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Have You Heard About “Teeth Tattoos” Yet!?

March 26, 2012

Filed under: Blog,Your Appearance,Your Comfort,Your Health — @ 5:04 pm

YOU MAY HAVE HEARD ABOUT THE ODD temporary “teeth tattoos” fad that erupted in the East. Did you know that there are “dental artists” in the United States who design permanent tattoos for your teeth now too? Crazy, but true!

Here’s how it works…

First, you choose your artwork. Then, you decide where in your mouth you want the tattoo to appear. It’s up to you whether or not the artwork will be visible to the public without you intentionally showing them. Most people choose to put their tattoos on the cheek side of the tooth, but they can also be placed on the tongue-side. You can have it be on your front teeth, on either the back or the front…or in the back of your mouth somewhere. It’s completely up to you!

The next step really surprising! After you’ve decided on your design, the dental artist will take an impression of the tooth you wish to tattoo and send it to the tattooing company. They then print the image on a crown designed specifically for your mouth, send it back to your dental practice, and the dentist cements it on for you like a regular crown.

Apparently, these tattoos are easy to remove if you so desire—you just need your dentists to grind it down with a rubber wheel, and presto, tattoo removed.

Sounds like in some cases dental crowns are now being used for reasons other than those for which they were originally intended!To be clear, we don’t recommend this. But what are your thoughts on “teeth tattoos?” Would you ever consider getting one?

Leave your thoughts below, or write a comment on our Facebook wall! We’d love to hear from you.

Understanding Dental Implants

March 19, 2012

Filed under: Blog,Your Appearance,Your Comfort,Your Health — Tags: , , , , , , , — @ 8:27 pm

THOUGH THE TERM MAY SOUND VERY FAMILIAR, you might still be a little unsure about what dental implants actually are—and why they are such a great solution for tooth loss. Don’t let that embarrass you! Drs. Bradley and Dr. Boswellunderstand that most people are actually in the dark about this. Talking about dental implants isn’t exactly common social conversation! We can help.

The process of applying dental implants begins with inserting small titanium posts into the jaw as the “root structure” for a denture, bridge, or crown. The next step involves several weeks of healing so that these small implants can fuse with your bone and produce a strong anchor. A temporary crown is worn above the implant during the healing time until you are ready for your custom-made crown, bridge, or denture to be securely attached to the small metal post. In the end you’ll be left with a natural-looking, long-lasting, AND beautiful smile!

Here is a short list of benefits:

Eating Will Be Enjoyable Again! — Because dental implants are anchored in the bone, they can provide biting force similar to natural teeth.

You’ll Save Your Healthy Neighboring Teeth! — In most cases, adjacent teeth are not altered or harmed in any way.

Easily Maintenance! — Dental implants are just as easy to brush and floss as natural teeth.

A Permanent Solution! — Your implants can last a lifetime!

Very High Success Rate! — With a 95% success rate, dental implants are one of the most successful options available for replacing missing teeth.

Thank you for the trust you place in our practice. Don’t forget to schedule an appointment to visit with us! We look forward to helping you smile with confidence.

Also, be sure to take a moment to join us on Facebook by clicking on the image below. It’s the best place to stay connected with our practice. and, it gives us a chance to better get to know you.

Links Between Your Oral Health And Heart Disease

March 9, 2012

Filed under: Blog,Your Appearance,Your Comfort,Your Health — Tags: , , , , , , , , — @ 9:10 pm

IF YOU’RE LIKE OUR OTHER PATIENTS HERE AT OUR PRACTICE, you want to take the very best care of your heart, right? Of course! Well, did you know that your lowly toothbrush ranks right up there with your gym membership when it comes to keeping your heart healthy? It’s true! There are a number of recent studies that suggest gum disease—and other oral health issues—are DIRECTLY related to heart problems.

In a recent American Academy of Periodontology study, it was reported that people who have periodontal disease are nearly twice as likely to have heart disease. Another study found that common oral health problems, including missing teeth, gingivitis, and/or cavities areas good at predicting heart disease as are bad cholesterol levels!Crazy, huh!?

While there’s still a LOT MORE to learn about these connections, the evidence seems to be mounting each year. Bacteria can enter your bloodstream through your gums, and then get clumped up in your arteries. One theory suggests that they stick to the fatty plaques in your bloodstream, directly contributing to blockages.There are other theories that revolve around your body’s defenses against bacteria, including the natural response of inflammation. Oral bacteria traveling through your bloodstream can cause blood cells to swell, which can lead to narrowing of arteries and clot risks.

Though the EXACT relationship between cardiovascular disease and periodontal disease is still unclear, today’s research continues to conclude that there’s definitely a connection. This DOESN’T mean you can ignore all of the other things you can do to keep your heart healthy, and just focus on brushing! Keep eating healthy foods, exercise regularly, and take care of risk factors like diabetes, high cholesterol, or high blood pressure.

And, since it’s SO EASY to clear up any periodontal disease problems with Drs. Bradley and Dr. Boswell’shelp, why not take advantage? Your oral and overall health will thank you. EARLY DETECTION goes a long way in preventing problems in the future.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask!We love visiting with you—our friends and patients.

Oh, and don’t forget to “Like” our Facebook page by clicking on the image below!

Is A Canker Sore Irritating Your Smile?

March 2, 2012

Filed under: Blog,Your Appearance,Your Comfort,Your Health — Tags: , , , , , , , , — @ 4:15 pm

CANKER SORES ARE NO FUN, especially when it’s time to brush your teeth. Fortunately, there are quite a few ways in which the pain from these bothersome blisters can be relieved. However, before we get into the best ways to treat canker sores, let’s talk a bit about the causes.

Though the exact cause is unknown, one theory suggests that canker sores can result from certain mouth washes and toothpastes that dry out the mouth. Try to avoid toothpastes with the ingredient sodium lauryl sulfate if you are prone to getting canker sores. Others theories suggest that stress, genetics, mouth trauma, and immune system reactions are responsible for this unwanted pain.

If you happen to be suffering from a canker sore, don’t despair—like we said, they are easily treated, so stop enduring the pain!

 

Here are a few at-home treatments you can try:

  • Rinse your mouth several times a day with a mixture of warm water, salt and baking soda.
  • If you’re up for a little extra pain, dab the sore directly with some salt or baking soda and leave it on for a few minutes. This will desensitize the pain as well as speed up the healing process.
  • Licorice Root. This plant has actually been getting rave reviews for healing canker sores!
  • Vitamins.
  • Yogurts with live cultures. This delicious food is useful for more than just breakfast—simply hold it in your mouth for a few seconds, and swallow!
  • Stress Relief. Don’t overwork yourself—your body will suffer.
  • There are also many remedies that can be purchased at local drug stores and pharmacies to help treat the pain! Talk to Drs. Bradley and Dr. Boswell if you need a prescription!

How Can I Best Prevent Canker Sores In The Future?

  • Avoid foods that irritate your mouth, specifically those that are spicy or contain a high acidic content
  • Avoid excessive gum chewing—this can cause unwanted irritation!
  • Brush your teeth with a soft-bristled brush after each meal, and floss daily to keep your mouth free of foods that might trigger a canker sore.

When Should I Visit My Dentist About A Canker Sore?Luckily, canker sores rarely last over 10-14 days, and the pain goes away even faster. However, please come see us if you have any of the following symptoms…

  • Unusually large sores
  • Sores that seem to be spreading
  • Sores that last longer than 3 weeks
  • Intolerable pain despite pain resultant from trigger foods and over-the-counter medication
  • Difficulty drinking enough daily fluids
  • A high fever that accompanies your canker sores

We hope you have learned everything you need to know about canker sores. If you have any additional questions, please don’t hesitate to ASK US! Your health and comfort are our #1 priorities.

Also, don’t forget to “Like” our Facebook Page so that you can stay informed about all the exciting things going on at our practice.We look forward to seeing you again soon!