Cosmetic Dentistry Blog

Oral Health is a general topic that concerns taking care of your teeth, mouth and gums. As kids we learned that we should brush our teeth and floss regularly, but did you know that oral health has a correlation to your overall health?

You mouth is full of bacteria. Usually, taking care of your teeth and gums, and your body’s natural defense systems can keep these bacteria under control. Occasionally however, harmful bacteria can sometimes grow and cause oral infections, like tooth decay and gum disease. Also, medications or situations that reduce your saliva disrupt the normal balance of bacteria in your mouth which can make it easier for bacteria to enter your bloodstream.

Here at Dream Smile, we recommend the Sonicare Flexcare toothbrush. Its clinical studies show it to be far superior to manual toothbrushes.  Its motion creates a "high velocity dynamic fluid cleaning action" that is able to dislodge plaque under the gum line when used properly.

Also, antimicrobial mouth rinses and toothpastes reduce the bacterial count and stop bacterial activity in dental plaque, which can cause gingivitis. Gingivitis is an early, reversible form of gum disease.

Gum Disease or Periodontal Disease does not just affect your teeth. Research has shown the disease to be correlated with conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and even pre-term labor.  There is no cure for periodontal disease, however at Dream Smile we can help you maintain your current condition and provide therapy to help it from getting worse.

Additionally, your gums are at risk if you have diabetes because this disease reduces the body's resistance to infection. People who have problems controlling blood sugar may develop more-frequent and severe gum infections, and they may lose more teeth than do people who have good blood sugar control.

Approximately 3 out of 4 Americans have periodontal disease. This is the biggest cause of adult tooth loss. Regular brushing and flossing is important to maintain oral health along with your bodies overall health. Using the right tools and being conscientious about tooth and mouth care is the first step in maintaining the bacteria levels in your mouth.

If you suffer from or suspect you may have periodontal disease or gingivitis, contact Dream Smile Dental.

Invisalign can help with many cases from simple to more complex, including crowded teeth and underbites to jaw problems to teeth misalignment.  And they're basically invisible so most people won't even notice you're wearing them.

The dentists at Dream Smile will determine if Invisalign is right for you. If so, we will take x-rays and impressions of your teeth, which Invisalign will use to create a digital 3-D image. With these images we will create a precise treatment plan, including the exact movements of your teeth. Then a series of custom-made, clear aligners are created specifically for you and your mouth. These are made of a smooth, comfortable plastic.  You wear Invisalign throughout the day, and as you wear them, your teeth gradually shift gently into place.

Similar to braces, in cost, Invisalign also helps with problems like spaced teeth, cross bites, underbites, and crowded teeth. However, there are many advantages to invisalign over braces. While the results are the same, a new and confident smile, when comparing options there are many benefits to invisalign. With invisalign you can eat any foods; the aligners are removable making eating and brushing and flossing easier for better periodontal health; and the smooth comfortable plastic is easier on your cheeks and gums than metal braces. Additionally, there are less office visits than with braces. Invisalign visits range from every 4 to 6 weeks. Contact Dream Smile Dental for a consultation. See if Invisalign is right for you.