Thursday, December 29, 2011

How is heart disease connected to gum disease?

portland Maine gum disease
Image courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net
Do your gums sometimes bleed? If you notice this, you may be experiencing the early stage of gum disease, which is gingivitis. Schedule a consultation with your local dentist right away to see if you have gum disease or periodontal disease.

If you think that your oral problems do not have anything to do with the rest of your body, think again. According to studies, there is a link between periodontal disease and heart disease. Researches found out that the bacteria found in plaque that build up in teeth can travel through the bloodstream. These bacteria attach themselves to the coronary vessels and causes blockage in the blood flow, hence heart disease.

Gum disease can cause or aggravate heart disease. To avoid more complications, visit a local Portland Maine dentist now for diagnosis and treatment. Remember that it is best to detect gum disease in its early stages.

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Do you want straighter teeth?

portland Maine braces
We all want straight teeth that we can show off to everyone. If you are going to attend an event - like a wedding, a New Year's Eve party, or a class reunion and want to look good in photographs, you can show off you straight teeth with Six Month Smiles or Invisalign. All you need is at least six months of treatment and your teeth are good to go!

Six Month Smiles makes use of clear nickel-titanium wires that put stable and gentle pressure on your teeth. Results will usually show in six months, or sometimes less. If you don't like the feeling of having wires attached to your teeth, another option is Invisalign. This, on the other hand, makes use of clear aligners that are custom made for you. Treatment usually last for six to fifteen months.

Do you want straighter teeth? You can have perfect teeth with these two alternatives! However, not everyone can make use of these technologies so it is best to consult with your local Portland Maine cosmetic dentist to know if you can go for these.

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Don't get stressed out with dental visits!


portland maine sedation dentistry
Dental visits can be very stressful for many people due to their fear of dental procedures or just because they want to avoid the discomfort of sitting on a dental chair for hours. The problem with this set up is that people tend to avoid even a simple cleaning procedure because of these reasons.

Because dentists are concerned about the dental health of patients, they have now offered sedation techniques for patients who feel anxious or uncomfortable about dental procedures. The methods used differ from patient to patient. For instance, anxiolysis or light sedation is used when a patient just needs to take the edge off. However, oral sedation is given to patients with high anxiety levels or patients who will be going through a long and complicated procedure.

Going to the dentist does not need to be stressful with sedation dentistry! If you are one of the many people who are avoiding the dentist, visit your local Portland Maine dentist and ask about sedation methods.

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

How is gum disease related to heart disease?

portland Maine healthy gums
image courtesy freedigitalphotos.net
Gum disease, or periodontitis, is a dental condition that has to be detected early on to prevent it from causing problems to the heart. The challenge is that it's hard to detect gum disease during its early stages since it's usually painless. When periodontitis advances, however, patients feel severe pain due to the pus-filled pockets formed by tartar.

How in the world is it connected to heart disease? According to medical research, the bacteria found in the mouth can affect the heart once it enters the blood stream and reaches the heart since it causes clots in the heart. This is why doctors and dentists want to detect this condition early on to prevent it from worsening.

Are you unsure if you have gum disease? The first stage is gingivitis, wherein the patient experiences swelling or redness of the gums and bleeding. If you are experiencing this, schedule a consultation with your local Portland Maine dentist right away for diagnosis and treatment. Your dentist will also help you keep your gums healthy.

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Fear-free Dental Visits with Sedation Dentistry

Sedation dentistry portland Maine
Dental procedures, or even simple dental check ups, can be stressful for people who experience high anxiety levels when going to the dentist. Fortunately for people who fear the dentist, there are now conscious sedation techniques that can help ease anxiety levels.

There are many techniques that sedation dentists use. For instance, oral sedation is given to patients who have high anxiety levels and/or patients who will go through a long procedure. This will help them feel less stressed, control the gag reflex, and fight off discomfort. Other techniques are anxiolysis or light sedation and the use of laughing gas.

Going to the dentist shouldn't scare anyone now that we have sedation dentistry to help every dental patient out. For more information on a fear-free dental visit, schedule an appointment with a certified sedation dentist in Portland Maine.

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Cosmetic and Sedation Dentists Turn Frowns Into Smiles

portland Maine cosmetic dentists
Achieving a beautiful smile is something anyone can do with a skilled cosmetic dentist and a reliable sedation dentist. Why get a cosmetic and sedation dentist when you can go to your general dentist? General dentists can perform cosmetic dentistry. However, cosmetic dentists and sedation dentists specialize on cosmetic dentistry and sedation dentistry, which means they have acquired extra training on procedures involving these.

With all these dentists and their specialties around, how will you know which dentist to go to? One way to find a good cosmetic and/or sedation dentist is to ask for a recommendation from your general dentist. Another way is to search the internet through Google, Yahoo, and social media sites for online dental reviews.

If you want to improve your smile, schedule an appointment with a certified cosmetic and sedation dentist in Portland Maine. Your dental problems and solutions will be discussed with you on your visit.

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

A Beautiful Smile In Just One Visit

portland Maine tooth bonding
Many Americans suffer from a chipped tooth and/or gaps between teeth. These are very easy to fix, but there are some who just live with it, thinking that it may take a complicated dental procedure to solve the problem.

Contrary to that belief, a chipped tooth or gaps between teeth can be repaired in just one visit to the dentist with tooth bonding. This makes us of a composite material that is tooth-colored. It does not only repair gaps or broken teeth, but also improves tooth color and makes fillings invisible.

If you feel a bit uneasy about going through even this simple dental procedure, you can always ask your local Portland Maine dentist about sedation methods they offer. Sedation will help you ease your anxiety and keep you relaxed and comfortable throughout the procedure.

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Relax On Your Next Dental Visit

portland Maine sedation dentist
Many people suffer from high levels of anxiety when going to the dentist. Sedation dentists understand why some patients are like this since there are people who had a negative experience before. However, avoiding the dentist can cause more problem and more pain. This is why sedation dentists have developed ways that will encourage patients to have their much needed dental check up.

One way to lower anxiety is through conscious sedation. There are different methods - such as oral sedation and anxiolysis - that dentists use to help patients deal with their fear of the dental procedures. These help patients get rid of their fear and be able to relax throughout the procedure.

If you are one of the many people who get nervous about dental procedures, visit a trained sedation dentist in Morgan Dental Care and ask about sedation methods that you can avail of when going through a specific procedure.

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Are you trying to avoid a root canal?

sleep dentistry portland Maine
An abscessed tooth can be painful and a root canal is the only way to save it. However, a root canal is something many people put off because of fear since the procedure is almost always associated with pain. Eventually, though, you will have to go to the dentist.

If you feel anxious about the procedure, you can ask your local Portland Maine dentist about sedation dentistry. To help patients lower their anxiety, dentists use conscious sedation methods. One method is anxiolysis or oral sedation, which makes patients relax during the root canal procedure.

Is your tooth getting painful? This may mean that the decay of your tooth has advanced. Stop putting off your dental visit and schedule a consultation with your cosmetic dentists

Monday, November 28, 2011

Do you get nervous about dental visits?

sedation dentistry portland maine
It's normal for people to feel a bit anxious when they are about to go through a dental procedure -- especially major ones like a root canal. However, it is not good to avoid such visits just because of fear. If you are one of many people who fear the pain of a dental procedure, consider making use of a sedation method.

Portland Maine dentists now offer sedation dentistry for patients who get anxious about dental visits or for those who will be going through a major procedure. For patients who have a severe fear about dental visits, dentists can now give oral sedation. It has an amnesia effect that leaves patients with no memory of the length of the procedure or what happened during the procedure. However, for patients who just want to take the edge off, anxiolysis or light sedation can be used. The pill is just taken an hour before the procedure, which will help them stay relaxed.

With sedation dentistry, reconstructive and restorative procedures no longer have to be something to be afraid of. If you are interested, consult with your local sedation dentist in Portland Maine about sedation methods.

Friday, November 25, 2011

Fix Cosmetic Disasters with Tooth Bonding

portland Maine dental bonding
Do you have chipped or broken teeth? Are the gaps between your teeth putting you down? May it be chipped teeth, gaps, stained teeth, or noticeable fillings, cosmetic dentists can now easily fix it with tooth bonding! Tooth bonding, so far, has been the most reliable method in restorative dentistry. It has been so for fifty years. It has also been made even less of a hassle with the use of sedation, which keeps patients relaxed and anxiety-free throughout the procedure.

Tooth bonding is a minimally invasive procedure in which a composite bond that matches your tooth color is attached to your natural teeth. The repair is practically invisible and the procedure is a lot less expensive than porcelain restoration.

If you want to improve your teeth, ask your local cosmetic dentists in Portland Maine  about tooth bonding and the sedation methods they offer.

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Do you want whiter teeth?

portland Maine teeth whitening
Pearly white teeth completes a beautiful smile. To achieve this, a lot of people turn to over-the-counter teeth whitening products. Although these are effective, cosmetic dentists still offer better whitening products, which contain higher concentration of whitening agents.

Teeth whitening by cosmetic dentists does not have to be done in a dental clinic. Although in-office procedures show immediate results, patients still have to continue the process at home with whitening trays. These trays are fitted for your mouth, but are less expensive than the in-office whitening procedure.

Are you interested in the in-office teeth whitening procedure or the take-home whitening trays? It is important to know that not everyone is qualified for teeth whitening. For instance, teeth whitening will not work over cavities or broken teeth. It is not advisable for those with dental crowns as well. There are many more things to consider, which is why it is best to consult with your local cosmetic dentist in Portland Maine before going through with the procedure.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Gum Disease and Treatment

portland Maine gingivitis
Gum treatment depends on which stage the Periodontal disease is on. Gingivitis, the first stage of gum disease, is when the gums bleed. On the second stage, also known as Periodontitis, is when inflammation becomes visible. Finally, in the advanced stage, tooth loss may occur.

Periodontal disease is caused by bacterial plaque and biofilm that forms below the gum line. If not removed, the plaque turns into tartar -- and the longer it stays, more time is given to the bacteria to multiply. This disease is not painful in the early stages, but may start hurting once it reaches the more advanced stages.

To stop this disease from advancing, it is best to go to your local Portland Maine dentist for a check up. The dentist will assess which stage you are on and what treatment is best for you. If your gums are only in the first stage, it can be treated with better oral hygiene and regular cleaning with the dentist. However, gums in the advanced stage of Periodontal disease may require more complicated treatments.


It is not difficult to achieve healthy gums. If you don't want Periodontal disease to attack your gums, focus on your oral hygiene and visit the dentist on a regular basis.

Monday, November 14, 2011

Do you want a smile make over?

portland Maine invisalign
Crooked teeth or gaps between teeth are common problems of many teenagers and adults. However, as much as they'd like to have their teeth fixed, some don't want braces that can take years to fix their teeth -- nor would they like to be called a "metal mouth."

But, we all want a beautiful smile. The good news is, teens and adults don't have to go through the burden of having braces placed with a new technology called Six Month Smiles. This works like braces, but will only take six months to fix the teeth. Since it will only be on for six months, Six Month Smiles can only fix the alignment, but not the bite. The best thing about this is that the wires are tooth-colored, which is why they are almost invisible from plain sight.


Interested? Visit your local Portland Maine cosmetic dentist and ask about Six Month Smiles. With this technology, you don't have to go through too much hassle to achieve a beautiful smile!

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Dental Crowns For Healthier Teeth

portland Maine dental crowns
Do you have cracked or damaged teeth? Are some of your teeth discolored? This problem is encountered by many Americans, but the solution is really simple. Cosmetic dentists usually recommend dental crowns - also known as dental caps - for broken or discolored teeth. Crowns are also used to protect teeth after a root canal.

The procedure usually takes two visits before completion. However, some dental clinics in Portland Maine offer a new technology called CEREC. This system makes use of 3D imaging, which quickens the whole procedure. If you choose this method, you will already have your dental crowns fitted within a day's time.

Achieving a beautiful smile doesn't need lots of effort. All you need to do is to go to your local dentist and inquire about dental crowns. You will get the results you want in two - better yet, one - day!

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

What are dental bridges for?

portland maine dental bridges
Teeth loss can cause a lot of problems to a person - not just on their physical appearance, but also on their health. If teeth loss is not addressed right away, the remaining teeth may drift into the gap. If you suffer from teeth loss, one of the best solutions are dental bridges. Bridges can fix teeth loss permanently in just two visits to a cosmetic dentist.

What usually happens in the two dental visits? In the first visit, the dentist will prepare your teeth for crowns and a temporary bridge will be placed until the permanent one is put into place. The permanent bridge will then be cemented on the second visit.

If you are worried about the whole procedure, sedation dentistry is already available in many dental clinics in Portland Maine. Sedation helps in lowering a patient's anxiety as well as aids in controlling the gag reflex during dental procedures. If you are interested, just ask about a clinic's sedation methods so they can do something about your anxiety.

Once your dental bridges are in place, it takes minimal effort to maintain your new beautiful smile by just brushing and flossing regularly!