Wednesday, June 29, 2016

Your Brushing and Flossing Routine While Wearing Braces

While wearing braces, there are a few changes that should happen in your dental care routine. A little extra protection is needed so when the braces come off, your teeth are healthy, strong, and beautifully straight. At Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center in Philadelphia, PA, we think it is important that patients are aware of these changes.


Brushing the chewing and inside surfaces of your teeth will be like normal; however, to brush the fronts of your teeth, you will need some extra supplies and techniques. When you go to brush around your braces, angle the toothbrush and brush along the tops and bottoms of the brackets. To get the sides, take an interdental toothbrush and scrub. These are tiny, tree-shaped brushes that allow you to get underneath the wires. You can find them where most dental supplies are sold.


Flossing may also take some extra time but it is still very important for avoiding cavities and keeping teeth stain-free. Floss with a threader attached to it will help you get the floss over and under the wires easier to speed up the process. There are also separate threaders you can buy.


Braces can add some extra effort in your daily dental care but do not forget, when the braces come off you will have a smile you can be proud of! To schedule your next appointment at Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center in Philadelphia, PA, call our office at (215) 279-1193 or visit our website, www.nicholascosmeticdentalcenter.com

Wednesday, June 22, 2016

Senior Teeth Care

No matter what age you are, teeth can last a lifetime with proper home care and regular dental checkups. However, as we grow older, certain health concerns earn our full attention, especially the importance of oral health for seniors. It’s easy to slip up on your oral hygiene habits, especially if you are distracted by other ailments such as arthritis which may make it difficult to hold a toothbrush. But know that our staff at Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center is always here to assist you and help keep your gums healthy for years to come.


Advancing age puts many seniors at risk for a number of oral health problems, such as darkened teeth, dry mouth, root decay, gum disease, tooth loss, and even a diminished sense of taste. If you wear dentures or other oral appliances, they may cause irritation to the gums can lead to abscesses and sores if left untreated. If you have noticed any recent changes in your mouth, are experiencing tooth sensitivity, or notice any difficulty tasting, chewing, or swallowing your food, please give us a call immediately.


If you have questions about dental health and oral hygiene, don’t hesitate to contact us. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.nicholascosmeticdentalcenter.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center in Philadelphia, PA, call 215-279-1193.

Friday, June 17, 2016

Fluoride Treatment

Fluoride is commonly called nature’s cavity fighter and there’s a good reason for this. Fluoride helps prevent tooth decay by making the entire tooth surface more resistant to acid attacks from the bacteria that live in the plaque on your teeth. Fluoride also promotes remineralization, which aids in repairing early decay before a cavity forms in the tooth. Here at Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center, we can provide patients with fluoride treatments to help them protect their pearly whites.


Fluoride is found naturally in soil, water, foods, and several minerals. When present at the right level, fluoride in drinking water has two beneficial effects: preventing tooth decay and contributing to healthy bones. The type of fluoride we utilize at our practice is called topical fluoride. Topical fluoride is applied directly to and absorbed by the surface of the teeth. It may be applied as a foam or gel after a professional cleaning and can additionally be found in personal oral hygiene products such as toothpaste and mouth rinses.


 If you have any further questions about the dental benefits of fluoride, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.nicholascosmeticdentalcenter.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center in Philadelphia, PA, call 215-279-1193.

Wednesday, June 8, 2016

Helping Your Child Overcome Dental Fear

Do you have a child who fears their dental appointments? They are not alone. We understand that kids can be scared when they are in unfamiliar territory; however, here at Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center in Philadelphia, PA, we want all of our patients to feel comfortable when they visit us. Take some tips calming down your child’s dental fears.


Unfamiliar locations and new experiences can make some children nervous. This is completely natural. This means that the younger you start taking your child to the dentist, the more at ease they may feel. Kids should begin seeing their dentist at a young age, anyway. They should have their first dental appointment as soon as they grow in their first tooth, or by the age of one if that has not happened yet. To further help your child become more comfortable, set up a pretend dental appointment at home. It will help them feel more at ease during the real thing.


When you tell your child that they have a dental appointment coming up, speak about it in a positive tone. Tell them how healthy they will be after the appointment. Also, praise good behavior after the appointment.


Our patients’ comfort is on the top of our priority list. To schedule your child’s appointment with Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center here in Philadelphia, PA, call our office at (215) 279-1193 or visit our website, www.nicholascosmeticdentalcenter.com

Wednesday, June 1, 2016

The Consequences of Poor Oral Care

Skipping brushing your teeth can lead to more than just bad breath and yellow teeth. At Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center in Philadelphia, PA, we are dedicated to informing our patients about good oral health. Read on to learn some of the consequences of taking poor oral care.


Brushing and flossing your teeth is to remove plaque that builds up from food, saliva, and other debris. After brushing, plaque (a bacterial film) builds up just hours later. This is why brushing should be done two or three times per day. Plaque that is not brushed away turns into tartar which is only able to be removed by a dentist.


When plaque and tartar are not removed, they begin to irritate the gums, leading to gum disease and causing gum tissue recession. Receded gums form deep pockets where bacteria can collect. These pockets are hard-to-reach areas so it often makes clearing up gum disease very difficult.


Gum disease can cause bleeding, painful gums, the spread of infection, and the loss of teeth. In addition, it increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. Extensive dental cleanings and even gum surgery may be needed to clear up severe gum disease.


To keep a healthy mouth, brush two to three times per day and floss once per day.  In addition, schedule routine dental visits at Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center in Philadelphia, PA. To schedule, call our office at (215) 279-1193 or visit our website, www.nicholascosmeticdentalcenter.com