Did
you know?
According to a study by the Gallop
Organization and Consumer Reports, dentists are among
the top five most trusted professionals.
What do powdered fruit, talc, honey,
dried flowers, mice and lizard livers have in common?
They have all been ingredients in ancient toothpaste
and powder. Yum.
Attention Chocolate Lovers…Many
dentists agree raisins can cause more tooth decay than
chocolate. Sticky foods such as raisins and dried fruits
can stay on the teeth longer and develop more decay.
According to a study at the University
of Connecticut, too much toothpaste early in life is
responsible for more than 70% of fluorosis cases (staining
or mottling of tooth enamel that develops when children
swallow fluoridated toothpaste). Although this problem
is only cosmetic, it is recommended children under
six only use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste and be
reminded to spit it out after brushing.
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Something to Smile About
Caring for your oral health includes regular teeth care and
gum care. Neglecting your gums can eventually lead to periodontal
disease, also known as gum disease, which is a culprit for
the deterioration of your overall oral health. Periodontal
disease affects 75% of adults over 35 years of age and is responsible
for approximately 70% of all adult tooth loss. Since symptoms
of periodontal disease often are unnoticeable, people
never realize their mouth is under bacterial attack.
Highly recognized as a greatly progressive disorder, periodontal
disease is triggered by preventable factors like plaque build-up,
tobacco use, certain medications and stress, as well as unpreventable
measures like systemic disease and fluctuating hormone levels
during puberty, pregnancy or menopause. Research proves up
to 30% of the population may be genetically susceptible to
gum disease.
Periodontal disease begins when the bacteria in the sticky
film which forms on the tooth surface, or plaque, causes gum
inflammation. If the irritation is ignored, plaque will release
toxins breaking down the natural fibers which hold your gums
to your teeth, permitting even more bacteria and toxins to
invade. Plaque deposits quickly harden into calculus or tartar,
which is a rough, porous substance not removable with brushing.
Over time, this progression can lead to severe inflammation,
bone loss, gum recession and tooth loss.
 Symptoms
and signs include:
- Red, swollen, tender or bleeding gums
- Gum recession, or gums pulling away from teeth
- Loose or separating teeth
- Pus between the gum and tooth
- Persistent bad breath
- Bite changes
- Change in the fit of partial dentures
If you have noticed any of the above signs or
symptoms, please make an appointment promptly! Together, we
can win the battle against periodontal disease and maintain
your wonderful, dazzling smile: gums and all. Now that’s
something to smile about.
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From Dull to Dazzling: Enhancing Your
Smile With Cosmetic Dentistry
Many people think dentistry is strictly
for more intense cleaning and hygiene purposes. However, a
dentist
is actually an artist who can make your smile sensational.
Most dentists now practice and perform cosmetic techniques,
not just the run-of-the-mill routine cleanings. Cosmetic dentistry
seeks to create a more aesthetically pleasing and healthy smile.
Although you may be meticulous about your dental care routine, your teeth
still might not look their very best. Drinking coffee, tea or wine will
take a toll on your teeth, causing them to look dull and
stained. Aging or the use of some medications can also result in a discolored
smile. One easy, safe way to revive your smile from these factors is
through whitening.
Plenty of adults are looking towards dentistry to heighten
the appearance and function of their teeth. Cracked, chipped
or unevenly spaced teeth are easily resolved by procedures
like bonding or veneers. Severely damaged teeth can be repaired
with crowns, while bridges and implants are natural-looking
options used to revitalize your smile. These methods will not
only give you a more beautiful smile, but will also rejuvenate
your mouth’s functionality.
If you are not satisfied with your smile and want to take
it a level up from dull to dazzling, speak with us about the
many smile enhancing options available to you.
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“ Bridging” the Gaps and
Wearing a “Crown”: Total Oral Health Renovation
 Face
it, we are rough on our teeth. Sometimes we neglect them, take
them for granted or simply just abuse them. Between physical
activities like sports or chewing hard substances like ice,
our teeth can get knocked out, broken, cracked and worn down.
Forgetting routine dental appointments and ignoring proper
cleaning tactics can result in periodontal disease, tooth decay
and ultimately tooth loss.
When teeth are missing, your mouth must compensate for the
lack of chewing power in that area in order to function normally.
So, the chewing force may shift to another part of the mouth,
which can cause unwanted spaces and changes in your smile.
So, how do we mend our mouth’s broken ties? By simple
dental procedures. Smiles can be renovated to look pristine
using a combination of crowns and bridges to support or replace
lost teeth. A crown snugly covers the complete visible surface
of your affected tooth to add strength, durability and tooth
stability, while restoring your tooth to its natural shape
and size. Crowns can be made of precious metal, porcelain pressed
to metal and all-porcelain. A bridge, also known as a pontic,
is fused between two porcelain crowns to fill the gaps left
by the original missing tooth. The new tooth is then anchored
to the two porcelain crowns, renewing your once damaged smile.
The moral of the story is to be nice to your teeth: be diligent
with your oral hygiene and visit your dentist regularly. Your
teeth are hard workers and they deserve to be pampered. But,
if the damage is already done, see us immediately. We can decide
on the best treatment to restore your smile. Your teeth will
thank you for it.
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