Monthly Archives: January 2016

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
  • Posted by  
  • Posted in  Blog
  • Comments  Comments Off on Utah Cosmetic Family Dentistry

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
  • Posted by  
  • Posted in  Uncategorized
  • Comments  Comments Off on Salt Lake Cosmetic Family Dentistry

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.