Oral Conscious Sedation: Sit Back and Relax

While one of our doctors will decide which medications are appropriate for your dental treatment, being familiar with the type of sedation we offer at the practice might make you a little more comfortable during your next visit. Whether you suffer from dental anxiety or desire a little more relaxation in the dental chair, our staff at Advantage Dentistry is here to make you feel as comfortable and calm as possible through oral conscious sedation.

Depending on the total dose given, oral sedation can range from minimal to moderate. For minimal sedation, you take a pill, and it’s usually taken about an hour before the procedure. This pill will make you drowsy, but you’ll still be awake and able to respond to the doctor’s questions and commands. Recovery may take a little longer with this type of sedation, and you’ll need an escort to drive you home for your safety.

If you suffer from dental fear, please inform us when scheduling your next appointment. To schedule your appointment with Advantage Dentistry in Kenmore, NY, call our office at 716-877-2275 or visit our website www.advantagedentistry.com for more information about the services we provide. 

Bad Breath and How to Keep it Away

Bad breath can be frustrating, especially when it seems to be reoccurring. At Advantage Dentistry in Kenmore, NY, we want to share some easy tips for keeping away bad breath and letting fresh breath reign!

There are certain types of bacteria that have a foul odor. This is usually what is causing bad breath. To combat these bacteria, you can do several things; keep good oral hygiene, keep hydrated, and consume foods and drinks that help fight the bacteria.

Brush your teeth two to three times per day and floss once per day every day. Also, be sure to clean the roof of your mouth, your tongue, and your inner cheeks.

Bad breath bacteria can multiply when the mouth dries out. So, the second most important part of keep fresh breath is staying hydrated. Make sure you are getting in your recommended amount of water each and every day!

There are also certain foods and drinks that help fight bacteria. For instance, green tea contains properties that fight off the bad odor-causing bacteria. Yogurt can do the same thing since it contains good live-and-active cultures.

If your bad breath isn’t going away, try these tips! To schedule your next cleaning and examination, call our Kenmore, NY office at (716) 877-2275. More information about Advantage Dentistry can be found on our website, www.advantagedentistry.com. 

Avoid Staining to Keep Your Smile Bright

A while smile can turn heads and boost confidence! Are you unhappy with the shine of your smile? Our daily lives can contribute to staining, dullness, or yellowish color. Fortunately, here at Advantage Dentistry in Kenmore, NY, we offer professional teeth whitening. In addition, take some of these tips for keeping your pearly whites white!

To keep stains away, you need to make sure you are keeping away plaque. Plaque is that layer of bacteria that forms on your teeth throughout the day. Brush your teeth three times per day to keep away plaque and to brush away stain-causing debris from food and drinks. If you smoke, this can also contribute to major staining over time. There is just one more reason to kick the habit.

Dark foods and drinks like blueberries, coffee, cola, and soy sauce can discolor teeth consumed frequently. When surface stains penetrate the enamel and darken the center of the tooth, the whole tooth can appear darker. Rinsing out your mouth after consuming dark foods and drinks will help keep the stains from sticking. For dark drinks, use a straw to limit the amount of liquid that touches your teeth.

To find out more about our professional whitening procedure, be sure to contact us. To schedule an appointment with Advantage Dentistry in Kenmore, NY, call us at (716) 877-2275 or visit our website, www.advantagedentistry.com. 

Extraction Site Preservation

When removing a tooth, it is important to consider what will be done with the empty space after that tooth is removed. Wisdom teeth are in the back of the mouth so that site has the ability to heal on its own with no complications. However, if it is necessary for one of our doctors at Advantage Dentistry to remove another tooth, plans must be made and this is where extraction site preservation comes into play.

If a tooth is removed and nothing is done with the extraction site, the jaw bone will degenerate and change shape during healing. This can cause teeth to shift and can create problems in your bite that can affect the ability to speak and chew. Just imagine chewing food with no teeth and how uncomfortable that would feel. Options for filling the space include dental implants and bridges. What you choose to do with your extraction site is your choice, and our doctors are always open to a conversation on what to do with your extraction site before removing a tooth.

If you’ve recently had teeth extracted and have questions about the site preservation process, give us a call. To schedule your appointment with Advantage Dentistry in Kenmore, NY, call our office at 716-877-2275 or visit our website www.advantagedentistry.com for more information about the services we provide. 

Tooth Extractions

Occasionally, there is a tooth that is giving enough problems to be taken out. This is usually when there is too much damage or infection to save it. At Advantage Dentistry in Kenmore, NY, we work hard to save teeth; however, we can perform experienced extractions when necessary.

To extract a tooth, your dentist will use a local anesthetic to numb the area, or a general anesthetic, if the extraction is more complex. Often general anesthesia is used for wisdom teeth extractions. If an incision is needed to be made in the gums to remove the tooth, your dentist will make that incision and remove any bone tissue, if necessary. Using forceps, your doctor will rock the tooth back and forth until it is loose enough to be pulled out. Some cases need the tooth to be broken into pieces, first. Stitches are then applied, if necessary.

While it is always ideal to keep your teeth, there are many reasons a tooth may need to be extracted including damage, decay, infection, overcrowding, and more. Very commonly extracted teeth are the wisdom teeth.

If you are feeling dental pain that will not subside, it is important to have it examined. To schedule an appointment with Advantage Dentistry in Kenmore, NY, call our office at (716) 877-2275. More information about our practice can be found on our website, www.advantagedentistry.com. 

Treating Sleep Apnea at Home

Sleep apnea can greatly affect your energy levels and increase the risks of conditions like heart disease and stroke. In addition to seeking treatment for sleep apnea, it is also important to help yourself at home. Advantage Dentistry here in Kenmore, NY is able to treat patients for sleep apnea. Read on to learn how to control it at home.

A Healthy Weight. Overweight individuals with extra weight on their neck can actually experience worsened effects from sleep apnea. It is important to keep a healthy weight to minimize the risk and symptoms of sleep apnea. Talk to your doctor about a healthy weight for someone your age and height.

Sleeping Position. Your sleeping position also greatly affects how severe your sleep apnea may be. Sleeping on your back will give you the worst effects. Instead, sleep on your side to allow a more open airway.

Sedatives. Sleep aids and alcohol are depressants that can make sleep apnea worse. Avoid such substances in order to facilitate easier breathing. The combination of sleep apnea and a depressant could result in death in severe cases.

Sleep apnea needs to be treated in order to avoid dangerous health complications. You will also feel refreshed and like you slept well once your sleep apnea is under control. To schedule an appointment with Advantage Dentistry of Kenmore, NY, call us at (716) 877-2275. For more information, visit our website, www.advantagedentistry.com. 

Tooth Sensitivity

Does sipping on a hot or cold beverage send a sharp shooting pain into your tooth’s nerve? If you’ve answered yes, then you’ve likely developed tooth sensitivity. Tooth sensitivity occurs when the enamel that protects our teeth gets thinner, or when gum recession occurs, exposing the underlying surface called the dentin, thus reducing the protection the enamel and gums provide to the tooth and root. At Advantage Dentistry, the treatment for your sensitive teeth will depend on the cause.

If you brush your teeth too hard or use a hard-bristled toothbrush, you may be setting yourself up for disaster. This method of brushing can wear down enamel and expose the dentin, causing you pain. Also, tooth decay, teeth grinding, and gum disease are also culprits of tooth sensitivity. The best way to control the sensitive situation in addition to scheduling regular dental checkups is by practicing and maintaining a proper oral hygiene routine.  

If you are bothered by sensitive teeth, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To schedule your appointment with Advantage Dentistry in Kenmore, NY, call our office at 716-877-2275 or visit our website www.advantagedentistry.com for more information about the services we provide.