Simple Habits For a Healthy Smile For Life

Dr. Jonathan Bloch

We all know life can be a bit crazy sometimes. Work, kids, school, traffic! It is sometimes overwhelming, but don’t get too busy to neglect your dental health. Your dental care is just as important now as it was when you were a kid. Untreated dental disease can lead to serious health issues like dental infections, bone loss around teeth, dental nerve damage, and even tooth loss. A few simple habits can go a long way in helping you maintain a healthy smile, even when you are too busy.  Brush your teeth at least twice a day, floss once a day and visit your dentist regularly for both check ups and cleanings. These simple habits can help you maintain a Healthy smile for Life.

What About Missing Teeth

Did you know that the average adult between the ages of 20 and 64 has three or more decayed or missing teeth? If you are missing one or more teeth, there are plenty of ways to correct the problem. Schedule an appointment with our office for more information about improving your smile and find out how you can maintain a healthy smile for life!

Call our friendly staff to schedule an appointment at (305)385-5555 or visit our website at www.BlochDentistry.com. We want to see you smile!

Is Chewing Gum Good for Your Teeth?

Chewing gum in various forms has been around since ancient times. The Greeks chewed sap from the mastic tree, called mastiche. On the other side of the world, the ancient Mayans favored the sap of the sapodilla tree (called tsiclte). Native Americans from New England chewed spruce sap—a habit they passed on to European settlers. Today, the base used for most gum products is a blend of synthetic materials (elastomeres, resins and waxes in various proportions). However, chewing gum is as popular as ever.

Consumers may be used to thinking about chewing gum as a kind of candy, but this category of the ADA Seal recognizes chewing gum that has demonstrated scientifically that it can protect the teeth.

 

For an informative article on the history of chewing gum, visit

http://pubs.acs.org/cen/whatstuff/85/8532sci2.html (Link opens in separate window. Pop-up Blocker may need to be disabled.)

The physical act of chewing increases the flow of saliva in your mouth. If you chew after eating, the increased salivary flow can help neutralize and wash away the acids that are produced when food is broken down by the bacteria in plaque on your teeth. Over time, acid can break down tooth enamel, creating the conditions for decay. Increased saliva flow also carries with it more calcium and phosphate to help strengthen tooth enamel. Clinical studies have shown that chewing sugarless gum for 20 minutes following meals can help prevent tooth decay.

Find out more information on other interesting oral health topics, please visit our website or

Call our friendly staff to schedule an appointment at (305)385-5555 or visit our website at www.BlochDentistry.com. We want to see you smile!

 

Tooth whitening in The Dental Office

By. Dr. Jonathan Bloch

Everyone would love to have a bright white smile, and there are a variety of products and procedures available to help you achieve a healthy bright smile or simply improve the look of your smile.

Many people are satisfied with the sparkle they get from brushing twice daily with a fluoride-containing toothpaste, cleaning between their teeth once a day and regular cleanings. If you decide you would like to go beyond this to make your smile look brighter, you should investigate all of your options.

You can take several approaches to whiten your smile:

• In-office bleaching;
• At-home bleaching;
• Whitening toothpastes

For faster and better results we suggest a in-office tooth whitening procedure that is fast and effective. This procedure is called chairside bleaching and may require more than one office visit. Each visit may take from 30 minutes to one hour.

During chairside bleaching, the dentist will apply either a protective gel to your gums or a rubber shield to protect the oral soft tissues. A bleaching agent is then applied to the teeth, and a special light may be used to enhance the action of the agent. An hour later your teeth are several shades whiter.

At-home bleaching trays and whitening toothpastes can also help you brighten your smile, but take longer and may be less effective than in-office bleaching.

Call our friendly staff to schedule an appointment at (305)385-5555 or visit our website at www.BlochDentistry.com. We want to see you smile!

Overcoming Dental Anxiety

Many people get nervous just thinking about going to the dentist? You might be worrying unnecessarily. With dentistry's many advances, diagnosis and treatment gets more sophisticated and comfortable all the time.

It's often best to share your anxiety. If you're tense or anxious, tell your dentist and the dental staff. Getting your concerns out in the open will let your dentist adapt the treatment to your needsTry to choose a time for your dental visit when you're less likely to be rushed or under pressure. For some people, that means a Saturday or an early-morning appointment.

If the sound of the drill bothers you, bring a portable audio player and headset so you can listen to your favorite music. During the dental visit you might try visualizing yourself relaxing on a warm beach.

These positive techniques work wonders for many. Try them on your next dental visit.

Call our friendly staff to schedule an appointment at (305)385-5555 or visit our website at www.BlochDentistry.com. We want to see you smile!

Quick Tips to Help You Get The Most Out of Brushing and Flossing

With our busy schedules sometimes it is easy to overlook (or even forget) one of the simplest and most essential routines for your health; brushing your teeth. Even if you do it regularly chances are you do not spend enough time brushing. This article will review simple tips to brush and floss your teeth in less time with the greatest results.

 

 

Brushing:

Simple techniques can help maximize the effectiveness of your brushing. First of all position your tooth brush properly. Using the right angle can increase the effectiveness of your brushing significantly. You should place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle against your gums. Move your brush back and forth gently in short strokes. Remember to carefully brush every surface of your teeth, the outer and inner tooth surfaces and the chewing surfaces of your teeth. Pay special attention to the facial side (cheek side) of your teeth as this is the area where food easily gets lodged. Last, but not least don't forget to brush your tongue to remove bacteria and help keep your breath fresh.

Flossing:

Flossing is also very important for your oral health. Flossing will help remove tartar and plaque buildup and help you maintain healthy gums. To floss your teeth effectively break off about 18 inches of floss and wind it around your middle finger. Wind the other side on the same finger of the other hand. Hold the floss tightly between your thumbs and forefingers. Next gently guide the floss between your teeth with a gentle rubbing motion. Try to avoid snapping the floss into the gums. When the floss reaches your gum line curve it into a C shape between your teeth and gums. Now hold the floss tightly against your tooth and just rub the sides of the tooth gently with up and down motions. Repeat this same process with your all your teeth. Very important, don’t forget to do it with the back side of your last tooth as well.

There are many tools to help make flossing easier, including floss threaders, flossers with a handle, and even flavored floss. For those people who cannot handle the floss, interdental cleaners are great options.

Call our friendly staff to schedule an appointment at (305)385-5555 or visit our website at www.BlochDentistry.com. We want to see you smile!

What are Dental Veneers?

Veneers are thin, custom-made shells crafted of tooth-colored materials designed to cover the front side of your teeth.  You can get one to enhance the look of one tooth or you can get many to enhance your overall smile. They're made by dental technicians, usually in a dental lab, working from a model of your teeth.

Veneers can be used to fix gaps in your teeth or teeth that are stained, badly shaped or crooked. Today a veneer placed on top of your teeth can correct nature's mistake or the results of an injury and help you have a beautiful smile with minimal visits.

It is a simple procedure, and it usually takes only a couple of appointments. First, we would need to take some impressions of your teeth and create dental models. We use the models to plan the shape, thickness, and color of the veneers. Next, we would have the veneers created in a dental lab. Finally, we would prepare your teeth and deliver the veneers. You walk out the door with a great smile, without the need of extensive work and in only a few appointments.

We recommend that you avoid some foods and beverages that may stain or discolor your veneers such as coffee, tea or red wine. Sometimes a veneer might chip or fracture and this can easily be fixed. For many people the results are more than worth it.

If you have any questions about veneers or to schedule an appointment call our friendly staff to schedule at (305)385-5555 or visit our website at www.BlochDentistry.com. We want to see you smile!

Dental Implants: A Great Option for Replacing Missing Teeth

Crowns and conventional bridges or dentures may not be your only options when replacing missing teeth. For some people, dental implants offer a smile that looks and feels very natural. Surgically placed below the gums over a series of appointments, implants fuse to the jawbone and serve as a base for individual replacement teeth, bridges or a denture.

Implants offer stability because they fuse to your bone. Integration of the implants into your jaw also helps your replacement teeth feel more natural and some people also find the secure fit more comfortable than conventional substitutes.

Candidates for dental implants need to have healthy gums and adequate bone to support the implant. A thorough evaluation by your dentist will help determine whether you are a good candidate for dental implants.

Dental implants can provide artificial teeth that look natural and feel secure. Dental implants can also be used to attach full or partial dentures. Implants, however, are not an option for everyone. Because implants require surgery, patients must be in good health, have healthy gums, have adequate bone to support the implant and be committed to meticulous oral hygiene and regular dental visits. If you are considering implants, a thorough evaluation by your dentist will help determine if you would be a good candidate.

Bloch Dentistry Center specializes in a wide range of dental services including: general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, teeth whitening, veneers, dental implants, root canals, periodontic treatments, and reconstructive dentistry.

Call our friendly staff to schedule an appointment at (305)385-5555 or visit our website at www.BlochDentistry.com. We want to see you smile!