Thursday, December 17, 2015

Cosmetic Dentist Procedures That Will Make You Smile

Cosmetic DentistIf you have teeth you are unhappy with, modern cosmetic dentists make it easier than ever before to attain the smile you have always wanted. If you need a self-confidence boost, want a more attractive smile, or are concerned about health risks due to crowded teeth, we can help. We provide a variety of cosmetic dentistry procedures with the ability to improve your teeth. Learn more about the services we offer and how we can give you your best smile.

Teeth Whitening:

We offer in-office and at-home whitening solutions that range in effectiveness and simplicity. We have options that can suit any budget while still providing you with whiter teeth by eliminating stains and discoloration. A simple teeth whitening cosmetic dentists can provide you with surprising results.

Dental Bonding:

If you have chipped or cracked teeth or a single discolored tooth, we can provide you with dental bonding, which covers injured teeth and imperfections with a malleable solution that is permanently hardened after being placed in the correct area. This option will quickly and easily fix small dental imperfections.

Dental Contouring:

Dental contouring can be employed to align and reshape crooked or misshapen teeth. We will gently buff areas of each tooth to create a more attractively shaped structure.
White Fillings: If you have metallic fillings and would like a tooth-colored update, we can remove your dated fillings and replace them with a more attractive option. Our white fillings will blend in with your tooth color perfectly and look natural when you smile.
Dental Veneers: Our veneers are thin, porcelain shells bonded to the fronts of your teeth. They effectively cover discolored, misshapen, and oddly spaced teeth and also improve the look of jagged or chipped teeth edges. Veneers are customized for your individual needs and attractively cover dental flaws, improving your appearance drastically.

Dental Implants:

If you have missing teeth, you should consider receiving our dental implants instead of getting traditional dentures. Dental implants last forever, look and feel more natural, and are created to match surrounding teeth. Our implants are planted into your jawbone for a permanent foundation.
Dental Bridges: If you don't want a removable dental replacement, but prefer to avoid the cost and procedure of dental implants, dental bridges are an excellent option. A fabricated tooth is held in a gap by two crowns placed over abutment teeth. This is a more permanent option than dentures and provides a natural looking replacement.

These are only a few of our most common cosmetic dentists can improve the appearance and health of your teeth. Most of our treatments are minimally invasive and do not cause discomfort during or after the process. We use appropriate anesthetics as needed to offer you the most comfortable visit possible. You will be pleased with your improved smile and quick results. Our quality materials, products, and procedures provide long-lasting and beautiful teeth resilient to staining and wear.

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Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Learn About Professional Teeth Whitening Brands

Teeth WhiteningIf you want information on professional teeth whitening brands, we encourage you to call and schedule an appointment. Things are changing all the time with companies releasing new and improved products. Visiting our office allows us to provide you with the latest updates. Still, there are a few things you should know about whitening your teeth before you do so.

The Process

When you whiten your teeth, you can do so using an at-home whitening kit or with laser whitening. We recommend using the at-home kit. Regardless of how you whiten your teeth, the solution will typically contain some level of peroxide. The type of peroxide in the solution and its chemical makeup, in general, will influence how effective it is for whitening teeth. Most products you buy in the store will only remove the surface stains on your teeth. While they will make your teeth look better, they will not turn yellow teeth bright white. On the other hand, a professional-grade whitening solution penetrates the enamel and begins the process of oxidization. This is where the molecules inside your teeth begin to reflect less light and appear colorless. Your smile will look bright white as a result, and your teeth will no longer be yellow. This is the type of solution we use in our office.

The Application

When comparing professional teeth whitening brands, you should also consider how the solution is applied to the teeth. Some whitening kits have you brush on the solution using a pen, but the results from this are not significant because the solution will not remain on your teeth long enough. Whitening strips are a better option, but they can still slip out of place, and many people find them to be inconvenient. We recommend you use a kit that uses whitening trays. This way, a solution is placed in the trays for you to then secure around your teeth and wear for thirty minutes or so. The only challenge with this option is that if you buy a kit from the store, the trays will not be designed for your teeth, but for anyone who buys the products. This creates a risk of leakage or the trays slipping out of place. For this reason, we suggest you use professional teeth whitening brands sold by our office. We will begin by having you come in for an appointment, where we make an impression of your teeth. Using that impression, we will then create customized trays designed to fit you perfectly. As a result, the whitening solution will remain in place, not leak out, and the process will be entirely comfortable. Simultaneously, since the solution is professional-grade, you will see the best possible results.

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Friday, November 27, 2015

I Need an Emergency Dentist Near Me. Can You Help?

Emergency DentistIf you have thought, I need an emergency dentist near me, you have already taken the first step toward getting the care you need. Most people do not consider an emergency dentist until they wake up with a sudden toothache or chip a tooth during a weekend softball game. Once the discomfort starts or the damage has been done, it is difficult to think clearly, and most people end up visiting the emergency room as a result. While they can help to stop the bleeding or give you pain medication, they are not trained in how to treat or restore teeth we are. As such, we highly recommend you add our phone number to your contacts and call us in an emergency situation.

We are available to treat you outside normal business hours, so you do not need to live with discomfort. This can help you to get past your situation and back to your normal routine in a hurry. While we welcome your calls, we also want to encourage you to take steps to avoid an emergency in the first place. While most people think of our services after a major, traumatic event like a car wreck, we have found that routine activities are often what lead to a dental emergency. With that in mind, here are a few habits you should avoid.

Opening things with your teeth. We have gotten many calls from people saying, "I need an emergency dentist near me to treat my chipped tooth." Many of these calls come after someone tried to open a bag with their teeth. While your teeth are strong, they have been designed to chew food. You can prevent discomfort and save yourself time by grabbing scissors instead.

Not wearing a mouthguard. Many teeth are damaged while playing sports. A mouthguard is the only real way to protect them, because the guard acts like a barrier, keeping your teeth in place and protected. Otherwise, a flying elbow or runaway ball could knock out an unsuspecting tooth.

Grinding your teeth. This can create the need for an emergency dentist for several reasons. Grinding can cause your natural teeth and restorations to become cracked or chipped. It can also lead to TMJ symptoms like a sore jaw. If you wake up with headaches or jaw and face pain and do not treat the condition, you could wake up unable to open your mouth at all. This will not happen right away, but over time, it is possible. We recommend wearing a night guard to prevent grinding and avoid this possibility.

Chewing on ice. If you have ever bitten down on ice and felt immediate pain, you could have chipped your tooth or worn away the enamel on them. Ice is hard and dangerous for your teeth. Many people have called saying, "I need an emergency dentist near me," after cracking a tooth. This routine activity needs to be avoided.

Regardless of why your tooth hurts or becomes damaged, we can solve the problem and help you to feel better again.

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Tuesday, November 3, 2015

Keep Your Kids Healthy With Help From a Pediatric Dentistry

Pediatric DentistryThe biggest challenge a pediatric dentistry faces does not come in the form of cavities, but in parents who do not realize how prevalent pediatric dental disease is. When you start to look at the number of children who have a pediatric dental disease, also known as childhood tooth decay, it is quite alarming. Over 25 percent of children between the ages two and five experience tooth decay, and when you look at data for children between the ages of 12 and 15, that number jumps to 50 percent. Essentially, this means that one in two preteens and young teens have tooth decay. Childhood tooth decay is a problem far more prevalent than other diseases we pay more attention to, like asthma and hay fever. Comparatively, five children will have tooth decay versus asthma, and seven will have tooth decay versus hay fever. If you were to ask a pediatric dentistry, you would find that most of this decay sets in at an early age, mostly because parents do not bring their children in for early childhood checkups with the dentist like they do with a pediatrician. Eighty-nine percent of children will have seen their pediatrician before their second birthday while only 1.5 percent of children in the same age category will have seen a pediatric dentistry. Part of the reason for this problem is that over 20 million children in the US do not have the proper dental coverage, leading to parents who simply are unable bring their children in to see their dentist.

For a pediatric dentist, it can be slightly frustrating to see children who are not receiving the care they need at an early age. This is because early prevention will not only save your children discomfort, but it is also far more cost-effective. For every $1 you spend with your pediatric dentist on preventative medicine, studies have shown you can save up to $50 on future emergency dental situations and the need for restorative procedures. Unfortunately, children also lose a great deal of productivity due to their needing to have restorations and finding themselves in emergency dental situations. In fact, over 2.26 million school days will be missed each year by children spending time in the dentist chair for non-maintenance related care. This is extremely unfortunate since it doesn't take much for you to keep your children out of this kind of situation. Simple rules like the 2-2-2 rule can help your child avoid future problems.

The 2-2-2 rule consists of three simple steps. Step one is to make sure your child is brushing their teeth at least twice per day. This is a standard rule for anyone brushing your teeth, and one all children should be taught how to follow. In addition, you must make sure your children are brushing their teeth for at least two minutes to get them properly clean. Finally, you must take your child in to see their pediatric dentist at least twice per year.

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Thursday, October 29, 2015

There are Multiple Benefits to Visiting our Family Dentist Office

Family DentistWhat is the importance of a family dentist? There are many ways to answer this question, but perhaps the best way is to pose another question: “Why not have a family dentist?” A family dentist is someone who provides services to the entire family, creating a number of intrinsic benefits common to many service providers who service an entire family. From a dentist point of view, it is even more beneficial when you take into consideration how many people suffer from dental anxiety. We strongly encourage our families to take advantage of the fact that we are a family dentist and to come in together, whenever possible, for routine maintenance and cleaning. What the families who do this have discovered is that when they make it a family habit to visit us, the entire family stays healthier and they have an overall improvement in their oral health and hygiene. In addition, kids learn very young to trust and rely on the family dentist for any dental health needs they may have, much the same way as families have learned to rely on the family general practitioner. As the familiarity between us and your family improves, so too will that critical trust factor, which is something family dentists rely on very heavily.

Consider it from a child's perspective for a second. Coming to a medical service center of any type is something naturally scary for a child. There are unfamiliar surroundings, strange sounds and smells, and the innate fear of the unknown. When, however, you add in the smiling face of a trusted family practitioner in the form of your family dentist, much of that anxiety dissipates. Since the child has previously seen this person as a friend and someone who treats Mom or Dad, they are no longer as concerned about the procedures or what goes on in the chair. Additionally, we have discovered that parents who make it a habit to come in with their children are also more inclined to trust the dentist and have their own oral health needs taken care of.

Besides the ability to build trust with the family, there are other very tangible benefits for a family who sees a family dentist. The first among these is the ability to save time. When you have different services providers for different members of the family, you will find yourself juggling schedules and driving from place to place to ensure everyone is getting what they need. On the other hand, when the entire family sees the same family dentist, we are able to provide you with all the services under one roof. For general services from fillings to extractions and from cleanings to x-rays, we are able to offer all of that in the clinic, so you do not have to go anywhere else. In a the same vein, families do not want to be juggling schedules, so we have a booking system that allows you to book each other's appointments in congruence or relationship with each other. This way, when you and the family come in to see the family dentist, all your bases are covered at the same time.

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Thursday, October 1, 2015

Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures That Will Make You Smile

Cosmetic DentistryIf you have teeth you are unhappy with, modern cosmetic dentistry procedures make it easier than ever before to attain the smile you have always wanted. If you need a self-confidence boost, want a more attractive smile, or are concerned about health risks due to crowded teeth, we can help. We provide a variety of cosmetic dentistry procedures with the ability to improve your teeth. Learn more about the services we offer and how we can give you your best smile.

Teeth Whitening: We offer in-office and at-home whitening solutions that range in effectiveness and simplicity. We have options that can suit any budget while still providing you with whiter teeth by eliminating stains and discoloration. A simple teeth whitening cosmetic dentistry procedure can provide you with surprising results.

Dental Bonding: If you have chipped or cracked teeth or a single discolored tooth, we can provide you with dental bonding, which covers injured teeth and imperfections with a malleable solution that is permanently hardened after being placed in the correct area. This option will quickly and easily fix small dental imperfections.

Dental Contouring: Dental contouring can be employed to align and reshape crooked or misshapen teeth. We will gently buff areas of each tooth to create a more attractively shaped structure.

White Fillings: If you have metallic fillings and would like a tooth-colored update, we can remove your dated fillings and replace them with a more attractive option. Our white fillings will blend in with your tooth color perfectly and look natural when you smile.

Dental Veneers: Our veneers are thin, porcelain shells bonded to the fronts of your teeth. They effectively cover discolored, misshapen, and oddly spaced teeth and also improve the look of jagged or chipped teeth edges. Veneers are customized for your individual needs and attractively cover dental flaws, improving your appearance drastically.

Dental Implants: If you have missing teeth, you should consider receiving our dental implants instead of getting traditional dentures. Dental implants last forever, look and feel more natural, and are created to match surrounding teeth. Our implants are planted into your jawbone for a permanent foundation.

Dental Bridges: If you don't want a removable dental replacement, but prefer to avoid the cost and procedure of dental implants, dental bridges are an excellent option. A fabricated tooth is held in a gap by two crowns placed over abutment teeth. This is a more permanent option than dentures and provides a natural looking replacement.

These are only a few of our most common cosmetic dentistry procedures that can improve the appearance and health of your teeth. Most of our treatments are minimally invasive and do not cause discomfort during or after the process. We use appropriate anesthetics as needed to offer you the most comfortable visit possible. You will be pleased with your improved smile and quick results. Our quality materials, products, and procedures provide long-lasting and beautiful teeth resilient to staining and wear.

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Monday, September 28, 2015

Periodontics Treatment FAQs

PeriodonticsWhen you visit us for periodontics, we can provide you with the care you need to ensure your gums stay in excellent health. If you have already suffered from gum disease or even gum recession, we can assist with that, as well. Many people think of teeth when they think of the dentist, and while this is accurate, we also treat gums. Your gums are critical to your oral health, and if you experience gum disease, it can progress to the point where you begin to lose teeth. In fact, when we see signs of tooth loss, gum disease is the first thing we look for. To ensure you do not have it, visit our dental office for an examination and teeth cleaning. In the meantime, here are some facts you should know about periodontal treatment.

First, how do I know if I have gum disease?

The best way to find out is to visit a dentist. However, if you are looking to self-diagnose, we recommend you pay attention to how your gums look and feel. If they are sore, red, swollen, bleeding, or painful, you could have gum disease. You may notice that your gums have these symptoms when you smile or when you brush your teeth. Some people even notice blood when they spit after brushing. If this happens occasionally, it may not be a cause for concern, but if it is happening regularly, you should certainly give us a call.

What causes gum disease?

As a provider of periodontics care, we warn patients that they need to brush their teeth and floss throughout the day. Many people skip flossing, but this can lead to gum disease because it allows plaque to build up along the gum line and eventually become trapped underneath it. When plaque and tartar form on the portion of the tooth that is under the gums, it will irritate them and cause gum disease. Another cause is restricted blood flow, which is why pregnant women and diabetics tend to experience gum disease more frequently than others.

How do you treat periodontal disease?

If we can catch it early, we can start by performing a deep cleaning. There are several ways to do so, and depending on the amount of cleaning required, you may need to visit us for more than one appointment. Our goal is to remove the plaque and tartar from underneath the gums to eliminate the irritant. This is done with a deep cleaning and is the preferable treatment option. However, if the gums have started to recede or pull away from the tooth structure, this will not be enough. Once gum recession has taken place, you will be in danger of your tooth becoming loose or even falling out. This is because more of the tooth structure and roots will be exposed to bacteria, and as the plaque is created, the acid secreted from it can attack the tooth and lead to bone loss. This is what ends up leading to loose teeth and tooth loss. To prevent this, your gums must be treated. In this case, you may need a gum graft. This is where tissue is taken from the roof of the mouth or from a tissue donor and sutured to your gums so they can be secured back around your teeth. This sort of periodontics treatment can help your gums to return to good health.

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Wednesday, September 2, 2015

The Role of Antibiotics in Pediatric Dentistry and Our Dentist Office

Pediatric DentistryWith pediatric dentistry, perhaps more than any other form of dentistry, we are always looking for the easiest and fastest way to relieve the discomfort of patients that visit our dentist office. This is especially true because, with pediatric dentistry, we are dealing with children who do not understand their discomfort and want it gone quickly. In a sense, the discovery of penicillin by Alexander Fleming in 1928 was a blessing for the entire profession. Antibiotics have given modern medicine the opportunity to take away most infections very quickly and effectively. This was a huge leap that allowed us to take on even the most stubborn bacterial infections and cure them, which led to other advancements and the ability to treat even more difficult problems. Naturally, as with any great discovery, there are cautions as well. At our practice, we believe in a more holistic form of treating our patients, which means that while antibiotics are on the table, they are not the option we jump to quickly. In fact, the question we often ask is not what antibiotic to use, but rather, if we actually need to use an antibiotic at all. In this regard, we prefer a much more measured and scientific approach to prescribing treatment. There are reasons for our caution.

As a dentist, we have watched the American Association of Pediatric Dentistry has issued a caution about antibiotics. Their overuse by the medical profession as a whole has literally given rise to strains of bacteria that are completely resistant to antibiotics, and this is not something a pediatric dentist wants to risk. So you will find that there are always alternatives we want to explore before going to an antibiotic treatment. With this approach for when we do prescribe them, the antibiotics are highly targeted and usually extremely effective. Being involved in pediatric dentistry, we completely understand a parent's desire to go quickly to antibiotics as a treatment. The results often speak for themselves. If your child has an infection that is causing them discomfort, giving them a fever, or even has swelling at the site of the infection, it is understandable that you would want to do whatever is necessary to eliminate this, and with an antibiotic, many parents will see an almost instantaneous result.

On the other hand, pediatric dentistry knows it is not the antibiotics that kill the bacterial infection. When your child is infected with foreign microorganisms, their immune system goes to war with these invaders. The antibiotics merely provide a way for the body to have balance, giving it a much-needed opportunity to recoup. Once this happens, your body will quickly and effectively neutralize the infection and kill whatever microorganisms are causing the problem. In addition, your child's body will learn what makes this infection tick, so should any similar infection ever appear, their body can very quickly create the solution for it. At the end of day, it is the body that is an ace infection fighter, so our job as a dentist is to provide it with whatever tools it need to fight this, or any infection effectively, even if not in the form of antibiotics.

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Monday, August 24, 2015

A Simple How To Find An Emergency Dentist

Emergency DentistWondering how to find an emergency dentist? You would not be alone because every year thousands of people find themselves in exactly the same predicament. Dental accidents happen all the time and usually when we are least expecting them. This leaves the person in a bit of a panic, wondering how to find an emergency dentist. In the case of a child being injured, playing sports, for example, the need to quickly identify and reach out to an emergency dentist becomes even more important. There are several ways you can find an emergency dentist. Our recommendation is to be proactive and start the search before you ever have the need for these kinds of service. There are a few dentists that offer emergency dental treatment but, unlike hospitals, not all dentists are able to offer emergency medical treatment. You should start your search by talking to your provider.

If you already have a dentist and they do not provide you with dental care in an emergency situation, they will probably have a recommended dentist that they work with who does. Naturally, if that does not work, you can talk to friends and family about their dentist and seek out the ones that do offer emergency dental care. The other option on how to find an emergency dentist is to do a google search, looking for an emergency dentist. This can be hit and miss sometimes so you will want to actually call the dentist office to find out if they do offer emergency dental services. We recommend you read reviews and testimonials before picking your emergency dentist. This can only be done if you are working proactively to select an emergency dentist before the incident occurs. Once you have identified who your provider is, you will want to make sure that they are covered by your insurance. We recommend writing them down along with their contact information in an emergency contact list. That way when, and if, an emergency dental situation arises, you will not be wasting precious time looking for a provider.

People often wonder what to do in certain emergency dentist situations while they are trying to figure out how to find an emergency dentist. Here are a few tips –

For a severe toothache: Take a recommended dose of an over the counter pain reliever, then rinse your mouth out with warm water. If something is stuck in your teeth, try to extract it gently using floss and without using a sharp object. You can also apply a cold compress if the outside of your mouth is swollen.

A chipped or broken tooth: Find the parts of the tooth, as many as you can, and place them into a container with cool milk. You will want to make sure to stem any bleeding that may be occurring with gauze, placed with light pressure for approximately 10 minutes or until the bleeding stops.

Lost filling: Place a piece of sugarless gum into the cavity as a temporary measure. Do not use gum that has sugar as it will cause you additional pain.

In each of these scenarios, you want to have the number of your emergency dentist handy and reach out to them as soon as you have taken these temporary measures.

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Tuesday, August 4, 2015

How a Redwood City Dentist Can Improve Your Experience With Dental Care

Redwood City DentistAs a Redwood City dentist, we provide superior dental care and do so in a way that is gentle. This way, you can receive the care that you need without discomfort.  We also use medication and sedation when necessary to ensure that you can remain calm and relaxed during your appointment.  Sedation dentistry is one of those advances in dental medicine that is a huge blessing for a large number of patients. For years, people have been avoiding the dentist office in record numbers because of a fear known as dental anxiety. We are well aware of what dental anxiety does to a person, leaving them in a panic. This panic is so deep that for over 26% of affected people, it translates to them never being able to come in and see a dentist until they have a dental emergency. Sometimes even a dental emergency is not enough to motivate these folks past their fears to come in and see a dentist. This is a serious issue when almost half the people in the world are so afraid of the procedures at the dentist office that they are willing to risk pain and discomfort rather than coming in. Sedation dentistry can correct this by providing you with an alternative to living with the fear, in the form of sedation.

Sedation and dentistry are not new concepts working together. We have used sedation for many things, including procedures that involve a lot of work or in situations where it takes less time to have the patient asleep. Common examples of dentists using sedation are when we do a wisdom tooth extraction or a root canal. Today, however, we have expanded the scope of using sedation with dentistry so that we can help you to alleviate fears, even when you are coming in for less intrusive work. The one thing that you need to be aware of is the fact that we need to evaluate what you are having done, how much fear you have, and how much sedation you are going to need for the procedure.

As a Redwood City dentist and provider of oral surgery, there are four types of sedation that we make the most use of. Our preference is always to use the first three in the case of less intrusive procedures because we do not want to over use general anesthesia. The first, and most commonly used, type of sedation dentistry is called minimal sedation. In this state, you would be fully awake and also completely relaxed. The second state of sedation that we use is known as moderate sedation. When you are under moderate sedation, you will still be conscious but will be slightly more affected. You will probably slur your speech because you have a heavy tongue, and chances are, that you will not remember very much when it comes to the procedure. The next option is deep sedation, where you will be on the edge of consciousness. In essence, you will be asleep, but it will not be a very deep sleep. We can wake you up relatively easily if need be. Finally, there is general anesthesia, in which you are completely unconscious and will need to take some time to recover before being able to head home. As a Redwood City dentist, we are most likely to use this when performing a surgical procedure.

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Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Why You Should Visit a Professional Teeth Whitening Dentist

Professional Teeth Whitening DentistThere are many reasons why you should visit a professional teeth whitening dentist, the main ones being safety and efficiency. Before you decide to whiten your teeth, you should discuss the risks and time frame it may take to get the results you want with a dentist. When you whiten at home with store-bought products, you risk tooth sensitivity and enamel and root damage. We can help you determine what the risks are surrounding your individual teeth and what whitening system is best for your needs.

Why a professional teeth whitening dentist?

We can help you alleviate sensitivity as you whiten by recommending certain desensitizing toothpaste designed for vulnerable teeth.

We can also check for discreet signs of root damage that could be the result of tooth whitening or other care regimens.

We can treat any existing conditions that may be inhibiting your ability to whiten your teeth quickly and effectively.

We increase your teeth whitening success rate.

We can determine if your staining is caused by general wear and surface stains or by underlying issues that need to be addressed and fixed, like periodontal disease, smoking, or silver-lined fillings.

If you have existing bonding or other dental enhancements, we can help you whiten areas that can be whitened and find ways to improve your restorations.

Who is a good candidate for teeth whitening?

People whose teeth have naturally become stained due to eating and drinking are excellent candidates for teeth whitening. If you have staining in inner layers on your teeth from medications or fluoride use, we will have to discuss other ways to improve the color of your teeth outside of our normal bleaching techniques. Before we begin your profession teeth whitening process, we will give your teeth a thorough cleaning and checkup to remove any surface stains that may get in the way of our bleaching techniques. Other good candidates are people who are generally unhappy with the current appearance of their teeth.

If you are considering cosmetic improvements for your teeth, you should first pursue visiting a professional teeth whitening dentist for a lightening. A teeth whitening is sometimes all patients need to greatly improve their smiles. A professional whitening will result in amazing results that brighten your entire smile.

Are the costs of professional teeth whitening reasonable?

Teeth whitening is one of the most affordable ways to improve your smile. Many people opt to whiten their teeth rather than having other more expensive improvements made. Our convenient in-office or at-home whitening treatments can give you immediate results that continue to develop with longer use. Instead of spending money on teeth whitening toothpaste and store-bought products, visit a professional to have your whitening implemented correctly at a reasonable price.

Before you visit a professional teeth whitening dentist for a bleaching, you should consider your oral health habits. Are you brushing and flossing your teeth like you should and visiting a dentist twice a year? Even when you have your teeth whitened, you need to maintain these healthy oral hygiene habits in order to elongate your whitened results. Visit our office today for more information.

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Thursday, July 2, 2015

Learn About How The Dental Implant Procedure Replaces Teeth

The Dental Implant ProcedureIf you are missing teeth, the dental implant procedure can replace them in a natural-looking way.

What is the dental implant procedure?

When placing a dental implant, which is a tiny prosthetic device used to help replace lost teeth or a single tooth, we use a dental implant procedure. This procedure consists of an examination, the oral surgery to place the implant into the jawbone and under the gum line, and the placement of a new fake tooth. This dental implant procedure is designed to give you a prosthetic that will help support a strong and sustainable fake tooth. We start every dental implant procedure with a comprehensive examination. This is to determine if there is anything that might delay, hamper, or preclude your dental implant from being placed. While there are very few factors that can actually prevent you from getting a dental implant, there are numerous things that may require our attention before we get to the actual implant portion of the procedure. During the examination, we will use dental imaging to examine the density and strength of the jawbone, check for cavities and decay, and ensure that every aspect of your mouth is healthy enough to proceed with oral surgery. The second step of a dental implant procedure is to place the implant into the jawbone, a procedure carried out by a skilled oral surgeon. During this process, the surgeon will leave an abutment, or a small post, available to connect the outer tooth, which is also known as the dental crown, to the actual dental implant. Typically, there is a healing period after this procedure, and then we will place your new dental crown and you will leave with a brand new tooth or set of teeth.

During the dental implant procedure, why do you measure the jawbone so thoroughly?

Think of the dental implant as the foundation of a house, and the jawbone is the ground into which we must place the foundation. If the ground is weak, then the entire foundation, and thus the house itself, will not be stable. To avoid this, we want to make sure that before we do a dental implant procedure, your jawbone is dense enough to sustain the implant and provide the support the new tooth needs. Often, patients who have experienced tooth loss also find that their jawbone has deteriorated through a natural process known as resorption. Our goal is to make sure that this has not caused your jawbone to become so weak that it cannot withstand the implant. In the event that your jawbone does not have the required density or is too weak, we can perform a bone graft to give us a strong area in which to place the dental implant.

Is the dental implant procedure impacted if I need a bone graft?

A bone graft is a restorative procedure that simply gives your bone the support it needs by augmenting, or building up, the bone. The procedure is done at the dentist office, but does require a healing period of around six months before we can proceed to the next phase of the dental implant procedure.

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Tuesday, June 23, 2015

What You Should Know About Dietary Restrictions After Oral Surgery

Oral SurgeryWe perform oral surgery on a regular basis, primarily to place dental implants.  If you have lost a tooth, implants are the best way to replace it because an implant not only replaces the actual tooth but also the root system.  It is the only solution to do so considering that both a dental bridge and dentures only deal with the problem on the outside of the gums.

While highly effective, this is a surgical procedure.  In order to place the implants, we insert a titanium post under the gums and secure it to the jawbone.  This is done in every place where a tooth is missing.  We do this under anesthesia so that you remain comfortable and do not feel any irritation during the procedure itself.  Since it is surgical, there will be a recovery time that is associated with the procedure and the more implants that you have placed, the longer the recovery period will be.

During this time, it is important that you eat a healthy diet so that you can keep up your energy and give your body the best opportunity to recover quickly from your oral surgery.  This can be challenging since your gums will also be sore and there are natural restrictions associated with what you can eat.  You need to focus on eating foods that are soft and will not irritate your gums.

Here are some meals that we recommend you try after having oral surgery.

Breakfast

Be sure to continue to eat every meal, including breakfast.  While cereal and toast are out of the question, you can have oatmeal or cream of wheat that is made with whole milk.  You can also try boiled or scrambled eggs as a nutritious breakfast.  Otherwise, we recommend that you have a smoothie where you combine your favorite fruits and vegetables with yogurt and protein powder.  A smoothie can be used to replace as many meals as you like and will provide you with much of the nutrition that you need as long as you include the correct ingredients.

Lunch

For lunch, many of our patients eat soup.  You can buy soup in the can or make your own potato soup that can be blended for a meal that is delicious, easy to make and eat. You can also try eating a tuna sandwich or a hummus sandwich on soft bread with applesauce on the side.

Dinner

After having oral surgery, this can be the hardest meal to replace simply because most people eat meat as their main dish.  In the beginning, pork, chicken, and beef will be too challenging to eat but you can substitute these with a soft fish or tofu.  Both will provide you with the nutrition that you need while being easy to eat.  Add a side dish of mashed potatoes or soft pasta shells that are easy to chew.

Keep in mind that your dietary restrictions are only temporary.  You will be able to return to a normal diet fairly quickly and once your gums are healed and your new tooth secured, there will be no dietary restrictions.

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Wednesday, June 3, 2015

We Keep Children Healthy in Our Pediatric Dentistry Office

Pediatric DentistryAs a specialist in pediatric dentistry, we treat many of the same problems that plague adults. In that regard, we are very much like a regular dentist. The biggest difference, as you can imagine, is the age of our patients.  While the challenges that face adults and children are often the same. Addressing these challenges can be more difficult when dealing with children. For an adult, it is usually pretty simple to determine what is going on, for example where they are experiencing discomfort. A child may not be able to communicate this as effectively, sometimes pointing to a region of their mouth instead of a specific tooth or part of the gum. In addition to this we have the challenge that children are typically more nervous of the experience. They are already intimidated coming in to see a dentist, and then there is the chair, all the equipment, and people in white coats. An important part of being a pediatric dentist is learning to pace the child so that we can get all the work that needs to be done completed, without completely overwhelming them. Talking them through various steps, allowing them to pre-touch the equipment, and working at a slower pace are all vital to achieving this goal.

In pediatric dentistry, there are a number of more common problems that we deal with in children. The most common, as many parents can attest to, is the occurrence of cavities. Cavities are also known as tooth decay. For children, and for adults, untreated cavities can cause discomfort and spread to other areas of the mouth. Luckily decay is one of the easier things to prevent, and when it does occur we can fill cavities very easily as well. Decay in teeth is caused by a natural occurrence of bacteria. This bacteria tends to colonize parts of the teeth, and when they are given food they secret acid. The bacteria are particularly partial to foods high in sugar and starch content. The acid secreted will damage the enamel and eventually cause a small hole to appear. The easiest way to avoid cavities is to teach your children great oral health habits so that they never allow the bacteria to build up to damage causing levels. Great oral habits include brushing twice per day, using floss on a regular basis, rinsing after meals and also after snacks, and making it a habit to visit the dentist at least twice a year. For children, this regiment is critical.

Some of the other things we find common to pediatric dentistry and regular dentistry are things like canker sores. Caused by a number of different factors, canker sores are painful for children. They can very easily be dealt with by using an anti-microbial mouthwash. Also, one sure way to tell if you child is having a dental issue is tooth sensitivity. Children will frequently complain of discomfort when they eat something hot, cold, or sweet. This sensitivity can be a parent's best friend as it alerts you to the fact that you need to come in and visit our pediatric dentistry office.

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