Apr 28, 2017 | Blog
There’s not just one aspect of oral care that you can perform that will overcome neglecting the other elements. All of the things that you’ve probably heard all of your life combine together to create the best oral health. If you skip some of the steps, it’s likely that you will encounter problems like yellow teeth, gum disease, cavities or bad breath. To avoid these types of outcomes, practicing these important steps to good oral hygiene.
Brush and floss
The best way you can avoid the buildup of harmful plaque on your teeth and gums is to brush and floss every day. When plaque accumulates, it reacts with sugars introduced in your mouth from foods and turns into acid that damages your tooth enamel. You’ll end up with tooth decay or gum disease without proper consistent brushing and flossing.
Use fluoride
To help prevent tooth decay and to strengthen your teeth, use toothpaste containing fluoride. Also ask your dentist about mouth rinses, gels, or even special fluoride treatments that might give you an extra oral health advantage.
Quit smoking
Using tobacco has proven to be harmful to your mouth in many ways. Tooth decay, gum disease, stained teeth, bad breath, and oral cancer are all possible outcomes of using any kind of tobacco. Get the help you need to stop this bad habit today.
Watch your diet
Foods and drinks enter your mouth and fuel the bacteria that is present, ending up with a potentially harmful situation for your teeth and gums. Bacteria thrives when you constantly introduce snacks into your mouth, especially those that are high in sugars or starches. Considering what and when you eat is important in the fight for your oral health.
See the dentist
Don’t put off visiting Central Falls dentist Dr. Frias for checkups and cleanings. It is recommended to do so every six months so that plaque buildup and tartar will be removed from even the most out-of-reach areas, and problems will be caught and addressed before they can do any long-term damage.
Schedule a dental cleaning at Central Falls, RI dental office today.
Aug 21, 2017 | Blog, Blackstone Dental Central Falls RI Dentist
Keeping a healthy smile and healthy body are both linked to practicing proper oral hygiene. The mouth is the entering point for both good and bad things into your body, so it’s important to keep your mouth clean as much as possible to reduce the effects of potentially harmful substances.
Once acid and bacteria enters your mouth through things like foods or drinks, if given an opportunity to thrive can damage your teeth. A sticky material called plaque will develop that can harm your tooth enamel, and can also allow bacteria to gain access to the rest of your body. The harmful effects of that may include cardiovascular diseases, respiratory disorders and more.
Another damaging element that enters your mouth is sugar, which can react with the bacteria and negatively impact your teeth, gums and bones. If left to prosper, you may end up even facing gum disease or tooth loss.
The good news is that proper oral hygiene can help prevent such outcomes.
Daily dental care is the best way to take control of your oral health. Here are some guidelines:
- Brush your teeth at least twice a day using fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush.
- Use dental floss every single day to eliminate food particles between your teeth and plaque buildup.
- Use an anti-bacterial mouth rinse approved by your dentist.
- Visit your dentist every six months for checkups and professional teeth cleanings.
- Don’t put off getting any recommended dental treatments so that problems don’t worsen into more serious conditions.
These techniques aren’t that difficult to accomplish, especially when you realize that you’re likely avoiding the pain and expense of extensive dental procedures in the future. A healthy and attractive smile is possible by simply protecting it with good oral hygiene.
Aug 28, 2017 | Blog, Blackstone Dental Central Falls RI Dentist
Have you found yourself standing in front of the oral care aisle at your local drug store or grocery store, overwhelmed by the number of “whitening” products available for your teeth? Whitening products come in all types, from toothpastes to gels to creams, strips or rinses. Each product has “whitening” in the title and each one alleges to whiten your smile without a trip to the dentist. Do these products really work? Are they the best, safest, or most efficient way to brighten your teeth?
Meanwhile, when you visit your dentist, you see photos of patients who have undergone teeth bleaching who have had dramatic results. This can leave you wondering, what’s teeth bleaching and is it better than teeth whitening? Can “whitening” give me the same results as bleaching? What choice should I make for my own smile goals?
“Whitening” is a fairly generic term that can be applied to any product that removes stains and debris from a tooth’s natural surface. Most of the time this is achieved through mild abrasives that remove layers of discoloration built up over time. Whitening products can help your smile be brighter, but they are unable to change what is ultimately the natural white color of your tooth.
Bleaching products are products labeled specifically by the FDA as able to whiten teeth beyond their natural color. Bleaching treatments all contain some kind of hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide that reacts with certain wavelengths of light. Once activated, the peroxide releases molecules of oxygen that are able to penetrate the tooth enamel itself and break down and remove even the most stubborn of tooth stains.
If you’re thinking about whitening your teeth, talk to your dentist about which products can be best utilized to meet your goals. It’s possible that over-the-counter products will work for you. If you’re trying to reach an even brighter shade of white, your dentist might recommend in-office care and teeth bleaching. Get the advice you need and move toward a whiter smile today.
Aug 21, 2015 | Blog
Hiding flaws in your smile is easy with dental veneers. These thin porcelain shells are bonded to the fronts of your teeth to create a whole new look for you. Problems like stains, misalignment, gaps, chips, cracks and more are hidden behind these customized restorations.
Dental veneers can last up to ten years or longer with proper maintenance. They resist stains and allow a beautiful, natural smile. Veneers do not bother your gums or slip in your mouth like some restorations are known to do. Your diet remains much the same, and you can feel confident in your smile.
To promote the longest lasting smile with your veneers, there are some simple steps to take to care for them. Brush gently with a soft toothbrush and a non-abrasive fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day, preferably after meals. Floss your teeth at least once every day. These steps are really no different than what you should have been practicing as your normal dental hygiene routine before veneers.
Regular dental checkups are important when you have veneers. Your dentist will examine them to make sure they are bonded securely and not being damaged in any way. Teeth grinding is one habit that can harm dental veneers, so if there are signs of that your dentist may advise a mouth guard for sleeping. You should also avoid eating extremely hard foods like jaw breaker candies. To achieve maximum wear from your veneers, ask your dentist which hard foods you may want to steer clear of to avoid cracks or chips. In general however, exercising common sense about your diet should be acceptable with this dental veneers.
A beautifully restored is possible for nearly all aesthetic flaws to your smile with dental veneers. And with good care, you’ll be smiling for years to come.
Dental veneers dentist in Central Falls, RI
Aug 28, 2015 | Blog
Traditional dentistry focuses on maintaining your oral health and treating any diseases you might have, while cosmetic dentistry is all about the way your smile looks. The goal of cosmetic dentists is to help you achieve the smile you’ve always wanted. It is becoming an increasingly popular area of dentistry because so many people want to look their best, and one of the utmost ways to do that is to have a beautiful smile.
There are numerous treatments and procedures available in cosmetic dentistry today. Here are some of the most popular ways that patients seek to transform their smiles:
- Teeth whitening, sometimes referred to as bleaching, relieves stains and discolorations that are affecting your teeth. It is a simple and quick process when performed by your cosmetic dentist, often taking only an hour out of your day. The results are usually amazing, making your teeth many shades whiter and eliminating embarrassing stains.
- Dental veneers cover up all kinds of smile imperfections. Problems like chips, cracks, discoloration, misalignment and more can be hidden under veneers. These thin porcelain shells are customized only for you, and are cemented directly onto the fronts of your teeth. A small amount of your tooth enamel must be removed in preparing your teeth, so veneers are a permanent solution for transforming your smile.
- Dental implants are a great solution for replacing missing teeth. Instead of going through the hassles associated with dentures or bridges, implants are a permanent restoration that becomes part of your body. A titanium rod is surgically placed into your jaw bone so that it fuses with the bone as it heals, and then an artificial tooth is placed on top. Implants are a secure and attractive way to restore your smile.
- Crowns, also called caps, are customized for every patient to fit over an existing tooth that has been severely damaged. They are often used to correctly shape broken, chipped or uneven teeth. Made of porcelain or acrylic with metal, crowns are strong and able to withstand biting forces that other restorations might not tolerate well.
Cosmetic dentist in Central Falls Rhode Island
Sep 7, 2015 | Blog
If you have just completed professional teeth whitening treatment, you probably want to protect your investment and extend the life of your shiny, bright smile. To enhance your healthy new smile and keep it white and bright, it’s important to follow a few simple guidelines:
- Do follow good oral hygiene practices by brushing and flossing regularly after every meal.
- Don’t drink colored beverages such as red wine, coffee, cola or tea immediately after treatment, and continue to avoid them whenever possible to prevent staining.
- Do drink beverages with a straw when you must drink dark-colored beverages to prevent the liquid from touching your teeth and causing stains.
- Don’t eat pigment-intense foods for several weeks after whitening. Berries, dark chocolate, soy sauce and other foods with a dark color can leave residue that leads to staining.
- Do use a gentle tooth whitening mouthwash after eating to rinse away food and debris that could cause staining and to keep your breath fresh.
- Don’t wear lipstick or colored gloss for at least one week after whitening treatment, as your teeth are still sensitive immediately after treatment and lipstick can leave pigments that will stain your teeth.
- Do use a whitening toothpaste to increase the results and aid in the longevity of your treatment.
- Don’t forget to eat a healthy diet and drink water to keep your teeth strong and vibrant.
A whiter smile can brighten your face and take years off your looks. By following these easy recommendations, you can extend the life of your whitening treatment and enjoy the benefits of your bright, new smile.
Dr. Frias offers teeth whitening in his Central Falls, RI dental office.
