CEREC Crowns in Two Hours

If the thought of spending two appointments for a dental crown keeps you out of the dentist’s chair, call and schedule an appointment with Dental Care Corona for a new crown in just one dental visit. CEREC® Crowns are created, made, and fitted in about two hours and could be the answer if you would like a beautiful new smile in 2017.

With the amazing CAD/CAM CEREC® system, you can take an extended lunch hour and come back to the office with a gorgeous new smile.

The CEREC® process involves 3D images that are sent to the CEREC® computer system. Once the data has been analyzed, your new tooth will be ready to be sent to the milling machine for manufacturing. The ceramic block used is perfectly matched to the rest of your natural teeth so that your new dental crown will look just like the rest of your natural or restored teeth. The entire process takes a couple of hours. During the milling process, you can relax, read, watch television, or surf the net.

CEREC® can be used for other dental treatments as well including tooth colored fillings, onlays an inlays. CEREC® is safe, effective, and proven to last up to ten years or more. CEREC® can be used for: 

• Tooth colored fillings
• Dental crowns
• Inlays
• Onlays
• Bonding
• Veneers
• Dental Implants 

CEREC® can repair chipped teeth or lengthen your eyeteeth. The CEREC® system also works for cosmetic dental veneers.

Some dentists are now using the CEREC® system to create dental implants to place over the titanium screws used for dental implants. The artificial teeth look and act just as strong, if not stronger than your natural teeth.

If you would like more information regarding CEREC® Crowns or CEREC® for any other dental restoration procedure, call and schedule an appointment with a certified CEREC® dentist today.

Sweet Treats You Should Avoid

Sweet treats announce the arrival of the holiday season, and if you and your family like to indulge in sweet treats there are some that you should try to avoid, or at least enjoy on occasion.

Sticky Candy

Gummy bears and those delicious caramels that your Aunt Dottie always likes to send for Christmas may be yummy, but they have a tendency to stick into the cracks and fissure on your back teeth and between your teeth, and unfortunately that sticky candy can’t be moved by your saliva. If you do enjoy, brush and rinse with water as soon as you can.

Dried Fruit

Just like gooey candy, dried fruit can stick to your teeth as well, and what’s worse, it will stay there much longer after you have eaten that fig, dried apricot or dried prune. Dried fruit may be good for your diet, but it doesn’t do much good for your teeth. Brush after eating and if you must indulge, include your dried fruit with the rest of a meal.

Hard Candy

Sourballs, butterscotch, and those never-ending candy canes are great to suck on, but are literally coating your teeth in a sugar bath. Hard candy can also chip and even break a tooth. Keep hard candy to a minimum and if you must, don’t bite down.

Fruit Cake

Starchy foods are bad enough for your teeth as the doughy goodness from that piece of bread or scrumptious soft pretzel will stay with you. Add sticky fruit from your Grandmothers favorite cranberry and fig bread to the mix and your teeth will pay the price. Eat fruitcake and bread with a meal and rinse with water after you enjoy.  

Citrus

Oranges, limes, grapefruit and lemons are abundant during the winter months, but that doesn’t mean you should over-indulge. Citrus fruits are loaded with sugar and acid that eat away at the enamel on your teeth. Try eating fruit as part of a meal and never suck on a lemon.

If you are trying to stay healthy by watching your weight over the holidays, make sure and pay attention to your diet and your teeth and gums, and don’t forget to schedule an appointment with your dentist for your regular dental checkup. 

Signs You Need to See your Dentist

If you haven’t scheduled a checkup with your dentist for some time, you may want to pick up the phone and make an appointment. Below are some indications that could mean a trip to the dentist’s office.

Pain

Any kind of pain in your mouth is an indication that something is not right. If you have a toothache, it’s time to schedule an appointment with your dentist. Ignoring that nagging pain could make things worse. Cavities do not go away and if left alone could get so bad that a root canal is necessary.

Gum Issues

If your gums are red, swollen and/or bleed when you brush and floss, you may have gum disease. Seeing your dentist as quickly as possible can solve your problem, however, if you ignore it, your gingivitis could develop into the more serious periodontal disease that could lead to tooth loss.

Hidden Grin

Hiding your smile is a sure sign that you are not happy with what you see in the mirror. A chipped or missing tooth or stained teeth can all be helped with a trip to your dentist’s office.

Previous Dental Work

If you have crowns, dental implants, porcelain veneers, dental bonding, fillings or any other type of restorative or cosmetic dentistry it is important to see your dentist regularly to make sure that your mouth stays in good shape.

Medical Issues

If you have eating disorders, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or if you are HIV positive you may be more susceptible to gum disease and other oral issues. See your dentist if you are having chemotherapy, hormone replacement, or radiation as it can affect your oral health.

Pregnancy

Pregnant women should never miss regular checkups. Seeing your dentist is important as women who are expecting may suffer from gum disease. Just make sure that you notify your dentist of your pregnancy. If you are planning a pregnancy, see your dentist beforehand.  

Problems Eating

If you are having problems chewing or swallowing your food, it is not normal. Consume liquids and soft food and get to the dentist as quickly as possible.

Jaw Pain

You could have a problem if your jaw pops when you open and close your mouth. Schedule an appointment with your dentist as you could have a TMJ disorder or an uneven bite.

Sores and Spots

A doctor or dentist should look at white patches, cold sores, canker sores and other problems that last longer than a week, as mouth sores could be an indication of something more serious.

If you have any of the above issues, or can’t remember the last time you saw your dentist, call, or click and schedule an appointment today. 

Womens Oral Health Issues

Women’s Oral Health should be emphasized when it comes to overall well-being as women have hormonal changes that can affect gum health.

During puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause, women’s hormones fluctuate dramatically and according to your dentist can cause gum disease and other issues including dry mouth.

Puberty

When a woman’s progesterone and even estrogen levels increase, the sex hormones cause a woman’s blood circulation to increase to the gums. The gums may become more sensitive, which could lead to a reaction to any type of irritation including food debris and plaque. During puberty gums could become swollen, feel tender and appear red.  

Menstruation

Menstruation gingivitis is a condition that some women have right before a period begins. Once it has started, the menstruation gingivitis usually clears up. If you are having this occur more often, and not when you are menstruation, contact your dentist, as your gum disease could be recurring.

Pregnancy

If you are expecting a baby, you are more susceptible to gum disease from the second or third month through to the eighth month. The severity of symptoms may increase with bleeding, swelling, and redness. If left untreated gum disease in pregnant women could cause low birth weights and premature births.

Menopause and Post Menopause

Menopausal or post-menopausal women can experience mouth changes that include mouth discomfort, pain, and burning in the gum tissue, dry mouth or an altered taste, which could be sour, peppery, or salty. Known as menopausal gingivostomatitis it can make a woman’s gums appear shiny or dry and make them bleed more easily. Ask your doctor about estrogen supplements that can help relieve the symptoms.

Bone loss is also associated with menopause and post menopause. Increase your intake of sodium rich foods such as cheese and yogurt, which can also help your teeth. Calcium supplements may also be recommended for severe bone loss issues.

If you would like more information regarding Women’s Oral Health, schedule an appointment with your dentist today. 

Dental Checkups This Fall

Fall is around the corner, and if you haven’t scheduled dental checkups with the family, it’s time to make those appointments.

School and extracurricular activities can get in the way of dental appointments, and before you know it, the holidays will be here.

Neglecting dental checkups can cause all sorts of problems even if you and your family are meticulous about oral hygiene. Below are just a few of the issues that can occur if you skip those regular dental checkups.

Tooth Decay

You and your family may be proud of your twice-daily brushing habits, but unless you throw dental appointments into the mix, you could be asking for cavities. Your dentist explains that professional cleanings should be conducted during your regular dental checkups to remove the sticky plaque and tartar. Bacteria, plaque, and acid can erode the enamel on your teeth making you more susceptible to tooth decay and cavities.

Gum Disease

Neglecting much needed dental appointments can cause gum disease. You and your family may floss every day, but you still need checkups for professional dental cleanings. Gingivitis, the first stage of gum disease, is reversible, but only if you catch it in time. Unfortunately, some patients are not even aware that they have gum disease until it progresses to the more serious periodontal disease. Periodontal disease occurs when pockets form between your teeth and gums. Those pockets are full of plaque and tartar that will eat away your gums. If you have swollen, red, or bleeding gums, see your dentist as quickly as possible.

Other Health Issues

Poor oral hygiene has been linked to several other health problems including Alzheimer’s disease, stroke and congenital heart failure and although studies are still being conducted it appears that bacteria enters the blood stream through the gums. People who have hardening of the arteries have a higher percentage of periodontal disease as do people who suffer from diabetes.

If you and your family have been neglecting your dental appointments, schedule one today. Your health really does depend on it. 

More than Teeth and Gums

Your mouth is more than teeth, making good oral hygiene habits even more important. Your mouth is made up of the lower and upper jaw, oral mucosa, gums, salivary glands, the tongue, the frenulum, and the uvula. All of these play a very important role in your overall dental health.

Upper/Lower Jaw

Your jaws are what give your mouth structure and your face shape. You need both to speak and chew. Humans have two bones in the upper jaw that are fused together. Your upper jaw is also fused to your skull. The lower jawbone is separate from your skull as it enables your jaw to move both up and down when you talk and eat.

Oral Mucosa

Open your mouth and you will see that everything, besides your teeth, is covered with oral mucosa. This protective liner is a mucous membrane that is like the mucous membranes in your inner ears and nostrils. The mucosa plays an important role when it comes to maintaining your overall and oral health. Your oral mucosa contains keratin, which is also found in your hair and fingernails making it resistant to injury.

Gums

The pinkish tissue surrounding your teeth is known as your gums. Covered by oral mucosa, your gums play a crucial role when it comes to your overall health as recent studies have indicated that your mouth is the gateway to the rest of your body. Healthy gums cover the roots of your teeth, are firm, and will not bleed when you brush and floss. Gingivitis and the more serious periodontal disease can lead to tooth loss and other problems such as heart disease and stroke.

Salivary Glands

There are three sets of salivary glands in your neck and mouth. The submandibular, the parotid, and the sublingual glands. All of these glands produce saliva that will help break down the food you consume. Saliva is vital to oral health as it protects your gums and your teeth by rinsing away the bacteria and the plaque. Saliva also counteracts with the acidic foods that will wear down the enamel on your teeth.

Tongue

Your tongue is a very powerful muscle that is covered in a special type of mucosal tissue. That tissue also contains your taste buds. Your dentist explains that your tongue is vital to your oral health as it aids in digestion. Your tongue moves food to the teeth, and when it has been chewed is swallowed thanks to the tongue moving it to the back of your throat before heading to the esophagus.

Uvula

The tissue that hangs at the back of the throat is called the uvula. Composed of glandular and connective tissue and muscle fibers it has had scientists baffled about what it really does and while all of the functions are not totally understood, it does seem to play a role in talking and keeping your mouth moist.

Frenulum

The flap of oral mucosa, the frenulum, connects the floor of your mouth to your tongue and allows it to do its job by moving your tongue. If a baby is born with a short frenulum, or one that isn’t elastic enough, he or she will have trouble breastfeeding. A short frenulum can also affect your child’s speech. 

You Can Prevent Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

If your baby or toddler has a habit of falling asleep with a baby bottle in his or her mouth baby bottle tooth decay could happen, especially if the bottle is filled with juice, soda, formula, or milk. Baby teeth are just as important as adult teeth and need to be looked after just as carefully.

According to The American Dental Association, baby bottle tooth decay occurs when natural sugars or sweetened liquids cling to a baby or toddlers teeth for long periods. Mouth bacteria thrive on sugar converting it to acid that will attack teeth.

Children who fall asleep with a bottle during naptime or at night or kids who have their pacifiers dipped in syrup or sugar are at risk when it comes to baby bottle decay. Giving babies sugary drinks at bedtime is especially risky because saliva flow is reduced during sleep.

Although baby bottle tooth decay usually occurs in front teeth, other baby teeth could also be affected.

Baby teeth may be temporary, but they are just as important. Baby teeth help your children speak, chew, and smile. Baby teeth also act as a placeholder for adult or permanent teeth. If baby bottle tooth decay isn’t taken care of, infection and pain may result. If the decay is too bad, the teeth may have to go.

If teeth are infected or even lost due to baby bottle decay, your baby could develop bad eating habits, crooked teeth, and speech problems and even damaged permanent teeth. With that being said, there are some things you can do to help prevent baby bottle tooth decay.

• Wipe your baby’s gums with a washcloth after feeding
• Start brushing your baby or toddlers teeth without toothpaste when the first tooth erupts
• Massage and clean gums that don’t have teeth
• Floss once your baby’s teeth have all come in
• Make sure that your baby or toddler is getting enough fluoride
• Schedule regular checkups with your dentist by your baby’s first birthday
• Ask your dentist about dental sealants which can help prevent cavities 

If you would like more information about baby bottle tooth decay, talk to your dentist today.