Dental Bridges FAQs Answered by Your Brighton Family Dentist

Posted July 27, 2012

Why should I replace a missing tooth?

Tooth loss is more than just inconvenient when it comes to chewing and speaking; a missing tooth can also have vast implications for your dental health. Each tooth serves a specific purpose in your mouth and holds a specific position. When one tooth is missing, the remaining teeth will attempt to accommodate for the loss. The results are teeth drifting and excessive tooth wear. Both of these dental conditions are catalysts for other problems like cavities and misaligned bite. Replacing a missing tooth prevents the domino effect of dental health issues that arise as a result of tooth loss.

What does a dental bridge do?

A dental bridge fills the void left behind from a missing tooth. Made of two porcelain crowns and an artificial tooth, the dental restoration attaches to abutment teeth, or the teeth surrounding the void. Between the porcelain crowns is the artificial tooth, which mimics the shape, size, and coloration of the missing tooth. Dental bridges hold teeth in place, preventing teeth drifting, and restore the tooth’s function, avoiding excessive tooth wear.

How long do dental bridges last?

Dental bridges can last several years with meticulous maintenance and professional dental care. Our Brighton family dentist, Dr. Villani can offer advice for daily oral hygiene using special flossing tools or interdental brushing. This is important since the dental bridge will hover over your gum line, where food particles may become trapped. At a thorough dental cleaning, the team at our Brighton family dental office can help you maintain your dental restoration while keeping your mouth healthy. (more…)

Sports & Energy Drinks Weaken Teeth

Posted June 20, 2012

Summer sports and activities often call for packing a lunch. Brighton family dentists Dr. Villani and Dr. Kondrat hope that you’ll opt for healthy, refreshing foods and water in lieu of pre-packaged junk food and sports drinks. Kids’ tooth enamel erosion is at an all-time high in our nation, mostly because of poor beverage choices. Enamel erosion is a permanent thinning of tooth enamel. Because enamel provides the protective barrier on teeth, when it thins, teeth are more prone to injury, decay, and sensitivity.

Sports & Energy Drinks Weaken Teeth

A study of 13 sports drinks found that acidity levels vary not only between brands, but also by flavor. The test involved exposing tooth enamel to sports drinks for 15 minutes, four times a day. The rest of the day, enamel was covered in artificial saliva. After five days, acid erosion was evident. Energy drinks caused 100% more acid erosion than other sports drinks.

Reports indicate that half of American teens consume sports drinks, and of these, over half drink sports beverages every day. And while most fruit juices have high sugar content and some acid, they are healthier and less harmful on teeth than sports drinks. The best beverage, of course, is water – and tap water fortified with fluoride is better for your dental health than bottled water. (more…)

Types of Oral Rinses to Better Your Dental Health

Posted June 14, 2012

As family dentists, Dr. Tom Villani and Dr. Richard Kondrat often mention how important it is to brush, floss, and rinse with an oral rinse or mouthwash on a daily basis. While most of our patients understand how to brush and floss their teeth properly, some don’t know how to go about choosing an oral rinse that fits their unique dental needs. Today, your Brighton dental health care providers want to explain how to choose the right mouthwash for you.

There are three types of mouth rinses:

Fluoride mouth rinses
Mouth rinses to freshen breath
Anti-gingivitis/anti-plaque mouth rinses

Fluoride-Containing Mouth Rinses

Because it helps prevent tooth decay by strengthening your tooth enamel, fluoride is crucial to the health of your tooth. Fluoride is found in most toothpastes and tap water, however, so people with healthy smiles don’t usually require fluoridated mouth rinses.

People who are prone to cavities and those who have xerostomia (dry mouth) should use a fluoride mouth rinse on a daily basis. If Dr. Kondrat or Dr. Villani feel that a higher fluoride intake will improve the health of your teeth, they will discuss treatment options with you at your next dental checkup and cleaning appointment. (more…)

What Do You Know about Oral Health?

Posted June 8, 2012

What Do You Know about Oral Health?

Do you know what symptoms are warning signs of serious dental issues? Understanding the early warning signs of gum disease, oral cancer, and tooth decay could help you avoid serious dental problems in the future. Sharpen your dental IQ with this quiz, and, the next time you visit Dr. Villani, quiz him!

1. What is the most common cause of a toothache?

a. Gum disease

b. Cracked tooth

c. Cavity

2. What is often the first sign of gum disease?

a. Tooth decay

b. Bleeding gums

c. Chipped teeth (more…)

Straight Teeth for Graduates in Brighton

Posted May 17, 2012

As the end of the school year approaches, you’re probably counting down the days until graduation. If you’re a high school or college senior, a crooked smile can decrease your confidence, appearance, and performance in the “real world.” Fortunately, Dr. Villani offers Invisalign so you can smile confidently as you accept your diploma.

Adult Image

Graduation is your door to adulthood. Traditional metal braces can hide your mature appearance. Additionally, silver wires and brackets just don’t coordinate well with your graduation gown. Invisalign, however, is completely clear and invisible, so nobody will notice that you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment. Dr. Villani recommends Invisalign for image-conscious teens and professional adults.

Smooth Comfort

You don’t want to be uncomfortable during your graduation ceremony. Traditional metal braces involve sharp brackets and wires that can poke, cut, or rub the inside of your cheeks and mouth. Invisalign, on the other hand, uses a series of acrylic aligners that are placed over your teeth. The aligners have a smooth surface, which eliminates your discomfort and irritation. Furthermore, Dr. Villani will customize your braces to appropriately fit your mouth and increase your comfort.

(more…)

Improving Oral Health at the Office

Posted May 16, 2012

If you’re a business professional, you probably spend half of your day at the office. A beautiful smile will improve your appearance, confidence, and job performance. In light of Employee Health and Fitness Month, Dr. Villani offers these tips to keep your smile healthy in the workplace.

Bring a Brush

Studies show that only 53 percent of women and 37 percent of men brush their teeth after eating lunch at the office. According to the Academy of General Dentistry, leaving an extra toothbrush at the office will increase your likelihood of brushing by 65 percent. You don’t want to have food particles stuck between your teeth during your client presentation, so take a quick trip to the bathroom to clean your smile after lunch.

Munch on a Healthy Snack

Hunger impairs your focus, lowers your concentration, and increases your irritability. Eating a mid-morning snack, however, will keep you energized and full enough to make better decisions during the day. Make sure you choose healthy snacks like fruits and vegetables, and wash down your meal with a glass of water.

(more…)

Preventing Oral Cancer in Brighton

Posted May 15, 2012

The American Cancer Society reports that prolonged exposure to the sun increases your risk of lip and oral cancers. Summer is quickly approaching, and Dr. Villani wants to make sure you’re protecting all areas of your body from the summer sun.

What is Oral Cancer?

An estimated 40,000 people will be diagnosed with oral cancer this year. Oral cancer occurs in or around the mouth—including your gums, teeth, cheeks, throat, floor of mouth, roof of mouth, lips, and tongue. The most common symptoms of oral cancer include mouth sores or lesions, pain, lumps in the throat, white or red tissue discoloration, oral swelling, constant bad breath, and difficulty moving your jaw or tongue.

(more…)

How to Reuse and Recycle your Toothbrush

Posted May 14, 2012

Next time you replace your toothbrush, think before you trash it. About 50 million pounds of toothbrushes are tossed into landfills each year. Just because your old toothbrush can’t be used to effectively clean your teeth doesn’t mean it’s not still handy around the house. To help protect the environment, Dr. Villani offers these tips on how to recycle and reuse your toothbrush.

Cleaning

Your toothbrush is designed to clean your teeth, but it can also be used for a variety of cleaning purposes around the house. Toothbrushes can reach between small crevices and spaces, making it useful for any of the following:

Clean between the bristles of your hairbrush
Clean between the tongs of your forks or cheese grater
Wash the blade of your chainsaw and other sharp tools that could injure your fingers or a rag
(more…)

Smile and Say “Cheese!”

Posted April 13, 2012

Macaroni and cheese, quesadillas, pizza, and grilled cheese sandwiches would not be the same without, of course, cheese! Did you know cheese is also a vital ingredient in keeping your smile healthy? Dr. Villani encourages you to indulge in your favorite cheese this month to celebrate Grilled Cheese Month. Let’s see how much you know about the tooth benefits of cheese.

1. Cheese is a great source of which nutrient?

a. Vitamin C
b. Calcium
c. Vitamin D

2. Cheese is:

a. Alkaline
b. Acidic

(more…)

Healthy Smiles for Life in Brighton

Posted April 6, 2012

Tomorrow, April 7, is World Health Day. This year’s theme focuses on active aging and expresses the idea that good health adds years to your life. Dr. Villani wants to show you that good dental care also adds years of lasting health and beauty to your smile. Let’s take a look at how you can prevent your smile from showing signs of age.

Surface Imperfections: Your teeth may lose their natural shine due to a lifetime of dark-colored foods and beverages, tobacco use, medications, and other behaviors. Tooth discoloration can make your teeth look dark, dull, and old. Furthermore, chips and cracks make your smile look rough and worn out. Fortunately, Dr. Villani offers porcelain veneers to hide your tooth imperfections and brighten your smile.
Gum Problems: As you age, your gums may begin to recede, exposing the roots of your teeth to decay and infection. Furthermore, plaque buildup along your gum line can lead to periodontal disease. When your gums are weak, your oral bacteria can enter your bloodstream and infect other areas of your body. Gum disease is linked to heart disease, stroke, lung disease, dementia, diabetes complications, and preterm births. Dr. Villani will examine your mouth for signs of gum disease and perform a deep cleaning, if needed.
(more…)

Our Blog

Dental Bridges FAQs Answered by Your Brighton Family Dentist

Why should I replace a missing tooth?

What does a dental bridge do?

How long do dental bridges last?

Sports & Energy Drinks Weaken Teeth

Sports & Energy Drinks Weaken Teeth

Types of Oral Rinses to Better Your Dental Health

Fluoride-Containing Mouth Rinses

What Do You Know about Oral Health?

Straight Teeth for Graduates in Brighton

Adult Image

Smooth Comfort

(more…)

Improving Oral Health at the Office

Bring a Brush

Munch on a Healthy Snack

(more…)

Preventing Oral Cancer in Brighton

What is Oral Cancer?

(more…)

How to Reuse and Recycle your Toothbrush

Cleaning

Smile and Say “Cheese!”

Healthy Smiles for Life in Brighton

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