Philly Dentistry

Most people do not enjoy going to the dentist. Let’s be honest no one really likes going to the dentist, but it’s very important to maintain healthy teeth and gums for your life. By maintaining a healthy mouth you’re not just helping your oral health, but you’re helping your overall health too. Most people don’t realize the importance or good oral hygiene and how it affects the entire body. In this blog you’ll learn about the bacteria that lives in your mouth and can cause tooth decay.

Your mouth loves bacteria whether it’s fungi, viruses, or protozoa you have bacteria in your mouth and there’s nothing you can do about it. The human mouth is home to over 700 species of bacteria. Not all bacteria are bad for you though, some bacteria protect you from pathogens. These bacteria are called commensal bacteria and we don’t necessarily worry about them. You’re probably wondering how these bacteria protect us? Well, they live on your teeth and occupy the area where the pathogens would like to live, therefore protecting your teeth.

What we eat affects the bacteria in your mouth. When you consume a great amount of sugary foods your mouth environment changes and the protective bacteria loses the battle against the bad bacteria or pathogens. A highly acidic mouth environment favors pathogens that can tolerate acid. As plaque builds up in your mouth the saliva which normally neutralizes the acids cannot flow. This results in the beginning of the tooth decay process.

Brushing your teeth, physically removes plaque on your teeth. We need to do this regularly to prevent any build up of plaque. The thicker the plaque is the less access the saliva has to be able to neutralize the acid producing bacteria. This is why it’s so important to brush at least twice a day and floss once to prevent any build up of plaque. If it’s been some time for you since you’ve been to the dentist, give us a call today 215-568-6222 to schedule a free new patient consultation so you stay happy and healthy all 2020. Don’t forget to follow us on social media to stay up to date with our office.

Dental bonding is a very common cosmetic dentistry procedure that can make small and large changes to your smile. The best part about dental bonding is that it is typically completed in a single appointment. You can walk into Philly Dentistry and walk out a completely changed person with more confidence than you ever had. This cosmetic treatment involves reshaping and blending your teeth to give you a better natural looking smile. Dental bonding takes tooth colored materials that can be bonded to your teeth to change the shape, color and length.

The procedure for dental bonding is very simple. With little preparation you can restore your teeth to the smile you’ve always wanted. An acidic etching gel is applied to the tooth being treated to get the surface ready for the bonding of dental composite. This gel will open up microscopic tubules which creates the proper bonding to the natural tooth surface for the best results. After that a liquid conditioning agent is applied to the tooth which will wet the surface and smooths the bonding. One of our great dentists will then choose the proper shade of dental composite to match the tooth being worked on and also the surrounding teeth so it looks like your natural smile.

The dental composite is then formed and shaped so that it will fit into the area and act and function like a normal tooth. Multiple layers of dental composite are applied so it can be stronger just like your natural tooth. We then use a special UV light and hold it over the dental composite. This light will harden and cure the dental composite. Each layer of the dental composite will be cured within seconds of the light hitting it. After the material hardens our dentist will adjust any material to remove any excess so they can polish your teeth. This makes sure that your bite is correct. The final shaping and polishing are one of the most important parts of the process because it’s important to blend the composite resin properly to get the best results that looks and feels natural for the patient.

You may be asking now, what can dental bonding do for me? Dental bonding is popular for anyone with tooth decay. It also repairs any cracks or chips in the teeth. It can close gaps in between teeth which is typically the most popular reason in our office. Cover up any stains or discolorations, cover exposed roots which will decrease any tooth sensitivity and finally it can change the length or shape of your teeth to give you a better-looking smile.

If you’re not happy with your smile, whether it be because of gaps, chips, discoloration, etc. then give us a call at 215-568-6222 for a free new patient consultation and let our experienced doctors tell you what they think the best treatment is for your specific smile. Email us at info@phillydentistry.com or follow us on Instagram and Facebook to stay up to date with all our recent office news.

Veneers are a very common dental procedure that can fix just about any dental problem you’re having. They are used to enhance someone’s smile so they are more confident with their appearance and of course so that they are healthy. If you have any dental problems such as, discoloration, fractures, chips, alignment issues and the list goes on you should continue reading this.

What are porcelain veneers? They are a thin layer of porcelain shaped tooth that is extremely strong and can last up to 20 years. Our trusted labs can create custom-made porcelain veneers to match your specific smile so that your veneers look and feel natural.

At Philadelphia Dentistry it takes only two appointments with us to change your smile and confidence completely. Our dentist will clean the tooth and determine the correct shade color for the veneer or veneers. Our dentist will then remove a very small amount of the enamel of the tooth so there is room to place the veneer on the tooth. After this an impression of the tooth will be made from our amazing laboratory and we will then place a temporary veneer on the tooth or teeth until the actual veneers are back from the lab. After we receive your custom-made veneers from the lab one of our dentists will remove the temporary veneers. The teeth are then cleaned with pumice and water. After that, the veneer is etched, rinsed thoroughly with water and air dried. Next, adhesive is placed on the preparation and then the cement and veneers are placed for exact fit and contour. Once that happens, a special light is cured for 60 seconds on all the surfaces so it attaches to the tooth structure. Finally, your dentist will make sure everything is perfect for you by removing any excess material and polish the margins of the veneers. We usually will schedule a follow up visit after this to check for comfort because a comfortable veneer is a lifelong veneer.

Taking care of your veneers are just like taking care of your natural teeth. So, make sure you are brushing twice a day and flossing once a day. It’s very important to see your dentist every 6 months for your regular cleanings and check-up to make sure that everything is healthy. By doing this you are ensuring that your veneers will last a very long time. Keep in mind that veneers will need to be replaced at some point in your life, no matter how well you take care of them. But with the proper oral care you will make sure that they last the maximum amount.

If you are considering porcelain veneers and you are not sure if they’re the right option for you then give us a call at 215-568-6222. We’ll give you a free new patient consultation and one of our amazing doctors will evaluate your smile to let you know what they think the best option is specially for you. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date with all the latest Philly Dentistry news.

Electric cigarettes and vaping have been all over the news recently because of their harmful affects on the body, but are they terrible for your dental health as well? This topic is all over the news today because everyone thought that e-cigarettes and vaping were the much safer alternative to smoking traditional tobacco products. Instead of inhaling all the dangerous chemicals that are known to be associated with tobacco products, vaping and e-cigs were thought to have cut illness risks since they didn’t have all the same chemicals.

As of 10/08/2019 there have been nearly 1,299 lung injury cases associated with the use of e-cigs and vaping products across the United States and from those cases there have been 26 confirmed deaths associated with these products. There is current research going on now at the University of Rochester Medical Center connecting vaping and damaged gum tissue. These researchers suggested that e-cigarettes and vaping are “equally damaging to the gums and teeth as conventional cigarettes.” If you’re not ready to quit yet here are a few ways to help you better your oral health. Doctors understand that going cold turkey isn’t always as easy as it seems, but there are several different things you can do to at least minimize your current use of vaping or using e-cigarettes.

1. Monitoring your oral health. This will require you check for any signs of irritation or damage to your gums, teeth and the surrounding tissues. Some signs to look for are receding gumlines or your gums are bleeding. Some other signs can include loose teeth and bad breath.

2. Reduce your use. If you can’t just stop and go cold turkey then consider slowly decreasing your use. If you are using your e-cig or vape many times a day, try cutting it back to only two or three times. Once you’ve accomplished that, do the same thing and cut it in half to only one or two times and then finally you can put it away for good.

3. Visiting your dentist for regular cleanings and checkups. This will ensure and help monitor your oral health. There is only so much you can do from home, so seeing your dentist regularly will make sure that there were no serious affects caused from vaping. The most important thing is to be honest with your dentist so they know and can give you advice for any potential issues that can come later on from using your e-cig or vape.

If you haven’t been to the dentist in awhile and are afraid you may be experiencing some issue from smoking e-cigarettes, vape pens or regular tobacco cigarettes then it’s time to give Philly Dentistry a call at 215-568-6222. We will take care of all your dental needs in the comfort of our Center City, Philadelphia location. Don’t forget to follow us on social media to stay up to date with all the latest news in our office. Thanks for reading.

Invisalign is the newest way of straightening your teeth without the hassle of metal braces and brackets. Invisalign on average takes less time than the old fashion braces and it costs less money as well. One of the best things about Invisalign is that they are removable retainers that you can hardly notice. When you decide to do Invisalign you are making a commitment because you will be wearing your clear aligners for the recommended time of 22 hours a day. It takes some getting used to, but is well worth it in the end. Here are 4 tips to help you with your first week of Invisalign.

1. Treat your discomfort. When you wear your clear aligners at first, they can cause some discomfort. Your clear aligners are forcing your teeth into their ideal position. By doing this you may experience some pain in your teeth and jaw area. We recommend some chewing exercises a few times a day and every time you put your trays back in. This can help pain relief by acting as a massage effect for your gums, stimulating nutrient-rich blood flow to your mouth. The blood flow acts as a natural pain reliever.

2. Protect your tongue. The plastic edges of your aligners may aggravate you at first. Tongue sores are common in the early stages of your transformation. A great tip is to learn how to use dental wax to cover up any sharp edges or rough spots. Take a small pinch of wax, roll it up and place it on the area that is giving you problems. If it is still bothering you ask your dentist and they will be happy to help you get out of any discomfort.

3. Keep track of your daily wear time. It can be tough at first to adjust to your new lifestyle with your Invisalign trays, but it’s important to know how long you’re wearing your trays. You can extend your treatment if you don’t follow the dentists recommended time of wearing your trays 22 hours a day.

4. Keep your trays clean and clear. It’s easy to cheat when you’re in Invisalign. You can be drinking that coffee or enjoying a glass of white wine with your trays in. It isn’t the worst thing you can do, but if you make it a habit you can stain your teeth. When you notice your trays are getting a little funky looking you should clean them by lightly brushing them with your toothbrush or soaking them in water.

The most important thing with Invisalign is sticking to a routine. Use these tips when you start your Invisalign journey and then find what works best for your routine and stick with it until your treatment is finished. Good habits are crucial when relieving any Invisalign discomfort and achieving your perfect smile. If you are not happy with your smile and you think Invisalign can be the answer, give us a call at 215-568-6222 and we will be happy to give you a free new patient consultation to see if Invisalign is the best option for you. While you’re here we will even do a free iTero Invisalign scan so you can see what your teeth will look like after Invisalign, before you even start the process! Also take advantage of our January monthly special, free Apple AirPods and free teeth whitening with your purchase of Invisalign! It’s the start of a new year which means new beginnings so, get that smile you always wanted with Invisalign.