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How Does Smoking Affect My Oral Health?
Most people are aware that smoking causes numerous health problems, but many don’t realize the risks it poses to the mouth, teeth, and gums. Here’s all you need to know about smoking and its devastating effects on your oral health.
Smoking and Its Impacts on Your Oral Health
Here are some ways smoking can affect your oral health:
Periodontal (Gum Disease): Did you know that periodontal disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults? Smoking increases the risk of accumulating bacterial plaque, leading to gingivitis, the early stage of gum disease. If not treated, gingivitis can progress to a serious condition known as periodontitis, which can potentially destroy the bone and tissues holding the teeth in place, leading to loose teeth and tooth loss.
Receding Gums: One of the complications of gum disease is receding gums, which exposes the margins of the crowns. That interferes with proper oral hygiene and can result in cosmetic concerns, including longer-looking teeth.
Tooth Decay and Cavities: Smoking increases plaque and tartar buildup and causes dry mouth, two leading causes of tooth decay. Moreover, gum recession that often accompanies periodontitis can leave the tooth roots susceptible to decay.
Oral Cancer: Smoking is notorious for causing lung cancer, but many remain unaware that it elevates the risk of mouth cancer. Unfortunately, thousands of people die every year from oral cancer resulting from smoking.
Tooth Discoloration: Tooth staining and discoloration are largely attributed to the nicotine and tar found in cigarettes. Dull, yellow teeth are tell-tale signs of smoking, with long-time smokers often having almost brown teeth.
Bad Breath (Halitosis): Not only does smoking leave behind a very unpleasant mouth odor, but it also causes dry mouth and periodontal disease, two leading causes of bad breath.
Weakened Immune System: Smoking can result in a compromised immune system, leading to weakened defenses against oral infections and slower healing after dental procedures.
Combatting the Effects of Smoking on Your Oral Health
While quitting smoking is the best way to go, there are some things smokers can do to lower the risk of developing dental problems. Make sure you maintain meticulous oral hygiene practices, including thorough tooth brushing and flossing. Don’t forget to visit Hebron Family Dentistry for your twice-a-year dental exams and cleanings so that we can identify and treat any conditions as they develop. If you have any concerns at any time, contact us for an appointment right away.
Quality Dental Care Near Me
Visit Hebron Family Dentistry in Hebron, KY, to learn more about the impacts of smoking on your oral health. Dr. Watson and her team are proud to offer exceptional preventive and restorative services for long-term healthy smiles. Call us and schedule your appointment today!
Are Energy Drinks Harmful to My Teeth?
Chances are you’ve heard that sodas and sugary drinks can wreak havoc on your oral health. But did you know that energy drinks are just as bad, if not worse? Here’s all you need to know about the risks associated with consuming these so-called energy-boosting beverages.
How Do Energy Drinks Harm Your Teeth?
Here are some of the ingredients found in most energy drinks that can cause irreversible damage to your teeth:
- Sugar: The high sugar content in energy drinks provides cavity-causing bacteria with an abundant food source. As they feast, bacteria produce acids that attack and weaken the tooth enamel, resulting in tooth decay and cavities.
- Acids: All energy drinks, even the sugar-free ones, contain low pH levels, which means they are highly acidic, with many almost as acidic as battery acid! That softens the tooth enamel, leaving your teeth prone to developing decay and cavities.
- Caffeine: Energy drinks are high in caffeine, a natural diuretic, which may result in loss of calcium, a mineral needed to maintain healthy teeth and bones. Moreover, caffeine intake can cause hyperactivity, which sometimes triggers teeth grinding (bruxism), leading to tooth wear and damage.
How Do Energy Drinks Affect Your Overall Health?
Energy drinks contain high amounts of caffeine, which can cause a host of health concerns. Heavy consumption of these beverages can result in headaches, anxiety, nervousness, faster heartbeats, sleep interruptions, and frequent urination. Despite their claim of boosting energy levels, individuals consuming energy drinks often report difficulty maintaining focus and concentration. Moreover, the high sugar content in most energy drinks can lead to obesity and diabetes. So rather than reaching out for energy drinks or sugary drinks, consider choosing water, the best and healthiest beverage of all!
Healthy Habits for Healthy Smiles
Maintaining proper oral hygiene practices will help counter the effects of sugars and acids on your oral health. Make sure you floss daily and brush your teeth at least twice a day using a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. It’s also important to visit Hebron Family Dentistry for your routine dental exams and cleanings. Dr. Watson and her team will monitor your oral health to ensure it stays in tip-top shape.
Quality Preventive Dentistry Services Near Me
Visit Hebron Family Dentistry in Hebron, KY, to learn more about the harms of energy drinks. Dr. Watson and her outstanding team are proud to offer cutting-edge preventive dentistry services for long-term healthy smiles. Call us and schedule your appointment today!
Am I a Candidate for Invisalign?
If you’re in search of an orthodontic solution to straighten your teeth and perfect your smile without having to deal with traditional braces, you’ve come to the right place. Hebron Family Dentistry is proud to offer Invisalign, the world’s most advanced clear aligner system. You’ll love the stunning results!
Invisalign Overview
Invisalign by Align Technology is an innovative clear aligner system created for you from digital scans of your teeth. Each virtually invisible aligner will gently and precisely shift your teeth into alignment.
Are You a Candidate for Invisalign?
Invisalign’s invisible braces work well for adults and teens, with Invisalign Teen featuring compliance indicators to ensure sufficient usage. The clear aligner system is ideal for correcting a wide range of mild to complex concerns, including gaps between teeth, crooked teeth, and a crowded mouth. We can also address problems with the bite, including underbites, overbites, crossbites, and open bites. Dr. Watson will evaluate your unique needs and will help you determine if Invisalign is right for you!
Why Choose Invisalign?
The Invisalign clear aligner system comes with over 20 years of clinical research and more than 700 patents. The innovative orthodontic treatment will deliver your ideal smile up to 50 percent faster than metal braces. The proprietary SmartTrack material and the SmartForce features allow for predictability and precision when correcting complex orthodontic cases.
Invisalign’s virtually invisible aligners will straighten your teeth and perfect your smile gently and discreetly. Unlike traditional metal braces with their wires and brackets, the smooth plastic material is incredibly comfortable. Best of all, the aligners are removable, meaning you can brush and floss with ease and can enjoy your favorite foods without restriction. Have an important event? Just remove your aligner trays and pop them back in when done! Invisalign’s dramatic results speak for themselves. You’ll achieve beautiful, straight teeth and a smile you love!
What Should You Expect with Invisalign?
Your smile transformation will begin with a consultation with Dr. Watson. She will evaluate your unique condition and demonstrate what Invisalign can do for you. You’ll even get a preview of your new smile!
When you decide to go with Invisalign, we will take precise digital scans of your teeth to map out your custom treatment plan. When your aligners are ready, you’ll return to our office. We’ll go over how to use them and care for them. You’ll need to keep your aligners in your mouth for at least 20-22 hours each day for the best results. After achieving the smile you desire, you’ll need to wear custom retainers to ensure you maintain your stunning treatment results!
Invisalign Clear Aligners Near Me
Visit Hebron Family Dentistry in Hebron, KY, to learn more about Invisalign, the world’s most advanced clear aligners. It’s never too late to achieve the smile of your dreams. Call us and schedule your appointment today!
Will a Night Guard Prevent Me from Damaging My Teeth?
Grinding and clenching your teeth in your sleep, a condition known as bruxism, can pose a risk to your oral and overall health. We at Hebron Family Dentistry are proud to offer custom night guards to prevent damage to your teeth and jaws. It’s true. You can enjoy restful sleep free from grinding and pain!
Bruxism Overview
Bruxism is characterized by the repeated grinding or clenching of your teeth, especially during sleep. It usually results from stress, sleep disorders, abnormal bites, crooked or missing teeth, or taking certain medications.
Forcefully rubbing your upper and lower teeth can wear your tooth enamel to the point of exposing the soft pulp containing the nerves and blood vessels. That can weaken your teeth and cause intense pain. Symptoms of bruxism include morning headaches, earaches, tooth sensitivity, stiffness of the shoulders and neck, sleep disruptions, and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain.
How Can a Night Guard Prevent Damage to Your Teeth?
The most effective way to combat the harmful effects of bruxism is to wear a night guard known as an occlusal guard or a nocturnal bite plate. The oral appliance provides a protective barrier between the upper and lower teeth, which helps protect your tooth enamel from wear or damage.
What Are the Types of Night Guards?
Stock: These inexpensive oral appliances come ready to wear. However, they often don’t fit well and can be bulky, making breathing and talking difficult.
Boil and Bite: These night guards offer a better fit than their stock counterparts. You will first need to place them in boiling water and then bite into them for a better fit.
Custom-Made Night Guards: Custom night guards, prepared from impressions of your teeth, offer the most reliable protection for your smile. They provide a superior fit, are incredibly comfortable, and do not obstruct your breathing. Your mouthguard will provide cushioning and prevent the upper and lower teeth from grinding against one another. It will also absorb the grinding and clenching forces, preventing wear and damage to your teeth. You will sleep better and wake up without morning headaches or jaw pain, and you will protect your teeth, jaws, and any restorations from damage.
Custom Night Guards Near Me
Visit Hebron Family Dentistry in Hebron, KY, to learn more about our custom night guards and how they can safeguard your smile. We are all about ensuring our valued patients enjoy healthy teeth for a lifetime! Call us and schedule your appointment today!
What Are Same-Day Crowns?
Restoring your smile with a traditional dental crown typically requires multiple visits, messy impression trays, and temporary crowns. Hebron Family Dentistry is proud to offer the groundbreaking CEREC technology, which allows us to design, create, and place a custom crown in just one office visit! You’ll love the incredibly natural-looking and feeling results.
What Are Dental Crowns and Why Would You Need One?
Dental crowns are tooth-shaped restorations that encase the visible portions of damaged teeth to restore their health, function, and appearance. Here are some reasons you would require a dental crown:
- To support a tooth with a large cavity that threatens its health
- To restore a weak, cracked, fractured, or damaged tooth
- To strengthen and preserve a tooth after root canal therapy
- To correct the appearance of a misaligned, misshapen, or severely discolored tooth
- To replace one or more missing teeth by covering a dental implant or supporting a dental bridge.
What Are Same-Day CEREC Crowns?
CEREC, which stands for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics, takes dental crown technology to the next level. The revolutionary system utilizes Computer-aided designing (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) to create virtual models of dental crowns without the need for any impressions. The information is sent to our on-site milling unit, which produces high-quality ceramic restorations out of a durable porcelain-based material that we closely match to the color and texture of your natural teeth.
What Are the Advantages of Same-Day CEREC Crowns?
Same-day crowns are trending today. Not only is the procedure completed in one day, but you’ll also preserve tooth structure because CEREC crowns require less preparation than their traditional counterparts. Moreover, CEREC crowns are made of solid ceramic blocks, making them stronger and more durable.
CEREC crowns come in many different shades, so we can closely match your restoration to your natural teeth, leaving you with a seamless smile. Your new same-day crown will look, feel, and function just like a natural tooth. While porcelain crowns tend to last between 10-15 years, CEREC crowns have the potential to last two to three decades or even more with proper care!
Are Same-Day CEREC Crowns Right for You?
Your trusted team at Hebron Family Dentistry will evaluate your unique needs to determine if a CEREC crown is right for you. We are here to answer your questions about traditional crowns, same-day CEREC crowns, or any other aspect of your oral health.
Same-Day CEREC Crowns Near Me
Contact Hebron Family Dentistry in Hebron, KY, to learn more about our same-day CEREC crowns and how they deliver beautiful, healthy, and functional smiles. Expect outstanding, personalized care. Call us and schedule your appointment today!
Why Do I Have Bad Breath and How Do I Treat It?
Almost everyone has had an occasional brush with not-so-fresh breath. In fact, studies show that more than 50 percent of adults have dealt with bad breath at one point. The good news is that simple lifestyle changes and a little help from your trusted team at Hebron Family Dentistry will allow you to enjoy fresh breath and a healthy, confident smile.
What Are the Causes of Bad Breath?
Most cases of bad breath, a condition known as halitosis, result from poor dental hygiene. Without daily brushing and flossing, the food particles left in the mouth promote the growth of odor-causing bacteria between your teeth, around your gums, and on your tongue.
Foods such as onions and garlic can cause an unpleasant odor when they break down. Crash diets, including fasting and very low-carbohydrate diet programs, are also known to cause bad breath. That’s because the breakdown of fats results in the production of chemicals called ketones that produce a powerful odor in the mouth.
Other factors contributing to halitosis include the use of tobacco products, dry mouth, tooth decay, gum disease, infections, sores, and ill-fitting dental appliances. It can also result from the use of certain medications or from medical conditions, including diabetes, chronic acid reflux, respiratory tract infections, sinusitis, and postnasal drip. Sometimes, small, bacteria-covered stones form on the tonsils, resulting in an unpleasant odor.
Preventing and Treating Bad Breath
The best way to prevent or reduce halitosis is to maintain proper oral hygiene practices, including regular brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash. Make sure you clean your tongue as well because bacteria, food, and dead cells often build-up, leaving an unpleasant odor. You’ll need to thoroughly clean any dentures, bridges, or mouthguards to keep your breath fresh.
Cutting down on odor-causing foods helps combat halitosis, as does quitting smoking. It’s also important to drink plenty of water to keep your mouth moist. If you have a dry mouth, sugarless gum can help.
If your bad breath persists, you may want to visit Hebron Family Dentistry. We will treat any oral health conditions that could be causing your bad breath. We may also recommend visiting your healthcare provider to rule out health conditions that may be contributing to your bad breath. In all cases, we recommend maintaining your twice-a-year dental exams and cleanings to keep your oral health in tip-top shape and to keep halitosis at bay.
Halitosis Treatment Near Me
Visit Hebron Family Dentistry in Hebron, KY, to learn more about preventing and treating bad breath. Dr. Watson and her team will work with you to eliminate your bad breath and give you the confidence to get up close and personal. Are you ready to kiss bad breath goodbye? Call us and schedule your appointment today!
Flossing and It’s Importance for Your Oral Health
Brushing your teeth at least twice a day is an essential preventive practice. But did you know that flossing also plays a vital role in keeping cavities and gum disease at bay? The next time you consider skipping flossing, remember that the few extra minutes you spend caring for your oral health will translate to long-term healthy smiles.
Flossing and Your Oral Health
At Hebron Family Dentistry, we believe in prevention rather than treating dental disease after it develops. That’s why we encourage our valued patients to maintain proper oral hygiene practices. Here’s why flossing is so important:
Flossing Lowers Your Risk of Developing Gum Disease: Regardless of how carefully you brush, you can’t remove bacteria, plaque, and food debris caught between your teeth. Flossing helps get to those hard-to-reach areas and clean them out. Otherwise, plaque bacteria start irritating the gum tissue, leading to gingivitis, the earliest stage of (periodontal) gum disease. If not treated, the condition will progress, resulting in bleeding, receding gums, bone loss, and even tooth loss.
Flossing Combats Tooth Decay: Leaving plaque sitting between your teeth allows cavity-causing bacteria to flourish and produce acids that attack the tooth enamel, leading to decay and cavities.
Flossing Prevents Bad Breath (Halitosis): Cleaning away odor-causing plaque bacteria and food particles will leave you with a clean and fresh smile!
Flossing Best Practices
Here are some flossing tips for clean teeth and healthy smiles:
- Floss once a day and take your time to ensure you don’t miss bacteria, plaque, or food particles.
- Cut off a strand of dental floss about 18 to 24 inches long and wrap it around the middle fingers, leaving an inch or two in between.
- Hold the floss firmly with your index fingers and thumbs.
- Slide the floss between two teeth and glide it gently up and down, rubbing it against the sides of each tooth.
- As the floss reaches the gums, curve it into a c-shape, working it beneath the gum lines on both sides.
- Repeat the steps, using a new, clean section of floss as you move from tooth to tooth.
- Rinse your mouth with water or an antimicrobial mouthwash when done.
Quality Preventive Dentistry Near Me
Contact Hebron Family Dentistry in Hebron, KY, to learn more about healthy practices for healthy smiles. Dr. Watson and her outstanding team are proud to offer quality preventive dentistry services designed to keep dental disease at bay. Call us and schedule your appointment today!
Oral Cancer Detection
Early signs of oral cancer can be easily missed or mistaken for other problems, such as a toothache or a cold. If you notice any changes or lingering symptoms, make sure to contact your trusted team at Hebron Family Dentistry right away for an evaluation. Oral cancer has an excellent chance of cure if detected and treated early on.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Oral Cancer?
Oral cancer refers to cancer that develops in any part of the oral cavity, including the lips, gums, tongue, inner lining of the cheeks, and roof of the mouth. During the disease’s early stages, you may not notice the subtle signs or symptoms. That’s why we encourage you to maintain your routine dental exams every six months. That will allow us to detect any abnormalities early on.
Signs and symptoms of oral cancer often include mouth or lip sores that do not heal, reddish or whitish patches on the inside of the mouth, lumps or growths, difficulty swallowing, mouth or ear pain, or loose teeth. Patients sometimes report jaw stiffness, crusted or rough areas in the mouth, numbness, a hoarse voice, or a sensation of something caught in the throat. Having one or more of these symptoms does not necessarily translate to a diagnosis of oral cancer. However, it’s important to schedule a dental exam to rule out any potential problems.
What Are Oral Cancer Risk Factors?
Risk factors for oral cancer include excessive lip exposure to the sun, the use of tobacco products, heavy alcohol consumption, a weakened immune system, and HPV (human papillomavirus). To lower your chances of developing this disease, refrain from the use of tobacco products, drink alcohol in moderation, and keep your lips protected from the sun. Most importantly, don’t forget to schedule your twice-a-year dental visits to allow us to examine your mouth and check for any potential precancerous changes.
How Do We Detect Oral Cancer?
During your dental exam, Dr. Watson will ask you if you have noticed any recent changes in your mouth or if you have any concerns. Your oral cancer screening is a quick, painless, and potentially life-saving exam. Dr. Watson will evaluate the soft tissues in your oral cavity and the surrounding muscles to rule out any abnormalities. If she identifies any suspicious area, she may recommend a biopsy for further investigation.
Oral Cancer Screening Near Me
Contact Hebron Family Dentistry in Hebron, KY, to schedule your routine dental exam and cleaning. Your appointment will include an oral cancer screening to make sure your mouth is free from any precancerous changes. We invite you to experience preventive dentistry at its best. Call us and schedule your appointment today!
What Are the Benefits of Professional Teeth Whitening vs. Home Teeth Whitening?
If your smile is not as white and bright as you’d like it to be, you’ve come to the right place. Hebron Family Dentistry is proud to offer teeth whitening, today’s most sought after cosmetic dentistry procedure. The safe and effective treatment will leave you with a bright, white, and dazzling smile!
How Do Teeth Become Stained and Discolored?
As the years go by, constant exposure to staining agents in foods and beverages such as coffee and berries can leave your teeth lacking in luster. Moreover, tobacco use, certain illnesses or medications, chips, and injuries can cause teeth staining and discoloration.
What Is Teeth Whitening and How Does It Work?
Teeth whitening involves applying hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide gel to the surfaces of your teeth. The bleaching agent penetrates the tooth enamel, breaking down the surface and deep stains, revealing a whiter, brighter smile.
The bleaching process is most effective on yellow teeth. Brown and gray teeth, dental restorations, or discoloration due to injury or medications may not show the desired results. If that’s the case, we may recommend other cosmetic dentistry procedures, including dental veneers, cosmetic bonding, or dental crowns.
Professional Teeth Whitening vs. Home Teeth Whitening
Professional Teeth Whitening: Professional, in-office whitening delivers the best results. After placing a shield to protect your gums, we will apply a peroxide-based gel onto your teeth’s surfaces. We may use a special light to speed up and enhance the whitening process. In-office whitening can whiten your teeth several shades in a single visit, leaving you with a white, sparkling smile.
If you prefer professional whitening at home, we can provide you with safe and effective whitening gel and custom-fitted trays. You may require a few weeks to achieve the dazzling results you desire.
Home Teeth Whitening: There are numerous teeth whitening options available for purchase over-the-counter. Peroxide-based whitening gels or strips work the same way as professional whitening, with the difference being the length of time it takes for these products to deliver any results. You can also find whitening toothpaste brands, which contain mild abrasives that remove some surface stains.
If you plan to use over-the-counter whitening products, we recommend consulting with your trusted team at Hebron Family Dentistry. While some of these products deliver whitening results, some are sure to disappoint, and others may harm your teeth and gums.
Teeth Whitening Near Me
Visit Hebron Family Dentistry in Hebron, KY, to learn more about our safe and effective professional teeth whitening. We are committed to utilizing cutting-edge procedures and techniques to deliver stunning results. Are you ready to transform your smile? Call us and schedule your appointment today!
Why Is It So Important to Have Regular Cleanings and Visits with My Dentist?
Regular dental exams and cleanings are vital components of preventive dentistry, a field dedicated to the prevention of the onset and progression of dental disease. If you haven’t had your teeth professionally cleaned or your mouth examined lately, we, at Hebron Family Dentistry, urge you to visit our Hebron, KY office for the quality preventive care you need to maintain long-term healthy smiles!
How Often Should You Schedule Your Regular Cleanings and Dental Visits?
The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends scheduling your dental visits at intervals determined by your dentist. Most of our patients with healthy teeth and gums require preventive dental visits every six months, while patients with gum disease or are at a higher risk of tooth decay may need more frequent preventive care.
Why Are Regular Cleanings and Dental Visits Necessary?
We cannot understate the critical role routine dental care plays in maintaining your optimal oral health. Professional cleanings dramatically decrease the risk of developing tooth decay, cavities, and bad breath (halitosis). They also help prevent periodontal (gum) disease, the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. Dental exams, on the other hand, allow your trusted team at Hebron Family Dentistry to identify any condition in the earliest stages when most treatable, preventing the need for costly and involved treatments down the road.
Maintaining healthy teeth and gums is not only important to your oral health but also impacts your overall health. Studies show a connection between periodontal disease and a host of serious health conditions, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease.
What Happens During Your Visit?
During your appointment, we will evaluate every aspect of your oral health. A physical exam and x-rays will help uncover any underlying concerns, including early tooth decay, chips, cracks, infections, or bone loss, to name a few.
Your visit will also include professional dental cleaning, during which our hygienist will remove any plaque or tartar buildup from around your gum line and between your teeth, then use a gritty polisher to remove any plaque or tartar left behind. The last step is professional flossing to ensure that no plaque or tartar remain between your teeth.
Oral Hygiene Practices at Home
Caring for your teeth at home is another critical component of prevention. We encourage you to brush and floss regularly to remove plaque and prevent it from hardening to tartar, which only a professional dental cleaning can remove.
Quality Preventive Dentistry Near Me
Dr. Watson and her outstanding team at Hebron Family Dentistry in Hebron, KY, invite you to schedule your routine dental exam and cleaning. Together, we will ensure your smile stays healthy for many years to come! Call us today!