Know The Facts About Oral Piercings

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Categories: Dental Health, Family Dentistry

health risks of oral piercings Provo

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

 

ArticleID 7102

These Snacks Are Just As Bad As Candy For Kids’ Teeth

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Categories: Dental Health, Family Dentistry

pediatric dentist Provo

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

 

ArticleID 8168

It’s Not About Vanity

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Categories: Beautiful smile, Cosmetic Dentistry, Dream smile

Lehi cosmetic dental and tooth implants

At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo, we create beautiful smiles with cosmetic dentistry.

Smile enhancement with cosmetic dentistry can have positive changes on your life. The smallest improvement can boost your self-confidence. We have many techniques we can use, depending on the state of your smile: we can correct teeth that are discolored, chipped, mis-shapen, and even replace any  that are missing.

Cosmetic dentistry aims to complement your overall dental health. We do more than recommend specific procedures. We consider the shape, alignment, color and condition of the teeth, and the facial shape and coloring of each patient. There is no one-size-fits-all treatment.

Your teeth take a lot of wear and tear over the years, but wanting to look your best is not about vanity. At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo we use cosmetic dentistry to create your dream smile! Call us today to schedule a consultation.

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 5680

5 Ways To Prevent A Cracked Tooth

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Categories: Beautiful smile, Dental Health, General Dentistry

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Cracked teeth can be painful, unattractive, and costly to repair. In this post from Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo, we offer an easy-to-follow list of tips to keep your teeth whole and strong.

  1. Avoiding a cracked tooth means avoiding chewing on hard things. Mind-blowing, right? People should steer clear of ice, hard candies, hard nuts, popcorn, and beef jerky. Also be careful with pitted fruits—that peach may be soft but if you bite hard into the stone, you could damage a tooth.
  2. It is essential to protect your teeth while engaging in any physical activity where your mouth can be hit. If you enjoy pick-up basketball games, indoor soccer leagues, rec center flag football, and many other activities, you should be using a well-fitting mouth protector.
  3. Don’t use your teeth as a tool. Locate a pair of scissors to open a package or rip the price tag off a new piece of clothing with your teeth. Use a nutcracker for nuts. A quality dental crown can cost hundreds of dollars.
  4. Avoid grinding your teeth. Teeth grinding not only wears teeth down, it can lead to a cracked tooth. If you know or suspect that you are a tooth grinder, talk to us so we can address the problem.
  5. Get regular dental check-ups and cleanings. We can alert you to conditions that might predispose you to cracked teeth, such as having an uneven chewing surface or brittle teeth. We may also discover tiny cracks you aren’t aware of. Repair these cracks early before more damage ensues.

At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo, we want all our patients to enjoy good dental health. We offer custom sports mouthgards that protect teeth, as well as complete family dentistry services. 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

 

ArticleID 7771

Dental Implants: Too Good To Be True?

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Categories: Dental Implants, Dentures

dental implants Provo

Dental implants from Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo can be used to replace one or several teeth, or even anchor a set of dentures. They look and function like natural teeth. Does that sound too good to be true?

You’ve probably heard some dental implant hype.

  • Bite and chew like normal!
  • Implant-supported dentures don’t slip around!
  • Dental implants are superior to dental bridges!

Those are bold claims. However, people with dental implants understand that they aren’t exaggerations.

A dental implant is the strongest natural-looking restoration for a missing tooth. It works and feels like a natural tooth.

Let’s discuss two lesser-known reasons that dental implants are the best tooth restoration option. These issues don’t receive as much attention, but they should.

Why Are Dental Implants Revolutionary?

A dental implant is a titanium post that is inserted into the jaw to replace a missing tooth root. In a months’ time, it fuses with the bone.

The post becomes a stable base for the visible restoration (abutment) above the gumline. An artificial tooth is mounted onto the abutment.

When a tooth is extracted, blood circulation in the bone is decreased because of the missing root. This can lead to bone recession. Dental implants can prevent this from happening.

If you are missing teeth, we invite you to call us at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo can be used to replace to find out about dental implants. They are not too good to be true! We also offer a full range of cosmetic dentistry services. Call 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 8182

Want To Keep Your Enamel Healthy? Avoid Doing These 11 Things

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Categories: Beautiful smile, Dental Health, Family Dentistry

cosmetic dentistry Provo

At Hammond Aesthetic and General Dentistry in Provo, we want all our patients to protect their teeth. Accidents will always happen, of course, but some common-sense rules will go a long way toward protecting your smile!

Avoid the following:

1. Chewing on hard foods

We’re looking at you Bone-in ribs and hard candy.

2. Chewing on hard objects

This includes fingernails, pencils, pen caps, and ice.

3. Grinding your teeth

If you grind your teeth, counsel with your dentist. An appliance can protect your smile.

4. Eating too much sticky food

Gummy candy, dried fruit, and even protein bars can crack teeth.

5. Drinking anything besides water frequently

If your teeth are bathed in soda (sugared or diet), juice, coffee, or sports drinks consistently, you are asking for dental issues.

6. Playing sports without a mouthguard

Sports pose a major risk of tooth damage. Most little ones are required to wear a protective mouthguard on the playing field. But fewer adults wear mouthguards for recreational activities like mountain biking and skiing. Stock types are ready-made and rarely fit well. Custom-fitted mouthguards from your dentist are more comfortable than the cheap boil-and-bite type.

7. Using a hard-bristled toothbrush

A hard-bristled tooth brush can weaken teeth and cause gums to pull away. Remove food bits and plaque with a soft (or extra-soft) toothbrush.

8. Ignoring dry mouth

Saliva is important. Saliva rinses food fragments off of teeth and helps neutralize acids. It also helps clean the teeth of leftover food bits, helping to prevent plaque buildup. Constant dry mouth, or xerostomia, can lead to tooth decay. Talk to your dentist if you have dry mouth frequently.

9. Using teeth as tools

Take a minute to find a pair of scissors before you tear open a package of lunch meat or pry the lid of a medicine bottle. Use a nutcracker if you are eating unshelled nuts. A quality dental crown can cost over eight hundred dollars.

10. Ignoring bad breath

Bad breath is often linked to bacteria build-up in the mouth. It might be a symptom of accelerating tooth decay. Discuss it with us

11. Ignoring jaw pain

If you experience frequent jaw pain or notice a clicking sound, be sure to schedule an appointment with your dentist right away! These symptoms can be signs of a serious condition called temporomandibular disorder or TMD.

Have you already broken or chipped a tooth? We can repair it at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo. Our services include family and cosmetic dentistry. Call to 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

 

ArticleID 8124

How Dental Implants Are Changing Dentures

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Categories: Dental Implants, Dentures

How Dental Implants are Changing Dentures in Provo

If you wear dentures, you know that they are not an ideal solution for missing teeth. They can slip, cause gum irritation, bone loss, and leave you with an inability to taste food due to a covered palate. The good news? Implant-supported dentures from Hammond Aesthetic and General Dentistry in Provo offer a better solution.

If you currently wear traditional dentures and are not happy with them, implant anchored dentures may dramatically change your life. Your chewing ability will be similar to that of natural teeth and you will be able to eat hard foods again.

What makes them such an improvement is in the name, “implant.” A dental implant is a titanium post that is placed into the patient’s jaw. It fuses with the bone to provide a solid support for replacement teeth.

It takes multiple implants, usually four, to support a full dental arch. We use mini-implants. In addition to supporting dentures, they help to prevent bone recession.

To find out more about implant-supported dentures from Hammond Aesthetic and General Dentistry in Provo, and whether they are right for you, please give us a call. The dental health of our patients is always our number one priority. 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 7726

Your Smile Says Keep Trying!

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Categories: Dental Health, Family Dentistry

gentle dentist Provo

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

ArticleID 7475

Just Like Natural Teeth (Naturally Perfect Teeth, That Is!)

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Categories: Beautiful smile, Cosmetic Dentistry, Porcelain Veneers

porcelain veneers Provo

Are there flaws in your smile you would like to fix? A crack here, a chip there? Porcelain veneers from Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo may be just what you need.

Porcelain veneers are custom-fitted, glass-like porcelain shells that are permanently attached to the surface of the teeth that need correcting.

A veneer can beautify a tooth’s color, shape, size, or length. The porcelain closely resembles authentic tooth enamel so you will look like you were born with a perfect smile. Our veneers are practically indistinguishable from natural teeth – naturally perfect teeth, that is.

Porcelain veneers from Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo are among the cosmetic dentistry procedures we use to improve smiles every day. Call now to schedule an appointment!

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 7206

Let That Winning Smile Shine

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Categories: Beautiful smile, Cosmetic Dentistry, Teeth Whitening

white fillings Provo

Everyone wants a winning smile. But as we age, it can get harder and harder to keep yours bright. If you’re grappling with yellowed or discolored teeth, teeth whitening from Hammond Aesthetic and General Dentistry in Provo might be the answer.

Having your teeth whitened professionally can be a huge boost for your self-confidence. You’ll look younger, and find it easier to make a positive impression on other people. This helps to explain why teeth whitening is one of the most in-demand treatments in cosmetic dentistry.

There are lots of whitening products you can pick up at the grocery store. Rest assured, no strips, gels, or toothpastes in the oral care aisle can match the results you’ll get from professional whitening.

We have two options for our patients. Zoom! a light-activated gel that penetrates teeth to remove more than just surface stains. In just a single office visit, your teeth can be whitened by up to ten shades.

The Boost whitening system is a great choice for patients with sensitivity.

Teeth whitening at Hammond Aesthetic and General Dentistry in Provo can restore your brilliant smile, and is just one of our cosmetic dentistry services. Find out more by scheduling 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 6431