Friday, March 13, 2015

Get a Brighter Smile with Teeth Whitening




Teeth whitening is not just about the aesthetics. Having a brighter, whiter smile can do wonders for self-confidence, and mental wellbeing is shown to have a positive impact on physical health. Teeth whitening can also help turn back the years, especially for caffeine lovers and cigarette smokers.  
While there are a variety of over the counter products that can be used (such as whitening toothpastes, bleaching agents and strips), whitening treatments carried out under the supervision of a dental professional will ensure optimum results and safety. 

Artistic Dental offers its patients technologically advanced techniques in teeth whitening to help achieve a brighter smile. These techniques will lighten the color of your teeth, regardless of what stained them in the first place. There are a number of treatments that patients can choose from to get that sparkling smile, but we highly recommend dentist-managed teeth bleaching trays for best results.

What are Dentist-Managed Teeth Bleaching Trays?
One of the safest and most effective ways to see great results in a matter of days is through dentist managed teeth bleaching trays. The process for this treatment will begin at the dentist’s office and you will continue the care from home. First, the doctor will begin by taking a mold of your mouth. They will then create the trays from these impressions. The trays are an exact replica of your teeth so the whitening agent is spread evenly when the trays are inserted into the mouth. These products are designed for daily use and each treatment takes approximately an hour. After the first five days you will see visible results, but bleaching will only lighten your natural teeth, not fillings. We are big fans of the Opalescence To-Go Whitening Kit, a little goes a long way! If you experience any sensitivity from this method please report it to your dentist.
We are committed to helping our patients achieve outstanding results. Contact our office if you have any questions about teeth whitening or to schedule an appointment with our doctors to assess if you’re a good candidate for treatment.

Friday, February 27, 2015

Freshen Up Your Breath!



Let’s face it; no one wants to be around someone with bad breath! Yet, according to the American Dental Association, 50 to 65 percent of people suffer from halitosis. Of course, having good oral hygiene habits is the best way to keep your mouth clean and your breath fresh, but when we’re eating, drinking and talking during the day we might need a little refresher.

Here are our tips to keeping your breath fresh throughout the day:

·      Brush twice a day – Basic dental hygiene is the best way to keep your mouth clean and fresh!
·      Floss every day – Don’t overlook flossing, letting old food stay stuck between your teeth is a sure way to become a victim of bad breath.
·      Scrape your tongue – Scraping, or at least brushing, your tongue is a must when it comes to making sure your breath stays fresh. 
·      Use mouthwash – Mouthwash is another great way to combat bad breath; we recommend one with fluoride and a minty flavor.
·      Avoid pungent foods – We all know there are some foods and drinks you just have to avoid when you want to keep your breath fresh, i.e. garlic, onions, even coffee!

·      Drink lots of water – Not only does water keep you healthy, it keeps your breath nice by rinsing your mouth and promoting saliva production, which fights against plaque.
·      Try sugarless gum or mints – Sugarless gum is a great, temporary way to prevent bad breath, without consuming sugar, which can decay your teeth.
·      Snack on fruits or yogurt – Yogurt restores good bacteria in the mouth, freshening your breath and eliminating bad-smelling bacteria. Fruits like apples and pears also promote saliva production, freshening breath. Oranges and other fruits with Vitamin C are also good for freshening your breath and can prevent gum disease. 

The best thing you can do to keep your breath fresh and smelling great is take care of your teeth and your body as a whole. Make sure you are cleaning your teeth thoroughly and following oral health recommendations from your dentist. If bad breath persists, you may have or a more serious health issue that needs to be addressed. In that case, call a physician and get a more thorough health exam.

Remember, when you take good care of your teeth and gums it helps prevent more than bad breath!



Friday, February 13, 2015

CareCredit – Another Way to Get the Care You Need at Artistic Dental


CareCredit – Another Way to Get the Care You Need at Artistic Dental



At Artistic Dental we want you to be able to receive the care you need, when you need it. Dental issues can arise, and if they’re not treated they can become a more serious and costly problem. To help alleviate the stress of paying for dental treatments, we offer a variety options for you to cover the costs of care; one of these options is CareCredit. If you do not have dental insurance or a treatment you need or want is not covered under your plan it does not mean you must forgo treatment.

CareCredit is a credit card that allows you finance your health and wellness expenses for you and your family. Once you’re approved for CareCredit you can use it for any treatment you need and then pay off the expense with convenient monthly payments or all at one time when you are able. CareCredit is unique in that it offers short term financing to fit your healthcare needs without charging interest like you would incur with a traditional credit card, as long as you make your minimum monthly payments and pay off the bill by the end of the pre-determined  period.

Even those with insurance may find CareCredit beneficial. It can offer relief to those burdened with unexpected healthcare expenses not covered by insurance. It allows patients to take advantage of the latest in cosmetic treatments that insurance providers typically don’t cover. Care Credit can be used for major dental procedures like veneers, Invisalign, root canals, ceramic crowns, bite plates, braces, dentures or tooth repair, or for standard, preventative dental care. Using CareCredit for dental care you need, will help prevent more costly, invasive treatments later on. You can also use CareCredit for your preventative care like six-month check-ups, teeth cleaning, sealants, fluoride treatment, and periodontal disease prevention.  

While it’s easy to miss appointments or put off dental work because of cost, cutting corners by skipping care can end up costing more than just money. Poor daily care and skipping regular check-ups can and will lead to dental problems and dental problems that are untreated will not only lead to pain and long-term oral health problems like gingivitis, periodontal disease and tooth decay, it can lead to more serious health issues like heart disease, diabetes, stroke and cancer. Ask about CareCredit or other  payment options in order to maintain proper care and treatments before more serious issues arise.