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Good dental health means having healthy teeth and gums. Maintaining it is something that you have to work at every day. It can be a real balancing act: using the right oral care products, your personal oral care habits, and seeing us at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo UT twice a year.

Your dental health strategy should include:

• Daily Brushing and Flossing: You should brush and floss twice a day. Just before bedtime is especially important, because it cleans out the germs and plaque that build up during the course of the day.
• Proper Brushing: It’s important not only to brush, but to brush properly. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush in a gentle, circular motion along the gum line. Take your time; a minimum of two minutes is recommended. Don’t forget to brush your tongue!
• Using Fluoridated Toothpaste: There are dozens of choices when it comes to toothpaste. Whether you prefer mint flavored or bubble gum, fluoride is the most important consideration. It is your best defense against cavities.
• Limiting Sugary and Acidic Foods: Acidic fruits, teas, and coffee contributes to enamel erosion. Sugar converts into acid when it’s in your mouth. You don’t have to avoid these foods entirely, but choose carefully and minimize.
• Seeing the Dentist Twice a Year: Your daily dental health care habits are essential, but so is the attention and care of a dentist. A professional teeth cleaning alone is worth the trip, but we can also identify issues before they become serious, and treat them.

At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo UT we are humbled that people from American Fork and Lehi trust us with their smiles. Our services include general and cosmetic dentistry. Contact 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

In this message from Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo UT we discuss something about cavities you might not know. You may have heard that once tooth enamel is eroded, it’s gone forever. This is not entirely true. In the earliest stage of enamel erosion, a cavity can be reversed.

There are five main stages to cavities. Our team has listed them below to keep you informed.

Stage 1: Attack of the Little White Spots
Reversible: Yes

The tooth begins to show signs of damage. White spots appear. They are under the surface of the enamel, but you can see them from the outside. Demineralization will result in these spots. When they occur in children’s molars, it can be easy for parents to miss them. That’s why daily dental hygiene and regular dental exams are crucial. At this stage, it’s possible to halt a cavity before it needs a filling. Dental hygiene can stop the erosion. Fluoride can remineralize the enamel.

Stage 2: Enamel Decay
Reversible: No, but the tooth can probably be saved

Did you know that tooth decay begins under the surface of the enamel? The visible enamel is intact for the first part of Stage 2. Then the hole busts through the surface.

Stage 3: Going Deeper Into the Dentin
Reversible: No, but if you act fast, the tooth might not need a root canal.

The decay breaks down the enamel and hits the soft dentin layer that lies below. This is an advanced cavity. The good news? The decay hasn’t yet reached the pulp. It will, however, start to cause pain.

Stage 4: The Decay Hits the Pulp
Reversible: No. Must be treated with a root canal.

Hopefully, no patient will ever suffer this stage. It is very painful. The infection has reached the pulp where the nerves are located. Unfortunately, a root canal is the only treatment option. Unless, of course, the tooth is extracted.

Stage 5: Abscess Distress
Reversible: No, and it can be life-threatening.

The decay and infection have traveled through the pulp and out the end. In the final stage, the infection drills through the tip, after which it reaches the tissue and bone, surrounding the tooth root. The area swells up and it’s exceptionally painful. It’s also hazardous for anyone’s health. This is a serious infection that can spread to other parts of the body. Abscesses originating in a tooth can be fatal.

Protect yourself and your loved ones from tooth decay so you all have a healthy smile for life. Patients from throughout American Fork and Lehi come to Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo UT for general and cosmetic dentistry. Contact 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

It’s no secret that many dread going to the dentist. Whether they associate dental visits with shame, pain, or financial drain, they avoid it at all costs. At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo UT, we encourage all our patients to see their dentist regularly. This way, you can prevent more uncomfortable dental procedures, like fillings and root canals.

Though it sounds backwards, the truth is that you protect against dental pain by seeing your dentist regularly–even if you hate dental visits!

If you have naturally healthy teeth, you may not realize your amazing good fortune. After all, you can eat whatever you want. You aren’t self-conscious about stained, chipped, or missing teeth. Tooth pain doesn’t interrupt your sleep.

Lucky individuals with great teeth may do fine with limited dental treatment in their twenties and thirties. What we’ve observed, though, is that, eventually, avoiding exams and cleanings catches up with you.

This is especially true for individuals with dental risk factors. These include smoking, recreational drug use, severe alcohol consumption, inadequate oral hygiene, teeth grinding, poor eating habits or crooked teeth.

Notice that some of these things are a conscious choice, and others, like crooked teeth or teeth grinding, may be unavoidable. Regardless, most people who forego dental exams and cleanings eventually experience oral problems.

The first thing that may come to your mind is cavities. While this is an issue for some middle-aged people, it’s actually not the most frequent dental condition. Gum disease earns the dubious honor as the top cause of tooth loss in U.S. adults.

If you have neglected your oral care needs, we invite you to make an appointment at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo UT. We specialize in general dentistry and oral care. Patients from American Fork and Lehi also come to us for dental implants. Contact 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

Tooth decay is one of the most common health problems there is. Are you doing everything you can to prevent it? In this post from Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo UT we have some practical ideas that can help.

Avoid Refined Sugar

This one is probably obvious, but avoiding sugar should be your number one strategy to prevent cavities. Sugar and starch forms plaque, that sticky film that can coat the teeth. The acids in plaque start the process that forms cavities.

Xylitol

Xylitol is a type of sugar alcohol that occurs naturally in some plants. It is not the same kind of alcohol that makes people drunk, so it’s okay for anyone who is avoiding that type of alcohol. It is popular as a sweetener and can actually be good for dental health.

Brushing

Daily brushing and flossing is still your best bet for preventing cavities. It cleans off the plaque that leads to cavities, and also helps to prevent gum disease.

Along with brushing, regular checkups at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo UT help you maintain good dental health. People from American Fork and Lehi come to our practice for general and cosmetic dentistry. Contact 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