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Which Beverages Are Bad for Teeth?

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It’s important to always take care of our teeth and overall dental health. While this includes seeing the dentist on a routine basis, it also includes limiting the consumption of certain beverages.

Take a look at the following drinks that can harm your teeth:

Cola

Due to its extremely high sugar content and level of carbonation, cola is one of the worst drinks for your oral health. Also, while you should try to avoid all soda, cola is especially harmful. It tends to have the highest acidity among all soda types, which can lead to tooth decay and softened tooth enamel.

If you’re in need of restorative dentistry services in Las Cruces, NM, look no further than University Family Dental! Contact us today to speak with an experienced dental expert.

Energy Drinks

Energy drinks are also very acidic, making them a poor beverage for your teeth. Additionally, these drinks can give you hyperactive energy, possibly leading to teeth-grinding, which can also cause issues.

Coffee

Unfortunately, drinking coffee regularly can break down tooth enamel, which can lead to sensitivity problems. This common beverage can also cause teeth staining.

Mimosas

Mimosas contain a lot of sugar and acidity, making them another drink to avoid for your dental health. This beverage is also bubbly, which is a negative for your teeth. Furthermore, mimosas are often sipped, meaning they sit on your teeth for long periods.

Vinegar-Based Drinks

Kombucha and other vinegar-based drinks do provide a number of health benefits, but this doesn’t include your oral health. These beverages tend to contain high acidity levels, leading to a loss of minerals and tooth erosion.

Experiencing dental problems caused by the drinks above? If so, contact University Family Dental today to work with our leading dentist in Las Cruces, NM!

close up portrait beautiful young lady sitting dental chair while stomatologist hands sterile gloves holding tooth samples

What to Do When You Lose a Crown

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It can be exceptionally frustrating to lose a crown, particularly when it’s sold as a product that lasts. Unfortunately, it’s relatively common for a crown to either fall off or be pulled off long before it’s supposed to. Sometimes crowns fall off or break because you ate something particularly sticky or hard, but sometimes the adhesive fails because your enamel is starting to wear away. If you have a crown in Las Cruces, NM, we’ll look at what you should do if you lose one.

Steps to Take

Here are the major steps to take:

  • Make an appointment: It doesn’t have to be with your regular dentist — particularly if you think that the crown was pulled off due to faulty work. However, it’s important not to leave the tooth vulnerable for very long.
  • Rinse and recover the crown: You may not have to get a new crown if the one that fell off is still in good shape. Rinse it off and hold onto it before bringing it to a dentist in Las Cruces, NM.
  • Protect the tooth: Products at the drugstore, like dental wax or cement, may be able to give your tooth temporary support. Ideally, you’ll be able to see your dentist right away, but this isn’t always possible. In addition, you should avoid chewing or eating on that side to avoid additional damage.

Talk to a Dentist in Las Cruces, NM

While the frustration is real when it comes to losing a crown, the good news is that it’s also entirely fixable. At University Family Dental, we have restorative dentistry services that can help you rebuild your smile from the ground-up. Here, we can either reattach the crown you lost or provide you with a new one.

 

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Yes, You Can Visit Your Local Dentist for Botox Treatment

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Dental Botox in Las Cruces, NM is a simple way to add more contour to the face or reduce wrinkles. However, it has only been in the last several years that people have had the option to receive Botox injections from their dentist rather than going to a beauty spa or receiving the injections while also undergoing plastic surgery. University Family Dental is pleased to be one of the few dental practices in the Las Cruces area that offers Botox as a stand-alone cosmetic treatment.

How Botox Helps to Reduce Facial Wrinkles

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Botox for the reduction or elimination of wrinkles several decades ago. Most patients request Botox treatment for wrinkles that appear between the eyebrows or near the eyes and forehead. They may also desire Botox for deeply-set lines and wrinkles near the mouth known as laugh lines or nasolabial folds. The two biggest factors that determine the development of wrinkles include aging and wear on facial muscles.

Botox, which is short for botulinum toxin, is a substance that temporarily paralyzes muscles to reduce or eliminate the appearance of wrinkles. The initial injections with a tiny needle containing the substance are nearly painless, and the number of needles Dr. Kimberly Martin or Dr. Patricia Martin use depends on the patient’s treatment goals.

What to Expect During and After a Botox Session

The dentist working with each patient provides a numbing cream before inserting the Botox needles. The patient then relaxes in a dental chair until the end of each session. Botox requires no recovery or downtime, but patients may want to avoid strenuous activities for the first day.

The staff at University Family Dental in Las Cruces, New Mexico is happy to answer any additional questions about Botox treatments. Please contact us with inquiries or to schedule an appointment.

portrait smiling young woman sitting chair dental clinic

Not Sure If It’s Time to Visit the Dentist? Here’s What to Know  

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Wondering if it’s time to see the dentist? Knowing how often you should see the dentist can help you decide if it’s time. In this article, we’ll talk about how often you should see the dentist and when it’s time to get in an extra appointment.

How Often Should You See the Dentist?

Most patients see the dentist in Las Cruces, NM every six months. Some patients need to see the dentist less frequently. If you have exceptionally healthy teeth, your dentist may recommend coming in only once per year. Meanwhile, some dental conditions require you to see the dentist more frequently. Your dentist will let you know.

What Are the Signs You Need Dental Care?

Some dental conditions require you to visit the dentist, even if it’s not yet time for your next dental cleaning. Some warning signs to watch for:

  • Pain in your tooth.
  • Swelling in your mouth.
  • Black or brown stains on your teeth.
  • A hole in your teeth.
  • Sudden sensitivity in one tooth or only in one part of your mouth.

If you’re having any of the symptoms above, make an appointment with your dentist.

What If You’re Having a Dental Emergency?

If you’re having a dental emergency, see the dentist as soon as possible. For example, if you’ve lost a permanent tooth – don’t wait to see the dentist! Pick up the tooth by the crown (not the root), and wash it off. Put the tooth back in the hole where it came from, or hold the tooth in the cheek of your mouth. Get to the dentist as soon as possible! If you’re able to get to the dentist fast enough, you may be able to save the tooth.

Need more information about when it’s time to see the dentist? Contact University Family Dental. We’ll be happy to help!

 

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5 Ways to Get Your Little One Excited About Tooth Brushing  

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Kids can find tooth brushing to be tedious – unless you make it fun! These helpful tips can help you take care of your child’s oral hygiene at home. For more ideas, talk to your child’s dentist in Las Cruces, NM

1. Sing a Song While You Brush

Children love it when their parents sing songs! Sing a song while you brush your child’s teeth, to help keep them engaged throughout the tooth brushing process. Singing a song makes the time go faster! If you’re not comfortable singing a song yourself, play a song for your child on your smart phone or on a television.

2. Let Them Pick Their Toothbrush

Many kids like having control over their environment and their activities. By allowing your child to pick their own toothbrush, you’re giving your child that control, which can make the experience of brushing their teeth more rewarding.

3. Tell Them When They’re Doing a Great Job

Some kids just need to know when they’re doing a good job. Give your child small compliments throughout the tooth brushing experience, so they’ll know that they’re getting it right.

4. Let Them Watch Something While You Brush

If you’re comfortable giving your child screen time, consider allowing your child to watch a short video on your smart phone while you’re brushing their teeth. Allowing your child to watch something can help keep them engaged throughout the experience.

5. Brush Your Teeth Together

Is your child old enough to brush their own teeth? If so, consider brushing your teeth together to make tooth brushing a family event!

Want more ideas for making tooth brushing fun? Ask you child’s dentist during their next dental exam in Las Cruces. Call today to make an appointment.

 

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3 Ways Tooth Crowding Can Affect Your Smile  

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When it comes to alignment issues, tooth crowding tends to be one of the most common. Tooth crowding occurs when permanent teeth do not have enough space in the jawline to grow, so the teeth can overlap or protrude in such a way that the teeth are not in a straight line. A general dentist in Las Cruces, NM can help you keep your smile healthy in spite of alignment problems, but crowding can come along with several risks for your oral health. Let’s take a closer look.

1. You may be more prone to tooth decay

When the teeth are crowded, you may have a harder time reaching between them when you brush and floss. Food particles and bacteria can get trapped in the tight spaces where teeth overlap, which can lead to damage to the tooth’s enamel and eventual decay. For this reason, being extra vigilant about your dental hygiene appointments will be especially important if you have issues with dental crowding.

2. You may have issues with an uneven gum line

An uneven gum line means that the gum tissue does not consistently cover the base of your teeth in a uniform way. You may have some areas where the gum tissue is especially thin; you may have points where the gum tissue does not cover a lot of the tooth’s root. While some of these issues can be corrected with the help of an orthodontist or a cosmetic dentist, you will have to be more attentive to gum health than usual if you choose not to have the problem corrected.

3. You may see problems with halitosis

Because food particles can be more likely to get wedged between crowded teeth, some people can be more prone to bad breath. Using an extra-strength mouthwash, flossing as thoroughly as possible, and having your teeth cleaned at the dentist regularly may thwart the issues.

Find Out What Can Be Done About Crowding with a Jacksonville Dentist

Even though tooth crowding is a common alignment issue, it is not an issue that should go unaddressed. If you have crowding issues, it will be important that you work closely with a Las Cruces dentist to keep your oral health in check. Reach out to us at the office of University Family Dental to schedule an appointment.

 

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How Many Sessions of Teeth Whitening Will I Need?   

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When you think about how many years the stains on your teeth have spent accumulating, it would be easy to think that getting rid of all the red wine, nicotine, coffee, etc. would take some time. You might think that you need multiple sessions over the course of months before you even start to see a difference. The good news is that professional teeth whitening is an efficient process that can make your teeth multiple shades whiter.

How Teeth Become Stained

If you’re looking for teeth whitening services in Las Cruces, NM, it might be because you see quite a bit of build-up on your teeth. In fact, anything that would stain a white shirt can stain your teeth, regardless of whether it’s red pasta sauce or orange soda. (Drinking through a straw can help, but it’s not a cure-all.) Home whitening kits may be able to lighten your teeth a little, but only a professional can give you the big, bright smile that you’re craving.

What You Need to Know About the Process

When you come into the office for your appointment, a qualified dentist in Las Cruces, NM will actually tackle the bonds on the teeth that create the stains. You should only need one session to see dramatic differences, though it’s important to remember that not everyone will have the same results. Teeth whitening will depend on everything from the types of stains on your teeth to your very genetics.

Find a Dentist in Las Cruces

University Family Dental has seen how stains can accumulate over time. It may not be a dental emergency, but it is something that can affect patients nonetheless. If you’ve been hesitant to smile because you’ve noticed that your teeth are taking on a yellow hue, it’s worth scheduling a session.

Most people think of staining as largely cosmetic, but this is not always true. In some cases, there might be internal reasons for the stains, such as trauma, that will need to be taken care of. If you want to learn more about what it will take to lighten your teeth and what type of techniques will be used, contact us to learn more about the treatment.

 

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3 Common Causes of Bad Breath 

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If you are loved ones suffers from bad breath, you already know that bad breath can be very serious condition that affects other aspects of your life. Sometimes bad breath is temporary; other times bad breath of your chronic condition that affects you on a daily basis. Luckily, bad breath is completely preventable. Once you know the cause of your bad breath, all you need to do is take some steps to avoid getting bad breath in the future. Following are X common causes of bad breath.

1. Tooth Decay

Tooth decay is caused by bacteria in the mouth that eat away at the tooth and the roots. If you have tooth decay happening your mouth, chances are you also have bad breath. If this is the reason for your bad breath, all you need to do to get rid of it is to visit a dentist and have the tooth decay treated. As soon as one day, you can find yourself free of bad breath.

2. Smoking and Drinking

If you smoke and/or drink, you may have bad breath and not even realize it. Often, people smoke or drink, they are unaware of their own bad breath because they can’t smell it. It’s very obvious to other people, though. Certain smokes and drinks cause bad breath more than others. Cigars are particularly odorous and, surprisingly, drinking lots of red wine will lead to bad breath. Your choice is obvious. You can either give up smoking and drinking, or you can make sure you brush and rinse after every episode of smoking and drinking. You should brush your hands after smoking anyway, because it causes your teeth to become stained.

3. Sickness

If you have chronic bad breath and you can’t figure out why you might want to consider making a visit to your doctor. Certain serious diseases that cause bad breath. Bad breath may be only one of the symptoms of your disease but it’s worth looking into.

If you have bad breath and you have determined that it isn’t caused by any of the above mentioned problems, talk to your dentist. Your dentist may be able to give you some insight into what may be the underlying cause of your bad breath.

 

 

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How Your Dental Health Affects Your Overall Life 

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Dental health plays an integral role in your overall quality of life. Like many things you may not even realize how important your dental health is until something goes wrong. At that point, it becomes very clear all the ways that dental health affects your life.

Heart Health

Did you know that problems in your teeth and gums can cause heart problems? When bacteria in your mouth are allowed to propagate, that bacteria may be able to enter your blood stream. Since all your blood eventually makes its way through your heart, cardiac health problems may arise. Surprisingly, if you have heart health reasons, it’s possible that dental health problems may be a contributing factor.

Social Success

If you have dental health issues with your teeth and gums, chances are high that you have bad breath fairly often. If this is the case, others around you may have noticed this issue. Unless it’s someone that you’re very close to, they may be hesitant about letting you know. On the flip side, if you’re aware of your bad breath issues, you may actually be less inclined to be socially active. You may feel like others will notice your bad breath and form a negative opinion about you.

Professional Success

Studies have repeatedly shown that those who smile often are more likely to be liked by others, trusted by colleagues and admired by peers. If you desire professional success, you should know that your dental health is a big factor. If you have stained, crooked or just bad looking teeth, you may avoid smiling as much as possible. This can lead to you missing out on job opportunities or improving your standing in your professional community.

As you can see, your dental health definitely impacts the other facets of your life. If you suffer from any of the circumstances mentioned above, you owe it to yourself to get the dental health attention you deserve. For more information about treatment options for bad breath, stained teeth, crooked teeth and other conditions, please contact our office today.

 

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Why Has My Bite Changed? 

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Have you ever bitten down and felt like your teeth aren’t lining up the way they used to? Or have you ever been surprised to discover that your back teeth don’t meet up anymore when you clench your jaw? These are indicators that your bite has changed. Your bite is the term for the position of your upper and lower teeth when you close your mouth and bring your upper and lower jaw together. The alignment of your bite is important as far as your ability to speak and chew food, but it’s also important for your overall dental health. Persons with severe underbite or overbite get important treatment to remedy the situation. If your bite has changed, you will also need to get dental treatment. Here are some reasons why your bite may have changed.

Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease is a very serious condition in which the mouth is overrun by bacteria, gum tissues have loosened away from the edges of the teeth, and bone loss may have occurred. Due to the extreme nature of periodontal disease and its way of loosening teeth, the bite is usually affected as well. If you feel that you have one or more loose teeth and your bite has changed, see your dentist right away to find out if you have developed periodontal disease.

Jaw Hinges

If you’re an older adult with relatively healthy teeth and gums but your bite has changed, your jaw hinges may be wearing down. Don’t worry – this happens to many people as they age. Certain other conditions can speed up this process, such as arthritis and grinding the teeth at night. Your dentist can do some diagnostic tests to determine if this is the cause, and recommend treatment options for you.

Wisdom Teeth

If you’re a younger adult, you might experience a change in bite when your wisdom teeth grow in. As you can imagine, room must be made for more teeth at the back of your mouth. The change should be subtle, but if it’s not, or if it’s causing a problem, you may need to have your wisdom teeth removed.

If you notice that your bite has changed, don’t try to figure out the reason by yourself. Make a dentist appointment so you can get a professional opinion on the cause, as well as available treatment options.