Blog | Columbia, SC | University Dental P.A.

Tips to Increase the Longevity of Your Veneers

Wed, 19 May 2021 14:39:49 GMT

Veneers are like shells that adhere to the front of your teeth. Usually, they consist of materials like resin composite or porcelain. The dentist uses them to correct how your smile looks if you have tooth discoloration or crooked, cracked, or chipped teeth. They function to make your smile more aesthetically pleasing, but they may only last 7 to 15 years or less. However, you can optimize their lifespan by taking care of them properly.

1. Brush Your Teeth Twice Per Day

You should take care of veneers as you would your teeth. Specifically, brush your teeth, including the teeth with the veneers, at least twice per day.

Use the proper technique. Angle your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle toward your gums. Make sure you clean the front and back of your teeth as well as the surface of the teeth that you use to chew.

Always use a soft-bristle toothbrush and remember to replace it every three to four months. Keep in mind that a worn-out toothbrush doesn't clean your teeth as effectively, so you should replace your toothbrush every three to four months or when the bristles begin to fray.

2. Floss Daily

In addition, you should floss in between each one of your teeth every day, including the ones that have veneers. Harmful bacteria lurk in between your teeth. These bacteria cause decay.

When you floss, you remove food particles in between your teeth to prevent that tooth decay. Even if you brush regularly, this debris may build up in between your teeth because you can't reach them with a toothbrush.

Always floss your teeth gently. If you use dental floss, you want to use enough of it - usually around 18 inches - which allows you to use fresh floss between each tooth.

3. Avoid Foods and Beverages That Stain

Veneers can stain just as your natural teeth do. Therefore, you should limit your consumption of foods and beverages that cause stains, such as coffee or dark tea. Some candies can stain your veneers, so you need to limit your consumption of these treats as well.

In addition, spaghetti sauce and curry have the potential to stain your teeth. You may still indulge, but you should limit your consumption. You may want to choose light-colored and cream sauces as much as possible since they won't stain your veneers.

4. Choose the Foods You Eat Carefully

Staining isn't your only concern when you choose the foods you eat after you get veneers. In the first few days, you should choose to eat soft foods since your bite may change slightly after veneers.

Once you adjust to the veneers, you can eat most foods without a problem. However, you should avoid hard foods, such as ice, hard biscuits, and hard nuts. You can enjoy an ice cube or a piece of hard candy only if you suck on it rather than biting down. You may also want to avoid caramel apples so the veneers don't get pulled off your teeth.

5. Change Your Habits

After you have veneers, you need to change some of your habits to protect them.

For instance, you shouldn't chew on objects that aren't food, such as straws. You also shouldn't bite your nails or open packages with your teeth. If you use your teeth to pull clothing or gloves on, you could damage your veneers, so that's another habit you need to change.

Veneers can transform your smile. Keep in mind that if you eat foods and partake in activities that damage your veneers, they won't last as long as they could otherwise. On the contrary, if you take steps to keep your veneers healthy and free from stains as well as protected from damage, your veneers can last longer.

Book an appointment with University Dental, serving Columbia, SC, and the nearby South Carolina region, to discuss if veneers are right for you. You may call us or use our online contact form .

Factors That Affect Teeth Whitening Frequency

Thu, 11 Mar 2021 14:44:28 GMT

Teeth whitening procedures rarely give permanent results. You may have to retreat your teeth occasionally to maintain your desired level of whiteness. Many people don't know how often they should bleach. On the one hand, too frequent treatments might be unnecessary or bad. On the other hand, extremely infrequent treatments might not get you the results you need.

The following factors determine how often you can or should bleach your teeth.

Diet

Your diet affects the color of your teeth. Colored foods and drinks can penetrate your enamel and discolor your teeth. Examples of such food and drinks include:

Coffee
Red wine
Berries, such as blackberries
Tomato sauce

Acidic foods or drinks, such as energy drinks, also increase your risk of teeth discoloration. The acid softens your enamel and makes them susceptible to discoloring agents. Your teeth will discolor fast and necessitate frequent whitening if your diet consists of such foods.

Dental or Oral Habits

You will also need frequent whitening if you have oral or dental habits that contribute to dental staining. Examples of such habits include:

Over-brushing, which softens your teeth and makes them susceptible to staining
Smoking, which causes direct staining due to cigarette smoke and nicotine
Poor oral hygiene, which leaves staining agents on your teeth for extended periods

Note that the reverse is also true - abandoning such habits reduces your whitening frequency.

Dental Sensitivity

Dental sensitivity is one of the side effects of bleaching. The bleaching agents dissolve some of your enamel's minerals, making your teeth porous. Extreme temperatures easily penetrate porous teeth and trigger some discomfort or mild pain.

Some people have sensitive teeth even without bleaching. If you are such a person, bleaching might make your teeth extremely sensitive. In such a case, you may want to space out your whitening treatments to reduce the sensitivity.

Type of Treatment

Multiple forms of teeth whitening procedures exist. Examples include:

Laser teeth whitening
Whitening toothpaste
Whitening strips
Whitening gels

Some of the procedures are suitable for DIY treatments, while others are reserved for dentists. The treatments also have different effectiveness. For example, most in-office treatments are more effective than DIY treatments.

DIY whitening calls for more frequent treatments than in-office treatments. For one, the effectiveness of in-office treatments means the treatments are long-lasting. Secondly, at-home treatments often have lower concentrations of bleaching agents than in-office treatments. Frequent bleaching with lower concentrations is safer than with higher concentrations.

Required Shade

Teeth whitening procedures produce different shades of teeth. The shade depends on different factors, such as:

The initial degree of discoloration
The cause of discoloration
The type of treatment

Typically, your teeth' shade will degrade with time after the treatment. Thus, you need frequent treatments if you want to maintain the initial whiteness.

Product Recommendation

Read the packaging instructions if you are using at-home bleaching kits. The instructions may specify how often you can or should use the product. Pay special attention to the minimum wait period before retouch and don't exceed it. Otherwise, you might experience severe side effects, such as extreme sensitivity.

Dentist Recommendation

Ideally, you should always consult the dentist before bleaching your teeth. This advice holds whether you want in-office bleaching or at-home bleaching. The dentist will:

Examine your teeth for conditions that might
Recommend products to use
Advise you on bleaching safety

A dental consultation is particularly critical the first time you want to bleach your teeth. The dentist will advise you on the frequency of retouching based on your desired outcomes, among other factors.

University Dental P.A. has extensive experience with cosmetic dentistry. We also offer other forms of dental treatments, including preventive care. Contact us for an appointment and benefit from our professional services.

A Brief Guide to Fluoride

Wed, 13 Jan 2021 14:49:37 GMT

Fluoride is a mineral that is beneficial to the teeth. For this reason, dentists often prescribe fluoride treatments. Keep reading to know more about fluoride and how this beneficial mineral can help to improve your oral health.

Fluoride and Fluoride Treatments

In scientific terms, fluoride is the negatively charged ion of fluorine, which is depicted as F on the periodic table. Fluoride is one of the most common elements in the earth's crust. This mineral is found naturally in water, plants, rocks, soil, and the air.

The following foods also contain fluoride:

Black tea brewed with tap water
Grape juice
Seafood, such as blue crab and shrimp
Raisins
Cooked oatmeal

Your bones and teeth contain fluoride, too. In fact, this mineral is necessary to strengthen the teeth.

Because fluoride is necessary for the body, this mineral is often added to drinking water, as well as toothpaste and other dental products. Fluoride is also found in certain treatments prescribed by dentists to help prevent tooth decay. Your dentist can determine if you or your child needs fluoride treatment. This type of treatment is usually done right in the dentist's office.

Fluoride treatments consist of a gel or a solution that has a higher than normal concentration of fluoride. The dentist applies the fluoride treatment to the teeth with a small brush or swab. After the dentist applies the fluoride treatment, you probably won't be able to eat or drink anything for at least 30 minutes .

Abstaining from food or drink for this amount of time allows the fluoride to get absorbed by the teeth. For some people, the dentist may prescribe a fluoride treatment every three or six months. Others may only need fluoride treatment once a year. In some cases, the dentist might also prescribe toothpaste or mouthwashes with higher than normal concentrations of fluoride.

Fluoride Protectant

The outermost part of the tooth is called tooth enamel. When you eat certain foods, especially sugary or acidic ones, it forms bacteria in your mouth. This bacteria strips away tooth enamel. When tooth enamel is stripped away, your teeth lose important minerals in the teeth, such as calcium and phosphorous.

The loss of tooth enamel, along with the demineralization of your teeth, leaves them more prone to cavities. Tooth enamel loss also greatly increases tooth sensitivity, which is usually felt when drinking foods and beverages that are either hot or cold. The good news is, the saliva in your mouth helps to restore some of the minerals that are lost when the enamel is stripped away.

When your saliva mixes with fluoride, there is an increased chance of restoring calcium and phosphorous to the tooth enamel. When these minerals are restored, your teeth once again become healthy and strong. Along with tooth decay prevention, dentists might recommend fluoride treatments for gum disease and dry mouth.

Fluoride Concerns

As with most kinds of vitamins and minerals, you can get too much of a good thing. Too much fluoride in the system causes a condition called fluorosis. Symptoms of this condition include small white spots on the teeth and an upset stomach. When you stick to the recommended amounts of fluoride, however, it is hard to get too much.

The National Library of Medicine states that the amount of fluoride your body needs depends on your weight. Typically, children should get 0.5 mg of fluoride a day. Adults need 3 to 4 mg of fluoride on a daily basis. To help further ease any concerns about fluoride, the CDC has stated that fluoride is completely safe for kids and adults.

If you think you or your children could benefit from fluoride treatments , contact University Dental P.A. Our goal is to help you make the best choices for optimum oral health.

Dental Sealants: An FAQ

Tue, 10 Nov 2020 14:52:25 GMT

Approximately 91 percent of Americans over the age of 20 have at least one cavity. Children can also find themselves highly vulnerable to cavity development in baby teeth and permanent teeth alike. Cavities occur when acids from bacteria eat holes in the tooth enamel, potentially infecting and damaging the tissues within.

If you want to protect yourself and your loved ones against cavities, you should learn about the benefits of dental sealants as a useful complement to proper brushing and flossing. Check out the answers to some frequently asked questions about this smart form of preventative care.

What Do Dental Sealants Do?

Dental sealants provide a long-term barrier between tooth enamel and bacteria, acidic substances, and other potential threats. Dental sealants on a tooth can reduce that tooth's chances of decay for however many years the sealants remain intact.

How Does a Dentist Apply Sealants to Teeth?

Dentists typically apply dental sealants to the chewing surfaces of the premolars and molars toward the back of the mouth. These teeth receive the lion's share of exposure to food particles, which combine with saliva to form the plaque that attracts bacteria.

Your dentist will clean and dry your teeth while also applying an acidic substance to your back teeth that roughens up their enamel (which will enhance the sealant's bond). Finally, the teeth receive a thin liquid layer of plastic, which cures and dries rapidly to create an airtight seal.

Why Should Children Receive Dental Sealants?

Children may have a special need for dental sealants, especially early in life. Younger children may not have mastered the art or discipline of brushing and flossing effectively. The sealants help to compensate for any sloppiness or inconsistency in dental hygiene that might promote cavities in baby teeth or new permanent teeth.

Older children can benefit from dental sealants as well. These kids do not always consume tooth-healthy foods, suffering a relatively high risk for tooth decay from regular sugary, acidic candies and sodas. School-aged children with sealants get significantly fewer cavities than those without sealants.

When Do Dental Sealants Make Sense for Adults?

While it makes sense to start protecting your teeth with sealants as early in life as reasonably possible, you can still benefit by getting sealants in adulthood. Your enamel still needs all the anti-cavity protection it can get, even if you practice excellent dental hygiene and avoid sugary or acidic foods.

Bear in mind that tooth enamel naturally gets thinner with age. The thinner your tooth enamel, the more vulnerable to decay and damage your chewing surfaces will become. Dental sealants can give your teeth some much-needed extra resilience to help make up for this loss of enamel thickness.

How Much BPA Do Dental Sealants Contain?

You might understandably feel concerned over the fact that the plastic used for dental sealants contains an industrial chemical known as bisphenol A (BPA). Researchers have linked significant exposure to this substance with certain health disorders such as diabetes, heart disease, and obesity.

Fortunately, you have nothing to worry about regarding the BPA in dental sealants. Any actual BPA exposure occurs only in the first few hours following the application of the sealants. The exposure itself amounts to less than one one-hundredth of the BPA levels in the air you breathe every day.

When Do Dental Sealants Require Replacement?

With luck, dental sealants can continue to protect your chewing surfaces for up a decade . However, they may lose their protective powers earlier than that due to premature wear or damage. Regular dental checkups enable your dentist to keep an eye on your sealants and let you know when you need to replace them.

University Dental P.A. can answer all your questions about dental sealants and apply such sealants with our customary skill. Contact us today to schedule an appointment for any member of your family.

4 Things Dental Care Can Do For Your Overall Health

Thu, 10 Sep 2020 14:56:54 GMT

Approximately 45 percent of the U.S. population struggles with some type of chronic health challenge, according to the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease. As you might imagine, conditions ranging from heart disease to malnutrition can produce considerable financial and personal hardship. You may not realize, however, that your dental health (or lack thereof) can influence these conditions.

If you have always assumed that dental care does nothing more than protect your teeth and gums from painful problems, you should know that it can also help safeguard you against a variety of larger systemic health issues. Take a look at four key ways you can boost your general wellness through proper dental hygiene and treatment.

1. Dental Care Can Help Protect Your Heart

Oral health appears to play a major role in heart health, mainly through the control of bacteria that can cause or worsen cardiovascular conditions. As plaque and tartar accumulate on your teeth, bacteria gather to this food source and work their way down into the periodontal pockets and through tooth enamel, causing decay and infection.

Bacteria that reach the blood supply can travel through the blood vessels to the heart. If you already have a congenital heart problem or an artificial heart valve, the presence of this bacteria puts you at special risk for a dangerous infection called endocarditis. The same bacteria can inflame and harden your arteries, raising your stroke risk, according to WebMD.

Regular brushing and flossing can go a long way toward reducing these risks. However, you must also keep up a regular routine of dental exams and professional cleanings to get rid of tartar that home hygiene techniques can't remove.

2. Dental Care Can Reduce Your Diabetes Risk

Your dental hygiene and preventative care regimen may prove helpful in warding off type 2 diabetes, a condition in which elevated blood sugar damages nerves, organs, and blood vessels. Dentists have long known that diabetic patients have more trouble with gum disease than non-diabetic patients.

Research now seems to show that this connection goes both ways. It appears that chronic gum disease can raise your blood sugar levels. If you had no previous history of diabetes, this development could put you on the road toward this health problem. If you already have diabetes, gum disease may make it harder to manage.

The more care you take to keep your gums healthy, the more easily you can avoid diabetes or keep your diabetes under better control. Your dentist can take your condition into account when recommending specific preventative care strategies.

3. Dental Care Can Aid Digestion

The more teeth you retain throughout your life, and the less pain those teeth cause you, the more easily and thoroughly you can chew your food. This simple fact has profound implications for your systemic health, which depends largely on your ability to break up food and digest nutrients as efficiently as possible.

Your tooth alignment also plays a role in your digestive system's ability to do its job. Teeth that shift with age or because of lost adjacent teeth may develop a malocclusion (misalignment) that prevents top and bottom teeth from biting and grinding food properly.

To get the most out of your diet and nutrition, ask your dentist to address issues such as painful, infected, misaligned, or missing teeth. The proper treatment measures, from antibiotics or orthodontics to dental restorations, can help your whole body feel and function better.

4. Dental Care Can Support a Healthier Pregnancy

If you plan to start a family or already have a new baby on the way, bear in mind that the state of your dental health can affect your pregnancy in some unwelcome ways. Research indicates that the bacteria associated with periodontal disease can elevate risks for preeclampsia, premature birth, and low birth weight.

Rest assured that you can safely undergo dental examinations (including X-rays), cleanings, and treatments during pregnancy. Your dentist will take special precautions and alter your treatment plan as needed in response to other prenatal medications or treatments your obstetrician may prescribe.

University Dental P.A. can help you achieve optimal dental health as a cornerstone of optimal overall health and wellness. Contact our clinic today to learn more and schedule dental care.

Beverages and Your Teeth

Fri, 10 Jul 2020 15:02:28 GMT

Human teeth encounter an astonishingly wide range of nutrients, additives, preservatives, and other common dietary items, not only in foods but also in beverages. Some of these menu items support dental health, while others undermine tooth integrity, promote decay, or leave unattractive stains.

You can maintain a good deal of control over your dental well-being simply by providing your teeth with relatively healthy beverages and exercising caution in the consumption of less-healthy options. Check out the positive or negative effects of the following common types of drinks.

Coffee and Tea

Medical science recognizes that both coffee and tea provide some substantial potential health benefits. Both beverages enjoy extraordinary popularity worldwide, with many individuals drinking one or the other on a daily basis. Unfortunately, this constant consumption brings an unwanted side effect: stained teeth.

Both coffee and tea contain substances known as polyphenols. One group of polyphenols, tannins, dissolve into the water used to brew your tea or coffee. The dissolved tannins then cause the coloring agents in coffee beans and tea leaves to stick to your teeth, eventually producing yellow or brown stains.

While these stains won't harm your teeth, they can prove difficult or impossible to remove through home hygiene practices. You may need professional teeth cleaning and whitening services to remove those stubborn stains.

If you choose to consume coffee or tea, consider icing the beverage and drinking it through a straw. Eat a diet rich in raw, fibrous fruits and vegetables to reduce the number or severity of stains.

Alcohol

Alcoholic beverages can cause trouble for tooth enamel. Alcohol imparts a drying effect to human tissues, including the tissues of the mouth. If you produce less saliva, your teeth lose some of their natural protection against bacteria. The bacteria may then cause tooth decay while also invading the gums.

Individuals who abuse alcohol tend to accumulate more plaque on their teeth than non-drinkers, making them more vulnerable to dental diseases. They also have three times the risk for tooth loss compared to the general population. If you drink alcohol, drink water as well to keep your oral tissues hydrated.

Sodas and Juices

The pH of a beverage can affect the health of your teeth. The pH scale rates substances from highly acidic (near zero on the scale) to highly alkaline (approaching a maximum of fourteen on the scale), with a pH of seven counting as completely neutral. Acids can strip minerals from your tooth enamel, weakening it.

Unfortunately, many popular favorites in the beverage world feature pH levels of around three or lower. Both regular sodas and diet sodas suffer from this problem, partly due to their carbonation. Even fruit juices lauded for their health benefits often have acidity levels ranging in the twos and threes.

While you don't have to exclude acidic beverages from your life entirely, you need to recognize the potential damage to your tooth enamel and take steps to minimize it. Rinse with water after drinking an acidic drink. Avoid brushing your teeth immediately after consuming anything acidic.

Water

Water usually sits near the center of the pH scale. This neutrality makes it a safe, healthy choice for everyday consumption, not just for your teeth but for every other part of your body as well.

As noted above, water can help to reduce acidity in your mouth. It also promotes healthy hydration, which in turn helps you produce a healthy amount of saliva. better yet, tap water typically contains fluoride, which supports enamel strength.

Milk

Milk and related dairy products actually improve the health of your teeth. Milk provides calcium and phosphorus, two minerals essential for maintaining tooth enamel. A single glass of milk offers just under 300 milligrams of calcium.

Your teeth also benefit from the casein in milk. This protein coats the tooth surfaces, giving the teeth additional protection against decay-causing bacteria.

Good dental health and an attractive smile require ongoing care and smart lifestyle choices. Let University Dental P.A. help you make those choices and receive the examinations, cleanings, and treatments that help ensure your dental wellness. Contact our clinic today to learn more and set up a consultation.

An Introduction to Porcelain Dental Veneers

Wed, 13 May 2020 15:05:49 GMT

Even if you don't feel particularly self-conscious about cosmetic irregularities in your molars, you may avoid smiling due to discolored, jagged, damaged, or gapped front teeth. These teeth may not require full-scale functional reconstructions such as crowns, but they may require more help than a simple whitening procedure (or even dental bonding) can offer.

Dental veneers can provide an ideal solution to this embarrassing issue. These shell-like porcelain structures essentially replace the front surfaces of your teeth for cosmetic purposes, giving a bright, white smile that features even, perfectly formed, and natural-looking teeth. Discover some key things to understand about this cosmetic dental option.

How Do Veneers Improve Your Smile?

Veneers consist of thin pieces of porcelain or resin molded and shaped to fit on top of your front teeth's outermost surfaces. The porcelain versions boast approximately the same strength and durability as natural tooth enamel, allowing them to last up to 20 years with proper care. Strong dental cement bonds the veneers to the enamel beneath.

Some people receive veneers to correct discolorations that ordinary whitening cannot seem to fix, while others seek to correct chipped, cracked, or jagged teeth. Still others have veneers made with extra width (which reduces gaps between adjacent teeth) or extra length (to correct for excessive enamel wear).

Who Should Consider Veneers?

If you want to correct one of the problems noted above with veneers, you must first have a healthy mouth. Your dentist will need to address and resolve any plaque accumulation, gum disease, cavities, or other dental health problems before you can safely receive veneers.

If you suffer from bruxism (chronic clenching or grinding of the teeth), you may not want to invest in veneers. Just as this clenching and grinding can wear down natural enamel, it can also damage even the strongest porcelain veneers over time. If you still want to go ahead with veneers, ask your dentist for a custom-fitted night guard that can protect your veneers from the effects of bruxism.

What Can You Expect From the Procedure?

Porcelain veneer preparation and fitting usually requires two dental visits. During the first visit, the dentist will shave away a minimal amount of the front-facing tooth enamel. (You may receive a local anesthetic beforehand if you know you have sensitive teeth.)

Next, the dentist takes an impression of the prepared tooth, sending the impression to laboratory personnel who will fabricate the veneer. A temporary veneer will cover your tooth until the permanent veneer comes back from the laboratory. During the second visit, the dentist roughens the enamel surface and then cements the permanent veneer into place, hardening the adhesive with light.

Your new veneer should fit comfortably and allow for a normal bite. If you have any lingering problems along these lines, a follow-up appointment with your dentist should correct them.

How Should You Care for Your Veneers?

Porcelain veneers don't stain as readily as the composite resin in tooth bonding or old-fashioned resin veneers, but staining can still occur. Minimize your consumption of red wine, coffee, and other things that typically stain the teeth. (This moderation may also help keep your natural enamel from staining at a faster rate than your veneers.)

You must treat your porcelain veneers with care if you want them to last for many years. Avoid opening packages with your front teeth or biting into hard objects. If you chip or break a veneer, you can't fix it; you have to have a dentist remove and replace it. As for hygiene, brush and floss your veneered teeth just as you do your other teeth, but always use a toothpaste low in abrasion.

University Dental P.A. can fit you with the beautiful porcelain veneers you seek. Contact us to schedule an appointment.

5 Common Dental Hygiene Mistakes to Avoid

Thu, 12 Mar 2020 15:14:14 GMT

When it comes to your oral health, prevention through good oral hygiene habits is the best thing you can do for your teeth and gums. While everyone knows they should brush and floss regularly, you could be making other dental mistakes that prevent your mouth from being as healthy as it could be.

1. Brushing Too Infrequently

While brushing your teeth about an hour after every time you eat or drink is ideal, it isn't a practical solution for most people. It's important to brush and floss at least twice a day - in the morning and before you go to bed.

Nighttime brushing is particularly important to fight tooth decay, gingivitis, and other dental health problems. Your teeth have a lot of food particles and bacteria on them at the end of the day, and if you fail to brush before bed, the bacteria will feed on the particles and contribute to tooth decay.

Saliva normally helps wash your teeth and cuts down on harmful bacteria. But when you're asleep your body doesn't produce as much saliva. So people who fall asleep before brushing their teeth increase their risk of cavities and other dental problems.

2. Brushing Too Quickly

Many people don't spend enough time brushing their teeth, and this common mistake can lead to serious plaque and tartar buildup. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommend that you brush your teeth twice a day for at least two full minutes , but many people only spend an average of 45 seconds on each brushing session.

Set a timer for two minutes each time you brush to ensure you spend enough time brushing your teeth, gums, and tongue.

3. Brushing Too Hard

While you might feel like your teeth will get cleaner if you scrub hard and quickly while you brush, it's best to use a much softer touch. When you use too much pressure, the enamel on your teeth can start to wear away, and your gums might start receding.

To protect your teeth, brush with a lighter touch - you shouldn't hear loud scrubbing noises when you brush your teeth.

Some electric toothbrushes have pressure sensors that will indicate when you brush too hard if you struggle to use a gentler touch.

4. Using the Wrong Toothbrush

Not all toothbrushes are created equal. Most people should use a toothbrush with soft bristles, so consider softer bristles the next time you replace your toothbrush if you typically choose a brush with medium or hard bristles. Also, look for the ADA Seal of Acceptance when choosing a toothbrush.

Additionally, the best toothbrush is a newer one. Bacteria can build up on your toothbrush and the bristles get worn down and damaged over time. Replace your toothbrush or toothbrush head every couple of months. If you've been sick, replace your toothbrush after you're no longer contagious.

5. Flossing Incorrectly or Not at All

You should floss at least once a day to clean the spaces between your teeth where your toothbrush bristles can't easily reach. However, keep in mind that you shouldn't substitute mouthwash, toothpicks, or floss picks for traditional flossing.

When you floss, don't skip any of your teeth. Be gentle when you push the floss between your teeth. Don't snap it against your gums. Instead, push the floss back and forth gently against the surface of the tooth in a C shape to clean the space thoroughly.

Schedule visits with your dentist every six months to check your teeth and gums for signs of problems and get a professional cleaning. The University Dental P.A. team serves patients of all ages in the greater Columbia, South Carolina area. Contact us today to book an appointment.

3 Bad Habits That Can Wreak Havoc on Your Tooth Enamel

Mon, 13 Jan 2020 15:19:39 GMT

If you follow the general tenets of good oral hygiene, such as brushing, flossing, and obtaining regular dental exams, you may not realize that you can still have bad habits that harm your tooth enamel.

Read to learn about three bad habits that can surprisingly wreak havoc on your tooth enamel.

1. Drinking Too Many Acidic Beverages

You likely know that you should avoid sipping on sugar-filled beverages to prevent tooth decay. However, you may not realize that many sugar-free sodas and other beverages contain acids that, if frequently sipped on, can lead to another problem with your teeth called acid erosion.

Phosphoric acid is frequently found in diet colas, and many other sugar-free beverages contain citric acid. In addition, coffee contains several natural acids and tea contains tannic acid. When you sip on these beverages, you bathe your teeth in these acids, contributing to acid erosion. To avoid acid erosion of your teeth, check the labels of sugar-free beverages before drinking them to ensure they do not contain these teeth-harming acids.

However, if you enjoy drinking acidic beverages too much to cut them out of your diet completely, limit your consumption to meal times only to avoid bathing your teeth in acid all day long. In addition, the saliva produced by your mouth naturally when you chew can help cleanse these acids off your tooth enamel before they begin to damage it.

2. Brushing Your Teeth at the Wrong Times

While brushing your teeth two to three times each day is beneficial to your oral health, brushing at the wrong times can lead to tooth enamel erosion.

First, be sure to wait at least 30 minutes after eating or drinking anything acidic to brush your teeth. After consuming acid-filled foods or beverages, your tooth enamel is softer than usual for about 30 minutes. Brushing your teeth when your tooth enamel is in this soft, weakened state can cause excessive wear-and-tear on your tooth enamel.

If you consume acidic beverages or foods with breakfast and do not have time to wait 30 minutes before brushing, then brushing before breakfast does have many surprising benefits.

Your mouth is filled with cavity-causing bacteria when you wake up in the morning. By brushing these bacteria away before you eat breakfast, you keep them from combining with sugars in the breakfast foods you eat and forming cavity-causing acids. In addition, the fluoride that remains on your teeth after brushing with a fluoride-filled toothpaste can further protect your teeth from the acids and sugars in your breakfast.

3. Biting Your Nails

If you bite your nails, then you may not realize that this bad habit can wreak havoc on your smile.

First, chronic nail biting, also called onychophagia, can cause a problem with your teeth called malocclusion. Malocclusion is an improper alignment of teeth when your jaw is closed, such as an overbite or underbite, that can only be corrected with orthodontic appliances. In addition, nail biting can cause your incisors, which are your front teeth, to shift out of proper position due to the frequent force placed on them when biting your nails.

Finally, biting your nails can damage on your tooth enamel over time. Even though nails may not seem very hard, the pressure placed on your tooth enamel when you bite them can cause your tooth enamel to wear away over time. Some people who bite their nails even crack or chip their tooth enamel while engaging in this bad habit.

While nail biting can be a difficult habit to break, quitting your nail biting habit can help prevent the need for braces and prevent tooth enamel damage.

Remember that good at-home care of your teeth does not only include brushing and flossing your teeth on a regular basis. You should also avoid any bad habits that can wreak havoc on your tooth enamel. Contact the staff at University Dental P.A. to schedule a dental exam today. Your dentist will prepare a treatment plan to help restore the health and appearance of your teeth.

4 Valuable Services Offered by Cosmetic Dentists

Mon, 11 Nov 2019 15:28:26 GMT

Even if you don't suffer from any dental health problems, you may be unsatisfied with the appearance of your teeth. Cosmetic dentists provide an invaluable service to their patients who are unhappy with the color, shape, or straightness of their teeth. Here are four techniques that cosmetic dentists use to correct any dental imperfections.

Resin Fillings

Few things can have as great an impact on the appearance of your smile as cavities on the front teeth. Fillings are an effective treatment for cavities, but most standard fillings are metallic and noticeably stand out from the color of your teeth. Cosmetic dentists can solve this problem by using white fillings rather than metallic ones.

White cosmetic fillings are made from a mixture of glass and plastic known as composite resin . Once the filling is placed, hardened with a UV light, and polished, it will be virtually indistinguishable from enamel. Your dentist may whiten your teeth during the same visit if necessary so that the new filling won't be too bright compared to your teeth.

Dental Bonding

Dental resin has other uses besides filling cavities in teeth. Through a process known as dental bonding, a cosmetic dentist can use resin to correct teeth that are misshapen or chipped. The resin is applied to the outside of the damaged tooth and hardened, and then sculpted to restore the original appearance of the tooth.

In addition to restoring individual teeth, dental bonding can reduce the appearance of gaps between your teeth. Resin is applied to the teeth on either side of the gap to widen them and reduce the space between them. In some cases, the dentist may only need to apply resin to a single tooth to fix gaps if the tooth is significantly undersized.

Tooth sensitivity is another problem that can be solved with dental bonding. Sensitivity to temperature, sugar, or acidity is usually caused by erosion of enamel or recession of the gums that exposes the roots of the teeth. Placing a layer of resin over the exposed root will eliminate sensitivity by protecting it in the same way that your gums or enamel did previously.

Cosmetic Contouring

Cosmetic contouring can be thought of as the inverse procedure to dental bonding. While bonding increases the size of teeth by adding material (resin), contouring reduces the size of teeth by removing small portions of enamel. A sanding tool is used to painlessly reshape teeth that are oversized, misshapen, or too sharp.

Contouring can be used to great effect to fix an overcrowded smile. By removing the sections of the teeth that are touching, natural-looking gaps can be created between the teeth. This can greatly improve comfort by reducing pressure in the mouth caused by teeth that are growing into one another or overlapping.

Porcelain Veneers

Some of the most stubborn discoloration may still show on your teeth no matter how many times they are whitened. These discolorations are usually not stains, but dark spots caused by decay in the tooth pulp. The spots will show through tooth enamel because it is partially transparent. Cosmetic dentists can use porcelain veneers to cover this discoloration.

Porcelain veneers are thin laminates that coat the outer surface of the tooth. Porcelain is more stain resistant than both enamel and dental composite, making it the perfect choice for veneers. Porcelain is also a highly resilient material that often keep teeth looking perfectly white for 10 to 15 years without repair or replacement.

Cosmetic dentists have a wide variety of tools and procedures at their disposal to correct virtually any aesthetic problems with your smile. Contact us at University Dental PA today for the bright, healthy smile you've always wanted!

3 Ways You Didn't Realize Your Food Could Affect Your Dental Health

Wed, 11 Sep 2019 15:32:10 GMT

You may not realize just how many things in your life can affect your teeth, but you've heard that food is an important factor. And it makes sense; after all, your food comes into close contact with your teeth multiple times a day.

However, your dentist probably hasn't explained to you the full number of ways your food can affect your teeth. After all, that could take years of medical school.

Here are just a few ways that your food can affect your dental health.

1. Affecting Parotid Hormone Production

You have heard that sugar erodes your teeth. It does this by feeding pathogenic bacteria that then create acids strong enough to leach minerals out of your enamel. However, you may not have heard that sugar can affect the production of parotid hormone. With too much sugar in the diet, the parotid gland could reduce or eliminate one of its functions.

Your teeth have dentinal tubules, tiny straw-like openings in the dentin layer of your teeth (that's the layer beneath your enamel). These tubes are intended to allow nutrients to travel from the pulp to the outer layers of your teeth.

However, the parotid hormone controls the flow of the fluid that flows through your dentinal tubules (called dentinal fluid). With a slowed or stopped flow, these tubules can't carry nutrients to the outer layers of teeth. And worse, this sluggish flow could allow pathogenic bacteria inside the tubes.

2. Remineralizing Enamel

Because a high-sugar diet could damage your teeth, you may start to get the mindset that you need to restrict your diet in order to keep your teeth healthy. This can become a toxic mindset. Instead, try focusing on all the great foods that can help your teeth. One way foods can help your teeth is through remineralizing.

Your saliva naturally starts to remineralize your teeth after you eat. It reduces acidity and carries dissolved minerals to top up enamel with any minerals it may need. Eating foods with plenty of calcium (such as cheese) can help. And eating foods with plenty of nutrition and a variety of minerals in them can help your body keep up the levels of minerals in your saliva.

So, if you love any nutritious foods, such as cheese, fish, or almonds, consider simply replacing some less nutritious foods with these. Although, be sure to discuss any dietary changes with your doctor first.

Increasing the ratio of nutritious foods to sugary foods can help your teeth; you don't have to necessarily avoid sugar altogether.

3. Affecting Estrogen Levels

Did you know that foods can even affect your estrogen? This may sound like it only applies to women, but when you think about it, men don't want high estrogen levels either, since it can lead to health problems. If you consume a lot of foods with high estrogen this may affect your hormones.

The reason this is important for your teeth is because hormones such as estrogen don't just cause mood swings. An imbalance in estrogen levels could actually cause gum irritation and, eventually, contribute to gum disease.

These are just three ways your food could be affecting your teeth right now. You don't necessarily have to leap into action and change your diet; if you already follow an overall healthy diet, it's likely great for your teeth as well. However, in some cases, moderating your sugar levels or switching to organic produce could help.

Talk to your doctor and your dentist about the right dietary choices for you. To schedule a dental appointment, get in touch with us at University Dental PA today.

Traditional Floss and Brushes Versus Water Flossers and Electric Brushes

Mon, 12 Aug 2019 15:39:40 GMT

While you already know brushing and flossing is important for a healthy, happy smile, you may be confused about which tools are the best. Many patients choose manual floss and brushes, but are they just as good as electric brushes and water flossers? If you want to know more so you can take better care of your teeth, keep reading.

Traditional Floss

Traditional floss works by using small strings of plastic to rub away plaque particles along the gum line and between teeth.

One perk of traditional floss is that it comes in many varieties. If your teeth are over-crowded, you can get thin floss that makes the floss easier to glide between teeth. If you have a dental bridge, you may also need a different type of floss that has a stiff end.

If you don't like messing with floss, there are small flosser devices, which each have a bit of floss and a pick at the end.

The biggest benefit of traditional floss is the low price. First, you get some for free each time you get a dental cleaning, but even when you have to buy it yourself, it is incredibly cheap.

Water Flosser

A water flosser is a device that shoots a small but powerful stream of water to clean teeth. One perk is that it is easy to use. Some people may have a hard time manipulating traditional floss, especially if they have limited mobility from arthritis or another condition. With a water flosser, you just spray your teeth with the water, and the powerful force will help dislodge food particles.

Water flossers are also great at cleaning bacteria from below the gum line. Plus, because it's water, there is usually less irritation and bleeding. The biggest drawback to a water flosser is the price. Your dentist won't be handing them out, and to buy your own, expect to spend up to $100 or more.

Traditional Tooth Brush

Most patients choose traditional tooth brushes because of their low price. Just like floss, you can usually find a traditional tooth brush at your local pharmacy or grocery store for a few dollars. You can also choose between soft, medium, and hard bristles.

However, while you may think a harder brush would do a better job of cleaning, that isn't always the case. When using a traditional brush, many patients brush too hard. Combine that with a hard-bristled brush, and you are might destroy your enamel and hurt your gums, which may lead to gum recession.

Electric Tooth Brush

Electric tooth brushes are easy to use, which makes them great if you have a hard time maneuvering the tooth brush. In general, people who use an electric tooth brush don't brush too hard, and they don't make technique mistakes as often because they only have to do one thing: hold the brush and let it do its job.

Electric tooth brushes also have built-in timers. This is important for anyone who doesn't brush their teeth long enough, such as children.

The biggest drawback, however, is that, like a water flosser, electric tooth brushes are expensive. They can anywhere between $15 to $250, plus another $10 to $45 for a pack of new replacement heads.

Usually, as long as you do your best when you brush and floss, it doesn't matter what dental tool you use. However, if you find that you are a little lax and lazy, getting a water flosser and electric tooth brush may allow you to keep your teeth clean with less effort. If you would like more information, or if you need a checkup, contact us today at Universal Dental P.A.

Teeth Whitening Options for a Bright Smile

Tue, 18 Jun 2019 15:43:05 GMT

People want to show beautiful, white teeth when they smile. Whiter teeth make you look and feel younger and give you more confidence, which is probably why over 40 million Americans used a tooth whitener in 2018. When regular brushing and at-home teeth-whitening remedies simply don't achieve the results you want, consider a professional teeth whitening treatment at a dentist's office.

Dentists offer many teeth whitening products and treatments that are simply not available over the counter. With so many options, how do you know which one is right for you? Read on to find out more about the many professional options for a whiter smile.

Laser Whitening

Most professional dental whitening procedures contain stronger concentrates of active ingredients (between 25-40%) than over-the-counter bleaching gels to achieve better results. For example, laser whitening bleaches your teeth to perfect whiteness with a high-concentration hydrogen peroxide paste. This method is good at removing stains from food and drinks, smoking, and aging.

Once the paste is applied carefully to your teeth, the dentist applies a laser to each tooth that heats the paste. The increase in temperature makes the paste more effective at stain removal, resulting in a whiter smile. Laser whitening is not for people with sensitivity to light.

Your dentist may also send you home with whitening trays or other supplies to help maintain your smile. To keep the teeth white until the new color is locked in, you also have to refrain from eating colored food and drink for a few days.

Zoom Whitening

The Zoom Whitening procedure also whitens teeth that are discolored due to drink, food, smoking, and natural aging. The 25% hydrogen peroxide paste is similar to that used in laser whitening, but with differences in the activation process. Rather than use a laser to enhance the hydrogen peroxide, Zoom Whitening uses a special ultra violet light in conjunction with the paste.

The light is designed to bathe your teeth more fully than a laser can, resulting in more evenly white teeth. Also, the light usually does not create heat like a laser can.

A Zoom treatment involves three separate applications that last 15 minutes each. Similar to laser treatment, you can maintain your new look with whitening trays or other touch-up kits, and you must avoid colored food and drink for a few days.

Opalescence

Opalescence is a unique tooth whitening product because it does not rely on heat or light to activate chemicals. Opalescence is a thick gel that is applied to teeth via a syringe for pinpoint accuracy. The thick gel is designed to stick to teeth and not spread to sensitive gums. Contained within the gel are several chemicals:

Hydrogen peroxide is the main ingredient for bleaching.
PF is a proprietary mix of potassium nitrite that lessens tooth sensitivity.
Fluoride strengthens tooth enamel to resist cavities.

Opalescence bleaches stubborn tooth stains cause by food, drink, age, smoking, and tooth trauma. Even better, this method is effective at removing discoloration from medications like tetracycline.

The average treatment session consists of several separate gel applications. Each application lasts around 15 minutes and is removed when completed. Your dentist can apply the gel up to five times in one session to achieve the level of whiteness you want.

All of these whitening processes have the potential to cause sensitive teeth. Your dentist will discuss these and other risks during your initial consultation.

If you're concerned about tooth or light sensitivity risks or have stubborn stains that resist any whitening or bleaching process, consider porcelain veneers instead. Our dentists at University Dental PA can advise you about your options for veneers or any of these teeth whitening options . Call us today and find out how your new smile can give you more confidence sooner than you think.

All You Need to Know About Scaling and Root Planing

Thu, 18 Apr 2019 15:49:56 GMT

If your dentist recommended deep cleaning for you, the words "scaling and root planing" were likely not part of the conversation, but they will likely be part of the deep cleaning. Those terms may not sound pleasant and, truthfully, they're not as much fun as chomping a crisp carrot. But undergoing those procedures will help ensure you live to chomp another day.

Scaling and root planing are really not all that unpleasant, especially considering the alternatives. Below is some of the essential information you need to know about scaling and root planing during your deep cleaning.

Basics of Scaling and Root Planing

The purpose of scaling and root planing is to clean plaque from below the gumline and to smooth the surface of the tooth. The deep cleaning is usually done as part of the treatment for periodontitis, or gum disease, to restore health to the affected area. While dentists can deep clean the whole mouth in a single visit, they typically recommend doing one quadrant of the mouth at a time.

Scaling can be done one of two ways. The first way is with hand-held instruments. Dentists use an implement that looks like a small hook to manually remove the plaque. The second is with ultrasonic instruments that utilize a vibrating metal tip and cool spray of water.

With root planing, dentists use the small hook to go under the gumline. The purpose here is to smooth out the surface of the tooth so the gums can reattach to it. The process also removes any lingering bacteria.

Physical Sensations of Scaling and Root Planing

You may still be worried about the procedure, but scaling is not painful or even particularly unpleasant. Try scratching your tooth lightly with your nail. The scaling process will require just a little more pressure than that. Also, your dentist or hygienist has a lot of experience, so they'll only be scaling the pertinent areas.

The root planing does go under the gumline, so you should expect more sensation from that procedure. Under normal circumstances, pressing against your gums in that manner shouldn't be painful. Unfortunately, dentists usually recommend deep cleaning when your gums are showing signs of periodontitis, which can make your gums more sensitive.

Luckily, your dentist can prescribe a local anesthesia similar to ones used when filling a cavity. With local anesthesia, you should experience no discomfort during the procedure. Pain after the procedure is rare and is usually described as weak to mild. Your dentist may recommend over-the-counter pain relievers or a desensitizing toothpaste.

Importance of Deep Cleaning

Scaling and Root Planing are important steps of deep cleaning to protect against plaque and treat gum disease. Plaque is a sticky substance that harbors bacteria. When it grows beneath the gum line, it causes pockets between the gum and tooth. These pockets are filled with bacteria, which cause inflammation of the gums and results in periodontitis.

Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease that leads to periodontitis. It starts out as swollen, tender gums that bleed easily during brushing. Left untreated, the plaque works its way under the gums and causes the pockets. When the pockets are four millimeters or greater in depth, dentists recommend the deep cleaning to restore health to the gums.

When periodontitis is left untreated, it can result in receding gums and damage to the tooth and even underlying bone structure. You can ultimately lose the affected teeth. Some research has also suggested that the bacteria found in the plaque can enter your bloodstream through the gum tissue. Once the bacteria is in your bloodstream, other areas of your body can be affected.

Preventing Periodontitis

Naturally, your best bet is to avoid periodontitis in the first place. Some factors you can't control, such as genetics and certain medications that can lead to periodontitis. But good oral hygiene is your best first defense. If you start to see signs of gingivitis, visit your dentist for deep cleaning treatment before it has time to develop into periodontitis.

If you do undergo scaling and root planing, follow your dentist's aftercare instructions. Typically, these steps will include basic good oral hygiene - brushing twice a day and flossing once daily.

Have your teeth deep cleaned as part of the treatment of your periodontitis. Discuss all your treatment options with University Dental PA .

3 Progressive Stages of Gum Disease

Fri, 22 Feb 2019 15:54:44 GMT

Inflammation and disease in the gums is caused by bacterial infection of the gingiva (the medical term for the gums). If left untreated, gum disease can progress to infect tooth-supporting bone and other support structures of the teeth.

Gum disease progresses through three stages of infection. Here are descriptions of the three stages of gum disease, how they're treated by your dentist, and how you can reduce your chances of developing serious gum problems.

1. Early-Stage, or Gingivitis

If you don't brush or floss your teeth routinely, a sticky substance called plaque forms on your teeth. Plaque is loaded with bacteria that live off the dental residue of foods you eat. Those bacteria cause toxins to build up in the plaque and eventually spread over teeth and gums.

When bacterial infection spreads to th e gums, the gums become swollen, red, and sensitive. Your gums may also be painful or bleed during tooth-brushing and when eating certain foods.

Early-stage gum disease is treated with a thorough dental cleaning of the teeth. In all stages of gum disease, your dentist may also prescribe antibiotics and special mouthwashes.

After your dental cleaning, you can stop gingivitis in its tracks by brushing and flossing at least twice a day. Use an electric toothbrush if your gums are sensitive or painful. You can also maintain healthy gums by avoiding the sugary and starchy foods and beverages that can increase plaque and bacteria formation.

Another important thing to consider is that smoking increases your risk of developing gum disease, and tobacco use can hinder recovery from gum disease treatment. Quit smoking now to reduce the chances of gingivitis advancing to more serious gum disease.

2. Intermediate-Stage, or Periodontitis

As gum disease advances, gum tissue begins to pull away from the teeth. Open gaps or pockets can develop between the gums and the teeth, and those gaps trap more plaque and food debris.

Other signs of periodontics may include the following:

Puffy red gums
Bleeding of gums
Poor tooth alignment
Mouth sores
Pain when chewing
Bad breath
Unpleasant taste in mouth

Once a patient reaches the intermediate stage of gum disease, the supporting tissues of the teeth are harmed for good. However, your dentist can still perform non-surgical treatment to treat periodontitis.

Cleaning procedures known as tooth scaling and root planing are often used to get under the gumline and clean away attached plaque and tartar. Tooth scaling involves deep cleaning and smoothing of the tooth surface. Root planing then evens out the surface irregularities in roots so plaque has a tougher time being deposited near the roots of teeth.

Surgical treatments for periodontitis include removing pockets around the teeth and gum line. Excess gum tissue can also be surgically removed to expose more of the teeth.

As with early-stage gum disease, proper brushing and flossing every day will improve your dental health. You can't reverse some periodontitis issues, but good oral hygiene habits and your dentist's care can stop further degradation of your gums and underlying, tooth-supporting bones.

3. Late-Stage, or Advanced Periodontitis

In the final stage of gum disease, gums may recede to the roots of the teeth and affected teeth may become wobbly or loose in the mouth. The fibers that hold the teeth in place weaken and no longer support the teeth, and you may have permanent and severe loss of tooth-supporting bone.

Treatment for late-stage periodontitis is sometimes possible. Soft-tissue grafts can be used to replace lost gum tissue, and bone grafts can fortify degraded bone.

But when the effects of advanced periodontics are beyond repair, the affected teeth may need to be pulled. Your dentist can replace the missing teeth with implants, bridges, or dentures to restore your smile and your chewing ability.

If your gums bleed when you brush or show other signs of gum disease, schedule a complete dental examination by contacting University Dental P.A. today. We offer periodontal treatments , including tooth scaling and root planing for dental patients throughout the Greater Columbia, South Carolina region.