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Raymond A. Della Porta, II DMD
Vero Beach, FL 32960
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My Blog
Posts for: March, 2015
Teeth are the first feature people notice about others. What do yours say about you?
Whitening your teeth has become the easiest, quickest and most cost-effective way of enhancing your smile. It's no wonder, then, that Americans now spend $1.4 billion dollars on teeth whitening products and procedures every year. It turns out that brightening your smile not only upgrades your reflection in the mirror, it can change how other people perceive you.
First impressions
Remember the tagline from the old shampoo commercial? "You never get a second chance to make a first impression." This idea could definitely be applied to the condition of your teeth. A dental industry survey found that 89% of its respondents agreed that a bright, attractive smile made a good initial impression on them. Not only that, but 78% said that just the act of smiling speaks volumes about a person's character.
If your teeth are stained or dull, you might take steps to hide them. The problem then becomes twofold: hiding your teeth gives off the impression that you're standoffish or unhappy, but putting the discoloration on display can also project the wrong image.
With your teeth brighter, whiter and free of imperfections from a treatment at Dr. Della Porta's office, you'll not only feel more comfortable smiling and talking...you'll actually want to!
Accessibility
With more than 100 million Americans using some sort of tooth-whitening product, they are extremely easy to obtain and budget-friendly. However, while most dental professionals, including your Vero Beach dentist, will agree that over-the-counter gels, toothpastes and strips are somewhat effective, an in-office procedure is the safest, fastest and most long-lasting option. At-home products typically require weeks or months of use before results start to show. These products can also cause uncomfortable irritation if not applied with care. With trained professionals at the helm of your whitening, a protective coating will be placed over your gums prior to the procedure, which only takes 30 to 60 minutes to complete.
If you're ready for that second chance at a first impression, your Indian River County family dentist is ready to make it a reality!
When Giuliana Rancic, long-time host of E! News, first saw her new son, she said it was “the best single moment of my life.” Recently, on the eve of Duke's first birthday, the TV personality and reality star spoke to Dear Doctor magazine about her growing family, her battle with cancer — and the importance of starting her child off with good oral health.
“Duke will have his first visit with the dentist very soon, and since he is still a baby, we will make his visit as comfortable as possible,” Giuliana said. That's a good thought — as is the timing of her son's office visit. Her husband Bill (co-star of the couple's Style Network show) agrees. “I think the earlier you can start the checkups, the better,” he said.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry concurs. In order to prevent dental problems, the AAPD states, your child should see a dentist when the first tooth appears, or no later than his or her first birthday. But since a child will lose the primary (baby) teeth anyway, is this visit really so important?
“Baby” Teeth Have a Vital Role
An age one dental visit is very important because primary teeth have several important roles: Kids rely on them for proper nutrition and speech, and don't usually begin losing them until around age 6. And since they aren't completely gone until around age 12, kids will depend on those “baby teeth” through much of childhood. Plus, they serve as guides for the proper position of the permanent teeth, and are vital to their health. That's why it's so important to care for them properly.
One major goal for the age one dental visit is to identify potential dental issues and prevent them from becoming serious problems. For example, your child will be examined for early signs of dental diseases, including baby bottle tooth decay which is a major cause of early childhood caries. Controlling these problems early can help youngsters start on the road to a lifetime of good oral health.
Besides screening your child for a number of other dental conditions or developmental problems, and assessing his or her risk for cavities, the age one visit also gives you the opportunity to ask any questions you may have about dental health in these early years. Plus, you can learn the best techniques for effectively cleaning baby's mouth and maintaining peak oral hygiene.
Breezing Through the Age-One Visit
To ease your child's way through his or her first dental visit, it helps if you're calm yourself. Try to relax, allow plenty of time, and bring along lots of activities — some favorite toys, games or stuffed animals will add to everyone's comfort level. A healthy snack, drink, and spare diapers (of course) won't go unappreciated.
“We'll probably bring some toys and snacks as reinforcements,” said Giuliana of her son's upcoming visit. So take a tip from the Rancics: The age one dental visit is a great way to start your child off right.
If you would like more information on pediatric dental care, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can learn more about this topic in the Dear Doctor magazine articles “The Age One Dental Visit” and “Dentistry & Oral Health for Children.”
Tooth replacement at any age is a challenge, but especially for teenagers. Dental implants in particular may not be possible yet for teens or young adults whose jaws are still developing. Because it’s imbedded directly into bone, the implant will not move with the jaw as jaw growth occurs, making it look potentially unattractive.
The best solution could be a temporary replacement until their jaw reaches maturity. One such option is a removable partial denture (RPD), an artificial tooth set in an acrylic base that resembles gum tissue. Although we associate dentures with older adults, an RPD works well for teens as a temporary measure. Perhaps the best version for a younger person utilizes metal clips that fit over adjacent teeth and hold the RPD in place. Although quite resilient, the wearer needs to be careful when biting into something hard (like an apple or similar firm fruit) or the artificial tooth may break off.
Another option, a bonded bridge, is a fixed solution similar to a traditional bridge. Whereas a traditional bridge is supported by crowns affixed to the teeth on either side of the empty socket (and requiring extensive alteration of the teeth to accommodate them), a bonded bridge attaches to the supporting teeth with wing-like projections of dental material that attaches to the backs of the adjacent teeth, hidden from view. Although not as secure as a traditional bridge, they can conceivably endure until the teen’s jaw structure is ready for an implant or other permanent solution.
Choosing between an RPD and a bonded bridge will depend on a number of factors, including the teen’s individual bite, clenching or biting habits and the health and strength of supporting bone and gums. Regardless of the type of solution chosen, it’s important to maintain good oral hygiene, especially around a bridge. If bacterial plaque is allowed to build up on tooth surfaces, it could result in an infection that can damage both gums and bone, and reduce the chances of a successful implant in the future.
All these and other considerations should be discussed after a thorough examination. From there, we can advise you on the best course of action to restore both appearance and function until it’s time for a permanent restoration.
If you would like more information on temporary tooth replacements for teens, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation.