Cosmetic Dentistry, the What and the Why

The definition of “beauty” changes over time. Looking at portraits from various times is proof enough. Men no longer wear tights and doubloons or powdered wigs. Women do not wear dresses with bustles or put on several fake moles to go out. Even more recently, styles and perceptions about what is considered attractive have changed drastically. Few people have not enjoyed the pleasure of looking through their parents’ high school yearbooks for some giggles.

A healthy, beautiful smile has never been out of style. At no point in history has it been the height of fashion or respectability to have bad teeth. Aside from numerable health risks, bad teeth are just not attractive. As dentistry evolves, there are more and faster ways to keep your teeth looking and feeling great.

Cosmetic dentistry refers to a category of dental procedures that change the way the teeth look. A dentist qualified to perform those procedures has undertaken additional training and professional development beyond the regular, rigorous training required to become and remain a dentist. Dr. Brogdon is a cosmetic dentist and is highly qualified to perform cosmetic procedures that will benefit the appearance and health of your teeth.

Over the next few posts, we will talk about various procedures that fall under the umbrella of cosmetic dentistry that can do wonders to improve the look and the health of your smile:

• teeth whitening
• crowns
• veneers
• contouring

Visit our blog each week to find out more about each of these procedures, who should have them, how long it takes for them to be done and what to expect.

Would You Like a Mint?

Everyone has bad breath now and then. Some of us more often than others. The technical name for bad breath is halitosis, and most of the time it is a temporary condition. Some foods, alcoholic drinks, coffee, tooth decay, dry mouth and certain medical conditions are all common causes of halitosis.

There are very few people in the world who cannot identify with having “morning breath.” Most of us wake up in the morning with bad breath because while we sleep bacteria multiply in the mouth. Simply brushing your teeth will take care of morning breath, as it will take care of about 90% of cases of bad breath.

Eating foods like garlic, onions, some cheeses, fish and coffee will also cause bad breath. If you are worried about having halitosis due to a meal or your day to day diet, you should consider carrying a small dental care kit – a toothbrush, paste, and mouthwash. If bad breath is a problem, make sure to clean your tongue when you brush.

Other tips to help you avoid the embarrassment of bad breath include sipping water frequently to keep the mouth moist and chewing sugarless gum for the same reason. Be sure to replace your toothbrush every two to three months, floss regularly and see Dr. Brogdon at least every six months for a thorough cleaning.

Regular dental care is vital to avoid bad breath because, following diet, tooth decay is the second leading cause of halitosis. Having your teeth cleaned every six months will help to insure that your teeth and gums stay healthy.

A few people suffer from chronic or persistent halitosis, which is often caused by an underlying medical condition such as diabetes, GERD, bronchitis or sinusitis. In those cases, seeking treatment for the underlying condition along with good dental care from Dr. Brogdon will help you overcome having frequent bad breath.

Finally, a small segment of the population, .5-1%, suffer from halitophobia, or delusional halitosis. People with halitophobia believe they have bad breath, but have not asked for an objective opinion. As with other phobias, the fear of bad breath can severely impact a person’s life.

Before You Head Back To School, Check With Your Dentist

Every year the American Dental Association (ADA) and your dentist join together to remind parents and caregivers to include a dental examination as part of their children’s routine back-to-school health check-ups along with immunizations.

“What some people are not aware of is that many issues involving overall health can be detected, monitored, and treated in the mouth,” explains Dr. Brogdon. Poor oral health or decay can affect a child’s physical health and performance in school.The end of the summer ushers in the beginning of the new school year for an estimated 56 million students this fall(US Census). This month is designated as National Immunization Awareness month and healthcare providers around the country are supporting the healthy back to school initiative.
The American Heart Association sites that harmful decay causing bacteria can enter the bloodstream from the mouth an cause serious health concerns. Proper nutrition, oral home care and dental examinations are the best defense against harmful bacteria and decay.
Tooth decay is the most chronic disease affecting children and is a disease that is not treated with immunizations or by physicians. “We are reaching out to our community to create the awareness that back to school check ups are essential to ensure our children are getting a healthy start to their education this year,” says Dr. Brogdon.

Lasar Technology

Gum disease is a pervasive condition, and most people aren’t even aware they have it. The problem is that gum disease can cause damage to your teeth, your gums and even the bones supporting  your teeth.

Until recently, treating advanced gum disease was a long and sometimes painful process that required several visits to the dentist’s office, sutures and recovery time. Advancing technology has made long, difficult treatments largely a thing of the past!

Dr. Brogdon uses Lasar-ANAP to treat gum disease. Using the lasar allows the doctor to treat gum disease in as few as two visits, and with no stitches! No cutting and no stitching means much less pain and a more comfortable recovery.

Periodontal disease (gum disease) begins as an infection of the soft tissue of the gums and progresses causing damage to tissue, teeth and bone. Many people don’t even know they have it until the condition is fairly advanced. In the past, treating gum disease caused some patients to put off taking care of the condition. Unfortunately, that allowed the disease to progress.

Now, with better technology, periodontal disease can be taken care of quickly and with less discomfort than ever before. The use of lasar treatments effectively eliminates excuses! Dr. Brogdon would be glad to consult with you to find out if you are a candidate for lasar treatments.

Celebrate Your Independence in the Dental Office

Technology makes our lives easier, and that is equally true in Dr. Brogdon’s office. If it’s been a while since you’ve had dental work, you will be amazed at the changes new technologies have made in the process.

One of the things we pride ourselves on is our knowledge of new technology and its usefulness for our patients. We have new methods of performing laser surgery, making crowns and more. One of our goals is to make your visits with us as painless, infrequent and as fast as possible.

Throughout the month of July, we will be posting a series of articles on this blog describing our equipment and the newest technologies we are using to make your dental visits better. Check in often to learn more, and feel free to visit our site to see pictures and read the FAQs.

A Good Night’s Sleep & the Dentist

June is National Men’s Health month and Dr. Brogdon is creating awareness of a deadly health risk that happens in your sleep. Many people are unaware that your dentist is looking for more then just tooth decay. Your dentist can also detect health complications relating to the heart, bones, diabetes, and even sleep disorders.

Over 12 million people in America suffer from Sleep Apnea. “Although sleep apnea can affect everyone including children, those most commonly affected by sleep apnea are males,” explains Dr. Brogdon. The leading risk factors for sleep apnea are being overweight or obese, being over the age of forty and an alcohol user.

If sleep apnea is left untreated, the individual can stop breathing repeatedly during the night, sometimes for a minute or longer. Increasing high blood pressure and the risk of a heart attack, stroke or other cardiovascular disease are also among the health risks associated to sleep apnea. Some indicators that a patient may be a candidate for sleep apnea treatment are chronic snoring, restless sleep, morning headaches, and weight gain.

The most common type of Apnea, OSA (Obstructive Sleep Apnea), can often be remedied with a dental appliance. New discoveries in technology show that modern dental appliances can not only ease the symptoms of Sleep Apnea but also help to ensure a full night of sleep and a longer healthier life.

Dr. Brogdon and his team are on a mission to educate patients on lowering their risk factors by maintaining regular check ups and scheduling evaluations for friends and family that may be showing indications of sleep apnea.

High Blood Pressure, Stress and Going to the Dentist

We hope this is not the case for any of Dr. Brogdon’s patients, but for some people simply walking into the dentist’s office can be a stressful act. If you have hypertension and a trip to the dentist terrifies you, the situation could be dangerous. Stress raises blood pressure.

Even if you are comfortable at the dentist’s office, certain procedures can be stressful for your body. Some drugs that are used routinely by dentists can be dangerous if you have high blood pressure.

Hypertension, and the medications used to treat it, can also cause complications during dental procedures. For example, if you need oral surgery, you may experience more bleeding than usual if you are taking certain medicines often prescribed to treat hypertension.

It is extremely important for patients to make sure their dentists are aware of all health concerns they are facing.

Hypertension and Oral Health

One in four Americans is estimated to have hypertension, often referred to as high blood pressure. While there may not be an obvious link between hypertension and your oral health there are connections. Early diagnosis of hypertension can help patients overcome the condition. When a patient is diagnosed with hypertension the first line of defense is usually to reduce sodium intake, lose weight and exercise more.  If those measures fail, medication may be used to combat the condition.

If you visit your dentist every six months as is recommended, there is a good chance that he will be the first medical professional to become aware you are hypertensive.  Your dentist can recommend a doctor or consult with your primary care physician. The first steps are often the most important.

Patients taking medication for hypertension often experience increased sensitivity to some dental procedures, so if your dentist is aware of your conditions and the medications you are taking, he can be prepared and provide better care. Some medications, such as nifedipine cause specific oral side effects. Nifedipine is often used to treat hypertension and some patients experience swelling and pain in the gums. More frequent visits to the dentist may be called for in order to alleviate the discomfort.

It is important to keep your dentist apprised of your overall medical condition. Each member of your health care team, including your dentist, is dedicated to providing the best possible care for you. You can help by supplying information.

Your Dentist Is a Member of Your Health Care Team

In your mind a trip to the dentist may not be the same as a trip to your primary care physician. However, your dentist is a doctor, and as such, contributes to helping you maintain your overall health.  Many people see their dentists more often than their primary care physicians and in that case the dentist’s role takes on even more importance.

You should make your dentist aware of any and all medications you are taking, as well as any conditions you have been diagnosed with. Many medications cause side effects that may change your dentist’s plan of treatment. Some conditions may be associated with particular oral health issues. For your own safety, and to insure the best possible dental care, talk to your dentist about your overall health.

Finding a Dentist Through Referrals

When you look for any kind of health care provider, how do you begin your search? If you are like most people, the first thing you do is ask people you trust: family, friends maybe co-workers or neighbors. For most of us, a referral is the best way to find someone you trust with your health.

At Brogdon Dental we are always happy to accept referrals from our patients. We want everyone to know the power of a beautiful, perfect smile. If you have a friend or family member who needs dental work, please share what your experience with Dr. Brogdon and ask them to give us your name when they call.

You can see testimonials from our patients, past and present, on our website and on patientfyi.com.  If you would like to leave a comment or call and find out more about our referral program, get in touch! We would love to hear from you today!