cosmetic dentistry

Dental Exams 101

Everyone knows that regular dental appointments are important to dental health. It’s recommended that you visit your dentist every 6 months to stay up to date with your dental hygiene. At your first appointment at Philadelphia Dentistry you will receive a free dental exam along with free cavity detection x-rays. Here is what your dentist wants you to know during your dental exam. It’s important to know that you should change your toothbrush every 3 months. Most toothbrushes get worn out and have bacteria on them after 3 months of use. This is why it’s important to change your toothbrush … Read more

Exercise and How it Affects Your Dental Health

Exercise has numerous positive impacts on your health. It helps with stress relief, muscle strength, combating health conditions, and loads more. What many patients do not know is how exercising can affect their dental health. During intense exercise people will often be breathing through their mouths. Mouth breathing can dry out the mouth and reduce the flow of saliva. A dry mouth is an environment where bacteria will increase and grow. People that suffer from dry mouth are very much at risk for cavities and so heavy exercise can put them at higher risk for tooth decay. Another issue that those … Read more

Do I Need To Visit the Dentist While I am in Braces?

Many patients when starting orthodontics wonder why they need to continue seeing their general dentist for check-ups and cleanings regularly since they are seeing the orthodontist every month. Dr. Cirka and Dr. Meier stress to each and every patient that is seeing us or seeing the orthodontist for braces or for Invisalign that it is extremely important to continue with regular check-ups and cleanings. The most important reason to see the dentist regularly is so that the hygienist can remove the plaque and tartar that builds up. With orthodontic brackets and wires, there are loads more nooks and crannies where … Read more

Is Chocolate Bad for You and Your Teeth?

Patients will often ask Dr. Meier and Dr. Cirka, “Is chocolate bad for my teeth?” This question pops up even more often around the holiday seasons. Patients are many times surprised by the positive effects that chocolate will have on our health in general and the fact that it actually is a much better option for a sweet than sticky candies or sugary drinks. There are a lot of positives effects of chocolate on your health overall, especially when considering how eating chocolate releases endorphins. Endorphins are hormones specifically designed to help us feel good. Endorphins are released in times … Read more

Coffee Lovers and Stained Teeth: What Can I Do To Avoid the Stains?

Caffeine lovers that are avid coffee drinkers are well aware of how it contributes to stained teeth. Since the coffee is acidic it does not only stain, but it also is weakens the tooth enamel, making the teeth more prone to staining and cavities. Here are a few tips that we have to help you reduce the staining from coffee as well as decrease the damage being done to the enamel on your teeth: Drink Your Coffee, Don’t Sip it! It is proven that the longer you take to sip your coffee, the more likely you are to have staining. … Read more

Porcelain Dental Veneers: How to Get an Award Winning Smile

Porcelain dental veneers are an incredible tool in cosmetic dentistry. These ultra-thin, ultra-strong pieces of porcelain are shaped to fit over the top of your own teeth permanently and create a beautiful, natural looking smile that will change your life. Porcelain veneers work well when teeth are chipped, irregularly shaped, or discolored. Veneers can also work great with patients that have gaps in between their teeth. One of the most incredible parts of having veneers done is that they only take two visits. On the first visit the dentist will roughen the surface of your tooth, removing approximately one millimeter … Read more

5 Warning Signs of Problematic Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to erupt in the mouth. They are the last molars on the upper and lower teeth and usually erupt in late teen years or the early twenties. Since the wisdom teeth come in last, sometimes there is not enough room in the mouth to accommodate them. When there is not enough room it causes the wisdom teeth to become partially or fully impacted. Impacted wisdom teeth can cause major problems for patients. These issues may not necessarily show signs that you can see but they can definitely cause pain. Here are four indicators of … Read more

Dental Implants: A Permanent Smile Solution

Dental implants are an incredibly strong, stable, and long-lasting solution to replace missing teeth. The implants are “man-made” roots composed of primarily titanium, a biocompatible metal that fuses to your jaw bone. The implants do not become loose like dentures can. Implants can be used to replace a single tooth or many missing teeth. Depending on your situation the implant specialist and the dentist will work together to find the best solution for you. The health of the gums and bone are important considerations when determining if you are a candidate for dental implants. If the bone is not strong … Read more

HELP! I have a DENTAL EMERGENCY, What Do I Do?

Different scenarios call for different action in a dental emergency. It is important to see your dentist ASAP; however, we know that this is not always possible. Here are some tips to help you in the event you or a loved one is in a dental emergency and unable to get right into a dental office. TOOTHACHE Rinse your mouth vigorously with warm water Use floss to remove any food particles stuck between the teeth. If there happens to be swelling present then apply cold pressure on the outside of the cheek Do no place aspirin on the aching teeth … Read more

3 Quick Tips to Improve Your Dental Health

Invest in a Good Electric Toothbrush A good electric toothbrush will immediately improve your dental health. While at the store you will likely be able to tell which electric toothbrushes are superior. Look for brands “Sonicare” and “Oral-B” when in the dental aisle. They will cost more but they will do a much better job and last you longer. Your dentist may even have already slipped you a coupon for $10 off one of these at a recent check-up. The key to these is that they are guaranteed to improve your brushing and oral health. And they will do this … Read more