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Americans spend approximately $1.4 billion on over-the-counter teeth whitening products every year. It’s no surprise why. Over half of the American population over the age of 50 say that a smile is considered the most attractive physical feature as we age. That being said, many non-prescription teeth whitening products may actually be ineffective, especially compared to services provided by an actual cosmetic dentist. How do you know whether or not the product is worth it? Teeth Whitening Products Vs. Cosmetic Dental Care There are a wide variety of teeth whitening products you can find in your general store. These products include toothpaste, strips, gels, and rinses. Toothpaste contains mild abrasives, which help to remove surface stains on your teeth. Whitening toothpaste contains additional chemicals such as carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide. These chemicals help to remove additional surface stains. However, they remove surface stains only and will lighten your teeth by one shade. In contrast, your local Panama City dental care can use prescription-strength whitening which lightens teeth up to eight shades. Whitening strips are thin strips coated with a peroxide-based gel. These strips are especially popular. It takes a few days for the whitening to go into effect and […]

A healthy smile is considered to be one of the most socially important features of a person’s face. It’s why Americans will spend up to $1.4 billion every year on teeth whitening products. However, it isn’t always the brightness of our teeth that can have the biggest impact on our self-confidence, but rather replacing missing teeth. Missing teeth can have a big impact on a person’s self-esteem as well as their oral health. Fortunately, cosmetic dental care can help fill in the gaps of your smile using a dental bridge. For anyone looking for ways to restore their smile, dental bridges offer patients the following advantages: Oral pain prevention Missing teeth can provide enough space for your teeth to move. This can cause a severe impact on your bite and may result in jaw disorders such as TMJ. Dental bridges help to fill in the space to prevent your other teeth from shifting and causing oral pain. Facial structure protection In addition to your shifting teeth resulting in oral pain due to a change in one’s bite, a shift in your teeth can also result in a change in your face’s appearance. Over time, your jawbone and facial muscles will […]

Teeth whitening is a cosmetic dental care procedure many Americans choose to use to improve their self-confidence. Up to 82.5% of patients who chose to have teeth whitening done by a professional cosmetic dentist noticed a visual difference. However, while teeth whitening can do incredible aesthetic things for your smile, sensitivity can sometimes be a problem directly after the procedure. Sensitivity is a normal byproduct of many dental procedures such as teeth bonding, veneers, or a dental bridge. Yet its normalcy doesn’t make minor pain and sensitivity any less annoying to deal with. Fortunately, there are ways you can help to reduce your sensitivity after your teeth whitening procedure. Avoid things that may irritate your teeth It may seem like a no-brainer, but avoiding the things that may irritate your teeth after a regular dentist appointment can also help to reduce your teeth sensitivity after having them whitened. Avoid eating food that’s relatively high in either temperature, but especially food that’s cold. Your teeth are already naturally sensitive to cold things. After a dental procedure such as whitening, they’re incredibly sensitive. Hold off on eating popsicles or ice cream sandwiches until your teeth have had a couple of hours to […]

According to a survey conducted by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, more than half of the U.S. adult population over the age of 50 believes that a person’s smile remains one of the most attractive features even as they age. However, keeping our teeth straight and white can become more difficult later in life. Like bones, teeth become more brittle the older you get and are prone to chips, cracks, and falling out. This can affect your self-esteem and others’ perception of you. Fortunately, cosmetic dental care can help you keep your smile looking great even as you age — without the need for dentures! Fixing Chips and Gaps A cosmetic dentist can help you fix the appearance of your teeth in as little as a single office visit (after a consultation, of course). If you have chips in your teeth that ruin your smile, but your dentist has determined your teeth are strong enough, consider asking a cosmetic dentist about dental veneers. Dental veneers are thin, porcelain covers that go over your teeth to give the appearance of a perfect tooth. First, your cosmetic dentist will construct the veneer to fit your tooth. Then they will carefully remove […]

Among adults over the age of 20, nine of 10 suffer from at least some level of tooth decay. If the decay is far enough advanced, dentists may need to remove the tooth entirely for the sake of the patient’s health. And depending on the location of the removal, the loss of a tooth may result in a less favorable smile. For Americans, a good smile is an indicator of good health and good social standing. Because of this, a subpar smile can often lead to low self-esteem. Luckily, for those looking to enhance their smile aside in ways that a regular visit to the dentist can’t, there’s cosmetic dentistry. Cosmetic dentistry helps maintain or enhance the aesthetic beauty of your smile, not just the health of it. For instance, if your teeth are suffering from discoloration, cosmetic dentistry can help to get rid of old coffee stains which may yellow your teeth, giving you a whiter, brighter smile. However, this is just one type of cosmetic procedure. Increasingly, dental bridges are also becoming a popular option for those with missing teeth. Here’s what you need to know about these tooth replacements. Dental bridges For those with missing teeth, cosmetic […]

Periodontal Exams Periodontal exams are vital in the maintenance of your oral health as they are used to assess the health of your gums and teeth. They can help your dentist diagnose gum diseases, gingivitis and periodontitis. These exams can also reveal receding gums, exposed roots, tooth grinding and other problems, making periodontal exams vital to maintaining proper oral health. Regular dental exams are important as they can reveal evidence of gum disease in its early stages. During your periodontal examination, your dentist will check: For any lumps or abnormal areas in the mouth Whether any of your teeth are missing or loose The color, texture, size and shape of your gums Whether you have fillings, crowns, bridges, dentures or implants How much plaque is on your teeth The depth of the space between your tooth and gum Gingivitis is the first stage of periodontal disease that causes inflammation of the gums. Dental x-rays can determine if the inflammation has spread to the supporting structures on the teeth so treatment can be started to correct the problem. Periodontitis occurs when gingivitis goes untreated, which makes periodontal exams vital to preventing and putting an end to gum diseases. Your dentist will […]

Anyone who participates in a sport that carries a significant risk of injury should wear a mouth protector. Sports like basketball, baseball, gymnastics, and volleyball all pose risks to your gum tissues, as well as your teeth. We usually think of football and hockey as the most dangerous to the teeth, but nearly half of sports-related mouth injuries occur in basketball and baseball. A helmet can prevent serious injuries such as concussions, cerebral hemorrhages, incidents of unconsciousness, jaw fractures and neck injuries by helping to avoid situations where the lower jaw gets jammed into the upper jaw.   Mouth guards are effective in moving soft tissue in the oral cavity away from the teeth, preventing laceration and bruising of the lips and cheeks, especially for those who wear orthodontic appliances. Mouth protectors, which typically cover the upper teeth, can cushion a blow to the face, minimizing the risk of broken teeth and injuries to the soft tissues of the mouth. If you wear braces or another fixed dental appliance on your lower jaw, a mouth protector is available for these teeth as well. A properly fitted mouth protector may be especially important for people who wear braces or have fixed bridge […]

Standards and Best Practice With all of the increased media attention on infection outbreaks such as AIDS and multi-drug resistant strains of viruses, it’s no wonder people have heightened concerns about infection control during a medical procedure. Gloves, gowns and masks are required to be worn in all dentist offices today—a far cry from just a few decades ago—when fewer than one-third of all dentists even wore such personal protective equipment, or PPE.  After each patient visit, disposable PPE-such as gloves, drapes, needles, and scalpel blades-are thrown away, hands are washed, and a new pair of gloves used for the next patient. All hand instruments used on patients are washed, disinfected and/or sterilized with chemicals or steam after each use. One of the most effective methods for preventing disease transmission—washing one’s hands—is practiced in our office.  It is routine procedure to wash hands at the beginning of the day, before and after glove use, and after touching any surfaces that may have become contaminated. Water Quality and Biofilms Concerns about the quality of water used in a dentist’s office are unfounded, provided the dentist follows the infection control guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and the American Dental Association. […]

An estimated sixty-five percent of Americans have bad breath. Over forty-million Americans have “chronic halitosis,” which is persistent bad breath. Ninety percent of all halitosis is of oral, not systemic, origin. Americans spend more than $1 billion a year on over the counter halitosis products, many of which are ineffective because they only mask the problem. What causes bad breath? Bad breath is caused by a variety of factors. In most cases, it is caused by food remaining in the mouth – on the teeth, tongue, gums, and other structures, collecting bacteria. Dead and dying bacterial cells release a sulfur compound that gives your breath an unpleasant odor. Certain foods, such as garlic and onions, contribute to breath odor. Once the food is absorbed into the bloodstream, it is transferred to the lungs, where it is exhaled. Brushing, flossing and mouthwash only mask the odor. Dieters sometimes develop unpleasant breath from fasting. Periodontal (gum) disease often causes persistent bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth, and persistent bad breath may mean a sign that you have gum disease. Gum disease is caused by plaque – the sticky, often colorless, film of bacteria that constantly forms on teeth. Dry […]

Both natural teeth and teeth with restorations survive best in an oral environment that is clean and where the intake of harmful foods is controlled. Our program is designed to help prevent new cavities, preserve teeth that have been restored and manage periodontal disease. At the initial visit oral hygiene instructions are reviewed and are reinforced at subsequent recall visits. The following are helpful recommendations: Brush your teeth twice a day in a circular motion with a soft bristled toothbrush aimed at the gum. Floss every night in an up-and-down motion while keeping the floss in a U-shape and against the tooth surface. Avoid smoking. Avoid sticky sugary foods. Eat a balanced diet. Use antiseptic and fluoride rinses as directed. Have sealants placed on young permanent teeth. Brushing Brushing is the most effective method for removing harmful plaque from your teeth and gums. Getting the debris off your teeth and gums in a timely manner prevents bacteria in the food you eat from turning into harmful, cavity causing acids. Most dentists agree that brushing three times a day is the minimum; if you use a fluoride toothpaste in the morning and before bed at night, you can get away without […]

Saliva is one of your body’s natural defenses against plaque because it acts to rinse your mouth of cavity-causing bacteria and other harmful materials. Dry mouth (also called Xerostomia) is a fairly common condition that is caused by diminished saliva production. People with medical conditions, such as an eating disorder or diabetes, are often plagued by dry mouth. Eating foods such as garlic, tobacco use, and some kinds of medications, including treatments such as cancer therapy can diminish the body’s production of saliva, leading to dry mouth. Other causes are related to aging (including rheumatoid arthritis), and compromised immune systems. Some of the less alarming results of dry mouth include bad breath. But dry mouth can lead to more serious problems, including burning tongue syndrome, a painful condition caused by lack of moisture on the tongue. If dry mouth isn’t readily apparent, you may experience other conditions that dry mouth can cause, including an overly-sensitive tongue, chronic thirst or even difficulty in speaking. If you don’t have a medical condition that causes it, dry mouth can be minimized by sipping water regularly, chewing sugarless gum and avoiding smoking. Of course, there is no substitute for regular checkups and good oral […]