Baker Family Dental

Finding the Right Floss for Your Teeth

The first step in determining what floss you should buy is to identify what kind of teeth you have. If you have all of your natural teeth, then using any kind of floss will help you manually remove the plaque trapped in the crevices between your teeth. But if you have dental implants or a bridge, you need to use a specific kind of floss designed to fit beneath cosmetic dental structures.

With the use of a life-size dental structure, the dentist in this video illustrates how to properly floss around your teeth. He also answers some common questions about when and how often you need to floss. The information in this video can help you improve your oral hygiene and identify signs that you need to schedule a dental appointment.

Baker Family Dental of Mesa can help enhance the natural beauty of your smile. Call (480) 719-3044 or visit us on the Web to learn more about our services. 

How Your Oral Health Is Connected to Your Overall Health

Bacteria that build up on your teeth and gums can lead to infection. If your gums are infected, your body’s immune system will begin sending antibodies to the area to fight the infection. This immune response leads to gum inflammation, which releases chemicals that can wear away at the gums and bone structure of teeth. Not only can this inflammation lead to gum disease, but it can also cause problems to develop in the rest of your body.

Oral Health and Diabetes
Gum inflammation can inhibit the body’s ability to adequately control blood sugar levels. Individuals who have diabetes don’t produce enough of the hormone insulin, which converts sugar from food into energy. The inflammation associated with gum disease complicates diabetes even further by making it difficult for the body to utilize its limited insulin supply. This can result in high levels of blood sugar and the development of more gum infections.

Oral Health and Heart Disease
According to WebMD.com, as many as 91% of patients with heart disease also suffer from periodontitis, compared to 66% of individuals who do not have heart disease. Periodontitis and heart disease have several risk factors in common, including smoking, poor diet, and excess weight. However, many researchers believe that the inflammation associated with periodontitis restricts blood flow throughout the body. This can lead to higher blood pressure and an increased chance of developing heart disease.

Oral Health and Premature Birth
Babies born prematurely or at a low birth weight typically have significant health problems, including respiratory issues, heart problems, and learning disorders. Researchers believe that gum infection and inflammation can interfere with a fetus’s development inside the womb. For this reason, it’s important for expectant mothers to schedule a comprehensive periodontal exam.

Baker Family Dental of Mesa is devoted to restoring and enhancing the natural beauty of our patients’ smiles. We offer family dentistry and emergency dentistry services in a welcoming, relaxing treatment center. Call (480) 719-3044 to schedule a dental appointment at our office. 

A Brief Guide to Caring for Your Dental Veneers

Dental veneers are made from porcelain, which is long-lasting and resistant to staining. However, regular care is still required to keep your veneers looking their best. Avoid chewing harder foods, such as breads, crisp fruits, and candies with your veneers. Instead, chew these in the back of your mouth to prevent wearing of the porcelain. Floss at least once a day, taking special care between your teeth and along the gum line. Brush your teeth—including those with veneers—twice a day with a soft-bristled brush and non-abrasive fluoride toothpaste. Visit your dentist regularly for cleanings, which can also improve the look of your veneers. Wear a mouth guard if you play sports or grind your teeth at night to keep from damaging or wearing down your veneers.

If you’d like to learn more about veneers, contact your Mesa dentist at Baker Family Dental today. We are dedicated to improving every smile in your family. You can find out more about cosmetic, general, and restorative dentistry for children and adults by calling (480) 719-3044 or clicking through our website. 

Conditions that Can Be Treated with Dental Veneers

Dental veneers are used to correct a variety of functional and aesthetic dental issues. Receiving veneers is a minimally-invasive procedure that requires two visits to your dentist to complete. Veneers are an excellent, long-lasting solution that can brighten and restore your teeth for improved confidence and dental health.

Bruxism
Bruxism, or tooth grinding, can wear down the enamel of your teeth over time. This causes your teeth to look shorter and ages the appearance of your face. Veneers can be used to increase the length of your teeth for a fuller, younger-looking smile. It’s important to wear a mouthguard if you receive veneers to prevent wearing of the porcelain over time.

Discoloration
Veneers can correct the appearance of one or more discolored teeth. Not all teeth respond well to bleaching, and in some cases veneers are a better choice address certain types of discoloration. Additionally, injury to a tooth can result in discoloration that affects the look of your entire smile. A veneer can be the ideal choice to correct discoloration of a single tooth.

Chips
Small chips or cracks in your teeth can detract from the overall look of your smile. You may feel embarrassed and reluctant to smile, speak, or eat around others. Rather than receiving a crown, veneers can correct these teeth by covering the front of the tooth to hide any damage.

Misalignments
In cases of minor tooth misalignment, veneers are a popular alternative to orthodontic treatment. Veneers can provide straighter-looking teeth at a fraction of the cost and with significantly less treatment time than braces. This treatment option can be particularly attractive to adults who don’t wish to wear braces.

At Baker Family Dental, we provide a wide range of dentistry services including veneers, implants, dentures, orthodontics, and more. Contact our Gilbert dental office today by calling (480) 719-3044 to become our newest patient! If you’d like to learn more about how cosmetic dentistry can enhance your smile and your life, check out the articles on our blog. 

Are You a Good Candidate for a Dental Bridge?

Dental bridges are prostheses which use crowns to span the gap left by a missing tooth. A bridge fills this space to restore chewing function as well as aesthetics to your smile.

This video explains the process of receiving a dental bridge. Bridges require two healthy teeth adjacent to the gap to provide structural stability. These teeth are fitted with crowns that hold the fake tooth in place. A dental bridge is a great option if you have had a tooth extracted to restore both form and function in the area.

If you have questions about bridges and other tooth replacement options, contact Baker Family Dental in Gilbert by calling (480) 719-3044. We provide a variety of services including family dentistry and orthodontics to improve your smile. Visit our website to learn more about getting and maintaining a dental bridge.