Your 13-year-old daughter coaxed you into taking her to her favorite theme park in Orlando, Florida for her birthday over the weekend. She was giddy getting on the rides while you were happily taking a picture of her every chance you got. Unfortunately, when you went over the photos, you noticed that your teen was hardly smiling in any of them.

Teens can get especially conscious about smiling if they are not satisfied with the appearance of their teeth. A common problem among teens is misaligned or crooked teeth for which braces may be required. The problem is that wearing these metal braces or aligners (which often look like they can be seen a mile away) can make your teen even more self-conscious about smiling than she already is—not to mention make her feel uncomfortable or uneasy.

Luckily, a convenient, less noticeable option from an Orlando dentist is available to properly align your daughter's teeth and make them appear straighter and healthier, and it's called Invisalign. Unlike the usual metal braces, Invisalign braces are light and smooth, making the wearers barely feel them. Another plus of Invisalign is that they can do the job of correcting teeth alignment in a much shorter time than standard metal braces, something that your teen daughter will definitely welcome.

"Some patients can have implants only after their jawbones are built up via bone grafts — a time-consuming, expensive procedure. Others, including those on intravenous drugs for osteoporosis, shouldn’t have implants because of the risk of bone disease. Visit your trusted dentist in Orlando, FL to learn about the pros and cons of each procedure that can address your dental needs. By communicating effectively with your dentist, not only will you ensure that you are in good hands, but you will also be able to rest assured that you’re getting your money’s worth in achieving a good-looking smile."

http://www.simmondsdentalcenter.com/blog/info-article/ask-your-dentist-in-orlando-fl-about-how-dental-implants-can-help-you/

Surprisingly, a large percentage of people fear going to the dentist. It has been found out that oftentimes, patients who need to have their teeth cleaned, fixed, or replaced opt not to visit their dentists due to this fear. Instead, they allow their teeth to rot, and let damages such as cavities and tooth decay simply worsen over time.

People who fear going to the dentist largely attribute it to bad past experiences in the dentist's office, such as a dental visit during childhood that reminds patient of feeling pain during the clinical procedure. Others attribute it to a negative feeling they've associated with dentists from a young age because of their parents who also fear dental visits. Some, meanwhile, feel intense embarrassment over their dental health, or have other issues that cause the mere idea of going to the dentist to instill a feeling of anxiety and stress.

Dentists understand this fear and have developed ways to help abate it, such as putting patients under oral conscious sedation. Typically administered through two different methods, inhalation and intravenous sedation, this allows them to be in a state of calm and relaxation while the dental procedure is being performed. Dentists also try to deal with their patients in a gentle, friendly manner in order to establish feelings of familiarity and trust into their professional relationship. It is highly encouraged that patients find a dentist they are comfortable with and can openly communicate with to reduce their fears associated with dental visits.

The developing teeth of your children naturally need more care and attention than yours, which is why there are specialized fields of dentistry that focus solely on children's teeth. Some people opt to have their kids treated by their family dentists, but the fact is that general practitioners could not always detect and treat the minute details in the growth of children's teeth.

You should take your child to the dentist at least six months after his first tooth erupts, since it is during this time that his dental development should be tracked. Having the pediatric dentist check his dental health early on should help in foreseeing possible problems with alignment, bite, gum disease, etc., and keeping them from escalating before it's too late.

Tooth decay, for instance, is something that should be immediately addressed, even if it is just on baby teeth. These teeth need to fully develop for them to allow space for the permanent set of teeth to grow, thus decay or early removal will keep permanent teeth from growing in its place.

Aside from what the dentist can do for you, it's also important to inculcate proper dental hygiene to your children as early as you can. If they learn to associate brushing and flossing to be as normal a part of their daily routine as eating and taking a bath, they will be more inclined to do it even without having to tell them.

It seems that the Tooth Fairy is feeling extra generous this year. According to the Huffington Post, kids these days are getting an average of $3.70 for every tooth that falls out, 23% more than last year and almost double that compared to 2011. Playground politics, apparently, is probably causing the inflation—parents are giving more money so kids won't feel bad that their playmates got more for their teeth than they did.

As adults, we can only wish for a Tooth Fairy to shell out dough for every time we lose a tooth, too. But alas, we instead pay a dentist to replace the teeth we've lost.

To replace missing teeth, dental implant,  dentures or dental bridges are available as options. Due to the expenses involved with tooth restoration though, many people decide to carry on with an incomplete set of teeth. However, this may lead to more problems and more expenses in the long run.

Gaps may cause other teeth to shift, becoming crooked or loosening over time. There will also be less protection for the gum and the chance of getting a gum disease will be increased. It can also potentially affect your speech and the ability to chew properly.

To avoid these problems, do as the Tooth Fairy does and be more generous when it comes to caring for your teeth. Consult with a trusted dentist about dental health and replacement options for lost teeth.

Any athlete who has lost his teeth due to sports can approach a trusted dentist in Orlando, FL for tooth restoration. Their dentist can prepare a dental bridge or dentures for them, but the best way to replace lost teeth is through dental implants. This is a process wherein titanium roots are implanted in the jaw and crowns that look exactly like teeth will be installed afterward. It's heartening to know that more and more hockey players are wearing mouth guards to protect their teeth. Indeed, tooth loss is not only caused by age or poor hygiene, but contact sports as well. Athletes who are concerned about the problems their missing teeth might cause can get dental implants in Orlando from a dentist that specializes in the procedure.

http://www.simmondsdentalcenter.com/blog/industry-news/a-trusted-orlando-fl-dentist-can-help-athletes-replace-missing-teeth/

To ensure that you are in good oral condition throughout the course of your pregnancy, visit your trusted Orlando, FL dentist regularly. Dr. Sonia Simmonds, a family dentist who specializes in cosmetic dental procedures, can help promote the maintenance of oral hygiene, so that gums do not become tender, red, swollen, and prone to bleeding—the most common signs of periodontal disease. When it seems like the gums are pulling away from the teeth, it is best to immediately schedule an appointment with your dentist for a quick check up. Bad breath, despite frequent brushing, flossing and use of mouthwash, as well as loose teeth, are other signs that may point out to the possibility of suffering from periodontal disease.

http://www.simmondsdentalcenter.com/blog/industry-news/regular-checkups-with-an-orlando-fl-dentist-helps-prevent-premature-or-low-birth-weight-delivery/

According to an article that recently appeared on Men's Health, a new study published in the European Journal of Oral Sciences revealed that regardless of age, people with fewer natural teeth do poorly on mental exercises. The research was not able to establish the link between natural teeth and intelligence, but dentists agree that people with more natural teeth are often more health-conscious. Aside from safeguarding intellect, good oral hygiene helps maintain strong teeth and healthy gums, and reduces bacterial buildup in the mouth. Bacteria and microbes are responsible for tooth decay and oral infections. Aside from visiting their Orlando, FL dentist at least once every six months, patients are also advised to chew their food more slowly during meal times. By chewing your food more slowly before you swallow, you're not only helping your digestive system absorb nutrients more effectively, you'll also stimulate saliva production, which neutralizes the acid from the food.

http://www.simmondsdentalcenter.com/blog/industry-news/keep-edentulism-at-bay-by-visiting-your-dentist-in-orlando-fl/

Say “cheese” for a better looking smile in photographs, eat cheese for a good one in real life. It's for real. The May-June edition of General Dentistry published a study about how cheese and other dairy products help the teeth protect themselves against the powerful acids that other foods release when they are chewed.

The study consisted of teenagers who were asked to chew on cheese, finish sugar-free yogurt, and drink milk. Prior to consuming what was given to them, the pH levels of their mouths were taken. The same was done thrice: 10, 20, and 30 minutes after consumption of the dairy products. It turns out that of all the dairy products given to them, it was cheese that enabled their mouths to raise their respective pH levels.

High pH levels are very important in one's oral health because they prevent cavity buildup. Lower pH levels, particularly ones below 5.5, allow acids and bacteria to thrive and cause tooth erosion. Dentists highly discourage the consumption of very acidic drinks like soda because they lower your mouth's pH level. When this happens, it is all the more difficult to protect the teeth from the corrosive properties of acidic food and drinks.

Social psychology studies have shown that a person's facial appearance can have a big influence on their success in life. Results from the same studies also reveal that a person's smile factors highly in creating an impression on others. It is a reality that factors such as genes and dental problems can lead to a less-than-perfect smile, which could negatively affect one's facial appearance. Fortunately, everyone can rely on cosmetic dentistry services to bring out their best smiles. Some of the most popular cosmetic dentistry procedures are:

* Veneers and Lumineers – these are porcelain products that are individually layered over existing teeth to create an appearance of even coloration and perfect shapes. These are especially beneficial to those who have healthy teeth but might be suffering from teeth discoloration, tooth chips, or uneven shapes.

* Teeth Whitening– this is typically a bleaching procedure using various products and brands. A bleaching agent is applied to the teeth, which then acts against stains and discolorations that may have been caused by tobacco, alcohol, and aging, among other factors. The application for some bleaching products requires the use of lasers, and the degree to which different brands and products can whiten teeth may vary.

* Invisalign – this are popularly regarded as adult braces. They are transparent and removable teeth appliances that can correct defective teeth alignment in a short period of time.

It's tempting to say that dentists have it easy since they only specialize in teeth. The fact, however, is that teeth are actually quite difficult to work with. Tooth extractions, for instance, require precision and extreme care or else the dentist risks damaging other areas of the patient's mouth. This doesn't even mention the various dental procedures that dentists should be well-versed in before they can help you with your tooth troubles.

General dentistry involves the basics; tooth examinations, cleaning, and extractions are relatively simple compared to the more complex procedures that involve using resins, veneers, and implants. However, even the basics can prove difficult to carry out if a dentist doesn't know how to work with different kinds of teeth (i.e. children's teeth vs. adult teeth). General dentistry also involves working with your gums, especially in treating gum diseases.

Meanwhile, cosmetic dentistry aims to enhance your teeth's aesthetics using a host of other procedures like bleaching, “smile makeovers”, and a variety of teeth implants. On the other hand, restorative dentistry has the painstaking job of replacing missing teeth using permanent dental implants that require multiple visits to the dentist. People who suffered from serious physical trauma to their teeth may turn to restorative dentistry for complete mouth reconstruction surgery.

Everyone knows what a dentist looks like as portrayed in TV shows and films. They are health professionals who sit or stand infront of a dental chair, wear scrub suits under their white lab coats, and use latex or vinyl gloves when they treat their patients. Though they're easy to recognize when they're in their offices, it's difficult to know the difference between an orthodontist and a periodontist. Here are some dental specializations you need to be familiar with so you'll now who can best treat your tooth and gums.

     * Endodontists – perform root canals and treat diseases of the tooth nerves and pulp 

     * Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons – treat mouth and jaw defects and injuries, often perform complex tooth extractions 

    * Oral Pathologists – looks into diseases of the mouth; examines, diagnoses, and treats them

        * Orthodontists – realign crooked teeth, design corrective and supportive braces

       * Pediatric Dentists – care for the dental health of children, from infants to adolescents, expertly handle first visits 

        * Periodontists – treat gums and diseases of the teeth 

      * Prosthodontist – fit replacement teeth like dentures, bridgework and implants; designs and makes them

It's important that you visit your dentist at least once a year for cleaning and checkup. If your teeth need specialized care, go to the specific dentist who can give you appropriate treatment.

For some people, visiting the dentist regularly is not an easy task, most especially for people who are always busy working in large cities like Orlando. Nevertheless, it is of utmost importance to receive the proper oral health through regular dental appointments. To avoid any hassle, you'll have to make sure that you are prepared when you see your dentist; that way, you can make the most of your visit.

First of all, gather the necessary records and papers. If you have dental insurance, make sure that you have all the information you need. It is also important to bring all the old records you have, including x-rays and charts, if you were seeing a different dentist previously. This is important for the dentist to have a clearer grasp of your condition in spite of this being your first visit to him.

It is also advisable for you to prepare yourself for certain questions so that the consultations won't take that long. Similarly, if you have certain questions about your personal oral health, you may opt to take note of them so you won't forget them later. And of course, brush your teeth longer than usual to prepare for your appointment.