Dental Health

10 Terrific Tooth Tips From Hammond Aesthetic & Family Dentistry

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Categories: Dental Crowns

10 Terrific Tooth Tips From Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry

1. If you have kids and your municipal water supply does not have the recommended level of fluoride, talk to your pediatrician about fluoride supplements. Fluoride strengthens both the teeth you can see and the ones still forming in the jaw.
2. Set a timer when you brush to make sure you spend at least two minutes thoroughly (but gently!) cleaning all surfaces. Don’t forget your tongue – it provides a cozy home for bacteria to flourish.
3. Floss before you brush so that tooth bristles can better reach between teeth.
4. If you can’t brush after a meal, chew some sugarless gum with xylitol. Xylitol may curb the growth of bacteria on your teeth to reduce plaque formation.
5. Eat carbohydrates with meals instead of alone as snacks. More saliva is generated while eating a meal and this can lessen the effects of carbs sitting on your teeth.
6. An oral fluoride rinse used right before bedtime adds an extra measure of decay deterrence. Fluoride rinses (not traditional mouthwash) work best when swished over teeth for at least thirty seconds after flossing and brushing. After spitting it out, don’t rinse with water. Let the residue protect and strengthen your enamel all night long. This is especially important for kids – just make sure they don’t swallow it.
7. If you have diabetes, it is important to understand that unhealthy blood sugar levels can increase your risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Your dentist can help you maintain oral health in spite of your condition. If you have already experienced dental complications related to diabetes, schedule a consultation with Dr. Hammond.
8. Beware of the dental risks of chronic dry mouth (xerostomia). Continual saliva production is essential for keeping the mouth lubricated, washing the food from tooth surfaces, and neutralizing the acid caused by plaque. Decongestants, blood pressure medications, antidepressants, and painkillers are some of the medications that can cause dry mouth. Dr. Hammond can help you protect your teeth if you live with this unpleasant condition.
9. Wearing a mouthguard when you participate in sports can prevent tooth injury. Many Provo dentists offer custom mouthguards that fit perfectly.
10. If you are looking for an excellent dentist in the Provo area, we invite you to schedule an appointment with Drs. Dr. Hammond at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry. At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry, we provide gentle, quality care for children and adults. Talk to us about preventative, restorative, cosmetic, or children’s dentistry. We look forward to serving you.

Dr. Hammond
Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry
3575 N 100 E
Provo, Utah 84604
801-374-0070
https://www.cosmeticdentistryutahcounty.com/about-us/

Dental Sealants

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Categories: Family Dentistry

Orem Cosmetic Dentistry Dental sealants are a thin coat of clear resin that is applied to the biting surfaces of teeth, usually the rear molars. The back teeth are more prone to cavities because is difficult to reach them with a tooth brush and the surfaces contain pits and grooves that easily trap bacteria. It is hard for many adults to clean their back molars and almost impossible for our young Provo, Orem, and Utah County children.

Dental sealants fill in the pits and grooves on the rear molars to create a smooth surface. Orem family dentists most often recommend sealants for children’s permanent back teeth, though sometimes they are used for adults, too.

Provo parents may not realize how quickly a cavity can form in a young child’s mouth. Many Provo area kids that we see develop cavities even before they start kindergarten! It is vital that our local parents start regular dental visits early. The American Dental Association advises that a child’s initial dental exam take place soon after the first tooth erupts, but no later than the toddler’s first birthday.

Dental sealants protect teeth that have no decay (primary prevention) and also prevent further decay progression in teeth that show very early signs of disease (secondary prevention).

At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry, we take special care of our pediatric dental clients. We want each child’s dental visits to be pleasant and painless so they will never develop a fear of the dentist. We advise parents on the specific dental issues associated with each stage of childhood. Ask us about fluoride, sports mouthguards, and orthodontic treatment.

We are Dr. Hammond of Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry. We don’t believe that childhood cavities are unavoidable. Call our office at 801-374-0070 to schedule a dental exam.

We provide comprehensive restorative and cosmetic dentistry for Orem people of all ages. Our office is located at 3575 N 100 E in Provo. You can learn more about our practice at https://www.cosmeticdentistryutahcounty.com/about-us/

 

Healthy Baby Teeth For Orem Toddlers

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Categories: Family Dentistry

Though we don’t often think about it, Orem children as young as 9 or 10 months of age can be infected with cavity producing bacteria, which causes cavities and tooth decay. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that almost 20% of children 2-5 have untreated cavities, and the percentage rises in children over 6. 1

Tooth decay, if left undetected or untreated in Orem toddlers and children can result in altered eating habits, delayed speech development, and create an unhealthy environment for permanent tooth development. Healthy baby teeth lead to healthier permanent teeth later in life.

Utah County mothers who practice preventive dental and oral care during prenatal and postnatal periods can better protect their children from cavities. Orem parents and care providers should not prop a bottle for their baby in a crib or car seat, avoiding nighttime bottle or breast feeding, and clean their child’s teeth with a cloth or soft baby toothbrush as soon as they erupt. It is also recommended that Orem parents check regularly for chalky white or brown spots which could indicate the beginning of decay.2

Utah County cosmetic dentists and pediatric dentists advise taking your child to his first dental appointment six months after the first tooth appears, or around his first birthday to begin discussing fluoride prescriptions and other preventive care issues.

To set up your toddler’s first dental check-up at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo call 801-374-0070 today! Our caring staff will be happy to answer all of your questions.

1 ‘ Untreated Dental Caries in Children,’ CDC.gov, February 9, 2011,http://www.cdc.gov/Features/dsUntreatedCavitiesKids/, accessed on Feb 6, 2012
2 ‘Cavities in Kids: The Truth,’ Medicine Net.com, July 7, 2004, http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=12465, accessed on Feb 6, 2012

Raise Your Dental IQ In Utah County

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Categories: Dental Health, Family Dentistry

Raise Your Dental IQ With Orem Family Dentistry

There are many simple things that the average Utah County area resident can do to raise their Dental IQ and improve their oral health. One simple lesson involves bacteria, and everyone’s mouth has a lot of it.

But, don’t worry, bacteria per se isn’t the problem. Dental problems occur for Provo patients when the balance of bacteria becomes unhealthy. This is where brushing and flushing might come into play. Another precaution you can take to guard against the wrong kind of bacteria is to keep your toothbrush as far away from the toilet as possible, and close the lid of the toilet before you flush.

Make sure to wash your hands before you brush and floss. No exceptions!

When it comes to a good toothbrush, don’t get sentimental. The American Dental Association recommends replacing your toothbrush every three to four months. If you can avoid the unhealthy balance of bacteria in your mouth, you can avoid gum disease, tooth decay, as well as bad breath.

If you can avoid decay, it’s less likely that you will need more extensive dental work such as Orem dental implants and crowns.

We’re Dr. Hammond and we are passionate about helping our patients have healthy mouths and beautiful smiles. If you would like to know more about a custom smile makeover in the Provo area, give us a call at 801-374-0070 and a member of our caring staff will answer any questions you have and schedule a consultation at your convenience.

Call today!

Dr. Hammond
Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry
3575 N 100 E
Provo, Utah
 801-374-0070
https://www.cosmeticdentistryutahcounty.com/about-us/

Provo Dentistry

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Categories: General Dentistry

Educating Provo Dental Patients About Little-Known Risks Hi, we are Dr. Chris Hammond, DMD. Most every day, we can be found at our Orem area dental office treating dental patients with tooth and gum problems or helping patients prevent them. There are many common medical conditions that pose a risk to oral health.

1) Provo diabetes patients with high blood glucose often have a higher risk of dental issues. If you have diabetes, let’s talk. My number is 801-615-2809.

2) A persistent dry mouth due to an inadequate amount of saliva can accelerate tooth decay, cause or contribute to gum disease, and trigger chronic bad breath. Many medications used by thousands of Provo and Orem folks, including those for high-blood pressure and depression, cause dry mouth. This side effect is not only unpleasant, it is dangerous. Anti-depressants (especially SSRI’s) and anti-psychotic drugs can also trigger tooth-grinding (bruxism).

3) Acid reflux in children and adults is associated with a host of dental problems such as decay and periodontal disease.

I help many Utah County dental patients prevent problems associated with medical conditions that sometimes seem unrelated to dental health. Regular professional general dentistry care is essential for oral health, and an important part of your overall physical health.

https://www.cosmeticdentistryutahcounty.com