Teeth Whitening

Professional Teeth Whitening FAQ

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Are you considering having your teeth whitened? It’s a great way to enhance your smile and feel more confident, but you probably have a few questions before you commit to the procedure. Here are some questions the patients of our Beavercreek, OH dental office ask when they’re considering teeth whitening:

Does Teeth Whitening Hurt?

While everybody’s different, it’s not uncommon for people to experience some discomfort and sensitivity shortly after the whitening process is complete. Rest assured, if you do have mild pain as a result of teeth whitening, there’s no damage being done to your teeth, and the sensitivity typically subsides within a couple of days.

Are Store-Bought Tooth-Whitening Products Just as Good as Services Performed in Dental Offices?

Effectively, both in-store whitening products and whitening services performed by a dentist have the same goal: to make your teeth whiter. The difference is typically the strength at which the hydrogen peroxide (the whitening agent that removes dirt, debris, and stains from the surface of your teeth) is delivered. Store-bought brands aren’t nearly as strong as the products dentists use; therefore, they can’t deliver the same effects as professionally administered teeth whitening.

Can Anybody Get Their Teeth Whitened?

Most people are great candidates for teeth whitening, but not everybody is eligible for this type of procedure. In particular, people who have gum disease or patients who already have extremely sensitive teeth shouldn’t have their teeth whitened. Additionally, women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should consult with their dentists before partaking in any teeth whitening procedures, as it’s usually best to wait until baby’s born and feeding on a bottle.

Can I Drink and Eat Normally After Teeth Whitening?

You’ll want to avoid eating or drinking anything that could stain your teeth for at least 24 hours after the procedure. This includes things like:

  • Coffee
  • Red wine
  • Black tea
  • Red sauce (such as spaghetti sauce and pizza sauce)
  • Soy sauce
  • Red meat
  • Fruit

After 24 to 48 hours, you can go back to eating and drinking as you normally would. Of course, it’s best to avoid foods that will stain your teeth when you can if you want to keep your pearly whites as white as possible.

If you’re looking for an outstanding dental office that loves helping people love their smiles, you’ve come to the right place! Learn more about the teeth whitening services we offer at S. Marc DiBenedetto, D.D.S. and schedule your initial consultation today!

smiling-couple

The Benefits of Flouride

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There are plenty of ways to keep your mouth healthy and happy. When it comes to brushing and flossing, you’re removing stuff that’s in your mouth to ensure leftover material doesn’t start to produce bacteria that can turn into plaque and tartar. Fluoride, on the other hand, is something you add to your oral health regimen to help give your teeth the upper hand, so to speak.

What Exactly is Fluoride?

Let’s back up just a bit. First, you should understand a little bit about your teeth. Teeth are covered by a hard outer layer called enamel. Enamel’s job is to act as a shield so the sensitive nerves inside your teeth don’t get disturbed by the things you eat and drink. While enamel is naturally strong and tough, it can often use a little reinforcement to ensure it’s doing the best job possible. That’s where fluoride comes in.

Fluoride is a natural element that’s actually quite abundant and can be found in everything from water to toothpaste to oral supplements.

smiling-couple

Why is Fluoride Beneficial?

Since fluoride occurs in so many forms—whether naturally or because it’s added by humans—it must be a pretty important substance, right? In fact, there are quite a few benefits of fluoride. Here are a few:

  • Reduces tooth decay. Because the enamel is stronger, it’s able to stand up to the bad bacteria that can cause damage far easier than weaker teeth can. This, in turn, reduces the occurrence of cavities and more serious decay.
  • Builds more fortified tooth structures. Teeth that are fortified with fluoride can withstand acid at greater levels of intensity. This is important because acidic foods and drinks really are everywhere and it’s best to arm your teeth with optimal protection whenever you can.
  • It’s easy to access. Many towns and cities add fluoride to their water, but even if your tap water doesn’t contain fluoride, your dentist may be able to prescribe tablets that simply dissolve in pitchers of water you pour at home. It’s also available at grocery stores in the form of toothpaste, health stores in the form of vitamin supplements, and, of course, at your local dentist’s office when you receive your regular treatments.

 

Do you have questions about how fluoride can impact your unique smile? If you’re in Beavercreek, OH, schedule an appointment with Dr. Salvatore Marc DiBenedetto, D.D.S. and his dental team today!

dentist and patient

Cosmetic Dentistry FAQ

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Welcome to our dentist in Beavercreek, Ohio at Dr. Marc Family Dental. We offer cosmetic dentistry along with family dentistry and denture services. Our dentist, S. Marc DiBenedetto DDS has been treating dental patients since 1984. Learn more about what you can expect when you make an appointment with Dr. Marc today for cosmetic dentistry in Ohio.

What is Cosmetic Dentistry?

Cosmetic dentistry is a type of dental care that focuses on the look of your teeth, gums, and smile. Whereas we recommend visiting our dentist for teeth cleaning every six months, this type of dental service is most often elective. The goal of cosmetic dentistry is to improve your smile so that you feel more comfortable and confident. You may want to get cosmetic treatments to straighten, replace, or alter the color of your existing teeth. We will help you choose the right cosmetic dentistry treatments for you or your family member.

dentist and patient

What is the Most Popular Type of Cosmetic Dentistry Treatments?

We offer an array of cosmetic dentistry treatments here at Dr. Marc Family Dental in Beavercreek, Ohio. Get started with dental implants and veneers to improve your existing smile. We also offer teeth whitening and tooth-colored fillings to help further you maintain that perfectly polished grin. We may recommend orthodontal care to help improve the positioning of your teeth and gums. This has the added benefit of reducing abnormal wear and tear on your teeth over the course of your lifetime.

Is Cosmetic Dentistry Safe?

Yes, as long as you proceed with cosmetic dentistry from a qualified, licensed, and certified dental professional. Always depend on your local dentist for any changes and alterations to your smile. We will proceed with a professional evaluation of your current dental health, including an oral exam. From there, we will discuss your oral health history and budget. This will be used to create a personalized treatment plan that we will follow to meet your cosmetic dentistry goals.

Choose Cosmetic Dentistry in Beavercreek, OH

To begin with your cosmetic dentistry procedure in Beavercreek, OH, contact our office at 937-429-1761. We specialize in friendly and comfortable dental care for your entire family. Call today as we are currently accepting new patients.

Tooth Enamel Loss

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There are many ways you can lose the enamel on your teeth. This happens gradually as we age. It also happens when we eat certain high-acid or sugary foods over a long period. Cigarette smoking, too, can cause the enamel on your teeth to deteriorate. Why is enamel important? The enamel is the outer, protective coating of the teeth, it’s the hardest part of the human body. Enamel protects the interior of your teeth from damage when you bite or chew or grind your teeth. It also insulates your teeth from extreme temperatures, so you don’t injure your teeth when you ingest something very hot or very cold.

Signs of tooth enamel loss include discoloration, increased sensitivity to hot and cold foods, chips and dents along the edges of the teeth and indentations on the surface of the teeth.

close up of woman's teeth

What to do if you have tooth enamel loss

The good news is that tooth enamel loss, also known as enamel erosion, can be successfully treated in most cases. While tooth enamel cannot be regrown, there are many ways we can seal and protect your teeth from further damage and reduce or eliminate your symptoms. If the loss is minor, bonding may be all that is needed to recover the tooth and seal it against further enamel erosion. Additionally, this involves using a tooth-colored resin to coat the exterior of your tooth. Bonding will also help to restore the bright, white color of your teeth. In more severe cases of tooth enamel erosion, we will likely recommend covering the affected tooth or teeth completely with veneers. This means lightly grinding the surface of the affected tooth and affixing a new enameled face to the tooth.

To learn more about preventing and treating tooth enamel loss, visit us online at Michael J. Tupka DDS or request an appointment by calling (insert contact information). Our friendly and caring dental staff has more than 80 years of combined experience in dentistry.

Benefits of Dental Implants

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A toothy grin can provide an excellent first impression — but what if you are currently missing teeth? It’s only natural to feel self-conscious, whether your smile lacks one or several teeth.

Thankfully, it’s possible to restore your smile and your confidence. Your best bet? Dental implants. Forming a sturdy base, these allow you to quickly and effectively fill the gaps left by missing teeth. This solution imparts a myriad of benefits, a few of which are highlighted below:

Improved Self-Esteem

Our smiles have a significant impact on how we feel about ourselves and our appearance. Dental implants can play a key role in how you feel about your look. No longer do you need to hide your smile for fear of others seeing or commenting on your missing teeth. In addition to immediately improving the appearance of your smile, dental implants may help to preserve the natural contours of your face, ensuring a long-term natural look.

Older Couple

Ease of Eating

Eating can prove surprisingly tricky when you are missing one or more teeth. By replacing a missing tooth or multiple teeth, implants make it easier to consume hard foods such as nuts or meat. Not only will this dramatically improve your enjoyment of everyday meals, but it will also make it easier for you to maintain a nutritious diet. No longer will you be restricted to soft foods or forced to eat on just one side of your mouth.

Keeping Your Other Teeth Intact

Dental implants may not be the only option for addressing missing teeth, but they hold the greatest potential to keep the entirety of your smile intact. While alternative options such as bridges may be available, these could require significant reductions to the existing structure of your other teeth. With implants, however, there is no need to alter the size or shape of the surrounding teeth. This could improve the long-term health and vitality of your entire smile.

Durable and surprisingly convenient, implants are an excellent option for improving the overall health and appearance of your smile. You will never regret giving your smile the attention and care it deserves.

What Causes Tooth Enamel Loss?

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Did you know tooth enamel is the hardest tissue in your body? This thin outer covering on your teeth is translucent, meaning you can see light through it. Regular dental checkups and cleanings can remove surface stains that form on your enamel due to coffee, tea, red wine, and cola. But chips or cracks that form on enamel require more serious intervention.

Signs of enamel erosion

Depending on how far the enamel loss has progressed, you might notice:

  • Yellow discoloration
  • Mild to severe sensitivity to sweets and temperature
  • Indentations on the surface of the tooth
  • Cracks, chips, and jagged edges

As the enamel erodes, the tooth becomes more vulnerable to decay and cavities. If the cavity grows large enough, it can cause a painful infection or abscess.

What causes tooth enamel loss?

Although enamel is a hard protector of teeth, it can chip and crack. This is frequently due to a gradual eroding of this outer shell on the tooth surface. One of the most common causes of enamel erosion is acid. It frequently comes in contact with your teeth from:

  • Soft drinks that contain high levels of phosphoric and citric acids
  • Fruit drinks (some acids in fruit drinks are more erosive than battery acid, reports WebMD)
  • Dry mouth or low salivary flow
  • A diet high in sugar and starchy carbohydrates
  • Acid reflux disease (GERD)
  • Corrosion from frequent vomiting from bulimia or alcoholism

Other environmental causes of tooth enamel loss

Many of the things we do every day also contribute to a wearing away of tooth enamel. They include:

  • Friction from grinding or clenching your teeth
  • Brushing your teeth too hard or improper flossing
  • Biting on hard objects, such as fingernails, ice, and pens
  • Stress fractures in the tooth

Treating tooth enamel loss

If enamel erosion is not significant, your dentist may bond the tooth to prevent further damage while improving the cosmetic appearance. If the enamel loss is significant, your dentist may recommend covering the tooth with a crown or veneer. This can help protect it from further decay.

Dr. S. Marc DiBenedetto provides exceptional dental care in his Beavercreek, Ohio office. Whether you’re looking for ways to make your smile more beautiful or you need a checkup to keep it that way, call us today at (937) 429-1761 to schedule an appointment.

Causes of Tooth Pain

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Tooth pain is a common problem. Most adults will have at least one experience with tooth pain during their lifetime. By identifying the common causes of your pain, it is possible to find a solution and proper treatment process to address the discomfort.

Sensitivity to Temperatures

Tooth pain that occurs when eating hot or cold food and that fades quickly is not usually a sign of a problem. In many cases, the sensitivity stems from the way you brush your teeth, the hardness of the toothbrush, or small cavities. Using a soft-bristle toothbrush and brushing in an up-and-down motion, as well as using toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth will often help. If you have concerns, then a dentist can check to ensure that the sensitivity does not stem from small cavities.

Pain When Biting Foods

Sharp pain that occurs when you bite down on food is often a sign of a cavity, loose filling, or a crack in your tooth. If you notice sharp pain, then you want to discuss the problem with our dental professionals. We can determine if the pain stems from a cracked tooth, a loose filling, or a new cavity. After identifying the underlying cause, we provide appropriate treatment to help with your pain.

Lingering Pain

Lingering pain after eating hot or cold foods is a concern. It may suggest you have tooth trauma or severe decay on your tooth. If you notice that your pain lingers and does not fade, then talk to our dentist. We will identify the cause of the pain and provide appropriate treatment based on your needs.

Dull Aches

Dull aches and pressure in your jaws is not a sign of a serious problem with your teeth. In many cases, it means you are grinding your teeth when you sleep. It may also stem from sinus pressure. A dentist can determine the cause and recommend appropriate treatment.

The cause of tooth pain depends on the type of pain you experience and the situation. It may stem from cavities or cracked teeth. It may also relate to trauma or grinding your teeth. If you have tooth pain, then you want to discuss the discomfort with our dental professionals to identify the cause of your pain.

Dental Implants and You

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Most people equate missing teeth with having to wear dentures. While dentures might be the best option for some patients, there are also many who do exceptionally well with dental implants. […]

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Why Regular Dental Checkups Are So Important

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Keeping teeth and gums as healthy as possible results in an attractive smile, decreases the chances of the onset of periodontal disease, tooth decay, cavities, and gingivitis as well as promotes whole-body health. Those with periodontal disease, for instance, not only experience significant tooth loss, but they’re also at an increased risk of developing cardiovascular conditions. Close attention to oral hygiene combined with regular dental checkups provide the best way to prevent or slow down these conditions. In most cases, dental checkups should be scheduled every six months.

What to Expect From a Dental Checkup

Most oral health care providers begin a routine checkup by asking if you’ve noticed any issues with your teeth or gums. They will then do a thorough inspection designed to identify cavities and other signs of tooth decay. They’ll also check for buildups of tartar and plaque on the surface of your teeth — these buildups are one of the primary culprits in the development of tooth decay.

After carefully checking your teeth, the dentist will then use a specially designed tool to examine your gums. This tool measures the spaces between your gums and teeth — the more space there is, the higher the likelihood that you’re in the initial stages of gum disease. The good news about gum disease is that it’s reversible when detected in the early stages. Your dentist will be able to provide you with a customized care plan if gum disease symptoms are present.

A comprehensive dental checkup also includes checking the tongue, neck, and throat for any abnormality.

The Importance of a Good Professional Teeth Cleaning

The last step in your biannual dental checkup is a good teeth cleaning. This is important because professional teeth cleaning removes an accumulated plaque and tartar on the surface of your teeth. Keep in mind that although regular brushing at home helps keep plaque levels low, tartar cannot be removed with a regular toothbrush.

Please feel free to contact us for more information on being proactive about your dental health.