Hello, gum chewers. Today, we’re going to talk about that sticky wad of candy in your mouth. You know that it can freshen your breath, but can it really help guard your smile from cavities?

It really depends on the type of gum. Chewing regular sucrose-based gum can be beneficial in removing bits of food from the surface of teeth, but that benefit is negated by the stream of sugar washing over your teeth as you chew.

However, gum with some alternative sweeteners has an added benefit for your pearly whites. Xylitol is a sweetener which not only has fewer calories than traditional sugars, but it also has antimicrobial properties that lessen plaque build-up. This means that xylitol inhibits the growth of bacteria that causes dental caries.

So if you’re headed out to any restaurants in the Provo area, bring a pack of sugar-free gum with you and pop it in your mouth when your meal is done. Of course, brushing and flossing are the ideal practices for your oral health, but when you can’t brush, elect a sugarless gum with xylitol.

I’m Dr. Chris Hammond of Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry. We offer sedation dentistry, Invisalign, and mini implants. If you have any questions about how to beautify your oral health, or if you would like details about any of our unprecedented cosmetic dental care such as teeth whitening, veneers, or complete smile transformations, give us a call today at 801-374-0070.

Call our caring team today for an appointment!

 

Contact Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry: 801-374-0070

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

3575 N 100 E Ste 200
Provo, Utah
84604

 

Life gets busy. Sometimes it seems impossible to keep up with everything you have to do. At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry, we understand that. We encourage you to think twice before you cancel or postpone a dental checkup because you think it’s less important than the other twenty things on your to-do list.

Twice-yearly dental exams are indispensable for keeping your smile in ideal shape!

“But my teeth feel fine.”
We’ve heard this excuse. The fact is that no news isn’t necessarily good news. Dental problems can be progressing without you being aware of it.

1. Your Gums May Be Receding
Gum recession doesn’t happen all at once. Gum tissue can move back almost imperceptibly until teeth and bone are in danger.

2. Decay May Be Lurking
When the acids in plaque start drilling into a tooth, we usually don’t feel it until it has passed through the enamel and dentin and hits the nerve. Ouch! By that time, there is a crater in the tooth. Regular cleanings remove plaque before it can do any weakening.

3. Prevent Oral Cancer
About 50,000 people will be diagnosed with oral cancer this year.¹ Dr. Hammond will screen for oral cancer during your exam. As with all types of cancer, early diagnosis is indispensable.

After your entire mouth has been examined, Dr. Hammond will detail what is required moving forward. Whether that’s flossing more often or discussing major fixes such as Invisalign, we will make sure that you get all the information you need to ensure your smile is bright and beautiful!

¹http://oralcancerfoundation.org/

 

 

Contact Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry: 801-374-0070

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

3575 N 100 E Ste 200
Provo, Utah
84604

 

In today’s post, let’s review some information about brushing. One key to activating the value of toothpaste is creating foam when brushing.

Working up a good foam is attained by pre-wetting the toothbrush, then attacking at a 45 rather than 90 degree angle. The foaming helps with dislodging food debris from nooks and crannies in the mouth. Go ahead and swish it around at the completion of brushing to pick up any stragglers. The abrasives in toothpaste are designed to polish the teeth without damaging the enamel.

Because of the abrasives, soft toothbrushes are best for proper brushing. Harder bristles can put the enamel and gum line at risk. When the gum line recedes from aggressive brushing (or any other cause) a patient may experience tooth pain, increased build-up and decay, tooth structure weakening, and in severe cases, tooth loss.

The fluoride in the toothpaste promotes remineralization when the paste has been rubbed around on all surfaces of all teeth in the entire mouth. This takes time so be certain you brush for at least 2-3 minutes.

Furthermore, remember that flossing is important and rounds out the 5 minutes each day to give you healthy, pain-free chewing for years and years to come.

To recap:
Wet soft bristle toothbrush
Use fluoridated toothpaste
Brush at 45 degree angle
Brush gently for 2-3 minutes
Cover every surface of every tooth
Swish around in mouth before spitting out
Floss gently around each tooth and don’t miss the back surface of the rear molars
Rinse out debris

This article is brought to you by Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry, an esteemed dental practice in Provo. We are passionate about dental education and confident smiles for all.

Dr. Chris Hammond has been serving Provo area families since 1967. We are located at 3575 N 100 E Ste 200 in Provo. Contact us at 801-374-0070 or https://www.cosmeticdentistryutahcounty.com/.

Ask us about our dental payment options, accepted insurance companies, and the general and cosmetic care we offer. And brush well until we see you, it will be worth every foamy second!

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

 

When my Utah County dental patients ask me if mouthwash cures bad breath, I tell them that treating bad breath with a mouthwash is like drenching yourself with cologne instead of taking a shower. Mouthwash is only a temporary mask for odor caused by poor oral hygiene, tongue bacteria, or digestive problems.

The best-selling mouthwashes in Utah County have a significant amount of alcohol, which can even exacerbate bad breath by drying out the mouth. Some bacteria grows even faster in a dry environment.

To eliminate bad breath, you need to find the cause. To get rid of hidden bacteria multiplying between teeth, pay more attention to thorough flossing and brushing.

A haphazard thirty-second brushing won’t prevent halitosis (or cavities). Try to brush for at least three minutes. It may seem like overkill if you have been a speed-brusher but remember that there is a lot of area to cover on multiple planes.

Devise a system to brush every reachable surface of every tooth. Then floss carefully around every tooth, pulling the floss down into the space at the gumline on both sides. Brush your gums, sides of mouth, palate, and tongue, also.

 

Schedule a deep dental cleaning at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry with the best hygienist in the Utah County area and request a refresher (no pun intended) course on brushing and flossing.

If your tongue is the culprit, you might want to start using a tongue scraper. Tongue scraping has become quite popular in Utah County, especially among the college crowd.

A tongue scraper is a cleaning tool that works like a squeegee to scrape bacteria and food particles off the surface of the tongue.

I am Drs. Chris Hammond of Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry. At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry, we treat many Utah County dental patients with bad breath. There is no reason to feel embarrassed. (Leaving bad breath untreated can be more embarrassing.)

Schedule an oral exam and halitosis consultation by calling 801-374-0070. At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry, our specialty is cosmetic dentistry and we also provide family dentistry. Thanks for visiting our blog.

Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry patients use the word “cavity” often when discussing oral health practices. Along with teeth whitening and other cosmetic dentistry procedures, cavities are a hot topic.

At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry we think it’s great that people in the Orem area are so conscious of their teeth, and we feel that having a better understanding of exactly what a cavity is will help them take better care of their pearly whites.

Cavities can also be called caries or tooth decay. When a tooth is permanently damaged in the hard surface, tiny openings occur. These little holes are cavities. Different factors that contribute to tooth decay are:

Frequent eating
Consuming sugary beverages
Oral bacteria
Insufficient tooth brushing and flossing

Cavities may get so bad that you will see pits or holes in your teeth, but symptoms may be more subtle, such as sensitivity, pain when biting, or a toothache. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should call your Utah County, American Fork, or Lehi dentist today for an appointment.

If you are in the market for quality dental care in the Provo area, give Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry a call. We have been treating dental patients in and around Orem since 1967. We can also answer any questions you have about cosmetic dentistry procedures such as veneers and dental implants.

We hope to hear from you soon!

 

Contact Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

801-374-0070

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

3575 N 100 E
Provo, UT
84604

 

Ouch! No Orem dental patient wants the pain and inconvenience of a cracked tooth, so today in the Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry dental blog we are going to focus on how to avoid this preventable problem.

The first thing to remember is that avoiding a cracked tooth is not rocket science; you should steer clear of chewing on hard things if you don’t want a cracked tooth! This includes ice, hard candy, and (sorry Lehi cinephiles) popcorn.

Also, protect against any impact to the mouth that could be experienced during sporting events. If you are a member of a local Utah County or American Fork rec center basketball, ultimate frisbee, or flag football league, pick up a mouth guard at a Orem area sporting goods store or get fitted for an Under Armour performance mouthguard at your dentist’s office.

Tooth grinding is never a good thing, and it can even lead to a cracked tooth or temporomandibular conditions. Talk to your dentist, doctor, or physical therapist and try some stress reduction techniques to keep your jaw nice and relaxed.

Be sure to keep your regular check-ups with your Lehi dentist because your dentist can spot possible problems that could predispose you to a cracked tooth such as an uneven chewing surface or brittle teeth.

If you have a cracked tooth, you’ll want to pursue the correct course of treatment and, if needed, explore some cosmetic dentistry procedures to fix any visible damage such as veneers, a porcelain crown, or a dental implant.

Hi. We’re Dr. Hammond of Provo. We practice general and cosmetic dentistry. Our practice, Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry, offers the following services:

Sedation dentistry
Invisalign
Mini implants
Dental crowns

If you are in the Utah County, American Fork, or Lehi area and are in need of dental care or have questions about teeth whitening or smile makeovers please give us a call at 801-374-0070.

Most Provo residents brush their teeth (at least we hope so). However, there are many who brush improperly but don’t realize that their dental hygiene practices may be contributing to oral problems. They may pride themselves on their diligence, but frequency does not make up for incorrect methods. One of the most common errors – especially for young Orem dental patients – is quick, aggressive teeth cleaning with a hard bristle toothbrush.

There is a certain logic to this method; when you want to clean smooth surfaces like bathroom tiles, you scrub with a hard brush, right? The problem is that teeth and gums have special characteristics that require finesse. While enamel is durable, the soft tissues in the mouth are not designed for intense scouring.

If you use hard bristles against possible cavity makers, froth at the mouth, speed through those 30 inches of tooth surface, and spit everything out in less than a minute, this post is for you.

Effects of Quick, Hard Brushing:

• Decay from overlooked food particles
• Damage to teeth through abrasion
• Weakened enamel
• Tooth sensitivity
• Gum recession
• Damage to existing dental work
• Tartar build-up

The friendly dental hygienists at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo teach patients the proper way to brush teeth. With a slow, deliberate two minutes twice daily, you can take control of your dental hygiene, improve your oral health, and lessen the risk of future problems.

Smart Brushing Trumps Aggressive Brushing:
Plaque is soft enough to scratch off with a fingernail, so brush accordingly with soft bristles
Angling the toothbrush requires little effort with consistently cleaner results
Proper tooth brushing can prolong that fantastic professional-cleaning feel
Flossing is easier without sore, bleeding gums

If you have already damaged your teeth or gums through aggressive or haphazard brushing, it’s essential to fix those problems and get back on track. Call 801-374-0070 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Chris Hammond of Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry. At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry, we provide individualized treatment for every patient’s dental issues and goals.

Ask us about any of the following services:

• Cosmetic Dentistry
• Dental Implants
• Porcelain Veneers
• Dental Crowns
• Invisalign Clear Braces
• Teeth Whitening

 

 

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 goal of preventative dentistry is to maintain oral health so that no restorative dental work ever becomes needed. In other words, preventing cavities, gum disease, and enamel wear. Dr. Hammond says, “Brushing your teeth and flossing is a good beginning to preventative dentistry. It is also imperative that you get bi-annual exams and dental cleanings. With little ones, dental sealants might be a good option.”

Dental sealants are a thin plastic covering, commonly used on the very back teeth. These teeth are especially susceptible to trapped food particles, and at the same time tend to be the hardest ones to brush. The goal of a sealant is to safeguard a tooth against decay, which is always preferable to filling a cavity.

Despite efforts to keep children’s teeth healthy, many Provo kids develop several cavities during their childhood years. Since the rate of tooth decay ordinarily declines with age, if teeth remain intact during childhood, there is a better chance that these teeth can stay healthy for decades.

Fillings, inlays/onlays and crowns do a great job at saving teeth from extraction, but they don’t last forever. When a 10-year-old gets a cavity in a brand-new permanent tooth, that tooth will probably need periodic attention throughout his life – even if no additional decay develops. Once the enamel has been eaten away by acids, the tooth is forever weakened.

Sealants act as a barrier between food particles, plaque, and the teeth. The good news is that sealants are easy to apply and last for years. After Dr. Hammond applies the sealants, they will be checked with each visit and re-applied as needed. If you are interested in sealants for your child (or yourself), check your dental insurance policy – they may be a covered benefit. Even if not covered by your dental insurance, sealants are a wise investment.

Brushing, flossing, and regular cleanings help ensure that teeth are strong and clean and will last a lifetime. Changing your toothbrush every few months and using a toothpaste with fluoride are also vital components of proper oral care.

Children should be taught how to properly brush while young. However, parents should still supervise brushing and go over the teeth after the child brushes. If your child struggles with flossing, a water irrigation tool may be useful. Floss picks can also be easier to handle than a string of floss. Traditional flossing done correctly, however, is the most effective way to clean between teeth.

Don’t believe that dentures are inevitable for people when they reach their golden years. We have some patients in their seventies with all teeth intact. Call Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry for an appointment. We can help you develop a plan to keep your teeth in top shape. Healthy, white, strong teeth are the foundation for a lifelong, unforgettable smile.

If your teeth and gums are healthy, but you don’t like your smile because of cosmetic issues, call 801-374-0070 to schedule a cosmetic dental consultation. Dr. Hammond offers cosmetic dentistry, along with sedation dentistry and Invisalign. Come learn about revolutionary cosmetic dentistry available 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

 

Today’s Orem dental article is entitled ‘Oral Health For Orem Diabetics.’ Many Orem people with diabetes have dental problems. However, gum disease, tooth loss, and periodontal disease are not unavoidable.

Blood sugar is the complicating factor. Orem diabetics who control their blood sugar have lower rates of dental problems. In fact, many Orem dentists have noticed no increased risk of dental disease among diabetics who maintain healthy blood sugar levels.

When blood sugar levels rise, the amount of sugars and starches increase in your mouth. These substances combine with the bacteria naturally present to create enamel-eroding plaque. Untreated plaque creates cavities.

In addition to cavities, Orem dental patients with diabetes need to be vigilant about gum health. Because diabetes can make it harder to control the growth of bacteria, the amount of plaque in your mouth can multiply quicker. Plaque not only causes cavities, it inflames and weakens gum tissue and eventually the bone surrounding teeth.

Untreated gum disease progresses to periodontitis, a more severe infection. Because Orem diabetics have a lower resistance to infection, it can be difficult to reverse periodontitis in people with diabetes. To make matters even worse, the presence of infection can make it harder to maintain a healthy blood sugar level.

Bottom line? 1: Brush and floss regularly to prevent plaque build-up. 2: See your Orem dentist for twice-yearly cleanings to remove any plaque and tartar that has accumulated under the gumline.

Dr. Hammond of Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry are accepting new patients in the Provo, Utah County American Fork, and Lehi area. We can help diabetic dental patients keep their smile beautiful. If you are in need of cosmetic dentistry because of diabetes-related decay or gum disease, we can restore your beautiful smile with the latest tooth restoration options. Ask us about crowns, dental implants, implant anchored dentures, porcelain veneers, inlays/onlays, and same-day restorations.

Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry is located at 3575 N 100 E in Provo. Call us at 801-374-0070 to schedule a consultation. Thanks for visiting the Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry Provo dentistry blog!

Dr. Hammond
Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry
3575 N 100 E
Provo Utah 84604
801-374-0070

Today’s post focuses on professional dental cleanings. You might wonder if you need a professional dental cleaning if you already practice dental hygiene daily at home.

The answer is that both processes are important because they work in tandem to maintain oral health.

Dr. Chris Hammond encourages patients to practice preventative dentistry by:

Brushing
Flossing
Healthy diet – fruits, vegetables, legumes, and nuts
Regular dental cleanings
Regular checkups

Dental cleanings increase the effectiveness of your daily oral care by removing the plaque and tarter that can accumulate regardless of daily brushing and flossing. In fact, when plaque hardens, it can only be removed with the special tools used by a hygienist.

A hygienist will first use a vibrating ultrasonic tool to dislodge the largest pieces of tartar. This process may tickle a bit. The hygienist will then use tools with finer attachments to remove the smaller pieces of calculus. When all plaque and tartar is gone, polishing is the final step in the cleaning process.

The goal is to make your tooth surfaces as smooth as possible, to inhibit food particles from lodging in little spaces that are difficult to clean. If you are having an exam during the same visit, your technician may take dental x-rays. X-rays can reveal cavities while they are small and can be easily filled.

Let your hygienist know if your teeth are sensitive so he/she can make your cleaning as comfortable as possible. After the cleaning, a fluoride treatment may be given to help strengthen your teeth.

Before your hygienist leaves, you may want to ask if there are areas you can improve. Your hygienist can tell you which tooth surfaces had the most build-up. If the back teeth are presenting a problem, you can speak with Dr. Hammond about sealants.

If you have braces, you may want more frequent dental cleanings because food can easily lodge between the wires.

Call Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry at 801-374-0070 to schedule a professional cleaning today! Your smile will thank you.

Ask us for information about these services:

• Cosmetic Dentistry
• Dental Implants
• Porcelain Veneers
• Dental Crowns
• Invisalign Clear Braces
• Teeth Whitening

 

Contact Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

801-374-0070

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

3575 N 100 E Ste 200
Provo, UT
84604