Family Dentistry

When is the last time you had a dental checkup? At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo, we recommend you have one every six months. If you have a higher risk for oral diseases, we recommend every four months.

Know The Risk Factors For Oral Problems

Most people are in a medium-to-low risk category for dental problems. However, if you use tobacco or alcohol, eat a lot of sugar, don’t brush and floss twice a day, or experience medical conditions that affect your mouth, you are likely in a higher risk category.

Dentists analyze many factors to determine the status of your oral health. We want you to have the healthiest teeth possible so you can enjoy a beautiful smile for life. The philosophy ‘”Ignore it and it will go away,” does not apply to a dental health problem!

At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo, we believe that a healthy mouth is a happy one. People from American Fork and Lehi come to us for family and cosmetic dentistry, and much more. Call our office to schedule your next cleaning and checkup 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

Baby teeth are imporant. Your child needs them to eat and to speak, of course, but they play an important role in the permanent teeth that come in as your youngster grows up. At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo, our job includes helping kids’ baby teeth stay healthy.

When pre-teens lose their baby teeth too long before their permanent teeth are ready to come in, it can influence tooth spacing. We may recommend an artificial space maintainer to keep the remaining baby teeth in place. This ensures that there will be adequate space for the permanent teeth to come in.

When Is It ‘Too Early’ Or ‘Too Late’ For Baby Teeth To Fall Out?

Most youngsters begin losing their baby teeth around age 6. If your child’s baby teeth starting falling out before they are 4 1/2, let us know so we can perform an exam.

If your child hasn’t lost a tooth by 7 or 8 years old, it may also indicate a problem. Hopefully, you are already maintaining a twice-yearly dental visit schedule for your child. If not, we recommend that you start. Your child’s current and future health is at risk.

At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo, we have a welcoming office with family-friendly dentistry for kids. We also create beautiful smiles with cosmetic dentistry. Patients from American Fork, and Lehi come to us for all their dental needs. 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

To maintain good dental health, your teeth need a lot of good ol’-fashioned TLC. But even when we do our best, bacteria can sneak in and cause tooth decay. At Hammond Aesthetic and General Dentistry in Provo, we would be happy to help with your dental issues.

Few of us go through life without getting a cavity. They’re the common cold of dental health!

Cavities are caused when bacteria, acid, food debris, and saliva combine to form plaque. Plaque clings to your teeth, and the acid in it starts to dissolve the enamel. The result is a hole in your tooth.

You can go a long way toward preventing cavities by brushing and flossing your teeth twice a day. That removes that filmy plaque to promote healthy teeth and gums.

It’s also wise to see us at Hammond Aesthetic and General Dentistry in Provo twice a year for a cleaning and checkup. Our services include family 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

Body piercings are a common form of self-expression. This post from Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo is for anyone who has an oral piercing or is considering one.

Our brief summary? Bad idea. Unfortunately, these piercings and the jewelry they accommodate can lead to serious issues with not only your teeth and mouth, but your entire body. Oral piercings can bring about tooth damage and decay, gum disease, bone recession, compromised immune system function and even death, though that is rare.

In general, any oral piercing opens you up to an range of potential infections and complications. The mouth is full of germs, and introducing foreign objects permanently is not natural for your body’s health.

A tongue piercing can lead to unnatural chewing patterns that may, in turn, lead to swallowing problems. Metal jewelry also can easily come in contact with your teeth, leading to cracks, chips, or other damage. Your teeth are built to last a lifetime. Damage compromises their durability and shortens their lifespan.

Complications with some piercings develop by the introduction of hepatitis and herpes simplex viruses, and even more complications have occurred with bacteria entering the bloodstream and eventually lodging in the heart valve. In rare cases, such infections are fatal.

At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo we encourage patients with oral piercings to remove their jewelry. If you plan to keep yours, be sure to have regular check-ups. Our services include family and restorative 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

Most parents know that candy is damaging for teeth. The sugar in candy creates the acids in the mouth that cause tooth decay. That’s something we remind parents of frequently, at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo.

Because sugar is bad for teeth (and overall physical health), many moms and dads choose what appear to be healthier snacks. Unfortunately, many are nearly as bad for teeth as candy is.

These snacks include:

Dried fruit

Nutrition-wise, a dried apricot is a far better option than a candy bar. The problem is that dried fruits stick to teeth, which poses the same  risk as candy.

Sports and Energy Drinks

Sports drinks are popular with kids, especially as they get involved in sports. When you buy them be sure to inspect the labels. Some have as much sugar as soda.

Soy, Almond, or Rice Milk

Parents whose child can’t tolerate lactose turn to non-dairy milk substitutes. Most brands come in both a sweetened and non-sweetened version. Sweetened types contain a substantial amount of sugar.

Granola Bars

Some brands of granola bars a loaded with sugar. Once again, read the labels before you buy them!

Yogurt

Kids need calcium, and yogurt is a great source. Many brands have a high sugar content. Some parents keep the fridge stocked with hand-held yogurt packets. Kids who eat these throughout the day are subjecting their teeth to a continual stream of sugar.

Sweetened Applesauce

Some manufacturers pack this healthy snack with sugar. Look for a brand without added sugar.

Tooth decay is a serious problem, and the more you read labels and minimize sugar consumption in your kids, the better off they’ll be. (You, too!) At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo our services include 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

This message from Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo is for anyone who is having a hard time improving their dental health. We urge you to keep trying, and assure you that we’re eager to help!

Keep Trying To Floss

Many people are really good about brushing their teeth, but usually skip flossing. This is a bad idea. Flossing is the only way to clean food debris and plaque from between teeth.

Failure to floss can lead to cavities, and even gum disease. Our recommendation? Brush twice a day, and floss before going to bed at night.

Keep Trying to Overcome Dental Anxiety

Skipping dental checkups due to anxiety, or even phobia, can have long-term, irreversible consequences. But millions of Americans cope with this condition, and their solution is doing just that: skipping the dentist.

For those whose instinct is to avoid the dentist at all costs: give sedation dentistry a try. We offer oral conscious sedation, which involves a prescribed sedatitve before your appointment. You’ll be completely relaxed during your dental work, but you’ll need somone to drive you to and from the appointment.

Keep Trying to Quit Tobacco

Smoking is as bad for your teeth and gums as it is for other parts of your body. If you’ve tried to quit but just can’t, you’re far from alone. Keep trying!

According to the Centers for Disease Control, former smokers now outnumber active smokers. Everyone who has kicked the habit was once right where you are. Keep trying!

Remember, the link between your dental health and overall health is well-established. At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo, our comprehensive services include family and cosmetic dentistry. Please call our office to schedule a cleaning and checkup 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

Have you replaced your toothbrush lately? You don’t have to answer that. At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo, we recommend replacing your toothbrush every three months.

Too many people wait too long to get a new toothbrush, which can be bad for their dental health. It’s one of the reasons why most dentists hand out free ones at every checkup.

Of course, you don’t need to mark your calendar or set up an alert on your smartphone. How often you replace your toothbrush depends on how often you use it. We recommend, strongly, that you brush at least twice a day. If you’re brushing twice a day, picking up a new toothbrush at the store every three months is recommended.

Why So Often?

A toothbrush can become familiar, like a comfy pair of shoes. Sometimes the idea of tossing out the old one and replacing it isn’t very appealing. But after three months, the bristles are getting bent and frayed. There may be some gunk – dried toothpaste foam – starting to build up, too. Yuk. So toss that old brush, and get a fresh one!

What kind of brush should you be using? There are so many choices. The most important thing is to choose a brush with soft bristles. They are gentle on the gums, but still effective in brushing away plaque.

Manual or Electric?

Should you use a manual toothbrush, or go electric? This boils down to personal preference. Provided you use them correctly, both do a good job cleaning your teeth. A manual toothbrush may take a little longer, and requires you to be sure to brush up and down and in little circles. But they’re a lot cheaper! At the end of the day, though, the choice is yours.

Electric toothbrushes are a tremendous benefit to those with issues like arthritis. There are two basic types: a regular electric toothbrush, and a sonic toothbrush. A sonic toothbrush is essentially a super-charged electric brush. They can give you up to thirty thousand brush strokes per minute!

To recap: for good dental health, the important thing is to change your toothbrush every three months. At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo, we offer family dentistry, and specialties like dental implants. 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