When we read or hear the words dental tools, we sometimes get a little bit freaked out, but not to worry. The dental tools that we use in our professional cleanings don’t hurt. Belvedere Family Dentistry is one of the best dentist office’s in Charlotte, North Carolina. We make sure you are completely satisfied with your care before you leave the office. We take pride in our work and most of all we strive to give you the best dental care possible. In this article we will be discussing what type of dental tools we use for our professional cleanings.
As dentists and dental hygienists, we aim to remove plaque, tarter and stains that have built up on your teeth. Even if you brush and floss your teeth and gums regularly each day the tarter can still build up on your teeth. Getting a professional cleaning is an important part of great oral hygiene and is really needed to help your teeth stay clean and tarter free. We actually recommend that you come into the office for a dental cleaning once every 6-12 months, so that way we can prevent periodontal disease from progressing. We ask that you to still maintain good oral hygiene at home in between cleanings to help reduce the buildup of tarter. Here is a list of the dental tools that we will be using to clean your teeth.
· Depending on how much tarter and plaque is on your teeth, we will be using a dental tool called an ultrasonic. What this does is that it vibrates your teeth to break up and remove the tarter and plaque that’s on your teeth.
· After we use the ultrasonic and all that plaque is loose, we will be using a scraper to scrape off all the remaining buildup of plaque and tarter that’s on your teeth.
· Next, we will be using a polisher that is electric. What this does is after your teeth have been scraped and all the plaque is removed we will polish them. The polisher will have a gritty paste applied to it and then the paste will be massaged onto your teeth. After the polishing is done your teeth will feel really smooth and clean.
· We will then use a dental tool that is called a saliva ejector. The saliva ejector removes the remnants of the process and will also remove the saliva that you have built up.
· The last dental tool that we will be using is fluoride. We will gently apply fluoride to your teeth so it can help strengthen your enamel and will also help prevent tooth decay.
So now that you have an understanding of the dental tools that we will be using for your cleaning, give us a call and make an appointment with us. Here at Belvedere Family Dentistry in Charlotte, North Carolina, we look forward to helping with all of your dental needs.
Porcelain Veneers – Enhance Your Smile & Protect Your Teeth
It is your smile that helps create the first impression. Your teeth play the most important role in having the perfect smile. Eventually, it comes down to your dental health and how confident you feel to put their teeth on display. An increasing number of people are realizing the benefits of veneers that help hide all the flaws and enhance your smile.
We at Belvedere Family Dentistry provide total dental solutions including veneers at one place. Find out everything about these dental enhancements and their benefits in making you look and feel more confident and better.
What are Veneers?
A veneer is mostly made of porcelain and gets bonded to the tooth to enhance its shape and color. It is designed in a way that only the top and front of the tooth gets covered. There are many ways these porcelain laminates help improve your teeth. They can close any gaps between teeth. They can whiten your dark or stained teeth or add length to misshapen or small teeth. They also have protective benefits for your damaged or chipped teeth, preventing further wear.
There are different ways that veneers can help boost your confidence and dental health.
Enhance Your Teeth
Porcelain veneer can enhance teeth with different types of problems. You can use it if you have discoloration. It can also help address teeth misalignment. Even when you have small teeth, these laminates can help achieve uniformity. A mold is made of your teeth and then it is sized so that it fits properly to the problem teeth.
Save Your Teeth
Many times, you can use veneers to save your weakened or cracked teeth. The veneer works as a splint when the tooth is stabilized and prevents the need for tooth replacement. Porcelain laminates are thin, but once they get bonded to the teeth, they are quite durable. Combined with proper care, they can help prevent tooth decay too.
Veneers can thus help in enhancing your smile and teeth function, while also in protecting your teeth. Your teeth will become more symmetrical, your bite will improve, and cracked teeth will get splinted. Thus, there are many advantages of choosing these porcelain laminates for your teeth. We at Belvedere Family Dentistry provide all kinds of dental solutions including porcelain veneers. Whether you have misaligned teeth or you want to enhance your smile, give us a call or send us an email for an appointment. We have well-qualified and experienced dentists who can examine your teeth and recommend the best solution.
Even though April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month, this form of cancer does not receive as much attention as other forms of cancer, such as skin cancer. However, the mortality rate for oral cancer is higher than the other types of cancer people hear about more often. The reason oral cancer has such a higher mortality rate is because it is often diagnosed in the later stages.
That is why it is extremely important to get regular oral cancer screenings from one of the family dentists in Charlotte. Oral cancer screenings can help diagnose the condition while it is in its early stages. Screenings can also help reduce your risk of developing oral cancer.
What Is Cancer?
Oral cancer is a type of cancer that affects areas of the mouth. It often develops on the tongue or lips, but it can also develop on the floor or roof of the mouth and the lining of the gums or cheeks. Many people are diagnosed when the cancer has already spread to other parts of the body. Once the cancer has spread, a patient’s prognosis is worse.
The early stages of this condition are often missed unless people are screened regularly by general dentists. Oral cancer may not cause discomfort or pain.
Risk Factors
Men are twice as likely to get oral cancer as women. A person’s risk of oral cancer also increases after the age of 50. Below is a list of some of the additional risk factors that increase the risk of oral cancer:
General dentists play an important role in the prevention and detection of oral cancer. They cannot only perform oral cancer screenings, but they can also give people tips on things that they can do to reduce their risk of developing oral cancer. Family dentists in Charlotte not only keep your smile looking great, but they can also help protect your health.
Unsightly dental work performed in the past can hinder a person’s confidence and make them self-conscious about their appearance. Bad dental work also results in poor occlusion, improper mastication, infections and tooth loss. Our Charlotte dentists offer several methods of improving a patient’s smile and facial esthetics through specialized cosmetic dentistry solutions as noted below:
Tooth-colored Fillings
Existing amalgam or silver fillings can be replaced by tooth-colored materials. Although durable, the silver fillings darken and fracture over time leaving gaps between the tooth structure and the restorations. Plaque and bacteria accumulate in the pits and fissures of the tooth leading to infections and pain. Most amalgam restorations can be replaced with a sturdy composite material that matches the natural pigmentation of the dentition.
Porcelain Laminate Veneers
Permanent discoloration of anterior (frontal) teeth can be corrected with the application of veneers. This method of improving the patient’s smile is a great alternative to more invasive procedures, such as crown placement. The veneers are typically recommended by Charlotte dentists for patients with severely discolored teeth or multiple diastemas. Medically compromised patients are not good candidates for this procedure. Cosmetic dentistry services are focused on correcting any existing dental issues without compromising the function or facial esthetics.
Crowns and Bridges
Excessive tooth structure loss and root canal treatments often require the application of crowns and bridges. Bad dental work can also be corrected by this technique and provide the patient with a beautiful smile. Our Charlotte dentists will carefully inspect the health status of each tooth and determine if the patient can benefit from this procedure using CEREC technology to accomplish a successful treatment with only 1 visit to our office. The color and the shape of the crowns are perfectly matched to complement any existing dentition.
Removable Prosthetics/Dentures
In cases where a crown or a veneer may be out of your budget, you may want to consider the benefits of partials and dentures. Non-metal prosthetics can be manufactured replacing missing teeth and improving the patient’s smile and oral functions at a more affordable rate. Our cosmetic dentistry services offer these dental appliances by using the highest quality materials at discounted prices.
If you have any questions or would like more information about our cosmetic dentistry treatments, please feel free to contact our Charlotte dentist office at 704-927-5499 or by using our convenient online appointment request form.
Wisdom teeth surgery is often downplayed as a minor procedure. However, Wisdom tooth removal can put a great deal of strain on you. It can involve hard tugging, numerous injections and even cutting in the worst cases. Skilled Uptown Charlotte dentists can take steps to minimize the amount of pain you feel, however. The following are some things that you can do to prepare for the extraction, get through it and decrease your recovery time.
Have a Huge, Fattening Dinner
One way you can prepare for wisdom teeth surgery is by having a huge pre-midnight dinner the night before. You will not be able to eat full meals for some time after your surgery is complete. Therefore, you will want to ensure that you take in a meal that has plenty of good fat and protein so that your body can tap into the reserves when you get hungry. You should also make sure that you take a multivitamin so that you can ward off infections and build strength in your teeth.
Clean Your Mouth Well
Clean your mouth well before you go in for the wisdom tooth removal. A good rule-of-thumb practice is to brush twice, floss and then use hydrogen peroxide to rinse your mouth. This helps you to prevent infection. Also, you should apply lip balm or Vaseline to your mouth before you go in for surgery. The dentist is going to hold your mouth open very wide. The Vaseline can help you prevent crackling and chapping.
Bring a Support Person
Bring someone with you who can drive you home and support you emotionally before and after your surgery. Your partner could be a family member or friend.
Find Your Happy Place
Think of a situation, person or expression that makes you happy and puts you in a positive mood. Focus on it when your are sitting in the dentist’s chair, and it will help you get through the procedure.
Tell the Dentist of Your Worries
Let the dentist know of any worries that you have about procedures, risks, concerns and the like. A reputable dentist will not hesitate to discuss such things with you.
Call our office if you are ready to tackle that pesky wisdom tooth. You can contact us by telephone or short online form. Someone will schedule a meeting for you to assess the problem that you are facing with your wisdom tooth.
Many people are afraid of visiting their dentist for a general checkup, but this is a vital step for good dental health. There are several reasons which are regularly cited by the reluctant dental patient for avoiding the pursuit of general dentistry:
There is No Need to Feel Embarrassed
It’s surprising how often this comes up, but it probably shouldn’t be. We’re all more socially conscious than we like to admit. However, if you need stitches or to have a bone set, you don’t avoid going to the emergency room out of embarrassment. The doctor’s only concern is to fix the problem while helping you to avoid a recurrence. The same is true of general dentistry. Your dentist has seen worse mouths than yours, guaranteed. A regular checkup with your Uptown Charlotte dentist is just the thing to make sure that this stays true!
Dentists Practice Effective Pain Management
It’s no laughing matter: many people with serious tooth pain avoid going to the dentist out of fear of experiencing additional pain. However, their dentist will preface any painful procedures with the generous use of a variety of anesthetic agents. Tooth pain is piercing and intense, but your dentist is the one who can make it all go away.
The Cost of General Dentistry
Most dental practices are less expensive than otherwise comparable medical procedures involving other parts of the body, and dental insurance is a relatively inexpensive form of insurance to procure for oneself. If money is still the major concern, the best way to avoid the expense of complicated dental procedures is to have regular checkups. A simple cleaning, coupled with other regular maintenance, is the best way to ensure that more serious problems never rear their ugly heads.
Toothache is a Pain; Call Today for an Appointment!
If you are a resident of the Uptown Charlotte area and you are suffering from pronounced tooth pain, don’t spend a moment longer than you have to suffering from such discomfort. Give our office a call, and have a qualified Uptown Charlotte dentist make your problem go away. You’ll smile wider without all of that pain in the way!
While finding dental care has to be treated with the utmost caution, finding a dentist in Uptown Charlotte doesn’t have to be an overwhelming task.
General Dentists
A general dentist is the first line of defense in oral health. And good dental health is critical to our overall physical and mental well-being. These clinicians offer complete family dentistry, showing us the best ways to take care of our mouths through checkups to braces. They will be instrumental in detecting problems that could lead to veneers, implants and wisdom teeth removal.
A general dentist is the focal point of all your mouth needs. Locating a local practice that participates in your dental plan will be easy enough. What should truly influence your decision is convenient office hours, the approach to preventive dentistry, is the office neat and orderly, and is staff organized and patient about answering questions. It isn’t a myth that, in the majority, we’re afraid of the dentist. It’s imperative we find one that makes us comfortable. Their service will lead to good dental needs from orthodontics to cosmetic dentistry.
Cosmetic Dentists
At some point, a cosmetic dentist will cross many of our paths. These are professionals who deal with the beauty of your smile, an important tool in everything from self-esteem to social interaction. Once a dentist in Uptown Charlotte has determined you need certain specialized services, you will be referred to a cosmetic dentist. There are dental practices in Uptown Charlotte that manage specialized as well as general services. Either way, if needed, you will be under the guidance of trained professionals who manage periodontal diseases and restorative treatments, including crowns, fluoride treatments, root canal therapy and extractions.
Under the counsel of a general dentist and cosmetic dentistry in Uptown Charlotte, you’ll have versatility in correcting aesthetic flaws in the mouth. You will be able to create a newer, younger look. You will be treated and educated in the many ways to prevent dental damage. Best of all, you will enjoy the benefits of a beautiful smile.
We lament there are so many people who are afraid to smile because they’re not comfortable with their teeth. If you need a professional, reliable and comforting dentist, go ahead and give us a call and make an appointment today.
For a large portion of the population, dental checkups are a stressful experience. Some people worry that the dentist will find a cavity or other dental issue, and other people find the cleaning process to be painful and uncomfortable. However, visiting your general dentist for regular checkups is essential for maintaining good dental health, and checkups and cleanings will be beneficial in the long run.
You can make dental checkups much easier by being prepared for the appointment. Here are four steps you can take to prepare:
Brush and Floss
Brush and floss your teeth thoroughly before you leave for your appointment. If you’ve gone several months without flossing, flossing every day for the week leading up to your appointment will probably not fool your general dentist. Flossing at least once is better than not flossing at all, though, and most people like to go to their appointment with a clean mouth. However, you should avoid brushing your teeth too aggressively as it can damage your gums and make your teeth more sensitive.
Take ibuprofen to Help with Pain
Some people find the cleaning procedure at a checkup to be painful. If you’re worried about pain at your appointment, take the recommended dose of ibuprofen about an hour before your checkup. You can also take one about six hours after the appointment to reduce any inflammation.
Think of Any Dental Problems You’ve Been Experiencing
If you have any questions or concerns about your dental health, write them down or take a mental note of them. A general dentistry appointment is the best time to ask about any problems you’ve experienced. Some common problems include:
Confirm Your Appointment in Advance and Arrive Early
Call or email your dentist’s office a day or two before your appointment to confirm it. If you have to cancel, make sure to give them 24 hours notice. On the day of the appointment, try to arrive 10 or 15 minutes early in case you need to fill out any paperwork.
Our Uptown Charlotte dentists can provide general checkups and cleanings, and they can answer any questions you may have about your dental health. If you need a dental checkup, call our Uptown Charlotte dentist office today to schedule an appointment.
Many adults eventually have to endure wisdom teeth removal. Although it may be intimidating, the recovery process can be easy with a few tips.
Our Uptown Charlotte dentist office will be happy to assist you with the recovery process as well.
Keep Head Elevated During Sleep
After having your wisdom teeth removed, it is important to make sure your head stays upright. Lying flat increases pain and throbbing. It also changes the amount of blood flow near the incision, thus causing it to heal slower. So make sure to use multiple pillows at night to keep your head positioned in an upright angle.
Keep the Mouth Moist
If you frequently breath with an open mouth, make sure it does not dry out. Attempt to produce saliva or purchase an over the counter oral moisturizer. A dry mouth can encourage bacterial growth and slower wound healing.
Get Enough Electrolytes
Not being able to eat enough solid food post wisdom teeth removal can cause a drop in blood sugar. Maintaining a good electrolyte balance and keeping the blood stabilized is important for the recovery process. Electrolytes can be found in coconut water or sports drinks.
Massage Your Jaw
After surgery, your mouth will be fairly sore. When it is possible, gently massage your jaw joint on both sides to stimulate blood flow and to alleviate any cramping in the jaw from having it opened so wide during the procedure.
Be Careful with What You Eat
Obviously you must avoid solid foods that can put wear and tear on the mouth, such as meat and uncooked produce. Stay within the guidelines of the following foods
1. Ice creams and yogurt
2. Soups with little to no chunks
3. Pureed fruit
4. Mashed Potatoes
5. Various liquid to gel like foods i.e. Jello or pudding
Getting Started
If you are someone you know is in need of wisdom tooth extraction or has questions, please contact our Uptown Charlotte dentist office during business hours and we will be happy to assist you.
Wisdom teeth removal can be a difficult process but with these tips and tricks, you can greatly speed up the recovery process post surgery. Simply consume the right foods, keep your head in an upright position as much as possible and massage the jaw line. If tolerable, you can also apply ice packs or cool cloths to the outside of the jaw joint to relieve pain. Following these strategies will reduce your down time and reduce pain and swelling. You will be able to resume normal life quicker than you think. You may be able to recover within just two weeks. The staff at our Uptown Charlotte dentist office will be able to assist you with any questions or concerns. We will also provide information on how to properly care for your mouth after surgery.
These days, many Uptown Charlotte residents have realized that having a professional teeth cleaning can get their pearly whites in optimal condition. However, many of these individuals don’t know how to maintain the great effects of their teeth cleaning once their Uptown Charlotte dentist has completed the job. If this is your dilemma, this article is for you. Read on to learn about several general dentistry strategies you can employ to maintain results for as long as possible:
1. Watch What You Eat.
If you’re serious about maintaining the great effects of the cleaning services provided by your Uptown Charlotte dentist, make sure that you take the time to watch what you eat. There are several foods that can cause your teeth to deteriorate, and some of them include:
• sticky candy
• soda
• coffee
• hard candy
• pickles
• alcohol
Just as there are certain foods that you should avoid, there are several foods that you should consume regularly to promote optimal functionality and aesthetic appeal for your teeth. Some of them include:
• spinach
• apples
• celery
• arugula
• almonds
2. Use The Right Toothbrush.
Once you’ve had cosmetic dentistry services that get your teeth super clean, remember that maintaining the effects will require at-home work. For example, you’ll need to ensure that you’re using the right toothbrush. The ideal brush will have soft bristles. Also keep in mind that your toothbrush needs to be replaced every two to three months. In many cases, people notice that their bristles have become bent and replace the brush at this point. However, you shouldn’t wait until this tell-tale sign appears because even a brush with straight bristles can grow blunt and cause injury to your gums and teeth.
3. Floss Regularly.
Although attaining cosmetic dentistry services is great, you won’t be able to maintain the effects that long if you don’t floss regularly. As such, be sure that you floss your teeth twice a day. Doing so will prevent the accumulation of plaque between your teeth while also decreasing your susceptibility to bad breath.
Summing It All Up
If you’re serious about maintaining the effects of cleaning services, now is the time to implement strategies that will help you do so. You can implement some or all of the oral care strategies outlined above to ensure that your pearly whites remain in tip top condition. Also be sure to call our dentist office today to schedule your professional teeth cleaning.
Uptown Charlotte Dentistry & Orthodontics
We do our best to make it easy for you to get the beautiful smile you deserve! Our office accepts nearly all major insurance plans. Even though dental insurance is a private arrangement between you and your company, we will file your claim, handle all the paperwork, and help you get maximum insurance benefits.
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