Family Dentistry

When you suddenly have to juggling a lot of issues, some are bound to get dropped. Perhaps you are going through an intense family situation or have become the caregiver for an ailing parent. Perhaps you took on a second job or started night school to earn an advanced degree. Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo UT understands that life can be hectic!

Not every stressor is negative. A new baby, marriage, career, or move can be exciting but overwhelming. It’s okay – and sometimes helpful – to drop some of the balls. You can probably let another parent take over room mother duties for a few weeks, forego a haircut, or skip poker night until things calm down.

However, when it comes to oral health, it should always remain a priority. Sometimes you feel too exhausted to brush or floss, or to attend check-ups and cleanings. Our team wants to remind you the possible consequences of neglecting your smile.

1. Tooth decay
2. Gum disease
3. Tooth and gum pain
4. Bad breath
5. Infection
6. Tooth loss

Your plate is already full – you don’t want to add poor oral health and the associated expense and inconvenience required to treat advanced dilemmas. At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo UT, we offer general and cosmetic dentistry to patients from American Fork and Lehi and are ready to help you safeguard your dental health. Contact us today!

Contact Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

801-374-0070

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

3575 N 100 E Ste 200
Provo, Utah
84604

Anyone with chronic bad breath understands the embarrassment and frustration associated with this condition. As unpleasant as it is, rest assured we can help at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo UT.

There are several possible causes for bad breath, some that you may overlook:

1. Poor oral hygiene
2. Digestive problems
3. Systemic infection
4. Bacteria on dentures
5. Gum disease
6. Food particles on tonsils
7. Dry mouth

If your bad breath is the result of poor oral hygiene, you’re in luck – this is one of the easiest types to treat. Make sure you brush for a full three minutes before you climb into bed. Don’t forget to floss!

People who have no idea how long they brush can set a timer – there is probably one on your smartphone. In addition to cleaning tooth surfaces, scrub your tongue! Then take the time to floss around each tooth to wash away the plaque between your teeth and keep your gums healthy.

You can also brush after each meal to prevent food debris from sitting on their teeth. In addition to freshening your breath, brushing after each meal will improve your dental health.

Treating bad breath starts with a visit to Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo UT. Be sure to mention it! People from American Fork and Lehi come to us for our comprehensive general dentistry. Contact us today!

Contact Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

801-374-0070

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

3575 N 100 E
Provo, Utah
84604

 

In this post from Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo, we address the unpleasant topic of halitosis, also known as bad breath.

While poor dental hygiene is the most common cause of halitosis, many elements can contribute to it, or even make it worse. One of these is the lack of saliva, or xerostomia.

Saliva and Oral Health

One of the functions of saliva is moistening the teeth and gums and removing odiferous dead cells. Saliva also neutralizes the ever-present acids on the tongue, gums, and cheeks and the minerals in saliva help to maintain enamel stability.

Immunoproteins in saliva curb the overgrowth of microbes in the mouth, thereby shielding the gums from gingivitis. Saliva also functions as a disinfectant by cleansing the mouth of leftover food, bacteria, and fungi. This protects against cavities and infections.

Most of us have a dry mouth now and then, like when we’re anxious or under stress. Limiting caffeine, chewing sugar-free gum, using over-the-counter saliva substitutes, and using a humidifier can add moisture to the mouth.

If you have occasional periods of dry mouth, there is probably nothing to worry about. Constant dry mouth, however, can result in additional oral and physical health problems.

If you are coping with either condition, be sure to tell us at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo. We’ve helped patients throughout American Fork and Lehi discover the source and guide them on treatment. Our services include general and cosmetic dentistry. Schedule an appointment today!

Contact Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

801-374-0070

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

3575 N 100 E Ste 200
Provo, Utah
84604

 

Gum disease is a leading cause of tooth loss in adults. It’s a progressive condition, and is easily treatable in its earliest stages. From Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo, here are the four main stages of gum disease.

Gingivitis

The main symptoms of gingivitis include red or swollen gums that cause discomfort while brushing and flossing. You may notice bad breath on occasion. Gingivitis is often caused by the buildup of bacteria on teeth and the gum line.

Early Stage Periodontal Disease

This means an infection has spread beneath your gums, allowing harmful bacteria to begin harming the bone holding your teeth in place. An aggressive treatment plan can prevent it from getting worse.

Moderate Periodontal Disease

Moderate periodontal disease involves more advanced care. Surgery can reshape your gums and close pockets between the gums and teeth to reduce plaque buildup. This may sound intimidating, but the prognosis can be good.

Advanced Periodontal Disease

Flap surgery is common for this stage and involves cleaning the actual roots of your teeth by scrubbing behind your gums. Weakened bone can be smoothed or shaped to avoid bacteria from collecting.

Daily brushing and flossing, along with regular checkups at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo, can prevent gum disease. People from American Fork and Lehi rely on our care, and also  come to us for general dentistry. Schedule an appointment today!

Contact Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

801-374-0070

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

3575 N 100 E Ste 200
Provo, Utah
84604

 

This message from Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo is about fluoride, and its role in dental health.

Fluoride is a mineral that helps teeth stay strong. It is found in some foods and water, and is added to many toothpastes.

Fluoride plays a key role in children’s dental health. Kids should start using fluoride toothpaste when they are old enough to spit while brushing. Start with a tiny pea-sized dab, gradually increasing the amount as they grow.

Fluoride treatments help teeth by making them stronger and more resistant to cavity-causing bacteria. Perhaps not surprisingly, the single most common problem in children’s teeth are cavities. According to one study, sixty percent of kids in the United States have at least one cavity by the age of five, and one of every five kids has untreated tooth decay.

A good brushing and flossing routing at home, and regular checkups at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo, can help. We offer complete family dentistry. People from American Fork and Lehi also come to us for dental implants, and much more. Please call our office to schedule an appointment today!

Contact Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

801-374-0070

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

3575 N 100 E Ste 200
Provo, Utah
84604

 

In this post from Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo, we are talking about nutrition. There is nothing that impacts your smile as much as your eating habits. Develop good nutrition and your dentist will smile down on you too.

1. Rinse after eating

Rinse your mouth with a sip of water or brush your teeth after meals. People who snack all day long subject their teeth to sugars and food debris. Planned meals with brushing in between keeps your oral health on top.

2. Abstain from sugary gum

Sugar free gum doesn’t leave sugar to break down on your teeth and jeopardize your hard earned healthy gums. If you are gum chewer, do your smile a favor and go sugarless.

3. Avoid sticky foods

Sticky foods have a habit of clinging to your teeth, which puts you at risk of decay. Toffee, gummy candy, fruit snacks, even excessive dried fruit can be perilous for smiles. Brushing doesn’t always remove the obstinate particles, so remember to floss after eating sticky items.

4. Consume nutritious foods

A balanced diet with a variety of vitamins and minerals can keep the immune system durable and able to fight infection.

5. Say ‘cheese!’

Cheese contains calcium and protects teeth from acid that weakens tooth enamel. (It’s vital not to go overboard as cheese is high in fat.)

6. Avoid acidic foods

Acid will eat away enamel over time: lemons, red wine, soda pop. Limit direct, constant, consistent exposure. All things in moderation.

At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo we offer complete family dentistry services. People from American Fork and Lehi also come to our practice for dental implants and much more. Call to schedule an appointment with us today!

Contact Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

801-374-0070

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

3575 N 100 E Ste 200
Provo, Utah
84604

 

Tooth decay is the single most common dental issue there is. Brushing and flossing your teeth twice a day goes a long way toward preventing it. That’s something we stress to all of our patients, at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo!

Cavities form when acids in the mouth attack the enamel and dentin of the teeth. The acid is produced by bacteria in plaque, that sticky film that forms on the surfaces of teeth. When sugar is introduced it interacts with the bacteria in the plaque, and makes the acids, which attack the teeth and cause cavities.

That’s why it is so important to choose food and drink wisely. But it isn’t easy, is it? Sugar seems to be in just about everything. Health experts say the average person in the United States consumes about 19.5 teaspoons of sugar every single day! That is twice as much as is recommended by the American Heart Association.

Knowing how much sugar is in the food that you buy is vital: not just to your teeth, but to your overall health. Reading ingredient labels on processed foods is essential.

At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo we want the best possible dental health for all of our patients. So cut back on sugar, brush your teeth at least twice a day, don’t forget to floss, and see us for a cleaning and checkup every six months. People from American Fork and Lehi come to our practice for family and cosmetic dentistry. Schedule an appointment with us today!

Contact Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

801-374-0070

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

3575 N 100 E Ste 200
Provo, Utah
84604