March 16th, 2012
Healthy teeth are just as important as we age as when we are young. Healthy teeth are also a great way to look as youthful as you feel. Some aspects of aging can make you more vulnerable to certain dental problems – particularly gum disease and yellowing teeth – but proper hygiene and oral healthcare are effective in preventing these problems.
As you age, the inner layer of your teeth, called “dentin,” tends to thicken, causing your teeth to look yellow. You also may produce less saliva as you grow older, depending on certain health conditions and medications you take. Salivary flow is an important way to flush your mouth of debris that causes plaque.
If plaque builds up and infects your teeth and gums, your gums may recede. Infection can progress to gum disease, which is the number one cause of tooth loss in adults. Most older people with missing teeth did not lose their teeth simply because they grew older, but because their gums receded due to poor oral health habits.
At any age, a proper oral hygiene routine is critical to maintaining a healthy, beautiful smile. This routine should include:
- Brushing twice a day
- Flossing once a day
- Regular cleanings and exams at the dentist’s office
Flossing is especially important to preventing tooth decay and gum disease. If you only brush your teeth, you are really only cleaning about half of your tooth surfaces. A significant amount of debris hides in between your teeth.
For dentistry care at any age, please contact experienced Glendale, Arizona dentist Dr. Donald Wilcox to schedule a consultation at Desert Smiles Cosmetic & Sedation Dentistry.
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March 14th, 2012
Dentistry has a long history, dating back at least as far as the ancient Egyptians. In that time span, dentistry has developed from its roots to the important health field it is today.
The first probings into dental care seem to revolve around drilling. Researchers have found teeth with drill marks dating back to sometime between 7000 and 5000 BC. These teeth were found in Pakistan. Around this time, tooth decay was thought to be caused by worms in the teeth. Later, the texts of the great philosophers Hippocrates and Aristotle refer to different subjects of dentistry and the teeth.
In the Middle Ages, the foundation of the dental profession began. At first, this consisted of barbers or other non-experts extracting teeth or providing tinctures and remedies. Dental forceps were invented to remove problematic teeth, although this form of extraction caused a great deal of damage and pain.
In the 18th century, dentistry became more specialized, and only the wealthy could afford to see proper dentists who used advanced equipment. The demand for dentures developed at this time as well.
In the 19th century, the profession boomed and the demand for extractions grew as anesthesia was introduced. Then, in the 20th century, dentistry grew from a practice of extraction to a discipline incorporating prevention and treatment of disease. Today, we have more dental innovations than ever before, allowing dental professionals to personalize treatment to your dental goals.
To learn more about your dentistry options, please contact experienced Glendale, Arizona dentist Dr. Donald Wilcox to schedule a consultation at Desert Smiles Cosmetic & Sedation Dentistry.
Posted in General Dentistry | No Comments »
March 12th, 2012
Dental crowns are an important tooth restoration. Sometimes called “caps,” tooth crowns are placed over a tooth to cover it completely. You may need a dental crown if you have a:
- Broken tooth
- Cracked tooth
- Severely worn tooth
Additionally, dental crowns are used as the upper, visible portion of a dental implant. Crowns are also used as part of the structure of a dental bridge. So if you receive either of these restorations, a dental crown will be used.
To better customize your dentistry to you, at Desert Smiles we provide all-porcelain, porcelain fused to metal, and gold tooth crowns.
To find out if you could benefit from a tooth crown or other restorative dentistry, please contact experienced Phoenix, Arizona dentist Dr. Donald Wilcox to schedule a consultation at Desert Smiles Cosmetic & Sedation Dentistry.
Tags: crowns
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March 12th, 2012
A recent study shows that smoking causes the body to turn against its own helpful bacteria, leaving smokers more vulnerable to gum disease. The healthy mouth contains a stable ecosytem of healthy bacteria. New research shows that the mouth of a smoker is a much more chaotic ecosystem. It is much more susceptible to invasion by harmful bacteria making smokers much more likely to suffer gum inflammation and bone loss around natural teeth or dental implants.
Assistant professor of periodontology at Ohio State University, Purnima Kumar states “The smoker’s mouth kicks out the good bacteria, and the pathogens are called in. So they are allowed to proliferate much more quickly than they would in a non-smoking environment.”
The results suggest that dentists should offer more agressive treatment options for smokers and have good reason to suggest quitting smoking. For more information visit www.DesertSmiles.com.
For the finest in cosmetic veneers, surgical guided dental implants, and snoring solutions in the Phoenix and Glendale, AZ areas visit DesertSmiles for a comlimentary consultation to put yourself or a loved one on a path to better oral and overall health.
Posted in dental implants, dentures, Implant Dentistry, infectious diseases, Oral cancer, tooth loss | No Comments »
March 8th, 2012
Sedation dentistry is a safe an effective way for providing patients with a comfortable, relaxing dental procedure.
Although sedation dentistry is often used with patients who experience anxiety over dental visits, it has other benefits as well. Sedation can be used for patients who experience:
- Fear of dental procedures
- Need for multiple dental procedures
- Sensitive teeth
- Strong gag reflex
Phoenix sedation dentist Dr. Donald Wilcox at Desert Smiles typically prescribes an oral sedative for most procedures. Oral sedatives provide a deep state of conscious relaxation and also have an amnesiac property, leaving you with little to no memory of the procedure itself.
Sedation can be used in conjunction with a variety of cosmetic dentistry and restorative dentistry procedures. While oral sedation is safe for most adult patients, it is not for everyone. Your consultation with Dr. Wilcox will determine if sedation dentistry is right for you.
For additional information about sedation dentistry, please see our Sedation Dentistry Questions page.
If you live in the Phoenix, Scottsdale, Peoria or Glendale, Arizona, areas and would like to learn more about your sedation dentistry options, please contact Desert Smiles Cosmetic & Sedation Dentistry to schedule your consultation with Dr. Wilcox.
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March 6th, 2012
Because the process for placing dental implants requires a surgical procedure, a sedative is administered to ensure you remain relaxed and comfortable.
There are various sedation options available, and Phoenix implant dentist Dr. Donald Wilcox will determine the best sedative for you based on a number of factors, including the number of dental implants required. As an experienced sedation dentist, Dr. Wilcox is an active member of the Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation (DOCS) and has completed extensive training in general anesthesia, IV sedation and oral sedation.
In many cases, oral sedation is sufficient to provide patients with a pain-free procedure. In addition to keeping patients in a relaxed state during dental work, oral sedatives also have an amnesiac effect, and patients rarely have memories of the procedure itself.
If multiple dental implants are being placed, general anesthesia may be a better option. Dr. Wilcox will discuss your sedation options with you prior to scheduling your dental implant surgery.
If you live in the Phoenix, Scottsdale, Peoria or Glendale, Arizona, areas and would like to learn more about dental implants or sedation dentistry, please contact Desert Smiles Cosmetic & Sedation Dentistry to schedule your personal consultation with Dr. Wilcox.
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February 24th, 2012
A cavity is irreversible tooth decay. Caused by bacteria in your mouth, cavities arise as the enamel of your tooth erodes.
Bacteria are always present in our mouths. The bacteria turn food on your teeth – especially food of the sugary persuasion – into acids. The mixture of bacteria, acid, food and saliva is plaque, the sticky substance on your teeth. The acid in plaque eats away at your tooth enamel, the hard, outermost layer of your teeth. As the plaque destroys enamel, depressions or holes of decay are formed. These holes are cavities.
To avoid cavities, you should prevent and regularly remove plaque by:
- Brushing twice a day
- Flossing once a day
- Visiting the dentist for a cleaning every six months
- Avoiding excessive consumption of sugary, starchy foods
At Desert Smiles Cosmetic & Sedation Dentistry, in addition to professional cleanings and examinations, we prevent cavities by using the DIAGNOdent. This dental tool helps us see early signs of decay, even on your back teeth.
For preventative dentistry and cavity treatment, please contact experienced Phoenix, Arizona dentist Dr. Donald Wilcox to schedule a consultation at Desert Smiles Cosmetic & Sedation Dentistry.
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February 21st, 2012
If you suffer from severe headaches, it is important to treat your pain at its source. Although temporomandibular joint disorder (“TMD” or “TMJ”) can cause migraine-like headaches, the two types of headaches have different causes. One of the primary tasks of neuromuscular dentistry is to identify whether certain painful symptoms are caused by TMD.
Headache is one of many symptoms caused by TMD. When excessive pressure and physical stress is exerted on your temporomandibular joints, a headache may result. This pressure and stress can be caused by:
- Teeth grinding
- Jaw clenching
- Bite misalignment
- Jaw injury or trauma
Tooth fillings or nighttime guards may be necessary to treat TMD. If you seek help from a medical professional unfamiliar with TMD, your headaches may be incorrectly treated as migraines.
Caused by brain activity, migraines are triggered by certain things, including:
- Stress
- Noise
- Lights
- Certain foods
- Certain smells
- Alcohol consumption
- Sleep problems
- Second-hand smoke
- Hormonal fluctuations
If your doctor believes you suffer from migraines, you may be treated with pain-relieving medications. Although your pain may be temporarily alleviated, your headaches will persist if actually caused by TMD. On the other hand, TMD treatment may reduce or eliminate this cause of headaches by ensuring the ligaments, muscles and TMJ structures are not under pressure.
If you are suffering from headaches and would like to learn more about TMD, please contact experienced Glendale, Arizona neuromuscular dentist Dr. Donald Wilcox to schedule a consultation at Desert Smiles Cosmetic & Sedation Dentistry.
Posted in TMJ/TMD | No Comments »
February 17th, 2012
If you have dental phobia, you may have a fear of a specific danger that you believe is associated with dental offices. This fear may be so overpowering that you avoid the dentist altogether. If your fear of the dentist is preventing you from visiting the dentist, sedation dentistry may be able to help you relax and calm your anxieties.
Common dental phobias include:
- Fear of the sights, sounds and smells of the dental office.
- Fear of a medical emergency arising during your dental appointment.
- Fear of fainting or having a panic attack.
- Fear of gagging or choking during your appointment.
- Fear of an allergic reaction to materials used at the dentist.
- Fear of not having control of what happens at the dentist.
For many patients who suffer from dental phobias, the fear of the dentist is caused by a past traumatic dental experience. For others, fear of the dentist may be more like a general anxiety that exists even though you have never had a traumatic dental experience.
Regardless of the source of your phobia, the sedation dentistry team at Desert Smiles Cosmetic & Sedation Dentistry wants to help you overcome these fears. At our office, we are committed to helping fearful patients feel comfortable, relaxed and safe. We provide sedation dentistry as well as comforting, personalized service and attention to your individual concerns.
To find out whether sedation dentistry is right for you, please contact experienced Glendale, Arizona cosmetic dentist Dr. Donald Wilcox to schedule a consultation at Desert Smiles Cosmetic & Sedation Dentistry.
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February 15th, 2012
Snoring is the most common symptom of sleep apnea, but it is not the only symptom; nor does snoring alone necessarily mean you have sleep apnea.
If you suffer from nightly snoring, it’s a good idea to be vigilant for other signs of sleep apnea. Untreated, sleep apnea can lead to life-threatening medical conditions, including an increased risk for stroke, high blood pressure and heart attack.
Snoring often accompanies obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), the most common form of sleep apnea and a condition that is thought to affect more than 20 million Americans. Many people do not seek diagnosis or treatment for sleep apnea, however, believing that snoring alone is not a serious problem.
OSA is generally caused by a tissue collapse in the back of the throat, which causes the airway to become obstructed during sleep and results in periods in which breathing stops, often for 10 seconds or more and upward of 50 times per hour. In addition to loud snoring, people with sleep apnea also experience symptoms that may include:
- Daytime sleepiness
- Excessive nighttime urination
- Headaches
- Insomnia
- Nighttime sweating
- Waking up choking or short of breath
- Waking up with a dry mouth or sore throat
Glendale, Arizona, dentist Dr. Donald Wilcox has extensive experience successfully treating sleep apnea and helping patients get the healthy sleep they need. If you suffer from snoring and other symptoms of sleep apnea, we can help determine the right sleep apnea treatment for you.
If you live in the Phoenix, Scottsdale, Peoria or Glendale, Arizona, areas and would like to schedule a sleep apnea consultation, please contact Desert Smiles Cosmetic & Sedation Dentistry.
Posted in sleep apnea, snoring | No Comments »
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