Dental Checkup – How Often?

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

 

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How Long Will A Dental Crown Last?

cost of dental crowns Orem

Dental crowns from Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Orem are a versatile restoration. A crown adds strength to a tooth that has a large filling or been damaged. A crown is usually necessary after a root canal. In a dental implant procedure, a crown is the final step.

Dental crowns are made from a variety of materials that vary in appearance and strength:

  • All ceramic (porcelain-based)
  • Porcelain fused to metal
  • Gold alloys
  • Base metal alloys

Dental crowns can last for many years, but they are not designed to last indefinitely. A crown can last for about fifteen years. But when they are taken good care of, crowns have been known to last much longer: up to twenty-five, even thirty years.

At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Orem we place a lot of dental crowns. Patients from American Fork and Lehi come to us for crowns and other restorations, such as dental implants. We also offer comprehensive family dentistry, and 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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It Doesn’t Take Long To Beautify Your Smile

dental implants Provo

At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo, we can improve your smile with cosmetic dentistry by restoring cracked or discolored teeth, by straightening them, or even replacing those that are missing.

We all want to have the best possible smiles, but cosmetic dentistry is more than just appearance. Straight teeth are easier to care for, and make for a healthier smile. That may explain why clear braces are so popular. They can straighten your teeth, and are almost undetectable as you wear them.

Also in demand are porcelain veneers. They can transform your appearance and are minimally invasive. A thin layer of tooth enamel is removed before veneers are permanently attached to your teeth. After that, you’ve got a mega-watt smile.

Dental implants are, in many ways, one of the most significant advances in the history of dentistry. Titanium posts inserted in the jaw can support one or more replacement teeth that look and function like the real thing.

At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo, cosmetic dentistry can restore your smile. People from American Fork and Lehi come to our office for these procedures, and for our complete family dentistry. 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

 

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We Love Patient Referrals!

pediatric dentist Provo

At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo, many of our new patients come to us on the recommendation of a current patient.

This is, of course, very flattering. It’s important to any dental practice to get new patients, but when they come to us because a current patient is pleased with our care, it is very satisfying.

We strive for excellence in dentistry and have built a positive track record in the community. When our patients acknowledge this by telling others about their positive experiences here, it goes a long way toward improving our standing.

What do we mean by striving for excellence? Dentistry is at the core of what we do, but excellence is more than that. A positive patient experience begins with their initial contact, whether it’s on the phone with one of our staff members or a visit to our website. We do our best to make scheduling appointments easy. Use our site to find our office, and get useful information about services.

Of course, we work hard to make our office a pleasing environment. Staff members are welcoming and efficient. At every point of contact, you can expect us to meet your needs.

So when our patients recommend us to others, it tells us we’re doing things right. People from American Fork and Lehi come to us at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo for complete family dentistry, and specialties like pocelain veneers. Please call us 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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A Fresh Start After Losing A Tooth

Provo Permanent Tooth Replacement

At least three million Americans have replaced a missing tooth with a dental implant, and that number grows each year. You can restore your smile with a dental implant from Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo.

A dental implant is a titanium post that is placed into your jaw. An artificial tooth goes on top of the post. They blend in with your remaining teeth, and look and function like the real thing. Dental implants are a long-term tooth restoration.

Dental implants also prevent bone recession, which is common in people who have lost teeth. The titanium post goes where the tooth root used to be, and helps strengthen the bone.

Implants can also be used to anchor dentures, providing a much firmer, more secure fit. Many patients report newfound confidence in  themselves, after years of embarrassment caused by missing teeth.

Dental implants are one of the most significant advances in dentistry. To find out more, call Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo. Patients from American Fork, and Lehi come to us for complete family dentistry. Schedule an appointment 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

 

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What If My Child Loses Their Baby Teeth Too Early?

baby teeth fall out early? Provo

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

 

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Gently Now (Protect Your Gums When You Brush)

cosmetic dentistry Provo

Everyone wants nice, pearly white teeth. It makes sense, then, to brush our teeth more often to get them – right? Well, no. As we explain in this post from Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo, brushing too aggressively can result in receding gums.

Gum recession is when your gum line exposes more of your teeth, or in severe cases, your tooth root. It creates a pocket of space between your teeth and gum line.  Decay-causing bacteria can grow and fester in that pocket. This leads to serious issues down the line. Even tooth loss.

Longer or Harder?
A common misconception is the idea that if you want to lighten your teeth, you should scrub them really hard.

The best way to get white teeth is to brush longer, not harder. The key, though, is to use a very light touch. Gently brush your teeth until they’re squeaky clean. Run your tongue over them. Doesn’t that feel great?

Why?
When you brush your teeth too quickly, you may not remove all the food particles. You don’t want this debris turning into plaque.

If you truly want whiter teeth, brush in a slow, circular motion for about five minutes. Methodically go over each tooth surface.

Use a whitening toothpaste with fluoride. That way, you get all the recent gunk off and your teeth get a little bit whiter each time you brush. The fluoride helps your enamel re-harden.

Let’s Review
Brushing too aggressively can lead to gum recession. Gum recession can (and most likely will) cause a space to form between your teeth and gum line. This pocket collects bacteria. Bacteria causes cavities. Plus, if the gums continue to recede, the tooth can become loose.

The best approach is to brush longer, and with a light gentle touch. Don’t forget to floss!

If you’re gums have already begun to recede, don’t despair! It’s a treatable condition. At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo we offer complete family dentistry, and specialties like dental implants. 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

 

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Think You May Have A Cavity?

white dental fillings Provo

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

 

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Dental Implants: What Makes Them Great

dental implants couple with Provo UT dentistThousands of people would agree: dental implants like those available at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo are the next best thing to natural teeth!

There are lots of reasons for this. It’s hard to rank them, but the most important may be that artificial teeth supported by dental implants are nearly as strong as natural teeth. The implants themselves are fused with the jaw bone, meaning they literally become a part of your body. Once the procedure is complete and you’re fully healed, you’ll have the same biting force you used to have.

The replacement teeth supported by implants require the same care as natural teeth. Plaque and other gunk can still build up around them and must be cleaned off. But those replacement teeth will never get cavities. By brushing and flossing like you would with natural teeth, they can last a lifetime.

Dental implants also help to preserve healthy bone. When you lose a tooth the jawbone can actually begin to shink. That’s because of the missing tooth root. When bone recedes, an unfortunate consequence is a shrunken appearance to the face. Remaining teeth can also shift position in the mouth. Implants stimulate the bone, and keep it healthy.

At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo we offer single-tooth dental implants and implant-supported dentures. 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


Is Tooth Decay Contagious?

tooth decay prevention Provo

This message from Hammond Aesthetic and General Dentistry in Provo is about bacteria and cavities. Your mouth has 200-300 types of bacteria, but most of them do not cause tooth decay.

Bacteria that cause decay are in the mutans streptococcus family. They mix with sugar to create a powerful acid. The acid reduces the calcium in tooth enamel. When the bacteria remains on teeth, it produces a yellowish substance called plaque. Plaque is brutally effective at drilling into tooth enamel and causing cavities. Minerals in saliva and fluoride help enamel re-mineralize.

Special Caution for Parents

The tooth decay bacteria can spread through saliva. People in close contact with one another are at risk. Sharing spoons or kissing are two avenues. Mothers, fathers, siblings, and caregivers can give the bacteria to babies.

Young children whose teeth are forming are at a heightened risk. It’s important that moms and dads protect their children from early tooth decay. Start teaching daily oral hygiene as soon as your child’s first tooth erupts. Childhood cavities are so common that some parents believe it’s just part of growing up. It isn’t!

At Hammond Aesthetic and General Dentistry in Provo we strongly recommend daily brushing with fluoridated toothpaste. Don’t forget to floss! 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

 

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