Serenity Smiles

3 Tips in Preventing a Dental Emergency (Part 4)

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You have reached the last post on the discussion of the 3 Tips in Preventing a Dental Emergency. A sure way to unnecessary visits to a dental clinic is equipping yourself with the information about dental emergencies. When you know how to identify an emergency, you will know when ask help, making it a less traumatic experience for you. Let’s go through the last batch of tips:

10. When you are visiting a dental clinic for an appointment, bring your children with you

If you have kids, it is best to instill in them the importance of good dental hygiene while they’re still young. When you can, bring them with you during dental appointments. That way, your kids will get used to seeing a dentist, and they will not develop fears and anxieties.

Dental care is important in preventing premature tooth loss and tooth decay. The dentist can help your kids improve their dental hygiene and recommend treatments like fluoride varnish to toughen the tooth enamel. Plus, dental sealants are also great in shielding the chewing surfaces, protecting the teeth from tooth decay.

11. Use a mouthguard when you engage in sport activitiestwo man playing boxing

Do you play boxing? Whether you play soccer, football, or basketball as a profession, you should protect your teeth using a mouthguard. Have your kids wear mouthguards as well, especially if they play contact sports in school.

Accidents can happen anytime, and the stakes are higher if you are playing sports. The worse thing that can happen is that your tooth gets knocked out. You’re lucky if you only get to sustain a slight crack or chip.

Related: What to Do When a Tooth Gets Knocked Out?

However, once your tooth falls off, there’s a chance that a dentist won’t be able to put it back. Remember, restorative dental treatments are pricey. To lessen the risk of injuries, start protecting your teeth using a mouthguard. You can even tell your dentist to customize one for you.

12. Lastly, be sure that you are always hydrated

This may seem like an obvious tip, but not a lot of people drink plenty of water. Instead, people go for the can of soda, but water is essential in the production of saliva.

You need enough saliva to care for your mouth. The saliva serves as a fluid to wash out the debris of food and other foreign particles in your mouth. Moreover, your saliva has certain minerals important in protecting your teeth. So, help your teeth to be healthy by drinking lots of water.

A name you can trust

Serenity Smiles is not just your typical dental clinic because the place is comfortable and serene. Unlike other dental clinics, Serenity Smiles boasts a spa-like ambience. It doesn’t feel like a dental clinic at all. If you feel anxious and panicky, there is no reason to be because Serenity Smiles exudes a relaxing vibe.

To schedule an appointment, you can call Serenity Smiles at 480-400-5000. You can also visit Serenity Smiles at 8390 East Vía de Ventura #F200 Scottsdale, AZ.

Serenity Smiles

3 Tips in Preventing a Dental Emergency (Part 3)

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So far, I have shared two blogs on tips to prevent dental emergencies, which are 3 Tips in Preventing a Dental Emergency (Part 1) and 3 Tips in Preventing a Dental Emergency (Part 2).

A way you to prevent a dental emergency is to educate yourself and  know certain symptoms. I have discussed this on How to Identify a Real Dental Emergency? When you know what you are dealing with, you will be less frightened. Check out the following helpful advice:

7. Watch what you EAT on a daily basis

You are what you eat, and if you eat a lot of sugary foods, then you are putting your oral health at risk. When you love to eat sugary snacks, this will increase the acidity in your mouth.

assorted-color fruits on display

The bacteria existing in your mouth will feed on these sugary foods. The sugar will energize these bacteria and will carry out acid attacks on your tooth enamel, wiping out the important minerals that protect your teeth.

Constant acid attacks will continue to tarnish the tooth enamel, leading to more cavities. Once you eat something sweet, it needs 30 minutes to 1 hour to normalize the pH levels. To lessen the potential damage, eat the sweet treats with your main meal. Avoid munching on sweet snacks, and if you have kids, train them to snack on fruits instead. Avoid displaying the candies and cookies because it will surely tempt your kids to grab one and eat.

8. Address tooth chips or cracks as soon as possible.

If a damaged tooth fixed, the cracks can be a breeding ground for bacteria, and thus, it will to infection and tooth decay. Ignoring it will make you lose your tooth. If not, you will probably need to undergo a dental procedure like root canal treatment, which is expensive. Addressing a chipped tooth is far more cheaper and easier to do.

9. Deal with your fear of the dentist before anything else

Before you encounter a dental emergency, it is best to have regular check-ups to prevent further damage. It is important to have your teeth and gums assessed before it gets worse. For most people, they don’t visit the dentist often because of an excessive fear of the dentist.

If you continue to experience anxiety, address these fears first. The fear of the dentist is a prevalent issue even for adult. A grown man gets afraid at the sight of blood and needles, but there is no need to worry because a clinic – like Serenity Smiles – exists. I will discuss more on dental anxiety on another post. More dental tips on 3 Tips in Preventing a Dental Emergency (Part 4).

The Serenity Smiles dental clinic is like no other because it is comfortable and serene. Once you enter Serenity Smiles, a spa-like ambience will welcome you. There is no way you will feel anxious and panicky because at Serenity Smiles, the place exudes a relaxing vibe. Serenity Smiles is located at 8390 East Vía de Ventura #F200 Scottsdale, AZ and cater to clients within the greater Phoenix Area. For questions and inquiries, please call Serenity Smiles at 480-400-5000.

Serenity Smiles

3 Tips in Preventing a Dental Emergency (Part 2)

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In 3 Tips in Preventing a Dental Emergency (Part 1), I shared tips in order to avoid dental emergencies. Experiencing dental emergencies can be traumatic especially for kids. Not to mention, it comes with intense pain and bleeding. So, this blog post is created to help avoid the worst case scenario.

You can lessen the possibilities of experiencing dental emergencies. After all, prevention is better than cure. Below, I have listed a few helpful tips for you to follow:

4. Replace your toothbrush regularly

After 2 to 3 months, the bristles of your toothbrush will start to spread out. If the bristles look bent and worn out, please replace them immediately. If you continue to use it, the worn out toothbrush won’t be able to effectively clean your teeth.black and silver tube type vape

Carefully assess your toothbrush and have them replaced if looks splayed. Don’t hesitate to throw an old one out because a new manual brush is only a few dollars off your pocket. If you really want to know the lifespan your toothbrush, get an electric toothbrush that is equipped with brush head indicator. That way, you will easily know exactly when to change the brush heads.

The better bristles, the more effectively it is to clean your teeth. So, ditch the old and worn out toothbrush, get a new one immediately.

5. Interdental cleaning should be part of your routine

Yes, regular toothbrush is important for your dental health, but so is interdental cleaning. If you want a affordable solution, you can buy a roll of dental floss to clean the spaces in between your teeth.

If one fails to floss regularly, you are prone to have tooth decays and gum diseases. Without flossing, 1/3 of the tooth surfaces will remain uncleaned. Dentists everywhere will always recommend flossing regularly. If you have a hard time cleaning the spaces in between your teeth, you can ask your dentist for advice. They could recommend that you can buy an interdental brush to quickly remove the food particles that stuck in between your teeth. If you are unsure what to do, it is best to always ask a professional.

6. Follow a regular oral care routine

Whether you are and 5 or 50 years old, you need to brush your brush teeth regularly. Do it at least twice a day: 1) the first thing in the morning when you get out of bed and 2) before heading to bed at night.

It is important to note that you should brush your pearly whites for at least two minutes. If you rush, the tooth surface won’t be brushed comprehensively. To ensure an all-encompassing brush, get an electric toothbrush because of the timer that comes with it. However, if you prefer a manual toothbrush, keep a timer in the bathroom or set the timer on your mobile phone. Refer to Tips in Preventing a Dental Emergency (Part 3) for more information.

Whether your goal is improve your dental health or obtain a better looking smile, Serenity Smiles is your best choice. Serenity Smiles can help you and your family to have a healthy set of pearly whites. To know more, please call Serenity Smiles at 480-400-5000.

Serenity Smiles

3 Tips in Preventing a Dental Emergency (Part 1)

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Believe it or not, you can prevent dental emergencies from happening. Like in any accident you encounter on the streets, you can also lessen the possibilities of experiencing a dental emergency. Unfortunately, most people take their oral health for granted and only address the issues when something is obviously wrong.

When the dental problem gets worse, you will most likely need an emergency dental procedure. Once you experience intense bleeding and tooth loss, the pain can be tremendous and it can get a bit frightening at the same time. This is particularly difficult when it is your child who is in deep pain.

The tips to prevent a dental emergency

Below, I listed the different ways to possibly avoid any unnecessary visits to the nearest dental clinic.

1. Take note of any changes to your teeth and gums

Notice for any obvious signs that you experience. For instance, when you feel an intense toothache, it could mean that you have serious cavity issues.  Remember that tooth pain is a clear indication that there is a problem, but often times, people just choose to ignore the painful sensation.

However, you should not make it a habit to take these symptoms for granted because it could affect your tooth nerve. If a toothache is ignored, an infection could thrive, affecting the tooth nerve. You would think that it magically disappeared, but the truth is… the problem still exists.

So, do not be complacent that it is not painful anymore. No, you should see a dentist because only a dentist can give an accurate assessment of your teeth, gums, and mouth. The sooner you schedule a dental visit, the easier it is to provide solutions.

2. Don’t forget to check your tongue and mouth

Most people just focus on their teeth and gums that they often forget to care for their tongue and inner checks. You

should make it a habit to check the inside of your cheeks, the roof of your mouth, and the surface of your tongue. Any problems in your mouth – such as mouth sores – needs to be checked by a professional.

3. Choose a dependable dental clinic and schedule appointments for the family

It is best to have regular visits to a reputable dentist. You have to care not only for your own dental health, but also the health of your family as well. This is particularly true for people with kids because it is important start them young. They should understand the significance of having a good oral hygiene.

Ideally, choose a dental clinic that is close home so that you can easily schedule appointments. It won’t be a chore to make an appointment, and dental emergencies can be handled right away. The nearer the dental clinic is, the better it is for you.

So, if you live in Scottsdale, Arizona, Serenity Smiles is a premier dental clinic that will take care of the oral health of your family. You may call Serenity Smiles at 480-400-5000 for more information.

More tips? Tips in Preventing a Dental Emergency (Part 2)

Alberta Abrams

Scottsdale Dentist: Smile Zone Implants

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Dental implants have rapidly grown in popularity for the restoration of choice. Dental implants are a clear choice because they 1. restore the function of missing teeth seamlessly and 2. rejuvenate the smile with a natural appearance.

Making the final dental implant product look life-like is not a simple process, however. A lot of time and planning goes into each implant, especially when they reside in the “Smile Zone.” The “Smile Zone” is the upper front area of your mouth that is displayed when you smile.

The number one concern of placing a dental implant is determining if there is ample bone in the area to anchor a dental implant. Bone is a living tissue that can encounter resorption (dissolving) and growth. Normal daily use of your teeth, like when biting and chewing, stimulate growth and maintenance to your bone. When the teeth are missing, bone in these areas is no longer stimulated and resorbs. This could result in an aging effect to your appearance.

Although creating a natural, life-like appearance in the Smile Zone is difficult, it’s not impossible. It’s important first to undergo a complete dental examination and profile, where we can advise you on your best options to achieve a beautiful smile.

Though “Smile Zone” dental implants are complicated, our doctors take all efforts in technology, planning, and communication to ensure that your dental implants are natural and durable.

 

 

Alberta Abrams

Scottsdale Dentist: 3 Reasons Why Smoking Doesn’t Mix With Dental Implants

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If you smoke, you know better than someone who doesn’t on how hard it is to quit. Usually, when you want to quit, it helps to have a motivation, such as lowering your risk for health problems like cancer or cardiovascular disease.

In the eyes of a dentist, another reason for quitting tobacco is this: it could be negatively impacting your teeth and making your gums unhealthy. Also, once you visit the dentist, restorations like dental implants are a harder process and may fail.

So for your motivation, here’s 3 reasons why smoking doesn’t mix with dental implants.

Smoke damages tissues. It may not feel like it, however, the smoke from smoking is hot enough to burn the outermost layer of skin cells in your mouth. With each burn, this thickens the cells. Over time, this may affect your salivary glands and how much saliva you’re able to produce. Less saliva production can create a chain of events that increases the risk of tooth decay or periodontal (gum) disease. With these kind of events in the mouth, bone loss could be an end result, making it hard to even place dental implants.

Nicotine restricts blood flow. Nicotine is what people who smoke crave. Nicotine can cause a restriction in the blood flow of tiny vessels throughout the mouth membranes and gums. When there is less blood flow through tissues such as these, they may not be able to fight infections or heal like normal, due to lack of antibodies. Considering this, the integration of bone and dental implants may not exist, which is needed for a durable hold. Also, slower healing and higher infection rates are higher with nicotine use.

Smoking is correlated to other diseases that also impact oral health. Smoking has not only direct effects on the mouth, but also can increase the risk of systemic conditions like cardiovascular and lung disease, and cancer. All of these conditions may also trigger inflammation, which has been shown through several studies to affect teeth, gums and underlying bone work against your chances of long-term success with implants.

Want to know more about dental implants? Call us today or book a consultation. Another great article for this topic can be found in the Dear Doctor magazine article “Dental Implants & Smoking: What are the Risks?”

Alberta Abrams

Scottsdale Dentist: Forensics and Dentistry

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Did you know that teeth play a huge role in modern forensics? Just like fingerprints, no bite is alike, not even in identical twins. Ondontology is the study of teeth for investigation.

Not only can teeth identify a suspect, they can also be used to learn more about the past. Teeth are one of the most preserved “fossils” we have and scientists have found teeth that are 160,000 years old!

Just like choosing esthetics of your teeth for a smile makeover, those small differences exist among everyone’s teeth naturally. Terms like, cusp shape, crown length, crown shape, golden proportion ratio, and so on, are used to identify the traits of teeth.

According to news articles, famous cases and tragedies have been solved using teeth. For example, Adolf Hitler’s body was properly identified by his teeth. Also, in the famous cases of Ted Bundy, bite marks were a crucial deciding factor in if he was guilty or not guilty of a crime. Lastly, family members were able to be identified on 9/11, helping bring closure to those who were missing loved ones.

Want to know more? Read this link about some historical cases where ondontology was used. https://www.encyclopedia.com/science/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/odontology-historical-cases

Alberta Abrams

Scottsdale Dentist: How to Properly Floss

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In a great daily dental routine, you should include the act of flossing to fully cleanse and combat bacteria from causing tooth decay. Our dental hygienist, Melissa, has a great explanation on how to floss properly. Flossing does require technique, so here are three quick tips to help your flossing experience be efficient and effective.

  1. Regardless of what type of floss you’re using – single use picks, traditional floss, or a water flosser, always be conscious of where your floss or device is. The goal of flossing is to reach areas that your toothbrush cannot – in between teeth, behind teeth, and any spaces that could harbor food debris or bacteria.
  2. Proper flossing consists of a “hugging” motion, not an “up-and-down” motion. When you’re flossing, only focusing the motion upwards and downwards may miss over 50% of the food/bacteria that you’re trying to reach. When in between two teeth, try to focus on each tooth that you’re in between. For example, give each side of the teeth you’re in between a hug with the floss. (This means paying attention to the frontal side of one tooth and the back of another individually). By “hugging” one tooth at a time, like a “c” motion along it’s contacts, you will maximize your efficiency in flossing, effectively cleaning between your teeth.
  3. Try to make it a habit! Flossing is best when you do it more than once every once in a while. Immediate perks would be the look of a fresher, whiter smile over time.

 

Alberta Abrams

Scottsdale Dentist: Flossquick Review

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Do you have trouble flossing daily? A new company, called FlossQuick, is trying to help dental home care become easier and faster. Their website is: https://flossquick.com/.

The concept of FlossQuick is stellar. We’re impressed that someone came up with an all in one method for flossing teeth. The goal is also admirable – to help more people floss daily.

As we recommend flossing daily, if FlossQuick is the way to make it happen for you, then we are stoked for your new, enhanced home care!

How does it work? FlossQuick is just like a DIY kit for dentistry that you might see with Smile Direct Club. You have the opportunity to take your own impressions at home, send them in to their facility, and pre-threaded, custom floss trays are sent back. After a few uses, you need to re-thread your flosser trays to keep them clean and ready for use.

Who can benefit from Flossquick? Flossquick is perfect for on-the-go people, as well as people who are not fond of flossing in traditional ways. The concept behind FlossQuick allows people to quickly floss all margins of their mouth with one use of the flossing tray per arch.

What do we recommend? Your Scottsdale dentist recommends that you partake in daily flossing. The importance in adding flossing to a daily routine can be read in our blog: https://www.serenitysmiles.com/blog/great-choices-for-your-oral-health-key-tips/.

Alberta Abrams

Scottsdale Dentist: A Peak at our Supplier

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All dental offices have a village of great people that work together to make sure that everything in the office is ready – whether its hiring dentists, cleaning the facility on weekends, or even down to the products we use for your treatment. At our Scottsdale location, we trust Henry Schein for our equipment (dental chairs, vacuums, equipment maintenance) and our products (impression material, panoramic x-rays, cotton rolls). From our experience with Henry Schein, we’ve been able to invest in the best products for our patients, always being educated on the latest and greatest products in dentistry. Also, Henry Schein has impressed us with their professionalism, reliability, and great attitude!

Look at their website, https://www.henryschein.com/us-en/dental/default.aspx?did=dental&id=1&hsi_domain=www.henryschein.com&hsi_locale=us-en if you’re interested on getting to know more about the supplies we use and trust at Serenity Smiles.