Dental Health

In this post from Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo, we focus on behaviors that influence dental health. Of course, regular brushing and flossing are two important habits for healthy teeth, but there are many more things we can do to keep a healthy smile.

Diet Do’s

• Do eat a nutritious diet with a variety of foods. This is needed for overall physical health and a strong immune system.
• Do consume calcium-rich dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt to neutralize acids that are detrimental to enamel.

Diet Don’ts

• Don’t eat sugary foods. Sugar triggers the production of detrimental cavity-causing acids that weaken enamel and lead to cavities.
• Don’t snack throughout the day. This accelerates plaque production and subjects the teeth to continual contact with acids.
• Don’t chew on ice (it really can crack teeth.)
• Don’t drink energy drinks. They have many substances that are bad for teeth.

Other Important Tips

• Don’t use your teeth as tools. It is better to cut that knotted shoelace than to gnaw at it to try to untangle it.
• Don’t get piercings in or around your mouth.
• Don’t ignore tooth pain or sensitivity.
• If you have children, ask us about water fluoridation. If your municipal water supply is not fluoridated, you may want to give your little ones fluoride supplements.
• Don’t use a medium or hard bristle toothbrush. It can damage gums.

At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo, we encourage all of our patients to maintain a lifestyle that promotes dental health as well as overall physical health. Patients from American Fork and Lehi come to our practice for family and cosmetic dentistry. Schedule your next 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

 

At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo we emphasize the importance of good dental health at every stage of life. We stick to the basics: brush and floss twice a day, and see us for a checkup twice a year. When you instill good dental health habits in your kids, you start them on the road to a lifetime of good dental health.

At every checkup, we examine you for any signs of gum disease. In its mildest form, gum disease is known as gingivitis and is easily treated. Stepping up your dental care routine at home is often enough to get it under control.

In its more severe form, gum disease is called periodontal disease, and is one of the leading causes of tooth loss. According to the Centers for Disease Control, half of all Americans over the age of thirty have periodontal disease. That’s nearly sixty-five million people! It can be still be brought under control, but it takes more aggressive treatment.

What Else?

When it comes to dental health, your toothbrush and dental floss are your best friends. Brush and floss at least twice a day. When you brush, you remove the plaque that builds up on your teeth and causes cavities. Flossing gets out the gunk that builds up between the teeth.

At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo we want all our patients to enjoy a lifetime of good dental health, and it begins in early childhood. We offer complete family dentistry, and patients from American Fork and Lehi also come to us for cosmetic dentistry. Call 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

 

The more you know, the better off you are. That’s a general truth that applies to a lot of things in life, including dentistry. At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo we want all our patients to be as informed as possible about the procedures they have.

A question that patients bring to us a lot is whether it’s really necessary to have a cleaning and checkup twice a year. In a word, yes. Regular checkups let us keep an eye on your overall dental health, and get ahead of potential problems. It really is true:  prevention is the best medicine.

Indestructable?

Many patients ask how long a filling will last. Some think they’ll last a lifetime, but unfortunately that is not usually the case. Fillings can break down or become loose over time. If that happens, decay can get into the area around it and cause problmes. You can extend the life of a filling with daily brushing and flossing.

What about toothbrushes? Is an electric any better than a manual? This is among the most-asked questions for any dentist. When they are used properly, both do an excellent job. We recommend soft bristles, with mixed bristle heights and angles. They do a better job getting between the teeth.

Patients often ask about toothpaste, too. We recommend one that has the American Dental Association Seal of Acceptance on the package. That means it contains fluoride, which strengthens and protects your teeth.

Again, we believe the more you know the better off you are. If you have any questions about a recommended procedure at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo, don’t hesitate to ask. Patients from American Fork and Lehi come to us for family and cosmetic dentistry. And they ask a lot of questions, too! Schedule your next 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

 

Most people visit the dentist about once each year. As many as forty percent of Americans see their dentist less often. Some go as long as five years between visits. At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo, we recommend a checkup every six months.

Here are six great reasons to visit us more frequently.

1. Oral Cancer Detection

That’s right: cancer detection. Not many people think about the risk of getting cancer in their mouth or throat. Patients with oral cancer have a far better prognosis when it’s detected early. Note that tobacco users have a substantially higher risk of developing oral cancer.

2. Cavity Damage

Unfortunately, almost everyone gets cavities. If cavities are caught when they are small, they aren’t difficult (or pricey) to fix.

The problem comes when they aren’t discovered early and the damage requires a serious fix. Cavities are one of the reasons many people avoid the dentist. Getting a tooth filled used to be painful. Not anymore.

3. Gum Disease

Gum health is a part of an overall dental health. We will check your gums and treat gum disease, if need be.

4. Bad Habits

Bad habits can have a negative influence on your oral health. Smoking, poor diet, biting nails and clenching teeth are among the more common. It helps to have an experienced professional to help you deal with habits so they don’t become destructive.

5. Deeper Problems

X-ray technology allows us to detect potential problems before they become visible. Many issues can be fixed before damage occurs.

6. More Than Just Teeth

We are concerned about more than your teeth. We care about your overall physical health, and are trained in the anatomy around your mouth, including your neck, throat, lymph nodes and head. We always check for signs of trouble.

But we never lose sight of your dental health; at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo, that’s what it’s all about. Our patients come to us from American Fork and Lehi for family and cosmetic dentistry. Schedule your next 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

 

Your teeth can last a lifetime. With regular checkups at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo and a few daily precautions, you’ll go a long way toward making sure they do.

If you do any of the following, we recommend that you stop:

Chewing sugared gum all day.
Cavities, a sore jaw, or compromised bridgework may result. If you must chew, select gum with Xylitol.

Drinking soda and energy drinks.
These sugary, acidic beverages are immensely efficient at eroding enamel.

Chewing ice or hard candy.
Your enamel is quite hard. But so are ice and hard candy, and head-to-head, occasionally they win, resulting in a cracked tooth.

Skipping flossing.
Maybe you think brushing is enough. Following brushing with a careful flossing job cleans away fragments of food and plaque between teeth.

Using a firm bristled toothbrush.
A soft bristled brush is the best tool for the job. Save your firm brush for cleaning the grout around your bathtub.

At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo, our family dentistry will help keep your teeth and gums in excellent condition. People from American Fork and Lehi come to us for regular checkups and for complete cosmetic dentistry services. Call 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

 

It’s standard practice for healthcare providers to find out which medications their patients are taking. At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo our patients sometimes wonder why we ask them about prescription medications before their dental procedure.

 

The reason is that some meds, whether prescription or over-the-counter, can impact oral health or dental treatment.

 

Bleeding Issues

 

Heparin/warfarin and other anticoagulants can bring about abnormal bleeding, because they affect your ability to clot. If you undergo oral surgery, it’s vital for your dentist to know if you are taking these meds.

Metallic Taste

Some cardiovascular agents, central nervous system stimulants, respiratory inhalants, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, and smoke deterrent drugs have been known to a metallic or bitter taste in your mouth. This doesn’t necessarily affect dental treatment, but overdoing sugary breath mints increases your risk of tooth decay.

 

Abnormal Gums

 

Do you feel as though your gums are significantly bigger in proportion to your teeth?

 

Enlarged gum tissue (in dental speak ‘gingival hyperplasia’) is an overgrowth of the gum tissue around your teeth. Gingival hyperplasia can make your gums appear more prominent than your teeth. It can be caused by poor oral hygiene or prescription medications. These include antiseizure drugs, calcium channel blockers (nifedipine, verapamil, and diltiazem), or immunosuppressants. If you are taking these drugs, make sure you are paying close attention to your teeth and gum care.

Dry Mouth

 

Over 400 drugs can trigger or exacerbate dry mouth. This long list includes, but is not limited to; antihistamines, decongestants, painkillers, high blood pressure medicines, and muscle relaxers. 

 

Chronic dry mouth can increase the risk of tooth decay. Saliva contains minerals that help enamel stay strong. Saliva also plays a role in controlling plaque.

When you come into Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo for a dental procedure, be prepared to let us know which prescription meds you are taking. Patients from American Fork and Lehi come to us for family and 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