Preventive Dentistry
That Pain in Your Jaw Could be From Bruxism
“Do you grind your teeth?” I asked my patient. She looked surprised and said, “Not that I know of!” At Ultimate Smile Design, this is a common exchange with our patients during preventive dental checkups. We often see evidence of teeth clenching and grinding, or bruxism, while our patients don’t even realize they are doing…
Read MoreStrong Tooth Enamel Starts With a Healthy Diet
In our dental practice, we often see patients who have lost enamel on their teeth. Enamel helps protect our teeth from decay, as well as harsh temperatures and chemicals. It is the hardest mineral substance in our body, but when it is compromised, it leaves the softer dentin layer of your teeth exposed, which leads…
Read MoreDental Sealants: Pros and Cons
Has your dentist recommended dental sealants? Dental sealants are commonly applied as a means of preventing cavities caused by tooth decay. A protective coating that is applied to premolars and molars to prevent bacteria from eating away at tooth surfaces, a dental sealant is often part of routine care, particularly for children and teens. But,…
Read MoreSigns it’s Time to Remove Your Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom teeth, those troublesome third molars which typically appear during late adolescence when we are presumably older and wiser, are often a cause for concern among patients in our dental practice. To remove wisdom teeth or not? That is a common question. There are cases when wisdom teeth do not need to be removed: if…
Read MoreCariVu™ – Ultimate Smile Design’s Secret Weapon in the Fight Against Tooth Decay
Creating bright, healthy smiles is our superpower at Ultimate Smile Design. But did you know we have a secret weapon in the fight against tooth decay? We’d like to introduce you to CariVu™ – our dental X-ray sidekick, so to speak. What is CariVu™? CariVu™ is a portable tool we use as an adjunct to…
Read MoreSafe Dentistry: 4 Questions to Ask Your Dentist
Patient health and safety is a dentist’s number one priority. We encourage our patients to become informed about how common dental practices affect their health and the precautions that dentists should take to ensure their safety. We’ve compiled a list of questions you should ask your dentist to determine their commitment to safe dental practices.…
Read MoreFear of the Dentist? How to Ease Your Dental Anxiety
If just thinking about your next visit to the dentist makes you nervous and filled with dread, you’re not alone. Fear of the dentist is common. It’s estimated that between 9 and 20% of patients avoid going to the dentist because of their fears. When you’re searching for a dentist, look for one with a relaxing…
Read MoreGood Oral Health May Reduce the Risk of Heart Disease
Studies have proven that when your mouth starts to show signs of disease some form of health problem is starting to affect the rest of the body. One of the most well-known examples of this is the relationship between gum disease and its effects on the cardiovascular system. Often people who suffer from severe forms…
Read MoreDental Emergency Tips
Tooth pain is one of the most intense types of pain you can experience. Even though most people consider a dental emergency to be less serious than something you would go to the emergency room for, the pain may make you beg to differ. When You Can’t Get to Your Dentist There are times when you…
Read MoreIs Your Athlete Wearing the Right Mouth Guard?
There a variety of things to consider when choosing a mouth guard for your athlete. It is important to remember that the cost of an athletic mouth guard, regardless of the option chosen to buy, will still cost less than an emergency trip to the dentist to have a tooth reinserted. A mouth guard is…
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