Protect Yourself from Gingivitis

 

Gingivitis is a common and mild form of gum disease that causes irritation, redness, and swelling of your gums. Because gingivitis can be mild, you may not be aware that you have the condition. However, if you spit a bit of blood in the sink after brushing and flossing, this is typically the first sign. Good oral hygiene is essential to protecting yourself from gingivitis. In addition, you should be scheduling professional cleanings with our staff at Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center twice a year. 

The direct cause of gingivitis is plaque – the soft, sticky, colorless film of bacteria that forms constantly on teeth and gums. If the plaque is not removed by daily brushing and flossing, it produces toxins that can irritate the gum tissue. Luckily, at this early stage in gum disease, damage can be reversed, since the bone and connective tissue that hold the teeth in place are not yet affected. Left untreated, however, gingivitis can become more severe and cause permanent damage to your teeth and jaw.

If are experiencing gum inflammation, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at the 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.

Gingivitis is a common and mild form of gum disease that causes irritation, redness, and swelling of your gums. Because gingivitis can be mild, you may not be aware that you have the condition. However, if you spit a bit of blood in the sink after brushing and flossing, this is typically the first sign. Good oral hygiene is essential to protecting yourself from gingivitis. In addition, you should be scheduling professional cleanings with our staff at Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center twice a year.

The direct cause of gingivitis is plaque – the soft, sticky, colorless film of bacteria that forms constantly on teeth and gums. If the plaque is not removed by daily brushing and flossing, it produces toxins that can irritate the gum tissue. Luckily, at this early stage in gum disease, damage can be reversed, since the bone and connective tissue that hold the teeth in place are not yet affected. Left untreated, however, gingivitis can become more severe and cause permanent damage to your teeth and jaw.

If are experiencing gum inflammation, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at the 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.

 

Infant Tooth Care

Bacteria in the mouth usually can’t harm the gums before the teeth emerge, but it can be hard to tell when the teeth are starting to push through, so you’ll want to start early. Daily dental cleaning should start as soon as your infant’s first tooth appears. However, to help prevent the buildup of plaque bacteria that can lead to decay our doctors at Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center highly recommend regularly cleaning your newborn’s gums with a damp washcloth following feedings.

Since baby teeth usually emerge around six months of age, standard oral health procedures like brushing and flossing aren’t required for infants. However, infants have special oral health needs that every new parent should know about. These include guarding against baby bottle decay and making sure your child is receiving enough fluoride. Baby bottle decay occurs when acid formed by bacteria on the teeth, from sugars in foods and beverages, damages the tooth enamel. Meanwhile, fluoride strengthens tooth enamel as the teeth are forming.

If your child is ready for a dental checkup, please give us a call. To learn more about pediatric services as well as other services we provide at the 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.

How Does Invisalign Move Teeth?

If you’re an adult with a crooked smile, you likely won’t want to straighten it with metal wires and brackets. Fortunately, at Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center, we utilize the Invisalign technique. Invisalign takes a modern approach to straightening teeth, using a custom-made series of aligners created for you and only you. But how do these aligners move the teeth? Allow us to tell you.

Each aligner will make slight adjustments to tooth position, a process that is mapped out in advance by your doctor, specifically for your situation. When the aligners are placed on the teeth, they cause the teeth to gradually shift from their current position. After approximately two weeks, you will begin using the next set of aligners, which will continue the teeth straightening process.

Through the use of Invisalign’s patented thermoplastic design, Invisalign aligners move your teeth through the appropriate placement of controlled force. The biggest difference is that the aligners not only control the force, but also the timing of the force application. During each stage, only certain teeth are allowed to move.

If you are searching for a straighter smile, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about Invisalign as well as other services we provide at the 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.

What is a Cavity?

 

At Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center we have a variety of options to fill your cavities, however we would rather you prevent them from invading your teeth. A cavity is a space inside a tooth that remains once tooth decay is removed. Tooth decay can affect both the outer coating of a tooth (enamel) and the inner layer (dentin). 

So what causes this decay? When foods with carbohydrates like bread, cereal, milk, soda, fruit, or candy stay on your teeth, the bacteria in your mouth turn them into acids. The bacteria, acid, food debris, and your saliva then combine to form plaque, which clings to the teeth. The acids in plaque dissolve the enamel, creating holes called cavities. Fortunately, there are many things you can do to help prevent the formation of a cavity. In between professional cleanings, brush your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes using fluoride toothpaste that strengthens teeth. In addition, clean between your teeth with floss and avoid sugary foods and drinks.

If you are experiencing tooth sensitivity, give us a call. For more information about the services we provide at the office, 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.

At Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center we have a variety of options to fill your cavities, however, we would rather you prevent them from invading your teeth. A cavity is a space inside a tooth that remains once tooth decay is removed. Tooth decay can affect both the outer coating of a tooth (enamel) and the inner layer (dentin).

So what causes this decay? When foods with carbohydrates like bread, cereal, milk, soda, fruit, or candy stay on your teeth, the bacteria in your mouth turn them into acids. The bacteria, acid, food debris, and your saliva then combine to form plaque, which clings to the teeth. The acids in plaque dissolve the enamel, creating holes called cavities. Fortunately, there are many things you can do to help prevent the formation of a cavity. In between professional cleanings, brush your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes using fluoride toothpaste that strengthens teeth. In addition, clean between your teeth with floss and avoid sugary foods and drinks.

If you are experiencing tooth sensitivity, give us a call. For more information about the services we provide at the office, 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.

 

Connection Between Diet and Dental Health

At Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center, we may not be able to assist you with improving your diet, but we can certainly assist you with improving your dental health. Many patients don’t realize that diet and dental health go hand-in-hand and what you eat and drink, in addition to how frequently you consume food and beverages play an important role in preventing tooth decay and gum disease.

It’s no surprise that sugary and salty “empty calorie” foods can harm your health. Not only because they offer no nutritional value, but because they can adhere to teeth. The bacteria in your mouth feed off these sugars, releasing acids and that’s what leads to tooth decay. It’s recommended to protect your dental health (and your diet) by eating foods from each of the five food groups.

Cheese, milk, plain yogurt, calcium-fortified tofu, leafy greens and almonds are foods that may benefit tooth health thanks to their high amounts of calcium and beneficial nutrients. Fruits and vegetables are also good choices for a healthy smile since they are high in water and fiber, which balance the sugars they contain and help to clean the teeth.

If you have further questions about how your diet affects your dental health, give us a call. For more information about the services we provide at the office, 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.

Are You Flossing Correctly?

Flossing your teeth is more important to your well-being than brushing and yet so many of us find reasons not to do it. Flossing does not only remove food from the teeth, but it removes plaque that can lead to tooth decay and eventually if left untreated, tooth loss. At Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center, you may have told our hygienists that you don’t know how to floss, but after reading this post, you will no longer be able to use that as an excuse.

The correct flossing technique goes something like this:

• Wind 18 inches of floss around middle fingers of each hand. Pinch floss between thumbs and index fingers, leaving a one-to-two-inch length in between. Use thumbs to direct floss between upper teeth.


• Keep a one-to-two-inch length of floss controlled between fingers. Use index fingers to glide floss between contacts of the lower teeth.


• Gently guide floss between the teeth by using a zig-zag motion and be sure to contour floss around the side of the tooth.

If you have questions about how to maintain a proper oral hygiene routine, give us a call. For more information about the services we provide at the office, 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.

The Proper Brushing Technique

At Nicholas Cosmetic Dental Center, our staff wants you to keep your permanent teeth for a lifetime and this begins with brushing your teeth. Brushing your teeth for two minutes twice a day helps you remove plaque which can lead to cavities and tooth decay. Many of our patients don’t realize that there are a number of proper techniques for effective tooth brushing so here is one we’d like to share.

• Place the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gums.


• Move the brush back-and-forth gently in short strokes.


• Brush the outer surfaces, the inside surfaces and the chewing surfaces of all teeth.


• To clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, tilt the brush vertically and make several up-and-down strokes.


• Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and keep your breath fresh and don’t forget to floss!

If you have questions about how to maintain a proper oral hygiene routine, give us a call. For more information about the services we provide at the office, 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.