Dental Health

Limit Sugar For Healthier Provo Kids

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Categories: Clear braces, Cosmetic Dentistry, Dental Health, Family Dentistry

Family Dentist Provo

Every health-conscious Provo parent knows that sugar is the number one cause of cavities for Utah kids – and as your Provo dentist knows, plenty of adults snack on sweet stuff, too.

Because of cavity risks, low nutritional value, and high calorie content, many parents want to limit the sugar in their children’s diets. Obviously, there is a lot of sugar in bubble gum, lollipops, and gummy candy. But there is also sugar lurking in what we often think of as healthy snacks.

Here are some popular kid’s snacks with significant amounts of sugar:

  • yogurt covered raisins
  • fruit snacks including the roll-up and syrup-filled varieties
  • rice cakes
  • many brands of yogurt including the hand-held type
  • juice drinks
  • flavored milk
  • fruit smoothies
  • cereal bars

Controlling sugar intake in your child’s diet is essential for healthy teeth. When choosing lunchbox or after-school snacks at the supermarket, be sure to read the labels. Sugar content varies among brands.

Sugar is only one diet component that impacts kids’ oral health. If your son’s or daughter’s diet is lacking key vitamins and minerals, the tissues in their mouth may have trouble fighting infection. These infections can lead to gum disease.

At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo, we provide high-quality family dentistry. For anyone looking to improve their bite, we have Invisalign clear braces. 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

 

Don’t Put Off Your Dental Exam

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Categories: Aesthetic dentistry, Cosmetic Dentistry, Dental Health, Family Dentistry, Teeth cleaning

comprehensive dental deep cleanings Provo

No matter what age you are, as long as you have teeth, dental exams are an important part of keeping your smile healthy and beautiful! We urge all our patients to see Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry, their dentist in Provo, every six months.

We have an excellent office and caring team of professionals to make your exams something you’ll look forward to.

Knowledge is Power
Dental exams are often put off because they can be seen as unnecessary. But exams are truly one of the best practices for preventative care. At each check up, our experienced and well trained hygienists will thoroughly clean your teeth.

Once they are polished sparkling clean, your teeth will receive a comprehensive analysis. They will be inspected for cavities, gum recession, excessive wear, or other risks. Catching these types of threats early is indispensable so you can be certain that they don’t turn into larger issues.

Innovative Dental Technology
Technology is moving swiftly, so it’s vital to find a dental office that has the latest instruments to ensure your check up is detailed and comprehensive. At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry, we have state-of-the-art technology that is used for your exams. If a problem is detected, an appropriate, individualized treatment plan will be designed.

Peace of Mind
After your entire mouth has been examined, we will detail what is necessary moving forward. Whether that’s flossing more often or discussing major fixes such as braces, we will make sure that you get all the information you need to ensure your smile is bright and beautiful! At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry, your dentist in Provo, we provide family and cosmetic dentistry.

Contact Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

801-374-0070

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

3575 N 100 E Ste 200
Provo, Utah
84604

 

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The Benefits of Fluoride, From Your Dentist in Provo

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Categories: Cosmetic Dentistry, Dental Health, Dream smile, Family Dentistry, Fluoride, General Dentistry, Smile Makeover

Provo lowest price teeth bleachingFluoride is a mineral, plain and simple. But it has many benefits for the teeth of children and adults alike, and the dentists at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo want  it to be part of your oral health routine.

Fluoride is contained in different foods as well as in water. Many  adjust the fluoride content of their municipal water. Fluoride is also added to dental products. This makes it possible for you to apply fluoride to your teeth when you brush your teeth or use mouth rinses.

Fluoride helps to rebuild weakened tooth enamel, and thus can reverse early signs of tooth decay. The fluoride you take in from toothpaste, water, and other sources becomes a part of your saliva. Consequently it is constantly bathing your teeth, and helping to rebuild the enamel.

Essential for Young Teeth

Fluoride is especially vital for kids. Between the ages of 6 months and 16 years old, both the primary and the permanent teeth come in. Fluoride exposure is extremely useful for creating a foundation for lifelong oral health.

Adults can get a boost of fluoride during routine dental cleanings at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry. Helping our patients maintain good oral health is vital for us, and so is helping them achieve their dream smiles through cosmetic dentistry.

Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry has been serving the Provo area since 1967. We also provide family dentistry, and special services such as wisdom teeth extractions. We offer sedation dentistry to our patients with dental anxiety.

Contact Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

801-374-0070

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

3575 N 100 E Ste 200
Provo, Utah
84604

 

Both Smoking And Vaping Put Your Smile At Risk

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Categories: Dental Health

oral health risks of e-cigarettes Provo

A recent study on the effects of e-cigarettes on oral health has more dismal information for men and women who believe vaping is safer than smoking traditional cigarettes. In a study published in the journal Oncotarget, scientists determined that e-cigarettes may cause chronic inflammation and permanent cellular deterioration. These conditions, in turn, can bring about periodontitis, oral cancer, and tooth loss.1

As defined by the FDA, “E-cigarettes are devices that allow users to inhale an aerosol containing nicotine or other substances.”2

Before e-cigarettes appeared on the scene in 2005, the number of individuals who smoked traditional cigarettes had remained fairly steady. The unforeseen rise in popularity of e-cigarettes, however, has triggered a substantial health risk, especially for the nation’s teenagers.

“Between 2011 and 2015, the U.S. Surgeon General found e-cigarette use among high school students increased by 900 percent, with more teens now using e-cigarettes than cigarettes.”2

Hi, I’m Dr. Chris Hammond of Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry. My experienced team treats general dentistry patients suffering from smoking-related oral health conditions with expertise and compassion. We also strive to provide accurate information about public health issues. We add our voice to the healthcare professionals who are working to inform the public about the dangers of e-cigarettes and clear up the misconception that they are somehow less dangerous than traditional cigarettes. If you have smoked in the past and are dealing with gum issues or yellow teeth as a result, call us today to schedule a cosmetic dentistry consultation. We offer a number of options to get you back to a healthy, beautiful smile.

Sources:
1Isaac K. Sundar, Fawad Javed, Georgios E. Romanos, Irfan Rahman, “E-cigarettes and flavorings induce inflammatory and pro-senescence responses in oral epithelial cells and periodontal fibroblasts,” Oncotarget, 2016, http://www.impactjournals.com/oncotarget/index.php?journal=oncotarget&page=article&op=view&path%5B%5D=12857, accessed April 24, 2017
2 “E-cigarettes and Lung Health” The American Lung Association, http://www.lung.org/stop-smoking/smoking-facts/e-cigarettes-and-lung-health.html, accessed April 25, 2017

 

Contact Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

801-374-0070

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

3575 N 100 E Ste 200
Provo, Utah
84604

Does Your Dentist Conjure Up Cavities?

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Categories: Dental Health

prevent cavities Provo

Cavities can be filled, but it is better to prevent cavities in the first place. If your dentist in Utah County seems to conjure up cavities at every visit, then it’s up to you to break the cycle. But we are here to help you. Let’s work together.

How can you lift the cavity curse? Schedule a preventative dental consultation and examination at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry by calling 801-374-0070. You will be served by several members of our friendly team. One of our experienced dental hygienists will give your teeth and gums the best cleaning they have ever received. He or she will review proper oral hygiene and discuss ways to incorporate these critical habits into your lifestyle.

Dr. Chris Hammond DDS will perform a thorough examination and discuss your dental conditions and goals. We welcome questions about brushing, flossing, diet, medical issues, and lifestyle choices. These are all factors that affect your dental health.

Here at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry, as much as we love to see our general dentistry patients, we would prefer they all enjoyed healthy smiles and only had to visit a couple times a year for cleanings and checkups. Use preventative dental visits to improve your oral care techniques and break the cavity curse.

Dr. Chris Hammond DDS is an experienced dental professional who promotes preventative dentistry. Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo was launched in 1967 to provide the residents of Provo, Utah County, Lehi, and American Fork with the highest standard of personalized dental care.
Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry offers a comprehensive menu of dental services including oral sedation dentistry, Invisalign, mini implants and dental crowns.

Find us nearby at: 3575 N 100 E Ste 200 Provo, Utah, call: 801-374-0070 or visit: https://www.cosmeticdentistryutahcounty.com/

We look forward to working with you to break the cavity curse.

Contact Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

801-374-0070

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

3575 N 100 E Ste 200
Provo, Utah
84604

If My Gums Bleed, Should I Stop Flossing?

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Categories: Dental Health

bleeding gums Provo

This is a critical question occasionally asked by family dentistry patients at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry. The answer, however, is “No!” Bleeding is probably a sign that you need to clean your teeth and gums more thoroughly – not leave them alone. It is impossible to clean effectively between teeth without using floss or an interdental brush.

If you have never flossed before, your gums might bleed the first few times you use floss. The bleeding may be due to detrimental gum inflammation, the beginnings of gum disease. Keep flossing gently and the bleeding frequently stops within a week or two.

Gingivitis (gum disease) and the more advanced periodontal disease is extremely common in Utah and around the country. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that half of American adults aged 30 and over have periodontal disease. https://www.perio.org/consumer/cdc-study.htm

If you don’t make flossing a habit, and your gums become sore, swollen, and tender, it could cause gum disease. The good news is that, unlike tooth decay, gum disease can be reversed with improved oral hygiene.

It is essential to correctly use dental floss to remove plaque and food particles from between the teeth:

  1. +Cut a length of floss about 18 inches long.
  2. +Securely wind each end around your middle fingers.
  3. +Take hold of the floss with your forefinger and thumb leaving about two inches to work with.
  4. +Thread the floss between two teeth.
  5. +Hold the floss tightly against the side of the tooth and move it up and away from the gumline. You want to clean the space between the tooth and gum without pulling more gum tissue away, so it’s important to scrape up and out of the pocket.
  6. +Move the floss around the tooth to clean every surface – especially those that your brush can’t reach. As you use a section of floss, unwind from one hand to access a clean piece. With 18 inches, you should have enough to provide a clean section for every tooth. If you run out, that’s okay. Just toss the used piece and cut a new one.

Some general dentistry patients find it easier to start on one end on the upper teeth and clean each gap one by one until they reach the end on the opposite side. Then repeat for the bottom row. Whatever operation you choose, make sure you clean around every tooth, including the back surfaces of the last molars.

What if you continue flossing for a few weeks and still experience bleeding? Call Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry at 801-374-0070 to schedule a consultation. Chris Hammond, DDS, will carry out an intensive examination to determine the cause of the bleeding.

At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry, our goal is to help patients preserve healthy teeth and gums. Our dental hygienists not only complete the most thorough dental cleanings, they also educate patients on proper brushing and flossing. If you have a child who needs extra help learning how to brush and floss correctly, schedule an appointment with our Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry child-friendly team.

Some patients have perfectly healthy teeth and gums but are not satisfied with their smile due to cosmetic issues. If you want to explore cosmetic dentistry possibilities for improving your smile, communicate with us today at 801-374-0070.

We offer technologically-advanced cosmetic dental services including teeth whitening, porcelain veneers, dental crowns, inlays/onlays, and tooth-colored filling replacement. Ask us about oral sedation options if you need help relaxing during dental treatment. You can count on us to maintain the highest standard of safety and sterility at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry.

Contact Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

801-374-0070

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

3575 N 100 E Ste 200
Provo, Utah
84604

Sinus Pain Or Abscessed Tooth?

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Categories: Dental Health

Sinus Pain Or Abscessed Tooth?

Your maxillary sinuses are very close upstairs neighbors of your top teeth. In some areas, only a sliver of tissue separates the upper tooth roots from the bottom of the sinus cavity. It’s no wonder that when there is pain in that general area, the specific location can be hard to discover.

Allergies, infections, and the common cold can irritate sinus tissues. When sinus tissues become swollen and infected, it can influence the teeth.

In acute cases, swollen sinus tissues can actually move the teeth slightly, changing the bite. The reverse scenario can also transpire. The infection surrounding an abscessed tooth can easily travel to the sinus cavity.

An abscess is an infected pocket of pus in a tooth and/or the surrounding bone and tissue. The most frequent type of oral abscess stems from the pulp of the tooth and is commonly caused by dental caries.

When an abscess is small, it may go unnoticed but it will eventually cause pain.

An abscess can cause complete tooth loss and the infection can also destroy jawbone.

If an abscess impairs the tooth until it is beyond saving and requires extraction, a dental implant is one replacement option – but only if there is enough bone to anchor the implant.

How can you tell an abscessed tooth from a sinus infection?
Sinus pain typically manifests itself as a dull, continuous pain while the pain from an abscessed tooth increases in intensity. If you tap on an abscessed tooth, you will possibly feel a sharp shot of pain.

You have several sinus cavities, and pain can emanate from any or all of them, so if you have infection in more than one sinus cavity, you may have pain behind the nose and eyes. As mentioned previously, it’s possible to be in a world of hurt with both problems – an abscessed tooth and a sinus infection.

Call Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry is you have pain in your upper jaw and lower sinus area. An abscessed tooth should never be ignored. If it’s a sinus infection, your doctor can help you. This is a situation where you need advice from both your dental and medical care provider.

 

Contact Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

801-374-0070

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

3575 N 100 E Ste 200
Provo, Utah
84604

Swollen Gums?

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Categories: Dental Health

If Your Gums Are Swollen And Sore, Call Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry

If you are experiencing inflamed gums or an aching tooth, you’re not alone.

About one third of U.S. adults are affected by tooth decay, according to the CDC, and gum disease plagues one in seven people age 35 to 40.1 Don’t ignore these symptoms, call Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry today at 801-374-0070 for immediate treatment.

At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry we take gum disease, sometimes called gingivitis, seriously because left untreated it can lead to loss of bone and tissue that support the teeth.

Gingivitis is a mild form of gum disease. You will know you have it if your gums bleed easily and look red and swollen. If this condition is not reversed it can lead to periodontitis. With this condition your gums become loose and separate from the teeth forming cavities that can become infected. This can spread to the bone supporting the tooth. If this is damaged, the tooth can be lost. (If you have already lost a tooth to gum disease, ask us about dental implants.)

At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry we recommend daily brushing and flossing and regular dental cleanings to help combat gingivitis. Our team has been treating gum disease and other dental problems for Utah patients since 1967.

If you want your teeth to feel fresh and bright, come in for a cleaning and check-up. Don’t become a statistic, prevent gingivitis by treating your teeth and gums with the TLC they deserve. (After all, they work pretty hard for you day in and day out.)

My name is Chris Hammond and my staff and I at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry offer quality general and cosmetic dental services including sedation dentistry , Invisalign, and mini implants.

Take care of your beautiful smile by calling Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry today. Aesthetic & General Dentistry

1“Adult Oral Health,” The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, http://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/topics/adult.htm, accessed on January 7, 2012

Contact Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

801-374-0070

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

3575 N 100 E Ste 200
Provo, Utah
84604

7 Steps For A Healthy Smile

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Categories: Dental Health

Orem Extreme Smile Makeover

 “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

Benjamin Franklin coined this phrase in the 1730s as advice for fire safety. However, like all timeless quotes, it applies to many more aspects of modern life, particularly dental health.

Keeping your smile beautiful and healthy is done most effectively with preventative measures. Some of the most important guidelines are highlighted here.

1. Make a habit of brushing your teeth. Do it twice a day for 2 minutes. Be sure to use an ADA approved toothpaste and toothbrush. They can be purchased at any drugstore.

2. Don’t forget the floss! Flossing between your teeth daily will do wonders for your teeth and keep your gums healthy too.

3. Wear a protective mouthguard whenever you are engaged in an activity where your mouth could possibly be damaged. This includes many recreation league and school sponsored sports.

4. Don’t smoke. As if you needed yet another reason not to!

5. Avoid piercing your lips, tongue, cheek, or any other part of your mouth that someone decided you should shove a metal bar through. Piercings put you at greater risk for chipped teeth, infection and nerve damage.

6. Stay away from snacks that have a lot of sugar or starch.

7. Schedule regular dental visits, of course!

My name is Dr. Chris Hammond. Helping my dental patients establish good habits is important to me, and so is helping them achieve the smile they want with cosmetic dentistry procedures such as veneers, teeth whitening and complete smile makeovers.

Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry has been serving the Utah County, American Fork, and Lehi area since 1967. If you are in the market for an exceptional dentist, we invite you to contact us at 801-374-0070 so we can make an appointment for you.

The following website was used as source material for this blog:
http://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/preteens-and-teens/, accessed on February 21, 2013

Contact Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

801-374-0070

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

3575 N 100 E Ste 200
Provo, Utah
84604

Take Care Of Your Toothbrush!

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Categories: Dental Health

Orem Dental Patients Take Care Of Your Toothbrush!

The common household toothbrush. Every Provo home has at least one, and hopefully, everyone is brushing their teeth after each meal. While cosmetic dentistry and a complete smile makeover seem to be all the rage these days, daily brushing is still the most important thing you can do for your oral health.

It has been said that each toothbrush can contain millions of bacteria. But don’t worry, those bacteria come from our mouths, which harbor equal amounts of bacteria. For a person with a healthy immune system, these bacteria pose no threat.

However, a few common sense tips might keep any unnecessary germs from affecting your toothbrush.

First, be sure to store your toothbrush as far away from the toilet as possible, and close the toilet lid before flushing. Each flush of the toilet releases a spray of bacteria into the air, so it’s best to just eliminate the spray.

Next, since bacteria like a moist environment, store your toothbrush upright and without a travel case so that it can dry completely between uses.

The American Dental Association recommends replacing your toothbrush every three to four months. Brushing and flossing are the key to good oral health, and doing both each day lowers your risk for gun disease, cavities, and bad breath.

Keep your smile bright by visiting Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry regularly and practicing proper oral hygiene.

Dr. Chris Hammond has been a dentist in the Provo area since 1967. We can answer any questions you have about cosmetic dentistry procedures such as tooth whitening, porcelain veneers, dental implants, and clear braces.

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