No matter how old you are, you probably want to retain a smile that looks young, vibrant and healthy. To this end, many patients spend a considerable amount of time brushing and using teeth whitening products. While these are certainly helpful, and in terms of brushing necessary, steps to keep your smile health, many patients don’t realize that it’s equally important to keep the gums healthy and strong.

Gum tissue is susceptible to infection—harmful oral bacteria can infiltrate gum tissue and slowly undermine your oral health. When gums become infected, a patient is suffering from gum disease. Gum disease is generally divided into to categories, which are defined by how far the infection has spread. A young infection, which has infected only gum tissue is referred to as gingivitis. As the disease progresses and spreads to teeth, connective tissues, and bone matter it is defined a periodontitis rather than gingivitis.

One of the best ways for you to take control of your own dental health is to know the signs of gum disease so that you can diligently guard against this insidious dental disease.

Common symptoms of gingivitis include:

·      Tender gums

·      Swollen/red/inflamed gums

·      Gum tissue that bleeds when aggravated by brushing

As gingivitis progresses to periodontitis you may continue to suffer from signs of gingivitis with these additional symptoms:

·      Shifting teeth—as the connective tissue between teeth is eaten away, your teeth may actually begin to shift along the gum line

·      Tooth loss

·      Bone deterioration

Once gum disease is identified, our Sullivan dental office can help you effectively manage and treat oral infections. If you notice any of the signs mentioned in this blog entry, make sure to seek treatment right away—the sooner that you begin treatment for gum disease the less likely it is that you’ll suffer from long-term complications.

Give our Sullivan dentists a call for more information or to schedule an appointment—we’re here to help you enjoy a healthy smile for years to come.

Your smile is one of the first things that people notice about you. White, luminous teeth can make you appear years younger, while a dark, dull teeth smile may age your appearance. As patients age, the often find it more difficult to keep their teeth white and brilliant. Teeth become duller and darker with age in large part because teeth experience physical changes with age. Although it isn’t possibly to totally avoid the aesthetic problems associated with dental aging, it is often possible for our Sullivan dentists to improve the smile’s appearance with cosmetic dentistry options.

What happens to teeth as they age?

Every day your teeth are subjected to eroding substances and dental pressures that degrade the strength of teeth. Over time, these factors may cause dental enamel to thin. As white dental enamel thins, the darker layer of dentin beneath begins to show through, leading to dark or yellow looking teeth. Thinning enamel can also contribute to cracks and chips in the teeth—these breaches in the dental infrastructure may leave your teeth open to infection and discoloration.

Patients today have a wide variety of cosmetic options—from teeth bleaching to dental implants. For many adult patients with aging teeth, dental veneers are an ideal cosmetic treatment, because it is efficient and effective. Porcelain veneers are a permanent cosmetic solution—thin layers of porcelain are applied to existing teeth, completely resurfacing the appearance of dull or damaged dental enamel.

Because veneers are custom shaped and shaded to enhance a patient’s smile, you never have to worry about unnatural-looking results. Our Sullivan cosmetic dentists have helped patients with a wide variety of cosmetic issues discover the beautiful smiles they were born to have with dental veneers. Give us call for more information or to schedule a consultation—we’ll help you understand how this innovative cosmetic solution can work for you.

We all want a beautiful, white smile. Unfairly, this goal is easier to achieve for some patients than for others. For many patients, achieving a bright, white smile simply requires diligent dental care and some professional teeth bleaching treatments. Other patients, however, with damaged teeth or teeth stained from the antibiotic tetracycline, getting a glowing white smile can seem like an unreachable goal. Our Sullivan cosmetic dental office is here to tell you that although tetracycline stained teeth pose some unique problems, there are effective cosmetic treatments available to whiten these teeth. If you’ve been living with dull, dark teeth you don’t love, there is hope!

So why are tetracycline stained teeth so difficult to whiten? Tetracycline stains are caused when children with developing adult use the antibiotic tetracycline. Tetracycline actually affects how permanent teeth develop, so rather than having white permanent teeth, a tetracycline patient will develop adult teeth with dark stains calcified into the teeth. Because these stains are inside the tooth, rather than environmental surface stains, conventional bleaching treatments cannot reach them.

So rather than pursuing bleaching treatments, patients with tetracycline stains may want to explore cosmetic treatments that completely cover or resurface the existing tooth. Dental veneers are thin layers of porcelain that are affixed to natural teeth. These layers of porcelain are shaped, sized, and shaded to enhance and complement the patient’s overall smile. For patients with tetracycline stains, dental veneers can completely transform a dull dark smile into a sparkling white one in only a few appointments.

Dental veneers have made it possible to completely transform the appearance of a patient’s smile. If you have dark or dull teeth, you don’t have to live with a smile that you don’t like. Give our Sullivan cosmetic dentists a call to discuss your treatment options or schedule a consultation.

Our patient Larry came into our office complaining of increased dental sensitivity and a loss of vibrancy or luminosity in his enamel. Larry knew that his teeth were aging, but he was still taking great care of his smile, so he didn’t understand what could account for these changes in his teeth. Our Sullivan dentists determined, after a thorough exam, that Larry’s dental changes were due to the cumulative effects of acid erosion. Larry’s dental enamel had finally thinned to such an extent that his teeth were noticeably sensitive and worn down.

Larry was happy to know that there was a reasonable explanation for his condition, but he was shocked! He had never heard of acid erosion before, he wondered what he could do to combat this condition. We informed Larry that there were a number of steps that he could take to minimize acid erosion once he understood how dental erosion progressed.

Acidic substances, once exposed to teeth, demineralize dental enamel, leaving it weakened and prone to infection. Acidic foods, like fruits, and beverages such as fruit juices, wine, and soft drinks, can all slowly thin enamel.

Saliva naturally remineralizes dental enamel, so one way to minimize acid erosion is to quickly clear acidic substances off of teeth and increase saliva production. When consuming acidic drinks, you can use a straw to bypass many of your teeth and reduce acid exposure. And after you eat or drink an acidic substance, take the time to rinse your mouth with water, which will help neutralize the acid and increase saliva production.

Working with your dentist, it is possible to maintain strong teeth and avoid serious, long-term complications of acid erosion. Larry was amazed at how quickly he was able to minimize dental sensitivity and restore his smile once he began to treat his acid erosion. Feel free to give our Sullivan dental office a call for more information!

Many patients report that when they have a cavity or a dental infection, the first sign of a problem was a small bit of discoloration on the infected tooth. Patients may notice a black or brown spot on otherwise white teeth as a cavity begins to develop. Often, infected teeth will not become painful or sore until the infection has progressed, so for many people dental discoloration is the only sign of a problem for many months.

Unfortunately, patients who avoid regular professional dental cleanings may not realize they have an infection until it has progressed. Consequently, patients may end up with dull, discolored looking teeth even after their infection is treated.

The good news is that our Sullivan cosmetic dentists can help you whiten your teeth and regain your brilliant smile with modern cosmetic dentistry. First of all, modern dentistry allows dentists to use white, natural-looking composite fillings to seal treated teeth. This means that your fillings can look like a natural part of your tooth, rather than an obviously dark and metallic dental restoration.

If, after your infection is treated, you find that your teeth still appear discolored and darker than you’d like, you may benefit from professional teeth whitening. Professional teeth whitening treatments are actually bleaching treatments—they utilize carbamide or hydrogen peroxide to bleach dental enamel beyond their natural state of whiteness.  These professional whitening treatments are incredibly effective, and many patients can whiten their smiles by several shades.

If your teeth are resistant to teeth whitening treatments, or severely damaged, you may benefit from cosmetic veneers. Dental veneers are placed over existing dental enamel, visually resurfacing the appearance of your smile.

No matter what your cosmetic concern, the first thing to do is obtain dental health by treating any cavities or infections you may currently have. Once your smile is healthy, our Sullivan cosmetic dental office will walk you through your cosmetic options!

More and more patients coming into our Sullivan dental office are complaining of disruptive and debilitating snoring and sleep disturbances. Many of these patients are experiencing obstructive sleep apnea, a condition in which oral tissues impede optimal airflow during sleep. Consequently, patients struggle to get enough oxygen as they sleep—they may snore loudly or even choke in their sleep trying to get air. Sleep apnea patients can experience over 100 episodes of disrupted breathing a night, and the symptoms extend far beyond nighttime snoring. Patients suffering from sleep apnea often experience extreme fatigue and sleepiness during they day. Additionally, emerging research suggests that sleep apnea may increase your likelihood of suffering from heart disease, diabetes, or stroke later in life.

Clearly this is a serious medical issue, so it’s important that our patients stay vigilant in looking for the sings of the sleep apnea. If you notice that you or your partner are experiencing sleep apnea symptoms, let your dentist know right away, there are treatment options available!

Although any patient can suffer sleep apnea symptoms, there are certain traits that increase your risk of sleep apnea, including:

Gender: male patients are more likely to suffer from sleep apnea

Age: if you’re over the age of 40 you are at a higher risk of sleep apnea complications

Weight: Overweight patients are more likely to have sleep apnea

Nose injuries: if you’ve previously broken your nose or have a deviated septum, you are more likely to have sleep apnea associated breathing problems

A family history: patients with family members who suffer from sleep apnea may be at a higher risk of experiencing breathing problems

If you notice any signs or symptoms of sleep apnea, feel free to give our Sullivan sleep apnea dentists a call to learn more information or to schedule an appointment!

One of our patients, Laura, came to us because she had lost a tooth in an accident. Laura was desperate to find a tooth replacement solution that would restore her smile and remain stable and attractive for years. Because Laura didn’t want to deal with her restoration on a daily basis, she opted for a dental implant.

Dental implants are small titanium rods that are surgically inserted into the jawbone, replacing the missing tooth root. Over time the titanium of the implant bonds with the jawbone. Once the implant is stable, it is capped with a natural-looking restoration.

One of the major benefits of dental implants is that they are permanently implanted into the jawbone, so they do not shift like dentures or bridges. Additionally, dental implants do not require an extensive amount of specialized care, they can be cared for in the same way that you care for your natural teeth.

In order to preserve the health and appearance of you dental implant our Sullivan dental implant dentists recommend that you:

Maintain healthy dental hygiene habits. You can help keep your mouth healthy by brushing and flossing at least twice a day and having semi-annual professional dental cleanings.

Watch what you chew. Your dental implant will allow you to eat and drink normally, but you should still take care to avoid chomping on hard candies and ice. These substances can cause small cracks in your restoration and undermine the strength of your implant.

Don’t grind or clench your teeth. Many patients habitually grind or clench their teeth, either because they are stressed or because their bit doesn’t align properly. If you notice that you’re suffering from aching jaw or tooth pain, tell your dentist—you may be grinding your teeth in your sleep.

Laura loved the look and functionality of her dental implant—she was able to smile confidently and easily maintain her teeth. Give our Sullivan dental implant dentists a call if you have any questions or you’d like more information—(573) 321-4008.

Our patient Lauren came in recently for her regular dental cleaning, and she mentioned that her teeth weren’t looking as luminous as she wanted them to. Lauren really wanted to refresh her smile before the holidays. Our Sullivan cosmetic dentists explained to her that with professional teeth whitening treatments we could lighten her smile by several shades.

What is teeth whitening?

Teeth whitening treatments are available as professional formulations and over the counter products. Although we frequently call these teeth whitening treatments, they are actually classified as teeth bleaching treatments, because they utilize carbamide or hydrogen peroxide to whiten dental enamel. Teeth bleaching products have the ability to whiten teeth beyond their natural shade of whiteness.

These products are generally applied as gels or pastes. They are kept in place with mouthpieces, whitening strips, or are applied directly to exposed teeth and cured with a laser.

The primary difference between professional teeth whitening products and at-home formulations is the potency of the product. The teeth whitening gel that your dentist uses has a greater concentration of peroxide, meaning that it whitens teeth faster and more effectively than at-home products. Self-administered whitening strips or gels have a lower concentration of active ingredients, so although they are less effective, they are also less expensive and they can be applied without a dentist’s supervision. Additionally, some patients will find that their teeth are only responsive to full strength professional products—this often depends on the extent and type of enamel staining.

Lauren chose to have professional teeth whitening, and she loves the results. Her teeth are significantly whiter now, and her whole smile looks younger and more cohesive. If you’ve been considering cosmetic dentistry in general or teeth whitening in particular, don’t hesitate to give our Sullivan cosmetic dentists a call for more information—(573) 321-4008—we’re here to help!

A regular patient at our Sullivan cosmetic dental office, Amanda, had always enjoyed a beautiful smile. Her teeth were well proportioned and straight, and she maintained a healthy, cavity-free smile. Last year, however, Amanda came in to our office complaining that her teeth had lost some of their luminosity. Amanda was noticing prominent dental stains on the front of her teeth. She was horrified! How did this happen?

Dental discoloration is one of the most common cosmetic problems among patients of all ages. Enamel stains are caused by a number of factors, only some of which you can control. Take a look at this list to understand how dental stains accumulate:

Staining Substances

Foods like berries, chocolate, and deep sauces can cause surface stains. Additionally popular drinks such as cola, coffee, tea, and red wine contribute to darkening enamel.

Bruxism

Bruxism is a condition in which patients chronically grind or clench their teeth. Over time this action weakens the tooth structure, causing micro-cracks in the enamel. These cracks collect stains and debris.

Dental Trauma

If you experience severe dental trauma your teeth may suddenly darken in color because it is no longer healthy, and the tooth core is compromised.

Plaque and Tartar

Throughout the day plaque—a bacterial film—accumulates on dental enamel. Over time plaque hardens on to teeth as something called tartar. Both plaque and tartar will make teeth appear yellow or brown.

Tobacco

Tobacco is not only bad for your health; it’s also bad for your smile. Chewing and smoking tobacco will stain and darken dental enamel. The best way to avoid these dirty looking streaks is to avoid tobacco products all together.  

If your smile is looking darker or dirtier than you’d like, you have cosmetic options that can restore the luminosity of your smile. Amanda underwent in-office professional teeth bleaching, and she was thrilled with the results. Give our Sullivan cosmetic dentists a call for more information—(573) 321-4008.

Our patient Marie came into our office a few months ago for her regular semi-annual check-up. As we were examining her teeth, she just happened to mention that she was feeling exhausted, because she hadn’t had a good night sleep in months. It seems that Marie was waking in the middle of the nights, and—according to her husband—snoring non-stop in her sleep. Marie was just making small talk, but the information she gave us strongly suggested that she might be suffering from sleep apnea.

Our Sullivan sleep apnea dentists recommended that Marie begin the process of being assessed and treated for sleep apnea. Although Marie desperately wanted to find relief from her sleep disturbances, she was apprehensive about one thing—“Am I going to have to wear one of those CPAP things?” she asked.

Traditionally, obstructive sleep apnea has been treated with something called a CPAP machine. The CPAP machine works via a face mask that the patient wears at night. The CPAP machine delivers a steady stream of air to the longs, preventing soft tissue from obstructing the airway. Although this machine is somewhat effective, it is often noisy, cumbersome, and uncomfortable to wear, leading to low compliance rates among patients.

Luckily for Marie we are now able to treat many cases of obstructive sleep apnea with simple and comfortable dental appliances. Sleep apnea oral appliances are designed like retainers or mouth guards. They hold the mouth and soft tissues in optimal position to keep the airway clear and prevent breathing obstructions and snoring.

After evaluating Marie’s sleep apnea symptoms, we found that she was a candidate for a sleep apnea oral appliance. In weeks she was breathing better and waking up feeling energized and invigorated—all thanks to a small mouth guard! Don’t struggle unnecessarily with sleep apnea symptoms, give our Sullivan sleep apnea dentists a call today—(573) 321-4008 .