may not realize it, but baby bottles can put their infants and toddlers at risk for tooth decay. When drinks containing sugar, such as fruit juice or soda or even milk or formula, come into contact with a baby’s teeth for an extended period of time, they can contribute to decay. The sugars in those drinks will serve as a source of nutrients for the bacteria that create acidic byproducts of digestion, which in turn cause cavities. Babies face a similar risk when parents dip pacifiers in sugar or honey before giving the pacifier to a child.
Fortunately, parents can take steps to prevent baby bottle decay. Refrain from putting your child to sleep with a bottle, unless the bottle contains water. The risk of decay is increased while your baby is asleep because saliva production goes down, making less of it available to clear away the sugars.
You can be taking other steps to promote optimal oral health for your baby, as well. Did you realize that it’s recommended for a child to see a dentist for the first time before his or her first birthday? This gives the dentist a chance to observe your child’s baseline at the beginning of dental development and monitor your child for any changes or deviations that may be cause for concern.
Parents can also begin a basic oral hygiene routine for their infants. With very young babies whose first tooth has not yet erupted, the gums can be cleaned gently using a wet washcloth. When your child’s teeth begin to come through, you can begin using a soft toothbrush and non-fluoride toothpaste.
It’s important to protect your child’s baby teeth from decay, which can be caused by a child’s bottle habits. When your child loses baby teeth prematurely, it can have negative effects for the permanent teeth that will follow. Prevent these outcomes by limiting your child’s consumption of sugary beverages, and schedule a check-up for your child by his or her first birthday.
Contact our team at The Dental Place for more tips like these!
July 6, 2018
Gingivitis is the early stage of gum disease. If the condition is left untreated, it can escalate into periodontitis. At this point, the patient is in danger of infection and the potential for tooth loss exists. A visit to the dentist for treatment is needed to restore your teeth and gums to a healthier condition.
There are several symptoms that warn that you may be dealing with the onset of gum disease including:
Even patients that are diligent about daily brushing and flossing and regularly visit their dentist every six months can experience gum disease. It does not have to affect your entire mouth … a tooth, quadrant, or arch may be involved. It is important to see your dentist for treatment before early symptoms can escalate.
Dental x-rays, the presence of plaque build-up, as well as actual symptoms all help to diagnose gum disease. Treatment with root planing and scaling involves removing plaque from beneath the gum line. In some cases, antibiotics are recommended as well as prescription strength oral rinses. Ongoing treatment may be required.
Some of the causes attributed to gum disease include smoking and tobacco use, poor daily oral hygiene care (inadequate or improper brushing and flossing), missed or irregularly kept dental cleaning appointments, poor nutrition, regular soda consumption and alcohol/illicit drug abuse. Genetics have also been known to play a role in dental health.
Although most gum disease patients are adults, it is possible for children to develop periodontal disease. Teaching children about the importance of taking care of their teeth and making sure they see their dentist every six months are important to maintaining good oral health.
Contact our team at The Dental Place to schedule a consultation!
April 5, 2018
Dentures are a great solution for patients who have experienced tooth loss. Your dentist will discuss your options for the type of denture available for you as well as provide you with a thorough treatment plan so you will understand what you will undergo during the denture process.
A denture reline is basically a resurfacing of the side of your denture that rests against the soft tissues in your mouth. The primary reasons a reline are needed include:
Patients that require a denture reline should be able to get their denture back the same day. The dental lab can reline a denture if the patient is seen early enough in the day; many dental offices have in-house dental labs providing rapid service.
A reline is usually required every five to seven years, but this time period can vary somewhat from patient to patient. And your dentist may recommend more frequent relines to keep your dentures secure and comfortable.
Your responsibility as a denture wearer include daily care such as cleaning and soaking your denture to keep it looking its best; daily care is needed to keep breath fresh. Clean your denture with the appropriate tools; your toothbrush and regular toothpaste should never be used on your denture as they can be too abrasive.
Before placing your denture and after you remove it daily, brush your teeth making sure to brush the gum tissue where your denture lays to keep gums as invigorated as possible.
Never boil or microwave your denture.
See your dentist regularly. If your denture doesn’t feel right, allow your dentist to make any adjustments. Never try to “tweak” on your own. Contact us today to get your smile back to normal!
January 5, 2018
The loss of one or more teeth can be devastating at any age. Missing teeth can impact speech, the foods you can comfortably eat, and your self-confidence can be eroded. An ideal solution to restore dentition is with dental implants.
Some of the reasons tooth loss occurs include:
Patients that have experienced tooth loss can have their dentition restored with dental implants. Your dentist will complete a review of your overall health and a thorough dental exam to determine your candidacy for this procedure.
Some of the qualifying requirements include sufficient bone in gum tissue, (there are treatment solutions for bone loss available, if needed), patient commitment to care throughout the implant process, willingness to give up tobacco, if used and the time needed as the dental implant and restoration process can take a year from start to finish.
A dental implant is a small titanium post that is embedded surgically in gum tissue where tooth loss has occurred. Depending on the number of teeth being supplanted, one or more implants may be needed.
A healing period follows … during that time bone is grafting to the implant incorporating the post to become a permanent part of the dental anatomy that will be secure enough to support the restoration that will eventually be placed.
The final restoration will be affixed to the implant allowing the patient to chew normally, speak clearly, and smile with renewed self-confidence.
Contact our office today to schedule a consultation!
October 20, 2017
Halloween parties and costumes can distract children from performing day to day important functions; and as parents we must deal with that plus bags of candy and snacks that can wreak havoc on kid’s teeth. Don’t be forced into emergency treatment at the dentist – be proactive with your children’s dental health.
Dental decay seems to be a pervasive problem for children … that is because their teeth have not fully developed lacking the strength of adult teeth. Plus monitoring their diet is very hard as they often eat away from home.
There are things you can do to help keep your children cavity free …
Teach them how to perform daily oral maintenance. Provide the correct tools and monitor their use. One of those tools might include an electronic toothbrush. An electronic toothbrush often comes with a timer to signal your child to know they have brushed a full two minutes. A toothpaste or gel that contains fluoride helps to strengthen dental enamel.
Flossing daily removes debris your child’s toothbrush missed, and when used correctly flossing also helps stimulate healthy gum tissue. While brushing is necessary for great dental health, flossing is just as important so make sure you incorporate this habit into your child’s daily oral health care routine.
Don’t allow sugary treats to take up residence in your child’s room. Keep in mind that what your child may enjoy most is the act of trick or treating. It’s not necessary for them to eat everything they collect.
Finally, make sure your child sees the family dentist every six months. A thorough cleaning will remove all plaque that has formed since their last appointment. Plaque build-up leads to dental decay.
Your dentist can offer preventative measures such as fluoride treatments and dental sealants that will provide protection to the chewing surfaces of your child’s teeth not already impacted by dental decay.
Enjoy the holiday, but do everything you can do make sure your children are maintaining good dental habits.
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