Existing Medical Conditions. In the majority of cases, an existing condition won’t keep you from getting an implant. This being said, certain chronic conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes should be discussed with your dentist and surgeon.

Gum Disease. To ensure a successful procedure, it’s important that you have healthy, disease-free gum tissues.

Smoking. Smoking lowers, but does not eliminate, your chances of having a successful dental implant procedure.

Bone Loss. Because implants are secured to the jaw bone, it’s important that you have enough bone to support an implant. It’s normal for people with missing teeth to experience bone loss. Bone grafting and regeneration techniques can help replace missing bone and prepare your jaw for an implant.

If you think you may be a good candidate for dental implants, contact Greenspoint Dental today to set up an appointment with Dr. Bossé.

The post Who Are Good Candidates for Dental Implants? appeared first on Greenspoint Dental.

During the Zoom! procedure, a member of our team will apply a gel to the surface of your teeth and then use a special light to activate the gel’s whitening potential. You should be able to tell a difference in your smile immediately after treatment.

While some patients have reported mild sensitivity after the procedure, any pain usually subsides after a few days and can be relieved with over-the-counter pain medications such as ibuprofen. Zoom! Teeth Whitening has not been known to cause any permanent harm to the tooth surfaces.

If you’re looking into at-home whitening remedies, it’s important to consult with your dentist first. Using a whitening product incorrectly or too often can cause significant tooth pain and may even damage the tooth root. Get your dentist’s advice before trying out any store-bought whitening treatment.

Whitening treatments won’t always give the same results and depend largely on the condition of your teeth. To find out if Zoom! Teeth Whitening is right for you, contact Greenspoint Dental today and ask to set up an appointment with Dr. Bossé.

The post Will Zoom! Whitening Hurt My Teeth? appeared first on Greenspoint Dental.

According to the ADA, reusing floss can have three potential problems. In addition to a general ickiness factor, old floss may:

1. Fray and unravel
2. Lose its effectiveness
3. Distribute bacteria to your mouth.

While none of these problems pose any serious threat to your oral health, if you’re going to take the time to floss, you might as well do it right. Please discard your floss after use.

By cleaning out hard-to-reach spaces between teeth, flossing once a day significantly decreases your chances of developing gum disease and tooth decay. There is no right or wrong time of the day to floss, as long as you’re doing a good job of it. Flossing right before you brush your teeth, however, may help the fluoride in your toothpaste reach between your teeth.

To learn more about proper flossing techniques or to schedule a professional dental cleaning, contact Greenspoint Dental today.  We look forward to seeing you soon!

The post Is It Bad to Reuse Floss? appeared first on Greenspoint Dental.

In general, it’s best to avoid whitening your teeth after you’ve gotten veneers. A veneer is made to match the color of your teeth at the time it is placed. If you whiten the rest of your teeth after getting a veneer, it may seem off-color and unnatural.

That’s why it’s recommended that you achieve a uniform shade of white before you get veneers. If you’re dissatisfied with the current look of your teeth, consider scheduling a Zoom! Teeth Whitening appointment at Greenspoint Dental today.

Veneers are great investments in your appearance and self-confidence. Veneers can be used to fix chipped and cracked teeth. They can also hide misaligned and crooked teeth, and unsightly gaps between teeth. Veneers are durable and don’t require any additional care after they’re in place. Moreover, they can be applied in as little as three, easy appointments.

To learn more about veneers and the veneers procedure, schedule an appointment with Dr. Bossé today.

The post Should You Whiten Your Teeth After Getting Veneers? appeared first on Greenspoint Dental.

A dental sealant is a clear, plastic coating applied to the surface of your tooth.  The sealant material serves as a barrier between your tooth enamel and the harmful bacteria in your mouth.

Sealants are applied in quick and easy appointments. First your dentist will thoroughly clean the surfaces of the teeth that are going to be sealed. Then an acid solution is applied to the chewing surfaces of the teeth. The solution roughens the teeth’s texture and helps in the sealant bonding process. Your dentist will then rinse and dry your teeth and paint on the sealant material. Sometimes a curing light is used to help the sealant harden.

Sealants can last for up to ten years though they need to be checked for chipping and wearing at regular dental appointments. Sealants are typically applied to the molars and premolars at the back of the mouth.  They are highly recommended for children (the age group most prone to cavities) but can also be a great option for adults too.

If you would like to learn more about dental sealants or need to schedule an appointment with Dr. Bossé, contact Greenspoint Dental today.

The post Why Would I Want Sealants? appeared first on Greenspoint Dental.

During the procedure your dentist will remove the infected or inflamed tissue and seal off the tooth. Afterwards the tooth may feel sensitive and sore for a few days. Usually any pain can be treated with an over-the-counter pain medication such as Advil or Aleve. You may also try eating soft foods for the first day or so. Get as much rest as possible, as this usually assists in the healing process.

In some cases, your dentist may choose to seal off the tooth temporarily and ask you come in a few days later for a permanent filling or crown. Avoid chewing with a tooth that has a temporary filling, as applying too much pressure may cause the filling to chip or break off.

After a root canal, you should continue to practice proper oral hygiene. This means brushing two minutes a day, twice a day, and flossing daily.

To learn more about root canal procedures or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Bossé, contact Greenspoint Dental today.

The post Root Canal Recovery Tips appeared first on Greenspoint Dental.

The primary culprit behind gum recession is periodontal disease (gum disease) which destroys gum and bone tissue and can lead to tooth loss. While there are many factors that contribute to gum disease, inadequate personal dental care is the most common.

Treatments for receding gums begin at home with proper oral hygiene habits including brushing twice a day for two minutes and flossing at least once. For mild gum recession, your dentist may decide to perform a deep cleaning known as tooth scaling and root planning. During the procedure, plaque on the teeth and beneath the gum line will be removed. The exposed root area will also be smoothed to make it difficult for bacteria to attach itself in the future.

Sometimes, however, severe gum recession may require a surgical procedure performed by your dentist, a periodontist or an oral surgeon.

• Pocket Surgery Reduction. During this procedure, the dentist will clean out the pockets that have formed between your teeth and gums then firmly reattach the gums to the tooth surface.
• Bone Tissue Regeneration. If bone structure has been lost due to gum recession, you may need to have a bone graft or membrane applied to the affected area to encourage bone tissue regeneration.
• Gum Tissue Graft. Similar to a bone graft, your dentist can take tissue from one area of your mouth and use it to replace damaged or missing gum tissue.

To learn more about gum recession treatments or to set up an appointment with Dr. Bossé, contact Greenspoint Dental today.

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The internet is saturated with sites and groups opposing fluoride in community water systems. Most tell a similar story, claiming that fluoridation causes untold number of health problems—everything from AIDS to heart disease. The more outrageous sites will lead you to believe that fluoride is a form of mind control which makes the citizenry more accepting of government takeover (No, we aren’t making this up).

For intelligent and scientifically founded information about fluoridation, check out the Fluoride and Fluoridation page on the American Dental Association’s website.

Every day the enamel layer of your teeth comes under attack by plaque and other harmful bacteria. The acids generated by these bacteria demineralize your teeth and can lead to tooth decay. Minerals such as fluoride, calcium and phosphate are redeposited to your teeth by what you eat and drink. Water fluoridation helps with this remineralization process and is one of the most effective public health initiatives of the 20^th century.

Water fluoridation is supported and advocated by the American Dental Association, the Texas Dental Association, the American Medical Association, the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

If you have any questions about the safety of fluoridated water or need to schedule a dental appointment, contact Greenspoint Dental today.

The post Is There a Controversy About Fluoridating Water? appeared first on Greenspoint Dental.

Diabetes. It’s fairly well-established that periodontitis (gum disease) can complicate diabetes by making it harder to keep blood sugar under control. The inflammation that comes with periodontitis actually impairs the body’s ability to utilize insulin—the key hormone that converts sugar into energy.

Heart Disease. Gum disease has also been linked to the development of heart disease. Up to 91 percent of patients with heart disease also had periodontitis. Though the two share several risk factors, it’s also suspected that periodontitis raises your risk for heart disease on its own by causing inflammation in the blood vessels. The inflamed vessels can lead to heart attack, high blood pressure and even stroke.

Pregnancy. In general, infection and inflammation tend to interfere with a fetus’ development in the womb. While men struggle the most with periodontitis, hormonal changes during pregnancy can increase a woman’s risk of developing gum disease. The inflammation associated with periodontitis could lead to a variety of pregnancy complications.

Osteoporosis. Gum disease may also be linked to osteoporosis, which causes bone loss in the arms and legs. Though the link has not been well established, it is thought that inflammation triggered by periodontitis could weaken bone in other parts of the body.

So what does all this mean for you? The bottom line for patients is that preventing gum disease and tooth decay isn’t just a dental issue anymore—it’s tantamount to taking care of your overall health. If you would like to schedule a dental exam with Dr. Bossé, contact Greenspoint Dental today.

The post How Does My Oral Health Affect My Whole Body? appeared first on Greenspoint Dental.

HSV is typically spread by sharing eating utensils or razors, or kissing an infected person. An estimated 90 percent of adults worldwide test positive for HSV even if they haven’t shown any symptoms.

Cold sores naturally disappear within two weeks.  However, if your cold sore is particularly painful or irritating, you may want to visit your doctor who will be able to prescribe medications to speed healing and alleviate discomfort.

While there is no sure way to prevent future cold sores, there are a few things you can do to help reduce your number of outbreaks.

• Watch Your Health. Cold sores are often triggered by stress, fatigue, colds and the flu.
• Use lip balm and sunscreen. Too much sunlight can also trigger cold sores.
• Avoid spreading the virus. If you do develop a cold sore, wash your hands often and don’t touch the sore, as you may spread the virus to other parts of your body.

To learn more about cold sore prevention and cold sore treatments, contact Greenspoint Dental today.

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