Tag: smile

Remember Your Oral Hygiene Basics

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As we get older, time seems to fly by faster as we let little things slide. If we allow our oral hygiene slip during our busy lives, then we can be setting ourselves up for painful and costly consequences in the future. That is why, our dentist, Drs. Paul and Brant Stanovick with Paul R. Stanovick, DDS in Mechanicsville, Virginia, is here to remind you the simple basics of oral hygiene practices.

Here is a compiled list of the basics of oral hygiene basics:

– Visit your dentist every 6 months to have your teeth professionally cleaned.
– It is important to improve your oral hygiene and improve your life. This can be accomplished by eliminating bad habits and your life such as smoking.
– To help wash away debris in your mouth, mouthwash is useful.
– A healthy diet can go a long way in improving your oral hygiene.
– Be sure to floss every day with a reliable dental floss product. This is important to clean out debris from between your teeth.
– Do not forget to visit your dentist for routine checkups and examinations of your teeth and gums.
– Brushing twice daily is important for keeping your smile safe and free of damage.

If you follow these steps, then you can’t go wrong in doing your best to keep your smile in pristine shape. Our dental team cares for your oral health, which is why we are always happy to help you in any way we can. If you have questions about your oral health or need an appointment, please call us at 804-781-1919. We look forward to hearing from you.

TMJ Pain Can Be Reduced and Treated

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Does your jaw hurt when you laugh or talk? If so, you could be experiencing TMD. To help you learn more about the joints in your smile, our dentists, Drs. Paul and Brant Stanovick with Paul R. Stanovick, DDS in Mechanicsville, Virginia, is happy to provide you this article.

Temporomandibular joint, also known as the TMJ, is a strong joint in your jaw that is a concern among many adults. However, in recent cases, TMJ is also an increasing concern among teenagers too. TMJ is the most complex joint in the human body and is responsible for talking and chewing or the movement of your jaw. When there is a problem associated with your TMJ, this could lead to the development of the temporomandibular joint disorder, also known as TMD.

There are factors that contribute to TMD such as injuries, improper dental alignment, bruxism, stress, chewing on hard substances, and other habitual behaviors. Signs you could be suffering from TMD include tender jaw muscles, pain when yawning or chewing, headaches, dislocation of the jaw, a locked or stiff jaw, clicking or popping sounds when you open your jaw, or pain in your joints. If you have any of these symptoms, please call us right away to begin treatment.

If you need help with your TMJ pain and need to be treated, then feel free to call 804-781-1919 to make an appointment with one of our specialists. We are happy to answer your questions and concerns pertaining to your TMJ.

Information About Tooth Hazard Treatments

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Never be afraid to seek out new ways to improve your oral health. As much as you may want to change your smile from time to time, it is important to remember that restorations will not always be there to give you a smile makeover if an oral accident or injury occurs. In addition, dental damage could severely hinder your health and potentially cause damaged beyond easy repair. Although this is rare, it is a good idea to be prepared for any severe tooth hazards that may come your way.

To help keep your smile safe, it is always important to avoid tooth hazards hours in the form of tongue piercings. If you’re not sure what a tongue piercing is, it is a piece of mouth jewelry, often made of metal and inserted directly into your tongue. Lip and tongue rings are dangerous, although tongue rings can cause nerve damage if inserted incorrectly. In addition, choking hazards are also present with mouth jewelry, and the risk for infectious diseases such as hepatitis and endocarditis can occur.

Mouth guards are highly effective tooth hazards prevention tools that function as oral appliances designed to keep your smile safe. Once mouth guards are in place, they can help prevent damage to your teeth and gums that often arise due to blunt trauma or oral accidents and injuries. In addition, mouth guards can be customized for your exact dental impression by your dentist or can be purchased pre-formed at a local store.

Never chew on ice. By chewing on ice, you can easily damage your teeth. Even though ice is natural and sugar-free, you may not think it can damage your teeth, but can easily chip or crack teeth. In addition, it can lead to toothaches and potentially even knock teeth out. This is because dental trauma can often exist by biting into products that are too hard for your teeth. Even if your teeth were once able to bite into these products, they may have weakened over time and are no longer capable of doing so.

Are you finally beginning to understand the oral health benefits of tooth hazard treatments? To learn more about tooth hazard treatments, or to schedule, an appointment with your dentist at Paul R. Stanovick, DDS, call Drs. Paul Stanovick, Brant Stanovick, and our entire team at our dentist office in Mechanicsville, Virginia at 804-781-1919.  With tooth hazard treatments, we will make sure you receive the smile you’ve always wished for.

How Acidic Foods Can Harm Your Oral Health

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Let’s be honest: foods with high acidity can be scrumptious. They also eat away at your tooth enamel, creating tooth decay and cavities. Dentists call this dental erosion. That’s one reason why it’s important to limit the amount of acidic foods that you consume.

Some of the most common culprits include alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, and fruit juices. Citrus fruits are also highly acidic and can damage your teeth. You’ll also want to avoid foods and drinks that contain a lot of sugar. Bacteria in your mouth can convert these sugars into harmful acids. Sour sweets, which contain both sugar and acid, can stick to teeth, leading to prolonged acid contact with tooth enamel.

So how does one continue to enjoy these foods in moderation? One tip is to never eat and drink them with other ph-balancing foods in a meal. Dairy and protein are great at neutralizing acids. Another thing to remember is not to brush your teeth immediately after eating acidic meals. Some teeth become hypersensitive due to acidic exposure and may be damaged by toothpaste. Instead, try chewing sugarless gum to help promote saliva production within your mouth. This will help clear the acids and prepare your teeth for brushing, which you can do as soon as 30 minutes after you finish eating.

If you would like Drs. Paul Stanovick, Brant Stanovick, and our team at Paul R. Stanovick, DDS to give you an oral exam or professional cleaning, please contact our dentist office in Mechanicsville, Virginia, by calling us at 804-781-1919. Have a beautiful day!

Fun Facts About Cosmetic Dentistry

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Are you aware that there is a cosmetic dentistry procedure for almost all types of issues and complications that may arise with your smile? Even if your teeth are badly damaged or even entirely missing, modern-day dentistry is intended not only to provide you with a functional smile but a beautiful one that can imitate the look of a natural smile to its prime perfection.

If you are simply looking to whiten your natural smile, one of your best options is a tooth whitening system. With a professional whitening treatment, the tint of your smile can be improved by up to ten shades. If you are left with any lost or missing teeth, dental implants, dental bridges, and dentures all replace missing teeth for a natural look that closely resembles real teeth.

Not all cosmetic dentistry procedures are designed to only enhance the look of your teeth. Some can repair damaged teeth and correct minor malocclusions and imperfections as well. Dental crowns can conceal teeth down to the gum line for an upgraded look, as well as increased functions and an added layer of protection. Dental veneers can conceal the front of a tooth for a customizable look that can cover up stains and imperfections that brushing or whitening cannot correct. Dental bonding treatments can help defend teeth that have been chipped or cracked or those that are overly sensitive.

No matter which cosmetic dentistry service you choose, the real importance is the oral health benefits it can provide. If you would like Drs. Paul Stanovick, Brant Stanovick, and our team at Paul R. Stanovick, DDS to bring you in for an oral exam to determine which treatment is best for you, please contact our dentist office in Mechanicsville, Virginia, by calling us at 804-781-1919. Come see us, and let us show you the benefits of a better smile today!

Tooth Restoration Services Can Enhance Your Smile

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Our team at Paul R. Stanovick, DDS has seen and treated nearly every type of tooth abnormality or dental damage imaginable. Whether the issues with your smile are caused by oral accidents and injuries or are simply the product of bad genetics and environmental factors, we have a wide variety of tooth restoration services to improve your smile.

Tooth restoration services can enhance your smile. Here are some of the most popular ones we offer:

– Dental Crowns: Dental crowns are extremely sturdy covers cemented into place to completely cover teeth. They are often used to protect teeth from further damage, and to restore teeth to their suitable size, shape, look, and color.
– Dental Veneers: Dental veneers are an excellent cosmetic upgrade for teeth that consists of bonding hard shells to the fronts of teeth to conceal blemishes and to upgrade the look of your smile.
– Dental Fillings: Dental fillings, often consisting of resin-based composite fillings or dental amalgams, are typically used to provide durability while chewing, to prevent tooth fracture, and to avert or fill in cavities.
– Teeth Whitening Treatments: Teeth whitening treatments are cosmetic upgrades for your teeth remove stains and bring back your regular tooth color or upgrade to brighter and whiter teeth.

For any of our tooth restoration procedures, Paul R. Stanovick, DDS can be reached by calling us at 804-781-1919, or stopping by our office in Mechanicsville, Virginia. You can schedule an appointment with Drs. Stanovick and Stanovick, by calling us during normal operating hours. We can reestablish your smile and help you attain the oral health you deserve.

Keeping Ahead of COVID-19

Providing a safe environment for treatment and control for infectious disease is always a priority at Paul Stanovick DDS. Our expansive reception area and large outdoor deck provides space to easily support regulations surrounding social distancing. The treatment rooms provide an extra layer of protection as they are sanitized between each patient and provide clean air through air purifiers located in each room. You will see some changes during your next appointment as we have added precautions to protect patients and staff. You will be asked to enter the building with use of facial protection and asked to wear it until you are in the treatment room. Hand sanitizer is also available throughout the whole building for your use. You may notice that our magazine and children’s books have been removed from the reception area as they are harder to disinfect. We have installed plexiglass around our front reception area for added distancing between front staff and patients waiting for appointments. Air purifiers have been placed in every operatory with two larger purifiers in the front and back of the office. We have provided face shields, lab jackets and barrier gowns for all clinical staff. Our hours of operation will still remain Monday -Friday 8am-5pm. We are looking forward to seeing you again and are happy to answer any questions you may have about treatment and the safety precautions we are taking here at the practice. If you would like to make an appointment you can give us a call or text 804.781.1919. Thank you for your patience during these changing times and for your trust in us with taking care of your dental needs. Sincerely, Dr. Paul Stanovick, Dr. Brant Stanovick, and Staff.