“Will it hurt?” “How long will it take?” “What should I expect when getting a filling?” These are all questions we typically get asked before filling a cavity for a patient. And while they’re great questions, there’s one we wish we’d get to answer more and it’s, “Will the filling last forever?” So all of us our Asheboro dental office figured we’d ask it and answer it all in one place for everyone.

Dental fillings are a great way to keep your natural teeth healthy by closing in and protecting any decay that may have occurred. There are several types of fillings that are made out of different materials. It’s these materials that determine how long your cavity filling should last. And unfortunately, no, it’s not forever.

White Fillings

More commonly becoming the preferred treatment for cavities, white fillings, also known as tooth-colored or composite fillings, are a great way to make your restorations virtually invisible. Your dentist in Asheboro will closely match the filling material to neighboring teeth, making it look like there’s nothing there but a healthy, natural tooth. On the downside, the expected lifespan of tooth-colored fillings is the lowest of all restoration options at about 7-10 years, depending on the location of the filling and your oral health habits. However, it’s still one of the most viable, trusted options for treating cavities.  

Silver Fillings

Silver or amalgam fillings are another option for treating a cavity. They do last longer than a tooth-colored one, usually about 10-15 years, but there are some aspects to them that many patients find unattractive. Not only can these restorations cause teeth to look gray, dingy, and discolored, they also usually require more of the undamaged tooth to be removed for application. What’s more, there has been a rise in concern about the mercury levels in amalgam fillings. If you’re worried about the mercury content or have questions about the safety of these fillings, ask our Asheboro dental office. We’ll be happy to help.

Gold Fillings

These fillings aren’t incredibly popular anymore, but they are still in use and a viable option. While cast gold fillings typically last 15 years or more, which is longer than any other filling discussed, the cost for them is typically higher than other options. There’s also the aesthetic concern with the obviousness of the gold color.

If you think you may have a cavity, don’t wait to get it checked out. Any treatment is better than no treatment, and can actually save your tooth. Don’t have a dentist? Give our dental office in Asheboro a call today!

Welcoming patients from Asheboro, Randolph County, Randleman.

Easter is a holiday when we tend to overload on sugary sweets and ranks second among all holidays in total candy consumption, falling only to Halloween. In fact, Americans buy over 120 million pounds of candy each and every Easter. At our Asheboro dental office we want our patients to know that not all candy is bad for grins. But which ones should you eat and which should be avoided?

Eat: Hollow Chocolates

Hollow chocolates cut calories and limit sugar so you can indulge in chocolaty goodness while keeping your teeth, and your waistline, in tip-top shape. It doesn’t get much better than that! Whether it’s molded into a bunny, duck, or egg, hollow chocolate and its lower sugar content decreases the chance for dental decay. Want to make it even better? Use dark chocolate instead of milk. Dark chocolate has antioxidants which are good for the whole body.

Avoid: Gooey, Chewy, Sticky Stuff

Whether it’s gummies, caramels, or taffy, sticky sweets are some of the worst for teeth. They’re packed with sugar, and since they take longer to chew, teeth end up coated in it. What’s worse is the tacky texture allows tiny pieces to get wedged in crevices, and they’re hard to get out. The more sugar left on teeth, the higher chance of cavities.

Eat: Sugar-Free Snacks

This one is pretty self-explanatory. We know that sugar is the bad part of candy, so if you eat treats without the sugar, the better off you are. There are tons of delicious sugar-free options to choose from so you can still enjoy candy and keep your teeth healthy.

Avoid: Hard Candies

Hard candies like lollipops typically require a longer time to eat, leaving teeth exposed to sugar the entire time. The longer candy is in the mouth, the more likely it is to cause damage. Bacteria in the mouth feed on sugar and produce enamel-eroding acid in the process. It’s this acid that puts teeth at risk for decay and cavities. The texture of these candies also doesn’t help. They’re hard to chew and could result in a chipped or cracked tooth.

Following these tips can go a long way in keeping cavities away, but it’s still important to visit our Asheboro dental office regularly. Exams at least every six months help catch any potential problems before they become big issues. Schedule your appointment today!

Serving patients from Asheboro, Randolph County, and Randleman.

Vitamins and minerals are essential for a healthy body. But did you know that some are more important for your dental health than others? At our Asheboro dental office, we want to make sure all of our patients know which vitamins and minerals are needed to ensure healthy gums and teeth.

• Vitamin A. This vitamin helps build a strong immune system, so it’s obvious why it’s important to whole-body health. When it comes to its importance in oral health, our focus is more on its ability to support saliva production. Saliva helps rid the mouth of bacteria and wash it away. Some foods rich in vitamin A include fish, egg yolks, and orange and yellow foods.

• B Vitamins. Found mostly in meat, poultry, and green vegetables, B vitamins help reduce inflammation. An adequate amount of B vitamins can aid in keeping canker sores away.

• Vitamin C. Also a immune system supporter, vitamin C keeps gums healthy. Not getting enough of it can lead to bleeding or inflammation of the gum tissue. Those who may be lacking vitamin C are at greater risk for developing gum disease. Eat broccoli, citrus fruits, and kale to get your dose.

• Calcium. Calcium helps build strong bones, including your jaw bone. Getting enough calcium can help keep teeth strong and sturdy. Some foods high in calcium are dairy products, cauliflower, and almonds.

• Vitamin D. Without vitamin D, all that calcium you’ve tried so hard to get won’t be absorbed, so make sure you’re getting both. Find it in milk or fortified cereals, or of course, soak it up with some sun rays.

Usually vitamins and minerals are received through the foods we eat, but sometimes we may just not be getting enough. Although we try our best to balance our diet and follow the food pyramid, sometimes life gets in the way of always eating a healthy meal. When this happens, taking a vitamin or mineral supplement may help. We encourage you to consult your physician before beginning any vitamin regimen.

Besides eating well and ensuring you’re getting all the necessary vitamins and minerals crucial for optimal oral health, maintaining regular dental checkups is also incredibly important. If it’s been awhile since you’ve been to a dentist, give our dental office in Asheboro a call to schedule an appointment today. We’ll be happy to see you!

Accepting patients from Asheboro, Randolph County, and Randleman.

You look across the room and notice someone. Your eyes meet. You smile. Suddenly it seems as if light and warmth has filled the room. At our dental office in Asheboro, we know that smiles really are great connectors and communicators, and they also make us more attractive and – bonus! – improve our health. We’d like to share that with you.

Smiling and Attraction

Researchers have discovered that people respond more positively smiling people. Try it for yourself on your way home: Smile and look people in the eye and see how they respond! When you smile, your face relaxes. Frown lines disappear. You may even be perceived as more reliable!

The truth is that much of our communication happens non verbally with the language of the face and the body. Standing straight, making eye contact, and smiling all give the appearance of confidence and health, something most people find endlessly attractive.

Smiling even activates the part of your brain that process sensory rewards. Every time you give or receive a smile, you feel as if you have been rewarded. What could be more attractive than that?

So even if you don’t have a perfect nose, even if you feel you could lose a few pounds, or even if you aren’t as young as you used to be, putting a smile on your face adds instant attraction.

Smiling and Health

Want to feel better fast? Just smile! Research shows that the simple act of smiling, whether you mean it or not, can help release endorphins, those “feel-good” hormones. Serotonin, a chemical that’s a natural stress-reducer, is also increased when you smile.  And of course, relaxed, healthy people always seem more attractive than someone who is uptight, angry, and sick – right?

Too embarrassed of your teeth to smile? Discover all the cosmetic dentistry options available at our dental office in Asheboro. There’s a smile-enhancing solution for everyone, and we’re here to help you get yours. Start smiling and start feeling better. Schedule an appointment today.

Serving patients from Asheboro, Randolph County, and Randleman.

Who doesn’t love kissing? It is a wonderful way to connect and show love to your special someone. Unfortunately, when bad breath is part of the scenario, the fun can just go away. Bad breath affects your confidence and your attractiveness.

Don’t let bad breath stand in the way of a kiss! Follow these simple tips and you will be ready to pucker up in no time!

• Keep it Clean

Dedicate at least two minutes morning and night to brushing your teeth, and another minute or so to flossing. Five or six minutes a day really isn’t much when you consider the benefits to your health – and your smooch. And don’t forget to schedule a professional cleaning at our dental office in Asheboro at least twice a year. It ensures that odor-causing plaque is cleared away and lets us keep an eye on your oral health.

• Brush and Scrape Your Tongue

Your tongue is a rugged terrain. Food particles and bacteria get caught between tastebuds and in cracks, and when they stay there, lead to some interesting odors. It is kind of like a miniature compost pile in your mouth! To most effectively clear it all away, buy yourself a tongue scraper. In the meantime, brush your tongue with your toothbrush.

• Add More Greens to Your Diet

Chlorophyll is nature’s deodorizer. That means the more chlorophyll there is in what you are chewing, the fresher your mouth will be. Leafy greens like chard, kale, collard, mustard, spinach, alfalfa, and sea vegetables are terrific sources. But the best breath fresheners in this category are parsley and basil. Not only do they freshen your breath, they help break down the sulfur compounds found in garlic and onions!

•   Stop Smoking

This one is pretty obvious. Smoking doesn’t just make your mouth smell like an ashtray, it can make all of you smell that way too. Plus it can dry out your mouth, which leads to long-term breath issues, and stain your teeth. Unappealing all the way!

•  Drink More Water

Pure and simple, water is one of your breath’s best friends. It rinses away food particles, moistens your mouth, and clears away bacteria. Plus, staying hydrated is good for your whole body, including your skin!

If you want your breath to be its fresh best for your loved one, give our dental office in Asheboro a call. We are here to keep you smiling – and kissing – all year long!

Serving patients from Asheboro, Randolph County, and Randleman.

Almost every job requires a bit of face-to-face interaction. And your smile is the first thing others notice about you. Unfortunately, this could inadvertently lead to a misconception of who you are and could affect your career. Everyone at our Asheboro dental office would like to talk a bit about the unfortunate truth about what your smile may be saying about you.  

It’s Not All About the Resume

When we apply for a jobs, we’d like to be taken seriously and let our resumes do the talking. However, no matter how good you look on paper, the reality is when you’re brought in for a face-to-face interview, the interviewee subconsciously makes judgements based on how you look. While this sounds incredibly shallow, it’s true.

Your Smile Says A Lot

Research has shown that nearly 75% of Americans trust those with a great smile over someone who wears expensive clothes or drives a luxury car. When we’re talking about a job, trust is one of the top qualities employers look for. Even more, about three quarters of all Americans believe an unattractive smile can negatively affect professional advancement.

What You Can Do

If you’ve been hiding your smile or have been embarrassed by how it looks, your dentist in Asheboro can help. There are tons of options that can transform your grin and boost your confidence, both personally and professionally. Smile enhancing treatments include:

• Tooth whitening to quickly and easily take a dull or discolored smile and make it bright, white, and dazzling.

• Veneers to fix minor imperfections like tooth shape, size, and color.

• Implants to replace a missing tooth or teeth. Since this option replaces the tooth and the roots, it’s a permanent way to get you back to smiling with confidence.

• Tooth-colored fillings designed to custom-match your teeth so they’re virtually undetectable compared to the other option of metal, amalgam fillings.  

No matter what your smile challenges are, there’s an appropriate mix of treatments that’s just right for you.

If you’re ready to take your smile to the next level, schedule an appointment at our dental office in Asheboro. We’ll work with you to determine what treatments are right for you so we’re able to give you the smile you deserve. Don’t put your grin, or your career, on hold. Call us today.

Serving patients from Asheboro, Randolph County, and Randleman.

This time every year, people begin making resolutions to eat better, lose weight, or quit smoking. These resolutions that pop up every year typically mean well, but the truth is, not even half are kept longer than six months. At our Asheboro dental office, we want you to resolve to make small changes for a healthier smile, not just for the next six months, but for the rest of your life.

Resolve to… Brush and floss every day. We mean it. Every. Single. Day. Following an at-home oral health routine of brushing twice a day and flossing once is the best way to get, and keep, your smile healthy. Brush in the morning to rid your mouth of all the bacteria that piled up overnight. Brush before bed to remove the day’s lingering food particles and bacteria. And prior to one of those brushings, sling some floss around your fingers and get in between each and every tooth.

Resolve to… Drink water. And lots of it. Our bodies are about 60% water. We need it to function, yet many people don’t drink nearly enough. Make an effort to drink eight, 8-ounce glasses every day. Not only will it help your overall health, it will help remove bacteria from the mouth that, if left alone, could lead to disease, decay, and cavities.

Resolve to… Kick the habit. Whether it’s smokeless tobacco, cigars, or cigarettes, tobacco is tobacco, and all of it is bad for you. Along with a plethora of whole-health concerns, all forms of tobacco pose threats to your oral health, too. Those who use tobacco are at increased risk for oral cancer, tooth decay, yellowing of teeth, and gum disease.

Resolve to… Keep visits with your dentist in Asheboro.

Regular visits to the dentist are crucial for optimal oral health. Typically recommended every six months, sometimes more, dental check ups are used to monitor your oral health and catch any potential problems early. Most dental diseases can be treated successfully if caught early, so it’s important to never skip a visit.

Resolve to make 2016 the year you put yourself, and your smile, first. Give our dental office in Asheboro a call to schedule your appointment today. We’ll work together to determine the best way to get your smile healthy, bright, and beautiful. Go ahead, you deserve it.

Serving patients in Asheboro, Randolph County, and Randleman.

Everybody is thinking about their New Year’s resolutions – get in shape, read more, take more time with the family – but have you thought about adding your smile to that list? 2016 might be a great year to take better care of your smile: It could improve your health too!

Here are 4 great ways to improve your smile, your health, and your confidence!

• Keep your regularly scheduled dental appointments. Not only do those regular cleanings keep your teeth and gums clean and sparkly, it gives our dental office in Asheboro more opportunities to keep an eye on your oral health. That means we can catch problems earlier for much less expensive repairs and a longer-lasting smile.
• Be vigilant about your oral hygiene routine. Your smile doesn’t only allow you to talk and chew. It is connected to the rest of your body and is a direct link for bacteria from gum disease to enter your bloodstream. Because of this, periodontal (gum) disease has been linked to everything from heart attacks and cancers to low birth weight babies and tooth loss.
• Choose food and drink carefully. Avoid super sugary or acidic foods and drinks like sports drinks, sodas, or candy. Instead, choose foods and beverages that protect and support your enamel instead of eroding it. These include tea (especially green or white tea which won’t stain your teeth as much), coconut water, cheese, chicken or other lean meats, and nuts. Adding crunchy fruits and vegetables like celery, apples, or pears, is a great idea too. These foods stimulate the flow of saliva and lessen the effects of sugars . Plus they can clear away leftover food particles.  
• Consider treating your smile to some cosmetic or other elective dentistry. Many of our patients renew their smiles with porcelain veneers. Dental veneers are one of the best ways to perfect and balance your smile. They can repair chipped, broken, or worn teeth to their original size, beauty, and strength; whiten even the most stained teeth, straighten crooked, gapped, or overlapped teeth; enhance tooth size, shape, color, length, and width; even balance your bite. In other words, porcelain veneers can do almost anything you need to make your smile look absolutely perfect, young, and brilliant.

What could be a better way to begin a new year than with a bright, beautiful, healthy smile that you want to share with the world? Questions? Call our dental office in Asheboro. We’re always glad to help any of our neighbors in Asheboro, Randolph County, and Randleman start the new year with a smile!

You know you need a mouthguard when you play a sport like hockey or football, but when you are sleeping? Really? What in the world is there to protect your teeth from while you are snug in your bed, cushioned everywhere by pillows and blankets?

You need to protect your teeth from yourself!

Many patients at our dental office in Asheboro come to us because their teeth are cracked, chipped, or worn down and they have no idea why. And when we tell them, they have a difficult time understanding how they could have no memory of doing it. They are suffering from bruxism, an unconscious clenching or grinding of the teeth, and their smiles are showing the telltale signs.

Could You Have Bruxism?

The primary symptoms of bruxism are:

• Worn, chipped, broken teeth
• Flattened tooth surfaces
• Exposure of tooth layers and loss of enamel
• Tooth sensitivity
• Jaw pain
• Headache and facial pain
• Earache from jaw muscle tension and contraction
• A scalloped tongue or irregular tongue edges
• Damaged mouth tissue

If you have any of these symptoms, please call our Asheboro dental office right away.

What Causes Tooth Grinding and Clenching?

There are a number of causes of bruxism including:

• Sleep disorders
• Stress, tension, or anxiety
• Misaligned jaw or poor bite alignment
• Acid reflux
• As a result of some diseases such as Parkinson’s disease
• As a side effect of some medications

If bruxism isn’t treated, it can lead to breaking teeth, TMJ disease, and migraines. It can also ruin much of the restorative or cosmetic dentistry you have invested in.

Let Us Help

At our dental office in Asheboro, we can fit you with a custom-made night guard appliance that will reduce the damage to your teeth from grinding or clenching during sleep, reduce any grinding-related symptoms, and protect your dental investments!

We help patients in Asheboro, Randolph County, and Randleman smile more!

Dentures can be an amazing replacement to all or several missing teeth. They can help regain confidence, enhance your lifestyle, and can even restore a more youthful look. But just because they aren’t natural teeth doesn’t mean they don’t need the same level of care. At our dental office in Asheboro, we want our denture patients to get the most out of their dentures, which is where proper care comes into play.

Why Proper Denture Care is Important

Just like caring for your natural teeth, caring for your dentures is important for overall oral health. When not cleaned or cared for properly, your dentures can become ill-fitting and result in serious oral health concerns. Most often, improper denture care leads to a buildup of plaque bacteria along the gum line. Too much of this dangerous bacteria may cause bad breath, cavities, more tooth loss, and even gum disease.

Follow These Tips

Proper denture care is important to fight off dangerous oral diseases and to ensure a proper fit for as long as possible. Follow these tips to extend the life of your dentures.

• Rinse. Rinsing your dentures with warm water after every meal is ideal. Rinsing helps remove any food particles that may be lingering around on your denture causing buildup. If foodstuffs are left there too long, they can start to decompose and lead to smelly breath or other oral health concerns.

• Brush. Just like natural teeth, dentures should be brushed daily. Use a soft-bristled brush or a denture brush with a denture-safe paste to gently clean the dentures, ridding them of extra food particles and bacteria. Just like rinsing, brushing goes a long way in keeping dentures, and breath, fresh.

• Soak. Dentures should be soaked every night in a closed container of denture solution or water. Soaking helps loosen anything that may be hanging around and can even help keep them stain-free.

• Visit. Make sure to keep up with recommended visits to your dentist in Asheboro to ensure your dentures are fitting properly and there are no concerns.

If you have questions about proper care for your dentures, or think they may be a solution for you, give our dental office in Asheboro a call. We’ll be more than happy to answer any questions you may have and ensure you’re on the right track towards optimal oral health.
Welcoming patients from Asheboro, Randolph County, and Randleman.