Our Location:
Nashua Smile Makers
Nashua, NH 03060

Find answers and other helpful dental topics in our digital library.
My Blog
Archive:
- 2022
- 2021
- 2020
- August (5)
- Talk With Your Dentist About Antibiotic Therapy Before Implant Surgery
- Finding the Perfect Cosmetic Dentistry Treatment for You
- Reasons You Should Consider Veneers
- Listen to Ellen DeGeneres: Don't Think You Can Get Away Without Flossing!
- Your 'Toothache' Might Signal a Problem Other Than in Your Mouth
- March (5)
- Winning the War on Gum Disease Requires Post-Treatment Vigilance
- Are You Keeping Good Oral Hygiene Habits?
- Make Your Baby as Comfortable as Possible During Teething
- Too Old to Straighten Your Smile? Not If You're Like These A-List Celebrities
- You Don't Have to Live With Uncomfortable Cracked Mouth Corners
- 2019
- 2018
- 2017
- 2016
- 2015
- 2014
- 2013
- 2011
Tags
- pediatric dentistry (17)
- celebrity smiles (91)
- orthodontics (10)
- palatal expanders (2)
- braces (11)
- veneers (14)
- prepless veneers (1)
- nightguard (1)
- grinding teeth (1)
- dental emergency (2)
- dental injury (8)
- porcelain veneers (8)
- snoring (1)
- sleep apnea (2)
- oral health (33)
- Oral Hygiene (38)
- Dentist (2)
- Nashua (3)
- diabetes (1)
- sealants (3)
- herbal remedy (1)
- cosmetic dentistry (23)
- missing tooth (1)
- replacing teeth (1)
- dental implant (7)
- nutrition (5)
- bridge (1)
- tooth pain (4)
- root canal treatment (6)
- dental implants (24)
- osteoporosis (1)
- oral surgery (1)
- crown (2)
- fluoride (3)
- social media (1)
- gum disease (13)
- laser dentistry (1)
- mouthguards (4)
- dental injuries (1)
- sensitive teeth (1)
- Cosmetic Dentist (1)
- mouthrinse (1)
- root resorption (1)
- root canal (3)
- TMD (1)
- TMJ (1)
- dental anxiety (1)
- smile makeover (3)
- Sugar (1)
- pediatric care (1)
- TADs (1)
- wisdom teeth (8)
- gummy smile (1)
- teeth wear (1)
- dentures (5)
- chipped teeth (1)
- Flossing (2)
- orthodontic treatment (22)
- tooth grinding (1)
- frenectomy (1)
- crowns (5)
- oral cancer (4)
- tobacco (1)
- dental crowns (3)
- restorative dentistry (4)
- tooth decay (7)
- athletic mouthguards (1)
- Family Dentist (3)
- smoking (3)
- seniors (1)
- abscessed tooth (1)
- mouthguard (2)
- periodontal (gum) disease (1)
- palatal expander (1)
- teeth whitening (4)
- geographic tongue (1)
- bone grafting (3)
- bad breath (2)
- clear aligners (4)
- chipped tooth (4)
- x-rays (3)
- bonding (1)
- headgear (2)
- thumb sucking (1)
- adult braces (1)
- teeth grinding (1)
- medicine (1)
- bone loss (1)
- missing teeth (1)
- artificial sweeteners (1)
- Dental Bonding (1)
- Dental Repair (1)
- teething (3)
- sedation dentistry (1)
- periodontal disease (2)
- periodontal surgery (1)
- x-ray (1)
- dental sealants (2)
- toothache (3)
- eating disorder (1)
- retainer (1)
- Family Dentistry (3)
- loose tooth (2)
- lingual braces (2)
- Filling (1)
- removable partial denture (1)
- tooth extraction (1)
- Implants (1)
- Dental Cavity (1)
- mouth sore (1)
- retainers (3)
- Preventive Dentistry (1)
- tmj disorders (1)
- Bleeding Gums (1)
- gum recession (1)
- pregnancy (1)
- partial denture (1)
- anxiety (1)
My Blog
Posts for: April, 2014

What are the Restorative Benefits of Veneers?

As the youngest person ever to host Entertainment Tonight, Maria Menounos, an independent filmmaker, actress, and co-host of daily entertainment news program Extra, has made a huge splash in the world of entertainment journalism. However, she is also an avid ambassador for the American Diabetes Association, a cause that is very dear to her heart because her father is a diabetic.
Her father's illness taught Menounos and her family about the importance of maintaining good general and dental health. This included a diet packed with fruits and vegetables, many of which they raised themselves. According to Menounos, they also ate little-to-no junk food. These habits still help keep the busy celebrity journalist fit and smiling with beautiful, healthy teeth.
Speaking of her smile, Menounos openly discusses her oral health in her interview with Dear Doctor magazine. She has had no major dental enhancements — not even braces — but does occasionally brighten her smile with tooth whitening. She also feels that her teeth are healthy due to the sealants she had as a child.
We could not agree more with Maria! Sealants for the tiny grooves in teeth known as “pits and fissures” are something that every parent or caregiver should consider for their children. The enamel of newly erupted teeth is more permeable, meaning that the acids produced by bacteria in the mouth can damage these teeth more easily, making them more susceptible and less resistant to decay. The good news is that dental sealants help protect teeth until the enamel has matured. Because of sealants — along with fluoride, good hygiene, and better nutrition (including less sugar consumption), tooth decay has been dramatically reduced.
If you are interested in learning more about dental sealants, contact us today to schedule an appointment so that we can conduct a thorough examination. During this private consultation, we will also discuss any questions you have as well as what treatment options will be best for you or your children. However, to learn more about dental sealants now, you can continue reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Sealants for Children.” And to read the entire interview with Maria Menounos, please see the Dear Doctor magazine article “Maria Menounos.”

Get the Most out of Your Brushing
- Ideally, you should brush after every meal. If this is not possible, you should at least brush your teeth twice a day, once in the morning and once before bed.
- Use a regular or electric toothbrush with soft bristles
- Replace your toothbrush regularly
- Use a small amount of toothpaste
- The best toothpaste has fluoride and the American Dental Association’s Seal of Acceptance
- Brush every surface gently and at a 45-degree angle.
- Don’t rush your brush! It should take at least 2 to 3 minutes to thoroughly brush your teeth
- Be sure to brush your tongue, rinse your mouth and let your toothbrush air dry
Don’t Forget to Floss!

Your snoring isn’t just an annoyance to other members of your household — it could indicate a serious health issue. Fortunately, there are treatments, some of which your dentist might be able to provide.
Snoring is the result of soft tissue structures in the back of the throat, including the tonsils, the uvula, the tongue or fat deposits, collapsing on each either and obstructing the flow of air into your lungs. The obstructions produce a vibration that is the source of the snoring.
These obstructions could lead to a serious condition known as Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). As the name implies, the obstruction causes a complete cessation of airflow for several seconds. As oxygen levels drop, the body responds by waking for one to three seconds (known as “micro-arousals”) to restore airflow. These disruptions can occur several times a night, as much as fifty times an hour. The depletion of oxygen and resulting low quality of sleep can contribute to high blood pressure, a higher risk of heart attack or stroke, and the possibility of accidents caused by lower alertness during the day.
You can help reduce the effect of OSA by losing weight and exercising. You may also be a candidate for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy, which utilizes a device that delivers pressurized air into the airway while you sleep.
Depending on the exact cause and extent of your OSA, you might also benefit from treatments provided by your dentist. We can develop a custom-fitted oral appliance, similar to an orthodontic retainer or sports mouthguard, which you wear while you sleep. These devices work by repositioning the lower jaw forward, thereby maintaining an open airway by also moving the soft tissue of the tongue forward. For more advanced conditions, certain surgical procedures that realign the jaw or remove excess tissue, the tonsils and adenoids, or parts of the uvula or soft palate could be considered.
To know your best treatment course, you should schedule a complete oral examination to determine the exact cause of the obstruction, and possibly a polysomnogram, an overnight study performed in a sleep lab. And as your dentist, we might be able to provide the key for a better night’s sleep and a healthier tomorrow.
If you would like more information on how we can address your problems with sleep apnea, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Snoring & Sleep Apnea.”