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“Brush Up On Your Cavity Basics, Orem”

Posted on December 21, 2012December 21, 2012

Residents of Orem use the word ‘cavity’ often when discussing dental 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 are so conscious of their teeth, and we feel that having a greater 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 Orem family dentist today for an appointment.

If you are in the market for quality dental care in the Orem area, give Dr. Hammond a call. We have been treating cosmetic and family dentistry 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!

Orem Guide To Plaque, Calculus, And Cavities

Posted on November 30, 2012September 28, 2013

Hi. We’re Dr. Hammond. Welcome to our Orem dental blog! We find that many of our patients in the Orem area get a couple of general dentistry terms mixed up. Today, I would like to clarify the differences between plaque, calculus, and cavities.

Plaque is a film that covers teeth – a sticky layer of bacteria. You can remove plaque through daily brushing and flossing. However, if it isn’t removed it can build up and harden into calculus.

Calculus, also known as tartar, is hardened plaque that also accumulates minerals from food and saliva. Regular check-ups and cleanings with your Orem dentist are necessary to remove tartar as well as hard-to-reach plaque.

Plaque and calculus are not cavities, but they can lead to cavities. A cavity is basically a hole in the tooth caused by decay. Because plaque and calculus contain bacteria, the bacteria release acids which accelerate tooth decay and eventually lead to more cavities.

A good rule of thumb for Orem family dentistry patients is this: Avoid plaque to avoid calculus and tartar to avoid tooth decay to avoid cavities. Got it?

I hope you’ve found this helpful, and if you’re in the Orem area and are in need of quality dental care, call our office at 801-374-0070 to schedule an appointment today.

Our friendly and professional staff would love to answer any questions you have about our services, including cosmetic dentistry, teeth whitening, and veneers.

Dr. Hammond
Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry
3575 N 100 E, Ste 200
Provo, Utah
801-374-0070
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Dental Sealants – Another Tool For Cavity Prevention In Orem

Posted on November 23, 2012November 19, 2012

Dental patients in the Orem area know that regular brushing and flossing are essential for optimal oral health. However, the bristles of your toothbrush can’t reach into every small groove and depression in your teeth, especially the really bumpy back teeth. That’s where sealants can be invaluable.

Dental sealants are a plastic material that is applied by your Orem dentist. This material is a resin that bonds to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, mainly in the pits and fissures. The plastic acts as a shield against acids and plaque so that the tooth enamel is protected.

Many Orem residents might think that sealants are only for children and teenagers, but they can actually be beneficial for adults as well. If you are wondering if sealants are right for you, speak with your Orem family dentistry professional. This simple dental procedure can dramatically improve your oral health by protecting the surfaces that are particularly vulnerable to decay.

Many dental insurance providers include dental sealants as a covered benefit, so check with your provider if you are considering them. If you don’t have dental insurance, ask us about financing options. Because they can prevent cavities, dental sealants can save you money in the long run.

We’re Dr. Hammond, Provo dentists and we want to thank you for visiting our dental blog. At our office we serve the Orem area by offering:

cosmetic dentistry
sedation dentistry
porcelain veneers
Invisalign clear braces
general dentistry

If you have any questions about these or other cosmetic dental procedures or would like to schedule an appointment, call us today at 801-374-0070. Our friendly and professional staff would be happy to assist you.

Dr. Hammond
Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry
3575 N 100 E, Ste 200
Provo Utah
801-374-0070

Has Your Smile Lost Its Luster?

Posted on November 16, 2012November 17, 2012

Hello Utah County! Has your smile lost its luster? Are your teeth discolored? If flashing a pearly white smile is important to you we can help. Our names are Dr. Hammond and we have been creating whiter, brighter smiles for patients in the Provo area since 1996 at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry.

Whether your teeth have been stained through sipping dark-colored drinks such as red wine or coffee or if smoking has left your teeth brown and dull, we and our staff at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry can whiten your teeth and intensify your smile.

Maybe you have injured your tooth in some way causing it to turn gray. We offer several solutions to restore the color to your tooth. When you come in for a consultation we will determine which cosmetic dental procedure is best for your teeth.

Your smile the first thing people notice, I will make sure your smile is brilliant and absolutely unforgettable!

At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry, we not only offer tooth whitening to our Utah County patients, we also specialize in cosmetic dentistry.

If you or your family need porcelain veneers or sedation dentistry we invite you to come in for a dental consultation. We are located at 3575 N 100 E, Ste 200 in Provo, Utah.

Invest in a white, bright smile! Call Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo today at 801-374-0070 or visit https://www.cosmeticdentistryutahcounty.com.

Thanks for visiting our cosmetic dental blog – Dr. Chris Hammond

Orem Dental News: Regular Cleanings And Heart Health

Posted on November 2, 2012November 1, 2012

Visiting Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry near Orem for regular general dentistry check-ups and cleanings every six months can seem inconvenient and unnecessary at times, but you may benefit in ways you never imagined.

A recent study showed that people who had their teeth professionally cleaned at least once every two years were 24 percent less likely to have a heart attack, compared to those who skipped appointments.

While the study could simply confirm that those Orem people who dutifully schedule regular dental services and cleanings also practice healthy habits like exercising and eating right, there is additional evidence of a relationship between oral health and heart health.

Common problems like inflammation with gum disease are linked to hardening of the arteries and other tissue inflammations which can lead to heart attacks and strokes.

Former American Heart Association President Ralph Sacco, MD, (who did not participate in the study mentioned previously) said:

‘Something as simple as having good dental hygiene – brushing, flossing, and having regular cleanings – may be good for your heart and brain health.’

While the study found that patients who schedule cleanings yearly reap the most health benefits, Dr. Hammond of Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry recommends coming in for check-ups and cleanings every six months to catch potential problems early, saving Orem family dentistry patients time and money. Regular dental cleanings also brighten and whiten teeth, making your smile look its best.

To schedule a deep cleaning with our friendly and professional dental hygienist at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry, call 801-374-0070 today!

Dr. Hammond
Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry
3575 N 100 E, Ste 200
Provo, Utah 84604
801-374-0070
https://www.cosmeticdentistryutahcounty.com

Hammond Aesthetic & Family Dentistry Tooth Tips For Traveling

Posted on October 19, 2012October 17, 2012

If you live in the Utah County area and are planning to take a vacation or business trip soon, I recommend you coordinate your dental care with your travel schedule. It’s always a good idea to have a checkup at your Utah County general dentistry practice prior to leaving on long vacations, especially if your trip is taking you to developing areas without good dental care options. This quick checkup will help you be sure that your mouth is ready to travel.

More importantly, if you have any dental procedures scheduled before you leave, discuss it with your Utah County dentist. A large number of dental procedures are actually surgical procedures. This means that your body will need more time to heal than you may realize.

Also, if you’re leaving the Utah County area by plane, you should be aware that changes in the cabin pressure of the airplane may cause tooth pain or discomfort for patients who have just had oral surgery. In addition, make sure you are aware of any necessary follow-up appointments with your Utah County area dentist or orthodontist before you schedule a vacation.

We’re Dr. Hammond and we want Utah County residents to be informed about their dental care. Our practice offers:

cosmetic dentistry
sedation dentistry
porcelain veneers
Invisalign clear braces
general dentistry

If you are looking for general dental care or quality cosmetic dentistry in the Utah County area, please call us today and let our friendly and professional staff take care of you.

Dr. Hammond
Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry
3575 N 100 E, Ste 200
Provo, Utah
801-374-0070
https://www.cosmeticdentistryutahcounty.com

Energy Drink Warning For Orem

Posted on October 12, 2012October 9, 2012

Hello. We’re Dr. Hammond.

Welcome to our Orem general dentistry blog. Today’s topic is energy drinks and the damage they can cause to your teeth. We are seeing more and more Orem teens and adults with tooth enamel erosion caused by frequent consumption of sport drinks.

Most of these Orem family dentistry patients take good care of their teeth, brush and flush, and come into Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry for a twice-yearly exam and deep cleaning. But guess what? If you drink energy drinks regularly, your enamel can erode even if you practice immaculate oral hygiene.

Energy drinks like Red Bull, Rock Star, and Monster are a cocktail of powerful acids and other enamel-eroding substances. Most of them contain citric acid, fruit juices, loads of sugar, and a potent chemical that gives them their bright fluorescent color.

Perhaps, like myself, you have often noticed young people walking out of Orem convenience stores swigging 32-ounce energy drinks. I am concerned that Orem teens do not understand the serious dental consequences of frequent acid baths.

The following is from ABC Sports:

“Sports drinks are increasingly damaging the teeth of professional and recreational athletes, one of Australia’s top sports dentists has warned. Dr. Brett Dorney says he has witnessed a huge increase in dental erosion since the Sidney Olympics, when he was the event’s deputy director of dental services.”

Here is an excerpt from a recent CNN Story:

“Researchers at the University of Iowa’s College of Dentistry found the energy drinks and sports drinks eroded the enamel more than soda and fruit juices.”

We need to add the caveat that soda and fruit juices also contain acids that can damage teeth.

If your teeth have enamel erosion, whatever the cause, we can restore your smile with advanced cosmetic dentistry. Crowns, porcelain veneers, inlays and onlays can correct both structural and cosmetic problems.

Our phone number is 801-374-0070. If you are interested in re-designing your smile, come in for an exam and consultation. With cutting-edge cosmetic dentistry, we can repair acid-damaged teeth and dramatically increase your face value.

Modern Dentistry With No Oxen Hooves In Provo

Posted on September 7, 2012September 4, 2012

Hi, our names are Dr. Hammond and here at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry, we have been providing excellent general dentistry care for the people of the Provo area since 1996.

One of the most crucial elements of good oral health is daily tooth brushing with an effective toothpaste. There is a wide variety of toothpastes available. I recommend you use one with fluoride and make sure it has the ADA seal. This ensures that the toothpaste has been tested, claims are being met, and the ingredients are correct.

Just because a toothpaste claims to have a ‘teeth whitening‘ agent doesn’t mean it has fluoride.

Toothpaste as we know it has only been in existence since the late 1800s. Fluoride was added in 1914. The earliest evidence of toothpaste or dental cream dates back to 3000-5000 BC. The Ancient Egyptians pulverized oxen hooves, egg shells, pumice, myrrh, and water creating one of the earliest forms of toothpaste.

The Greeks and Romans began adding crushed bones and bark to the mix. The taste most likely was hard to take. During this same time the people of China and India were using a similar paste, but adding flavorings, like ginseng and herbal mints making it a bit more palatable.

Provo toothpaste users have no excuse for not brushing their teeth daily with the toothpaste we have available today. If you do your part, we at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry can provide cosmetic dentistry, porcelain veneers, family dentistry, and sedation dentistry.

The experienced staff at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry want to help make all Provo area smiles whiter and brighter. Contact us today so we can answer any questions you may have about Provo tooth whitening, invisible braces, or cosmetic dentistry.

Why Aren’t You Smiling?

Posted on July 20, 2012

Hello, We’re Drs. Hammond DMD. Our dental practice is called Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry. We are located at 3575 N 100 E, Ste 200, Provo UT 84604, and you can reach us by calling 801-374-0070.

You can probably imagine why we look at smiles everywhere we go in the Provo area. Whether we are working with a Provo general dentistry patient, having dinner at a local restaurant, or attending an area sporting event, we notice whether the people around us smile. Whenever we encounter someone with obvious tooth problems, we want to tell them about the procedures that can completely transform their frown into a healthy and beautiful smile.

Are you one of those people who don’t want to show their teeth? We would love to talk to you about a smile makeover. Whatever your excuse is for not seeking dental treatment, we can discuss all of your concerns with you during a free consultation.

Perhaps you are afraid of dental work. Have you ever considered oral conscious sedation? With sedation dentistry, even extensive treatment is virtually pain free. Sedation will calm your mind as well as the nerves in your mouth.

Perhaps the cost of Provo cosmetic dentistry is holding you back. Our friendly and professional staff will be happy to talk to you about financing plans. It is important to remember that if your teeth are decayed, postponing treatment will cost more money in the long run. Filling a cavity is far more affordable dentistry than a root canal procedure or, in the case of an extracted tooth, a dental implant.

You can contact our office at 801-374-0070 or online at https://www.cosmeticdentistryutahcounty.com. Our Provo family dental website contains information about all the general, restorative and aesthetic services we provide.

We can transform your smile into one that you will want to show all the time!

Dr. Chris Hammond

All Tooth Stains Are Not Created Equal

Posted on July 13, 2012

Will any of our locally advertised Provo teeth whitening options remove the stains from your teeth?

The effectiveness of teeth bleaching in Provo depends partly on the types of stains.

Extrinsic tooth stains are the easiest to remove. These surface stains have not yet penetrated through the enamel into the dentin. Extrinsic stains are caused by dark-colored foods and beverages like blueberries, carrots, coffee, red wine, and cola. And nicotine is no better for your smile than it is for your lungs.

Unfortunately, even if you avoid these common teeth stainers, your teeth will become discolored over time. Like gray hair, wrinkles, and memory lapses, a dull smile is an inevitable part of aging for Provo retirees.

Intrinsic tooth stains develop from the inside out. Tooth injury and tetracycline are the usual culprits. Intrinsic stains are more difficult to remove completely, but it is possible to lighten them with professional tooth whitening available at your Provo cosmetic dental office.

If your teeth are stained, whether from coffee, tetracycline, or excessive fluoride, call Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry at 801-374-0070. We have treated many Provo general dentistry clients with extreme tooth discoloration.

It is never too late or too early to brighten your smile.

Provo seniors can take years off their appearance by restoring the youthful white smile they once enjoyed. Provo teens and young adults with surface stains can prevent them from becoming intrinsic stains with tooth whitening.

Speaking of the younger set, did you know that people who drink energy drinks are at risk for many dental problems?

Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry is the cosmetic dental specialist in Provo. Discover why hundreds of families trust us with their smiles.

Call us at 801-374-0070.

General Dentistry