1. Electric toothbrushes

Rechargeable electric toothbrushes can help keep our teeth and gums healthier, especially for anyone who doesn’t spend enough time brushing or who has trouble using their hands to brush the hard-to-reach areas such as around the crowns and in the back of the mouth.

But if we don’t use them the right way, electric toothbrushes can hurt our gums and further damage any teeth that’s already fragile. We’ve found that it’s best to give these types of toothbrushes to people old enough to use them correctly.

2. White wines

Which wine pairs best with teeth? Red or white? White wine is a better option as it doesn’t stain the teeth as much. Too much red wine can cause long-lasting discoloration and make our teeth look dull. So, if your loved ones won’t mind swapping reds for whites this holiday season, then give them white wine.

Another tip is to always sip on water or eat some food while drinking wine—even when drinking white wine—and that’s to help rinse the wine off your teeth and stimulate saliva to help protect your teeth from potential damage from the acid in the wine, which over time can affect the tooth enamel.

3. Low-sugar, dark chocolates

Chocolates are popular at Christmas, yet they can be quite sugary and can cause tooth decay. The best option is dark chocolates that contain low sugar and a high amount of cocoa. Here’s why: the higher the sugar amount, the more plaque you’ll get on your teeth, which then leads to cavities, toothache, and possibly lose of teeth. So, the lower the sugar amount, the better for your smile.

That’s not all. One little-known fact is the cocoa in chocolate contains natural chemicals that help protect your teeth from sugar and starch damage. This means the more cocoa in the chocolate, the better.

If you want to avoid chocolates that could cause cavities and decay, it’s best to check the packaging this Christmas to make sure you’re choosing dark chocolates with less sugar and a higher amount of cacao.

4. Teeth whitening kits for pearly whites

Give teeth whitening kits for a whiter smile! But wait…there are whitening pens, whitening toothpastes, and custom-fitted whitening trays—so which one should you get?

• Whitening pens are for quick touch-ups.
  • Whitening toothpastes and gels remove stains gradually.
  • Whitening strips are for flat surfaces only and don’t do so well between the teeth.
  • Custom-fitted trays are best for targeting deeper stains and brightening your smile.

The custom-fitted trays are the only ones you can’t get from your local drug store. All these products are safe for use at home without causing sensitivity. You just need to choose the option that’s most practical for the intended user. However, they’d get better results from using custom trays, as these hold the gel better and give a wider and more consistent exposure to the entire mouth.

Let us know if you’d like to get some custom trays made as a Christmas gift for your loved ones.

5. Water picks for stringless flossing

Water picks are perfect for anyone who wears braces, finds it hard to floss with strings or struggles to get around all their teeth with a toothbrush. While traditional flossing with a string scrapes on and between the teeth to remove plaque, a water flosser or water pick uses water pressure to help remove food caught between the teeth and below the gumline. Its long neck makes it a lot easier to reach where brushing and string flossing can’t reach.

A water pick is therefore not an alternative to traditional flossing and you’d ideally use it to flush out the food after flossing with strings. Users should still go to a dentist or dental hygienist for a regular professional clean.

6. Sports mouth guards to prevent tooth fracture

Sports mouth guards help to protect our teeth from tooth fracture caused by sports injury. They’re popular with professional athletes as the first line of defence to protect their teeth during games and training, especially in contact sports such as football, hockey, wrestling and rugby. Sport guards are designed to cover your teeth from crown to roots to absorb the impact and prevent your teeth from breaking, chipping or getting knocked out.

While sports mouth guards can be bought semi-customized, it’s always better if you get them custom-made by a dental professional to ensure they fit the user comfortably.

7. Night guards to stop teeth grinding

Night guards and clench guards are used to treat a wide range of symptoms. The most common being the uncontrolled clenching and grinding that we do in our sleep as well as when we’re awake. Left untreated, it can lead to further problems such as damage to your teeth, teeth becoming loose, long-lasting headaches, and pain in your jaw, neck and the surrounding muscles. Pretty much affecting anything that’s connected to your teeth and jaws.

Quality night guards or clench guards can stop the grinding and help prevent these symptoms. These types of guards would need to be custom fitted in order to work well, which is why we recommend that the patient comes in for us to customize some for them.

Prefer to cover their dental treatments instead?

Paying for dental treatment can be a challenge for some and possibly one of the reasons they avoid dentists. We can help you encourage your loved ones with an all-expenses paid appointment. All you need to do is ask our friendly team how you can pay for someone else, and we’ll ensure they’re taken care of when they visit.

Our articles are not intended to be a substitute for professional dental advice, diagnosis or treatment with your dentist, dental hygienist or other medical professional. We recommend to always contact our professional team if you or the person you care for has any concerns about their oral health.

The post 7 Oral Hygiene Gift Ideas for Christmas first appeared on Prime Dental Group.

1. Jawbreakers

These hard, sugary confections can cause a lot of damage to the teeth as you risk cracking your teeth while the sugar in the jawbreakers can cause more plaque to stick to your teeth. When combined, cracking and plaque can lead to tooth decay. But if you or your children are gifted any jawbreakers, try to avoid cracking the candy with your teeth. Instead, suck on it and then thoroughly brush your tongue and teeth and rinse your mouth with mouthwash to prevent the sugar from settling on your teeth.

2. Caramel candies

Whether soft, hard or chewy, caramel candies stick to the teeth, stick between them and at times even dislodge any crowns, fillings and braces in your mouth. The candy and the sugar in it also tend to linger in your mouth even long after enjoying it, and sometimes it can take several brushings to completely get rid of them. When the sugar lingers in your mouth, it can cause tooth decay. If you do eat any caramel candies during the holidays, do your best to brush your teeth properly afterwards.

3. Hard nuts

We all love nuts, and we like to serve them as snacks or in fruit and nut cakes and other holiday recipes. However, hard nuts like almonds can potentially chip, crack and fracture your teeth regardless of your age. Plus, the older you are, the higher the risk since your teeth might be more fragile. So, be careful to chew very carefully or to buy nuts that’s already been cut or shaved into smaller or thinner pieces. This way, you won’t be exerting a lot of pressure when chewing. If you want to eat nuts for nutritional purpose, you can also try almond pastes and almond butters.

4. Sugary food

Chocolates, ice cream, dried fruits and cake are just some delicious sugary snacks and desserts that we like to serve during the holidays. Just like all things, in moderation they can be fine. However, considering the many gatherings you may be attending this holiday season, we recommend that you either limit the amount of sweet snacks you have at each of the gatherings or you go for the ones with a lower sugar content. The fewer sweets you consume, the lower the risk of developing cavities in your teeth.

5. Starchy foods

Starchy foods, such as bread, chips, and pasta, can easily get stuck between your teeth and cause as much tooth decay as sugary snacks. That’s because the starch in the food breaks down into sugars that interact with bacteria to attack the tooth enamel in the same way sugar would when it lingers in the mouth. Instead of starchy foods this holiday, choose sugar-free or low-sugar dairy products and some fiber-rich fruits and vegetables.

6. Hard granola bars and other chewy bars

Although considered a healthy snack, some granola bars contain a lot of sugar and hard nuts, and chewy caramel that can easily crack your teeth or get stuck in them. The caramel can also block saliva from protecting your teeth from plaque while the hard nuts or hard caramel can chip or crack your teeth. If you notice any chipping or cracking in your teeth, please see your dentist before any further damage occurs.

7. Hot food and beverages

Whether it’s a hot piece of roast turkey or a sip of hot tea, sometimes the extreme change in temperature can cause your teeth to expand and contract. If this happens a lot, eventually microscopic cracks develop, and you start to feel sharp pains in the nerves beneath the tooth enamel. This can also happen with cold food such as ice cream and milkshakes.

Do keep in mind that tooth sensitivity is usually a sign of a problem deep down in your gumline. It’s also treatable. To get to the root of the problem (no pun intended), your dentist can check whether you need a filling, a crown, a root canal, or just a simple product that can protect those weak spots in your teeth and ease your discomfort.

Our articles are not intended to be a substitute for professional dental advice, diagnosis or treatment with your dentist, dental hygienist or other medical professionals. We recommend to always contact our professional team if you or the person you care for has any concerns about their oral health.

The post 7 Types of Snacks to You Must Avoid first appeared on Prime Dental Group.

A common one for phobia is the nerves in the head make it quite sensitive, therefore any pain in your mouth appears more sensitive to the treatment. When a patient is already in pain, they assume the pain will get worse if the dentist touches their mouth.

Another source may be the bad experiences from their childhood, adulthood or both. For example, a child may have been told that the needle wouldn’t hurt but then felt it, or an adult who consumes a lot of alcohol could feel the drill even after the area had been numbed.

Regardless of the source of their fears, whenever the patient returns to the chair, the same feelings resurface, and once again their anxiety level peaks. If this happens to you or someone you know, here are some of the ways you can overcome the anxiety.

How to minimize or get over dental anxiety:

1. Agree On A ‘Stop Signal’ With Your Dentist
   A stop signal, such as you’d raise your hand or gently tap or squeeze the dentist’s hand, is an indicator that you’re either feeling some discomfort or have reached your anxiety threshold and now need some recovery time. Your stop signal gives you more control over your session because your dentistand their assistant will stop immediately, every time, giving you time to recover.
2. Go To The Dentist Even When You’re Not In Pain
   If you go to the dentist at least every 6 months for a check-up and dental cleaning, you get used to the team, their procedures, and the environment. Your dentist can also detect and treat any issues early to prevent any complex treatments that could make you even more anxious.
3. Use Entertainment As A Distraction
   Some dentists offer in-chair entertainment such as a video playing on the ceiling-mounted TV or some relaxation music playing on a stereo. This is so you don’t hear or pay attention to the dental equipment. If they don’t have entertainment facilities, ask if you can bring your own music or your mobile phone with some earphones.
4. Help Your Child Overcome Their Anxiety While Their Still Young
   The bad experiences that a child has in the chair will carry on as bad memories into adulthood unless identified and addressed early. Many of our patients who used to be scared no longer have dental anxiety because we took a lot of care to get them through and overcome their fears. Others have not been so lucky because they came in too late, which often meant addressing their issues without giving them any time to overcome their fears. In the end, we’ve had to extract some or all of their teeth because, as you can guess, bacteria have no boundaries. The sooner you help your child overcome their fears, the better. Look for dental teams that are great with children and perhaps have a special room where children can feel safe and feel less anxious.

Sedation as a Last Resort for Dental Anxiety

If one of your patients has a dental phobia or dental anxiety and is not allergic to the anesthetic agent nor has had any previous allergic reactions to it, the best option might be for us to put them under general anesthesia. Any patients who are pregnant, obese, or have any underlying medical issues or head and neck irregularities are examined to confirm whether they can have any type of sedation.

From our experience putting 4,000 kids and adults under general anesthesia, sedation is safe, predictable, and doesn’t have any long-lasting side effects. But even when we have a good idea of what will happen, no two patients have reacted the same way nor had the same experiences.

Due to possible short-term side effects such as nausea and vomiting, we don’t recommend that anyone is put under too often. That’s why we suggest that you try to overcome your fears and anxiety. Sedation should be the last resort, especially with children who urgently need to take care of infections or have their teeth removed but just can’t or won’t sit still. Be aware that sedation might cost extra because you’re now adding another variable to the equation.

Do you suffer from dental anxiety?

At Prime Dental, we take the time to talk through your fears and explain any treatments and pain management requirements. Remember to tell us about your anxiety when you come in, so we can ensure you have a stress-free experience.

Our articles are not intended to be a substitute for professional dental advice, diagnosis, or treatment with your dentist, dental hygienist, or another medical professional. We recommend to always contact our professional team if you or the person you care for has any concerns about their oral health.

The post Overcome Dental Anxiety and Fear of the Dentist first appeared on Prime Dental Group.

1. Keep COVID-19 at bay

You’re probably wondering what healthy teeth have to do with COVID-19. One way to minimize your risk of getting the virus is to avoid developing a tooth infection, gum disease or any other type of inflammation in your mouth. If your body is already busy fighting off an infection, any type of disease or inflammation, it will put a strain on your body’s defence system and affect your overall immune response. This would make it harder for your body to fight against COVID–19 and any other viruses. Therefore, it’s vital that you keep your teeth, gums and mouth as healthy as possible during this pandemic and to see your dentist at least twice a year or more if needed!

2. Replace your silver fillings with white fillings

If you still have amalgam ‘silver’ fillings, consider replacing them with natural-looking white fillings. The silver fillings weaken over time, causing cavities and cracks in your teeth. Your dentist can replace them with the stronger hardwearing resin fillings. The bonus is the fillings will match the color of your teeth, giving a boost to your smile! If you have many multiple fillings, replace the bigger ones first since they tend to leak faster.

3. Minimize damages from smoking

Do you have a “smoker’s mouth”? This is where smoking may be causing you to have bad breath, stained teeth, loose teeth and even some redness and bleeding on your gums. These issues can cause periodontal disease, and tenacious staining that are at times impossible to remove. Cavities may also form to damage your teeth. If you want healthier teeth and gums, then get help to stop smoking. Easier said than done! Meanwhile (regardless of your decision), ask for an oral health exam so you can detect and address any urgent issues like oral cancer and then apply the appropriate preventive measures.

4. Clean your tongue whenever you brush your teeth

Many people don’t realize this, but did you know that the surface of your tongue harbors a build-up of food debris, bacteria, and dead cells? If you don’t brush your tongue daily, eventually a white coat starts to develop on it. Soon, your sense of taste is affected, and you develop bad breath, gum disease, and poor oral health. To help prevent this, clean your tongue as often as you brush your teeth. The easiest way is to use the soft bristles of your toothbrush or upgrade to a toothbrush that has a rubber tongue scraper on the back of its head. You could also use a proper tongue scraper, but these two methods should do the job.

5. Stop using your teeth as tools

Do you use your teeth to cut, carry, hold, open, or crack things? Most patients have a chip here and a crack there due to these habits. What they don’t realize is the older we grow, the weaker each tooth gets due to the wear and tear to its enamel. It’s healthier if you quit these habits because once this thin 1 to 1.5 mm layer starts to crack, tooth decay can develop. It’s also healthier to eat softer foods as you get older. Plus, a regular fluoride treatment can help strengthen your enamel.

6. Stop grinding your teeth—for good

Do you unconsciously grind, gnash or clench your teeth? That’s what we call bruxism, and it could be due to stress, misaligned jaws, sleep apnea, or other issues. Left untreated, bruxism could lead to headaches, neck pains, and sinus issues. Sometimes extra bone might form around the jawbone. You might also hear popping and clicking noises in your jaw or your jaw might even lock up. As bruxism overuses your teeth and everything that makes your jaw function, it can become chronic enough to cause serious irreversible damage. If you know that you suffer from any of these symptoms mentioned above, a customised night guards or an occlusal splint should help minimize the ache and pains. Don’t wait, call us for a consultation today!

7. Get braces or Invisalign® to improve your smile

If you’re thinking of getting your teeth straightened, you’re probably wondering whether to get braces or Invisalign®. We wish we could say to go with Invisalign®, but it’s not for everyone as it’s mostly for teeth straightening. For instance, if your jaws are not properly aligned, Invisalign® would be just one step of the treatment. Braces may be another good option. Don’t worry, they’re quite trendy nowadays as they come in a wide variety of color options that can also be combined to your preference. The best way to find out whether you qualify for braces or Invisalign® is to come in for a comprehensive exam.

8. Book early, make the most of your insurance benefits

When it comes to oral health, knowledge, and prevention are key, because the sooner you know, the more you can take care of your teeth and the longer you can keep them. Teeth improve your quality of life by helping you with speaking, kissing, eating, drinking, and talking. It’s also been proven that those who have their teeth tend to live about 10 years longer than those who don’t.

Now is the time to start looking after your teeth. It’s a NEW YEAR and your dental insurance benefits should have renewed. If not, it’s still important to take care of your mouth, and we do offer different finance options if needed. Book your cleaning and check-up appointments ahead of time, so you are committed to them, and so we can catch any problems before they become bigger and more expensive to treat.

Need help with something else?

We’d love to help you keep your teeth and gums for LIFE. Our friendly team can help you achieve and maintain a healthier smile through proper oral hygiene, regular dental check-ups, and proper treatments. All you need to do is book a check-up appointment TODAY!

Our articles are not intended to be a substitute for professional dental advice, diagnosis, or treatment with your dentist, dental hygienist, or another medical professional. We recommend always contact our professional team if you or the person you care for has any concerns about their oral health.

The post Best Dental Health Resolutions for 2021 first appeared on Prime Dental Group.

This is also true for some of our new patients, including some who had not sat in a dentist chair for years. The good news is they have since been returning for check-ups and treatments after we helped them pinpoint what was keeping them away, and then we made them feel comfortable enough to return.

We recommend that you do the same to avoid any irreversible damage to your teeth and gums. Let us know today if any of the following reasons resonate with you, so we can help you find a solution.

1. Fear of the dentist

The fear of going to the dentist is a huge barrier for the children and adults who suffer from it. It’s 100% real and is taken seriously. The best solution for anxiety and fear of the dentist is to choose a dentist who makes you feel comfortable in the chair, even if this means opting for sedation as the last resort.

2. Lack of time

Many people struggle to find the time to get to a dentist, especially for dental emergencies. Perhaps they can’t take time off work or are too busy caring for others. One workaround is to find a dentist who works late and on weekends. If that’s proving too hard, then it’s time to find a dentist closer to work. This way you can attend appointments right before/after work and during your breaks.

3. Too embarrassed

At times people are too embarrassed to show their bad teeth or chronic dental problems. They think the dentist would judge them or make fun of them. Perhaps a dentist did treat them poorly in the past, but not all dentists are like that. A caring and compassionate dentist who loves treating their patients will not judge you for your condition. Ask for recommendations and choose a dentist whose focus is to help you feel and look better, not scold you over the state of your oral health.

4. Not sure if it’s needed

Many people don’t think check-ups are necessary, especially if they’re not experiencing any symptoms. The lack of pain and cracks are often mistaken to mean “my mouth is healthy”, but because you might skip those six-monthly check-ups, you’d easily miss the early signs of potential issues. By the time you come in with a toothache that could have been avoided, you might need to spend more money on treatments. Everyone, including those wearing dentures or who don’t have any teeth, should get at least two dental check-ups per year.

5. Money is an issue

Low-income earners and those without health insurance are least likely to visit a dentist. Interestingly, many are eligible for a dental treatment repayment plan—it’s just they’re unaware of this and the flexible payment options available to them. Others may have limited funds and prefer to spend it on their children first and put their own dental care needs on the back burner. If you’re stressing about the costs of dental care, ask us about our flexible payment options.

6. They simply forget

Don’t you just hate it when you book something, and then you forget about it? Ideally, you’d want a dentist who has the ability to send you a reminder ahead of your booking. This way, you’re more likely to turn up, right? When choosing a new dentist, ask whether they send text and email reminders closer to the date. Then you can insert the booking into your calendar and set an alarm. It’s the easiest way to make sure you’re there when you say you’ll be.

People who visit the dentist keep their real teeth longer…
Our friendly dental team wants to help you keep your teeth and gums for LIFE. That’s why we go above and beyond to find an appointment time that works for you and then help you feel comfortable whether you’re anxious about seeing a dentist or worry about how you’re going to afford the treatment. All you need to do is contact our team today at (805) 644-0600 to chat about what’s been stopping you from coming in.

Our articles are not intended to be a substitute for professional dental advice, diagnosis, or treatment with your dentist, dental hygienist, or other medical professionals. We recommend always contact our professional team if you or the person you care for has any concerns about their oral health.

The post 6 Reasons People Avoid the Dentist first appeared on Prime Dental Group.

Key benefits of preventative dentistry

Why is preventative dental care important? Preventative dentistry can reduce the risk of developing dental problems such as serious gum infections that might need expensive gum disease treatment. Other key benefits include:

• Help to detect or prevent oral cancer:Oral cancer is a serious disease and only 60 percent of sufferers tend to survive it. Therefore, don’t take it lightly. Visit your dentist regularly for a routine dental exam so they can screen for oral cancer and other diseases.
• Keeps serious health conditions at bay:Good oral health promotes good physical and mental health. There’s evidence that poor oral health influences cardiovascular disease, diabetes, coronary artery disease, and risks that can affect pregnancy. When a person is embarrassed or anxious about the poor condition of their teeth and gums, it can affect their mental health and emotional well-being, causing them to have low self-esteem and avoid social interaction. Any extreme pain in the mouth will also disrupt their life, including sleep.

• Maintains a beautiful smile:The sooner you seek dental treatment (e.g. getting dental filling treatment or early cavity treatment), the sooner you can help your teeth and gums stay healthy, which helps to maintain an attractive smile.
• Saves you a lot of money:Although preventative dentistry may not entirely eliminate the need for any dental treatments, if you catch and address the issues early, you might not need expensive treatments or solutions such as root canals, dental implants, bone grafting, or extensive crowns and bridges. Even if you have dental insurance, the out-of-pocket cost of some treatments and repairs adds up pretty quickly, especially if you need a tooth cavity treatment or gum disease treatment.

Preventative steps to start doing today

Here are our top 5 preventative dentistry for good oral health:

• Brush twice a day:The most important part of preventive dentistry is to brush your teeth daily. Remember to replace your toothbrush every two months (or if using an electric toothbrush, replace its head as per instructions).
• Floss daily:Daily flossing removes debris from between the teeth. If you’re wearing braces, you may need to take greater care to floss between the metal brackets. If unsure how to floss, ask your dentist for a demonstration.
• Clean your tongue:This will freshen your breath and also reduce the bacteria that causes tooth decay and cavities.

• Eat a healthier diet:The food you eat contributes to whether your teeth remain healthy. For example, too much sugar can cause tooth decay and cavities, and hard food can crack the tooth enamel.
• Visit your dental team regularly:See your dental hygienist at least once a year, so they can clean your teeth. They can also detect anything alarming that needs addressing and take some digital dental x-rays to help your dentist investigate further. Your dentist can then follow up to take care of the issue.

We highly recommend that these tasks also be taught to children as they should maintain these healthy habits as they grow.

Ask for professional help

Our dental team can detect early signs of dental issues and can recommend professional treatment and anything you can do at home to help prevent these issues from turning into serious dental diseases. Book an appointment today at (805) 644-0600 for a check-up for your own peace of mind.

Our articles are not intended to be a substitute for professional dental advice, diagnosis, or treatment with your dentist, dental hygienist, or other medical professionals. We recommend always contact our professional team if you or the person you care for has any concerns about their oral health.

The post What is preventative dentistry? first appeared on Prime Dental Group.

There are numerous reasons to get cosmetic dentistry. Here are our top five which also prove that the investment is worth the results.

1. Correct flaws to improve your smile

Cosmetic dental services are popular with clients who want to change the overall appearance of their smiles. There are different affordable procedures to correct or conceal a variety of dental flaws such as chips, cracks, gaps, and overbites. Whether it’s one tooth or you need a complete makeover, an experienced cosmetic dentist can redesign any tooth to the perfect shape, length, width, and color to give you the smile of your dreams.

2. Prevent further damage to your teeth

Cosmetic dental procedures can prevent further damage to your teeth and gum. A common example is cosmetic dental bonding, also known as composite bonding. This is where a dentist applies a tooth-colored composite resin to your teeth to conceal any minor imperfections such as chips and cracks. The procedure helps to protect your teeth, so they are less susceptible to further fracturing. This way, you can keep them longer.

3. Eat and drink with confidence

Why have teeth if you can’t use them to bite and chew food? Cosmetic dental services repair your damaged teeth to improve your bite and help you chew food with confidence. Imagine going back to eating any food you desire. You’d be enjoying crunchy food and ice-cold beverages without going “Ouch!” You’d no longer be forced to chew only on one side, nor will your diet be restricted to soft foods.

4. Get rid of the aches and pains

Once a tooth is damaged, if you don’t immediately get it repaired or removed, you’ll eventually experience pain. The pain would, without a doubt, make eating and drinking very unpleasant. It’s normal to feel acute pain throbbing in your gums and jaws, and find it difficult to concentrate, let alone sleep. Other dental issues such as misaligned teeth or bruxism (clenching your jaws and grinding your teeth) can trigger chronic headaches and migraines. These issues can often be treated with cosmetic dental services, which in turn help get rid of the aches and pains.

5. Boost your mental wellbeing

If you’re feeling unhappy about your looks, it can affect your mental wellbeing and the way you live your life. Naturally, if someone is unhappy with their teeth, they’ll feel uncomfortable smiling. They’ll cover their mouth when laughing and even avoid smiling for photos. Some stop dating, not just because they think their less-than-perfect smiles will be a turn-off, but they do this to avoid kissing. Fortunately, once they undergo cosmetic dentistry procedures, they become more confident about smiling and socializing. It doesn’t take long for the social benefits to improve their mental wellbeing.

How do I find cosmetic dental services near me?

Search for a reliable dentist with experience conducting cosmetic dentistry procedures such as cosmetic dental implants, cosmetic dental bonding procedures, or a complete smile makeover. Read their reviews or ask for recommendations.

Our articles are not intended to be a substitute for professional dental advice, diagnosis, or treatment with your dentist, dental hygienist, or other medical professionals. We recommend always contact our professional team if you or the person you care for has any concerns about their oral health.

The post 5 Benefits of Cosmetic Dentistry first appeared on Prime Dental Group.

Why wear Invisalign®?

Your Invisalign® are an effective, pain-free way to improve your smile by gently and gradually shifting your teeth into position. These clear, removable teeth aligners are suitable for treating a variety of teeth alignment problems and will help correct any crooked teeth, overbites or overcrowding without you needing to wear braces.

Since the aligners are virtually invisible, no one can tell that you’re wearing any. They therefore won’t know you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment.

The aligners are made from flexible medical-grade BPA-free thermoplastic specifically engineered for orthodontic treatment. This combination of benefits makes Invisalign® the ideal cosmetic dental treatment for improving your smile.

How does Invisalign® work?

If you’re considering invisible teeth aligners, the first step is to speak to a dentist who is also an Invisalign® consultation. They can determine whether you’re a suitable candidate. They do an assessment and take some x-rays and scans of your teeth. If you’re a suitable candidate, then they custom design your Invisalign® and start your treatment.

Invisalign® is also a progressive treatment, meaning your dentist gives you a new set every two weeks until your teeth have moved into the desired position. You then book an appointment every six to eight weeks to check how your treatment is progressing.

Once your first set of invisible aligners are ready, your dentist demonstrates how to wear them. It’s very easy. Basically, you slot the aligners over your teeth each day and wear them for no less than 20 hours a day. You can remove them as easily to eat and drink whatever you want, and to take them off to brush and floss your teeth — all done without the common concerns associated with braces.

How can I get the most out of my Invisalign®?

Here are six ways to get the most out of your invisible aligners:

1. Clean you aligners regularly.Never wear dirty aligners. Give them a good clean with your toothbrush every night. Then if you take them off during the day, you rinse or wipe them before you slide them back into place. This prevents unpleasant smells and discoloration and reduces the chance of plaque build-up under your aligners. Ask your dentist about the best cleaning solutions for your Invisalign®. We don’t recommend cleaning with toothpaste as that, too, can cause discoloration.
2. Wear your aligners every day without fail.Avoid leaving your aligners out longer than necessary. We suggest wearing them 20 to 22 hours per day for best results. If you’re not wearing them, they won’t work, and your teeth won’t straighten (or it might take longer to achieve the result). However, if you feel pain when wearing your aligners, take them off and contact your dentist.
3. Take your aligners out when eating and drinking.Food will get stuck against the Invisalign® and cause bacteria to get to your teeth and gums and form into plaque over your teeth. That’s what causes tooth cavities. Any sugar in the drinks will make your aligners feel sticky, and there’s a good chance that the colouring in the food and drinks will stain the aligners.

1. Clean your mouth after eating.If you don’t clean your teeth and gums before putting your aligners back in after eating, you may find your aligners a bit uncomfortable. They will also start to smell. Make it a habit to brush your teeth or at least rinse your mouth with water before sliding your aligners back into place.
2. Do not smoke while wearing your aligners.Smoking causes discoloration that’s impossible to remove. Why wear invisible aligners if you’re going to make them become visible? Keep your Invisalign® clean so your teeth look their best as they straighten.
3. Be patient. Beautiful smiles come to those who wait.Invisalign® is not a quick fix. It might take weeks to a year to see results, or it could take a few years based on the misalignment of your teeth. But if you’re ever concerned and are worried about the progress rate, discuss it with your dentist at your next appointment.

Who offers invisible braces near me?

When you’re ready to explore how to use invisible aligners to improve your smile and boost your confidence, search for “invisible braces near me” and book an appointment with an Invisalign® consultation.

Our articles are not intended to be a substitute for professional dental advice, diagnosis, or treatment with your dentist, dental hygienist, or another medical professional. We recommend always contact our professional team if you or the person you care for has any concerns about their oral health.

The post How to get the most out of Invisalign® first appeared on Prime Dental Group.

All you need to know about tooth cavities

What are cavities?

Cavities in the tooth are the decay, holes and any other damage that develop on the hard surface of your tooth, the dental enamel. Since the enamel is not designed to heal and repair itself, the damage is permanent — unless a dentist treats, repairs and/or restores the tooth.

The sooner the tooth cavity treatment the better, because cavities eventually cause mouth diseases, unbearable pain and tooth loss if left untreated.

What causes cavities in permanent teeth

The first stage is plaque formation, which many people often forget that it’s a sticky film of bacteria, dead cells, and food debris that attack the sugars and starches that come in contact with your teeth. This attack creates an acid that wears the tooth enamel. If you don’t regularly brush and floss your teeth to prevent plaque from building up, it eventually hardens on the tooth, causing small holes in the enamel.

Without tooth cavity treatment, the enamel wears off and the cavity grows larger. Now the other layers of your tooth are exposed to attacks and the nerves and blood vessels in your tooth become affected. If you’ve yet to suffer any pain since the enamel became damaged, you will definitely be feeling pain now.

Once again, if the damage is left untreated, it can spread to the surrounding tissues and into the roots, gums and jawbone. Only a dentist can assist, and the treatment will depend on the severity and depth of the cavity, how badly the surrounding area has been affected and whether the tooth can be saved at all.

How to tell whether you have cavities in your teeth

Cavities can form on any part of the tooth enamel, including between the teeth, therefore making them invisible unless a dentist conducts some dental X-rays to detect even the tiniest cavity or hairline tooth fracture.

However, here are the major symptoms that often indicate a presence of cavities:

• Increased sensitivity to cool or warm foods and drinks
  • Mild to severe pain in and around the damaged tooth
  • Brownish or black stains have appeared on the tooth
  • Feeling discomfort when eating hard, crunchy and grainy foods
  • Being able to feel the hole (possibly needs dental filling treatment)

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, we highly recommend that you visit your dentist as soon as possible to avoid the issue from worsening, which could cause you to lose the tooth.

How to prevent cavities in permanent teeth

Fortunately, cavities can be prevented through good habits, including:

1. Brush and floss

We recommend brushing at least twice a day, ideally after breakfast and before bed, and for a minimum of 2 minutes each time, while making sure you brush every tooth, and your tongue and gums. Plus consider flossing at least once a day and washing using some mouthwash for added protection against cavities and gum disease.

2. Follow a healthy diet

Start by looking at your eating and drinking habits. What can you eliminate that may be contributing to plaque formation? Are you consuming any food and drinks that are loaded with sugar and carbohydrates? Can you replace them with fresh fruits and vegetables? Another tip is to drink water after consuming sugary foods and drinks. This will help flush the bacteria that causes plaque.

3. Avoid hard snacks

There are many snacks that can chip or crack your teeth. Jawbreakers and anything hard, such as hard nuts, candy, granola bars and nutbars are just some of the culprits. Remember, the older you are, the higher the risk of losing your teeth. That’s because your teeth may be getting more fragile. Is there a safer way you can consume the same ingredients? For example, buy nuts that’s already been cut or shaved into smaller or thinner pieces. Or try nut pastes and butters.

4. Schedule regular dental appointments

To further help prevent dental cavities, book a preventive dental care visit every six months. One for a professional hygienist to remove plaque and tartar build-up, the other to allow your dentist to exam your teeth for any early signs of decay that may have already started, especially if you’re still at the stage where you’re not yet feeling any pain. Your dentist can offer the appropriate preventive tips or solutions for treating cavities, such as a dental filling treatment.

5. Teach your children good dental habits

If your child is unable to look after their teeth properly, you can supervise and help them exercise the same good habits (brush with a soft-bristled toothbrush and child-friendly toothpaste, floss once they turn 2, eat healthy foods, drink healthy beverages, and visit the dentist regularly in case they need a tooth cavity treatment).

Our articles are not intended to be a substitute for professional dental advice, diagnosis or treatment with your dentist, dental hygienist or other medical professional. We recommend to always contact our professional team if you or the person you care for has any concerns about their oral health.

The post How to Prevent Cavities in Permanent Teeth first appeared on Prime Dental Group.

Put briefly, preventative dental services involve your dental team routinely checking, examining, cleaning, repairing and looking after your teeth and gums. If you’ve had a smile makeover, then preventative dental care is as important to ensure you maintain your new smile.

While it’s easy to say that “prevention is better than cure”, here are six reasons why going to the dentist regularly should definitely be on your annual to-do list.

Reasons that preventative dental care is so important

1. To detect, treat and prevent dental conditions

A dentist conducts digital dental x-rays and assessment using equipment that pick up on things that can be difficult for a patient to see or feel. Regular visits allow dentists to detect tooth discoloration and early signs of enamel loss, tooth cavities, tooth loss, oral cancer and other conditions affecting your teeth and gums. If you wear braces, aligners, dental implants, and dentures, then your dentist can also check that these are in good condition and functioning the way they should.

2. To prevent secondary health conditions

Early detection reduces your risk of secondary health conditions such as teeth grinding, overbites, and jaw misalignment. These are hard to self-diagnose and unless you’re in pain, you won’t know that you need a preventative dental care plan to help correct them. In addition, poor oral health can worsen other health conditions such as sleep disorder, chronic headaches, diabetes, heart disease and respiratory disease. Regular dental visits can therefore save your life.

3. To prevent plague build-up on your teeth

Even when you’ve been brushing and flossing daily, plaque can still build up on and between your teeth. If not removed, plaque hardens into tartar, which can lead to tooth decay, itchy gums, gum disease and other dental problems. We recommend that every six months you book an appointment with a hygienist for a clean and polish that will leave your teeth looking and feeling fresh and healthy.

4. To protect your teeth from dental injury

If you’re playing contact sports such as football, basketball and boxing, it’s important to protect your teeth from getting chipped, cracked, broken or knocked out. Your dentist can prescribe some custom-fitted sports mouthguards for you to wear to reduce the risk and severity of dental injuries when playing these sports.

5. To gain education on the correct dental hygiene

When you visit your dentist regularly, you get plenty of opportunities to ask questions about proper dental hygiene to help you maintain good brushing and flossing habits. Your dentist can explain how to take care of your teeth and gums, demonstrate how to wear aligners and mouthguards and suggest the best toothbrushes and toothpastes.

6. To minimise the cost of further preventative dental services

If you catch the dental problems early, the easier, faster and cheaper the dental treatment. This means that by visiting the dentist at least for a clean and polish every six months, you’ll be investing in your own health and total peace of mind.

Need preventative dental care but suffer from dental anxiety?

You’re not alone. Many of our new patients used to suffer from dental anxiety and fear of the dentist, but since seeing how we helped others feel comfortable in the dentist’s chair, these patients now routinely come in for preventative dental care. We’d like to help you do the same, so let us know your concerns when you request an appointment.

Our articles are not intended to be a substitute for professional dental advice, diagnosis or treatment with your dentist, dental hygienist or other medical professional. We recommend to always contact our professional team if you or the person you care for has any concerns about their oral health.

The post 6 Reasons Preventative Dental Care Is So Important first appeared on Prime Dental Group.