Lakepoint Dental Health & Aesthetics Blog

If you have a busy schedule and are short on time, you’re not alone. With work, school and extracurricular activities, it easily seems like there aren’t enough hours in a day to get all the things accomplished you’d like to have done.

Chances are one of the reasons you may not visit the dentist as much as you should, or you postpone necessary dental procedures, is because of the shortage of time.

If you have a dental procedure done, you can’t afford to skip a day to recover.

Fortunately, dental technology has now made it possible for certain, simple, routine dental procedures to be done in a single day and get you back on your feet the next day.

One of these dental technological advancements is the introduction of CEREC.

CEREC stands for Chairside Economic Restorations of Esthetic Ceramics. This machine utilized 3D imaging technology to produce custom-made crowns right in the dentist’s office.

Crowns are one of the most common and routine dental procedures we do at Lakepoint Dental Health & Aesthetics, so having this technology available to patients is a great asset to our patient satisfaction.

How does our CEREC technology benefit patients you may ask? Well, here are just a few:

1. Gets patients in and out of the dental office fast. With CEREC, patients can have their mouths quickly and easily digitally scanned and run through the machine that produces the ceramic crowns. The appointment takes less than a few hours, after which patients leave with new teeth.
2. No follow-up appointments necessary. The accurate and precise measuring of the patient’s teeth and mouth and superior fit of the crown significantly lowers the need for the crowns to be altered and re-fitted, thereby removing the need of a required follow-up appointment.
3. No waiting. Traditionally, there was a waiting period from when the dentist took x-rays, photos and molds of the patient’s teeth and mouth and when the outside dental lab mailed back the finished crowns. This period could be as long as 6 weeks. With CEREC, the crowns are made right in the dentist office, so no waiting is necessary and patients will be fitted with their new crowns in a single office visit.
4. Comfortable, durable crowns. The crowns are made utilizing high-tech machinery, not the guesswork of a lab technician. The cuts are more precise and provide a more comfortable, secure fit. There is also a lower chance of necessary alterations to the crown after it is inserted. Since they are made to more accurately fit the individual patient, the crown can last longer because of a lower risk of irregular wear and tear.
5. Less Mess. With CEREC, digital images are taken of the patient’s mouth, whereby avoiding the gross messiness and bad taste of gel and impression trays.
6. Little to no pain or discomfort afterwards. In most cases, patients are able to get back to their regular lives immediately after getting their crowns put in thanks to the precision and accuracy of the CEREC’s manufacturing of the crowns.

CEREC technology also benefits patients who need implants, implant-supported bridges, inlays and onlays.

At Lakepoint Dental Health & Aesthetics, we know that your time is a limited and valuable commodity. With our CEREC equipment and technology, we can provide quicker, quality service to our patients.

If you’re regularly putting off dental care because you’re afraid of how it will possibly sideline your busy schedule, now is the time to schedule an appointment with us and enjoy the benefits of CEREC and our other dental technology.

It is one thing to wake up in the morning with a less than pleasing odor in your breath, but having unusual, stubborn bad breath throughout the day is quite another.

Everyone wakes up with nasty morning breath. Not everyone, however, walks around all day with extra pungent bad breath. Excessively bad breath is not only a way to keep people at arms-length from you, but it could be a sign of a more serious oral health condition.

If you’ve been suffering from bad breath for an extended period, it is highly encouraged that you come and visit our dentist in Wichita, KS. At Lake Point Dental our dentists and dental specialists may be able to help identify the source of your bad breath.

There are many causes to bad breath. They include:

Certain Foods. Spices, garlic and onions are known to cause smelly breath that will linger for a few hours. Even after a thorough mouth rinsing or teeth brushing, particles from these foods can still remain lodged between teeth and even when there are no particles remaining in the mouth, the particles naturally enter the bloodstream where they enter the lungs which can also contribute to the smelly breath.

Tobacco Use. Those who use tobacco products will have smelly breath as the tobacco breaks down oral tissue, preventing the teeth and gums from resisting decay and disease. Gum disease, especially moderate to severe periodontal disease can also lead to foul breath.

Poor Oral Hygiene. If you notice your breath isn’t great, the first culprit you’ve likely checked and improved is your oral hygiene routine. Poor dental hygiene allows food particles to remain, and decay in the mouth. As you know decay results in foul smells. A lack of flossing and proper teeth brushing can provide the right conditions for plaque, a film of sticky bacteria that adheres to the teeth to grow. Out of control plaque not only produces bad breath, but it can irritate and infect the gums.

Many patients, however, neglect to brush their tongues as a part of their oral hygiene routine. The rest of the mouth can be clean, but the bacteria, plaque and food particles attached to the surface on the tongue can be enough to cause bad breath.

Xerostomia (Dry Mouth). The reason we wake up with foul breath is that overnight, our mouths dry out while we sleep. Dry mouth lowers your saliva levels which allows bacteria and plaque to build up in the mouth, causing bad breath. Saliva is your body’s natural mouth wash. A mouth that isn’t moist can lower your mouth’s ability to combat odor causing disease and decay.

Chronic dry mouth has many causes including certain diseases, so we highly encourage you to talk to your doctor.

Medications. Your medication you take for medical conditions can cause dry mouth. Some medications, get broken down by the body and causes the body to release certain chemicals that can worsen the smell of your breath.

Mouth, Nose and Throat Infections.  Postnasal drip caused from inflammation and infection of the mouth, nose or throat can cause bad breath. Wounds from oral surgery, mouth sores, tooth extractions or small stones on the tonsils can also produce nasty breath.

Other Medical Conditions. Medical conditions such as cancers, metabolic disorders, and gastroesophageal reflux disease cause (GERD) can produce chemicals whose odor is then carried in your breath.

The cause of your bad breath can be something as simple as the foods you eat or poor oral hygiene habits or it can be caused by a potentially serious, underlying oral or medical condition.

Constant, excessively smelly breath isn’t normal.

Contact us today to schedule an appointment so that we can get to the bottom of your bad breath.

Over the years, there has been a lot of discussion around the connection between the health of the mouth and your overall health. Some of the research has shown that poor oral health can actual lead to significant concerns, including heart problems, respiratory issues, blood sugar problems (diabetes), and even premature birth.

A lot of these connections are still theoretical, and research is ongoing. But the more we look the more reasons we have to really take care of our teeth and gums.

In one of the more recent studies, for example, there seems to be some evidence of a possible association between a periodontal pathogen (bacteria that usually lives around the gums) and a type of colon cancer.

There is a recent article by Dr. Richard Nagelberg in which he discusses what appears to be happening between the gums and the gut and what the implications are for us all.

Colon cancer is “a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide in both men and women,” according to the study on the PubMed website. (Morbidity is just another word for illness, so this means that colon cancer is a contributor to many deaths and sicknesses every year.)

Chasing Down the Bacteria

As many of you are aware, our bodies are filled with good and bad bacteria. the bacteria that live in the gut have been recognized as having a real connection to human health and sickness.

In this study, fusobacterium has been detected enough that the research suggests an association with colon cancer. However, it’s still not completely clear if the bacteria actually cause the cancer or if it just comes along for the ride. However, at the very least, it does seem to suggest that we could use fusobacterium as a sort of early warning sign of colorectal cancer.

The study cited in the article also had some interesting findings, such as how treatments with metronidazole seem to decrease the aggressiveness of this type of cancer.

How Does It Reach the Gut?

One of the many questions left to be answered is how the bacteria that is normally associated with the gums makes it to the gut in the first place – or if it really is the same bacteria and not a different strain. A series of DNA tests of oral fusobacterium and the bacteria found in the gut will eventually sort that question out, but at the moment we can’t completely say for sure.

In the other cases – such as heart disease – the bacteria get into the blood stream through the cuts in the gums or the other soft tissues could provide an entry point for those bacteria to go where they’re not wanted. Eventually, they could reach the heart muscles and begin to cause problems.

We don’t know if this is the case for fusobacterium and colon cancer, but, in both cases, the really important takeaway is that there is more and more evidence demonstrating a link between the health of the mouth and the health of the body.

What does this all mean to you, right now?

Keep up with your oral hygiene routines and never neglect your regular dental checkups and you may have an impact on your overall health and well-being, too.

Everyone wants a great smile full of white teeth. Maybe your smile isn’t as beautiful as it once was or maybe you love your smile and want to maintain or even enhance it.

You’re probably thinking that only a dental procedure done by a professional is the only way you’ll regain or maintain that gorgeous smile.

With all the dental advancements that have taken place, there are more options available than you realize to easily get the smile you’re dreaming of.

What are these simple ways to improve your smile? Well, there are at-home practices you can do in addition to routine procedures done in our dental office.

At-Home Smile Care

While you may automatically turn to the at-home teeth whitening kit as your perceived best smile-enhancing option, there are other simpler and less expensive ways to better your smile. These include:

Drinking Plenty of Water. Water is the purest thing you can eat or drink. It has none of the calories, fat, sugar, carbohydrates, or artificial chemicals that feed cavity, teeth staining and gum disease causing plaque. Drinking water also keeps your mouth moist which helps with the production of saliva, your body’s natural mouth wash. A wet mouth cleans away potentially trapped food particles and rinses the surface of teeth which makes it hard for plaque to attach to. Drinking water is also good for your body.

Flossing Daily. Some patients don’t like to regularly floss either because it is too time-consuming and tedious or it is uncomfortable. Flossing, however, is just as important as teeth brushing.

Changing Out Your Toothbrush. Your toothbrush should be changed every three months to avoid cross-contamination and to keep you from accidently re-introducing germs and bacteria back into your mouth.

Limiting or Eliminating Coffee, Tea and Red Wine. These are the big teeth-staining culprits, which by eliminating or limiting them, you can slow or possibly reverse teeth staining with the help of bleaching or veneers. Smoking is also a major teeth-stainer. Stopping smoking will not only halt the yellowing of the teeth, but it will also help improve one’s overall health.

Visiting the Dentist Once a Year. While the dentist may not be high up on your list of favorite places, but a dentist will be able to adequately examine your mouth and catch possible oral health issues that you likely overlooked or didn’t recognize. Early intervention and treatment is the best way to preserve your beautiful smile and keep possible, future damage of your smile.

Simple In-Office Smile Restoration Options

Sometimes at-home oral care practices aren’t enough to fully restore or improve your smile. Sometimes professional dental care is needed.

At Lakepoint Dental, we have a variety of simple, routine dental care services that can help you achieve the smile you’re looking for. Our top smile enhancing services include:

CEREC Porcelain Crowns. Unlike traditional crowns that are made in an off-site dental lab and, therefore, require a multi-week waiting period for one’s final, permanent dental prosthesis, we utilize CEREC technology to make toothlike crowns right in the office. You’ll be able to walk out of your single appointment with a new, enhanced smile.

Tooth-Colored Fillings. Filling are the most common dental service we provide. Fillings fill-in holes on the teeth caused from tooth decay. These tooth-colored fillings don’t have the obvious, ugly metallic look of amalgam fillings and they also don’t contain the dangerous element of mercury like traditional amalgam fillings.

Bridges. Combining our CEREC technology, our patients who have lost multiple teeth can have porcelain, toothlike crowns in a matter of hours so they can quickly have an improved smile they can be proud to show-off.

Dental Implants. A lost tooth can leave an embarrassing gap in one’s smile. Implants are quick, routine procedures that address this problem.

Zoom Teeth Whitening. There are numerous teeth whitening kits out there. While many of these are ideal for patients with minor teeth staining, they are sometimes not enough for patients with deeper stains. Professional teeth whitening provides patients with immediately whiter teeth that stay whiter longer than at-home teeth whitening kits.

Just because you’ve let your oral hygiene, and therefore, your smile slide, it doesn’t mean that extensive work needs to be done to bring it back. There are many simple at-home methods and quick, routine dental procedures that can improve your smile.

If you’ve tried enhancing your smile with at-home methods, you may need to schedule an appointment with us. Contact us today to make an appointment or to learn more about our services.

Gums that persistently bleed have a variety of causes, ranging from the simple overzealous teeth brushing to the more serious gum disease.

When your gums, or any part of your body bleeds, it is unnatural and is indicative of some sort of injury. In many cases the sight of bleeding is a cause for some alarm.

While only your Wichita dentist will be able to accurately diagnose the source of your bleeding gums, here are some of the more common causes of bleeding gums:

Canker Sores. These types of annoying, painful sores can happen anywhere in the mouth, including on the gums.  There is known cause of canker sores, but they are likely the results of bacterial or viral activity.

Canker sores may reappear, and they are not contagious.

Harsh Brushing. When it comes to proper brushing technique, harder and faster isn’t better. Overzealous brushing can scratch, and irritate the gums, by tearing the gums delicate soft tissue. The injury to the gums will cause them to bleed.

Harsh Flossing. Similar to going overboard with teeth brushing, flossing too rigorously can also damage and irritate gum tissue, leading to excessive bleeding of the gums.

Gum Disease. Besides a harsh dental hygiene regimen, gum disease is the most common cause of bleeding gums.

Many patients have gingivitis (the lowest level of gum disease) at one time or another. If gingivitis isn’t treated and reversed, it can progress into the more serious periodontal disease. Untreated periodontal disease can result in lost teeth and the destruction of the jaw bone.

Bleeding, swollen, sensitive, red gums can be an indication that the gingivitis has progressed into periodontal disease and needs treatment right away to prevent further damage to the gums and teeth.

The best treatment for your gum disease will depend on how sever it is and how large an area of gums are affected. At LakePoint Dental, our dentist in Wichita provide a variety of gum restoration services to our patients including: scaling and root planing, gingivectomy, osseous surgery, bone grafting, and gum grafting.

Chemotherapy.  Patients who have had cancer and underwent chemotherapy could have developed sores or ulcers on their gums which can make the gums swollen, sensitive and frequent bleeding.

Tobacco Use. Tobacco products include ingredients that are harmful for your body, including damaging the teeth and gums. Tobacco is linked to breathing problems, teeth discoloration and destruction to the soft tissues of the mouth, including the gums, tongue and inside of the cheeks. Tobacco use also increases one’s risk of getting throat and oral cancer.

The damage from tobacco use and the possible resulting oral cancer can produce bleeding gums.

Hormones. If you’re a woman, your hormones during menstruation, pregnancy or menopause can make your gums sensitive and easily bleed. Some women develop menstrual or pregnancy gingivitis (a low-level form of gum disease).

Bleeding gums are not normal and indicate a possible, serious oral dental health concern. While it may not be anything serious, we highly recommend you set up an appointment with us as soon as possible so we can help preserve your healthy, beautiful smile.

Contact us today and let our skilled and knowledgeable staff set you on a path of long-lasting dental health success.

The fear of the dentist is a common issue experienced by both children and adults. There are multiple reasons people have a fear of the dentist including the unpleasant smells and sounds and the possibility of experiencing pain or discomfort during their dental procedures.

Many people also avoid the dentist because their schedules are too busy to wait at the dentist or make multiple appointments for treatment.

At Lakepoint Dental Health and Aesthetics, we understand that the dentist office is not exactly the funnest, most enjoyable place our patients want to be.

As unpleasant as it is going to the dentist, regular office visits are crucial to maintaining superior oral and overall health.

Regardless of why you avoid or forget to schedule a dental appointment, our dentists and dental hygienists strive to make each patient’s visit to Lakepoint enjoyable.

State of the Art Technology

Dentistry has come a long way since its beginnings. Common dental procedures such as cleanings, filling cavities and extracting teeth are quick and have little to no pain or discomfort. A short 100 years earlier, these procedures were time consuming, expensive and dangerous.

Dental technology continues to advance to allow dentists to perform more and more restorative and cosmetic dental procedures. Many of the procedures done today are done even faster and with less discomfort thanks to improved dental technology.

At Lakepoint, we fully embrace the use of the latest, state-of-the-art dental technologies in order to give our patients a superior, more comfortable and convenient dental office experience.

Some of the technology we use in the office include:

• CEREC CAD/CAM technology
• digital radiography
• soft tissue lasers
• intraoral cameras
• surgical microscopes for root canal treatment
• 3D study models using a jaw simulator

Knowledgeable Dentists With Certifications

Our doctors Ernie Belen and Mary Ann Chang have certifications, education and experience in the fields of cosmetic dentistry, smile makeover, aesthetics, periodontics and endodontics. Both our dentists continually attend continuing education courses to learn about and implement new and improved ways to provide patients with quicker, better service.

Our dentists and dental hygienists have 17 years of combined dental school training, 37 years of combined practice experience, and over a thousand hours of continuing education courses.

Being armed with the best, most effective and efficient treatment operating procedures, we commit to providing each client as fast and pain-free dental experience as possible.

Empower Our Patients

Dentists are notorious for telling patients how the health of their teeth and gums should be. We realize that this type of condemnation contributes to why people dislike the dental office and put off getting the dental treatment they need.

At Lakepoint, our patients won’t find our dentists or hygienists wagging their fingers and telling patients how their oral hygiene can improve and how their teeth and gums should look. Instead, we entrust the care of the patient’s oral health to the patient themselves.

We feel patients will take better care of their teeth and gums when they are motivated and empowered to do it themselves. We educate patients on proper oral hygiene techniques as well as offer suggestions on how to improve their oral hygiene and prevent dental health issues from arising.

Patients who take great care of their teeth and gums will need less dental work done in the future. Patients with adequate at-home dental hygiene will only need to come in for a short routine dental examination and cleaning. All in all, patients will have less time in the dental chair and more time doing other things.

Our goal is to help our patients keep and maintain their natural teeth. We find this to be more doable and effective when we let our patients take the initiative and responsibility of their own oral hygiene and care.

The use of modern, state-of-the-art dental technology, having knowledgeable dentists and staff and empowering patients are three ways Lakepoint Dental reduces the pain and duration of our patients’ appointments.

Regardless of the reason, if you haven’t seen a dentist in a long time, you’re putting your oral health at risk. Contact us today to enjoy a fast dental visit with as little pain and discomfort as possible.

Cosmetic dentistry is still a fairly new branch of the dental world, but it continues to grow more and more popular as time goes on. More people are starting to realize that they can easily improve the overall look of their teeth and smile with relatively easy procedures.

You may not know much about cosmetic dentistry, and you may even be nervous to ask your dentist about cosmetic procedures. Most dentists offer some kind of cosmetic expertise, and our office is no different. We’ve compiled a list of commonly asked questions about cosmetic dentistry so you can get a brief introduction to this incredibly helpful and accessible dental service.

What can I do to improve the look of my teeth?

Most patients we treat are especially concerned about the look of their teeth. This is a common phenomenon, one that plagues most people in today’s world, and for good reason. A healthy smile can lead to a confidence boost in many aspects of your life, including your professional, dating and social circles.

Improving the look of your teeth can be as simple as regularly brushing and flossing, but most people find that they need that extra little push to really shine. Cosmetic dentistry can provide that extra push through a variety of different procedures. The procedure you need depends on the look you want to achieve and the current condition of your teeth.

Are cosmetic procedures invasive?

Many patients are concerned that cosmetic procedures will be too invasive for their liking. While some cosmetic procedures require some level of surgery, most are completely non-invasive and relatively quick and simple. If you’re looking for a simple, non-invasive way to improve the look of your teeth, you might want to consider teeth whitening services. This is the simplest of the cosmetic procedures and doesn’t require any kind of surgery.

Are cosmetic procedures expensive?

In the early days of cosmetic dentistry, things as simple as teeth whitening were incredibly expensive and inaccessible to the general populate. However, those days are now past us. The type of cosmetic dentistry that most people need is inexpensive and most dentists can do it in their offices without any trouble at all.

What is full mouth restoration?

You may have heard about full mouth restoration, which is a comprehensive cosmetic dental solution. There are a lot of misconceptions about full mouth restoration, in that many patients think they should take advantage of it when they really don’t need it. Luckily, dentists won’t make a patient go through the process just because they ask.

Full mouth restoration typically takes place when a patient has lost all or most of their teeth. The process often involves surgery for dental extractions and implants. This is the process of literally rebuilding someone’s mouth so they can lead a normal life again.

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions!

The next time you’re in the office, don’t hesitate to ask us any questions about the cosmetic services we provide. Whether you need a simple teeth whitening or something more, we can help you achieve the smile that you’ve always wanted.

Nobody wants to end up in the emergency room because of medical emergency. A dental emergency isn’t any different. In most cases, a dental emergency involves the risk of a tooth being permanently lost, severe tooth pain and severe bleeding of the gums.

If you’re experiencing a dental emergency, it is important to visit your dental office ASAP. Dental emergencies can happen gradually over time such as an abscessed tooth, or they can happen suddenly, such as getting a tooth knocked out playing football.

How do you protect your teeth and gums so that you’ll have a reduced risk of ever having a dental emergency?

1. Proper, Daily At-Home Dental Hygiene

Proper flossing and brushing are vital for tooth and gum healthy. Germs and bacteria build up from food particles can lead to cavities and gum disease which can weaken teeth and gums, making them more susceptible to injury and infections which may require an emergency dentist office visit.

2. Using Mouth Guards

Regardless of whether you participate in a contact sport or not, it is always a good idea to wear a mouth guard. Mouth guards help protect your teeth from trauma should you get hit in the mouth. Some even recommend using mouth guards in recreational activities such as skiing where there is a possibility of falling and bumpy rides that make your teeth bump into or grind against each other.

A lose or missing tooth is indeed a dental emergency, but teeth that are broken, chipped or cracked tooth is one that is compromised and is more at risk of getting cavities and breaking down even further.

3. Regular Dental Visits

It’s important to visit the dentist every six months for a dental cleaning and examination. Only a dentist has the tools to deep clean your teeth and remove stubborn plaque build-up that you can’t remove at home. If you haven’t been to the dentist in a while, you risk having teeth and gums weakened by plaque, cavities and gum disease.

Another vital part of a routine dental visit is the thorough examination. Your dentist will be able to assess potential dental health concerns and provide preventative treatment. These preventative measures can help keep gum disease from progressing or halt the worsening of an abscessed tooth.

4. Mindful Eating and Drinking

You’ve heard to stay clear of candy, crackers, and other unhealthy foods high in sugars and refined carbs. Coffee, tea, soda, fruit juice and alcohol are all beverages that are on the “no” list. Additional foods you should be wary of are ones that are sticky, hard and crunchy. These foods make it hard to completely clean your teeth, can break off and easily get dislodged between teeth that is difficult to remove and they can be hard enough to chip or even cause a tooth to come out.

Plaque, tartar and cavity-causing bacteria are known causes of brittle, stained and weakened teeth and gums. Some foods, however, can also damage teeth and gums by requiring excessive, hard use of the teeth.

5. Sealants

Sealants are common cavity prevention treatments for children. They can, however, be used by adults as well. Sealants are clear, plastic coverings that go over the teeth, usually over the molars. Food particles and the cavity-forming bacteria are kept from attaching to and accumulating on the surface of teeth because of the plastic barrier of the sealants. Sealants, however are best for young children who have not yet perfected proper dental hygiene and for seniors who have natural teeth remaining who have a hard time properly flossing and brushing the back teeth.

6. Vitamins

Besides a healthy, nutrient packed diet, getting your daily dose of essential vitamins your teeth and gums need are another great way to keep them strong and resistant to decay and injury. Vitamins A, B and C are all great for healthy gums and for lowering one’s risk of gum disease. Vitamin D and calcium are important in maintaining strong teeth that are stable in their sockets.

Dental emergencies are never fun and they are things that nobody wants to have happen to them. They can be painful, cause long-term damage and may require costly, invasive procedures to treat.

There are some simple preventative measures you can take to prevent and lower your chance of having a dental emergency including the daily practice of proper at-home oral hygiene, getting sealants, and eating a healthy diet.

If you think you’re experiencing a dental emergency, call us at Lake Point Dental immediately. If you think you may be at risk of a dental emergency, contact us to schedule a teeth cleaning and exam.

Do you try and hide in the back row when pictures are taken? Are you afraid to laugh at a friend’s joke because your crooked or yellow teeth will be revealed?

Everyone wants to feel comfortable in their own skin and they want a smile that they can be proud to show off. If you don’t like how you look, your self-esteem suffers and when you don’t feel comfortable in your own skin, your wellbeing is negatively impacted.

As hard as it is to believe, your smile, or lack of smiling, can play a big role in your wellbeing by affecting your health, relationships and business aspirations. When you smile you feel happier, are less stressed and get more out of life.

When it comes to smiling, we mean it to mean happiness, contentedness, peacefulness, relaxed, and friendly.

A Confident Smile Impacts One’s Attitude

The common saying that the eyes are the window to the soul may be true, but the smile (or lack of one) also gives off some noticeable signals. Those who love their smile have a more positive outlook on their circumstances and on life in general. Their positive attitude makes them more motivated and encouraging to others. People who smile look happier, and friendly. Others are drawn to people who laugh and smile.

A Confident Smile Can Get You Ahead in Professional Pursuits

In business or in one’s professional life, smiling individuals are looked on as leaders because a smile exudes confidence and trust.  Individuals who smile are more likely to get a job or a promotion or make a business deal.

A Confident Smile Boosts Your Health

Smiling also helps boost your physical health. The act of smiling reduces stress and tension in our bodies. The reduction in stress better regulates heart and cell functioning, making our bodies more resistant to tiredness, illness and disease.

Those who are self-conscious of their smile and therefore hide it from others will likely not experience all these benefits of smiling.

If you’re ashamed of your smile, you’re putting your health at risk, jeopardizing social relationships and limiting your professional opportunities.

What Frowning Communicates and Why People Don’t Smile

For those who are tired of being misunderstood as aloof, angry, anxious, unhappy, unmotivated, boring or lacking confidence because of your lack of showing off your pearly whites, a trip to the cosmetic dentist may be in order.

There are many reasons people don’t like their smiles. From discolored teeth to crooked and chipped teeth to embarrassing gaps between teeth to missing teeth and everything in between, easily treatable dental conditions hold people for fully living and enjoying life to the fullest.

If you’re tired of your imperfect smile causing you to be a downer and ruining your life, contact us at Lake Pointe Dental today to schedule an appointment. We offer a variety of restorative and cosmetic dental services to give you the best-looking smile possible.

Our dentists and staff are friendly and dedicated to improving the lives of each patient by helping them achieve a healthy and beautiful smile.

You scheduled an appointment with us, but you are overwhelmed with questions you’d like to ask. It may be many years since you last received dental treatment and you now want to make your oral health a priority. Maybe you’ll be bringing in your child for his or her first dental visit and you don’t know what to expect. There are many reasons why you may have lots of questions.

We love answering patients’ questions and subscribe to the philosophy that there is no such thing as a bad question.

To save you time during your appointment and to make your appointment go smoothly, we’ve put a list below of common questions patients ask us and brief answers.

We hope this will help relieve some of your anxiety, give you ideas for additional, specific questions to ask and allow you to better focus on asking more specific, in-depth questions relating to your specific treatment.

Do I have to go to the dentist every six months?

We can’t force you to come in to our office, but we highly encourage patients of all ages to come in every six months for a dental exam and cleaning. Depending on the condition of some patient’s oral health and any additional, underlying health issues, such as diabetes, we may recommend patients come in more frequently.

When should my child’s first dental visit be?

We recommend parents schedule their child’s first dental visit by the time their child turns one. This appointment will mainly serve the purpose of introducing your child to the office and staff. A brief dental exam may be done at this appointment.

Your child’s first dental exam and cleaning appointment should be scheduled by the time your child is two years old. After this appointment, we recommend children to come in every six months.

How do I best take care of my teeth and gums?

Nobody wants to come in and be told they have cavities or the onset of gum disease. While these are easily treatable if caught early, why not have to treat them at all?

We tell our patients that their at-home dental hygiene routine plays the biggest role in preserving their healthy, beautiful smiles.

Proper at-home dental hygiene involves brushing one’s teeth for two minutes, twice a day, daily flossing and swishing with mouthwash. We recommend patients change out their toothbrushes every three months, and use toothpaste and mouthwash that is approved by the American Dental Association (ADA). Toothpaste that contains fluoride and alcohol-free mouthwash are recommended.

Why are my teeth sensitive?

Teeth sensitivity is often the result of tooth decay, but it can also be the result of gum disease or trauma to the teeth.

If you have severe teeth sensitivity to hot and cold food and beverages, we recommend you schedule an appointment to see us as soon as possible. Even if the cause is minor, the sooner we treat the source of your teeth sensitivity, the sooner you’ll be done dealing with the pain and discomfort.

Why do my gums bleed?

Bleeding gums can be the result of flossing, especially if you don’t floss regularly or correctly, cuts in the gums from trauma to the mouth or the onset of periodontal disease. If you don’t know why your gums are bleeding, schedule an appointment with us and let us take a look. If your gums are also red or swollen, chances are you have periodontitis, a moderate form of gum disease that can lead to tooth loss and deterioration of the jaw bone.

What is a dental emergency and what do I do if I have one?

Dental emergencies generally include severe pain in the mouth, jaw or face, profuse bleeding, loose, chipped, cracked or lost teeth. We see any situation where a tooth can be lost as a dental emergency.

Dental emergencies can happen at any time. If your emergency happens during office hours, come in immediately. If your emergency happens after office hours, go immediately to the nearest hospital emergency room.

We understand you’ll have many questions during your dental appointment and we’ll take the time to answer them.

To schedule an appointment at Lake Point Dental, contact us today.