Gum disease is an infection of the tissues that surround and support your teeth. It is a major cause of tooth loss in adults. Because gum disease is usually painless, you may not know you have it. Also referred to as periodontal disease, gum disease is caused by plaque, the sticky film of bacteria that is constantly forming on our teeth.

Here are some warning signs that can signal a problem: 

• gums that bleed easily
• red, swollen, tender gums
• gums that have pulled away from the teeth
• persistent bad breath or bad taste
• permanent teeth that are loose or separating
• any change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite

Some factors increase the risk of developing gum disease. They are:

• poor oral hygiene
• smoking or chewing tobacco
• genetics
• crowded teeth that are hard to keep clean
• diabetes

See your dentist if you suspect you have gum disease because the sooner you treat it the better.

TIMING MATTERS

Timing matters. While everything is fine in moderation, it helps to eat sweets and other sugary foods with meals or shortly after mealtime. Saliva production increases during meals and helps to reduce the acids produced by bacteria in your mouth and helps rinse away food particles all smiles dentistry port st lucie

BE PICKY IF IT’S STICKY

When it comes to picking healthy snacks, many people put dried fruit at the top of the list. But many dried fruits are sticky and sticky foods tend to stay on the teeth longer than other types of food. If you find yourself eating a lot of dried fruits such as cranberries, make sure to rinse with water and brush carefully.

THE VAPING MISCONCEPTION

Vaping has become increasingly popular over the last decade.  It is often viewed as a healthy alternative to smoking traditional tobacco cigarettes, but the truth is vaping can be just as damaging to your teeth, mouth, and body.

SO WHAT IS VAPING?

E-cigarettes or vapes, deliver nicotine to the lungs through an aerosol vapor.  Over the years, many vape companies have marketed this aerosol as harmless water vapor creating the myth that vaping does not harm the teeth and body.  The vapor is actually a cocktail of nicotine, toxic chemicals, and heavy metals all of which have been scientifically linked to cancer, respiratory disease, and heart disease.

Dear Patients,

Our gold standards of care have risen even higher during this time!

• Hourly handle sterilizing
• All guest temperature checks before entering
• All guest mouth sanitizing before entering
• Employees temperature checks before entering
• All employees wearing masks

The health and safety of our patients and staff is Great Smile Dentals’ highest priority. With this in mind we have always monitored virus concerns through the World Health Organization and the CDC and we are actively implementing enhanced in-office procedures to help ensure to provide the best environment possible for our community.

We are increasing our cleaning procedures as a preventative measure at this time. We will disinfect the office throughout the day, as well as door handles, switches, bathrooms, and all surfaces that one may touch.

SMILE-FRIENDLY STOCKING STUFFERS

Your stocking forecast this year will almost certainly include a dusting of sugar.  Giving candy? Consider chocolate. It washes off your teeth more easily than stickier sweets like candy canes. And when you’re stuffing those stockings full of chocolate Santas, don’t forget to include toothpaste and a toothbrush dental port st lucie.

CAROL WHILE YOU CLEAN YOUR TEETH

One of the easiest ways to brush for a full two minutes twice a day is to a song that’s two minutes long. This season, create a playlist of your family’s favorite holiday music for a holly, jolly brushing bonanza.

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed a lot of things about our daily lives. Your regular visits to the dentist have changed too!

The American Dental Association has developed science-based guidance to dentists on extra steps they can take, In addition to the strict infection control procedures we have always followed to help protect our patients and staff.

Here’s What You Can Expect at Your Next Appointment at Great Smile Dental in Port St Lucie

BEFORE YOUR APPOINTMENT

To help make sure that patients arriving for their appointments are healthy, we may call you before your appointment and ask you some questions about your current health. We may also repeat these questions when you arrive to make sure nothing has changed.

We also ask that you limit the number of people you bring to the appointment. That could mean leaving your children at home or allowing older children to go into the office alone while their parent waits outside during their appointment.

Vaping has become increasingly popular over the last decade.  It is often viewed as a healthy alternative to smoking traditional tobacco cigarettes, but the truth is vaping can be just as damaging to your teeth, mouth, and body.

SO WHAT IS VAPING?

E-cigarettes or vapes, deliver nicotine to the lungs through an aerosol vapor.  Over the years, many vape companies have marketed this aerosol as harmless water vapor creating the myth that vaping does not harm the teeth and body.  The vapor is actually a cocktail of nicotine, toxic chemicals, and heavy metals all of which have been scientifically linked to cancer, respiratory disease, and heart disease.

VAPING AND YOUR TEETH

Following are some of the specific reasons that vaping and e-cigarettes are not good for your gums, teeth, and overall oral health.

Teeth that are exposed to e-cigarette aerosol have more bacteria in the pits and crevices of the teeth than teeth that are not exposed to the vapor.  Having excess bacteria in the mouth leads to tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease.  It is believed that the reason for the excess bacteria is that the vape heats the ingredient propylene glycol which causes dry mouth.

WHAT IS A DENTAL HYGIENIST?

Dental Hygienist duties revolve around initial patient screenings, cleaning teeth, and advising patients on oral health and preventative care.

Working in conjunction with a Dentist, the Dental Hygienist is essential to help decide treatments for teeth or gum diseases and handle dental emergencies.

REQUIREMENTS

• Registered Dental Hygienist License in the state of Florida.
• Capture patients’ dental radiographs and provide them to dentist for interpretation and diagnosis.
• Maintain accurate medical and dental records by documenting important patient data in Dentrix.
• Support dentists during emergency dental situations.
• Improve and develop knowledge through continuing education courses and seminars.
• Carry out advanced dental cleaning services.
• Correctly administer local anesthetic and adjunctive therapies such as fluoride treatments and irrigation.
• Perform duties in accordance with all applicable standards, policies and regulatory guidelines to promote safe working environment.

Tooth bonding can be the perfect solution for a wide range of dental health and cosmetic related concerns. An economical, easy and quick procedure, tooth bonding is completed during a single visit. Our team of experienced cosmetic and restorative dentists at Great Smile Dental can use skilled artistry to change the appearance of your smile or improve oral health with this procedure.

A less expensive alternative to porcelain veneers for cosmetic concerns, tooth bonding is also used to repair chipped or cracked teeth. It is often recommended for younger patients and adult patients with minor problems to address or those not ready for the larger commitment required with dental veneers.

Whether you’re replacing a single missing tooth or securing a bridge or denture, Great Smile Dental will provide the best local option for dental implants Port St Lucie has to offer! CALL NOW for fast appointment scheduling or quick answers to your dental questions! Our team is available to help you 24/7.

The team at Great Smile Dental understands that lost teeth and unhealthy gums are costly health concerns. They provide cost-effective options for each patient’s individual treatment plan. Dental savings plan programs and packages are available at an affordable cost to help create the perfect smile you’ve always wanted. Great Smile Dental offers affordable implant supported dentures for the best results in Port St. Lucie.