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Posts for: December, 2017

Give Yourself the Gift of a New Smile

By The Smile Spa
December 18, 2017
Category: Dental Procedures
Tags: smile makeover   cosmetic dentistry  
GiveYourselftheGiftofaNewSmile

The holidays are a season for giving. At this time of year, lots of us spend hours rushing around, looking for the perfect gifts for people we care about. But sometimes, amidst all the hustle and bustle, it doesn’t hurt to step back and think about yourself a little. If a better-looking smile has been on your list but you haven’t taken the first steps, the holiday season might be the right time to give yourself a gift.

Many smile problems, like discolored, chipped or uneven teeth, can be resolved with veneers—wafer-thin porcelain shells that cover the front surfaces of teeth. Veneers are custom-made just for you: They can have a pearly luster to match your existing teeth, or be Hollywood-white for a dazzling red-carpet smile. In just a few visits to the dental office, you can have the smile you’ve always wanted—and a whole new look for the New Year.

If damaged or missing teeth are what’s bothering you, you’ll be happy to know that there are lots of good options for replacing them. If the tooth’s roots are still in good shape, a crown or cap could be the answer. This is a sturdy replacement for the entire visible part of the tooth that not only looks great, but also functions well in your bite—and can last for years to come.

If teeth are missing or can’t be saved, we offer several options for replacement, including fixed (non-removable) bridgework and dental implants. A tried-and-true method for replacing one or more missing teeth, bridges are firmly supported by healthy teeth next to the gap in your smile. These teeth must be prepared to receive the bridge by having some of the tooth’s surface removed.

Dental implants are today’s premier option for tooth replacement. In this high-tech system, a root-like titanium insert, placed directly into the bone beneath the gum, forms a solid anchorage for the visible part of the replacement tooth. Implants look and feel completely natural, and can last for many years. Plus, they don’t require any work to be done on nearby teeth.

What kind of smile makeover is right for you? Just ask us! We will be happy to take a look at your smile and recommend a treatment plan. And in this season of generosity, there’s no better gift you can give yourself than a bright new smile.

You can learn more about smile makeovers by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Beautiful Smiles by Design.”


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4 Tips for Avoiding Dental Disease While Wearing Braces

By The Smile Spa
December 10, 2017
Category: Dental Procedures
Tags: orthodontics   braces  
4TipsforAvoidingDentalDiseaseWhileWearingBraces

Wearing braces takes time, but if all goes well the changes to your smile will be well worth it. In the meantime, though, you’ll have to contend with one particular difficulty—keeping your teeth clean of disease-causing, bacterial plaque.

Don’t worry, though—while keeping dental disease at bay with braces can be challenging, it is doable. Here are 4 tips for minimizing your chances of tooth decay or periodontal (gum) disease during orthodontic treatment.

Eat less sugar. Like any living organism, bacteria must eat—and they’re especially amenable to sugar. The more they have access to this favorite food source, the more they multiply—and the greater your risk of tooth decay or gum disease. Eating fewer sugary foods and snacks and more dental-friendly ones helps restrict bacteria populations in your mouth.

Brush thoroughly. Brushing with braces can be difficult, especially in areas blocked by orthodontic hardware. You need to be sure you brush all tooth and gum surfaces around your braces, including above and below the wire running through the brackets. A soft multi-tufted microline bristle brush is a good choice for getting into these hard to reach places. Brushing around braces takes more time, but it’s essential for effective plaque removal.

Use flossing tools. Flossing is important for removing plaque from between teeth—but, unfortunately, it might be even more difficult to perform with braces than brushing. If using string floss proves too daunting consider using a floss threader or a similar device that might be easier to maneuver. You can also use a water irrigator, a hand-held device that sprays water under pressure to loosen and flush away between-teeth plaque.

Keep up regular dental visits. While you’re seeing your orthodontist regularly for adjustments, you should also see your general dentist at least every six months or more. Besides dental cleaning, your dentist also monitors for signs of disease and can prescribe preventive measures like antibacterial mouth rinses. Of course, if you see abnormalities, like white spots on your teeth or red, puffy or bleeding gums, contact your dentist as soon as possible. The sooner a problem can be addressed the less impact it may have on your orthodontic treatment and overall oral health.

If you would like more information on caring for teeth and gums while wearing braces, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Caring for Teeth During Orthodontic Treatment.”


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  • 2022
      • May (3)
        • Emma Roberts Confesses to Having a Major Sweet Tooth While Expecting
        • Porcelain Veneers - the Answer for Many Smile-Appearance Problems
        • Implants Can Last a Long Time If You'll Do This to Maintain Them
      • April (3)
        • If You're Caring For an Older Adult, Make Their Oral Health a Top Priority
        • Olympian's Pole Vaulting Accident Puts the Spotlight on Dental Injuries
        • This Temporary RPD Could Sustain Your Smile While You Wait For Implants
      • March (3)
        • Injury Treatment for an Immature Tooth Could Impact its Long-term Survival
        • While Treating Dental Disease, Protecting Good Bacteria is a High Priority
        • Here's What These 3 Celebrities Did to Amp Up Their Smile
      • February (2)
        • Call Your Dentist ASAP if You Have a Loose Tooth
        • 4 Things You Can Do to Keep Your Children's Dental Development on Track
      • January (4)
        • Removing Teeth Could Aid Orthodontic Treatment
        • Supermodel Ashley Graham's Unpleasant Dental Encounter With a Frozen Cookie
        • The First Step To Beating Gum Disease Is Understanding How It Starts
        • Implants Streamline Dental Work Upgrades for Gradual Tooth Loss
  • 2021
      • December (3)
        • Veneers May Not Be a Good Option for a Teenager
        • Take It From Taylor Swift - Losing Your Orthodontic Retainer is No Fun
        • Sealants Can Prevent Childhood Cavities Now and a Bite Problem Later
      • November (3)
        • A Little Fluoride Goes a Long Way in Protecting Your Family's Teeth
        • A Case of Shingles Could Impact Your Upcoming Dental Visit
        • Unlike Brad Pitt, You Didn't Mean To Chip Your Tooth. We Can Still Fix It
      • October (3)
        • 5 Signs Your Child May Be Developing a Poor Bite
        • Removing a Tooth Could Help Correct This Particular Bite Problem
        • Fluoride Treatments Give Your Child Added Protection Against Cavities
      • September (3)
        • What Chrissy Teigen's Inauguration Night Cap Mishap Could Mean For You
        • Here's What's in Your Toothpaste for Keeping Your Teeth and Gums Healthy
        • Stop Tooth Decay Before It Derails Your Child's Dental Development
      • August (3)
        • Here's What You Can Expect With Dental Implant Surgery
        • Porcelain Veneers Transform Real Housewives Star's Smile Spoiled by Teeth Grinding
        • Correcting a Poor Bite With Braces - a True Wonder
      • July (3)
        • Gum Swelling Can Happen With Braces - Here's How to Avoid It
        • Surgical Cleft Correction Candidate for a Modern Day Miracle
        • Kevin Bacon's Mango-Slicing Trick and Other Ways to Rid Food Between Your Teeth
      • June (3)
        • Drawing Impacted Teeth Out of the Gums Could Help Normalize a Smile
        • What We Can Learn From Those With Chronic Jaw Pain and Discomfort
        • Do This For a Healthier Mouth and Overall Well-Being
      • May (3)
        • After a Devastating Injury, Prompt Action Saved Singer Carly Pearce's Smile
        • Removing Teeth Might Make It Easier To Straighten a Smile
        • Thumb Sucking and Tongue Thrusting Could Cause a Poor Bite
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        • 4 Ways Alcohol Could Affect Your Oral Health
        • You Don't Need to Pass a Football Like Patrick Mahomes to Remove a Loose Baby Tooth
        • Your Dental Records Keep Your Oral Care Consistent Throughout Life's Changes
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        • Eating the Right Kind of Carbs Can Help You Avoid Gum Disease
        • Here's Why Gum Disease Could Be Lurking in Your Mouth Even Now
        • Buffalo Bills' Stefon Diggs Knows There's Never a Bad Place to Floss
      • February (3)
        • 6 Signs Your Child Could Be Developing a Poor Bite
        • Eating the Right Foods Can Boost Your Efforts to Prevent Dental Disease
        • How You Can Help Your Smile Stay Attractive as You Get Older
      • January (3)
        • Mike Tyson: The Prizefighter Prizes His Unique Smile
        • What To Do and Not Do for These 3 Common Childhood Dental Problems
        • Could a Dental Bridge Be a Better Choice Than Implants?
  • 2020
      • December (3)
        • Don't Let Bad Breath Ruin Your Date Under the Mistletoe
        • Why Kathy Bates Chose This Alternative to Braces and so Might You
        • Keep Your New Straightened Smile Straight With an Orthodontic Retainer
      • November (3)
        • A RPD Could Be Your Answer to Replacing Missing Teeth
        • Don't Let Acid Reflux Disease Rob You of Your Teeth
        • Find Out How These Famous Celebrities Protect Their Smiles From Teeth Grinding
      • October (3)
        • Dental Implants Could Help You Avoid This Long-Term Effect of Losing Teeth
        • Could a Metal Allergy Stop You From Getting Dental Implants?
        • A Little Daily Brushing and Flossing Can Add Up to a Lifetime of Healthy Teeth and Gums
      • September (3)
        • NHL Iron Man Keith Yandle Suffers Dental Trauma on Ice
        • Use Appropriate Hygiene Products for Maximum Smile Protection
        • Preventing Gum Disease Could Help More Than Your Teeth and Gums
      • August (3)
        • Your 'Toothache' Might Signal a Problem Other Than in Your Mouth
        • Viggo Mortensen's Red-Carpet Smile
        • Mouth Breathing Can Lead to Serious Oral Problems, Especially for Children
      • July (3)
        • Some Simple Cosmetic Techniques Could Help Your Smile Age Gracefully
        • Treating Gum Disease is Good for Your Whole Body, Not Just Your Mouth
        • Healthy Smiles for Alfonso Ribeiro and Family
      • June (3)
        • That Odd 'Lacy' Mouth Sore is No Cause for Alarm
        • Here Is How We May Be Able to Bring an Impacted Tooth Where It Should Be
        • 3 Reasons a Root Canal Treatment Might Fail and What You Can Do About It
      • May (3)
        • What You Can Do About Bad Breath (Unless You're a Famous Actress Pranking Your Co-Star)
        • Why Is Your Smile Gummy? Here Are 4 Possibilities
        • 3 Things You Should Do to Protect Your Teeth Later in Life
      • April (3)
        • Are Lasers the Future for Treating Advanced Tooth Decay?
        • Fan of Superhero Film Black Panther Breaks Steel Wire...with Her Mouth!
        • Oral Cancer Is Deadly - But You Can Lower Your Risk With a Healthy Lifestyle
      • March (3)
        • Don't Forget Hidden Fluoride Sources Your Family Could be Ingesting
        • What to Do About Your Child's Toothache Before Seeing the Dentist
        • How Veneers Restored Howie Mandel's Winning Smile
      • February (3)
        • A Second Root Canal Treatment May Help Save an Endangered Tooth
        • 4 Things to Do to Keep Your Child's Dental Development on Track
        • Wearing Dentures 24/7 May Not Be a Good Idea - Here's Why
      • January (3)
        • Too Old to Straighten Your Smile? Not If You're Like These A-List Celebrities
        • 3 Things You Can Do to Protect Your Tooth Enamel
        • Cleft Defects Can Be Overcome, Thanks to Advanced Surgical Procedures
  • 2019
      • December (4)
        • A Root Canal Treatment Will Improve Your Health, Not Harm It
        • NBA Player's Injury Points Out Need for Mouthguards
        • New "Behind the Teeth" Braces Could Give You the Advantage of "Invisibility"
        • 3 Things You Need to Know Before Getting a Crown Restoration
      • November (3)
        • Share These Timely Dental Care Tips With Your College-Bound Son or Daughter
        • Crazy Little Thing Called... Hyperdontia?
        • A Little Orthodontic Magic Could Help an Impacted Tooth Erupt
      • October (3)
        • It Takes Both You and Your Hygienist to Keep Your Smile Healthy and Beautiful
        • Here's What to Expect Before, During and After Implant Surgery
        • Why Alfonso Ribeiro Is Grateful for Root Canal Treatment
      • September (3)
        • Topical Fluoride Offers a Protective Boost to Children at High Risk for Decay
        • Improving Hygiene Skills Maximizes Removal of Disease-Causing Plaque
        • 4 Serious Health Conditions That Gum Disease Might Make Worse
      • August (3)
        • In Today's NFL, Oral Hygiene Takes Center Stage
        • Preventing Decay in Primary Teeth Promises Better Health Now and Later
        • "Tooth, Heal Thyself" May Soon Be a Reality
      • July (3)
        • To Extract or not Extract? The Big Decision About Your Child's Wisdom Teeth
        • A Different Kind of "Chip Shot" for Pro Golfer Danielle Kang
        • Floss First or Last? Here are Reasons for Either Approach
      • June (3)
        • Jaw Joint Disorders may be Connected to Other Health Problems
        • What You can Do to Stop Sugar from Harming Your Health
        • Actress Emma Stone Reveals How Thumb Sucking Affected Her Teeth
      • May (3)
        • See Your Dentist ASAP to Save Your Loose Tooth
        • How Dentists Provide Your Child the Benefit of X-Rays as Safely as Possible
        • Jaw Joint Disorders and Fibromyalgia: Is There a Connection?
      • April (3)
        • NBC Star Delivers a Message about the "Perfect" Smile
        • Dentures with Implants Could Help You Avoid Bone Loss
        • A Minor Procedure Could Make Breastfeeding Easier for You and Your Baby
      • March (3)
        • You Don't Have to Live with a Gummy Smile. Here's How We Can Change it!
        • How Shawn Mendes and Miley Cyrus Got Their Stellar Smiles
        • A Traditional Bridge Might be the Right Solution for Your Missing Teeth
      • February (3)
        • Surgically Accessing Sinuses can Help Grow New Bone for Implants
        • Test You're Brushing and Flossing Success with a Plaque Disclosing Agent
        • Expert Advice: Vivica A. Fox on Kissing and Oral health
      • January (3)
        • Implant-Supported Dentures Could Boost Your Jawbone Health
        • Less-Invasive Pulp Capping Could Save Your Tooth
        • 3 Ways Orthodontic Techniques Could Prevent a Poor Bite
  • 2018
      • December (3)
        • Nancy O'Dell on Making Oral Hygiene Fun for Kids
        • Moderate Your Child's Juice Drinking to Lower Tooth Decay Risk
        • Practice the Dental Care Basics to Ensure a Healthy Smile
      • November (3)
        • Orthodontists Anticipate Future Facial Growth When Treating Poor Bites
        • Steely Dan Founder's Death Highlights Importance of Early Cancer Detection
        • The Connection Between GERD and Oral Health
      • October (3)
        • Stay Ahead of Plaque Buildup with Effective Brushing and Flossing
        • 4 Signs Your Child May Have a Poor Bite
        • Margot Robbie Knows: A Great Smile Is Worth Protecting
      • September (3)
        • Keep Your New Smile After Orthodontics with a Retainer
        • Treating Gum Disease around Tooth Roots is Hard - but Not Impossible
        • Look After Your Teeth During Cancer Treatment to Avoid Dental Disease
      • August (3)
        • Any Time, Any Place: Cam Newton's Guide to Flossing
        • Pros and Cons for Flossing Before Brushing and Vice-Versa
        • World Cup Soccer Coach-Dentist Saves the Day!
      • July (3)
        • This Young Woman's Cancer Experience a Teachable Moment for all of us
        • Charlize Theron Back in Action After Dental Surgery
        • Need an Effective but Affordable Tooth Replacement? Look at a Flexible RPD
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        • What You Can Do to Support Your Child's Dental Development
        • Tips to Brighten Your Summer Smile
        • Dental Magic Transforms Smiles
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        • Sealants Could Protect Your Child's Teeth From Future Problems
        • Watch Out for Re-Infection After a Root Canal Treatment
        • 3 Possible Timing Scenarios for Getting Your New Implant
      • April (3)
        • Game, Set, Match: Milos Raonic Says A Mouthguard Helps Him Win
        • Don't Let Sports or Energy Drinks Rob you of Your Teeth's Enamel
        • Learn How To Protect Your Teeth During Stress Awareness Month
      • March (3)
        • 3 Fluoride Sources You Should Monitor for Your Family's Dental Health
        • Giancarlo Stanton Gets Major-League Mouth Protection
        • 3 Tips for Helping Your Kids Develop Great Tooth-Friendly Habits
      • February (2)
        • 3 Orthodontic Options for Correcting Bad Bites
        • How to Get the Most from Your Daily Brushing and Flossing
      • January (2)
        • Spice Up Your Teeth
        • Treating Gum Disease may Require Invasive Procedures
  • 2017
      • December (2)
        • Give Yourself the Gift of a New Smile
        • 4 Tips for Avoiding Dental Disease While Wearing Braces
      • November (2)
        • Johnny's Teeth Aren't Rotten Any More
        • Frequently Asked Questions About Diabetes and Oral Health
      • October (2)
        • Why Your Teeth Hurt Will Determine How We Treat Them
        • New Season, New Toothbrush
      • September (3)
        • America's (Dentists) Got Talent - for Fixing Damaged or Missing Teeth!
        • Need a Root Canal? Here's a Step-by-Step Guide on What to Expect
        • Neil Patrick Harris: What the Oscars Host Treasures Most
      • August (2)
        • The Timely Use of a Palatal Expander Could Help Correct a Cross-Bite
        • Fifth Harmony's Camila Cabello Chips a Tooth, but Concert Still "Worth It"
      • July (2)
        • The Simple Bitewing X-Ray is a Game Changer for Maintaining Dental Health
        • Kathy Bates Plays It Smart With Professional Teeth Whitening
      • June (2)
        • Teeth Grinding in Older Children and Adolescents a Cause for Concern
        • Actor David Ramsey Says: Don't Forget to Floss!
      • May (2)
        • If at All Possible, Primary Teeth are Worth Saving
        • Dr. Travis Stork: Don't Ignore Bleeding Gums
      • April (2)
        • Don't Forget Your Oral Hygiene While Wearing Braces
        • Dental Crowns for the King of Magic
      • March (2)
        • Bonded Retainers Provide a Less Noticeable Option for Keeping Teeth Straight
        • Ariana Grande Breaks Free - of Her Wisdom Teeth
      • February (3)
        • Conscious Sedation can Help Ease Your Child's Dental Visit Anxiety
        • Vivica's Veneers: the Making of a Hollywood Smile
        • Air Abrasion: An Alternative to the Traditional Dental Drill
      • January (2)
        • How Kathy Bates Retains Her Movie-Star Smile
        • Disclosing Agents Show Plaque You've Missed When Brushing and Flossing
  • 2016
      • December (2)
        • Life Is Sometimes a Grind for Brooke Shields
        • A Teen's Missing Tooth May Require a Temporary Replacement
      • November (3)
        • Even Celebrities Like Jennifer Lawrence Aren't Immune From Bad Breath!
        • Cleaning Your Oral Appliance Extends its Life and Ensures Good Health
        • Jimmy Fallon Can’t Catch a Break - Except in His Tooth

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