Aug 7, 2017 | Blog, Blackstone Dental Central Falls RI Dentist
Most of us know we should visit our general dentist every six months for exams and cleanings to ensure optimal oral health, but it seems we find many reasons to avoid those visits. Busy schedules or fear of dental treatments often mean people skip critical routine oral care.
However, there are several reasons why you should make regular appointments with your general dentist a priority.
First, routine cleanings by your general dentist will give you a brighter, healthier smile. While brushing and flossing at home are important, it is impossible to remove all of the plaque that accumulates over time. Left untreated, plaque causes decay that leads to cavities and gum disease. Professional cleanings by your general dentist removes plaque and stains, leaving your breath fresher and your smile whiter.
Second, regular examinations allow your dentist to identify potential problems before they become severe. Cavities and gum disease caught early are much simpler to treat, preventing the need for procedures like root canal therapy, crowns, or even tooth extractions. Seeing your general dentist routinely will keep these types of problems in check, and save you from more complex and invasive procedures later.
Finally and most importantly, regular checkups with your general dentist can have a direct impact on your overall health. Poor oral health affects your entire body. A decayed tooth can cause a bacterial infection that spreads to other areas of your body. A general dentist checks your mouth for signs of disease, decay, and even certain cancers.
Stop making excuses and find a qualified general dentist with hours and an office location that is convenient to you. Consult with the staff about your dental fears and learn what types of services are offered to make your visit less stressful. If you value both your beautiful smile and your excellent health, be sure to keep regular visits to the dentist on your calendar.
Aug 14, 2017 | Blog, Blackstone Dental Central Falls RI Dentist
You may already realize that dental implants make your smile look better by replacing missing teeth, but did you know that they also improve your oral health? Implants restore your mouth’s function, allowing you to eat, speak, as well as look better. Your overall health even benefits because you are able to chew food better to aid in digestion. There’s really no downside when it comes to dental implants for most patients.
It doesn’t really matter why you have a hole in your smile. Missing teeth can result from injury, decay, root canal failure, gum disease, or genetics. That gap in your mouth can be filled with a dental implant, which is a titanium post inserted surgically into your jaw bone. The abutment is later connected to a dental crown, giving you the function and appearance of a natural tooth.
To find out if a dental implant is right for you, a consultation with a qualified and experienced dentist is in order. If your bone condition, gum tissues, and overall health are sufficient, you’ll be able to receive the implant. The process takes a little time because after the implant is placed, you must wait for the area to heal before the crown can be placed. However, then you’ll be able to enjoy your implant just like it was your real tooth all along!
Implants offer a number of advantages to patients:
- Durability – they can last forever with good oral hygiene
- Convenience – a few trips to the dentist allows you to restore your missing tooth for good
- Confidence – this comfortable restoration takes away the embarrassment of having a hole in your smile
- Oral health – no adjacent teeth are altered and your real teeth will no longer move into the empty spot
If you are missing one or multiple teeth in your smile, it’s time to visit your dentist to learn if dental implants can help. You can join countless others who enjoy a high success rate and brand new smile with implants.
May 14, 2017 | Blog, Blackstone Dental Central Falls RI Dentist
Proper dental care is vitally important for every member of your family. Children should begin visiting a dentist as soon as their first tooth erupts, which in most cases is by their first birthday. Your family dentist is trained to take care of both adult and pediatric dental needs. An experienced family dentist can offer a wide array of dental care services to the children in your family.
A family dentist can perform routine pediatric oral exams and twice yearly professional cleanings, as well as other preventative care such as treatment with fluoride and protective sealants. In the unfortunate case your child should suffer trauma to a tooth, your family dentist is available to treat a loose, broken, or knocked-out tooth. Your dentist can diagnose and treat gum disease, tooth decay and cavities as well as identify and treat misaligned or crooked teeth and jaw or bite problems.
Your family dental practice may also offer a variety of kid-friendly amenities to make visits to the dentist less stressful. Game rooms, televisions with kid videos, and treasure box treats are just a few of the things that might be available to help your child feel at ease.
As your child ages, there will be no need to switch dentists because your family dentist can treat your child from infancy to adulthood. Having the same dentist for your entire family makes life easier when it comes time to schedule routine examinations. Often you can schedule several family members at the same time. Your family dentist will be familiar with your entire family’s dental history, which is a major benefit of taking everyone to the same dentist.
When the time comes to choose a dentist for your children, you can feel confident your family dentist will provide a lifetime of excellent dental care
May 7, 2017 | Blog, Blackstone Dental Central Falls RI Dentist
Dental implant surgery has an outstanding success rate, but like any surgical procedure there can be complications after surgery or even complete failure of the implant.
Some of the factors that can cause concern or complications after the placement of dental implants include:
- Bacteria at the implant site that causes infection. When the site is not cared for properly after surgery, peri-implantitis may occur and cause bone loss and implant failure.
- Implants that are placed too close to the nerve can cause nerve damage that results in pain, numbness or tingling in the mouth, teeth and gums.
- Improperly placed implants may cause inflammation or infection of the sinus cavities.
- Poorly placed implants, implants that are exposed to trauma, damage to surrounding tissues or insufficient bone density can keep the jawbone from fully fusing to the implant.
- Rare but occasional allergic reactions to the small amounts of titanium alloy present in some dental implants may occur.
Most of the complications associated with dental implants can be avoided when placed by a qualified dental professional and then followed with vigilant care. After implant surgery, you should contact your dentist or oral surgeon immediately if you experience any problems. The sooner you catch potential trouble, the easier it will be for your dental professional to take corrective action before the implant is in serious trouble.
To ensure your procedure falls in the 95% of successful implant placements, make sure to identify an experienced dentist or oral surgeon to manage your treatment. With excellent planning and care, you can have a complication-free dental implant procedure and enjoy the restored function and beauty of your smile.
Apr 7, 2017 | Blackstone Dental Central Falls RI Dentist
When your appearance gets you down because you are embarrassed about flaws in your smile, dental veneers can turn your life around. The process is simple and in only a couple of visits to your dentist, you’ll have a brand new beautiful smile.
Getting dental veneers is painless. Your dentist just takes impressions of your natural teeth and then the mold is used to create veneers just for you in a dental lab. The thin shells, usually made of porcelain or composite resin, are bonded onto the fronts of your teeth to hide all kinds of imperfections.
There are many reasons that patients consider veneers to transform their smile. Here are some common ones:
- Stains – severely discolored and stained teeth sometimes do not respond to teeth whitening treatment, or the results just aren’t dramatic enough to make you happy with your smile. The shade of dental veneers is chosen by you and your dentist, so you can achieve the exact color you’d like.
- Chips – teeth that are chipped or cracked are easily hidden under veneers. The damaged portion of the tooth is supplemented so that it looks brand new, and the hard coating supplied by the veneers protects the weakened tooth from further damage.
- Misalignment – if braces or other orthodontia didn’t work for you or if you want to avoid the sometimes lengthy and embarrassing process, veneers make your smile appear straight and perfect. Uneven or crooked teeth can cause low self-esteem, but veneers will make you proud to smile.
- Gaps – extra spaces between your teeth can also be upsetting, especially large gaps that might even call for invasive procedures like dental implants. Your dentist may be able to cover awkward gaps with veneers to give you an even smile without any pain or prolonged recovery time.
Veneers aren’t for every dental problem, but many of them can be addressed with this easy and quick solution. Ask Central Fall, RI dentist Dr. Frias if they are right for you.
Apr 14, 2017 | Blackstone Dental Central Falls RI Dentist
If you are considering whitening your teeth, you may have a lot of questions. Here are some of the most common:
Is it safe for me to whiten my teeth?
- Yes! Virtually each patient who has a healthy mouth can enjoy the benefits of teeth whitening; however misuse of at-home products can result in tooth and gum sensitivity. Always follow the directions of any whitening product you choose.
Does it damage my teeth for me to whiten them?
- No, your teeth are safe and your enamel isn’t damaged when you whiten your teeth.
Do you think I’m a candidate for teeth whitening?
- If you have a healthy mouth, you can enjoy teeth whitening. It’s best to whiten your teeth after a thorough professional cleaning, so the whitening products are able to fully saturate the teeth, producing even results.
How long will my teeth stay white?
- Most cosmetic dentists recommend that you pursue follow-up treatment every six months to a year. You can help make your whitening procedure last by rinsing your mouth following meals and limiting your consumption of dark liquids such as red wine, dark sodas, tea or coffee.
Will teeth whitening damage my tooth restorations?
- Your dental crowns, bridges, veneers or fillings will not lighten during the bleaching process. Talk to your dentist if you have worries about your tooth restorations becoming noticeable after you whiten your natural teeth.
Can’t I just whiten my teeth at home?
- While at-home whitening products are available in drug stores and grocery stores across the globe, the best, fastest, most thorough results are produced in the dental chair through professional treatment.
Consult with Central Fall dentist Dr. Frias to get your questions about teeth whitening answered. Begin enjoying a more beautiful smile today.
