10 Apr

The Importance of Routine Dental Exams

Many people think they only need to go to the dentist when they have a problem. Some people may go in for occasional cleanings, but many people do not have routine dental exams. However, it is important to get your teeth cleaned and examined every six months to one year. Dental hygiene can change rapidly, and the sooner problems are detected, the easier they are to correct. Here are some excellent reasons to schedule your annual dental exam.

Gingivitis and Cavities

Did you know that more than 60 percent of adults suffer from some form of gingivitis or cavities? These periodontal diseases can occur long before you experience any pain or discomfort. Even though you might not have any symptoms, early gingivitis is easy to treat and can be detected by a dentist. You may also have the beginnings of cavities or a weakening of the teeth that can be resolved before you experience any pain or risk losing the tooth. Read More →

15 Mar

Why Cosmetic Dentistry Isn’t Just About Your Smile

You may be self-conscious about your smile or the fact that you are lacking teeth, but you may not fully understand how it affects you and your overall health. Cosmetic dentistry is designed to restore your smile. While dentures, implants, or bridges can be expensive, they are a wise investment for both your appearance and your health.

Teeth Are Important to Your Health

Your ability to chew properly and nourish your body is directly related to the state of your mouth. If you are missing several or all of your teeth, you are likely not chewing effectively. If you are only missing a few teeth, the rest of your mouth is working overtime to compensate for those missing teeth. This can cause a number of problems, including issues with the structure of the mouth and putting undue stress on particular remaining teeth or the jaw.

If you don’t have enough teeth to chew effectively, your body cannot get the nourishment it needs. You may find yourself avoiding foods because they are too hard to eat, such as red meat. The food that you do eat will not be chewed efficiently, which makes the stomach work harder to break down the food so that it can be utilized by the body. Read More →

20 Feb

The Best Relaxation Techniques for Dental Anxiety

Dental anxiety is much more common than you might think. Many people who are normally calm in the face of stress have dental anxiety. If you have a good dentist, it is easy to get through this ordeal unscathed. In addition to some techniques your dentist may use, try these methods for relaxation before and during your procedure.

Meditation

It can be very difficult to meditate while someone is prodding your teeth, but the very act of attempting a meditative state can help keep you calm during your dental procedure. You can try traditional meditation, or you can try methods of visualization. Picturing yourself in your favorite calm place instead of the dental chair can help tremendously.

Breathing Exercises

Your breathing is important in any situation where you are feeling stress or anxiety. The shorter your breaths, the more anxious you are likely to become. Focusing on deep breathing can help you feel calmer. Breathe slowly and deeply, counting to three on the exhale and three on the exhale. Don’t count too fast.

Music

If you are able to listen to music during your dental procedure, it can certainly help calm you and take your mind away from what is happening. Create a playlist of your most favorite songs that you can get lost in, and take along your iPod and headphones. Most dentists will allow you to use headphones during the procedure so long as they do not interfere with what they are trying to do.

Talk to Your Dentist

If you have tried these methods in the past and are still experiencing a high level of dental anxiety, talk to your dentist. Our offices are very sensitive to dental anxiety, and we will do everything we can to make you comfortable. Contact us today to schedule your appointment.

10 Feb

You Are Never Too Old for Straight Teeth

It is no secret that braces are expensive. Many teens who need braces go without them simply due to their parents’ inability to afford their installation and upkeep. That means there are a lot of adults out there who have less than straight teeth.

You might think that you have to get braces as a teenager or live with misaligned teeth for the rest of your life. But you would be wrong. There is actually no age limit on fixing your smile and aligning your teeth perfectly. You may not want to have metal in your mouth as an adult, but there are other options.

Invisalign Has No Age Limit

Invisalign is a type of clear plastic retainer used to straighten teeth over time. Most teens and adults who use Invisalign find they achieve the desired results within six to twelve months of starting treatment. Some people who have more crooked teeth or an overbite may need treatment for a longer period.

Thousands of adults have discovered what they look like with a straight and great-looking smile using Invisalign retainers. It doesn’t matter if you are 20, 30, 40, or even 50-something. If your teeth are otherwise healthy and you want straight teeth for yourself, you can use Invisalign to successfully align your teeth to where they were meant to be.

Invisalign Doesn’t Break the Bank

Invisalign retainers are not horribly expensive. You can get the exam and cleaning you need to get started with our experienced dental office. Then, we will order your first Invisalign retainer. As your teeth straighten, you will need to purchase additional retainers to keep the process going. How many retainers you need depends on how misaligned your teeth are at the beginning of treatment.

If you are interested in having a straight and true smile, contact us today for an exam and consultation. We will be happy to assist you and explain your options.

15 Dec

5 Things You Need to Do NOW to Prevent Tooth Loss in the Future

You can’t expect to have strong, healthy, white teeth your entire life if you ignore oral hygiene and warning signs of decay and disease. Unless you want to find yourself facing the prospect of extractions and fake teeth in the future, make it your goal in 2019 to follow these five health mouth tips.

Brush and Floss Twice a Day

It’s easy to shrug off brushing when you’re tired or in a rush, but it can’t be overlooked. Brushing and flossing are your first lines of defense against dangerous tooth decay. Remember to place your toothbrush at a 45 degree angle to your gums, move the brush back and forth in short strokes, and brush all inner and outer surfaces. Since brushing alone cannot reach the plaque between your teeth, be sure to floss each day as well. Read More →

15 Nov

4 Signs You Need To Whiten Your Teeth

Your teeth don’t change from white to brown overnight. It’s such a gradual process that you might not even realize it has happened at all until the damage becomes embarrassing.

If you can relate to the following habits and behaviors, you’re sending clear signals that your confidence isn’t ruined – it just needs to be be restored through a simple teeth whitening procedure.

You Avoid Face-to-Face Conversations

It’s quite a difficult task to talk and laugh with others without showing your teeth. If you are embarrassed by your teeth because they are dark and stained, you may find yourself avoiding conversations in close quarters or making the conscious decision to smile with closed lips.

This self-conscious behavior has a major impact on your quality of life and prevents you from making connections that enrich your wellbeing. Fortunately, all you need to do is receive professional teeth whitening to once again join in on every laugh, smile, and conversation you can. Read More →

15 Sep

How to Communicate With Your Dentist About Dental Anxiety

Do you feel terror and panic at the very thought of going to the dentist? Do you know you need dental attention, but can’t bring yourself to make an appointment? If so, you could be coping with dental anxiety, a serious phobia experienced by many adults.

Dental anxiety is a dangerous problem since it puts you at higher risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and other conditions. By communicating with your dentist about your fears, you can better cope with your anxiety and get your mouth the attention it deserves.

Be Honest

Dentists are professionals who understand that every patient faces unique oral health challenges. Your dentist offers a judgement-free zone where you can explain your dental anxiety and receive the support you need. Sharing your feelings and fears with your dentist will help to ensure that your treatments and procedures are completed in a way that is sensitive of your anxiety. Read More →

20 Jul

Give Your Skin a Time Machine With These Two Cosmetic Treatments

Wrinkles shouldn’t have to be a necessary part of aging, and thanks to treatments like Juvederm and Botox, they don’t have to be. Juvederm and Botox use different methods to stop and reverse signs of aging from showing on the skin. You can use Botox and Juvederm separately or together to halt unwanted signs of aging and embrace youthful beauty in your appearance. Here’s what you need to know about these popular treatments.

Botox Stops One Root Cause of Wrinkles

Many of the wrinkles on your face, especially those along your forehead and brow, are caused by repeated muscle contractions. Every time you smile, laugh, or frown, your muscles contract and wrinkle your skin in specific places.

Those wrinkles eventually become permanent fixtures on your face, especially as you get older and your skin loses the collagen and elastin it needs to bounce back. Botox is a quick and effective treatment to eliminate those expression-based wrinkles.

Botox is injected around the eyes, between the brows, and on the forehead to relax the facial muscles and wipe away glabellar lines, crow’s feet, and frown lines. Results show within a few days and last as long as three or four months. Read More →

10 Jul

How Is Your Mouth Hurting Your Health?

Did you know that the health of your mouth impacts more than just the cavities that develop? Your oral health significantly influences your overall physical health, more than most people realize. By taking steps to protect your teeth and gums, you can also prevent diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and multiple other dangerous health problems.

Oral Bacteria Leads to Cardiovascular Disease

Bacteria builds up in the mouth when you don’t effectively brush and floss. Poor eating habits also encourage sugar and acid to build up along your teeth and gums. All of this bacteria can enter your bloodstream and travel to the arteries of your heart.

Bacteria is extremely dangerous when it travels through your body. It can cause the arteries to harden in a condition known as atherosclerosis, which leads to decreased blood flow through the body and increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Bacteria can also trigger an infection anywhere in the body, and untreated that infection can cause disease or death. Read More →

22 Jun

Stop Ignoring These Signs That You Need to See Your Dentist

It has become common knowledge that the health of your mouth impacts the overall health of your body as well as your quality of life, but you may still be dragging your feet to make a dentist appointment. Skipping even just one of your regular six month dental appointments makes your mouth more vulnerable to decay and injury, especially if you are experiencing any of the following problems.   Read More →