Common FAQs

Brushing your teeth at least twice every day and flossing at least once, preferably at night, are important habits to maintain good dental health. Remember, brushing and flossing don't just keep the mouth clean-they also prevent cavities, gum disease, and more.

Why Is Brushing And Flossing Important?

Plaque is a sticky biofilm that is constantly forming on your teeth. The bacteria in plaque produce acids that eat away at tooth enamel, eventually causing cavities to form in the teeth. Brushing and flossing effectively remove food particles from your mouth and prevents the formation of plaque. If you do not brush and floss regularly, plaque can harden into tartar that cannot be removed by brushing alone. Tartar buildup can only be removed with a professional cleaning from a dental hygienist. 

How Often Should I Brush And Floss My Teeth?

There are a lot of opinions out there about brushing your teeth, but the most common recommendation is to brush your teeth twice a day for a minimum of two minutes for each session. The American Dental Association recommends that you brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss once a day for the best possible oral health! This comes out to approximately four minutes of tooth cleaning per day. You should prioritize the time and effort you put into taking care of your teeth and gums. Good oral hygiene habits can reduce the risk of many oral health concerns, such as tooth decay and gum disease.

Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and a small strip of fluoride toothpaste when cleaning your teeth. Hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle and use short strokes while brushing. Brush the outer surfaces of your upper teeth, the inner surfaces of your lower teeth, and the chewing surface of your back teeth. Then, move onto the inner side of each tooth and repeat the same process. Finally, clean your gums by gently sweeping them with your toothbrush back and forth and up and down along the gumline. Don't forget to brush your tongue as well! This helps remove bacteria and freshen your breath. It is truly important to brush at least twice a day and floss once a day. When done properly, these two activities can effectively prevent plaque buildup between appointments and keep your mouth healthy and clean.

If you're struggling to find the time in your busy schedule to devote to proper oral care, try fitting it into your morning or evening routine, so it's part of your regular schedule. A few minutes a day is all it takes to keep your mouth happy and healthy. 

Bad breath can be caused by a number of things, including poor dental hygiene, gum disease, dry mouth, or cavities. However, it can sometimes be a sign of a bigger problem.

Bad Breath

Having bad breath is not normal! It can be a symptom of an underlying issue, and you should have it checked out by a professional. The most common cause of halitosis is bacteria buildup in the mouth due to food particles left behind after meals. These bacteria need moist environments to thrive, so they release foul-smelling gases. Brushing and flossing your teeth at least twice a day is essential for removing these lingering food particles from your mouth. Rinsing with a therapeutic mouthwash can also help kill bacteria and plaque-causing agents.

What Causes Bad Breath?

Many factors can lead to bad breath, and dentists can help you determine which ones might be affecting you. Bad breath can negatively impact your personal and professional life. It can affect your self-confidence, and you may be too embarrassed to meet new people. Listed below are some common causes of bad breath.

Poor dental hygiene

Not brushing and flossing your teeth properly and regularly enough can cause bad breath. If plaque is allowed to build up on your teeth, the bacteria that cause bad breath can flourish in that environment. By brushing twice a day for two minutes at a time, flossing daily, and visiting your dentist for regular checkups and cleanings, you can reduce your risk of having bad breath.

Smoking

Tobacco use is one of the primary causes of bad breath, which is why smokers are more likely to have chronic halitosis than non-smokers. When tobacco comes into contact with your mouth, it is absorbed into your bloodstream and makes its way to your lungs. From there, it is absorbed into your body’s fatty tissues and then released back into the bloodstream over and over each time you exhale. Tobacco also dries out your mouth, which can allow odor-causing bacteria and food particles to stay trapped below the surface of your tongue.

Certain foods

Good oral hygiene prevents stinky breath. But sometimes, sneaky food particles linger in your mouth after eating and can cause foul odors when you exhale. These food particles break down into odor-producing compounds that can cause foul mouth odor. Some common offenders include garlic, onion, coffee, alcohol, meat, fish, etc. 

Medical conditions

Sometimes you have a medical condition, such as diabetes or liver problems, that’s causing you to have a lot of bad odor in your mouth. If your doctor has found a medical cause for your halitosis, treatment may include changing your diet or taking medications that treat the underlying condition.

How Can I Prevent Bad Breath?

You should visit your dentist, so they can determine the cause of your bad breath and treat it accordingly. Halitosis can be treated by improving dental hygiene habits at home. Brushing after meals can greatly reduce your chance of having bad breath. Flossing daily is essential to remove food debris and plaque from between teeth. You should also try to brush your tongue or use a tongue scraper to remove odor-causing bacteria from the surface of your tongue. Lastly, drink plenty of water to keep your mouth moist and prevent a dry mouth. Saliva helps wash away food particles that can cause odors. If your mouth is too dry, you will have a harder time controlling your breath.

Taking proper care of your teeth is important for maintaining good oral health. This includes brushing and flossing your teeth every day, visiting the dentist regularly, and taking care of your dental restorations.

How Often Should I Visit The Dentist?

Generally, we recommend visiting our office every six months for a cleaning and exam. During your appointments, we will examine your teeth and gums for signs of decay or disease. We will also thoroughly clean your teeth by removing plaque buildup and tartar from difficult-to-reach places. We recommend that you continue to schedule these appointments in order to maintain optimal oral health for years to come.

Dental Exams and Cleanings

Your preventive dental plan will outline how often you should have your routine cleanings and exams. These are usually scheduled twice a year, but your dentist may recommend increased visits depending on your personal oral health needs. During your exam, the dentist examines your teeth for cavities and gum disease, as well as signs of oral cancer and abnormalities that may need further treatment. The dentist performs a series of X-rays to examine the health of the underlying bone in your jaw as well. Cleanings typically involve scaling to remove plaque buildup from your teeth, polishing to smooth the surface of your teeth and remove stains, and applying fluoride or another preventative agent to strengthen the enamel of your teeth and prevent decay.

What Are The Benefits of Dental Exams And Teeth Cleanings?

During a dental exam, we will thoroughly examine your teeth and mouth to check for any warning signs of serious oral health issues. If we detect any problems, we can recommend the appropriate treatments. For example, if your teeth are showing signs of severe decay, we may recommend a filling or dental crown. If your gums are inflamed due to gingivitis, we can provide deep cleaning to restore the health of your gums. By catching potential oral health problems in their earliest stages, we can provide you with more conservative treatments that require less recovery time.

In addition to identifying existing oral health issues, your dental exams are also critical for detecting oral cancer and other diseases of the head and neck. Early detection of these issues is key to providing successful treatment and preventing future health complications.

Dental cleanings are performed to prevent tooth decay and gum disease, as well as to keep your mouth clean and fresh. They can also help treat teeth stains caused by coffee, tea, soda, wine, berries, and other common foods and drinks. Most adults need a professional dental cleaning at least once every six months to maintain good oral health. Your dentist may recommend more frequent visits if you are prone to developing cavities or if you have advanced gum infections.

Gum disease is a group of conditions that cause inflammation or infection of the gums. Gum disease can affect people of all ages and is the second most common cause of tooth loss among adults. Gum disease can be either gingivitis or periodontitis. 

What Is Gum Disease?

Gum disease is a common infection of the gums caused by plaque buildup on the teeth and along the gum line. This buildup of bacteria can lead to inflammation, swelling, bleeding, and redness in the gums, or gingivitis.

When left untreated, this infection of gum tissue can move into the surrounding bone and cause periodontitis. This advanced form of gum disease can cause tooth loss and deterioration of the jaw bone over time. Your dentist can diagnose your level of periodontal disease and recommend the appropriate treatment method.

What Causes Gum Disease?

Gum disease is caused by harmful bacteria that live in the mouth. When not properly removed through brushing and flossing, the plaque builds up along the gum line, causing irritation and eventual infection. The major symptoms of gum disease include the following:

• Swollen or puffy gums.
• Bright red or purplish gums.
• Tender gums.
• Loose teeth
• Bleeding gums.
• Gums bleeding after brushing.
• Severe bad breath.
• Pus between your teeth and gums.

If you have one or more of the above symptoms, you may be suffering from gum disease. The dentist will make a definitive diagnosis of gum disease after a thorough oral examination, which includes checking the gums for redness or bleeding, assessing the amount of plaque buildup around the individual teeth, and evaluating gum health in general. If any of these factors are present, the dentist will likely recommend a treatment plan that involves professional cleanings every three to four months to reduce bacterial accumulation in the mouth. Patients may also be given a prescription mouthwash to use at home between office visits. In some cases, patients may need to undergo root planing and scaling to thoroughly clean the pockets of debris and bacteria that collect in the spaces between teeth and gums. This helps gum tissue to heal more quickly and restores oral health.

Once the patient’s condition has improved, the dentist may recommend more frequent cleaning appointments in order to prevent the return of gum disease in the future.

Gum Disease Treatment 

Treatment for gum disease will depend on its severity but will likely include a thorough dental cleaning to remove plaque and tartar buildup that is irritating the gums. Your dentist may also recommend an antibacterial rinse to help treat the symptoms of gum disease, as well as a soft-bristled toothbrush to brush teeth more gently. If gum disease is severe enough, your dentist may recommend gum surgery to restore the health of the gum tissues.

Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in people over 30, so it’s important to seek treatment as soon as possible to avoid further complications. The good news is that by maintaining good oral care habits, you can prevent your risk from ever developing in the first place! Be sure to brush your teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and floss daily as well. Without proper care, you could find yourself suffering from gum disease in no time. Maintain healthy gums for life with these tips from the American Dental Association!

Flossing is an important part of your daily dental hygiene routine. It removes plaque and bacteria from between teeth and just below the gum line. Flossing also helps to prevent cavities and gum disease.

Importance of Flossing Teeth

Flossing is just as important as brushing because flossing helps remove plaque and tartar from the areas in between your teeth where your toothbrush can't reach. Plaque is a sticky film that builds up on your teeth when you don't brush or floss them properly. If left untreated, it can turn into tartar that can't be removed with just brushing alone. When plaque hardens into tartar, it is much harder to remove than plaque. Tartar can also result in cavities, gum disease, and other dental issues. By flossing daily, you can prevent any complications associated with plaque buildup.

When Should You Floss Your Teeth?

Flossing is just as important as brushing your teeth, as it removes plaque and food particles from between teeth and around the gums. Your dentist may recommend flossing after brushing to eliminate all plaque and prevent the occurrence of gum disease. We recommend using a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently remove food debris from the spaces between teeth, as stiff bristles can damage gum tissue and irritate exposed nerve endings. A manual or electric toothbrush is best for removing plaque from teeth while preventing gum damage. After brushing, floss with a waxed or unwaxed floss or an interdental brush.

How Often Should You Floss Your Teeth?

The ADA recommends flossing at least once a day to prevent cavities and gum disease. Some dentists recommend flossing after every meal to remove as much plaque as possible, but for most oral health concerns, once daily is more than enough. 

By following your oral hygiene routine and never skipping out on daily dental care, you can help prevent plaque buildup and keep your teeth healthy and beautiful for life. An oral care specialist such as a dentist can teach you how to properly clean your smile and provide recommendations on the best at-home products to use. Regular checkups are also recommended twice a year to maintain proper oral health and avoid more serious issues such as tooth decay and periodontal diseases. Patients can visit their dental care provider every six months to ensure that no issues are present in the mouth. These appointments allow your dentist to examine the health of your gums and teeth while also cleaning away any plaque present in the teeth.

A person’s smile is one of the first things you notice when you meet him or her. Stained, yellowed, or misshapen teeth can diminish your smile’s appearance. Cosmetic dentistry is designed to help improve the appearance of your smile. It can help you if you have teeth that are too small or large, gaps between your teeth, or issues with the way your bite fits together. Some common cosmetic procedures include teeth whitening, bondings, porcelain veneers, and dental crowns.

Cosmetic Procedures To Improve Smile Appearance 

The appearance of your smile can be greatly improved with composite fillings. Traditional metal fillings are dark and stand out in an otherwise white smile, but composite restorations are made of tooth-colored resin material. They blend in seamlessly with surrounding teeth and provide a healthier-looking appearance in your smile. Your dentist can also replace old metal fillings with natural-looking composite restorations to improve your smile’s appearance. These tooth-colored fillings can also restore the health of your teeth. 

If your teeth are misshapen, gapped, or misaligned, you may be an ideal candidate for porcelain veneers. These thin shells of tooth-colored material are placed over the front surface of your teeth to mask imperfections and give you a straighter smile. The thin layer of porcelain is bonded to your natural teeth with a very strong adhesive glue that will also ensure long-lasting results.

Cosmetic gum contouring

In many cases, crown lengthening surgery is needed to correct the proportions of your smile because the gums have receded due to gum disease or brushing habits. By removing the excess gum tissue and reshaping the gum line, your dentist can lengthen the teeth and create a balanced smile that looks both beautiful and symmetrical. Treatment goals:

• Improve the appearance of a smile with short teeth or a gummy smile. Correct the proportions of a smile by correcting an uneven gum line.
• Correct an unbalanced bite by properly aligning the lower and upper jaws.
• Increase the stability and function of the jaw joint.

Dental crowns

Dental crowns completely cover a tooth that has been damaged from decay or injury. These restorations are custom-made to fit over your tooth to provide a more aesthetically pleasing appearance. Because a crown covers the entire tooth and is cemented in place, it can restore the strength and functionality of the tooth as well. A crown fits comfortably in your mouth and is not noticeable to others around you.

Crowns are also appropriate for correcting the appearance of discolored or damaged teeth. A porcelain crown can be made to match your natural teeth for a uniform smile. If you are missing one or more teeth, a bridge can also be supported by crowns on either side of the bridge to fill in your smile.

Teeth whitening

Did you know that dull and discolored teeth can be a source of embarrassment, especially in social situations? Even the healthiest of smiles can suffer from staining caused by aging or certain medications. Fortunately, our cosmetic dentists are able to offer patients teeth whitening solutions to enhance the appearance of their smile.

Many patients are able to achieve whiter teeth with our in-office treatments. During these procedures, we place a rubber shield over the gums to protect them from the bleaching solution and then apply either a hydrogen peroxide gel or a chemically activated whitening agent directly to the enamel of the tooth. This commonly results in an instant improvement in the color shade of the tooth as well as a smile that looks several shades lighter. Our dentists are also able to whiten the teeth of patients in the comfort of their homes. These take-home kits are designed to keep your teeth bright and stain-free for several weeks at a time. They consist of custom-made whitening trays that are designed to target the stains on each individual tooth. Patients fill the tray with a prescription-strength whitening solution that penetrates deep into the enamel to remove deep-set stains.

Once your dentist has evaluated your teeth, they will recommend the best treatments for improving your smile and the function of your teeth as well. 

Porcelain veneers are thin, shell-like coverings that are custom-made to cover the front side of teeth. Veneers are used to treat a number of conditions, such as chipped, stained, crooked, or gapped teeth.

What Are Porcelain Veneers?

Porcelain veneers are thin shells of ceramic that bond directly to the front and biting edges of your teeth. They generally require two appointments to complete, but once placed, they will give you beautiful, long-lasting results. Veneers can completely reshape your smile by correcting the appearance of misshapen or misaligned teeth, as well as restoring chipped or broken teeth.

How Are Porcelain Veneers Placed?

At your consultation, we will evaluate the current state of your smile, talk to you about how you want it to look, and then make personalized recommendations based on your goals. Before your veneers are placed, your dentist will prepare the teeth by removing a small amount of enamel from the tooth surface. This allows the shell to fit naturally over your natural tooth. Then, an impression is taken of the prepped teeth and sent to our dental lab, where your veneers will be custom-crafted. They will create your new custom restorations to match your smile perfectly. Once they have been made and arrived at our office, you will come back to see us for a fitting. Your new veneers will be permanently bonded in place over the course of your second appointment. Patients love how their smiles look with porcelain veneers!

To learn more about porcelain veneers, schedule a consultation today. We look forward to speaking with you!

How Can Veneer Improve My Smile?

Porcelain veneers are thin shells of ceramic that fit over the front of your teeth to improve their appearance. They are custom-made for your smile to ensure a lively, natural-looking smile that suits your needs and aesthetic goals. Veneers can treat a variety of aesthetic issues, including chips, cracks, misshapen or misaligned teeth, gaps, or even discoloration caused by certain medications such as tetracycline.

Porcelain Veneers- Aftercare

Porcelain veneers are stain-resistant and don’t require much special care beyond regular brushing, flossing, and regular checkups with your dentist. It is important to avoid biting or chewing on hard objects to prevent chipping the veneer. Your dentist will be able to provide you with more personalized information about your new smile and how to care for it.

The health of your teeth can affect your overall well-being. Poor dental hygiene can lead to cavities, gum disease, and even tooth loss. Practicing good oral hygiene can help you maintain healthy teeth and gums. Listed below are some ways you can ensure good oral health.

Brushing your teeth

You should brush your teeth twice a day. When you brush, it’s recommended that you use a soft-bristled toothbrush and toothpaste that contains fluoride. You also need to floss your teeth once a day to make sure that no food particles are left in between teeth that could become plaque buildup. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends replacing your toothbrush every three to four months or when the bristles start to look frayed.

The way you brush your teeth depends on which type of toothbrush you’ve been instructed to use. To properly brush your teeth, you should hold the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle against the gum line and gently move back and forth in short strokes. Be sure to brush the outer, inner, and biting surfaces of all your teeth—not just the ones you see when you smile! — as well as your tongue to help remove debris that could potentially lead to bad breath.

Flossing

The American Dental Association recommends that you floss your teeth at least once a day. While brushing is an important step in your oral health routine, your toothbrush isn’t able to reach between your back teeth or under your gum line. That’s where flossing comes in! By cleaning these areas, you can prevent tooth decay and gum disease.

Using mouthwash

Mouthwashes can be good for oral health, but they’re not a substitute for brushing and flossing. For best results, swish it around your mouth for at least thirty seconds and then spit it out. Rinse your teeth with water after using mouthwash. 

You can use an alcohol-free fluoride mouthwash to help kill germs in your mouth and help prevent cavities. Alcohol-based mouthwash can cause dry mouth, which can allow bacteria to grow. You should choose a mouthwash that has the ADA Seal of Acceptance. It should also say whether it’s for cosmetic or therapeutic use or both. Therapeutic mouthwashes contain active ingredients that can help reduce plaque and acidity in your mouth. 

Do you have stained or discolored teeth? Teeth whitening is a cosmetic dental treatment that eliminates dental stains and teeth discoloration and brightens your smile. It’s safe, effective, and can give you a whiter smile you’ve been wanting.

Professional Teeth Whitening To Eliminate Dental Stains

When your smile is stained or discolored, whether from foods, drinks, medications, or age, it can make you look and feel older than you are. We offer professional teeth whitening services that can brighten your smile by up to eight shades or more. If you want a bright new smile for an upcoming event like a wedding or a graduation, professional treatment is your best option for dramatic results. After just one visit to our office, you’ll be well on your way to a whiter and more beautiful smile.

Professional teeth whitening treatments are designed to improve the appearance of a patient’s smile by lightening the color of their natural teeth. Professional tooth whitening systems are stronger than over-the-counter products and offer better results. 

In-office professional whitening treatments

Professional teeth whitening is a great way to get fast, dramatic results. At-home whitening kits are more affordable and are available over the counter at any supermarket or drugstore. But they can’t produce the same level of brightness that a professional in-office treatment can – without pain or sensitivity.

During an in-office procedure, your hygienist will apply peroxide-based gel to your teeth and use a light to activate it. This special light accelerates the whitening process, allowing your smile to become up to six to eight shades whiter in just one appointment! Your teeth will be noticeably brighter by the time you leave the office. You may be asked to avoid eating or drinking for an hour or two following treatment so that the enamel can fully absorb the bleach.

With professional teeth whitening, you’ll see a drastic change in your smile quickly. 

Take-home whitening kits

In-office professional treatments produce the best results, but take-home whitening kits are a more affordable alternative. We’ll design your custom-fabricated tray from an impression of your teeth so the fit is comfortable and the trays won’t slip around while you wear them. We will also provide you with a prescription-strength gel or gel and mouth rinse to use along with your trays. Even though the trays aren’t as strong and effective as a professional treatment, they can help remove surface stains and make your smile brighter and whiter. Plus, you can continue to use the at-home treatment after you’ve completed your professional treatment to keep your smile bright!

Good oral health is essential as it not only influences our appearance, but also affects our overall health. Therefore, it is important to take care of our oral health. Listed below are a few bad habits that can damage our oral health.

Nail Biting

Biting your fingernails is a common bad habit that can wear down your teeth. This habit can cause teeth to crack, chip, and break over time. For some reason, people bite their nails when they are nervous or anxious. This bad habit can be detrimental to your oral health. If you tend to chew on your nails, you should quit this bad habit immediately. You will want to trim and clean your fingernails periodically so you can avoid the temptation of chewing on them. Also, consider wearing gloves so that you do not feel the need to bite your nails when you are nervous.

Smoking

People who smoke often develop gum disease and discoloration of their teeth. In fact, smoking is one of the most significant risk factors that can increase the risk of oral cancer and tooth decay. Aside from bad breath and yellow teeth, smoking can lower one’s self-esteem and decrease confidence. Because smoking causes staining and discoloration of the teeth, it may lead to low self-esteem as well. It’s never too late to quit smoking and start taking care of your teeth to prevent serious oral health issues in the future.

Brushing Teeth Aggressively

If you brush your teeth too hard, you’re likely wearing down your enamel and gums over time. This can wear away gum tissue and cause your gums to pull away from your teeth, leaving pockets where plaque can build up easily and lead to tooth decay and other oral health problems.

It’s common for people to brush their teeth harder than needed in an effort to clean them more thoroughly, but this can be detrimental to your oral health if done on a regular basis. Many people also floss too vigorously, which can have the same effect. Brush your teeth gently using a soft-bristled brush. 

Teeth Grinding

When patients grind their teeth at night, they can experience a wide range of symptoms that range from damaged and cracked teeth to headaches and TMJ disorder. Grinding typically occurs due to stress or anxiety that a patient experiences in their daily lives. Patients may also grind their teeth when sleeping if they are experiencing an airway obstruction, such as sleep apnea. If left untreated, tooth grinding can cause serious oral health problems, so it’s important to see your dentist if you recognize the signs. Grinding teeth can be recognized by jaw pain, worn down teeth, or even chipped teeth if the habit is chronic. If you suffer from nighttime teeth grinding, it can be helpful to wear a mouth guard when you sleep to protect your teeth. Your doctor can also help you manage any stress or anxieties that may be causing the behavior.

Using Teeth As Tools

When we use our teeth for things other than their intended purposes, we put ourselves at risk for damage. Some patients use their teeth to open items like soda cans, packages, or even bottles. However, doing this can weaken your teeth and even cause them to crack. Open items with appropriate tools when possible to avoid putting extra pressure on your teeth.

Your dentist will give you a set of guidelines to follow, including what you can eat and when you should return to the dentist for your follow-up appointment. You should avoid hot foods and beverages until your jawbone heals fully. You should be able to eat soft foods for the first few days after your surgery. You might also need to take an antibiotic or anti-inflammatory drug to promote healing and avoid infection. Talk to your dentist about what to expect during the healing process so you can prepare yourself.

Dental implants are very safe when properly placed and cared for over time. However, there are risks associated with any type of surgery. Common side effects include temporary discomfort after the anesthetic wears off or minor bruising.

Cosmetic dentistry addresses a wide range of issues. Here are just a few examples:

• Broken, discolored, or short teeth can be repaired with crowns and bridges.
• Stained or yellowing teeth can be whitened with teeth whitening procedures.
• Missing teeth can be replaced with dental implants.

If you’re unhappy with your smile for any reason, cosmetic dental treatment could help you achieve the look you’ve always wanted.

People seek cosmetic dentistry for many reasons. It could be anything from severe staining to missing teeth. No matter the reason, you should work with your dentist to determine what treatment is right for you. You should also keep in mind that your teeth and gums should be healthy prior to undergoing any cosmetic procedure.

Sleep apnea may affect up to 10 percent of American adults and over 24 million adults in the United States alone. However, it is considered a “silent disease” because most sufferers don’t realize that they have the problem until their bed partner mentions the issue or they visit their dentist complaining of lack of sleep from their partner’s snoring. For this reason, it’s important to be proactive about your oral health and schedule a consultation with our dentist if you suspect you or your partner may be suffering from sleep apnea.

Snoring is often a symptom of sleep apnea, but some patients snore without suffering from the condition. Both conditions involve the narrowing of the airway and vibrations during respiration. The difference between the two is the frequency and severity of the symptoms. Patients who simply snore may experience occasional breaks in breathing, while patients with sleep apnea may stop breathing multiple times within a night.

There are a number of things that can cause TMJ disorder, including teeth grinding, clenching of the jaw muscles, arthritis in the jaw joints, or an injury to the jaw area. These actions place excessive pressure on the temporomandibular joint and can lead to pain and damage. In many cases, though, the exact cause of your TMD is often unknown.

A thorough exam from a dentist can help diagnose temporomandibular joint dysfunction or TMD. However, there are some common symptoms that can be associated with TMD. These can include facial pain that radiates from the jaw area to the forehead, neck, and ears; headaches; difficulty opening the mouth all the way; popping or clicking sounds when chewing or moving the jaw; worn-down tooth enamel; and other discomforts. Your dentist may also take X-rays of the joints to look for fractures or other issues that may require treatment.

It’s up to you to decide if you want to commit to maintaining your veneers over the years. While they are considered a permanent restoration, they are not indestructible. You may need to replace your veneers someday if they become damaged. Talk to your dentist about what you can do to keep your veneers in good condition for as long as possible.

If any of the following describe your situation, you may be a candidate for porcelain veneers:

• You have teeth that are chipped, pitted, discolored, or stained.
• Your teeth are crooked or misaligned.
• You want to change the size, shape, and color of your teeth.
• You want to close gaps between your teeth or make minor corrections to your smile’s appearance.
• You are an older adult who wishes you could change the color and shape of your teeth.
• You suffer from extreme tooth sensitivity that has led to receding gums.

If you have any of the above issues, talk to your dentist about veneers to see if they are a good fit for you and whether they can help you meet your goals.

If your teeth are stained from drinking dark-colored liquids like coffee, tea, or wine, professional whitening may be the best route for you. While over-the-counter products can improve the appearance of yellowed teeth over time, these methods are often ineffective at removing deep stains. With a professional-grade whitening system, you can get dramatic results in as little as a few days.

Yes! Professional teeth whitenings provided by dentists are safe and highly effective for most patients. However, some patients with tooth sensitivity may need to avoid the procedure. Over-the-counter treatments can also be safe and effective but are generally less potent than professional-grade products. Patients who are unsure which whitening method is best for them should contact their dentist to learn more.

By altering the size and shape of your teeth, you can not only improve your appearance but improve your oral health as well. You will want to choose a dentist who offers digital smile design services if you are looking for a quick and painless option for improving your smile. Your dentist will create a treatment plan using digital imaging software to carefully craft your smile, and you can preview the results before the final treatment is completed. When you choose a digital smile design process, you can expect to enjoy the following benefits:

• Enhanced self-esteem and confidence
• Better oral health
• Increased quality of life
• Quick results
• Affordable treatment options

Digital smile design is completely pain-free and noninvasive. During your consultation, we will take a photo of your smile and send it to the technicians who will develop your treatment plan. This process only takes about 10 minutes and allows you to preview how your new smile will look before committing to treatment. Once we know that you’re happy with the look of your new smile, we can begin your treatment process. 

All-on-4 implants are a great solution for people who are suffering from a severe case of tooth loss or those who have lost all their teeth and are simply looking for a permanent solution to their tooth loss issues. The all-on-4 method is minimally invasive and provides patients with an immediately functioning smile that is stable and durable over time.

Your recovery from dental implant surgery will vary depending on your individual case, but most patients are able to resume normal daily activities within a few days of treatment. As you heal, the dentist will give you specific aftercare instructions to ensure a speedy and successful recovery process.