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Posts for: April, 2014

By Nashua Smile Makers
April 18, 2014
Category: Dental Procedures
Tags: veneers   Nashua  
veneers NashuaAre you discouraged by a stained or worn down smile? If so, dental veneers available in Nashua may be an appropriate fix for your teeth.  Veneers are ultra-thin shells of porcelain or a composite resin material that are bonded to the front of your teeth.  An excellent alternative to crowns, veneers provide a much more conservative approach to changing a tooth’s color, size or shape.
 
Falling under the category of cosmetic dentistry, veneers create a bright, white smile with beautifully aligned, shapely teeth.  The translucent ceramic quality offered by today’s veneers provides a more natural look than what has been previously available in the past.  Regardless of what causes unattractive teeth, dental veneers may solve most or even all of your cosmetic issues. 
 

What are the Restorative Benefits of Veneers?

 
Not only are veneers esthetically pleasing, they can also serve as a functional purpose by protecting the surface of a damaged tooth.  In some cases, veneers may replace the need for a dental crown, which eliminates the need for more invasive tooth preparation.  Since dental veneers are thin, they generally require little-to-no reshaping of the tooth when bonded. 
 
Once your veneers are bonded into place, they are strong and durable, but require appropriate care in order to not abuse the veneers because the thin porcelain shells can damage or break.  Our Nashua area dentist may also advise you against certain habits or dietary tendencies and may recommend that you wear a protective appliance while you are sleeping, especially if you grind your teeth.  Veneers are not appropriate for everyone, but with proper consultation our office can determine the best treatment available for your smile. 

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By Nashua Smile Makers
April 17, 2014
Category: Oral Health
Tags: celebrity smiles   diabetes   sealants  
MariaMenounosDiscussesDiabetesDietAndDentalSealants

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.”


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By Nashua Smile Makers
April 03, 2014
Category: Oral Health
Tags: Oral Hygiene   Dentist   Nashua  
Nashua DentistOne of the best ways to protect your teeth and gums against tooth decay and gum disease is by practicing daily oral hygiene.  Not only does daily oral hygiene help prevent cavities and more serious dental complications from developing, but it can also help fight against bad breath. At every age, regular daily care of the mouth and gums is important.  To have good health, you need a mix of personal dental care, and the care of your dentist in Nashua with family dentistry services.  Your daily health care routine should include brushing, flossing and careful nutrition.  The following are recommended techniques for maintaining proper oral hygiene. 
 

Get the Most out of Your Brushing

 
Regular, thorough brushing is very important in preventing tooth decay and gum disease.  By brushing your teeth, you help to remove the bacteria that promote tooth decay and the plaque that can cause gum disease.  To get the most out of your brushing routine, follow these tips:
 
  • 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!

 
Not only do you have to brush your teeth every day, twice a day, but you should also floss your teeth as well.  Flossing helps to remove plaque and bacteria that you cannot reach with your toothbrush.  If you don’t floss, you are missing more than one-third of your tooth’s surface.  With plaque being the main cause of gum disease, it is important to floss at least once a day to ensure the proper removal of plaque. 
 
Within 24 to 36 hours, plaque hardens into tartar, or calculus, which can only be removed by a professional cleaning.  Flossing at least once a day will prevent plaque from getting a change to harden into tartar.  If you get into the habit of flossing daily while doing something else like watching TV or listening to music, for example, it can be easier to complete. 
 
If you take care of your teeth and gums at home and visit one of our dentists in Nashua regularly, your smile should last you a lifetime.  Together we are partners in keeping your oral health good for life. 
 
Talk to our Nashua, NH dentists today for more information on how you can properly maintain the health of your smile between dental visits.

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By Nashua Smile Makers
April 02, 2014
Category: Oral Health
Tags: snoring   sleep apnea   oral health  
YourDentistMayHavetheSolutiontoYourSnoringandSleepApnea

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.”


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