Protecting Your Smile

Paul J. Guerrino has been a professional in the dental industry for many years. As a dental implantologist, Paul J. Guerrino deals largely with dental implants, dental prosthesis, tooth bonding, and beyond. While Guerrino specializes in these areas, he also has a strong knowledge of basic dental practices that every healthy child and adult should follow to prevent dental issues in the future.

One of the most overlooked health practices by people today is good oral hygiene, which coincidentally enough, can also be one of the easiest to put into practice. As children, we are all reminded to brush after meals and floss daily. However, how many people actually continue to follow these practices into their adulthood?

Studies have shown that one in three Americans are said not to be brushing enough. This can lead to undiagnosed dental disease and uncomfortable trips to the dentist. Even the simplest routines, such as maintaining a good diet, can positively impact your overall oral hygiene, leading to a healthy, happy, mouth.

Here are some very basic practices everyone can follow to protect your smile and ensure that your trips to the dentist are always painless and worry free.

Brushing

It’s simple to remember - always brush twice a day. Most dentists recommend brushing just after waking up and again before going to bed. Are you looking to go the extra mile? Brushing after a mid day meal can positively impact your oral health, while leading to a clean smile and avoiding bad breath throughout the day. The type of toothpaste you use can also impact the effectiveness of your brushing. Dentists recommend fluoride based toothpastes, which help protect teeth and fight against tooth decay. This is typically marked clearly on the front of the package. Also, always remember to brush long enough during each session as well. Two minutes is the recommended minimum for adults, and today there are even toothbrushes available with sensory feedback to let you know you’ve brushed long enough, each time you’re at the sink. Don’t forget to be kind your gums as well - brushing too vigorously can lead to gum injuries and bleeding. Apply a gentle, yet firm motion when brushing - if you think your brushing is not effective, it may actually be time for a new toothbrush. Typically a replacement every three months or so is recommended to get the most out of every brushing session.

Flossing

You already know - floss daily. However, if you find the inconvenience of using floss is keeping you from practicing this extremely important oral hygiene habit, consider a floss pick. These literally handy devices allow you to get the benefits of flossing in an easy to use pick. These make it extremely easy to floss and are excellent at removing food and plaque from the hardest to reach places.

Regular Dental Checkups

While going to the dentist can be an anxiety inducing trip for some, simply making regular checkups with your dentist and significantly improve your oral hygiene and ensure that future visits are much less stressful. At a minimum, you should be seeing your dentist for a checkup and cleaning once per year. However, if you suffer from any current or past dental diseases, you might consider increasing your visit frequency to a few times per year. Don’t forget - your dentist isn’t only catching if you’ve been following mother’s instructions and brushing and flossing daily - your dentist can also look for signs of oral cancer - a high risk for smokers or those who consume alcohol on a regular basis.

To learn more about the services offered by Paul J. Guerrino and what others are saying about his practice, check out his profile on Certified Consumer Reviews: http://certifiedconsumerreviews.com/paul-j-guerrino-dds/.

Dental Implants vs Dentures

Paul J Guerrino DDS PC has many years of experience as a dentist and implantologist. He is the owner of Guerrino Dentistry and Associates and has a wide knowledge of a variety of dental procedures. One area that Dr. Paul J Guerrino specializes in is dental implants. Using his experience and professional knowledge, Paul J. Guerrino DDS PC explains the pros and cons of dentures as well as the potentially more beneficial option, dental implants.

Missing teeth and broken teeth can be an uncomfortable issue. Not having a full set of beautiful white teeth not only limits what you are able to eat but can have a negative impact on your confidence. Missing teeth can cause more damage to your jaw lines and health in a number of ways. Luckily you have options to get back the full set of teeth you need and want. But which so you choose? Dental implants or dentures?

Pros and Cons of Dentures:

Dentures are removable teeth replacements that have been the most common choice for individuals who have lost a lot of their top or bottom teeth.

Dentures, however, do have their drawbacks. In order for them to stay in place, you need to use a paste or adhesive which can often be a messy and inconvenient process. This needs to be reapplied each and every time the teeth are taken out. These paste and adhesives are also not very secure and the dentures tend to slip out of place or remain feeling losing in the mouth. This is especially true for lower dentures.

Dentures also require a significant amount of maintenance. They must be properly cleaned and cared for on a daily basis that requires more than just brushing. They can also wear out which means you will need to replace them regularly, which can be a costly process.

Pros and Cons of Dental Implants:

Unlike dentures, dental implants are a more permanent alternative. They are not removable and function just like your natural teeth. They are secured with a metal post that is inserted into the jaw and then covered with a natural looking crown. Dental implants tend to be more secure and comfortable because there is little chances of them becoming loose or shifting out of place. Dental implants also help keep the jaw bone strong. They offer support to the jaw which reduces the risk of bone deterioration and even facial collapse. Without the additional support, the jaw lines weakens and can result in additional health issues.

Dental implants will, however, take longer to heal and put into place. It can take much longer to get your permanent implants put in because you need to allow the area to heal properly after any extractions. Since dental implants do require surgery this can be painful and more costly alternative.

While dentures have been the go to alternative for teeth replacements, dental implants can be a much better option. Not only do they look and function like your natural teeth but the provide the additional support our jaw bones needs to remain strong. The process may take longer you will not have to worry about your dental implant wearing down as you do with dentures so the cost of the surgery could cancel out the additional cost of having to have the dentures replaced. Both options provide you with a healthy and fully function set of teeth but they each have their drawbacks.

To learn more about the specializations of Paul J. Guerrino DDS PC, check out his professional website: http://pauljguerrinoddspc.com/.