Oyster Point Dentistry Blog

For teens today, their social life is as important as ever. But many teens are facing dental concerns. Fortunately, even crooked teeth can be treated discreetly and even invisibly with Invisalign Braces. With Invisalign, no one can tell you're straightening your teeth. So now you or your teen can smile more during and after treatment.

Everyone wants a radiant smile. No parent wants to hear their teen needs braces. No teen wants to see metal braces when they look back at the pictures. With Invisalign invisible braces, this is not an issue. Oyster Point Dentistry experts offer invisible braces to patients who don't want metal braces to get in the way of their social lives. Invisalign is the invisible way to straighten your teeth without braces.

Summer also means wedding season, showers, engagement parties, graduation parties, and meeting new college roommates. Maybe stained or discolored teeth is your issue. With porcelain veneers you can restore the white and natural look your teeth used to have.  Dental veneers are a thin, translucent layer of porcelain that comfortably fit over your stained teeth bring about a natural looking, bright smile. Veneers can improve the shape, color or size of your teeth giving you a brighter, more uniform smile.

A bright, confident smile allows you to put your best look forward. By taking care of your teens teeth now, you can ensure that your teen will have strong, beautiful teeth throughout their lives.

For cosmetic and restorative dentistry in Newport News, Oyster Point offers crowns, inlays composite fillings and dental implants. Let your smile sparkle with white, healthy teeth. Contact us.

The first thing people notice about you is your smile. Nothing is as noticeable as a beautiful set of teeth. White smile are more attractive and they present a more healthy appearance. If you have not been born with a perfect smile, you can get one fairly easily.

It has never been easier to get that beautiful smile, from teeth whitening to veneers to one-day dental crowns, you can get that smile with minimal dental visits.
 
In office teeth-whitening gives you results that are not available over the counter. They are also safer and more effective than over the counter whitening products. In office whitening also protects your gums from ill-fitting trays and bleaching agents. Gums are very sensitive, and using an poorly fitting whitening tray is asking for gum trouble.  A dentist will give you custom-made whitening trays which reduces the contact of the solution and your gums.

If you need dental crowns, forget about multiple visits to the dentist’s office. At Oyster Point Dentistry, we offer E4D Dentist system that allows us to give you dental crowns in a single visit. We scan your tooth, then, a custom crown is designed to fit your unique smile. The final restoration is placed in your mouth the same day.

Dental veneers are thin pieces of porcelain that are adhered to your teeth. Veneers can give your teeth the appearance of being larger or brighter, they can also cover uneven, discolored or chipped teeth.

Whatever dental procedure you choose to improve your smile, be sure you talk to your dentist and choose the procedure that is an effective, long lasting and a healthy option for your mouth. Contact Oyster Point Dental.

Everyone wants a bright white smile, but not everyone can afford the maintenance behind it.

The latest Do-It-Yourself trend is teeth whitening or dental bleaching. Over-the-counter teeth whitening products can often improve the shade of your teeth; the disadvantages of over-the-counter kits far outweigh the benefits.  For more effective and safer results, it’s recommended that you have your dentist perform in-office teeth-whitening.

Here are some potential risks and side effects of over-the-counter teeth whiteners that you should be aware of:

Harmful to the Gum Line - Over-the-counter teeth whitening kits contain peroxides. The peroxide can cause serious damage to your gum line. DIY whitening strips or gel trays can often be too big or small. Either scenario can lead to unnecessary contact with your gum line.

In a dentist’s office, teeth whitening trays are custom made for each mouth. With a lesser risk of gum contact, a higher concentration of peroxides in stronger gels can be used that ultimately yield better, whiter results.

Aggravate Dental Problems- Do-it-yourself teeth whitening kits can make pre-existing dental problems worse.  The bleach can get into any abscess of the mouth and cause immediate pain – or worse, an infection.

It is important to make an appointment with your dentist before considering teeth-whitening. They can check for any cavities or gum disease that could be aggravated by the bleach. If you have a severe cavity, the bleach can travel as far as the root and may lead to root-canal therapy.

In gums with pre-existing gum disease, the bleach from kits will burn the inflamed gums and can cause the loss of soft tissue. This can lead to serious illness as the bacteria from the gums can find its way to other parts of the body.

Poor Results- Over-the-Counter teeth whitening lead to ineffective  or uneven results. Most DIY treatments contain bleach concentrations between 10%-20% – somewhere in between is the safest bet for a bleaching agent. Most teeth whitening kits don’t list the concentration so customer cannot choose a strength that’s sensitive to their oral health.

Damage Tooth Enamel - Enamel is the protective layer around our teeth. It can be stained by foods like caffeine, tobacco and wine. This is why people opt to whiten their teeth.

DIY teeth whitening kits are known to contain sodium bicarbonate and hydrogen peroxide – two chemicals that, if not applied properly, can cause erosion of the tooth enamel. If the enamel wears away, the layer of yellow dentin underneath becomes exposed and extreme pain becomes inevitable.

If are interested in teeth whitening, we suggest in-office whitening. For an appointment or for more information, contact Oyster Point Dentistry.

World Dental

Dental implants are one of the most common and  long lasting treatments for replacing missing teeth. Dental implants function similarly to a real tooth by replacing the missing tooth with an artificial tooth and root. In this process, the root of the tooth is replaced with a titanium screw. It is inserted into the jawbone and attached with an artificial tooth.

The natural appearance of dental implants is one of their greatest advantages. They look very similar to natural teeth and look and work better than bridges and dentures. Compared to other treatments for replacing missing teeth, dental implants have a significantly more natural appearance.
 
Dental implants are easy and a more convenient solution than other options for most patients. They can also be used as a support for dentures because the titanium root is securely screwed into the jaw. Today, most dentists are choosing implants to replace missing teeth and enhance overall appearance.

Though dental implants are more expensive than other treatment options, they last a lifetime when properly cared for making them very cost effective. For one or more missing teeth, consider dental implants for a younger, healthier more natural appearance. Contact Oyster Point Dentistry in Newport News, VA.

Periodontal disease and its treatment are predictors of stroke. Though the link between dental health and heart health is not completely clear, it is important to take care of both.

Caring for Teeth Protects Against Stroke

Paying attention to your dental hygiene and oral health, especially the health of your gums,  will certainly give you a healthy smile. It may also keep your heart healthy too. Cardiologists and periodontists, the dentists who treat gum disease, have long debated the link between dental health and heart disease.

A recent study showed the amount of dental care and periodontal disease is significantly correlated to incidents of stroke risk. People who have regular cleanings have a significantly lower risk of stroke.

Interestingly, in the study the highest risk of stroke was in the people who had untreated periodontal disease especially among the youngest age group who were 20 to 44. Poor dental health was also associated with first-time hospitalization for atrial fibrillation.

There are real reasons why dental health and heart health may be connected. While the link is still being studied, there is also confusion regarding periodontal disease and hearth health. Perhaps those who care better for their teeth care better for their bodies as well. However, a review of several studies by periodontists and cardiologists showed that gum disease is, by itself, a risk factor for coronary artery disease. Also, gum disease is an important risk factor for diseases of the blood vessels and the arteries that supply the brain, especially strokes involving insufficient blood or oxygen to the brain. A link has also found a direct link between clogged arteries in the legs and gum disease.

So, take care of your teeth, take care of your heart. To make an appointment or for more information, contact Oyster Point Dentistry.

Study details from medpagetoday.com

There are so many dental procedures available to people these days, and dental veneers are one of the most common and most-sought after.

As we are surrounded by media, we are also surrounded by beautiful smiles. We put quite a bit of emphasis on physical appearances. This is why people go to such great lengths to improve upon their appearance, particularly their smile. A smile is what most first impressions are based upon.

With such emphasis on physical appearance, there have been major advancements in dental technology over the years. People have many choices and options with which to create their perfect smile.

Of all the dental procedures, dental veneers are one of the most common and most-sought after. Dental veneers are extremely thin, custom-made shells made of tooth-colored porcelain that are designed to cover the front surface of your tooth to improve appearance, size, shape, length and color.

Porcelain dental veneers can fix many common dental problems; gaps between teeth, broken teeth, chipped and worn teeth, or discolored teeth.  Veneers can also fix teeth that are misaligned, misshapen or uneven dramatically improving the look of a smile.

Dental veneers are a great solution for long-lasting results and are a great investment for your confidence and your peace of mind. With proper care and maintenance, dental veneers can lost from 5-10 years. For more information on porcelain veneers, contact Oyster Point Dentistry.

Being afraid of the dentist is not a reason to avoid getting regular dental treatment and preventative care. With so many sedation dentistry techniques available, your entire dental procedure will be painless.

With sedation dentistry you can be awake and very relaxed, which allows you to have your dental procedure. After the procedure, you will not remember a thing about it. With total sleep dentistry; you will be completely sedated. Oyster Point Dentistry is one of the ONLY dental care providers across Hampton Roads trained in total sleep dentistry.

There are three main types of sedation dentistry techniques:

Oral sedation – local injection of anesthesia, or anti anxiety pills or liquid which are taken 1-2 hours before the procedure. This procedure is used in total sleep dentistry as well as sedation dentistry.

Inhalation sedation dentistry – otherwise known as nitrous oxide sedation or laughing gas. This type of dental sedation is done in the office, and is used for patients with dental phobia and anxiety. This procedure is used in total sleep dentistry as well as sedation dentistry.

Conscious or intravenous dental sedation – sedative is administered right into the bloodstream through an IV into a vein in your arm. This is the fastest acting sedation method. This procedure is used for total sleep dentistry.
 
Remember, with sedation dentistry you may think you were asleep during the dental procedure. Sedation is used for patients with a fear or phobia of the dentist's office. Total sleep dentistry will keep you completely sedated and this procedure is used for patients with a deep paranoia of the dentist or for those with special needs.
   
With today’s technology you should never let dental phobia or fear of the dentist stop you from receiving routine and preventative dental care. With routine care you can avoid serious dental complications.

For more information on sedation dentistry or total sleep dentistry, contact Oyster Point Dentistry.

Invisalign braces are a clear alternative to braces. With both teens and adults, Invisalign has grown in popularity because they are essentially invisible while they straighten teeth. As effective as conventional braces, Invisalign are clear plastic aligners that are removable. Because they are removable, they can be taken out for eating or when brushing and flossing making dental care easier and more effective than traditional braces.

Too many teens lose confidence with- or are embarrassed by- metal braces and too many adults forgo straightening their teeth with traditional braces because of the way the metal wires and brackets look.

As the popularity and awareness of Invisalign increases, more patients are deciding to take better care of their teeth through these clear braces. Crooked teeth can lead to other dental health issues, so providing options to traditional braces is important to overall oral health.
 
A lot of people want to avoid getting braces but with Invisalign patients don't have to hide their smile while straightening their teeth.
 
Often, Invisalign can straighten teeth in a shorter amount of time, and in less dental visits than regular braces. With Invisalign, patients are given a series of clear aligners that are changed every two weeks until the teeth have straightened.
 
For more information on Invisalign, or to see if you are a candidate, contact Oyster Point Dentistry.

Did you know that there is a connection between oral health and your overall health?  Getting regular dental care and routine checkups is the first in caring for your teeth, mouth and gums. Bacteria forms in your mouth, most is good, some can be bad. Regular brushing and flossing helps to keep bacteria under control. Sometimes other factors can affect the normal balance of these bacteria. This can result in infections in the mouth, gum disease, or tooth decay.

Bad bacteria grows in the mouth when the mouth is “out of balance”. This happens when taking certain medications or as a result of other factors that reduce the amount of saliva in your mouth. This can lead bad bacteria from the mouth to enter the bloodstream, causing illness.

What health conditions can arise as a result of poor oral health? Gum disease has been linked to such cardiovascular disease. It is also possible that periodontitis, which is a more serious for of gum disease, may attribute to heart disease, stroke, and clogged arteries.

To keep your mouth healthy, brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste at least two times per day and floss at every day. Drinking a glass of water 30 minutes after you eat helps to keep you teeth clean. Also, be sure to have regular dental checkups for cleaning, exams, and x-rays.

Oral health is not just important to your mouth, but to your overall health in general. For oral health care and preventative care, contact Oyster Point Dentistry.

With today’s technology, there are better ways for dentists to repair teeth. Now, there is no reason for you to endure silver fillings. In fact, recently concerns have arisen as to the safety of silver, otherwise known as amalgam, fillings.

Because amalgam fillings contain mercury, there are health concerns about illness, birth defects and mental disorders. However, it is unclear if and how much mercury gets into the body from silver fillings.

Amalgam fillings also cause teeth to crack which leads to root canals and tooth restorations. Oyster Point Dentistry offers “Invisible fillings". This is the latest technology in cavity repair and they allow you to completely mask dental fillings.

Invisible fillings blend with your teeth, and seal them against further decay. They also provide a superbly aesthetic effect, and seal the gap between the filling and your tooth better than the traditional silver fillings. Silver fillings can also be replaced with invisible fillings, also called ceramic composite fillings.

Invisible fillings allow your smile to be beautiful, no one needs to know you ever had a cavity. For more information, contact Oyster Point Dentistry.