Yearly Archives: 2016

Tips for a whiter smile

  • Posted On  February 20, 2016
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Your teeth can make or break your overall appearance. A beautiful smile can make you attractive. It radiates self-confidence and poise. While a smile can make you appear inviting, a great smile conveys an engaging and warm personality, which excites every person you meet. Here are eight simple tips to restore the beauty and maintain the pearly white texture of your teeth.

  1. Create an illusion of your lipstick’s color.

Sorry, guys. This first tip is for the ladies. The hue of your lipstick can give off an optical illusion. If you use a light red or medium coral color, it will make your teeth glow in pallor. Lighter shades of red are likely to bring out a yellowish hue in your teeth.

  1. Brush your teeth first thing in the morning and before you hit the sack at night.

Ideally, you need to brush your teeth after every meal. However, like most people who lead very hectic schedules, that thing may seem difficult to comply. Understandably so. Thus, experts advise that you should brush your teeth twice a day, at these two crucial times: right after you get out of bed in the morning and before you get into bed at night.

Saliva dries up at night. Without saliva, there’s nothing to fend off the cavity-causing bacteria and plaque. By brushing before going to bed, you will be cleaning these undesirable elements off your teeth and gums. Bacteria and plaque will build up as you sleep; thus, it’s equally important to brush your teeth in the morning.

  1. Learn to floss without using a mirror.

Practice flossing even with your eyes closed. It’s important that you learn to floss without using a mirror as a visual guide so you can quickly adapt to whatever environment you’re in. With practice, you’ll be able to floss while in your car during a traffic stop or while sitting at your desk in your free time.

  1. Don’t forget to gargle mouthwash.

Stay fresh and keep your breath minty with mouthwash. Pick one that’s alcohol-free. Alcohol tends to dry out your mouth, making it prone to bacterial incursion and plaque buildup.

  1. Experiment with baking soda.

Did you know you can use baking soda to remove the stains on your teeth? For just once a week, you can use this as an alternative to regular toothpaste. Using baking soda every day might cause your gums and other sensitive tissues in your mouth to feel raw.

  1. Apple cider vinegar has incredible whitening effects on your teeth.

You can do this during morning right before you brush your teeth. The vinegar as a stain-removing effect as well as bacteria-killing properties.

  1. Don’t forget to brush your tongue too.

Get a tongue scraper to remove the bacteria and plaque on your tongue. If that’s not available, you can still use your toothbrush to banish the undesirable elements.

  1. Change your toothbrush every 2 or 3 months.

Make sure you get a new one every 2 or 3 months. If you’re regularly using your toothbrush, it will become less efficient at removing the plaque and bacteria beyond 2 or 3 months.

These tips for a whiter smile will only go so far. If they’re not enough, and you still want whiter, more beautiful teeth, get in touch with Alpenglow Dental Office. Contact us at (801) 878-1700 to schedule an appointment.

 

Affordable Dental Care in SLC

  • Posted On  February 16, 2016
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Do you know what a dental abscess is? It’s an infection usually occurring in the mouth, jaw, throat or face. It starts out as a tooth cavity, arising from poor oral health, which, in turn, results from failure to observe proper dental hygiene and timely oral care. A dental abscess can be very painful as the tissues become inflamed due to the spread of bacteria into the gums, throat, tongue, and jaw.

Signs of tissue inflammation may include an accumulation of pus at the infection site. As more discharge is collected, it will become increasingly painful. To relieve the pain, the affected tissue has to be drained of the pus.

This oral infection may become life-threatening if the tissue is swelling looks to block the airways and cause difficulty in breathing. A dental abscess can also cause nausea, fever, vomiting, and excessive sweating. If you’re experiencing this oral problem, seek help immediately. For affordable dental care in SLC (Salt Lake City), come to Alpenglow Dental Office. We’re here to help you.

What are the Causes of Dental Abscess?

dental abscess photo

Dental Abscess Photo by Spider.Dog

Like many causes of dental problems, a dental abscess results from bacterial infection. The growth of bacteria from a cavity or tooth decay triggers infection of the sensitive tissues and delicate bones in the neck, jaw, or face. Immediate, appropriate dental treatment will suppress further bacteria growth, which contributes to the development of a dental abscess.

One of the leading causes of bacterial buildup is poor dental hygiene. If you want to avoid this oral condition, you need to brush and floss often. Don’t forget to see your dentist regularly too; at least, once in every six months. Smoking and alcohol consumption also contributes to the formation of plaque on teeth that leads to a dental abscess. Your diet and medication, if you’re taking any, can also play a role in causing the infection. As the bacterial infestation on your teeth increases, it may spread to the gums and delicate tissues in the mouth.

Signs of Dental Abscess

A dental abscess is painful. It involves some swelling and appears red in color on the face and mouth. In its advanced forms, symptoms may include vomiting, fever, chills, and nausea. It is reported that some patients experience diarrhea too.

Other common symptoms of a dental abscess include dental cavities and gum inflammation. The affected areas may feel tender to the touch. There may be likely pus present in the infected portions. Some patients also suffer from difficulty in opening their mouths; difficulty in swallowing and, in worse cases, problems in breathing has also been reported.

Seek Dental Care

If you believe you have a dental abscess, reach out to a dentist as soon as possible. You need to have it evaluated and treated before it gets worst. Don’t wait for the infection to worsen and cause intense, unmanageable pain Why wait for nausea, chills, and fever to set in? Seek immediate care before the intolerable pain and other symptoms come.

When you need affordable dental care in SLC, come to Alpenglow Dental Office. We treat a broad range of dental problems using state-of-the-art technology and comprehensive treatments to ensure your optimal oral health.

To schedule an appointment, please give us a call at (801) 878-1700.

Utah Family Dentist

Do you think you know what it takes to have beautiful, healthy teeth? Brush, floss, and see Utah family dentist every 6 months. Avoid using your teeth to open a bottle cap. Stop chomping on hard ice. All these things are elementary and basic common sense when it comes to taking care of your teeth. Sounds simple, isn’t it?

Unfortunately, those aren’t enough. There are still a couple of important things you need to learn when it comes to your teeth. Here are 4 uncommon truths about your pearly whites:

  1. Your teeth needs a whole troop, not just a best friend.

If you think you only need a toothbrush, you’re very wrong. While a toothbrush is your teeth’s best friend, your pearly whites need a whole troop of friends.. In addition to your toothbrush, you also need dental floss and antibacterial mouthwash is highly recommended. But the most important defense of them all is your saliva. Our natural disinfecting agent rinses the cavity-causing bacteria off your teeth, gums, and tongue.

Tooth decay happens when bacteria feeds on the sugar in our food and drinks. During this process, acidic substances are produced, which corrodes the enamel of your teeth. Saliva rinses it out of your mouth to neutralize the corrosive effect, and promote the re-buildup of enamel.

tooth cross section photo

Photo by perpetualplum

However, achieving that cleansing effect with saliva can be difficult for people experiencing dry mouth syndrome. With the decreased production of saliva, there is also the lessened buffering effect to counter the caustic forces of sugar. Simply put, if you have less saliva in the mouth, you’ve got a real oral problem. When faced with dry mouth, keep your water bottle handy.

  1. Sweet Snacks and Sugary Beverages Can Hurt Your Pearly Whites.

If you think calories are the worst thing that could come out after binging on that huge piece of chocolate cake, you are wrong. When you indulge on your sweet little things, the sugar in it is what gets to your teeth. Whether it’s a glazed donut or a bite-size candy bar, you’re setting up an attack on your teeth. Sugar itself is not what rots your teeth— but it makes things much easier for the things that do rot your teeth.The more sugary sweets you have, the more bacteria produce acids disintegrate the enamel.

Sugar increases the risk of plaque buildup on your teeth. Eventually, this will lead to the softening of the enamel and thereafter tooth decay. So go easy on the sugar, and take care of your teeth daily to keep that plaque away.

  1. Don’t Swallow the Toothpaste.

Yes, this one! Not only is it quite unpleasant, the habit of gulping toothpaste may result in getting too much fluoride in your system. Excess fluoride can contribute to a number of medical conditions, and sometimes can even cause stains on tooth enamel through fluorosis.

The rule is don’t swallow, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to rinse off the toothpaste immediately after brushing. You can let it stay a bit longer. The sustained contact with fluoride makes for a more effective preventive measure against tooth decay. In fact, many dental procedures involve letting the fluoride-based gel or paste sit on the teeth for as long as 30 minutes.

  1. Your Dental Health Says a Lot about Your Overall Health

Can you believe dental problems are closely linked with serious health conditions like diabetes and heart disease? Several studies revealed that gum disease is associated with the risk of heart disease and premature births.

Remember that dental health is an important part of your overall health. If you’re looking for a Utah family dentist, get in touch with Alpenglow Dental Office. We’re here to help you achieve healthy, beautiful teeth that will last a lifetime. Contact us at (801) 878-1700 to make your appointment.

Utah Cosmetic Family Dentistry

  • Posted On  January 7, 2016
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Did you know there’s an easy way to brighten and whiten your smile? With dental veneers, we can easily change the shape, size, and color of your teeth. Sometimes called porcelain veneers or porcelain laminates, dental veneers are shaped like our teeth. They are as thin as a wafer and are made of custom-made shells. These dental appliances are also designed to cover the teeth’s surface to conceal discolorations or stains.

Dental veneers are available in porcelain and resin composite material. Between the two, porcelain veneers are better at resisting stains and at mimicking the light-reflecting characteristics of natural teeth. On the other hand, resin composite veneers are thinner and are easier to position on the tooth surface.

If you’re wondering which veneer material is the best choice for you, it is best to speak with a Utah cosmetic family dentistry specialist about it. Contact Alpenglow Dental Office. We’re here to help.

What Dental Problems Do Dental Veneers Fix?

You’re probably unsure what dental veneers are for. These dental appliances are routinely utilized to fix teeth that are worn down, chipped or cracked, misaligned or irregularly shaped, or uneven. Veneers are also a perfect solution for teeth that are stained or discolored. And if you want to close the gap between teeth, veneers are an ideal answer.

The veneer placement procedure involves three trips to our office. The first visit entails consultation while the next two are for the molding and placement of the dental appliance.

The consultation, diagnosis, and planning stage require your participation; this is where we will discuss what goals you need to achieve on the treatment. We will examine your teeth to see if veneers are an ideal option for you. X-rays and impressions of your teeth will likely be taken too.

To prepare your teeth for veneer placement, we will trim about 0.5 millimeters of the teeth’s surface; this is to compensate for the thickness of the veneer when it is placed. An impression of your teeth will also be made and will be used to construct your veneers. It usually takes around one to two weeks to finish the veneers.

In the bonding phase, the veneers are permanently cemented to the teeth’s surface. To achieve the proper fit, initially, we will temporarily place it on your teeth and make the corresponding trimming and adjustments. Once ideal positioning is achieved, the veneers will be polished, etched, and cleaned. We use a special adhesive to cement the veneers in place.

We also use a special light beam to facilitate the quick hardening and curing of the cement. Any excess cement will be removed. We may ask you to visit us from time to time for post-treatment checkups to see how your teeth and gums react to the veneers’ presence.

Why choose veneers? They provide a natural look. There is less irritation on the gums too when you use this dental appliance. They are also stain-resistant. If you’re looking for a conservative approach to enhancing the appearance of your smile, veneers are your ideal option.

For high-quality veneers, look to the most trusted Utah cosmetic family dentistry specialist. Come to Alpenglow Dental Office. We’re here for you. Call (801) 878-1700 to arrange your consultation.

Salt Lake Cosmetic Family Dentistry

  • Posted On  January 6, 2016
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Do you want to improve your smile? Today’s cosmetic dentistry techniques offer many wonderful ways to enhance your smile. From teeth whitening to contouring, cosmetic dentistry is a popular option to restore the beauty and feel of your teeth.

At Alpenglow Dental Office, we have a wide range of tools and treatments to improve your smile. If you’re looking for a Salt Lake cosmetic family dentistry practice, make us your number one choice.

Cosmetic Dentistry for You and Your Family

Before choosing which cosmetic dentistry procedure, you want to undergo, it’s crucial to understand what the benefits of each treatment are and what you can expect during the process. Will there be special after-treatment maintenance needed? Will there be restrictions as to diet or lifestyle post-treatment? Here are a couple of things you might want to know before settling on a particular cosmetic dental procedure.

Dental Implants: One of the most common oral appliances are dental implants. They are used to replace lost teeth or fill the spaces between teeth; they’re also a wonderful alternative to bridges. While considerably expensive, implants provide long-term solutions to the aforementioned dental problems.

To be considered for implant treatment, speak with our dentist first. The latter may require you to undergo a comprehensive dental exam and followed by X-rays to see if you’re an ideal candidate.

Once determined that you’re fit for implant treatment, impressions of your lower and upper jaws will be taken. After that, surgical implantation will proceed. Follow-up checkups and post-treatment exams may be required from time to time.

Bridges: Also known as partial dentures, these dental appliances are used to fill the void created by missing teeth. Artificial teeth are anchored on the adjacent teeth to complete your smile. Post-procedure oral hygiene should be strictly followed to maintain the health of the teeth, particularly those on which the artificial teeth rely for support.

Teeth Whitening: Perhaps the most popular cosmetic dentistry option is bleaching or whitening of teeth. The food and drinks we consume carry substances that can cause stains or discoloration. With this in-office procedure, we will restore the pearly white color of your teeth. If you prefer, we can also provide you with an at-home whitening system.

Please note, however, that exposing your teeth to substances like tea or coffee can cause the discolorations to return. When consuming these beverages, make sure to brush your teeth thereafter. If brushing is not a readily available option, just rinse your teeth with antiseptic mouthwash or gargle with water.

Veneers: These dental appliances can contour poorly shaped or slightly crooked teeth. They can also be used on teeth that are permanently stained, chipped or worn. And if you have spaces between teeth, veneers can complete your smile. Less expensive than crowns but last longer than cosmetic bonding, veneers can provide a superior appearance for your smile.

Crowns: Used to cover damaged or worn tooth, crowns can restore your teeth’s normal shape and appearance. It can also be used to hold dental bridges in place or conceal discolored or misshapen teeth.

Cosmetic Bonding: Ideal for chipped, cracked or stained teeth, we provide cosmetic bonding to fill cavities or cover the exposed root of damaged teeth. Cosmetic bonding is also an ideal solution for stained teeth.

Contact Us

If you’re looking for a Salt Lake cosmetic family dentistry practice that will thoroughly examine your teeth and give you a beautiful smile, come to Alpenglow Dental Office. To schedule your one-on-one consultation, call us at (801) 878-1700.