Archive for the ‘Dental Health’ Category

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Do You Have Sore Gums?

Friday, February 3rd, 2012

Affordable Provo Dentistry Every Orem general dentistry patient’s mouth provides a cozy home for over 600 types of bacteria. If you are diligent about oral hygiene and have healthy gums, these microbes usually don’t affect your health. However, if you have gum disease, bacteria can enter your bloodstream through your gums and cause problems.

Gingivitis is the term for the mild gum disease. At Hammond & Ellis Aesthetic & General Dentistry, we routinely discover gingivitis in Orem area clients who are not even aware they have the condition.

The first signs of gingivitis are swollen, sore gums.

It is important for our Orem dental patients to understand that it is not normal for gums to bleed when they are brushed or flossed. If you haven’t had an oral examination in a while and live in the Orem area, call Hammond & Ellis Aesthetic & General Dentistry at 801-657-5633. Drs. Hammond & Ellis thoroughly exams teeth and gums and takes time to discuss the results and recommendations with each Orem family dentistry patient.

Hammond & Ellis Aesthetic & General Dentistry is a full-service dental practice at 3575 N 100 E, Ste 200, Provo, UT. We provide comprehensive general and cosmetic dentistry for clients who live in Orem and the nearby communities.

During your dentist consultation, we can discuss any cosmetic or restorative procedures in which you are interested. Some of the Orem procedures that we use to create perfect smiles are porcelain veneers, clear braces, dental implants and tooth whitening. Our hygienists are skilled professionals who perform the ultimate in dental deep-cleanings.

Oral health and overall health go hand in hand. Schedule a dental consultation today by calling 801-657-5633 or visiting us online at http://www.CosmeticDentistryUtahCounty.com.

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The Dangers of Oral Piercing

Friday, January 13th, 2012

The Dangers of Oral Piercing If you live in the Provo area and are considering puncturing your lip or tongue, read this:

Infection
Your mouth is full of bacteria. Any opening in the tissue carries the risk of infection. The germs from your tongue and mouth can easily get into your bloodstream. Provo cosmetic dentists and doctors are continually treating serious infections caused by oral piercings. Oral infections can be a real problem, and should be a major consideration before getting an oral piercing.

Tooth Damage
It should come as no surprise that having a piece of metal bang around in your mouth can easily chip tooth enamel. Though tooth enamel is amazingly strong, once it’s chipped or cracked, it can only be restored with artificial material. Fortunately, Hammond & Ellis Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo offers many tooth restoration options such as dental crowns and fillings, but our advice is to avoid the problem if you can.

Prolonged Bleeding and Swelling
The blood vessels in the tongue are often damaged when the tongue is pierced, causing prolonged bleeding and possible build-up of scar tissue. In some cases, the tongue swells up enough to block the airway.

Gum Recession
A number of periodontal disease studies have shown that wearing oral jewelry is linked to periodontal disease which can result in tooth loss. Periodontal disease, or ‘gum disease’, can cause gum recession and exposes the root of your teeth, potentially causing hyper sensitivity and pain. Again, our advice is to avoid the problem right from the start.

These are just a few of the dangers. Drs. Hammond & Ellis at Hammond & Ellis Aesthetic & General Dentistry can give you more information about the risks of oral piercings. If you already have damage, call 801-657-5633 to schedule a consultation.

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Does My Utah County Dentist Care About My Diet?

Friday, November 4th, 2011

General Dentistry Utah County When people in the Utah County area think of diet and oral health, they probably think about the damage sweet drinks can cause to teeth. While it’s true that these sugars cause increased acidity in the mouth and lead to tooth decay, soda and sugary-fruit drinks are only part of the issue.

The typical American diet tends to be high in calories and low in nutrition, even here in Utah County.

If your body is lacking in certain nutrients, the tissues in the mouth may have trouble resisting infection. These infections can lead to gum disease.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has recently unveiled the MyPlate graphic to illustrate a healthy diet. Half of our meals should be composed of fruits and vegetables and the rest should be equally divided between lean protein, whole grains, and low-fat dairy.

While this is an excellent resource, dietary needs change throughout life, so it’s a good idea to call Hammond & Ellis Aesthetic & General Dentistry at 801-657-5633 and schedule a check-up to see if your diet is affecting your teeth.

When you eat a balanced diet and feel your best, you’ll want to look your best, so be sure to ask our skilled and caring staff about the latest cosmetic dentistry procedures such as complete smile makeovers and same day restorations.

At Hammond & Ellis Aesthetic & General Dentistry, our menu of services includes crowns, porcelain veneers, inlays, onlays, dental implants, tooth colored fillings, sealants, teeth whitening, and invisible braces. We also specialize in sedation dentistry for our Utah County patients who experience dental anxiety. Give our office a call today to schedule an appointment!

Dr. Chris A. Hammond, DMD
Dr. P. Chad Ellis, MS, DDS
Hammond & Ellis Aesthetic & General Dentistry
3575 N 100 E, Ste 200
Provo, Utah 84604
801-657-5633
http://www.cosmeticdentistryutahcounty.com/doctors.htm

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Tooth Brushing Basics For Healthy Smiles In Provo

Friday, October 21st, 2011

Provo Teeth Bleaching Why should everyone in Provo brush at least twice a day? Let’s take a look at why this is so important.

Brushing and flossing is the best way to prevent decay.

Brushing with fluoride toothpaste and carefully flossing removes the food from our teeth and inhibits the build up of plaque. If we let food stay on our teeth, the starches in the food will mix with the plaque. This nasty mixture forms an acid which immediately starts drilling into the enamel to form cavities. Brushing can’t get all the spaces between your teeth, so you’ve got to floss also. Brushing and flossing can also be the first step towards bad breath treatment.

Brushing and flossing keeps gums and bone healthy.

If you let gum disease go untreated, you can lose teeth that are cavity-free!

The progression of gum disease (gingivitis) goes like this:

  1. Plaque build-up irritates gums.
  2. Irritated gums pull away from teeth.
  3. Bacteria multiplies in the spaces between the gum and tooth.
  4. The bone holding the tooth is eaten by the bacteria.
  5. Say goodbye to the tooth.

The good news is that gingivitis can be reversed if detected early. The best way to do this is with regular visits to your Provo family dentistry specialist.

Call Hammond & Ellis Aesthetic & General Dentistry at 801-657-5633 to schedule a gum disease evaluation at our office in Provo.

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Top Reasons To Visit Your Provo Cosmetic Dentist

Friday, September 16th, 2011

Visit Your Provo Dentist Top Ten Reasons To Visit Your Provo Cosmetic Dentist:

  1. Check Up; it’s time, and this is the best way to avoid dental problems.
  2. Clean Up; our dental hygienist is ready to give you a super clean smile. Our office also offers bad breath treatment to help give you fresh breath that will match your new smile.
  3. Brush Up; if it has been a while since your last dental visit, it’s probably time to come in to learn about the new options we have for dental care.
  4. Avoid pain; if you have dental pain and have been putting off a trip to the dentist, come in now. We specialize in relieving dental pain. We also offer sedation dentistry.
  5. Fillings; we can find and fill all your dental cavities in almost no time at all. This will help you avoid more painful problems down the road, and helps ease some of those sensitivities to hot and cold.
  6. Avoid gum disease; we can assess the health of your gums and suggest treatments or practices that are available to help you improve the health of your gums.
  7. Ready for a whiter smile? We can help. We have tooth whitening options available that will brighten your smile and make your teeth whiter.
  8. Tooth replacement; If you are missing a tooth, we can help restore your smile with the latest in tooth replacement technology. Ask us about our dental implant options.
  9. Cosmetic dentistry is something everyone is considering to make improvements to their smile. We can help you assess the options and learn more about the possibilities of cosmetic dentistry.
  10. Confidence: Nothing brings you more confidence than when you know you have a bright and beautifully healthy smile.

We’re Drs. Hammond & Ellis, and we are dentists in the Provo, Utah community. If you are ready for professional cosmetic and family dentistry, please give our office a call.

You can reach us at 801-657-5633, or visit us on our website at http://www.CosmeticDentistryUtahCounty.com

We are members of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. http://www.aacd.com

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Fighing Bad Breath and Removing Tooth Stains

Wednesday, August 31st, 2011

Orem Cosmetic Dentistry

Did you remember that brushing and flossing fights bad breath and removes stains?

If you have persistent stains that brushing can’t remove, get your teeth bleached at Hammond & Ellis Aesthetic & General Dentistry for a dazzling stain free smile.

The American Dental Association recommends two minutes as a minimum time for brushing. Most folks think they brush that long but would be surprised if they actually set a timer. Most of us only brush for about a minute, if that.

We are Drs. Hammond & Ellis of Hammond & Ellis Aesthetic & General Dentistry. In our office, we practice preventative dentistry by working with our patients to establish essential oral hygiene habits.  We also offer bad breath treatment.

If you are looking for a a family dentist in Orem, I invite you to come meet my friendly and professional team.

Our address is 3575 N 100 E, Ste 200, Provo, Utah. We offer general and restorative dentistry, including cosmetic dentistry and porcelain veneers.

And here’s a quick cold-fighting tip for my Orem clients; get a new toothbrush when you catch a cold. A toothbrush teeming with germs can re-infect you!

Give us a call at 801-657-5633.

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Beware Of An Acidic Diet In Orem

Thursday, May 19th, 2011

Orem tooth strengthening Most Orem folks don’t often think of a tooth as a body part that fluctuates in strength. Our teeth seem to have a steady hardness and dependably grind food whenever we need them. However, teeth are dynamic organisms with chemical processes that occur continually.

The protective enamel that covers the softer interior is made of minerals. Enamel demineralizes (loses some of its density) when coming in contact with acids. Saliva can dilute and neutralize acid so the tooth can remineralize (re-harden). This process isn’t instantaneous, however. While the enamel is soft, the tooth is vulnerable to losing a microscopic outer layer of enamel. If the erosion continues, the much softer dentin is exposed. Eventually, the tooth may need to be extracted.

At Hammond & Ellis Aesthetic & General Dentistry, we are noticing an increase in cases of serious acid erosion. It is apparent that the typical Orem diet is becoming more acidic.

The list of acidic foods may surprise you. They include eggs, gravy, asparagus, chicken, cottage cheese, honey, fish, ham, butter, sour cream, aged cheese, and yogurt with active cultures. Generally, food with a high sugar or artificial sweetener content are highly acidic.

Now let’s talk about drinks. You probably already know that soda pop and wine are not good for your teeth. Orem teens that sip soda all day can have acid erosion while their young teeth should be at their strongest. In addition to soda, energy drinks are very popular in Utah and Orem cosmetic dentists are noticing the effects on their dental patients’ tooth enamel.

If you drink soda or energy drinks often, you may want to drink water or chew sugarless gum after downing a can. Stimulating saliva production can speed up the remineralization process.

If your teeth have become more sensitive in general, or in response to hot or cold foods or beverages, you may have acid erosion. To schedule an examination with Drs. Chris Hammond & Chad Ellis at Hammond & Ellis Aesthetic & General Dentistry, call 801-657-5633 today.

We are a full-service cosmetic dental office with hundreds of satisfied clients in Provo and Orem We are located at 3575 North 100 East, Suite 200 in Provo. We are working to raise awareness of the oral health dangers of acid erosion. We hope you have benefited from this Hammond & Ellis Aesthetic & General Dentistry blog article and look forward to your visit.  We also offer cosmetic dentistry and sedation dentistry services.

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Bad Breath Is No Fun For Provo Residents

Friday, April 8th, 2011

Bad Breath Is No Fun For Provo Residents Imagine you are starting a new job in Utah County and meeting your new boss for the first time. Confidence is key to your success. As you reach out to shake the extended hand your broad confident smile exposes rows of pearly white teeth, yet when you open your mouth to exchange greetings you worry about bad breath. Perhaps your breath is not as a pleasant as you had hoped. Bad breath is a worry and possible embarrassment for many residents of Utah County, from ages 20 to 80. Regular dental checkups with cosmetic and general dentistry practice Hammond & Ellis Aesthetic & General Dentistry can help alleviate your concern over bad breath. We have been addressing bad breath since 1996.

The technical term for bad breath is halitosis. Many factors can cause or contribute to halitosis. One of these factors is the food you eat. Onions and garlic are both known for having a potent affect on your breath. Simply observing the foods you eat here in Utah County can result in a change in your breath.

In most cases, bad breath originates in your mouth. Transient bad breath can be resolved through eating or brushing, and is a temporary condition usually associated with a dry mouth. Persistent bad breath can be a serious problem effecting as much as 25 percent of our Utah County residents. Persistent bad breath can be caused by dry mouth, and is made worse when food is not cleared away properly.

Brushing and flossing daily is a critical step in curing bad breath. Food particles can build up in your mouth and foster bacteria which can cause bad breath. This not only includes the food particles that may get stuck between your teeth, but also the food that collects around your gums or on your tongue. Brushing and flossing daily can help reduce the amount of food particles that stay in your mouth and cause bad breath. Regular visits to Hammond & Ellis Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo can also reduce or eliminate the progression of bad breath.

Other factors that can contribute to bad breath for Utah County residents include dry mouth, tobacco use, and health concerns such as infections. Come visit Hammond & Ellis Aesthetic & General Dentistry located in Utah County; we’ll provide you with information about bad breath treatment in a professional environment. Give us a call at 801-657-5633 to set up an appointment.  We also offer cosmetic dentistry services in Utah County.

Drs. Chris Hammond and Chad Ellis

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Prevention-Oriented Dentistry

Thursday, March 31st, 2011

tooth decay pictures at http://www.CosmeticDentistryUtahCounty.com Are you a Orem area parent of young children? Do you want them to develop better oral hygiene habits than you did when you were young? Perhaps you have a beautiful smile and want to prevent tooth decay. Many Orem people have a mouth full of fillings and don’t want to add another one to their collection.

At Hammond & Ellis Aesthetic & General Dentistry, we have a prevention-oriented philosophy of dental care.

Your first step toward dental health begins with a prevention consultation with Drs. Chris Hammond & Chad Ellis.

Orem dental patients of all ages need to start with an exam to determine their current status. Your dental condition is influenced by your dietary habits, previous dental work, physical health, medications, lifestyle and family history. After a comprehensive analysis, Drs. Chris Hammond & Chad Ellis can establish a decay prevention plan just for you.

A prevention plan is a multi-faceted approach designed to maintain optimum dental health. It involves affordable preventative general dentistry services at Hammond & Ellis Aesthetic & General Dentistry. Twice-yearly exams reveal early problems before they progress. Deep cleanings prevent a multitude of serious dental issues for our Orem and Utah County patients who faithfully keep their regular cleaning appointments.

Oral health cannot be maintained solely in our office. Daily brushing and flossing is essential. A healthy diet is necessary and will deliver benefits to your whole body - not just your teeth.

If you suspect you have a cavity or gum disease, call us at 801-657-5633 before it gets worse. We can successfully treat your current problems and restore your dental health. In addition, we will set you on the path toward a healthier future.  We also offer cosmetic dentistry and sedation dentistry services.

-Helping Your Smile Last a Lifetime

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Periodontal Disease in Utah

Friday, May 21st, 2010

Periodontal Disease in Utah

Periodontal disease in Utah is more common than you might think, and can be cured with varying degrees of treatment depending on the severity.

What is periodontal disease? According to this article on Wikipedia, periodontal disease is ‘the name of a collection of inflammatory diseases affecting the tissues that surround and support the teeth.’

Periodontal disease, more commonly called ‘gum disease‘, is an inflammation or infection of the gums. Periodontal disease can be very painful in some extreme conditions, and can limit your ability to eat normally. In some cases, periodontal disease can affect your smile, and can create cosmetic concerns.

If left untreated, periodontal disease can cause irreversible damage. When caught early and treated, periodontal disease can be little more than an inconvenience. However the best policy is to practice good dental hygiene to keep periodontal disease at bay.

One of the best ways to avoid periodontal disease is to get a regular dental check up at your local Provo dentist.

Give us a call at 801-657-5633 to schedule your next dental checkup; we look forward to seeing you.

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