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Your Teeth and Dental Implants Will Get Along Perfectly

Posted February 28, 2017

Your teeth and dental implants will get along perfectly. Despite the unlikely marriage of artificial and natural teeth, it is possible to blend them seamlessly by customizing dental implants to your tooth color, shape, and structure. With a small tweak or two, we can ensure not only will you have a wonderfully new functional implant that will be as effective in its functions as a natural tooth can be, but it will also look natural too. Look below to see some other benefits that implants can provide:

– Dental implants are much more form-fitting and are considered by many patients to be much more comfortable than dentures.
– Some tough to chew foods such as steak can easily make dentures slide within your mouth, but dental implants hold fast, making these foods much more enjoyable and easier to eat.
– Due to a method called Osseointegration, the bone-implant integration can grow to support and hold the implant tight.
– Dental implants can fill out the natural shape and structure to your face lost by missing teeth.
– Without teeth or implants held in place, your jawbone can weaken and deteriorate over time.
– Your gums that hold teeth in place can cause shifting and movement to neighboring teeth when a gap is not occupied from a lost or missing tooth.
– A full-toothed smile is much better received in most social settings, which will also enhance your self-esteem and boost your self-image.

If you would like to learn if dental implants are right for you, you are welcome to schedule an oral exam with Dr. [doctor_name] and our team at [practice_name]. Our dentist office is located in [city], [state], and we can be reached by calling us at [phone]. Thanks for visiting with a smile!

Pregnancy Can Affect Your Oral Health

Posted January 28, 2017

If you’re pregnant—especially if you’re pregnant for the first time—you may be both excited and nervous. You probably understand that there are several things you’ll need to do to get ready. You also know that your body will change to accommodate your little one, but did you know that your mouth will change as well?

For example, you’ll have more fluid in your body while you’re pregnant, which can lead to problems in your oral cavity. Your hormones can also be elevated, which can cause swelling in your gums. Sadly, this leaves pregnant women more vulnerable to gingivitis. If your gingivitis isn’t treated, it could become worse and ultimately lead to a number of serious problems.

Sadly, because gum disease can let bad plaque and bacteria into your bloodstream, your overall health could suffer. Sadly, this problem can also affect your little one. In fact, if your gum disease isn’t addressed, you could be more likely to have gum disease, high blood pressure, preeclampsia, preterm delivery, and even heart disease.

We also recommend scheduling regular appointments with our dentist, Dr. [doctor_name] regularly. If you have more questions, please don’t hesitate to contact [practice_name] at [phone]. We look forward to receiving your call soon.

Why You Should Change Your Toothbrush

Posted October 1, 2016

As you probably know, brushing your teeth is an extremely important part of your oral hygiene routine. You may have also heard that brushing your teeth can actually help you protect the health of your entire body. If you don’t brush well, you may experience a number of issues–but did you know that if you don’t care for your toothbrush well you could be putting your oral health in danger?

You see, if you don’t care for your toothbrush well, you could accidentally be allowing more germs and bacteria into your mouth. If you have an issue such as gum disease, this bacteria could enter your bloodstream, causing even more issues. Fortunately, there are a number of things you can do to avoid issues such as these. For instance, please remember to let your toothbrush air dry after every use. You should also store your brush upright and leave it in an open area–not in a drawer. You should also make sure your brush doesn’t come in contact with anyone else’s.

You should also remember to get a new toothbrush, or a new head if you use an electric brush, about once every three months. However, you may need to replace your brush sooner if your bristles have frayed. You should also replace your brush after you deal with an illness. You see, your brush won’t kill bad bacteria, meaning bad bacteria can stay on your brush after you’ve been sick and be harbored in frayed bristles.

If you have any more question about how to care for your toothbrush, or about when you should replace it, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Our dentist, Dr. [doctor_name], and our team will gladly answer any questions you have. We will also examine your teeth and gums and give you personalized advice. If you would like to schedule an appointment with us, please don’t hesitate to contact [pratice_name] at [phone]. We are eager to hear from you.

Dr. Chaffin Talks About Halitosis And Your Dental Health

Posted May 10, 2016

Here at Chaffin Dental Care, we see many patients every year for a wide variety of oral health problems. One of the more common problems we see is patients complaining about halitosis. Yes it is true, bad breath can be a serious problem for many dental patients. In fact, estimations claim that more than 80 million people suffer from bad breath related to oral health issues from gums, teeth and tongue. However, it is very important to note that bad breath can be a warning sign of major oral health issues and a result of poor oral hygiene habits.

What Actually Causes Bad Breath?

Bad breath can be caused by a variety of different factors. Often, bacteria, left-over food particles, and poor oral hygiene are the main causes of mouth odor. Once food particles reach certain levels in the mouth, they can produce a compound that is identified by a sulfur odor and the danger of tooth decay. This is why it is very important to keep your mouth clean. Simply brushing and flossing can get your oral health back on track and help reduce that bad taste in your mouth.

Another substance that could be creating bad breath problems is foods with strong odors. Things like onions and garlic can affect your breath for days after ingestion. This phenomenon is due in large part to the fact that odors from foods and drinks do not go away until the foods have been completely digested. Consequently, fouls odors can be detected on your breath sometimes three days after consumption. So if you have a big date or special occasion coming up, avoid the strong flavors of onions and garlic.

Health Issues And Halitosis

Chronic bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth can also be a warning sign of serious problems with your dental health. Dental problems like gum disease, cavities, periodontal disease, chronic sinus infections, yeast infections in the mouth and ill fitting dental appliances can also cause halitosis. Some additional causes of bad breath are: postnasal drip, acid reflux, dry mouth, diabetes, liver or kidney problems, bronchitis, or pneumonia.

How Saliva Helps Bad Breath

Healthy saliva levels keep oral odors at bay by washing away food particles and dangerous bacteria from your mouth and the crevices between teeth. This is why it is so important to keep your mouth moist by drinking enough water and using lubricant mouthwashes if necessary. One of the reasons we have “morning breath” is because saliva production slows and bacteria can grow inside the mouth while we sleep. So get up, brush your teeth and have a nice glass of water for the health of your oral tissues.

What Are The Best Ways To Combat Bad Breath?

The best way to combat bad breath is by simply brushing, flossing and using mouthwash. Other ways to fight halitosis are:

-Scrape your tongue after meals and at least once a day.
-Chew a good quality sugar-free gum between meals or after eating.
-Use fluoride mouthwash and toothpaste.
-Floss your teeth after every meal or at least once a day.
-Keep your dental devices clean.
-Why Check-Ups With Your Dentist Are So Important

You may think that seeing a dentist is just an inconvenience, but this is not the case. Dental check-ups are an important part of preventative care because they can help patients detect problems, reduce plaque levels on teeth and decrease bacteria build-up. Dentists can also help determine the source of bad breath, recommend special products to eliminate symptoms and recommend an additional specialist if your bad breath is not related to your oral health. All in all, seeing a dentist should be a critical part of keeping your body, healthy and strong.

Dr. Chaffin Can Help With All Your Dental Health Needs

Bad breath can be an embarrassing problem that can only get worse if left untreated. Luckily, with proper care, halitosis is curable in most instances and preventable in many. The staff at Chaffin Dental Care would like their patients to know more about the importance of regular dental care and maintenance. If you live in the Spokane, WA area, come see us for a consultation and get started on better dental health today.