Prevent Tooth Decay!

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As soon as your child’s first tooth appears, they are at risk for tooth decay. Most areas affected by early childhood tooth decay are your upper front teeth but all teeth can be affected. Dont panic though – most tooth decay can be prevented!

-Begin cleaning your child’s teeth as soon as their first tooth grows in.
-Brush your child’s teeth twice a day (morning and night).
-As soon as your child has two teeth touching, you should begin flossing.
-Eat a well balanced diet! Limit starchy or sugary foods.

When your child is old enough to start brushing his or her own teeth, make sure they are doing it often, and correctly. Monitor that they are using the right toothbrush, and the right amount of toothpaste.

Be cautious, if you see a tooth that is becoming discolored, bring your child to their dentist to get it checked out. You do not want to let tooth decay go untreated because it will only get worse. If caught early on, it can help to prevent the need for crowns and dental restoration.

 

Replacing Old Crowns

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A crown is a tooth-shaped cover that is placed over a damaged or decayed tooth. Crowns are placed when a filling only can no longer repair the tooth. A crown is placed over a tooth to restore its size, shape, strength and appearance. When a permanent crown is placed, it covers the entire visible portion of the tooth.

There are multiple reasons a dental crown is needed. The most common of those being to protect a weak tooth from further decay, to restore a broken tooth, to cover misshaped or discolored teeth, and to hold a dental bridge or implant in place.

There are many different types of permanent crowns you can choose from. Crowns can be made from stainless steel, gold or another type of alloy metal, porcelain-fused-to-metal, all resin, ceramic, or e-max.

E-max crowns, which are made of a lithium ceramic, are tough and durable. Ceramic crowns made from e-max or zirconia are the most common type of crowns we use. When you attend your consolation, Dr. Hemmert can recommend which type of crown will be the best for you and your situation.

Crowns usually last around 7 years, but each case is unique and some crowns can last over 20 years! The longevity of your crown to last depends on the wear and tear that it is exposed to. Maintaining good oral hygiene will help your crown last longer. A crown will need to be replaced if it becomes loose, falls off, or if it is chipped. In some cases, crowns made of porcelain will chip and if that chip is extensive to the point beyond repair, it will need to be replaced.

With age, the cement that is used to fuse the crown to the tooth is dissolved by saliva. Sometimes the base of the crown leaks and decay can occur under the crown which could impact the root of the tooth.

After years of wear porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns shift and the metal at the gumline becomes visable. This can be easily fixed with a new crown, improving the function and appearance of your smile.

If your crown is chipped, loose, has fallen out, or has shifted and is now showing in your mouth contact us at The Center of Dental Professionals! Call us today at 801-747-8015 to schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Jared Hemmert.

 

Maximize your dental benefits!

 

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Its nearing the end of the year, which means now is the time to maximize your dental benefits before they are gone!

Most insurances do not allow you to roll-over your unused benefits to the next year. They are on a traditional yearly calendar and patient benefits renew on January 1st. Any insurance benefits not used by then will get forfeited and you will be unable to use them.

Why should you maximize your dental benefits?

  1. Use ‘em or lose ‘em. Maximize your yearly allotted amount, if you don’t use them before the end of the year then you lose them.
  2. Think of your deductible. Most patients pay their deductible and then never go back for a follow up which means their earned benefits go unused.
  3. You pay for this service, so make it count. You pay for your dental insurance, so use it instead of giving the insurance company your money and getting nothing in return.

Get your money’s worth and keep your gums and teeth healthy! By delaying dental appointments and treatments you are risking it will be more costly and extensive treatments. When your gums and teeth are healthy, you boost your overall health.

If you have any dental work you have been putting off, now is the time to come and see us! Call us at 801-747-8016 to schedule your consultation for treatment today! Hurry before time runs out!

Is Arthritis Preventing You From a Healthy Smile?

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Is Arthritis Preventing You From a Healthy Smile?

By David L. Steed

As we all get older, maintaining proper care of our teeth can seem like a daunting task. Prescription medications and health conditions like arthritis that severely limit mobility in the hands and fingers can quickly deteriorate a healthy mouth. The circumstances of aging don’t have to be detrimental to your health. With the help of a proper Dental Provider, like the Center of Dental Professionals, you can continue to experience a beautiful smile.

The number one recommended practice for adults to maintain a healthy mouth is brushing teeth twice a day and flossing once per day to prevent oral health problems. These problems may include debilitating conditions like gum disease, root decay, tooth loss, dry mouth as well as a variety of other periodontal diseases. When proper tooth care is combined with regular visits to the dentist (every six months) people feel healthier and many individuals are able to sustain longer lives.

In 2008, a combined study by the American Dental Association and Crest/Oral-B found that most American adults believed that regular brushing techniques and visiting the dentist often were the key to proper mouth care. Of those individuals, 25% self-reported not having visited a dentist in the past year and an additional 54% only visited the dentist once.

It is because of this data that The Center of Dental Professionals urge all patients to visit the dentist regularly. With the help of a family dentist that you trust, most oral diseases are highly preventable or at the very least treatable with specialized care. Many healthcare providers are sensitive to the needs of their elderly patients and can make suggestions during consultation to meet individual circumstances. Other ailments such as arthritis, cancer treatments, and prescription medications should be discussed with your dentist to help them suggest alternative treatments to prevent bone loss or tooth decay.

At The Center of Dental Professionals we know that healthcare is a highly individual experience. Our amazing team of dentists, hygienists, and administrative staff want to find ways to help you maintain a healthy lifestyle for years to come. Please visit any of our office locations to discuss any concerns you might have about your oral health in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Massive Fire Nearly Destroys Dental Office

Massive Fire Nearly Destroys Dental Office

David L. Steed

One year ago, a massive 4-alarm fire erupted in downtown Salt Lake City, Utah. The fire was set by an electrician working on the construction site adjacent to The Center of Dental Professional’s downtown offices at around 6pm. Salt Lake City fire fighters responded to several calls from neighbors and set up a defensive perimeter around the burning building to keep other businesses and homes safe from harm.

The fire continued to burn for several hours as emergency crews battled the blaze. Temperatures became so intense that a construction crane overlooking the inferno collapsed into the building remains. With several onlookers taking pictures and video, the fire was safely contained with very little damage done to surrounding structures.

One year later The Center of Dental Professionals is still doing business. Thanks to the heroic efforts of the Salt Lake City Fire Department, the dental offices suffered very little damage and caused our staff to only miss a single day of office appointments.

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To see additional images of the fire visit Fox 13 News.

Please visit The Center of Dental Professionals in Salt Lake City, Utah.

 

 

 

5 Healthy Foods for Valentines Day

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5 Healthy Foods for Valentines Day

David L. Steed

It’s that time of year again. Valentines Day is just around the corner. Every year we remember (hopefully) to get our significant other candy presents and heart felt gifts. This year The Center of Dental Professionals and A Kids Place Dentistry wants you to show your teeth “the love.” Milk chocolate and candy hearts can be harsh on your pearly whites. That is why we are suggesting you try out some of these romantic food ideas from our Pinterest page.

Image Source: Spend with Pennies.com
Image Source: Spend with Pennies.com

1. Strawberry Roses: These cut strawberries make the perfect culinary snack. The rose pattern is fairly easy to make and your friends and family will think you are quite the gourmet chef.

Image Source: Snapguide.com
Image Source: Snapguide.com

2. Heart Shaped Carrots: Top your salad appetizer with some of these festive heart shaped carrots to really set the mood. Simple touches like these are easy to do and only require a little creativity (thanks Pinterest).

Image Source: blog.celebratethebigandsmall.com
Image Source: blog.celebratethebigandsmall.com

3. Heart Shaped Cheese Platter: This cheese plate is another great idea to host a party or treat as an appetizer before a long romantic meal. You can add hard meats like salami to the mix if it needs some variety.

Image Source: Ilovetocook.org
Image Source: Ilovetocook.org

4. Mozzarella Cheese Filled Hearts: These delicious cheese filled hearts are made with mozzarella and a roasted red pepper pesto. Yum!

Image Source: krokotak.com
Image Source: krokotak.com

5. Cupid’s Hot Dog Hearts: We know that hot dogs aren’t a staple of French cuisine, but having something fun for kids can make Valentines Day all the more special!

For more great ideas like this, please visit our Pinterest page or any of our other social media sites.

The Center of Dental Professionals and A Kids Place Dentistry want to encourage you to have a fun Valentines Day and remember to brush your teeth after enjoying any sweets this holiday. Visit any of our wonderful dentists at our 2 office locations in Salt Lake City, Utah for more information on oral health. To make an appointment call (801) 747-8018.

Proper Mouth Protection for Athletes

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Tonight is the arrival of the first ever College Football Playoff. The Heisman winner, Marcus Mariota and the Oregon Ducks will take on Urban Meyer and his Ohio State team. It will be an excellent match for the inaugural championship game.

While we hope that no players will be injured, it is important for athletes to take proper precautions to protect their bodies. This includes things like helmets, pads, braces and other appropriate attire for the grueling physical nature of sports like football. One thing that often gets overlooked by athletes is protection for their teeth. While a helmet can protect a football player’s mouth, it is important to remember when playing other contact sports like basketball and hockey to wear a properly fitted mouth guard. This can help prevent injuries such as chipped or broken teeth that may cost thousands of dollars to repair.

A simple mouth guard can be purchased for $5-$15 at a local sporting goods store and ready to use in just a couple of minutes. They can be a little awkward to use and make talking difficult, but will save time, money and pain. Your local dentist can recommend brands and sizes for your athletic needs. They can help instruct you on how to prepare a mouth guard before use and how to maintain it. Mouth guards can save teethe and help you maintain a healthy smile.

For More information about mouth guards and other ways to prevent oral health problems please visit The Center of Dental Professionals in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Go back to school with a healthy smile!

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Do you have shiny white teeth for the school year?

Whether you go to school or not, having healthy teeth is important. But for students both young and old, school is a very social place and having a nice smile can make a big difference in the confidence and ability to excel.

As the 2014 to 2015 school year kicks off, what better time is there to come in for a check-up and to make sure you won’t have any dental problems as you focus on learning. After all, it is much easier to schedule an appointment before your busy schedule starts, and there’s less of a chance that maintaining your oral health will fall between the cracks when the homework starts piling up.

So whether you are in 1st  grade, 12th grade, or college, call us and make an appointment today!

Ants on a Log… and other fruits and veggies made fun!

 Ladybugs on a Log 5

Hi, my name is Bryant. I’m 26 years old and… I hate celery. It’s too stringy, gets stuck in my teeth, and the taste is pretty forgettable.

Why does this matter? Well, my dear wife recently made me a plate of food which included something called “Ants on a log.” Yep, it was celery, but with a peanut butter filling and sweet raisins on top. It looked pretty much like, well, ants on a log and… I liked it! For some odd reason, my aversion to celery vanished and I ate every one of those ants and the logs they sat on.

Okay, so here is why that story is relevant: This month is Fresh Fruit and Veggie month, and it got me thinking how so many fruits and veggies can taste so good and still get overlooked, in favor of processed foods with loads of salt, sugar and fat poured into them. Take my apple, for example. My wife (bless her heart) packed it into my lunch today and it’s still sitting on my desk. It’s getting close to quitting time now, and I still haven’t taken a bite out that big, juicy looking orb. The pack of grasshopper cookies just a few feet away, however, has been visited by me at least a few times throughout the day. What gives?

The fact is that our brains are programmed to go after food with high fat, sugar, and salt content. Back in the Stone Age, things like that were hard to come by so the brain made them taste really, really good to let us know that we shouldn’t pass up on them. Well, our brains are still telling us that, and it’s hard not to listen. Maybe in a few million years, our brains will have adapted to the abundance of fat and flavor we have in the 21st century, but until then, we’ve got to find a way to balance our diets despite the appeal of that stuff.

Given the situation we are in, I wonder if things like Ants on a Log could help us achieve a more balanced diet. I know someone out there is probably thinking, “dude, peanut butter filled celery isn’t much better than a cookie.” I concede that point, but now that I’ve had the ants on a log, I might just be able to eat celery without the peanut butter or ants – oh, I mean raisin. Think of it as some kind of… gateway vegetable.

Now, celery itself doesn’t seem like the most nutrient rich vegetable or fruit that is out there, but if you take the same concept as Ants on a Log and apply it to other vegies and fruits, you might find something delightful and healthy. The ultimate goal, of course is to eat fruits and veggies just the way they are, but for kids and people like me who never learned to eat their veggies, maybe this could be a successful strategy. I wonder if some kind of mushroom treat could help me get over my fear of mushrooms (that would be the day).

This is also relevant because here at the Center of Dental Professionals we are interested in the health of our patients and community. Eating fresh fruits and vegetable is good not just for your overall health, but for your oral health as well.

So if you think the Ants on a Log strategy might work for you or your kids, I’ve searched far and wide across the endless expanse of the World Wide Web to gather up fun serving suggestion for fruits and vegetables. Here they are for your enjoyment:

Watermelon Whale

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Fishing With Celery

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Carrot Flower With Dip

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Melon Heartsicles

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Fruit Sushi

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Fruity Coral Snake

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Fruit Birthday Cake

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Melon Balls

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Fruit Kabobs

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Chocolate Covered Strawberries

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