Gum Disease And Tooth Loss

treatment for bleeding gums Utah County

Did you know that the most common cause of tooth loss among adults is gum disease? At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo, the good news is that gum disease is easy to treat if it is detected in the early stages.

Regular check-ups are critical, but there are warning signs for gum disease that everyone should be looking for.

  • Gums that bleed often
  • Gums that are tender, swollen, or very red, or gums that have visible pus in between them when they are pushed
  • A bite that changes suddenly so that your teeth don’t seem to fit together correctly
  • Receding gums
  • A bad taste in the mouth or chronic bad breath
  • Loose or separating teeth

Gum disease is usually the result of poor brushing and flossing habits. When you don’t brush and floss on a regular basis, there is a build-up of plaque, which hardens into a substance called tartar. That’s why we recommend our patients brush and floss twice a day. It’s the best way to prevent plaque from building up.

No amount of brushing and flossing will remove tartar from your teeth. It takes a professional cleaning to remove it, which is why we encourage regular checkups.

If you notice the above symptoms, call us at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo right away. People from American Fork and Lehi come to our practice for complete family dentistry, as for their dream smiles! 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

 


Let’s Make A Plan

personalized dental treatment plan Provo

If you’re like most of us, you’d like to have the best smile possible. Have you given much thought to improving yours? At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo we have some thoughts on that. Cosmetic dentistry can make a huge difference, but a great smile comes down to making a plan and sticking to it.

One of the best things you can do for your smile is to brush and floss your teeth every single day. Twice a day is even better! In this way you’ll keep your teeth and gums clean and healthy, and that will shine through every time you smile.

How can cosmetic dentistry help? Cosmetic dentistry is all about using sound dental techniques to make positive changes to your teeth and smile. The most popular techniques include:

  • Teeth whitening. Sure, there are plenty of whitening products available at any grocery store. None of them can match the power of professional whitening.
  • Porcelain veneers. Veneers are thin shells of medical-grade ceramic that we attach to the fronts of your teeth. They’ll cover chips, cracks, gaps, and other imperfections. The difference is startling!
  • Dental Implants. Implants are the ultimate improvement and should be on the plan of anyone missing one or more teeth. One or more titanium posts inserted in your jaw can support a single replacement tooth, a dental bridge, and even dentures.

One last thing to make part of your dental plan: regular checkups at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo. That is a sure-fire way to maintain excellent dental health. People from American Fork and Lehi come to our practice for family and cosmetic dentistry, and a whole lot more. 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

 

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A Ginormous Cavity?

Provo Cosmetic Dentistry

When we repair a decayed or damaged tooth at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo, the procedure we use depends on the location of the problem.

If there is a chip, crack, or tooth decay on the biting surface of a tooth, an inlay or onlay is often created to restore it.

Inlays and onlays are usually bigger than a conventional filling, yet smaller than a complete crown. An inlay is used to fill an area inside the cusp tips or bumps of a tooth. An onlay covers an area that includes more than one cusp.

Our inlays and onlays:

  • Are stain resistant
  • Do not result in tooth sensitivity
  • Are beautifully matched to natural teeth
  • Strengthen the tooth and safeguard against further decay or degeneration

At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo, we use a variety of procedures to repair teeth and restore smiles. People from American Fork and Lehi come to our practice for family and cosmetic dentistry, and a full range of other services. Call our office 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

 

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Reinvent Yourself With A Smile Makeover

Lehi smile makeover

A cosmetic dentistry smile makeover from Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo brings with it many benefits: from improved appearance and self-confidence to improved dental health. There are a lot of different procedures to choose from.

While the most obvious benefit of a smile makeover is a beautiful new smile, we never overlook the dental health aspects. Available procedures can improve the functioning of your teeth and bite, and since your teeth will probably be easier to care for, you’ll have healthier teeth and gums.

Cosmetic dentistry procedures include:

  • Bonding
  • Porcelain veneers
  • Crowns (also known as caps)
  • Orthodontics
  • Whitening
  • Teeth reshaping
  • Dental implants

Some of these procedures, like bonding and veneers, restore teeth that are cracked and broken. Crowns can strengthen teeth that are worn or damaged. Orthodontics and reshaping can improve speaking and chewing ability. All of them make your smile look great!

At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo, a cosmetic dentistry smile makeover may be just the answer for your dental needs. People from American Fork and Lehi also come to us for family dentistry services. Call our office 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

 

ArticleID 6892

Go Back In Time

cosmetic dental and implants Orem

So you’ve lost some teeth and hesitate to smile because of the gaps. If only you could go back in time and regain that full-toothed smile you once had. Guess what? With dental implants from Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo, you can!

For most patients, a dental implant is the ideal replacement for a missing tooth, because it replaces both the root and crown. They feel so authentic that some people forget they’re there!

A dental implant is a titanium post inserted into the jaw, where it fuses with the bone. A supporting device (called an abutment) and crown connect to the post.

While a single implant can support one artificial tooth, multiple implants can support a set of dentures.

Dental implants are available here at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo. Patients from American Fork and Lehi also come to our office for complete family dentistry services. 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

 

ArticleID 7301

What Does Your Saliva Reveal?

dentist Provo

Saliva is an important part of good oral health. Without an adequate flow, you’d find it very difficult to chew and swallow. If you have a problem with dry mouth, let us know at Hammond Aesthetic & General Denteistry in Provo.

Saliva is produced by several glands in and around the mouth, and it is mostly water. No surprise there! Aside from chewing and keeping your mouth moist, saliva fights germs in your mouth and helps prevent bad breath.

Sometimes people have a reduced flow of saliva, a condition known as xerostomia (pronounced zero-STO-me-uh). It’s a common side effect of certain medications, and can lead to discomfort and swelling.

Many commonly-used medications can cause dry mouth, including:

  • Antihistamines
  • Appetite suppressants
  • Certain blood pressure medicine
  • Antidepressants
  • Certain pain medication

Dry mouth can also contribute to tooth decay and gum disease, so if these symptoms sound familiar to you, let us know.

At Hammond Aesthetic & General Denteistry in Provo, we keep a close watch on the oral health of our patients. People from American Fork and Lehi come to us for family dentistry, and for their dream smiles! Call us to schedule your next 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

 

ArticleID 6797

Bleeding Gums After Your 6-Month Cleaning?

bleeding gums American Fork

Regular check-ups and cleanings at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo are essential for good dental health. But in some people their gums tend to bleed after a thorough cleaning, causing them concern.

Is this a problem? Well, it depends. If your gums bleed for a couple days after your dental cleaning, don’t worry about it. But, if the bleeding and tenderness last longer, you really need to return to our office to check for the possibility of gum disease.

Gum disease arises when plaque builds up along the gum line. You might also see bad breath, painful chewing, and loose teeth.

It is a progressive condition and a leading cause of tooth loss in adults. It is also treatable, but as with most conditions, the earlier it is diagnosed and the treatment begins, the better.

At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo we want all our patients to enjoy excellent dental health. Patients from throughout American Fork and Lehi come to our practice for 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

 

ArticleID 5448

Health Habits To Keep You Smiling

habits to keep teeth healthy Provo

In this post from Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo, we focus on behaviors that influence dental health. Of course, regular brushing and flossing are two important habits for healthy teeth, but there are many more things we can do to keep a healthy smile.

Diet Do’s

  • Do eat a nutritious diet with a variety of foods. This is needed for overall physical health and a strong immune system.
  • Do consume calcium-rich dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt to neutralize acids that are detrimental to enamel.

Diet Don’ts

  • Don’t eat sugary foods. Sugar triggers the production of detrimental cavity-causing acids that weaken enamel and lead to cavities.
  • Don’t snack throughout the day. This accelerates plaque production and subjects the teeth to continual contact with acids.
  • Don’t chew on ice (it really can crack teeth.)
  • Don’t drink energy drinks. They have many substances that are bad for teeth.

Other Important Tips

  • Don’t use your teeth as tools. It is better to cut that knotted shoelace than to gnaw at it to try to untangle it.
  • Don’t get piercings in or around your mouth.
  • Don’t ignore tooth pain or sensitivity.
  • If you have children, ask us about water fluoridation. If your municipal water supply is not fluoridated, you may want to give your little ones fluoride supplements.
  • Don’t use a medium or hard bristle toothbrush. It can damage gums.

At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo, we encourage all of our patients to maintain a lifestyle that promotes dental health as well as overall physical health. Patients from American Fork and Lehi come to our practice for family and cosmetic dentistry. 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

 

ArticleID 8164

Does Whitening Toothpaste Work?

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Are yellowing teeth getting you down? If so, you are not alone! Everyone, it seems, would like to have whiter teeth and a better smile. Teeth whitening at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo may be just what what you need.

Of course, there are plenty of over-the-counter products you might want to try. Any grocery store will have plenty of options in the dental care aisle: every major brand of toothpaste, it seems, offers a whitening version.

Whitening toothpastes work by adding chemical agents that can gently polish and whiten teeth. They do a fairly good job, and the abrasives in them are no harder on tooth enamel than ordinary toothpastes. However, these products can only remove stains that are on the surface. This generally results in whitening by roughly one shade.

Professional whitening, on the other hand, can whiten your teeth up to eight shades. We have two options: Glo in-office whitening, and the Boost take-home version. Both are safe and effective. The in-office version can whiten your smile in just one visit!

Professional teeth whitening at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo is just one of our cosmetic dentistry options. People from American Fork and Lehi come to our practice to improve their smiles! Call our office 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

 

ArticleID 6623

Crowning Achievements In Dentistry

dental crowns Orem

This post from Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo looks at one of the miracles of modern dentistry: the dental restoration.

Let’s pretend you are a biomedical engineer working in the field of dentistry before the conception of dental restorations. The men and women of your generation who have missing or damaged teeth want to repair or replace them with a man-made substitute. You have been hired to find or create a material that can be used to fabricate fillings, crowns, and dental bridges.

Consider the physical and chemical requirements of this incredible material. It must tolerate forces of 162 pounds per square inch (PSI), hundreds of times a day–day after day, year after year. It must be resistant to cracking and chipping. But there’s a catch regarding its stability; it must not weaken the enamel on opposing teeth. This material must also maintain its size and shape and be resistant to shrinking.

It must be bondable to living tooth structure as well as other materials needed for specific appliances. It must be biocompatible with the soft tissues in the mouth as well as tooth enamel, dentin, and bone. It can’t generate allergic reactions in the wearers. It must be corrosion-resistant to the chemicals in saliva, foods, and beverages. It must resist infection regardless of ever-present bacteria in the mouth. And it can’t contain toxic chemicals that could be absorbed into the bloodstream.

And we haven’t even touched on the artistic properties yet. Ideally, this incredible material would look exactly like real-life teeth in color, opacity, and translucence.

Of course, we know that such a substance exists because dental restorations have been around for a long time. Nowadays, there are several materials used alone or in combination including porcelain, ceramic, and metals such as gold and silver amalgam. Though the metals are very strong and malleable, they don’t meet some patient’s esthetic requirements and are used mainly for back teeth.

Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo offers complete family dentistry services. People from American Fork and Lehi also come to us to create their dream smiles. 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

 

ArticleID 7320