Cosmetic Dentistry Blog at My Dentist USA

May 17th, 2013

Simple Things to Improve Your Dental Hygiene

Taking care of your teeth is not simply an aesthetic undertaking, but one which can effect all aspect of your health. With the state of the economy as it is, many people who perhaps would never miss their regularly scheduled dental exams and cleanings, are now looking for ways to extend the time in between the dentist without sacrificing their dental care. It is extremely important to go to the dentist to be examined and cleaned, but if you are unable to, or even if you are able to, there are a couple of things you can be doing at home to ensure you are doing everything you can to maintain a healthy smile.

* Brush your teeth at least twice a day. Brushing after you eat is a great habit to get into, but if you can’t remember or if it is too inconvenient, at least try to do it in the morning and in the evening before and after bed.

* When brushing you should move the brush in small, circular motions around the gums and teeth. Be gentle! Brush all the sides of the teeth- front, back and top. Don’t forget to brush you tongue, too!

* Change brushes every three months!

* Use floss and mouthwash. They are simple things which can go a long way in improving your dental hygiene.

Posted in Dental Care, Oral Hygiene

May 15th, 2013

Oral Cancer and You

Oral cancer is not something to be taken lightly. Those who chew tobacco and drink alcohol, or have done so heavily in the past, are especially at risk for developing oral cancer and should be taking every effort possible to make sure that if it develops, it is caught early. With a “five-year survival rate of about 52%,” writes Dr. Arnold in his article featured on our Articles Page, this is something you really need to stay on top of.

Screening for oral cancer, however, can be tricky as it begins in a cellular level that cannot be easily detected by the naked eye. For these reasons, a new way of screening has entered the market. It is called Velscope and it uses blue light to evaluate the florescence response of the tissue. If the tissue appears green, it’s good; if it appears dark, it’s likely diseased, and a further biopsy will be conducted to confirm. This screening runs you only about $25 and if you are considered an “at risk” patient by your dentist, you’ll want to make sure you are being screened up to twice a year. The best way to prevent oral cancer is to stay on top of your oral hygiene from the beginning, but for those for whom that is no longer an option, early detection through consistent screening is the best bet.

Ask your dentist today about Velscope screening today and make sure you are getting regularly screened.

Posted in Oral Cancer

May 13th, 2013

The Importance of Early Orthodontics

Having crooked teeth isn’t just an aesthetic issue, it can impair good dental hygiene making it easier for germs to work their way in and deteriorate the teeth and cause cavities. The earlier you can get your teeth straightened the better. These days Orthodontics are better and more precise than ever. Gone are the days of huge, bulky metal braces- sure there are still metal braces, but they aren’t nearly as bad as they were just a decade ago. Then there is Invisalign, which does away with metal braces entirely. Invisalign can help almost any dental situation, but there are some for which traditional braces are still needed.

Whether you or your child has a misaligned bite (which can lead to TMJ), crooked teeth or other issues, it is important to get the treatment needed so that you can maintain a healthy, confident smile. Remember: after the braces come off, you’ll need to wear your retainer, unless you want to do the whole Orthodontic treatment all over again in a few years. Your teeth are constantly capable of moving. Even if you have had relatively straight teeth your whole life, it is not uncommon for teeth to gradually begin to crowd- particularly after wisdom teeth come in.

If you or your child needs Orthodontics to straighten out crooked teeth, don’t put it off another day. Contact an Orthodontist in your area today.

Posted in Orthodontics

May 10th, 2013

Dental Crowns – USA

Do you have a weak, cracked or deteriorating teeth? A tooth that’s been filled to death? Have very discolored or slightly misshaped teeth? If you answered yes to any of the above questions, you may be a good candidate for Dental Crowns. A Dental Crown is a tooth facsimile that can be made out of metals such as gold alloy or base-metal alloy,  porcelain-fused-to-metal, or all-ceramic/all-porcelain crowns and it covers the offending tooth or teeth.

There are many benefits of Dental Crowns. They can protect damaged teeth from further deterioration, support a tooth that has been filled a lot, and cover up discoloration. When most people think of Crowns they still think of the metal kind, but modern advances have enabled much more realistic Crowns that can be made to match your natural tooth coloring. Check out the results in our Photo Gallery to see examples of Cerec Crowns and Cerec All-Porcelain Crowns.

Posted in Dental Crowns

May 8th, 2013

How To Finance Your New Smile

People young and old procrastinate going to the dentist, even when they know they need to, when they are in pain or when they are hiding behind closed lips due to a less-than-perfect smile. Part of the reason is the anticipation of a bad experience, which is why it is so important to find a dentist who fits with your needs. Many dentists are now offering “sedation dentistry” and other amenities to make the whole experience more enjoyable. So, take the time to find the right dentist for you. The second reason people put off going to the dentist is out of fear of the costs.

If you find yourself in the latter, consider exploring alternate funding options. For example, you can start by submitting for a chance to win one of our $500 Visa Gift Cards! Also, you can apply for a Loan program right here online. It’s super easy to do. Submitting your online form does not commit you to the loan, it merely shows you what your options are so that you can better plan accordingly.

Stop putting it of- find out what your real options are today.

Posted in Financing

May 6th, 2013

Improving the Health of Your Teeth and More with Dental Bonding

There are a number of dental problems that are commonly remedied using dental bonding. Cosmetic dentists are able to use the composite resin to improve the appearance of teeth front or back teeth, restore damaged teeth and protect teeth from future damage. Dental bonding is even used to cover natural flaws in the teeth.

Composites are often the solution used to repair decayed teeth, make cosmetic improvements and even reshaped the teeth.  Dental Bonding will lighten any stains you may have or change the overall color of your teeth. A thin coating of a plastic material on the front surface of your teeth, hardened with high-intensity light, and your smile can be completely made over.

There are many cosmetic dentistry procedures designed to improve the appearance and health of your teeth. A consultation with a cosmetic dentist is the first step in determining which procedures will best meet your individual needs. Need help finding a cosmetic dentist near you? My Dentist USA can help.

Click here to locate a dentist in your area!

Posted in Dental Bonding

May 3rd, 2013

Learn How to Prevent Tooth Decay in Children

Healthy dental care habits should  be instilled when children are young. Tooth decay can develop in small children when the child’s teeth and gums are exposed to any liquids or foods other than water for long periods of time. One of the most common reasons young children develop tooth decay is prolonged exposure to bottles of formula, milk, juice, or other sugary drinks. Sippy Cups can also be a contributing factor to tooth decay in young children when a child is allowed to sleep with a sippy cup or carry it around with them while they play.

There are a few ways to reduce the risk of tooth decay in children:

• Do not put your child to bed with a bottle or food – This can expose your child’s teeth to sugars that will sit on their teeth throughout the night.
• Only give children a bottle during meals – Do not use a bottle or a sippy cup as a pacifier. Limit the time your child can walk around with a sippy cup or bottle.
• Teach your child to use a regular cup – Drinking from a cup is less likely to cause the liquid to collect around the teeth. Regular cups also must be left on a table and can not be taken to bed.
• If your child does have a bottle or sippy cup for long periods of time, fill it with water.

While many parents say baby teeth are only temporary, it is important to teach children healthy dental care habits early on. Following these guidelines will help you prevent unnecessary visits to the dentist.

Posted in Dental Care

May 1st, 2013

Improving your Smile with Teeth Whitening

Your smile is often the first thing people notice upon the first meeting. Teeth that are yellow can take away from what is otherwise a beautiful smile. Luckily, teeth whitening procedures are simple and very effective. A visit to a dentist in your area can greatly improve the appearance of your teeth.

Teeth can become discolored over time due to the the things we eat and the drinks we consume. Coffee, tea and soda are among some of the most lethal items on the menu that damage the color of our teeth. Smoking is another common teeth yellowing habit. Having stains on your teeth does not necessarily mean you have not taken good care of your teeth, some stains are unavoidable over time.

The level of whiteness achieved through teeth whitening, or teeth bleaching, is dependent on the level of discoloration of your teeth. Overall, many people can expect to see noticeable differences of at least 2-3 shades whiter.  Some people see more dramatic results, closer to 5 or 6 shades whiter. Teeth whitening is a great way to enhance your smile, with noticeable difference, that appears 100% natural.

My Dentist USA can help you find a dentist in your area that will help you create a brighter whiter smile. Click here to begin your search for a dentist near you. Finding a dentist you can count on is only a few clicks away.

Posted in Teeth Whitening

April 29th, 2013

Common Dental Questions Answered

It’s important to make sure you are doing everything you can to keep your teeth and gums healthy. There are many things you can daily incorporate into your routine to make sure that your dentist visits yield a clean bill of oral health. First, you want to be brushing two to three times per day, every day. It’s great if you can brush after meals. You want to change out your toothbrush every three months and look for soft-bristle brushes. You want to brush in a gentle, circular motion on the front facing side of your teeth and a back and forth motion on the up and downward facing side of your teeth. Don’t forget to brush the backside of your teeth and your tongue, too!

Next, flossing is extremely important as it can reach plaque and tartar build up that the toothbrush can’t get to. Mouthwash is also a great idea. If you do these things daily, you will be on your way to great dental health. It’s important to keep up with your regularly scheduled dental cleanings and check-ups, too. Catching potential issues early is important in avoiding more major problems which could require a costly and painful fix.

Dr. Jerry Gordon has a great article up on our Articles page covering answers to common dental questions. Check it out here for more great information on dental care!

Posted in Dental Care, Oral Hygiene

April 26th, 2013

How to Detect Oral Cancer Early

Everyone knows that dental hygiene is important, but still few people are getting screened for oral cancer. Particularly if you are someone who has or is a tobacco chewer or drinks alcohol heavily, you can’t afford not to be getting tested. Check out this article in our Articles section “Velscope Detects Oral Cancer Earlier,” written by Dr. Arnold to get a better idea of why you should stay on top of your oral cancer detection.

Now, oral cancer screening can be a tricky thing to detect as it begins at a cellular level which is not easily seen by the naked eye, so it’s important to know that you could have oral cancer and not even know until it’s too late in the game. There is a new way of screening for oral cancer called Velscope and it works by using blue light to evaluate the florescence response in the tissue. The screening only costs about $25 and if you are someone considered “at risk” of developing oral cancer, you should be getting screened twice a year.

Stay on top of your oral hygiene! It’s not only good for your smile and your confidence, but it also directly effects the health of your entire body! Ask your dentist today about Velscope screening.

Posted in Oral Cancer