John Pallotta, DMD

Exploring the Benefits of Veneers

Dental veneers refer to thin, custom-made shells that are designed to cover the front surface of the teeth in order to change their color, shape, length, or size. Veneers are some of the most common cosmetic dentistry solutions offered today because they provide a number of advantages. Find out if dental veneers are right for you by looking over their benefits:

Wide Variety of Uses
Many individuals think that porcelain veneers are used to conceal teeth affected by discoloration. While veneers can effectively cover stains caused by food or medications, they can be used a number of other ways, too. In addition to improving the color of your teeth, dental veneers can restore teeth that are severely worn down, affected by chips or fractures, or irregularly shaped due to craters or bulges. In some cases, dental veneers can also be used as an alternative to orthodontics and close small gaps or spaces between teeth.

Easy Treatment Process
After you visit your dentist for an oral examination and series of x-rays, your dentist will create an impression of your mouth and teeth in order to produce the precise size of veneers. Your dentist will then prepare your teeth by removing approximately ½ millimeter of your tooth’s enamel to be replaced by the veneer during a later appointment. Once the custom-made veneers have been created and sent back to your dentist, the veneer will be permanently cemented onto your tooth and trimmed to perfectly fit your smile.

Natural-Looking Results
Veneers can be created to brighten your smile or match the color of your existing teeth, ultimately offering you with more natural-looking results. Also, dental veneers can last for several years when cared for properly. 

The best way to determine if you can benefit from porcelain veneers is to contact your cosmetic dentist. For more information on your options, call Dr. John Pallotta, DMD at (888) 818-3725. You can also check out our website for more information on our teeth whitening and cleaning procedures. 

What Does the Dental Hygienist Do?

Undergoing a routine cleaning with your cosmetic dentist or dental hygienist is a great way to boost your oral health. Experts recommend a routine cleaning once every six months.

In this video, the American Dental Association provides a brief overview of the responsibilities of a dental hygienist. These dental specialists may provide a number of services, including assessing your current oral health, taking dental x-rays, removing plaque and tartar buildup, and applying sealants and fluoride. Check out this clip to learn more.

Can you remember the last time you had a teeth cleaning? Get on the road to better oral health by calling cosmetic dentist Dr. John Pallotta, DMD in Arlington at (888) 818-3725. 

Are Your Daily Habits Putting You at Risk for Oral Cancer?

Oral cancer is a type of cancer affecting any part of the oral cavity—including the lips, tongue, inside of the cheeks, hard and soft palate, tonsils, and esophagus. While some individuals are genetically predisposed to oral cancer, what you do on a daily basis can directly impact your risk. Continue reading to learn more about the lifestyle factors that can lead to oral cancer:

Smoking
Smoking cigarettes, cigars, and using pipes can all lead to oral cancer. Research conducted for the President’s Cancer Panel on Avoidable Causes of Cancer showed that approximately 80 percent of all oral cancer-related deaths are directly attributed to cigarette smoking. Studies also show that the risk of oral cancer decreases by approximately 50 percent after three to five years of smoking abstinence.

Chewing Tobacco
Smoking cigarettes and cigars leads to oral cancer by causing chronic inflammation of the tissues within your mouth, ultimately resulting in mutations that allow abnormal cells to grow at an uncontrollable rate. If you think that chewing tobacco or snuff doesn’t cause cancer, think again. Smokeless tobacco results in the same type of inflammation, and therefore can also lead to cancer.

Poor Dietary Choices
In addition to smoking or chewing tobacco products, following a poor diet can increase your chances of developing oral cancer. For example, studies show that individuals with a low beta-carotene, vitamin C, and vitamin E intake are often at a greater risk of many different types of cancer, including oral cancer. You can help reduce your risk by incorporating more fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, and non-fat or low-fat dairy into your diet.

Are you worried about developing oral cancer? Give Arlington cosmetic dentist Dr. John Pallotta, DMD a call at (888) 818-3725 to set up an oral cancer screening. We also offer teeth cleaning, teeth whitening, and periodontal treatments. 

Common Tooth Brushing Mistakes That May Damage Your Teeth

Brushing your teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste is a great way to protect your oral health; however, you have to brush using the proper technique. A number of individuals put the health of their teeth at risk by brushing too vigorously or by using a toothbrush with medium or hard bristles, increasing their chances of sensitivity and irritation.

Instead, stick to brushing your teeth for two minutes with a soft-bristled toothbrush using gentle, even strokes. This will make it easier to remove food debris and plaque without causing injury to your gums and teeth. You should also wait to brush your teeth for an hour after ingesting acidic foods or beverages, since acids can weaken enamel.

With the right oral hygiene routine, you can maintain a beautiful smile your whole life. For more answers to your dental questions, contact Arlington dentist, Dr. John Pallotta, DMD at (888) 818-3725. You can also visit us online for more information regarding teeth whitening procedures.

Different Stages of Gum Disease

Gum disease refers to an infection of the tissues that support your teeth. Also known as periodontal disease, gum disease is often caused by poor oral hygiene habits, smoking or chewing tobacco, genetic predisposition, and certain medications. While your Arlington dentist can provide periodontal treatment for gum disease, it is important to educate yourself on the various stages:

Gingivitis
Gingivitis is the mildest form of gum disease, and may not show symptoms during the early stages. In fact, studies show that more than 75 percent of American adults suffer from some form of gum disease and are unaware of it. Many individuals with gingivitis do not experience pain but may experience other symptoms—such as red or swollen gums, bleeding while brushing and flossing, and increased sensitivity to hot and cold food items. Fortunately, gingivitis is easy to treat when caught early on.

Periodontitis
Individuals who do not receive treatment for gingivitis may eventually develop the second stage of gum disease, known as periodontitis. This type of gum disease occurs when the infection causing gingivitis spreads deeper into the gum-line, where it damages the bones that support the teeth. Common symptoms of periodontitis include gums that recede or pull away from the teeth, pus between the teeth and gums, persistent bad breath, and lose or separating teeth. Periodontitis may also change the way your teeth fit together when biting down.

Untreated Periodontitis
It is extremely important for individuals with periodontitis to receive treatment to prevent the bacteria and infection from spreading to more vital areas of the body. For example, individuals with severe periodontitis may experience infections of their jawbones, and may be at risk for other health complications, such as diabetes and heart disease.

Make sure you are not showing symptoms of gum disease by setting up a routine cleaning and dental examination with your dentist. Give Dr. John Pallotta, DMD a call at (888) 818-3725 to learn more about our periodontal treatment options.