September 2019

Holistic Dentistry: A 5-step Routine for Healthy Teeth

The human body and oral health systems are connected, and they’re constantly changing. Modern medicine and even traditional dentistry treat symptoms for diseases and conditions. However, many bodily issues begin or end in the mouth. Holistic dentistry focuses on the mouth-body connection to treat and heal the root cause as opposed to just treating the symptoms. And there are many things you can do right at home to give your body its best fighting chance. Here’s a five-step routine for healthy teeth.

Practice Oil Pulling

There are hundreds of different strains of bacteria in the human mouth, and not all are helpful or good. The practice of oil pulling has been around for thousands of years to help combat bacteria and decay, so don’t think it’s a new wave topic. Natural oil pulls out hidden toxins and bacteria when swished in the mouth for 15 minutes. Coconut oil is the most common choice due to its current popularity and enjoyable taste. Just be sure to get extra virgin, let it melt into a spoon at room temperature, and don’t swallow it! Instead, spit it into a trash can to avoid plumbing issues.

Rinse with Sea Salt

Different types of sea salt help to alkaline the body which also kills acidic bacteria in the mouth. This is a good daily practice to do regardless of whether you opt to oil pull. Use a little non-toxic and aluminum-free sea salt or pink Himalayan salt and purified water. If the taste bothers you, add a few drops of essential oil. Clove, peppermint, or citrus works well. Swish in the mouth for a minute, spit, repeat. It’s simple and you’ll notice a difference quickly.

Avoid Fluoride Toothpaste

Brushing twice a day with soft bristles is essential to maintaining clean teeth and gums while reducing inflammation–a primary symptom of gum disease. But according to the Lancet Neurology Journal, fluoride and sulfates found in toothpaste are known neurotoxins. A study by Harvard Medicine backed it up stating that children with access to high-fluoride content in their water supply have significantly lower IQs than their counterparts. There are plenty of safer pastes and polishes on the market. Simply ask your Fort Lauderdale Holistic Dentist for a recommendation.

Use a Tongue Scraper

Bacteria don’t just live on the teeth and gums. They also reside on the tongue. Yet, most people forget that part of the mouth when performing their daily oral health care habits. The human tongue can hold plaque and encourage bad bacteria to flourish even after you brush and rinse the rest of your mouth. These pathogens can release Volatile Sulfur Compounds responsible for decay, infections, and halitosis. Using a tongue scraper daily can reduce the bacteria and help restore good enzymes to fight off the rest.

Floss Daily or Get a Waterpik

Brushing isn’t enough when it comes to maintaining and improving oral health. Food and bacteria also love to hide between teeth and along the gumline. So flossing once a day is also essential… but only when it’s done correctly and continuously. Many people simply skip that step and suffer the consequences later. Fortunately, using a Waterpik or other high-quality oral irrigator can work just as well, be a lot more fun, and ensure your future appointments with your Fort Lauderdale Holistic Dentist sparkle.

Three Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures to Improve Your Smile

Approximately 85% of Americans understand and believe that proper oral care and attention are critical to their overall health, yet fewer than 20% of adults actually go to the dentist with the intent of having a procedure performed. That decision can involve several factors, but the main two include fear and finances. Cosmetic dentistry focuses on primarily aesthetic or elective treatments, so they’re often not covered by modern insurance plans. Of course, that’s not always the case and many procedures can be at least partially covered if they’re considered medically necessary. And as for the fear factor, most cosmetic solutions are so quick and effective that there’s no discomfort involved whatsoever. Regardless of the fear or financial concerns, your Midtown Manhattan Dentist has a solution for your needs that can fit your concerns and budget. But what are some of the most common cosmetic dentistry procedures that can almost instantly improve your smile?

Professional Teeth Whitening

Store shelves are filled with countless items promising to be the next miracle cure for whitening even stubbornly stained teeth. While whitening toothpaste can work due to abrasive properties, most others do minimal bleaching at best. Boxed teeth whitening kits do, in fact, work for most people. But the expected results are never met, even with continued use. Moreover, the concentration of bleaching agents is far less in store-bought kits than professional teeth whitening treatments. If your teeth are yellowing or have some moderate to severe staining, your Midtown Manhattan Dentist can probably make them lighter and brighter relatively quickly. However, if they have grayish or brownish hues due to cigarettes and certain medications, nothing may work to lift the stains. So contact your dentist prior to spending one cent on something that may not work.

Composite Bonding

Cracks, chips, fractures, and gaps in your teeth can lead to serious problems down the road. Even if you ignore the issues and avoid having the tooth or teeth in question repaired, the injuries or issues can creep into your daily life and lead to a serious lack of confidence. The good news is that in most causes unless the trauma or condition is severe, it can be an easy and relatively inexpensive fix. Cosmetic bonding involves the application of a dental resin putty that is applied, sculpted, and cured over the damaged tooth or teeth to create a natural appearance. It’s strong enough for daily life needs when taken care of correctly and rarely requires anesthesia unless decay removal is involved.

Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are among the most popular solutions for “fixing” a number of issues, including crooked teeth, gaps, cracks or chips, stains, and even conceal a missing tooth here or there. Veneers are thin porcelain shells that affix directly to existing teeth, but a minimal amount of enamel must be removed to ensure they fit correctly. So in some cases, local anesthesia is required to avoid discomfort. This procedure is an investment, but the results are usually far worth the upfront cost since they completely renew and restore your smile within a couple of office visits. But they’re not for everyone. Contact your Midtown Manhattan Dentist to discuss which cosmetic dentistry procedure is best to improve your smile.

How Long Should My Porcelain Veneers Last?

Smile Makeover

Porcelain veneers are the not-so-secret beauty standard of Hollywood starlets, but they’re easily obtained by the general public as well. However, unlike many other more inexpensive cosmetic dentistry procedures, veneers are a personal investment–albeit one that often pays for itself over their lifetime by significantly improving the patient’s quality of life. Your Midtown Manhattan Dentist can easily and effectively create a perfect smile with porcelain veneers. But are they permanent? Well, nothing today lasts forever, yet if taken care of properly, your porcelain veneers can potentially last a decade or even much longer without needing to be repaired or replaced. But what does the patient need to be ready to do for their veneers to last as long as possible?

Practice and Perfect Good Oral Hygiene Habits

According to the American Dental Association, it’s important to brush your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes a shot. Stick with a soft brush or bristles whenever possible and don’t apply too much force to keep mouth injuries and enamel damage to a minimum. Replace your brush or bristles every four months or when they become visibly worn. It’s also important to floss once a day to remove extra food and plaque from between the teeth. Porcelain veneers can only work on strong teeth, so chances are your oral health habits will already be excellent. But they need to remain so after the procedure is completed to ensure they last as long as possible.

Limit Hard and Sticky Foods and Avoid Bad Vices

Porcelain veneers are made with stain-resistant materials, but they’re not completely stain-proof. That means enjoying your daily coffee, having a special treat now and then, and just enjoying life shouldn’t significantly alter the brilliance and luster of your new smile. However, certain things can potentially damage, weaken, or loosen your veneers or the bonding agents. Sugar is acidic and encourages bacteria growth. And hard or sticky foods and candies or goodies containing excessive amounts of sugar can lift the porcelain shells and cause serious irritation, pain, and even decay. Also, avoid chewing on ice, pen caps and pencils, and quit smoking prior to getting veneers if you’re a smoker. While stain-resistant, the nicotine and toxins in cigarettes or vape can leave permanent yellow, gray, or brown stains along the edges of the veneers.

Visit Your Midtown Manhattan Dentist Twice a Year

Any type of dental treatment requires consistent and ongoing checkups. That’s the only way to catch potential issues like repair or replacement needs, potential damage, biocompatibility concerns, or to adjust the appliance to help avoid mouth sores, pain, or irritation. A professional dentist can also ensure the veneers are thoroughly cleaned and polished at that time, provide extra oral health care or dietary suggestions, and even catch other issues like dental caries and gingivitis. Porcelain veneers can easily last 10 to 15 years or longer without any issues, it’s essential to visit your Midtown Manhattan Cosmetic Dentist twice a year to keep them looking and fitting their best. Give us a call to see if porcelain veneers are right for you.

A Beautiful Smile Starts with Restorative Dentistry

Although there are approximately 200,000 working dentists nationwide and the majority of adults admit proper oral care is an essential part of overall health, most Americans don’t bother getting the dental care they need. A lot of this is due to simply not knowing what’s covered versus by insurance plans or what’s elective or considered a cosmetic cure. While cosmetic dentistry focuses on aesthetic solutions to dental issues, restorative dentistry repairs dental issues due to missing teeth and loss of dental-related function. Many restorative dentistry procedures are at least partially covered by modern dental plans, and your Red Bank New Jersey Dentist can help with special financing for some others that may challenge or not fit the coverage requirements. But what are some of the most common restorative dentistry solutions?

Porcelain Veneers

Few people are fortunate enough to be born with perfect teeth, and that includes celebrities. But they have a secret to hiding even some of the biggest dental flaws: porcelain veneers. This procedure is considered a cosmetic one in most cases since it simply conceals most issues. But when missing teeth, decay, or other restorative issues are involved it can be performed under restorative dentistry as well. Porcelain veneers are wafer-thin shells about the width of a contact lens that affix directly to existing teeth. If your teeth are strong and healthy enough, you could potentially have a brand new smile within about two office visits.

Dental Implants

Dental implants have been around since about 600 AD, and while the basic concept is the same, fortunately, the methods and materials used have drastically evolved. Dental implants are permanent solutions for those dealing with moderate-to-severe tooth loss, and who want an option other than dentures or removable bridges to restore dental function. This surgical procedure involved implanting an abutment (or root) and topping it with a prosthetic tooth (crown). When taken care of correctly, dental implants can last over two decades or an entire lifetime. But your Red Bank New Jersey Dentist does need to analyze jaw strength first. Give us a call to discover which restorative dentistry options are right for you.

4 Reasons to Get a Smile Makeover this Fall

As summer comes to a close and millions of kids head back to school, the seasonal freedom fades into extra adult responsibilities once more. Workloads, advancement potential, dating pool options, and new social opportunities are likely to be knocking down your door at some point over the next few months. A beautiful new smile can give your upcoming opportunities a boost beyond your dreams, and your Johns Creek Dentist is the perfect captain to lead you to those new lands. After all, there’s serious psychology behind a full, genuine smile. But why should you really consider getting a smile makeover this fall?

Modern Dental Care Is Incredibly Advanced

Dental treatments themselves have pretty much stayed consistent over the years, but the materials and processes used have evolved greatly. Modern dentists are practically artists. They get into their task and create, sculpt, and apply new materials to existing damaged teeth to transform a broken smile into a brilliant one. Modern equipment, biocompatible materials, and quick, effective, and painless methods keep costs reasonable and patients happy visit after visit.

Even a Little Work Goes a Long Way

Long gone are the days where dental work consistently equated to months of poking, prodding, and painful procedures. A perfect smile makeover can consist of treatments as simple as composite fillings and bonding or professional teeth whitening and a few porcelain veneers. Your Johns Creek Dentist can do a thorough examination and offer several options for you to choose. And since even a little amount of dental change goes a long way, there’s no reason for anxiety to rear its ugly head anymore.

Patient Comfort and Security Are Top Priorities

Anesthesia is rarely needed unless teeth are removed or decay is an issue. So many procedures are minimally invasive to non-invasive. The patient is always given all the pertinent information needed to prepare for the chosen or recommended treatment. So if there are any questions, your Johns Creek Dentist is ready with answers. Pleasant surroundings, knowledgeable and experienced professionals, and even anxiety assistance if needed are all part of patient care. Tell your dentist what will make you more comfortable during the procedure, whether it’s having specific pictures from home, a supportive friend in tow, or your own soundtrack playing through your headphones, and they’ll do what they can to accommodate your needs. The patient is always the top priority.

Regaining Your Confidence and Improving Your Life May Cost a Lot Less Than You Think

Common smile makeover treatments like professional teeth whitening, bonding, Invisalign, porcelain veneers, and dental implants can go a long way toward improving your confidence. That can in turn drastically improve many aspects of your life, including professional, social, and romantic opportunities. So the right smile makeover can quite literally pay for itself in a relatively short time frame. But finances are still often a concern. Modern dental treatments are often more affordable than patients think. And if the treatment is considered a restorative procedure as opposed to a cosmetic one, insurance plans can help. But even if your smile makeover is simply cosmetic, your Johns Creek Dentist can offer deals and finance options to help you finally get the smile you deserve.

4 Benefits of Professional Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening is one of the most popular cosmetic dentistry solutions nationwide. And with countless home kits on the market today, it’s no wonder why. According to Hexa Research, the popularity of teeth whitening agents are just going to increase. And by 2024, the teeth whitening industry will be worth almost $7.5 billion and driven heavily by European and Asian consumers. Professional whitening treatments seriously trump over-the-counter solutions and always will. But what are the benefits of seeing your Moorestown Dentist for the professional version?

Professional Whitening Treatments Are Customized

In-store whitening kits tend to offer big promises that they can’t deliver. That’s because many people believe the hype and either use them sparingly, overuse, or they use them for the wrong conditions. No whitening products can bleach intrinsic stains which can be caused by genetics, medications, or even trauma. Most whitening kit consumers don’t realize this, but your Moorestown Dentist does. Customized professional whitening treatments are created per patient to handle the stains and achieve the level of whitening preferred in each individual case. It’s never a one-size-fits-all solution in the dentist’s chair.

Professional Whitening Treatments Are Faster Than Store-Bought Options

Natural teeth are made of four layers: pulp, dentin, cementum, and enamel. Only the enamel can be brightened by whitening products. Store-bought kits do work for most people if used correctly, although rarely anywhere near as well as they claim. This is because the bleaching agents in over-the-counter whitening kits average between 5 and 10% while the average professional whitening treatments can range between 12 and 30% bleaching agents. Think about it like this, if you really love chocolate chip cookies and see two left on a plate knowing you can only have one, but one has two chips and the other has ten… which one are you going to choose? Professional whitening treatments are faster than store-bought options because they have higher percentages of peroxide bleaching agents.

Professional Whitening Treatments Boost Confidence

Most dental procedures take at least a few office visits to complete. But there’s nothing like walking into an appointment and leaving an hour later looking and feeling completely transformed. Professional whitening treatments have that power. Depending on the customization and bleaching needed, it can take as little as an hour to reinvent your smile. Say goodbye to the focus being on your laugh line and fine or ingrained wrinkles. Years disappear when your smile is the new centerpiece of your face. And just watch your confidence, social, and possibly even romantic opportunities soar.

Professional Whitening Treatments Can Be Affordable Over 50% of adults over 50 believe a smile can still be one of the most attractive features as someone ages. And 80% of adults, regardless of age, agree they’d pay money for age-reducing beauty treatments. People line up at the door for professional hair treatments, manicures, vein removal, and even certain types of plastic surgery or fillers. Yet so many opt for over-the-counter whitening treatments that pale compared to professional whitening treatments. Yes, the store-bought kits can cost as little as $30-$40 for a monthly strip supply. But you’re also getting a fraction of the whitening power per application as you could with one visit to your Moorestown Dentist. Give us a call when you’re ready to be wowed.