First Impressions are Lasting Impressions

When you meet someone for the first time, what is the first thing you typically notice about them?  For some people, it’s the eyes- but for a lot of people, it’s the teeth.  Your teeth are bound to be noticed because when you are speaking to someone or in front of a group, all eyes are on you.

As America trudges along through these slower economic times, this means that more people will be looking for work, making career changes and going on interviews.  Interviews in and of themselves are nerve racking anyway, which is why looking your best is so important.  After all, first impressions leave lasting ones; and the last impression you want to leave with a potential employer is the thought: “I’m not sure whether they were qualified or not for the job because I was so distracted by their teeth!”  Trust me; while it may not necessarily be ethical, it’s happened before.

We put braces on to straighten our teeth.  We sometimes even have teeth extracted so that we can achieve an overall aesthetically pleasing smile that doesn’t look overcrowded and jagged.  And some of us alter our smiles simply because there is a pending medical reason requiring us to do so or because it is somehow negatively impacting the way in which we are able to speak.

Being able to speak clearly is extremely important in today’s society.  If someone cannot understand you because you are not speaking clearly, then ideas become muddled and things get miss-communicated, which can cause problems.  Have you ever noticed there is a correlation of confidence between those who have a beautiful smile versus those who do not?  They exude confidence.  If you feel like your smile could use a boost, talk to your dentist and discuss your options.

For more information on comprehensive and cosmetic dentistry, contact Dr. Robert Williamson today!

The question for some is: “What do I do when my teeth no longer look their whitest?”  For others the question may not be a matter of mere cosmetics, but rather they may be struggling to know what to do when their teeth have become seriously corroded.  In both situations there is a hope.  Dental veneers have become increasingly popular over the years, and they provide a wonderful cosmetic solution to teeth that no longer look their best.  The veneer is essentially a thin tooth like material that works as an outer shell for the front of your teeth.  If you see your cosmetic dentist they will assess your situation, and most likely make a model that will then be used as the foundation for your veneers.  This part of the process is often done by a dental technician.

Veneers provide a long lasting solution to the everyday effects of age, foods, and cigarettes that work to take away the vitality of our smiles.

For more information on comprehensive and cosmetic dentistry, contact Dr. Robert Williamson today!

Even medications can turn change the color of your teeth.  Certain antibiotics can cause your teeth to become yellow, and minocycline can even cause your teeth to become a permanent gray-blue.  Even some antihistamines can cause discoloration.

Your age may be another factor if your smile has become less then pearly white.  As you age the enamel of your teeth gradually wears away exposing more of the underlying brownish-yellow layers below the enamel.  Also root canals, and infections can lead to discoloration of the tooth.

Even some fruits can cause stains on your teeth.  Blueberries, and cranberries, among others, can leave pigment behind on your teeth, and even soy sauce can leave your smile shades darker.

You must remember that the best way to fight off staining is by brushing and flossing regularly.  If, however, you are seeking a more permanent solution to the discoloration of your teeth you can always opt for veneers, or whitening treatments at your cosmetic dentist‘s office.

For more information on comprehensive and cosmetic dentistry, contact Dr. Robert Williamson today!

The first kind is an infection in the pulp tissue of the tooth it self which is usually caused by tooth decay.  Typically your body can fight infection with antibiotics or through your own white blood cells, however in a tooth this is not the case and once a tooth become infected the pulp will die.  It is for this reason that the much dreaded, and often little understood root canal must take place.  During a root canal the pulp of the tooth is replaced by a material that will not become infected.

Another infection is a gum infection.  When your gums become infected your body has a difficult time killing the infection which can result in the infection listed below.  Gum infections require massive amounts of tricky cleaning.

The next kind of infection is called an abscess and occurs to the bone at the end of the tooth.  Dead tissue within your tooth provides a constant source of bacteria to the bone thus making it difficult for your body to overcome.  In this case you again would need a root canal, since the damage from an abscess can become widespread without  treatment.

Infections can be treated, but after reading the above doesn’t it just seems that prevention is the best medicine?

For more information on comprehensive and cosmetic dentistry, contact Dr. Robert Williamson today!

One of the warning signs of periodontal (gum) disease is persistent bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth. Periodontal disease is caused by plaque, the sticky, colorless film of bacteria that constantly forms on teeth. The bacteria create toxins that irritate the gums. In the advanced stage of the disease, the gums, bone and other structures that support the teeth become damaged. With regular dental checkups, your dentist can detect and treat periodontal disease early. (Source ADA)

It is further good to know that bad breath can be symptomatic of a deeper underlying medical issue.  Infections and other maladies can cause a fowl odor to omit from your mouth that has less to do with oral health, and much more to do with your overall health.  In situations like these your dentist will likely refer you to your primary care physician.

For more information on comprehensive and cosmetic dentistry, contact Dr. Robert Williamson today!

The first thing your dentist will likely do is numb the area surrounding the tooth that is to be extracted so as to alleviate as much discomfort as possible.  Some bleeding is normal and your dentist will undoubtedly keep a watchful eye on this to make sure everything is running smoothly, and if you experience what seems to be an inordinate amount of bleeding after the procedure you can always get back in touch with your dentist to see if you are experiencing normal or exacerbated flow.

After all is said and done it is basically best to leave well enough alone and avoid placing any foreign objects into your mouth, i.e. cigarettes, chewing tobacco, large amounts of mouthwash, etc.  Some rinsing of the mouth is acceptable, and to deal with any residual discomfort a cold towel or ice pack will suffice, but it is best to speak with your dentist to determine if taking any type of pain killer is acceptable.  Your make think it appropriate that you take aspirin or another type of drug to help with inflammation, but again it is best to consult with your dentist on the matter.  Try to avoid brushing the teeth surrounding the extracted tooth area, and let your dentist clean the removal site if necessary.

For more information on comprehensive and cosmetic dentistry, contact Dr. Robert Williamson today!

If you expand the definition of oral cancers to include cancer of the larynx, for which the risk factors are the same, the numbers of diagnosed cases grow to 41,000 individuals, and 12,500 deaths per year in the US alone.

The high mortality rate associated with oral cancer is often due to the fact that it is frequently discovered late in development, often after the cancer has already spread.

It is important to get screed for oral cancer on a yearly basis, and if you exhibit any of the following symptoms, as presented by the OCF, to get screened immediately:

• A sore or lesion in the mouth that does not heal within two weeks.
• A lump or thickening in the cheek.
• A white or red patch on the gums, tongue, tonsil, or lining of the mouth.
• A sore throat or a feeling that something is caught in the throat.
• Difficulty chewing or swallowing.
• Difficulty moving the jaw or tongue.
• Numbness of the tongue or other area of the mouth.
• Swelling of the jaw that causes dentures to fit poorly or become uncomfortable.

If cancer is indeed detected there are any number to treatment options, from surgery to radiation.  It is important to remember that seeing your dentist on a regular basis is not only important on a cosmetic level, but as you just read, it could help save your life!

For more information on comprehensive and cosmetic dentistry, contact Dr. Robert Williamson today!

The fact of the matter is that the anxiety associated with a trip to the dentist is merely that: anxiety.  It all too often is not rooted in reality.  A quote from yourfamilyshealth.com tries to explain the cause of dental anxiety:

Some people are afraid of the unknown. Others are frightened by stories of negative dental experiences from family and friends. Still others associate the dental exam with a feeling of helplessness and a loss of control.

Most of the time, however, the fear and anxiety are rooted in traumatic childhood experiences, says Krochak. “Perhaps the hygienist made a careless comment during an exam. Or maybe the dentist was insensitive or rough or even inflicted pain.”

These fears seem irrational if we look at them in the light.  If childhood trauma is at the heart of your anxiety, just remember, you are an adult and if something is causing you pain you can simply say so.  The dentist is your friend, not your enemy.  He realizes that prevention is the best medicine, and if you can muster up the courage for routine visits, compelled visits will become all but unnecessary, and which is better: Going when you want to go, or being forced to go by an unavoidable problem?  Take control of your fears and see your dentist routinely, for as Ben Franklin said: “A little neglect may breed great mischief.”

For more information on comprehensive and cosmetic dentistry, contact Dr. Robert Williamson today!

Dental whitening gels can be purchased in your local supermarket, or at your local dentist office. The difference is the supervision of a trained professional, fitted trays that maximize the contact of the gel against the tooth, and use of the only gel that carries the ADA seal of approval. The gels themselves are quite different as explained by WebMD:

Over-the-counter home use products and dentist-supervised at-home products usually contain a lower strength-bleaching agent from 10% carbamide peroxide, which is equivalent to about 3% hydrogen peroxide, up to 22% carbamide peroxide. In-office, professionally applied tooth whitening products contain hydrogen peroxide in concentrations ranging from 15% to 43%.

Dentists also offer such options as “power bleaching” that can dramatically lower the shade of your teeth in a single treatment. Dentists also have been using laser treatments to enhance the effects of lightening techniques. Typically your dentist can offer you whitening methods that are faster, safer, and simply unavailable at home. In short, if you are looking for the fastest, most effective, and safest route for teeth whitening, your dentist is the best bet by far.

For more information on comprehensive and cosmetic dentistry, contact Dr. Robert Williamson today!

Osteonecrosis of the jaw [ONJ] has been linked as a side effect of bisphosphonate therapy.  According to Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard School of Dental Medicine: “Patients with multiple myeloma and metastatic carcinoma to the skeleton who are receiving intravenous, nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates are at greatest risk for osteonecrosis of the jaws; these patients represent 94% of published cases.”  The frightening link is that biophosphates are also used to treat osteoporosis, and thusly open another avenue of patients that are at risk for ONJ.  The Department of Internal Medicine, University of Manitoba published the following:

ONJ [osteonecrosis of the jaw] is an important adverse outcome associated with bisphosphonate therapy, and physicians prescribing pamidronate or zoledronate must be aware of the association between these drugs and this serious clinical entity. Failure to recognize the signs of ONJ can lead to unnecessary surgical procedures, which ultimately exacerbate the condition and impact quality of life.

If you feel that you may be at risk for ONJ, consider contacting a medical professional for more information.

For more information on comprehensive and cosmetic dentistry, contact Dr. Robert Williamson today!