A veneer is a thin piece of porcelain used to re-create the natural look of teeth, while also providing strength and resilience comparable to natural tooth enamel. Dental veneers are typically used to improve the appearance of teeth that are stained or discolored, which can be attributed to a number of different factors, including:

• Chipped or cracked teeth
• Gaps
• Crowding
• Misshapen teeth
• Severe stains

Dental veneers are also used to quickly, effectively, and painlessly change the shape of one or more teeth that may be chipped, uneven, misaligned, or even worn down. They can also be used to close small gaps between teeth.

Benefits of Veneers

Because the shade of a veneer is carefully matched to your natural teeth, they’re difficult to differentiate them from your natural teeth. Porcelain is also naturally more stain-resistant than tooth enamel and is thus less affected by coffee or red wine.

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People of all ages consume sports drinks under the assumption that they’re hydrating and they improve athletic performance. Unfortunately, your favorite sports drink is likely delivering sugars and acid—two things your smile could do without.

A study by the Academy of General Dentistry found that 30-50% of American teens drink energy drinks, and approximately 62% have at least one energy drink per day. This high proportion is what leads to a high percentage of American teens facing dental issues.

Sports drinks like Gatorade and Powerade contain either natural or artificial sweeteners that convert to acids once they enter your mouth; this is your body’s attempt to start digesting them.  To make matters worse, this mixture is in a liquid form, which means these acids bathe your teeth on all surfaces.

The best way to prevent dental damage caused by sports drinks is to opt for water instead. Water is the best way to hydrate the body and you won’t be putting your smile in harm’s way. Water also contains fluoride, so it helps strengthen your teeth as it rinses away bacteria in your mouth.

If you must grab a sports drink on occasion, try not to drink it over a long period of time and rinse your mouth with water immediately following.

Schedule an Appointment

If you’re an avid sports drink guzzler, look for signs that your beverage of choice has already caused damage. Are sports drinks causing you or your child issue with cavities or discoloration, or tooth sensitivity? Schedule an appointment with us and we’ll help you get your smile back to beautiful.

Up to 15% of Americans avoid seeing the dentist altogether because of anxiety or fear (that’s almost 40 million people!). Going to the dentist, getting preventive care, and addressing issues is critical to your dental and overall health. Here are five tips to help with your fear of the dentist.

Arrive Early

Don’t add stress to your appointment—arrive extra early to give yourself enough time to take it slow. If it will help, arrive early enough to enjoy a few extra minutes in the lobby, talking to the front desk staff, asking questions, or just relaxing.

Bring a Friend or Family Member

Whether you want the person to wait out on the lobby during your appointment or in the room with you, having a supportive person nearby can help you feel safer and more relaxed.

Speak up About Your Fears

Acknowledge your fears by talking to your dentist or dental hygienist. Try writing down your fears before you arrive so you make sure you have all the information ready to share. Open communication with your dentist helps them personalize your experience.

Ask Questions

Want to know about a specific instrument or treatment? Just ask! A good dental team will gladly accommodate your requests, explaining what a sensation might be like and ensuring you’re comfortable the entire time.

Choose the Right Dentist

Overcoming your fear of going to the dentist starts with choosing the right dental practice. If you want a comfortable, family-friendly environment then schedule an appointment with us today.

Brushing doesn’t have to be a chore. It can be a fun, family event! Try these five techniques to help your kiddos enjoy brushing, which sets them up for lifelong healthy hygiene habits.

Include Rewards

What motivates your child? If it’s stickers, make a reward chart and let them add a sticker every time they brush. If they’re a reader, let them pick out the bedtime story. Maybe a few words of encouragement are all they need.

Hit Play!

When watching videos, children can see the correct tooth brushing technique in action and then replicate it on themselves. All it takes is a quick YouTube search.

Let Your Kid Play Dentist

Teaching kids to brush their teeth through role-playing can be fun. As the kid encourages the “patient” to embrace good dental care (stuffed animals are great at playing patients), they’ll also practice it in reality.

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Is your big day around the corner? Get your smile ready for the cameras with these five tips.

Beware of Foods that Stain Your Teeth

Here are a handful of common tooth-staining culprits:

• Coffee
• Tea
• Soda
• Red
• Berries
• Foods with bright artificial coloring

Consume these items in moderation and brush your teeth ASAP when you’re finished.

Drink Water

Dehydration is a problem you may not think about and is especially common if you are getting married during the hotter part of the year. Not only can dehydration sour your mood, it can also dry out your lips, creating a roadblock for your best smile.

Lipstick Matters

If you’re unsure which lipstick shade to choose, ask a make-up expert or check out the most requested lipstick shades brides want (pro tip: try before you buy).

Your Year for Veneers?

If there’s one cosmetic procedure that can do it all, it’s porcelain veneers. Strong, wafer-thin “shells,” they’re adhered to the front of teeth to give them a whole new appearance. They’re perfect for chip, cracks, gaps, minor crowding, small or misshapen teeth, and severe stains that don’t respond to whitening treatments.

Schedule a Pre-Wedding Visit to the Dentist

Make sure you visit your dentist regularly in the months leading up to your wedding. If you have any oral problems, such as teeth discoloration or crooked teeth, you should be seeing your dentist at least a year before the big day to ensure there is time for any lengthy wedding smile treatment plans. Schedule an appointment today to get your smile wedding-day ready!

When you hear the word stones in reference to a health issue, your mind probably goes straight to kidney stones. However, another type of stone that people have often never heard of until their dentist explains the condition is tonsil stones.

Tonsil stones are usually about gravel-sized, but they can also be quite small (sometimes even too tiny to be seen with the naked eye). They’re usually soft and light yellowish or white in color. Typically, these spots pose no serious risks to your health and oftentimes can be removed easily at home. These stones are not a sign of illness or disease and they generally do not cause other negative effects on your health. But they can cause unpleasant symptoms, such as bad breath and discomfort in the back of the throat.

Common Causes of Tonsil Stones

Your tonsils are filled with nooks and crannies, the perfect hiding place for bacteria. As a result, the bacteria and debris combine to create a white pus formation in the pockets, and tonsil stones form when the trapped debris hardens.

The most common causes of tonsil stones include:

• Viral or bacterial infections 
• Adenoviruses 
• Influenza virus
• Herpes simplex virus
• Parainfluenza virus
• Enteroviruses

Worried About Tonsil Stones?

Are tonsil stones causing you discomfort in your day-to-day activities? Schedule an appointment with us to discuss potential remedies and preventative measures.

We often hear that we should go to the dentist every six months. Have you ever wondered why?

Brushing at Home isn’t Enough

Plaque and bacteria can build up between teeth and in other hard to reach areas. Only a dentist will be able to clean these areas. This is also because over time, plaque hardens and becomes difficult to remove. If left alone, this could also lead to the development of cavities and other oral problems.

Prevent Tooth Loss

The later a cavity is treated, the lower the tooth’s chances for survival. Regular dental checkups can ensure early identification of gum infections and periodontal disease.

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Dry mouth affects the salivary glands, keeping your body from producing enough saliva to keep your mouth properly wet. You may produce some saliva but not enough or you may struggle to produce any saliva at all. Dry mouth symptoms can vary from one person to the next. The most common symptoms of dry mouth at night include:

• Waking up frequently to drink water
• Dry or sore throat
• Dry and/or chapped lips
• Bad breath in the morning

During the day, common symptoms of dry mouth can also include:

• Difficulty chewing, swallowing, or speaking
• Unpleasant taste or changes in the way food tastes
• A bad taste in your mouth
• Hoarseness

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Dental fillings fill holes in your teeth caused by decay. Fillings can also be used to repair broken teeth and teeth that have been worn down by grinding. But how do you know if you need a filling?

Here are some symptoms that might indicate it’s time to get a filling:

• Achy teeth: These may come as sharp pains, dull aches, or general toothaches.
• If you have a tooth that is sensitive to hot or cold liquids and food
• Throbbing pain in your tooth
• Your food gets stuck on a certain tooth while eating
• Have a fractured or chipped tooth
• Rough on your tongue: If you run your tongue across the tooth and feel jagged edges that weren’t there before this may be a sign that the inside of the tooth is eroding
• You can see the problem: If you look at or in your mouth and a hole is visible, this is a sure sign that something is wrong
• Flossing fissures: When you start to see the floss becoming frayed after your gentle flossing at home this may be a sign that the tooth is becoming sharp and jagged pointing to tooth decay
• Discoloration of filling: Do you have composite resin fillings? Over time, these tooth-colored fillings can become darker or start to look slightly yellow. Replacing the filling will restore your tooth’s appearance and give you a brighter, more beautiful smile.

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Is your tooth causing you discomfort? Not sure whether getting it extracted is the answer? Here are a few ways to tell if you need a tooth extraction.

Tooth Pain

A painful tooth could result from sensitive teeth or a cavity. However, in some cases, you may need your tooth removed if it’s too badly damaged, it’s still painful after a filling or other procedure, or if it’s becoming infected.

Overcrowding

Misaligned teeth can also be fixed with orthodontic treatments like Invisalign. However, if there’s not enough room in your mouth for all your teeth to properly fit, your teeth often end up quite crooked and displaced. For such treatments to work properly, you may need more room in your mouth for the teeth to move into position. Removing a tooth could be just what you need for a more natural and healthy mouth. 

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