Sure, having your teeth cleaned is just that – cleaning your teeth – but do you know how it can benefit your life and health even further?  If fresh breath and squeaky clean teeth isn’t motivation enough for you to regularly see the dentist and hygienist, here are a few more reasons to pull out your schedule and call us up:

• Poor oral hygiene has been linked to heart attack, heart disease, and stroke and it has been shown that regular visits reduce your chances of these.
• Dr. Cirka does an oral cancer screening at each check-up exam to ensure that you are not one of 35,000 people diagnosed each year in the US.
• 1/3 people you meet will have some form of gum disease, from gingivitis to periodontal disease, which could require surgery if left untreated.  Your recall appointments prevent gum disease from affecting you.
• …Advanced periodontal (gum) disease also leads to tooth loss.  Wouldn’t you like to keep your teeth?  Implants can be expensive!
• Catch problems while they are minor with a full exam at each visit.  This means placing sealants on teeth that are susceptible to cavities before they require fillings (1/3 of the cost) or catching a tooth when it can still be treated with a root canal instead of being removed.
• Your hygienist if your friend!  Are you falling off the flossing bandwagon?  He or she can help you maintain your own mouth by pointing out differences in oral hygiene from visit to visit.  Work as a team to keep your homecare in check.
• Let’s face it, stains happen.  While brushing, flossing, and rinsing your own mouth is beneficial, there’s no stain-removal like that which comes from a professional polishing.

We are here to help you.  We schedule your 6 month appointments at each visit to make sure you stay on track.  Call us at 215-568-6222 and take the first step to becoming an oral hygiene lifer!

Bruxism can lead to the following:

• Teeth that are short/flat
• Teeth worn down until the dentin (yellow-ish color) is exposed on chewing surfaces (or, if untreated, worn down to the gum line)
• Teeth that chip easily, are sensitive, and are loose
• Teeth and gums more prone to gingivitis and periodontal disease
• Jaw muscles that are sore and joints that click (even making eating difficult)

Since the main cause of teeth grinding is stress, something that is hard to rid your life of fully, it’s most important to focus on maintaining the health of your teeth and gums through treatment.  This can be done quickly, inexpensively, and painlessly with a custom nightguard.  This is a plastic retainer-esque piece molded to the shape of your teeth that is worn at night.  It blocks the surfaces of the teeth from hitting/harming each other during grinding and clenching.  This is the most cost-effective solution as it stops the destruction of the teeth for only $427, saving you restorations down the road, such as crowns, which can amount to thousands.

If you suspect you’re grinding or clenching your teeth, you can set up a free visit where Dr. Cirka can put your mind at ease.  Call us at 215-568-6222 or use our contact form to email us and request your appointment.  Get off the grind today!

It’s no secret that the economy and job market are not ideal at the moment.  What many look past is that your health and appearance (that of your teeth included!) can be a key to success.  With few people fishing to hire individuals out of many who qualify, it’s coming down to more than just what’s on paper.  As silly as it sounds, simply smiling while talking makes you sound (not just appear) happier.  How better to gain that reason for happiness than through the way you show it?  Investing in your smile is investing in your confidence and, even further, your future, and who has time to wait for that?

We’re currently offering a monthly special on Lumineers (super thin, strong, effective, long-lasting porcelain veneers by Cerinate) that can save you tons; let that be the push you need to schedule a free consultation.  Learn more from Dr. Cirka and experience for yourself how cosmetic dentistry can  a happier you with strong, healthy, AND beautiful teeth.  Now is the time!  The only better time was yesterday.

Have you ever wished for straighter teeth but then decided “well, my teeth aren’t that crooked” or “maybe I’ll do it later”? Call off the wait! The time is now! Invisalign is the reason for a smiley season.

Invisalign is the perfect way to straighten your teeth without the metal brackets of awkward teenage years.  Custom clear trays are made to fit perfectly to your teeth and move them more comfortably and quickly than traditional braces.  The best part is they are unnoticeable while you wear them!

Why now?  For one, you’ve definitely come to the right place!  Dr. Cirka has extensive experience with this procedure and remains a Premier Preferred Provider for Invisalign.  Additionally, straight teeth are beneficial in more ways than just appearance. Perfectly aligned teeth are ideal in keeping up with your dental hygiene as they make it easier for you to floss and brush in any area.  Proper homecare along with regular visits with your hygienist decrease the chance of gingivitis and further advanced gum disease.  Straight AND healthy teeth – there’s a reason to smile!

How can you get started? Dr. Cirka makes it easy, offering a free consultation where he can answer all of your questions and get you signed up. Call or email to schedule today and you’ll have a super smile before you can say “straighten”!

Your smile is the first thing that shows people you’re happy, so it only makes sense that it should make YOU happy! Have you thought about taking steps towards having straighter, whiter, or healthier-looking teeth? It may seem challenging, but it doesn’t have to be. If you’re looking for a fast, pain-free, healthy way to improve the overall appearance and appeal of your smile, Lumineers by Cerinate could be your long lost solution.

Lumineers are porcelain veneers that are much thinner and natural looking than traditional veneers, but are also much stronger. They can transform the color, alignment, and shape of your teeth quickly and effectively without compromising, and even improving on, their health and strength.

Dr. Cirka has extensive experience in helping people achieve their ideal smiles through Lumineers. Visit our smile gallery to view before and after photos of some cases, read testimonials from patients who have had the treatment, or better yet, schedule a free consultation to gain some first-hand knowledge and let Dr. Cirka answer all of your questions.

Smiles boost confidence and are downright contagious, and we are always excited to spread the cheer with Lumineers. After an initial exam, it’s just two weeks and two visits before you walk away with your beautiful end result. With our help, Lumineers can turn your dream into a reality. Call us today to schedule your free consultation.

The beginning of a new year is also a great time to take stock of your overall oral health. Perhaps you’re finally ready to refresh that smile with cosmetic dentistry, like porcelain veneers or tooth whitening.

The most important thing is to examine the wellness of your smile to determine if action must be taken to address potential or growing problems. If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, it’s time to make an appointment with your dentist and start figuring out what changes need to be made:

• Are your teeth sensitive to hot or cold?
• Do you have difficulty chewing?
• Do you avoid eating certain foods because you worry about your losing your teeth?
• Do you suffer from persistent bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth?
• Do you often experience a dry mouth?
• Are you constantly trying to hide unsightly fillings or crowns?
• Are you dissatisfied with your unpredictable and impermanent dentures?
• Do you have jaw pain when chewing or opening and closing your mouth?
• Do you have a family history of gum disease or tooth decay?
• Are you dissatisfied with the look of your smile or some of your teeth?

Answering “yes” to any of these questions means you’re enduring painful or uncomfortable symptoms in your teeth and gums. And no one needs to suffer with such discomfort. Most importantly, your overall well-being could be in jeopardy because of your oral health. Certain dental problems can lead to serious infection, decay, or inflammation.

It’s a new year. Instead of staying dormant, get active – make your appointment with our Philadelphia dental office and change your life with a new smile. Visit Dr. Ken Cirka to discuss your oral health.

The bacteria that is already present in your mouth interacts with the components of the foods you eat, creating acids that can be damaging to tooth enamel. Over time, constant exposure to these acids without proper cleanings can result in cavities and other oral health problems.

So what can you do about your diet to help combat or at least minimize the amount of acid created in your mouth? Here are some tips:

• Slow down on snacks: Snacking may be better for your metabolism, but it doesn’t do your teeth any favors. Between-meal snacking exposes your teeth to more acid over a longer period of time.
• Choose gum: While it can feel almost like a meal substitute (or at least something that curbs your hunger a little), sucking on hard candy, mints, or lollipops can increase the acid production in your mouth. If you’ve gotta have a sweet, go for the sugar-free varieties. Better yet, choose sugar-free gum with xylitol.
• Bag the brush: When it’s possible, brush your teeth as soon as possible after eating in order to remove plaque-containing bacteria. Always brush at least twice daily and floss at least once a day to remove plaque from tooth surfaces and where the tooth meets the gums.
• Improve your diet: What you eat doesn’t only affect how your body functions, it also affects your oral health. Making sure you’re eating a balanced, moderate, healthy diet means you’re getting an adequate supply of minerals, vitamins, and other nutrients to help maintain healthy teeth and gums.
• Can the high-sugar drinks: Beverages like soda, energy drinks, and fruit-flavored drinks contain a massive amount of sugar. If they’re sipped over a lengthy period of time or often throughout the day, your teeth are experiencing a near-constant acid bath.

At our Philadelphia dental office, we provide preventive care as well as cosmetic dentistry treatment. Schedule your first visit with Dr. Ken Cirka to determine what your oral health needs may be and what treatment is recommended for them.

These disorders are often called TMJ, but TMJ is actually the abbreviation for the temporomandibular joint, which connects the temporal bone of your skull and your lower jaw. Your dentist can worry about what these problems are called – the constant for you, undoubtedly, is pain, and you want it to go away.

Causes of TMD

TMD is incredibly inconvenient and painful, and can also cause issues with chewing and speaking. Causes of TMD include grinding or clenching your teeth, often caused by stress; rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis in the TMJ; and whiplash or a heavy blow causing injury to the head and neck muscles or TMJ.

TMD Symptoms

So many people live with TMD for so long that the symptoms of this issue often go untreated because they’ve just learned to live with the side effects. But there are a great number of common symptoms for TMD that your body could be exhibiting, including:

• Headaches
• Earaches, hearing problems, or ringing in the ears
• Jaws that “get stuck” or “lock”
• Aches or sore muscles in the face, neck, or shoulders, especially when you open your mouth wide, chew, or speak
• Difficulty opening your mouth wide
• Clicking, popping, or grinding sounds in the jaw when you open or close your mouth
• An uncomfortable bite, as though your upper and lower teeth do not fit together properly
• Difficulty chewing
• Toothaches
• Dizziness
• Facial swelling

TMD symptoms may also be sporadic. This affliction is common among people between the ages of 20 and 40, and is known to more often affect women than men.

Solutions for Jaw Pain and Headaches

It’s important to keep in mind that some of the symptoms listed above can also be signs of other health problems such as gum disease or toothaches. Your dentist will properly examine your jaw and determine what type of treatment may be necessary to resolve your TMD or other jaw issues.

At our Philadelphia dental office, we often help patients who suffer with jaw pain and headaches by providing them with an NTI tension suppression system that reduces the force of teeth clenching while sleeping. Schedule your first visit with Dr. Ken Cirka so he can identify the measures that need to be taken in order to relieve you of your pain and help prevent any other oral health issues from developing.

What Is Gum Disease?

An inflammatory condition, gum disease affects the tissues surrounding your teeth and is caused by plaque that has accumulated around the teeth and gums. The bacteria in the plaque can irritate and inflame the gums, sometimes causing bleeding.

Gingivitis is usually the first stage and presents itself through gum swelling and bleeding. Periodontitis – bone loss – follows, but not all gingivitis progresses to periodontitis.

Causes of Gum Disease

There are many possible causes of gum disease, including hormonal changes like pregnancy or menopause, smoking, medications that cause dry mouth, or illnesses such as cancer or diabetes. However, plaque still remains the main cause of gum disease. Poor oral hygiene and neglecting to brush and floss regularly are certainly factors that can lead to gum disease.

About 30 percent of people are genetically susceptible to gum disease; they are simply unlucky enough to belong to a family that has notoriously bad gums, which means the chances of developing gingivitis and periodontitis are higher. Age can also increase your chances of developing gum disease. While gum inflammation is relatively common, not all people who suffer with gum inflammation will develop periodontitis.

Preventing Gum Disease

Gum disease is preventable. Keeping up with preventive care to ensure that bacteria and plaque are being professionally and thoroughly removed from your teeth is one key to maintaining good oral health.

While it’s possible for gum disease to progress painlessly and without obvious signs, it’s important to be aware of the typical symptoms of gum disease that may point to some form of the condition: bleeding gums; swollen, red, or tender gums; bad breath; receding gums; loose teeth; deep pockets between teeth and gums; an itchy feeling in the gums; and dark triangles or spaces between teeth.

Be Courageous About Your Oral Health

Unfortunately, many people neglect their oral health to the point where the pain and discomfort are so bad it’s affecting their overall well-being and daily life. Many people stay away from the dentist out of embarrassment or even fear. Know this: There’s nothing we haven’t see already at our Philadelphia dental office, and it is our job to take care of your oral health, no matter what condition it’s in.

We aim for prevention and diagnosis when it comes to gum disease, and we treat your condition thoroughly over several visits and a series of follow-up visits. At that point, we can evaluate the condition of your smile and determine what type of cosmetic dentistry might be necessary. Contact Dr. Ken Cirka today to schedule your free first visit.

Are Dental Implants Noticeable?

Dental implants have made it possible for people to have missing teeth replaced without worrying about the stability of their smile – in other words, there won’t be any dentures or bridges flying out of place and making your dental work known. Dental implants are designed to fuse with bone so that they become a permanent part of your smile.

Dental implants are anchored in the jawbone with a small man-made “root.” The teeth that are eventually attached to the implants are customized to match your other teeth in shade and shape so that your smile looks and feels natural.

Why Should I Get Dental Implants?

Dental implants of course enhance your appearance and their durability means they can potentially last a lifetime with proper care. Ask anyone who has ever worn dentures about the difficulties they have encountered and the following perks of dental implants will seem even more significant:

• Implants are comfortable and eliminate the discomfort of removable dentures.
• Dental implants function like your own teeth, unlike dentures which can slide and make chewing difficult.
• The inconvenience and embarrassment of removing and cleaning dentures, as well as having to deal with messy adhesives, are eliminated.
• Poor-fitting dentures can slip around the mouth, causing a person to mumble or slur their words.

People with missing teeth and other oral health issues often suffer from poor self-esteem. But a secure smile goes a long way toward markedly improving a person’s quality of life and self-confidence. Dental implants are also givers, not takers – they don’t require any alteration of neighboring teeth in order to work, like tooth-supported bridges. Actually, dental implants better support your bone and jaw for a healthier smile. More of your teeth are left intact which improves your long-term oral health and makes your smile easier to maintain.

How Do I Know If I Am a Candidate for Dental Implants?

If you have missing teeth or even just one missing tooth, you can be considered for dental implants. You don’t need to be of a certain age in order to be eligible for dental implants. Only your dentist can tell you for certain whether or not dental implants are the best solution for your smile.

Contact Dr. Ken Cirka at his Philadelphia dental office to learn more about dental implants and schedule your consultation.