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Anti-Aging Benefits of Teeth Whitening

August 9, 2013

Filed under: Cosmetic Dentistry — Tags: , , , , , , , — S. John salivonchik @ 5:09 pm

Coffee, tea, red wine, soda, and fruit juice are some of the most common causes of teeth stains, but they aren’t the only ones. The fact is aging plays a part in the staining process, too. As we age, our smiles will lose some of their gleam.

But thankfully, with a cosmetic dentistry service like teeth whitening, patients can turn back the clock on their smiles and enjoy better self-confidence.

At Dr. S. John Salivonchik’s dental office in Whitehall, we can provide you with custom-made bleaching trays that will allow you to brighten your smile in the comfort of your own home. Research shows that take-home whitening is more effective than in-office whitening systems like Zoom.

Here’s what you can expect. First, Dr. Salivonchik will look at the stains on your teeth to see if you’re a good candidate for teeth whitening. If you are, a set of custom-made whitening trays will be made based on an impression we take of your teeth. When your trays are ready and you have your whitening gel, getting results will be as simple as wearing your gel-filled trays daily for just a short amount of time. Within one or two weeks, you’ll see the dazzling results you’ve been looking for. In addition, all fees for teeth whitening are donated to The Children’s Cancer Research Fund and Brenton’s Hope.

Do you want to know if teeth whitening is right for you? Call our Whitehall dental office for a consultation with Dr. Salivonchik. We’re happy to provide patients from Whitehall, Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, The Poconos, and beyond with the anti-aging benefits of teeth whitening.

What Foods Are Good for My Smile?

July 16, 2013

Filed under: General Dentistry — Tags: , , , , , , — S. John salivonchik @ 7:09 am

Our patients already how important brushing, flossing, and regular checkups are. What’s less well-known is that there are certain foods that can also help you with your smile. Today, we’ll be talking about some of those foods and their benefits for oral health.

Dairy foods

Specifically, we’re talking about milk, cheese, and yogurt. All three are great sources for calcium, which helps to strengthen bones and teeth, but they also contain casein, which protects teeth from decay and cavities.

Water and tea

In each case, the benefits of these differ. Water’s primary benefit is that it keeps the mouth from becoming too dry and also helps wash away food. Why is it important for the mouth not to become too dry? Because dry mouth contributes to bad breath, and it can promote the formation of cavities. Tea, on the other hand, contains antioxidants as well as polyphenols, which help in the battle against inflammation and bacteria growth.

Fruits, veggies, and nuts

Because some veggies, like carrots and celery, take some considerable chewing, these can be beneficial for your smile, as well as your overall health. Chewing produces saliva, which has a neutralizing effect on the decay-causing acid created by bacteria. For other foods, like garlic, apples, cocoa, and nutmeg, bacteria have a harder time sticking to teeth. With fewer bacteria in the mouth, there’s less of a risk of developing cavities or gum disease.

Do you have questions about what you should be eating to help your smile? Dr. S. John Salivonchik can help. During your next visit to his Whitehall dental office, he would be happy to offer nutritional advice.

Call us today to schedule your next appointment. We’re located in Lehigh Valley and serve patients from Whitehall, Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, The Poconos, and surrounding areas.

Why Are My Teeth Sensitive?

July 2, 2013

Filed under: General Dentistry — Tags: , , , , , , , — S. John salivonchik @ 8:07 pm

Do you find yourself wincing when you eat or drink something hot or cold? Or maybe it happens when you’re enjoying something on the acidic side, like a cup of coffee or glass of orange juice. These are both examples of tooth sensitivity, a common issue faced by patients from Coplay and beyond. In today’s post, we’d like to talk briefly about some of the things that can cause it.

Gum Recession

One of the biggest causes is gum recession, which is itself caused by advanced gum disease. As gums recede and more of the patient’s teeth are exposed, it’s more likely for hot or cold things to come into contact with the porous layer of dentin beneath our enamel.  To prevent tooth sensitivity caused by gum recession, see Dr. S. John Salivonchik at the first sign of gum disease. Proactive care will help you enjoy better health and wellbeing.

Aggressive Brushing

Thorough brushing is good, aggressive brushing is not. If you’re brushing hard with a hard-bristle brush, you could be damaging your teeth and gums. If you need help brushing correctly, don’t be afraid to ask Dr. Salivonchik for tips. At our Coplay dental office, we’re committed to teaching patients how to care for their smile on a daily basis.

Teeth Grinding

Teeth grinding, which is also known as bruxism, can contribute to tooth sensitivity because it can lead to teeth becoming cracked. These cracks expose teeth to bacterial infection and they make the sensitive layer of dentin more accessible. To prevent the kinds of damage that teeth grinding can cause, an oral appliance may be used.

Age

Sometimes, age is a factor in sensitivity. If you’re between the ages of 25 and 30, you may experience more sensitivity than at any other time in life. For more information on why, talk to Dr. Salivonchik.

Is uncomfortable sensitivity getting in the way of enjoying your favorite foods? Call our Coplay dental office for an appointment with Dr. Salivonchik. We serve patients from Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, The Poconos, and beyond.

Will Stress Impact My Smile?

June 24, 2013

Filed under: General Dentistry,Uncategorized — Tags: , , , , , , , — S. John salivonchik @ 7:42 am

In our last post, we talked about a topic that isn’t discussed too often—the relationship between hormones and oral health. Today we’d like to highlight a similar issue, which is the relationship between stress, the immune system, and your smile.

Our society seems to be more stressed today than ever before. With busy schedules and the need to always be “connected” it’s easy for your nerves to run high. But all that stress will negatively impact your health, and not just your overall health—your oral health, too.

How? Through inflammation.

Inflammation is a part of the body’s immune response. When it’s working the way it’s supposed to, it can be beneficial. But when the body can no longer regulate it properly, as happens when stress levels are high, the body can actually use inflammation—which is one of the symptoms of gum disease—against itself. On top of this, the AGD reported last year that stress-induced immune system issues can have an impact on a patient’s smile.

For patients of Dr. S John Salivonchik, that means learning how to manage stress, and it means making regular care a priority. To keep your smile healthy in between visits, follow a thorough brushing and flossing routine. Also, be sure your family visits our Coplay dental office twice a year. During a regular checkup with Dr. Salivonchik, our team will look for changes in your health that might be indicate a need for advanced care.

Is it time for your next regular visit? Call our office today to reserve an appointment with Dr. Salivonchik. We serve patients from Whitehall, Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, The Poconos, and beyond.

Do Hormones Affect Oral Health?

June 10, 2013

Filed under: General Dentistry — Tags: , , , , , , , — S. John salivonchik @ 8:42 pm

It’s common to think of oral and overall health as belonging to completely separate spheres. The truth is, though, they’re intricately linked. A condition like gum disease not only impacts the health of your smile but has been connected to health problems in the rest of the body, including preterm birth, diabetes, stroke, Alzheimer’s, and heart disease.

The connection for these has been thoroughly discussed but not as much the connection between hormone levels and oral health. Women are especially vulnerable because of the hormone changes that occur at puberty, during pregnancy, and at menopause. Woman who are taking birth control or who are about to start their next period are also more vulnerable.

What does this mean for Dr. S John Salivonchik’s Coplay-area patients? It means that all patients, but women especially, need to make regular care a priority. During a regular checkup, Dr. Salivonchik will look for signs of gum disease and make a treatment recommendation if he finds any. Symptoms of gum disease include swollen or bleeding gums and discoloration.

To keep your teeth clean between appointments, we recommend that you brush at least twice a day, floss at least once, and rinse with an antibacterial mouthwash. You should also let Dr. Salivonchik know if you’re pregnant or have any other risk factors we should be aware of.

Is it time for your next checkup and professional cleaning? Call Dr. Salivonchik’s office today. Our practice is located in Lehigh Valley and serves patients from Coplay, Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, The Poconos, and beyond.

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