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The Facts About Inlays & Onlays

You may have heard the term dental inlays and onlays, but what is exactly are they? Inlays and onlays are usually made of porcelain and are restorations used to repair rear teeth that have a mild to moderate amount of decay. They can also be used to restore teeth that are cracked or fractured if the damage is not severe enough to require a dental crown. Inlays and onlays are often used to replace metal dental fillings for patients who desire a more natural looking smile.

Dental inlays are used to treat teeth that have decay or damage lying within their indented top surfaces.  Inlay placement is usually carried out over two Gentle Dental appointments. During your first visit to the dentist, an impression of your tooth will be taken, and a temporary inlay will be placed over the tooth. The dentist will then send the impression off to a dental lab, which will create the inlay to match your tooth’s specifications. When you return to the Gentle Dental office, the temporary inlay will be removed and the permanent one will be placed carefully over your tooth. There is no downtime after receiving a dental inlay, only a mild level of tenderness in the treated area.

Whereas dental inlays are designed to treat decay within the teeth cusps, onlays are used to treat decay that extends to one or more of the cusps. Onlays are placed in much the same way as inlays. First, an impression of the decayed tooth is taken, and a temporary onlay is placed over the tooth. The impression is then sent to a lab, where a dental technician creates the onlay according to the tooth’s dimensions. When you return to the Gentle Dental office, the temporary onlay is removed, and the permanent restoration is placed on the tooth and securely bonded. Inlays_Onlays

In saving damaged teeth, inlays and onlays help patients avoid the eventual need for more extensive treatment such as dental crowns, dental bridges, or dental implants. To learn more about inlays and onlays and to see if your a candidate for this type of procedure call your local Gentle Dental dentist at 1-888-513-7436.

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Diabetes And Your Teeth

Diabetes affects about 23.6 million Americans. This is 7.8% of the population with 1.6 million new cases diagnosed each year in people over the age of 20. Diabetes can cause problems with your eyes, nerves, kidneys and heart but it can also cause problems with your teeth. It is important to let your Gentle Dental dentist know if you have been diagnosed with diabetes and if you have the disease under control. You also want to let them know of any specific prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs you are taking.

Since diabetes reduces the body’s resistance to infection, the gums are among the tissues likely to be affected. This can lead to Gum (Periodontal) Disease. Patients with inadequate blood sugar control appear to develop periodontal disease more often and more severely, and they may lose more teeth than people who have good control of their diabetes.

To help prevent oral health problems including Gum Disease caused by Diabetes you should go for professional dental cleanings on a regular basis at your local Gentle Dental office. Regular dental checkups and periodontal screenings are also important for evaluating overall dental health and for treating dental problems in their initial stages. To make an appointment with your local Gentle Dental office call 1-888-513-7436.

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Replacing Those Old Metal Fillings

Have you ever been right in the middle of smiling, only to stop yourself because you were embarrassed about your teeth. A lot of people have silver colored fillings, which are also known as “amalgam” fillings. These fillings stand out against the white color of your teeth, especially if you have a lot of the metallic fillings in your mouth. Gentle Dental dentists can help with that problem by replacing metal fillings with a more natural look.

Composite fillings, which are also known as “white fillings”  are attractive and durable, and they blend in with your teeth so that they are virtually undetectable. These types of fillings, also known as bondings are also healthier as they are mercury-free. metal fillings

You don’t have to be embarrassed about your unsightly metal fillings any longer. When you have dental work that is virtually invisible to others, you’ll be proud of your teeth. The next time you smile, you won’t have to cover up ugly fillings and dental work. Having great looking teeth is a simple way to dramatically boost your self confidence. When your self confidence is stronger, you’ll notice positive changes in your relationships, work and personal satisfaction. You can achieve this by doing away with silver fillings and replacing them with composite fillings. To make an appointment with your local Gentle Dental dentist to discuss replacing your old metal fillings call 1-888-513-7436.

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Pediatric Dental Care

In order to prevent dental problems, a child should see a pediatric dentist when the first tooth appears, or no later than his/her first birthday. Early examination and preventive care will protect a child’s smile now and in the future.

Dental problems can begin early as baby bottles can lead to tooth decay.  Once a child’s diet includes anything besides breast-milk, erupted teeth are at risk for decay. The earlier the dental visit, the better the chance of preventing dental problems. Children with healthy teeth, chew food easily and smile with confidence. childrenspecialjanuary

Gentle Dental features 10 Pediatric Specialty offices throughout South Florida each with a professional staff of pediatric dental specialists, including orthodontists. Gentle Dental emphasizes strong dental education for children and teach healthy hygiene habits. Our pediatric dental specialists accept Florida Healthy Kids and Florida Medicaid in select Palm Beach offices. For new pediatric patients 14 years and younger, take advantage of the New Patient Special. This special for just $49 includes a comprehensive exam, x-rays, fluoride, a cleaning and more. A savings of over $400!  Just print the coupon and present when making an appointment by calling 877-343-3253. But hurry this offer expires January 31st.

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The Facts About Plaque

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Plaque is a very common term used on toothpaste and at the dentist, but what exactly is plaque? Plaque is the soft, yellow-white material found on teeth and gums. While in its soft state, a person can clean it off with a toothbrush and floss. Once the plaque has calcified (or hardened) into calculus (commonly known as tartar), a dentist or dental hygienist must remove it during a thorough professional cleaning. plaque

Plaque is actually composed of several species of bacteria and can lead to several different dental diseases including tooth decay, gingivitis and periodontitis.  The bacteria from undigested food  secrets acid on your teeth and gums. This acid dissolves in the tooth structure and eventually causes a cavity. 

The main weapons against plaque and plaque formation are the toothbrush, floss and other oral hygiene aids such as  toothpicks.  The manual or mechanical break-up and removal of the plaque on a daily basis is required to prevent tooth decay and gum diseases. Chemicals in toothpaste and mouth rinses can also aid in this battle but are no substitute for the manual or mechanical removal of plaque.

Sometimes tooth brushing, toothpaste, floss and toothpicks aren’t enough to remove plaque.  That is where Gentle Dental can help! Our dentists and hygienists provide professional teeth cleanings and checkups to keep your teeth not only pearly white but helping  in preventing oral diseases including gum disease. To make an appointment for a cleaning and a checkup call 1-888-513-7436.

 

Bottled Water, Fluoride & Your Teeth

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A recent study shows that Americans consumed more than 5 billion gallons of water in year 2000. But, did you know that the the majority of bottled waters on the market and some types of home water treatment systems  do not contain optimal levels of fluoride?  This can potentially decrease the tooth decay-preventive effects of optimally fluoridated water. Fluoride Water

Water fluoridation is a community health measure that is recognized widely for its role in preventing tooth decay. In areas where natural fluoride occurs in water below the optimal level, many communities add a tiny amount of fluoride to the water supply to make certain that residents receive the benefits of fluoride.  When water is treated before it is bottled, fluoride may be lost in the reverse osmosis or distillation process.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s current regulations do not require bottled water companies to indicate fluoride content on its labels, unless it has been added to the water. Fluoride is very important, especially for children to help prevent tooth decay. Water should contain 0.7 to 1.2 ppm of fluoride.

Gentle Dental dentists can provide fluoride treatments to people that aren’t getting enough fluoride in their teeth, possibly because they are drinking water that doesn’t contain fluoride. Fluoride treatments help strengthen the outer layer of your teeth and fight cavities and tooth decay.  To make a fluoride treatment appointment with your local Gentle Dental dentist call 1-888-513-7436.

Baby Teeth And Pediatric Dentistry

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Primary or “Baby Teeth” usually start to appear when an infant is between 6 months and a year old. They are very important in the ability for a child to chew and speak. They also hold space in the jaws for permanent teeth that are growing under the gums. When teeth first come in for a child it is known as the teething cycle. Babies may experience sore or tender gums at this time and can cause them some pain. If you are a parent of a child that is teething, rubbing their gums with a clean finger, a small, cool spoon or a wet gauze pad can be soothing and may help with the pain the teething is causing. Most children have a full set of 20 primary teeth by the time they are three years old.  baby teeth

Keeping your child’s teeth healthy at an early age is extremely important for their long term oral health.  A good recommendation after every feeding is to wipe the baby’s gums with a clean gauze pad. This removes plaque and food that can harm erupting teeth. As soon as primary teeth appear in the mouth, tooth decay can occur. Therefore, when your child’s teeth begin to erupt, brush them gently with a child’s size toothbrush and water. After the age of two you should brush your child’s teeth with a pea size amount of fluoride toothpaste.

Gentle Dental features 10 offices throughout South Florida that specialize in Pediatric Dentistry. Each of these offices are dedicated to create a positive, fun experience for a child that maybe extremely nervous when they come to the dentist. Gentle Dental Pediatric Dentists and staff  also emphasize strong dental education for children and teach them healthy hygiene habits. To make an appointment for your child and to find out which locations feature pediatric dentistry call 877-343-3253 or visit our location page by clicking here.


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