Family Dentistry

If you’ve noticed that you’re too tired to floss your teeth each night, this post from Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo is for you. We want to give you a few ideas for unique times to floss, since it’s an essential part of your daily dental health routine.

1. If you’re an early riser, try flossing in the morning right after you brush.
2. Try just after lunch, but before you go back to work.
3. Before or after you exercise. Your oral health is just as important as your physical fitness. Keep some floss in your gym bag and give your teeth and gums some attention along with the rest of your body.
4. During the nightly news or while watching Netflix.
5. While taking a bath. Any task is more enjoyable if it can be done while relaxing in a warm tub. Light some scented candles, play some soothing music and turn off your cell phone for an at-home spa experience for an at-home spa experience.

Along with brushing, flossing should be part of your daily routine. So should regular checkups at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo. We offer complete family dentistry, and patients from American Fork and Lehi make sure to see us every six months. They also improve their smiles with our cosmetic dentistry. Call for 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

 

During a dental checkup at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo we do a thorough inspection of your teeth and gums. But visual inspections can’t tell us everything we need to know, which is why we take x-rays.

For most patients, we update our x-rays once a year. They help us to make accurate diagnoses by showing what cannot be seen by the eye alone. Also known as radiographs, the images give us the total picture: not just inside your teeth, but the tip of the roots and the bone under the gums. Thanks to x-rays, we are able to identify and treat dental issues before they become more serious.

There are several types of x-rays:

• Bite-Wing x-rays give us a picture of the upper and lower back teeth. We can see how they touch each other and see if there is any decay.
• Panoramic x-rays give us the big picture: a view of the teeth, jaws and jaw joints, nasal area, and even the sinuses. These are especially useful if we think the patient may need orthodontics or a dental implant.
• Occlusal x-rays show us the floor of the mouth, and the bite of the upper or lower jaw. They’re good for showing the development of children’s teeth, both the baby and permanent teeth.

X-rays use radiation, but are designed to minimize patient exposure. Patients only get negligible amounts, making them safe. The latest generations of x-rays reduce radiation even more. Still, we take the added safety measure of covering the patient with a heavy leaded apron and collar.

At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo, we are committed to providing our patients with the best possible dental care. People from American Fork and Lehi come to our practice for family dentistry and more. 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

 

It doesn’t have to take a lot of time to improve your oral hygiene. In fact, you can form a new, good habit in as little as ten seconds, with these suggestions from Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo.

1. Find a better place for your toothbrush. Look around. In 10 seconds you can probably find 5 places to set your toothbrush that will permit air drying and can curb the growth of microorganisms that a closed, moist environment would encourage.
2. Leave the floss on the counter. If you want to create consistency, you need reminders. Deliberately setting out the floss will give you more commitment to use it. And if you see it, you’ll remember.
3. Swish. If you’re in 20 seconds already, might as well grab the fluoride rinse and rinse away bits of food after flossing and freshen your breath at the same time. 10 seconds is the minimum but 20 is twice as good.
4. Smile in the mirror. Check out those chompers. Examine for 10 full seconds. Scrutinize gums for bleeding or tenderness, missed fragments of food, staining, or other concerns.
5. Have a water chaser with dark beverages. Rinse your mouth with a sip of water when drinking cola, tea, or coffee throughout the day. A mere 10 seconds that will curb discoloration.
6. Schedule a Checkup. It only takes one short phone call to set up your next checkup with us. And regular checkups help you stay ahead of any potential dental issues!

These are only six suggestions. At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo, we have more! Our services include dental implants. Patients from American Fork and Lehi also come to our practice for family dentistry, and much more! Call for 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

 

By taking good care of your teeth they can last you a lifetime. That’s a goal worth working toward! It all comes down to your daily dental health routine, and checkups at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo.

In this blog post we offer five tips for maintaining healthy teeth and gums.

1. Brush and floss daily. As a rule of thumb, we recommend brushing twice a day and flossing once. If you want to brush three times and floss twice, so much the better!
2. Brush properly. You know what they say: if you’re going to do something, do it right! Proper brushing means using a soft-bristled tooth brush to get the inner and outer parts of the tooth, the chewing surfaces, and along the gum line. Brush for at least two minutes, and don’t forget your tongue!
3. Don’t go to bed without brushing. Plaque is that filmy stuff that constantly builds up on teeth. It is the main cause of tooth decay. When you brush before turning in for the night you get rid of the plaque that has accumulated.
4. Limit sugary and acidic foods. Acids in the mouth erode tooth enamel. Acidic things like fruits, teas and coffee can do a number on enamel. And alas, sugar converts into acid. You don’t have to avoid them entirely, but minimizing intake is a really good idea.
5. Drink plenty of water. Drinking enough water leads to good hydration, of course. But water can help wash out sticky and acidic food debris left on teeth after eating.

Another big part of the equation? Regular checkups at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo. We offer complete family dentistry services. Patients throughout American Fork and Lehi also come to us for dental implants, and much more. Give us a call 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

 

To maintain good dental health, your teeth need a lot of good ol’-fashioned TLC. But even when we do our best, bacteria can sneak in and cause tooth decay. At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo, we are happy to take care of your dental issues.

Few of us go through life without getting a cavity. They’re the common cold of dental health!

Cavities are caused when bacteria, acid, food debris, and saliva combine to form plaque. Plaque clings to your teeth, and the acid in it starts to dissolve the enamel. The result is a hole in your tooth.

You can go a long way toward preventing cavities by brushing and flossing your teeth twice a day. That removes that filmy plaque and promotes healthy teeth and gums.

It’s also wise to see us at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo twice a year for a cleaning and checkup. People from American Fork and Lehi come to our office for family 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

 

Did you know that the most common cause of tooth loss among adults is gum disease? At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo, the good news is that gum disease is easy to treat if it is detected in the early stages.

Regular check-ups are critical, but there are warning signs for gum disease that everyone should be looking for.

• Gums that bleed often
• Gums that are tender, swollen, or very red, or gums that have visible pus in between them when they are pushed
• A bite that changes suddenly so that your teeth don’t seem to fit together correctly
• Receding gums
• A bad taste in the mouth or chronic bad breath
• Loose or separating teeth

Gum disease is usually the result of poor brushing and flossing habits. When you don’t brush and floss on a regular basis, there is a build-up of plaque, which hardens into a substance called tartar. That’s why we recommend our patients brush and floss twice a day. It’s the best way to prevent plaque from building up.

No amount of brushing and flossing will remove tartar from your teeth. It takes a professional cleaning to remove it, which is why we encourage regular checkups.

If you notice the above symptoms, call us at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo right away. People from American Fork and Lehi come to our practice for complete family dentistry, as for their dream smiles! Call for 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

 

If you’re like most of us, you’d like to have the best smile possible. Have you given much thought to improving yours? At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo we have some thoughts on that. Cosmetic dentistry can make a huge difference, but a great smile comes down to making a plan and sticking to it.

One of the best things you can do for your smile is to brush and floss your teeth every single day. Twice a day is even better! In this way you’ll keep your teeth and gums clean and healthy, and that will shine through every time you smile.

How can cosmetic dentistry help? Cosmetic dentistry is all about using sound dental techniques to make positive changes to your teeth and smile. The most popular techniques include:

• Teeth whitening. Sure, there are plenty of whitening products available at any grocery store. None of them can match the power of professional whitening.
• Porcelain veneers. Veneers are thin shells of medical-grade ceramic that we attach to the fronts of your teeth. They’ll cover chips, cracks, gaps, and other imperfections. The difference is startling!
• Dental Implants. Implants are the ultimate improvement and should be on the plan of anyone missing one or more teeth. One or more titanium posts inserted in your jaw can support a single replacement tooth, a dental bridge, and even dentures.

One last thing to make part of your dental plan: regular checkups at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo. That is a sure-fire way to maintain excellent dental health. People from American Fork and Lehi come to our practice for family and cosmetic dentistry, and a whole lot more. Call for 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

 

Saliva is an important part of good oral health. Without an adequate flow, you’d find it very difficult to chew and swallow. If you have a problem with dry mouth, let us know at Hammond Aesthetic & General Denteistry in Provo.

Saliva is produced by several glands in and around the mouth, and it is mostly water. No surprise there! Aside from chewing and keeping your mouth moist, saliva fights germs in your mouth and helps prevent bad breath.

Sometimes people have a reduced flow of saliva, a condition known as xerostomia (pronounced zero-STO-me-uh). It’s a common side effect of certain medications, and can lead to discomfort and swelling.

Many commonly-used medications can cause dry mouth, including:

• Antihistamines
• Appetite suppressants
• Certain blood pressure medicine
• Antidepressants
• Certain pain medication

Dry mouth can also contribute to tooth decay and gum disease, so if these symptoms sound familiar to you, let us know.

At Hammond Aesthetic & General Denteistry in Provo, we keep a close watch on the oral health of our patients. People from American Fork and Lehi come to us for family dentistry, and for their dream smiles! Call us to schedule your next checkup 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

 

Regular check-ups and cleanings at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo are essential for good dental health. But in some people their gums tend to bleed after a thorough cleaning, causing them concern.

Is this a problem? Well, it depends. If your gums bleed for a couple days after your dental cleaning, don’t worry about it. But, if the bleeding and tenderness last longer, you really need to return to our office to check for the possibility of gum disease.

Gum disease arises when plaque builds up along the gum line. You might also see bad breath, painful chewing, and loose teeth.

It is a progressive condition and a leading cause of tooth loss in adults. It is also treatable, but as with most conditions, the earlier it is diagnosed and the treatment begins, the better.

At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo we want all our patients to enjoy excellent dental health. Patients from throughout American Fork and Lehi come to our practice for family 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