Dental Health

The 4 Stages of Gum Disease

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Categories: Dental Health, Family Dentistry

four stages of gum disease Orem

Gum disease is a leading cause of tooth loss in adults. It’s a progressive condition, and is easily treatable in its earliest stages. From Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo, here are the four main stages of gum disease.

Gingivitis

The main symptoms of gingivitis include red or swollen gums that cause discomfort while brushing and flossing. You may notice bad breath on occasion. Gingivitis is often caused by the buildup of bacteria on teeth and the gum line.

Early Stage Periodontal Disease

This means an infection has spread beneath your gums, allowing harmful bacteria to begin harming the bone holding your teeth in place. An aggressive treatment plan can prevent it from getting worse.

Moderate Periodontal Disease

Moderate periodontal disease involves more advanced care. Surgery can reshape your gums and close pockets between the gums and teeth to reduce plaque buildup. This may sound intimidating, but the prognosis can be good.

Advanced Periodontal Disease

Flap surgery is common for this stage and involves cleaning the actual roots of your teeth by scrubbing behind your gums. Weakened bone can be smoothed or shaped to avoid bacteria from collecting.

Daily brushing and flossing, along with regular checkups at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo, can prevent gum disease. People from American Fork and Lehi rely on our care, and also  come to us for general dentistry. Schedule an appointment today!

Contact Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

801-374-0070

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

3575 N 100 E Ste 200
Provo, Utah
84604

 

ArticleID 8543

3 Vital Reasons to Floss Regularly

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Categories: Dental Health, General Dentistry

reasons to floss your teeth

Flossing your teeth is  one of those things you should do every single day in order to maintain healthy teeth and gums. Too many people skip flossing, though. In this post from Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo we’ll give you three very good reasons why you should make it part of your regular dental health regimen.

1. Helps Fight Cavities

Every time we eat, food debris is left in the mouth. It accumulates in between teeth without us always being aware. Flossing gets rid of it and helps reduce the amount of plaque buildup.

2. Helps prevent gum disease

Plaque buildup also increases the risk of gum disease, a leading cause of tooth loss. Flossing is a great way to clear it out.

3. Freshens your breath

All that gunk between your teeth can lead to bad breath, and no one wants that! Brushing alone isn’t enough: floss it away.

Flossing your teeth is essential to good dental health. So are regular checkups at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo! People from American Fork and Lehi come to us for general and cosmetic dentistry. Schedule an appointment today!

Contact Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

801-374-0070

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

3575 N 100 E Ste 200
Provo, Utah
84604

 

ArticleID 8550

Cavity Fighting Chewing Gum?

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Categories: Dental Health, General Dentistry

Orem Oral Dentistry

At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo we are sometimes asked about Xylitol. What is it, exactly? Is there really a sweetener that helps prevent cavities?

The answer is not a simple yes or no. Xylitol is a natural sweetener that was first discovered in birch tree bark, but is also found in many fruits and vegetables. Unlike most other sweeteners (natural or synthetic), xylitol is actually beneficial for your teeth. It is used in many products, including chewing gum.

Clinical studies have established that xylitol impedes the growth of the bacteria that initiates decay. It also reduces plaque and strengthens tooth enamel.

Xylitol has other benefits, as well. Because it is low on the glycemic index, many patients with diabetes enjoy it as a healthy alternative to sugar. For those who live with frequent dry mouth, xylitol gum or mints can stimulate saliva production while preserving against cavities.

Is xylitol gum as effective as brushing your teeth and seeing the dentist regularly? Absolutely not! If you cannot brush your teeth after a meal, chewing xylitol gum for five or ten minutes is probably a good idea. However, you should still brush your teeth thoroughly (with a soft brush) after meals and get twice-yearly exams and dental cleanings.

Of course, xylitol-sweetened products are no substitute for brushing and flossing. Patients from American Fork and Lehi come to Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo. Our goal is to keep your smile healthy and beautiful for life by preventing dental problems before they start! Services include general and cosmetic dentistry. Schedule an appointment today.

Contact Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

801-374-0070

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

3575 N 100 E Ste 200
Provo, Utah
84604

 

ArticleID 1368

Afraid of the Dentist? 5 Ways to Reduce Dental Anxiety

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Categories: Dental Health, Sedation Dentistry

dental anxiety treatment Provo

If you tense up just thinking about going to the dentist, you may benefit from sedation dentistry offered by Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo.

Millions of Americans stress out when they have to see the dentist. It is referred to as dental anxiety. There is a more severe form, too, called dental phobia. In both, some people would rather skip the dentist altogether than sit down for a checkup. The problem with that, of course, is it puts their dental health at risk.

Whatever the cause, sedation dentistry has helped millions of people get through their appointments.

We offer the following:

  • Nitrous Oxide. You also know this as laughing gas. Nitrous oxide has been used in dentistry for more than a century and is highly effective.
  • Oral conscious sedation. You take a sedative an hour or so before the appointment. You won’t sleep, but will be in a deeply relaxed state. When the appointment is over, someone will have to drive you home.
  • IV Sedation. As the name suggests, this is a sedative that is administered intravenously. You won’t sleep with this on, either, but will be in a deeply relaxed state. You’ll need an escort for a ride here and back.

Whatever the cause of your anxiety, it is essential that you do not compromise your dental health by skipping the dentist. Sedation dentistry from Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo may be just for you. Our services include general dentistry. Schedule an appointment today!

Contact Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

801-374-0070

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

3575 N 100 E Ste 200
Provo, Utah
84604

 

ArticleID 8533

Best Practices For A Healthy, Beautiful Smile

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Categories: Dental Health, General Dentistry

cosmetic dental Orem

It’s easy to become a little complacent about your dental health. At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo, we know that all too well! Our goal in this blog post is for you to evaluate where you stand and consider how you can improve things.

Brushing

Good: Brush teeth once a day.
Better: Brush teeth right after each meal.
Best: Brush after each meal and floss correctly before bed.

Dental Checkups

Good: See us if you get a toothache.
Better: See us once a year even if you don’t notice any dental problems.
Best: Twice-yearly, have a thorough dental exam and professional dental cleaning at our office.

A White Smile

Good: Use a whitening toothpaste.
Better: Use a whitening product at home.
Best: Schedule an in-office whitening treatment.

Missing Tooth

Good enough for some people: Ignore it. (We don’t recommend this.)
Better: Get a quality dental bridge.
Best: Restore your smile with a beautiful, durable, and natural-functioning dental implant.

Smile-Friendly Nutrition

Good: Eat a healthy diet.
Better: Eat a healthy diet and limit sugary snacks and beverages.
Best: Eat a wholesome diet, limit between-meal snacking, eat lots of calcium-rich foods, minimize sugary foods, abstain from energy drinks and soda, and sip water throughout the day to keep acid at bay.

At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo, we are big advocates of preventative care. We want all our patients to enjoy excellent dental health. Find out why people from American Fork and Lehi trust us with their smiles! We offer general and cosmetic dentistry, and much more. Schedule a checkup with us today!

Contact Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

801-374-0070

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

3575 N 100 E Ste 200
Provo, Utah
84604

 

ArticleID 7397

Who’s Afraid Of The Big, Bad…Dentist?

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Categories: Dental Health, General Dentistry, Sedation Dentistry

sleep dentistry Orem

Millions of people get so worked up about dental appointments that they skip going to the dentist entirely. At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo we understand that dental anxiety is a very real thing, and that for some people it’s more like dental phobia. But skipping the dentist is not a good idea. Sedation dentistry can help.

Survey after survey tells us how common fear of the dentist is. Anywhere from nine to twenty percent of adult Americans cope with it to one degree or another! Many of them exhibit what psychologists call avoidance behavior: they’ll do just about anything to avoid a dentist appointment.

The trouble with skipping the dentist entirely, of course, is that it puts your dental health at risk. We want you to have healthy teeth and gums. There is also a clear connection between dental health and overall health.

We offer three types of sedation:

  • Nitrous oxide. Laughing gas works quickly, wears off quickly, and is very effective.
  • Oral concious sedation. You take a prescribed sedative before your appointment. It puts you in a state of great relaxation. You will need a ride to and from our office.
  • IV sedation. Administered intravenously, this puts you in the deepest availalbe state of relaxation, though you will not sleep. You’ll need a ride to and from our office with this, too.

If you are coping with dental anxiety or phobia, sedation dentistry from Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo offers hope. We have successfully treated many patients just like you. People from American Fork and Lehi come to our office for complete general dentistry. Call for an appointment today!

Contact Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

801-374-0070

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

3575 N 100 E Ste 200
Provo, Utah
84604

 

ArticleID 7303

Why Fluoride Is Essential For Your Child’s Oral Health

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Categories: Dental Health, Family Dentistry

This message from Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo is about fluoride, and its role in dental health.

Fluoride is a mineral that helps teeth stay strong. It is found in some foods and water, and is added to many toothpastes.

Fluoride plays a key role in children’s dental health. Kids should start using fluoride toothpaste when they are old enough to spit while brushing. Start with a tiny pea-sized dab, gradually increasing the amount as they grow.

Fluoride treatments help teeth by making them stronger and more resistant to cavity-causing bacteria. Perhaps not surprisingly, the single most common problem in children’s teeth are cavities. According to one study, sixty percent of kids in the United States have at least one cavity by the age of five, and one of every five kids has untreated tooth decay.

A good brushing and flossing routing at home, and regular checkups at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo, can help. We offer complete family dentistry. People from American Fork and Lehi also come to us for dental implants, and much more. Please call our office to schedule an appointment today!

Contact Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

801-374-0070

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

3575 N 100 E Ste 200
Provo, Utah
84604

 

ArticleID 8176

6 Easy Ways To Eat Like A Dentist

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Categories: Dental Health, Family Dentistry

Lehi cosmetic dental and tooth implants

In this post from Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo, we are talking about nutrition. There is nothing that impacts your smile as much as your eating habits. Develop good nutrition and your dentist will smile down on you too.

1. Rinse after eating

Rinse your mouth with a sip of water or brush your teeth after meals. People who snack all day long subject their teeth to sugars and food debris. Planned meals with brushing in between keeps your oral health on top.

2. Abstain from sugary gum

Sugar free gum doesn’t leave sugar to break down on your teeth and jeopardize your hard earned healthy gums. If you are gum chewer, do your smile a favor and go sugarless.

3. Avoid sticky foods

Sticky foods have a habit of clinging to your teeth, which puts you at risk of decay. Toffee, gummy candy, fruit snacks, even excessive dried fruit can be perilous for smiles. Brushing doesn’t always remove the obstinate particles, so remember to floss after eating sticky items.

4. Consume nutritious foods

A balanced diet with a variety of vitamins and minerals can keep the immune system durable and able to fight infection.

5. Say ‘cheese!’

Cheese contains calcium and protects teeth from acid that weakens tooth enamel. (It’s vital not to go overboard as cheese is high in fat.)

6. Avoid acidic foods

Acid will eat away enamel over time: lemons, red wine, soda pop. Limit direct, constant, consistent exposure. All things in moderation.

At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo we offer complete family dentistry services. People from American Fork and Lehi also come to our practice for dental implants and much more. Call to schedule an appointment with us today!

Contact Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

801-374-0070

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

3575 N 100 E Ste 200
Provo, Utah
84604

 

ArticleID 6049

Do You Have The Most Common Dental Problem?

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Categories: Dental Health, Family Dentistry

Orem Teeth Whitening

Tooth decay is the single most common dental issue there is. Brushing and flossing your teeth twice a day goes a long way toward preventing it. That’s something we stress to all of our patients, at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo!

Cavities form when acids in the mouth attack the enamel and dentin of the teeth. The acid is produced by bacteria in plaque, that sticky film that forms on the surfaces of teeth. When sugar is introduced it interacts with the bacteria in the plaque, and makes the acids, which attack the teeth and cause cavities.

That’s why it is so important to choose food and drink wisely. But it isn’t easy, is it? Sugar seems to be in just about everything. Health experts say the average person in the United States consumes about 19.5 teaspoons of sugar every single day! That is twice as much as is recommended by the American Heart Association.

Knowing how much sugar is in the food that you buy is vital: not just to your teeth, but to your overall health. Reading ingredient labels on processed foods is essential.

At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo we want the best possible dental health for all of our patients. So cut back on sugar, brush your teeth at least twice a day, don’t forget to floss, and see us for a cleaning and checkup every six months. People from American Fork and Lehi come to our practice for family and cosmetic dentistry. Schedule an appointment with us today!

Contact Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

801-374-0070

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

3575 N 100 E Ste 200
Provo, Utah
84604

 

ArticleID 1371

5 Ways To Floss Daily

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Categories: Dental Health, Family Dentistry

Porcelain veneers Orem

If you’ve noticed that you’re too tired to floss your teeth each night, this post from Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo is for you. We want to give you a few ideas for unique times to floss, since it’s an essential part of your daily dental health routine.

  1. If you’re an early riser, try flossing in the morning right after you brush.
  2. Try just after lunch, but before you go back to work.
  3. Before or after you exercise. Your oral health is just as important as your physical fitness. Keep some floss in your gym bag and give your teeth and gums some attention along with the rest of your body.
  4. During the nightly news or while watching Netflix.
  5. While taking a bath. Any task is more enjoyable if it can be done while relaxing in a warm tub. Light some scented candles, play some soothing music and turn off your cell phone for an at-home spa experience for an at-home spa experience.

Along with brushing, flossing should be part of your daily routine. So should regular checkups at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo. We offer complete family dentistry, and patients from American Fork and Lehi make sure to see us every six months. They also improve their smiles with our cosmetic dentistry. Call for an appointment today!

Contact Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

801-374-0070

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

3575 N 100 E Ste 200
Provo, Utah
84604

 

ArticleID 4849