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Provo Pediatric Dentistry

Posted on December 7, 2012December 4, 2012

Your Provo child’s dental health is essential to overall health and vitality. At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry, our Provo family dentistry team loves working with you and your child to ensure a healthy smile for life. Why? The health of your Provo child’s teeth and gums can affect their speech development, eating habits and self-esteem.

Provo family dental care is critical, and that is why we recommend bringing your child in for a first exam before age one, or when their first tooth erupts. During the initial visit, we can discuss Provo dental treatments such as sealants, fluoride treatments, brushing and flossing techniques and orthodontics.

Provo children’s dentists also counsel parents about thumb-sucking, pacifier use and other habits that affect your child’s pediatric dental health. We can also help you keep your child’s teeth protected during sporting activities. Call us immediately at 801-374-0070 if your child has a dental emergency or tooth injury.

Our caring staff will make your child feel comfortable during their Provo dental visit.

In additional to offering experienced Provo family dentistry, we are also a full-service cosmetic dentistry practice. We offer advice and care on porcelain veneers, dental implants, teeth whitening, tooth bonding, and restorative dentistry.

We hope to be your Provo children’s dentist consultant.

Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry
801-374-0070

Orem Guide To Plaque, Calculus, And Cavities

Posted on November 30, 2012September 28, 2013

Hi. We’re Dr. Hammond. Welcome to our Orem dental blog! We find that many of our patients in the Orem area get a couple of general dentistry terms mixed up. Today, I would like to clarify the differences between plaque, calculus, and cavities.

Plaque is a film that covers teeth – a sticky layer of bacteria. You can remove plaque through daily brushing and flossing. However, if it isn’t removed it can build up and harden into calculus.

Calculus, also known as tartar, is hardened plaque that also accumulates minerals from food and saliva. Regular check-ups and cleanings with your Orem dentist are necessary to remove tartar as well as hard-to-reach plaque.

Plaque and calculus are not cavities, but they can lead to cavities. A cavity is basically a hole in the tooth caused by decay. Because plaque and calculus contain bacteria, the bacteria release acids which accelerate tooth decay and eventually lead to more cavities.

A good rule of thumb for Orem family dentistry patients is this: Avoid plaque to avoid calculus and tartar to avoid tooth decay to avoid cavities. Got it?

I hope you’ve found this helpful, and if you’re in the Orem area and are in need of quality dental care, call our office at 801-374-0070 to schedule an appointment today.

Our friendly and professional staff would love to answer any questions you have about our services, including cosmetic dentistry, teeth whitening, and veneers.

Dr. Hammond
Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry
3575 N 100 E, Ste 200
Provo, Utah
801-374-0070
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Dental Sealants – Another Tool For Cavity Prevention In Orem

Posted on November 23, 2012November 19, 2012

Dental patients in the Orem area know that regular brushing and flossing are essential for optimal oral health. However, the bristles of your toothbrush can’t reach into every small groove and depression in your teeth, especially the really bumpy back teeth. That’s where sealants can be invaluable.

Dental sealants are a plastic material that is applied by your Orem dentist. This material is a resin that bonds to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, mainly in the pits and fissures. The plastic acts as a shield against acids and plaque so that the tooth enamel is protected.

Many Orem residents might think that sealants are only for children and teenagers, but they can actually be beneficial for adults as well. If you are wondering if sealants are right for you, speak with your Orem family dentistry professional. This simple dental procedure can dramatically improve your oral health by protecting the surfaces that are particularly vulnerable to decay.

Many dental insurance providers include dental sealants as a covered benefit, so check with your provider if you are considering them. If you don’t have dental insurance, ask us about financing options. Because they can prevent cavities, dental sealants can save you money in the long run.

We’re Dr. Hammond, Provo dentists and we want to thank you for visiting our dental blog. At our office we serve the Orem area by offering:

cosmetic dentistry
sedation dentistry
porcelain veneers
Invisalign clear braces
general dentistry

If you have any questions about these or other cosmetic dental procedures or would like to schedule an appointment, call us today at 801-374-0070. Our friendly and professional staff would be happy to assist you.

Dr. Hammond
Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry
3575 N 100 E, Ste 200
Provo Utah
801-374-0070

Orem Dental News: Regular Cleanings And Heart Health

Posted on November 2, 2012November 1, 2012

Visiting Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry near Orem for regular general dentistry check-ups and cleanings every six months can seem inconvenient and unnecessary at times, but you may benefit in ways you never imagined.

A recent study showed that people who had their teeth professionally cleaned at least once every two years were 24 percent less likely to have a heart attack, compared to those who skipped appointments.

While the study could simply confirm that those Orem people who dutifully schedule regular dental services and cleanings also practice healthy habits like exercising and eating right, there is additional evidence of a relationship between oral health and heart health.

Common problems like inflammation with gum disease are linked to hardening of the arteries and other tissue inflammations which can lead to heart attacks and strokes.

Former American Heart Association President Ralph Sacco, MD, (who did not participate in the study mentioned previously) said:

‘Something as simple as having good dental hygiene – brushing, flossing, and having regular cleanings – may be good for your heart and brain health.’

While the study found that patients who schedule cleanings yearly reap the most health benefits, Dr. Hammond of Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry recommends coming in for check-ups and cleanings every six months to catch potential problems early, saving Orem family dentistry patients time and money. Regular dental cleanings also brighten and whiten teeth, making your smile look its best.

To schedule a deep cleaning with our friendly and professional dental hygienist at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry, call 801-374-0070 today!

Dr. Hammond
Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry
3575 N 100 E, Ste 200
Provo, Utah 84604
801-374-0070
https://www.cosmeticdentistryutahcounty.com

Protecting Your Provo Athlete’s Teeth

Posted on October 26, 2012October 24, 2012

Do you have a son or daughter that plays Provo youth sports? Soccer, baseball, football, basketball and gymnastics can be very dangerous to your child’s teeth. Football is a violent contact sport, yet there is a relatively low rate of tooth injuries that occur in football as compared to other contact sports. Why? Football players are required to wear a mouth guard and a helmet.

Inexpensive athletic dental mouth guards are worth their weight in gold!

If your child participates in a contact sport in Provo and does not currently wear a tooth protection device, you may want to purchase an appropriately-sized mouth guard. They are available at most Provo area athletic supply stores.

At Hammond Aesthetic and General Dentistry in Provo, we care about your child’s health and safety. To discuss your child’s dental condition or to learn more about sports-related tooth injury prevention, call us at 801-374-0070. We have been keeping Provo smiles healthy since 1996. Our child-friendly staff pampers our youngest Provo family dentistry patients. Let us show you why we are not an ordinary Provo dental practice.

cosmetic dentistry
porcelain veneers
laser dentistry
sedation dentistry

Helping Your Smile Last a Lifetime

Energy Drink Warning For Orem

Posted on October 12, 2012October 9, 2012

Hello. We’re Dr. Hammond.

Welcome to our Orem general dentistry blog. Today’s topic is energy drinks and the damage they can cause to your teeth. We are seeing more and more Orem teens and adults with tooth enamel erosion caused by frequent consumption of sport drinks.

Most of these Orem family dentistry patients take good care of their teeth, brush and flush, and come into Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry for a twice-yearly exam and deep cleaning. But guess what? If you drink energy drinks regularly, your enamel can erode even if you practice immaculate oral hygiene.

Energy drinks like Red Bull, Rock Star, and Monster are a cocktail of powerful acids and other enamel-eroding substances. Most of them contain citric acid, fruit juices, loads of sugar, and a potent chemical that gives them their bright fluorescent color.

Perhaps, like myself, you have often noticed young people walking out of Orem convenience stores swigging 32-ounce energy drinks. I am concerned that Orem teens do not understand the serious dental consequences of frequent acid baths.

The following is from ABC Sports:

“Sports drinks are increasingly damaging the teeth of professional and recreational athletes, one of Australia’s top sports dentists has warned. Dr. Brett Dorney says he has witnessed a huge increase in dental erosion since the Sidney Olympics, when he was the event’s deputy director of dental services.”

Here is an excerpt from a recent CNN Story:

“Researchers at the University of Iowa’s College of Dentistry found the energy drinks and sports drinks eroded the enamel more than soda and fruit juices.”

We need to add the caveat that soda and fruit juices also contain acids that can damage teeth.

If your teeth have enamel erosion, whatever the cause, we can restore your smile with advanced cosmetic dentistry. Crowns, porcelain veneers, inlays and onlays can correct both structural and cosmetic problems.

Our phone number is 801-374-0070. If you are interested in re-designing your smile, come in for an exam and consultation. With cutting-edge cosmetic dentistry, we can repair acid-damaged teeth and dramatically increase your face value.

Healthy Teeth and Your Orem Diet

Posted on July 6, 2012October 30, 2015

Maintaining healthy teeth is an important concern for our local Orem residents. As your cosmetic dentist, it’s our job to help you understand how to care for your teeth and to keep them healthy. Everyone in the Orem knows that maintaining healthy teeth requires regular daily brushing and flossing. Regular visits to your local Orem family dentistry practice is also necessary to keep watch for cavities and to help you maintain proper dental hygiene. We often forget that maintaining a healthy diet can also be beneficial for the health of your teeth.

A Orem diet that includes foods that help your muscles and bones will also help you develop healthy gums and healthy teeth. Examples of local Orem foods to include in your diet include foods rich in vitamin B such as breads and cereals. Foods rich in vitamin C, usually fruits and vegetables, help improve the health of your gums. Zinc and magnesium are also good for the health of your teeth and are found in foods like lean beef, fish, and poultry.

All foods increase the production of saliva. Saliva is important to healthy teeth because it helps to maintain the pH balance in your mouth. Maintaining this balance helps keep your teeth and gums healthy. Foods high in fiber also encourage saliva production as does the chewing of sugar-free gum. Gum, however, can damage unhealthy teeth or pull out dental fillings, so always use caution when deciding whether to chew gum and which brand to chew.

Just as certain diet choices in the Orem area can be beneficial to the health of your teeth, others can be detrimental. Foods and drinks that are high in sugars are more likely to form the acids that attack your teeth and result in decay. And while table sugar is often associated with the formation of cavities, other sugars such as glucose, fructose, and maltose are also causes, and are often found in juices and sodas. Limiting the consumption of sugars to mealtimes lessens the amount of time your healthy teeth are exposed.

Making good diet choices and limiting between meal sugar consumption can improve the health of your teeth and gums.

If you would like to learn how to better care for your healthy teeth in the Orem area, contact Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry at 801-374-0070. We would love to hear from you. If you’ve been putting off visiting the dentist because of dental fear, ask us about sedation dentistry.

-Dr. Chris Hammond

Toothbrush Wars in Orem

Posted on June 22, 2012

It may surprise you to know that some Orem people have very strong opinions about which type of toothbrush is the best: manual or electric. Is there really one that is clearly better? Most Orem cosmetic dentists will tell you that all toothbrushes, when used correctly, are effective in removing plaque and that choosing which kind you like is really up to you.

Today in the Orem family dentistry blog we want to give you some extra information about toothbrushes to help you decide which kind is right for you or your child.

Cost and convenience should be considered. Some Orem people argue that even though electric toothbrushes cost more, you’ll save on dental bills. However, there are no definitive studies to back up this claim.

Manual toothbrushes are easy to find, whereas not all drugstores in the Orem area carry all types of electric toothbrushes. This can be difficult when buying replacement heads. People who travel may find that a smaller, manual toothbrush is easier to pack (and you don’t have to remember batteries).

The pressure you put on your gums with either type of toothbrush is important. Some Orem residents say that it’s difficult to know how much pressure they use with electric toothbrushes, while others say that because of the quick electrical movements, they tend to be more gentle on their gums than when they use manual brushes. You may want to try them both to see what your brushing style is and discuss it with your Orem cosmetic dentist.

Special consideration should be taken for people with arthritis. Most area dentists advise their elderly and arthritic patients to use electric toothbrushes when their manual dexterity is diminished. As for children, once they are old enough, an electric toothbrush may be preferable, but safety should always be the first concern for parents. Also, all dentists in Orem and the surrounding areas will remind you to look for the ADA seal on any dental product you buy.

Whichever type of toothbrush you choose, make sure you get soft bristles and replace it every three to four months.

We’re Drs. Hammond and we want to thank you for visiting our Orem dental blog.

If you are looking for dental care, tooth whitening, or cosmetic dentistry in or around Orem, give us a call at 801-374-0070.

Looking For A Dentist In Provo

Posted on June 8, 2012

Looking for a general dentistry practice in Provo is sometimes a simple matter of word of mouth. The most common way for people to find a dentist in a new area such as Provo is to ask a friend or neighbor. ‘Who is your dentist?’ is a common question. The answer is usually followed up with an explanation about whether or not your friend likes their dentist or not, and whether they would recommend their Provo dentist to a friend.

We are Drs. Hammond, and we are cosmetic dentists serving the Provo community. Our practice is called ‘Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry’, and we welcome new patients from Provo and the surrounding areas.

If you are new to the Provo area and are looking for a cosmetic dentist, please come by our state of the art dental office. We will be happy to spend some time with you to get to know you, and to introduce you to our friendly and professional office staff.

We realize that most of our new patients will come to us by word-of-mouth referrals and our patient testimonials. It is our goal to deliver such a positive dental experience that you will be compelled to tell your friends about how happy you are with our family dentistry service.

We look forward to meeting you.

-Drs. Hammond, DMD

801-374-0070

The Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry Guide To Dry Mouth

Posted on March 23, 2012

Many folks in our Utah County community experience dry mouth occasionally. Some develop dry mouth in social situations or when they are under a lot of stress. Sporadic or infrequent dry mouth is usually not a problem. Constant dry mouth, or xerostomia, is not only irritating, it can lead to severe health problems.

Utah County people should not take their saliva for granted. Your saliva plays a very important role in maintaining your health. One of its roles is to help digest your food. The moment food enters your mouth, saliva starts breaking it down so your body can metabolize it. If you don’t produce enough saliva to perform this task your body may not be getting important nutrients needed to stay healthy.

Saliva also functions as a disinfectant by cleansing the mouth of leftover food, bacteria, and fungi. This helps prevent tooth decay and infections. Many Utah County dental services patients don’t realize that many of the foods we eat are very acidic and our saliva helps counteract those acids in our mouths.

We are Drs. Hammond and we, along with our staff at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry, have been treating xerostomia since 1996. We recommend cutting back on caffeine in such drinks as cola, coffee, and tea. Not only do these beverages stain and discolor your teeth, the caffeine can contribute to dry mouth. We also recommend drinking water throughout the day to make sure you are adequately hydrated.

Tobacco and alcohol can also contribute to dry mouth. Consult your Utah County physician if you are taking medication that is causing your dry mouth.

Dry mouth is not a natural part of aging, so call Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry today and schedule an appointment if your dry mouth is getting worse as you grow older: 801-374-0070.

Looking for a gentle family dentistry professional who focuses on preventative dentistry or a skilled cosmetic dentist adept at smile design? We invite you to come visit our practice at 3575 N 100 E, Ste 200, Provo, UT. Our team of dental professionals at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry make sure you have a pleasant experience whether you visit us for a cleaning and exam or complete cosmetic dental makeover.

Our dental menu includes teeth whitening, dental crowns and bridges, veneers, clear braces, inlays/onlays, cosmetic dental bonding, and sedation dentistry.

A beautiful smile starts with healthy teeth.

Drs. Hammond
Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry
3575 N 100 E, Ste 200
Provo, Utah
801-374-0070
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