Whitening For 3 Types Of Tooth Stains

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Categories: Beautiful smile, Cosmetic Dentistry, Teeth Whitening

Provo Teeth Bleaching

At Hammond Aesthetic and General Dentistry in Provo, one of our most popular cosmetic dentistry procedures is teeth whitening. Everyone, it seems, would like to have whiter teeth and a brighter smile.

It is important to realize that not everyone responds the same to teeth bleaching. The degree of whiteness attained and the treatment time necessary depends on the type of stains being treated.

  1. Surface or extrinsic stains are surface stains, and the easiest to remove. They are caused by the usual suspects: coffee, tea, wine, cola, smoking and the natural aging process.
  2. Intrinsic stains can be lightened but it may take a bit longer. These stains form from the inside out but are visible through the enamel. They can be caused by trauma, tetracycline antibiotics, infection, or excessive fluoride use in childhood before the enamel is fully formed.
  3. Combination: Some people have both extrinsic and intrinsic staining. As we age, our teeth change, regardless of how well we take care of them. Tooth enamel thins while the dentin underneath fades and yellows. The extrinsic stains are the easiest to lighten, and ongoing treatment with a peroxide-based penetrating whitener can lighten the deeper discoloration.

At Hammond Aesthetic and General Dentistry in Provo, teeth whitening is just one of the cosmetic dentistry procedures we use to improve smiles. Others include porcelain veneers and dental implants. Schedule an appointment to find out what we can do for your smile!

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 4835

4 Reasons To Make Sure Your Child Sees A Dentist

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Categories: Dental Health, Family Dentistry

American Fork family dentistDid you know that The American Dental Association recommends a child’s first visit to a dentist should occur around twelve months of age? For many parents this may come as a surprise. In this post from Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo, we review four reasons why your toddler’s teeth are worth a dental visit.

  1. Twelve months of age happens to be about the time when a child’s first teeth tend erupt. Once those teeth are out, it’s time to get them looked at by a professional.
  2. One of the critical things your dentist will do at this visit will be to clean those young teeth and apply fluoride.
  3. Visiting the dentist at a young age is a great way to help your child get used to the dentist’s office. This will help them to be more at ease with the dentist as they grow older.
  4. Visiting the dentist also helps parents enlist the help of other adults in developing good dental habits in their children. Starting early dental visits will mean that later in life your child is less likely to require braces or other dentistry procedures such as dental implants.

If your child is apprehensive about visiting the dentist, you might want to bring them for a short tour of our office beforehand. They can meet our friendly staff and learn what to expect when they come in for their exam.

At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo we offer child-friendly family dentistry. We also have a full range of cosmetic dentistry procedures to brighten any smile. 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 4848

Great Reasons to Floss Your Teeth

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Categories: Dental Health, Family Dentistry

Three Great Reasons to Floss Your Teeth by Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry

Flossing can be a bit of a chore. It takes extra time, and if you haven’t flossed in a while, it can even be painful. It’s no wonder our team at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo are constantly reminding our patients to ‘brush and floss!’

Flossing your teeth is every bit as important to your dental health as brushing is, but it has a different role. Where brushing removes plaque from the surface of the teeth and along the gum line, flossing gets into the tight spaces between your teeth. It loosens the debris that always gets wedged in, and any plaque building up.

In short, it gets those places that your toothbrush can’t.

Should you floss before brushing, or after? The jury is out on that one. Some research suggests that flossing first can make brushing more effective. The idea is that after flossing, there is less gunk between your teeth. The fluoride in your toothpaste is able to get in there better.

Do whichever you prefer. Just be sure to do it!

We think of flossing as the detail work. Brushing gets most of the work done, but it takes floss to get into those tight places, and leave your mouth as clean as it can be.

At Hammond Aesthetic and General Dentistry in Provo, we want the best possible dental health for all our patients. Services include family dentistry, and specialties like dental implants. 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 7780

Why Visit The Dentist?

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Categories: Dental Health, General Dentistry

Why Visit The Dentist?

At Hammond Aesthetic and General Dentistry in Provo, we say it all the time: see us twice a year for a cleaning and checkup. And happily, most of our patients are really good about making and keeping their appointments twice a year. It’s the best way to stay on top of their dental health.

As important as healthy teeth are, you should know that good dental health is also directly related to your overall health. Poor dental health has been linked to various diseases and conditions, such as heart disease, premature birth and low birth weight, and diabetes.

Furthermore, poor dental health leads to gum disease. With regular brushing and flossing, and twice yearly dental checkups, gum disease is 100 percent preventable.

More Reasons

The above should be enough to get anyone in to the dentist’s office twice a year. But if it isn’t enough, here are three more very good reasons why you should get a cleaning and checkup every six months.

  • Plaque and tartar. Even with brushing and flossing twice a day, plaque can build up on the teeth and gums. Plaque hardens into tartar. Simply put, there are areas in the mouth that your floss and toothbrush just cannot reach. Professional cleanings, however, can.
  • X-rays. By taking dental x-rays and updating them regularly, we can detect problems that a simple visual inspection won’t turn up. The sooner new issues are treated, the better: treatment will be easier, less painful, and less expensive.
  • Oral cancer. It isn’t just smokers who need to be concerned about oral cancer; anyone can get it. Finding it in its earliest stages gives you the best chance for successful treatment and a full recovery. We can check for any symptoms, and if we find them, tell you what you need to do.

As you can see, there are lots of reasons why it’s important to visit Hammond Aesthetic and General Dentistry in Provo twice a year for a cleaning and checkup. We offer family and cosmetic dentistry. 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 7774

Everything You Never Wanted To Know About Saliva

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Categories: Dental Health, General Dentistry

Provo dry mouth relief

In this blog post from Hammond Aesthetic and General Dentistry in Provo, we are going to review the complexity and importance of your saliva.

You may pause, and think yuk. But there’s nothing to be squeamish about. Saliva is a finely balanced body fluid that not only maintains dental health but also aids in the digestion of your food.

So, without further ado, here are the main components of saliva.

  1. Water. No surprise here! Your saliva consists of water, for the most part.
  2. Enzymes. Enzymes are essential biological catalysts that speed chemical reactions. The enzymes in saliva begin the process of digestion.
  3. Immunoproteins. These are powerful cells that fight invaders, such as bacteria. The immunoproteins in saliva curb the overgrowth of microbes in the mouth. This is critical for avoiding gingivitis and keeping the proper pH balance in the mouth.
  4. Minerals. Saliva minerals help with maintaining the protective enamel surface of the teeth.

Most people produce enough saliva, but some suffer from dry mouth, which is a lack of saliva. This can be detrimental to your dental health, so be sure to talk to us if you are experiencing this.

At Hammond Aesthetic and General Dentistry in Provo we want the best possible dental health for each of our patients. Services include family dentistry, and specialties like dental implants. 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 6725

Get On Top Of Your To-Do List by Calling Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry

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Categories: Dental Health, Family Dentistry

porcelain veneers price Orem

Is it time to get your life back in order? Maybe you’ve let certain things slide: things like refilling a prescription, changing your furnace filter, getting your oil changed – or making a dental appointment with Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo.

If you’ve been pushing dental work onto the back burner, maybe it’s time to just get it out of the way and move on to your other tasks.

Taking good care of your teeth and gums is one of the best things you can do for yourself. After all, studies show there is a direct correlation between your dental health and your overall health. Regular cleanings and checkups ensure good overall health.

We recommend having a cleaning and checkup every six months. Does that sound excessive? It isn’t. Here’s just one good reason to see us twice a year: gum disease is 100% preventable, provided it is caught in its early stages. Gum disease happens  to be one of the leading causes of tooth loss in adult Americans.

Maybe you think everything is okay because you brush and floss three times a day. If you do, that’s great! But there are areas where your toothbrush, and even floss, cannot reach adequately. These can only be properly cleaned by a trained dental hygienist.

You get the point. A cleaning and checkup at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo is the best way to maintain your dental health. Our services include family dentistry, and specialties like dental implants and porcelain veneers. 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 6467

What If My Dental Crown Cracks, Comes Loose, or Comes Off?

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Categories: Cosmetic Dentistry, Dental Crowns, Family Dentistry

what to do if dental crown comes off Provo

This article from Hammond Aesthetic and General Dentistry in Provo is about dental crowns.

Quite often, people get upset if their crown moves or comes completely off. This is understandable.

It may have shifted or come off while brushing, flossing, or even simply eating.

If this has happened to you, don’t stress! Here is what to do if your crown comes off.

There are three steps:

1. First things first, find your crown if it has come off entirely. If you think you may have unwittingly swallowed it, it’s not the end of the world. This is fairly common. You will need to have a new one made. Whereas the original may be reattached if you find it in your mouth. As long as it’s not damaged.

2. The second thing you need to do is call us.

Remember these two important things:

  • Even if we didn’t provide the crown service, we can re-attach it for you.
  • If the crown is broken, we can construct a replacement crown in one visit.

3. What if your crown comes off after business hours or on the weekend?

You can glue it back on while waiting for an appointment. This will protect the exposed tooth. Remember, the tooth is not as sturdy as an uncrowned tooth.

To reattach it, we recommend using denture adhesive. You can find some at a drugstore.

Follow the instructions on the adhesive. To make certain it sets, softly bite down on the crown while the adhesive is still wet. Be extra cautious while waiting for your appointment. Eat soft foods so you don’t damage the tooth.

At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo, we provide dental crowns, as well as dental implants and many other services. 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 8154

Are Floss Picks As Good As Regular Dental Floss?

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Categories: Dental Health, Family Dentistry

are floss picks as good as regular floss? Utah County

Here’s a question, followed by commentary, from Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo: Are floss picks as good as regular floss?

While it’s better to use a floss pick than to not floss at all, it’s important to note that floss picks can only clean a part of the tooth’s surface. We recommend using traditional string floss or dental tape. Here’s why:

A floss pick holds just a small piece of floss stretched in a straight line. A straight piece of floss just doesn’t make sense because it can’t wrap around a tooth as well as traditional floss. By wrapping floss completely around a tooth, you clean it more thoroughly and efficiently.

Here is a refresher course on appropriate flossing:

  • Cut a section of floss about 18 inches long and securely wind each end around your middle fingers.
  • Take hold of the floss with your forefinger and thumb leaving about two inches to work with. Thread the floss between two teeth.
  • Hold the floss securely against the side of the tooth and move it up and away from the gumline. You want to clean the space between the tooth and gum without pulling more gum tissue away, so it’s important to scrape up and out of the pocket.
  • Move the floss around the tooth to clean every surface—especially those that your brush can’t reach. You can use a “shoeshine” method if you like. As you use a section of floss, unwind from one hand to access a clean piece. With 18 inches, you should have enough to provide a clean piece for each tooth. If you run out, that’s okay. Just toss the used piece and cut a new piece.
  • Some people find it smoother to start on one end of the upper teeth and clean each gap one by one until they reach the end on the opposite side, and then repeat for the lower arch. Whatever method you decide on, make sure you clean around every tooth, including the back surfaces of the rear molars.
  • If you have never flossed before, your gums might bleed the first few times. The bleeding may be due to gum inflammation, the beginnings of gum disease. Keep flossing gently and the bleeding generally stops within a week or two.

At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo, we want all our patients to enjoy clean teeth and good dental health. Our services include family and cosmetic dentistry, including clear braces from Invisalign. 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 7340

Are You Getting Your Dose Of D?

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Categories: Dental Health, Family Dentistry

pediatric dentist

Most people know that vitamin D is important for healthy teeth and bones, but many of us fail to get adequate amounts. This article from Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Orem is a friendly reminder to our patients – especially expectant mothers – about the importance of vitamin D.

Here is a sampling of vitamin D findings from around the web:

  • Several recent reports demonstrate a significant association between periodontal health and the intake of vitamin D.
  • Researchers who took a second look at a series of clinical trials conducted on 2,000 children in several countries between the 1920s and 1980s determined vitamin D — which we often garner from sunlight — was associated with around a 50 percent reduction in the incidence of tooth decay.
  • Inadequate vitamin D levels in pregnant women may be associated with dental caries in their children during the first year of life.
  • The sun is an excellent source of vitamin D, but it is hard to quantify how much vitamin D you get from time in the sun and the risk of skin cancer may outweigh the benefits. Food first, says Baylor College of Medicine dietitian Keli Hawthorne. “Supplements can fill in the gaps but it is always better to try to meet your nutritional needs with foods that contain fiber, phytonutrients, and so much more.”

At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Orem we want all our patients to enjoy excellent dental health and a beautiful smile. Our wide range of services include dental implants and porcelain veneers. Call for 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 6536

How Long Do Dental Implants Last?

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Categories: Dental Implants

Dental implants for woman in Provo UTWhen they are taken good care of, dental implants from Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo can last for twenty-five years or longer. That’s just one of the reasons why they have become the tooth replacement option of choice.

A dental implant, in case you haven’t heard, is a titanium post that is secured to your jaw bone. One dental implant can support a single artificial tooth. Several implants can support a dental bridge, or even a set of dentures.

Fusing to Bone

Dental implants become replacement tooth roots. What makes them so secure is a process called osseointegration. That means the titanium fuses with the jaw.

Once an artificial tooth, called a crown, is attached to the implant, it looks and functions like a natural tooth. Most patients say their biting and chewing ability is normal. Just as important, of course, is getting your smile back.

Long Lasting

As for their longevity, there are several factors involved. Cleaning a dental implant and crown is just as important as cleaning your natural teeth, and the process is about the same. You’ll need to brush away the filmy plaque that can build up on it, and floss between the implant and the neighboring teeth.

We also recommend that you avoid things like using your implant like a tool. In other words, don’t use it to open things. You should also avoid biting down on hard things like shelled nuts, and pen or pencil tips. Of course, you should never do any of those things with your natural teeth, either.

At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo, we’re happy to report that dental implants have a success rate of about ninety-five percent. If you are missing one or more of your teeth, an implant may be just what you need. We also offer porcelain veneers, and other cosmetic options. 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