Orthodontics and Adulthood: Thinking about improving your smile?

Do you feel embarrassed of your smile or that your crooked teeth take away from your appearance, but can’t imagine wearing braces to correct the problem? Have you been thinking about improving your smile due to discoloration, misshapen teeth, or gaps, but don’t want the attention or inconvenience of lengthy cosmetic dentistry? You may be pleasantly surprised by some of the options available to you.

Advances in dentistry have given adults discreet, comfortable and convenient options that take as little as two visits to 24 months, depending on the procedure. Here are a few of the options that Dr. Mayes offers in-office:

1. Invisalign (typically 9-15 months)

Invisalign™ makes it possible to have straight teeth in as little as 9 - 15 months. The Invisalign™ system consists of clear plastic custom-made aligners that are replaced every two weeks. No braces, wires or headgear, no mouth irritation, and no embarrassment. You can eat, drink, brush and floss as you normally would because the Invisalign™ system is removable. Even better, the Invisalign aligners are nearly undetectable. Invisalign™ is widely popular and is greatly preferred by adults for its convenience and effectiveness.

2. Six Months Smiles (typically 6 months)

Six Month Smiles can give you a beautiful smile, quickly and comfortably. If your teeth have gaps, or are crowded and overlapped, most cases can be completed in six months or less. Six Month Smiles modifies the best aspects and materials of traditional braces to provide a cosmetic solution that better suits an adult lifestyle. Clear brackets and tooth-colored wires, which are barely visible, are used to gently move the teeth that are visible in your smile to the desired position. This can be accomplished in a short time, it’s much more comfortable than traditional braces, and can barely be seen. The result? Straight teeth in months instead of years! Not everyone is a candidate for Six Month Smiles, so call Dr. Mayes for a complimentary consultation.

3. Veneers (typically 2 visits)

Porcelain veneers are very hard, thin coverings that are bonded to your teeth. They are a great option for patients concerned with misshapen teeth, gaps, deep discoloration or other problems that interfere with the attractiveness of your smile. They are very natural-looking, and nearly undetectable. Most are done in only two visits!

4. Tooth Whitening (from 1 hour-2 weeks, depending on the process)

Dr. Mayes offers two different types of tooth whitening, KöR Whitening Deep Bleaching, and ZOOM!2 Whitening. Both are highly acclaimed for quality and effectiveness. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Mayes to find out which is right for you.

Dentistry addresses heart attack, stroke and cancer:

You may be surprised to hear that some of the problems that can be found during a dental visit have been linked to heart attack, strokes, and cancer. Many people rely on their dentist for cosmetic reasons (to maintain their appearance), or if they have a dental emergency, such as a terrible toothache. However, visiting your dentist regularly is an important part of your overall health routine. A dentist can identify and help prevent some major medical issues that may go overlooked by other physicians. Here are some of the risks, signs and symptoms that you should be aware of.

Oral Cancer

Statistically, one American dies every hour from oral cancer. The great news is that there’s a 90% cure rate if it’s detected early. That’s why regular visits to your dentist are vital. At Preston Dental Center, one of the most effective FDA-approved oral cancer screening systems, VELscope, is used to examine tissues and identify problems early. This screening could literally save your life!

Sleep Apnea

Sleep Apnea is a condition in which a person stops breathing during sleep, multiple times per night. Snoring is one of the trademarks of sleep apnea; it indicates that the throat or tongue is blocking the airway and a person literally has to gasp or wake up to get the air they need. Sleep apnea puts a tremendous strain on the heart and brain, due to the continual interruption in oxygen flow, and has been linked to headaches, snoring, heart attacks and strokes. Treatment, once diagnosed, typically results in an oral appliance worn at night. These appliances have a 96% success rate. Not only does this treatment help you avoid major medical risks, but it improves the overall quality of your sleep, resulting in feeling well-rested and energized.

Gingivitis and Periodontitis

Gingivitis is a form of periodontal disease, also known as gum disease. Periodontal disease involves inflammation and infection that destroys the tissues that support the teeth, including the gums, the periodontal ligaments, and the tooth sockets. Periodontitis is the result of Gingivitis that goes untreated. Gum disease, surprisingly, has been linked to health problems such as stroke and heart disease. Diabetes is not only a risk factor for gum disease, but gum disease may make diabetes worse. Seeing your dentist for preventive care is the best medicine, but if you have already been diagnosed with gum disease, there are alternatives to gum surgery. Preston Dental Center offers a new, painless method called Perioprotect, a form of laser gum treatment.

Visit the Preston Dental Center website to learn more about the technologies and improvements Dr. Mayes can make in your health: http://www.prestondentalcenter.com/index.php

Foods that Cause Tooth Decay

Many people think that tooth decay is only caused by eating candy and drinking soda. So, they stop eating candy and drinking soda. However, they are greatly disappointed when they find out they still have tooth problems. We have compiled a small list of foods that can cause tooth decay. To help keep your teeth in good condition, try avoiding the following foods:

Avoid Sugar

• Brown sugar
• White sugar
• Corn syrup
• Evaporated cane juice

Flour & Grain Products

• Wheat flour
• White flour
• Bread
• Cookies
• Doughnuts
• Muffins

Hydrogenated Oils

• Margarine
• Vegetable oil
• Crisco
• Canola

Junk Food

• Chocolate candy bars
• Potato chips
• Soda
• Sugar-filled drinks

The list of foods and ingredients is only a handful of foods that cause tooth decay. There are plenty of other foods and ingredients that can cause major tooth problems. If you eat the foods listed above in moderation, make sure you brush your teeth (2-3 minutes) and floss in the morning, after eating and before you go to bed. Also, make sure you visit the dentist regularly.

There are many foods that we eat that can speed up the process of tooth decay. The good news is that if you practice good tooth care regularly, you can help prevent tooth decay or at least slow down the process of decay.

Dental Tips for Busy Parents

Tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease can start in childhood. If you're a busy mom or dad, it can be difficult to squeeze in extra time during your day to educate your kids about dental hygiene. So, we have developed a quick list to help you stay on track with your child's dental care.

Use a toothbrush timer

To help keep your child's teeth healthy, they should brush their teeth at least 2 to 3 minutes. Consider purchasing a toothbrush that comes with a timer. This will assure that he/she is brushing for more than a few seconds. Using a stopwatch or a timer will work perfectly as well.

Give the kids an incentive

Every time your child brushes their teeth and floss (consistently), consider giving them an award. It doesn't have to be expensive. Giving your child a colorful sticker star is enough to get them excited about maintaining healthy teeth. When you give your kids an incentive for eating healthy and keeping their teeth healthy will help prevent expensive dental problems in the future.

Dental Checkups

A child should have dental checkups at least 2 times a year. A child's dental visit should be scheduled as early as age 1.

When a child maintains healthy teeth, they are less likely to have dental problems when they grow older. Every parent’s goal should be to help keep their child cavity-free.

5 Great Tips to Prevent Tooth Decay

When some people think about tooth decay, they immediately associate it with people who smoke and chew tobacco. In reality, sugar is the culprit. The following are tips to prevent tooth decay:

Use non-sugar sweeteners

Saccharine, sorbitol and aspartame are great substitutes because they don’t produce tooth decay. The next time you’re tempted to add sugar to your coffee or tea, try to replacing sugar with non-sugar sweeteners.

Eat healthy sweets

If you love eating sweets, eat snacks that have the tooth-friendly logo. These mouthwatering sweets contain non-sugar sweeteners. If you have young children (or grand-children) this should be avoided because it can cause some GIT disturbance.

Avoid Drinking Soda

Carbonated drinks like soda are so acidic that it can help speed up the process of tooth decay. There are many soda substitutes that you can drink. For example, there are many healthy flavored spritzers that you can drink instead of drinking soda. Another great substitute is to drink fruit juice. Just make sure you choose healthy brands that are low on sugar.

Eat fiber rich natural foods

Examples of foods rich in fiber are vegetables. Fresh vegetables are not only healthy for your body; it can also help prevent tooth decay. Vegetables have what is known as a ‘mechanical cleaning action’ that removes bacteria from the tooth surface.

Chew sugar-free gum

Chewing sugar-free gum is great for stimulating saliva production.

Well, there you have it; five tips that can help you prevent tooth decay.

Dental Tips for Diabetics

It is important that people with diabetes take good care of their teeth. Diabetics are at a higher risk for mouth infections and gum disease. Gum disease can damage the gum and bone that hold your teeth together. This can be extremely painful when chewing food. There are many Americans who suffer from pain when chewing. As a diabetic, this problem should not be ignored. If you are experiencing any type of oral pain, schedule a dental appointment immediately.

Brush, Floss and Control Your Blood Glucose

In addition to keeping your teeth and gums healthy, it is important that you control your blood glucose. You should also brush and floss your teeth daily. Make sure you schedule for a dental checkup at least 1 to 2 times a year. At Preston Dental Center, we can help you prevent gum disease.

Here are a few steps to help keep your mouth healthy:

• Brush and floss at least 3 times a day.
• Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol
• Visit your dentist 1 to 2 times a year for a checkup.
• Control your blood glucose levels. This can help prevent mouth problems.

If you notice your gums bleeding when you brush and floss or you notice white patches, soreness and dryness, contact your dentist. These are all signs that you may have a serious dental problem.

Lastly, if you wear dentures that do not fit properly, or your gums feel tender and sore, make sure you tell your dentist.

Dental Office Serving Cary NC and Surrounding Areas

At Preston Dental Center we are proud of our team and we are committed to serving our patients with the most professional care supported by the latest technology.

Our dental office provides family and general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, invisalign and E4D crowns, laser gum therapy, Zoom teeth whitening, sleep apnea treatment and many other services to our neighbors in Cary NC, also serving Raleigh NC, Durham NC and Morrisville NC.

We are dedicated to creating a comfortable and friendly atmosphere for each patient and providing state-of-the-art dental care. It is our top priority to treat each patient as an individual.

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