Invisalign has taken the world of modern dentistry by storm! These awesome aligners are able to straighten crooked teeth in a very discreet manner—as long you’re diligent about wearing them for 22 hours every day! However, this is often easier said than done; especially considering the challenges that some patients encounter whenever it’s time to remove their trays. Here are five helpful tips to ensure that you’re removing your aligners properly without compromising your treatment.
(more…)
Now that summer is over, it’s time for your teen to head back to school. Amid the hustle and bustle of gathering school supplies and organizing transportation for them, you’ll also need to help them keep up with their Invisalign treatment. The last thing you’d want is for them to get off track with their progress during the semester. To avoid this, here are four tips to help your teen with Invisalign throughout the school year!
(more…)
All things considered, Invisalign is easier to handle than metal braces. The former is discrete, removable, and aligns your smile and bite in just a year! Even so, that doesn’t mean it can’t be challenging at times. In particular, many people struggle to wear their aligners for the necessary twenty-two hours per day. That’s a significant problem, as failing to meet that daily wear-time puts your treatment at risk. Thankfully, though, this issue is solvable. To learn more, here’s a summary of the 22-hour Invisalign wear time by Covington dentists.
(more…)
As strange as it might sound, dental floss isn’t the only way to floss your teeth. Instead, you could use a more recently-invented tool called a Waterpik. The latter isn’t as well-known, but it uses a unique method to do the same things as dental floss. That said, which is the better flossing method for oral health? Does one have more benefits for your teeth and gums than the other? To learn the answer to these questions, here’s a summary of whether to use dental floss or a Waterpik by Covington dentists.
(more…)
According to the American Association of Endodontists, around 5 million US adults and children have one or more of their teeth knocked out every year. That said, dental emergencies like displaced teeth are common—but when it happens to you, what should you do? Is putting the tooth back in its socket yourself a viable option, or should you hold off until you can visit your emergency dentist? Here’s what you should do in this situation, along with some tips to hopefully prevent it from happening in the first place.
(more…)Tongue tie, or tethered oral tissue (TOT), is basically a strand of tissue (frenum) that is too tight or too short and restricts the movements of the tongue and lips.
This may be discovered in an infant who is having difficulty nursing, a toddler with a speech impediment or difficulty articulating, or even an adult who has this congenital defect but has never had the benefit of releasing the tissue.
Proper treatment and resolution is most effective when professionals from several different disciplines work together. The first step is to recognize symptoms and get a diagnosis. A lactation consultant may be the first person to become suspicious when a nursing mother and newborn are having trouble with feedings. A pediatrician or primary care physician may identify TOT in a baby who is not thriving. A speech therapist working with a young patient would certainly consider TOT, and a dentist may well discover tethered tissue during a routine oral exam of a child or adult.
Releasing the tissue can be done by a qualified dentist in-office in less than 10 minutes using a dental laser. The laser makes the release painless, causes very little, if any, bleeding and promotes faster healing. Our doctors use the Waterlase iPlus. But the first step is a thorough in-office assessment to confirm the necessity, the urgency and desired outcome.
Referral for a tongue tie release can be made by any of the professionals mentioned above. And best outcome will likely enlist the services of a speech therapist and/or myofunctional therapist pre-op to teach parents exercises to stretch the tissue in preparation for the release procedure and post-op to help re-train muscles for proper function and healing.
Laser dentistry was first introduced at MoreSMILES Dental in 2002 with a diode laser certification from Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies. In 2005, we stepped up to the all-tissue erbium Waterlase MD, which was one of the first lasers in dentistry used for both soft tissue and hard tissue procedures. Where dental lasers had previously been limited to soft tissues, such as gum tissue, with the Waterlase MD, we were also able to remove decay from hard tooth surfaces and prepare teeth for fillings with little or no anesthesia – no shots, no needles.
After a decade and a half, the obsolete MD model has been replaced, and we are proud to bring our patients and our community the most advanced technology in laser dentistry – Waterlase iPlus. Not only will our doctors be able to offer more comfortable fillings and crowns, but you can also request the iPlus dental laser for these services:
Call today for a $99 assessment and exam visit to determine if laser dentistry is your pathway to more easily and more comfortably getting the dentistry you need – (985) 809-7645, or click here for online scheduling of an in-office assessment.
Brushing your teeth once in the morning and once before bed is a crucial part of preventing oral health issues and maintaining a lovely smile. To remove excess toothpaste from their mouths, many people rinse once they’re done brushing their teeth. But is this what you’re supposed to do? Read on to learn if rinsing after brushing is good for your dental hygiene or if this step is working against you.
(more…)
Spring is here, and it’s the perfect season to spend time outside! Whether you choose to go to the park or have a picnic with loved ones, you can be sure to get a breath of fresh air in the process. But did you know being in the sun can also improve your oral health? Keep reading to discover how going outside is a good preventive measure for keeping a healthy smile!
(more…)
Ice cream is one of the coolest snacks out there—no pun intended! If you’re out on a hot summer day, this sweet food can make your time especially enjoyable. While it may be tempting to get a casual banana split sundae, you should consider the harmful effects of eating ice cream too frequently. Read on to learn how ice cream affects your oral health and the steps for minimizing the negative impacts.
(more…)