Cosmetic Dentistry Blog

Problem: Tooth Decay

Also known as cavities, tooth decay occurs when plaque is allowed to linger on teeth for too long.

Who can suffer from tooth decay? Anyone can get a cavity, but children and older people are the most prone. The incidence among children has been declining, because of the increased use of fluoride toothpastes, but more than half of all children have cavities by the second grade. Older adults are prone to cavities at the root because protective gum tissue often pulls away.

What to do: Brush with a fluoride toothpaste and floss every day. Children can also benefit from sealants applied to the chewing surfaces of their back teeth as soon as their adult molars come in. Older people should be vigilant and those who have a tendency toward dry mouth should receive regular fluoride treatments from a dentist. They should also use a fluoride-containing mouth wash.

Problem: Gum Disease

A bacterial infection caused by plaque that attacks the gums, bone, and ligaments that keep your teeth in place. The early stage is known as gingivitis, the advanced stage is called periodontitis.

Who can suffer from gum disease: Everyone. It is estimated that half of all adults have some signs of gingivitis. Most at risk are people with poor oral hygiene; those with a systemic disease, such as diabetes, and smokers. Women also have a tendency to develop gingivitis during pregnancy. Other risk factors are stress, which weakens the immune system, and genes.

What to do: See a dentist regularly. Let your dentist know if your gums feel tender or bleed. Gingivitis can be reversed with regular brushing and flossing. To combat periodontitis, a dentist or periodontist may perform a deep cleaning around the teeth and below the gum lines and prescribe medication to combat the infection. If the disease has progressed to affect your gums and bone, your dentist might suggest surgery, such as a gum graft.

Problem: Tooth Infection

The pulp inside the tooth is damaged or becomes infected because of decay or injury. The root canal, which connects the top pulp chamber to the tip of the root, may become infected, too.

Who’s at risk: Anyone with a deep cavity or a cracked tooth, which can let in bacteria. An injured tooth can have a problem even if it's not visibly cracked or chipped.

What to do: If you feel pain in or around a tooth, see your dentist. He may refer you to an endodontist, who specializes in root-canal procedures. In one to three visits, the dentist will perform a root canal. He will remove the pulp, clean the pulp chamber and root canal, then fill the tooth. Finally, he may seal the tooth with a porcelain or gold crown.

Problem: Enamel Erosion

Exposure to acid, primarily from soda or citrus drinks, can wear down the surface of the teeth, making them rounded and discolored.

Who’s at risk: Anyone who drinks lemonade, soda and diet soda, or sports drinks all day.

What to do: If necessary, teeth can be restored with bonding materials. But to prevent further damage, you have to change your habits. If the cause is soft drinks switch to water. Second best is to drink sodas with a full meal, then follow with a tooth brushing, sugarless gum, or a gargle with water.

Dental hygiene is directly related to your overall physical health. But how can you be sure you are taking proper care of your teeth, mouth and gums? Generally, your teeth and gums should not hurt or bleed, after brushing; your breath should be fresh for a few hours after brushing and eating breakfast. The easiest way to prevent gum disease is to clean your teeth properly, here are some tips:

1. Use the right mouthwash.

If you use alcohol free mouthwash twice a day, you'll slash your risk of gum disease by 60%. Ideally you should aim to rinse for about 30 seconds with a mouthwash that has microbial protection to fight plaque and gingivitis.

2. Floss before you brush.

You should floss before you brush your teeth, rather than after. That way you'll be able to brush away any food that was stuck between your teeth to prevent bacteria from growing.

3. Use the right toothbrush.

Soft or extra soft bristles are best. Using a medium or hard-bristled toothbrush scratches the tissue of your gums away over time, exposes the root surface underneath and leads to possible bone loss.

4. Brush smart.

To really clean your teeth, aim to brush them for a full two minutes. Also brush your tongue and cheeks as well as your teeth to improve the removal of harmful bacteria. Be sure to replace your toothbrush about every three months.

For more oral health tips, or for routine visits, contact Dream Smile Dental.

One of your resolutions this New Year may be to get fit, or in some other way improve your appearance. Well if it is more than just your weight or the shape of your body you want to improve, perhaps your smile needs a lift. Cosmetic Dentistry or Teeth Whitening may be an answer for you.

Through teeth whitening, the goal is a natural bright smile, not a startling white smile. The objective of teeth whitening, or other cosmetic dentistry procedures is to have your peers wonder “what has changed” about you.

Your coworkers and your family will ask if you’ve lost weight, have you had your hair done, is that a new outfit?

With less work and less money, you can affect your appearance and instantly have more self confidence than you have ever had. Dream Smile Dental was the first dental office in New England to introduce Laser Teeth Whitening; we have had over 15 years of whitening experience. Rather than attempting over-the-counter whitening methods, you should consult your dentist, because it is possible that bonding or porcelain veneers could be the better solution to your specific case.

Contact Dream Smile Dental in Canton for information and a consultation for your cosmetic dentistry or teeth whitening needs.

There are many dental procedures, but it may be the root canal that has the worst reputation of them all. And because of its reputation, at Dream Smile Dental we get lots of questions about them.

It is important to know that very few root canals are painful, very few deserve their reputation. We often get asked, “Will I be in pain during or after the root canal?”

During the root canal treatment your mouth and gums will be entirely numb; you will feel nothing. After the root canal, patients are rarely in pain. There are a few extreme cases, and in those cases, the dentists at Dream Smile will prescribe you something for the pain.

Because of the reputation of the root canal procedure, many patients will say, “well, I don’t feel any pain; can’t I wait on receiving a root canal?”

Unfortunately, the answer is no. It is never a good idea to wait on any needed dental treatment, especially a root canal. If you require a root canal, it needs to be done as soon as possible in order to prevent further infection. The infection can spread too, and really complicate your health, sometimes seriously.

Lastly, we often have people wondering if their insurance company will cover a root canal procedure. But we can’t answer that question. Every insurance plan is set up differently. Therefore various procedures are covered differently according to their fee schedule. Dream Smile Dental works with most insurance plans. To find out what your plan will specifically cover, contact us.

For missing teeth there is a way now to have a permanent and natural looking replacement. Missing teeth are detrimental to your overall health and your own self confidence. Replace one or many missing teeth with dental implants for a healthy and confident new smile.

Crowns and conventional bridges or dentures are not your only options when replacing missing teeth. Dental Implants vary from other solutions because with the proper dental hygiene and care, they function as a normal, natural tooth. Proper oral hygiene will help keep your implants and your mouth healthy.

Dental implants, an effective method to replace one tooth or several teeth, consist of a metal anchor that is inserted into the jawbone, and a protruding post is outfitted with an artificial tooth which replaces the missing tooth both cosmetically and structurally.

The process of integration of the implants into your jaw helps your replacement teeth feel more natural, restoring functionality and improving appearance. Patients find the secure fit of their new tooth very comfortable which gives them more confidence. A smile with confidence is a natural and healthy looking smile.

Contact Dream Smile Dental to see if you are a candidate for dental implants.

Your smile is the first impression most people get of you. It should be natural and perfect. Notice we said natural first. No one wants a fake looking, far too white smile. We have all seen those smiles, and the first impression they make is not what you are looking for. We understand.

Using the latest technology and the most supreme materials, Dream Smile Dental cosmetic dentists take everything into consideration when creating your perfect smile. The structuring of your smile is based on your lifestyle, facial proportions, gender, age, complexion, hair and eye color. When patients have had cosmetic dentistry here, they are often asked if they've changed their hairstyle or gotten new contact lenses. And by cosmetic dentistry, we mean anything from teeth whitening to dental implants. Your smile will look so natural, no one will be able to pinpoint what exactly is different about you.

Depending on the Cosmetic Dentistry procedure you may be surprised how little time it can take. Whether you need veneers or crowns, the procedure is similarly short as in teeth whitening.  You may have a new smile in as little as 2-3 visits. But what is important is that your new smile will be perfect and …natural.

Contact the Dream Smile team; see how together we can create for you the natural, perfect smile you have been looking for for your first impression.