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Smile Fitness Dental Center Blog

Take Care of Your Family’s Oral Health with General Dentistry in Peoria and Glendale, AZ

February 17, 2015

peoria az dentist

Peoria, AZ Dentist

The basic oral care everybody needs is available with excellence at Smile Fitness Dental Centers. A general dentist provides the consistent dental care you need to maintain the best oral health for you and your family. In Peoria, AZ, as well as Glendale, AZ, people turn to Smile Fitness Dental Centers for general dentistry that is professional and dependable.

General Dentistry for You and Yours

The cornerstone of general dentistry is the dental checkup. In keeping with the recommendation of the American Dental Association, our dentists would like to see you and each member of your family every six months for dental checkups. With this regularity, we can more carefully monitor your overall oral health and notice any concerning changes sooner.

Of course, at every dental checkup we’ll clean your teeth and remove any plaque buildup, examine your gums for any early signs of periodontal disease and take digital x-rays to uncover any hidden spots of tooth decay. We will also inspect your soft tissues for oral cancer. When caught early, oral cancer—like periodontal disease—is treatable.

General Dentistry for the Kids

When you make Smile Fitness Dental Centers in Peoria and Glendale your home for general dentistry, you can count on us also to provide the best of dental care for the youngest members of your family, too. We’d like to begin seeing your children around the time that they turn three years old. Like you, they should have checkups twice each year, so we can clean their teeth and keep tabs on their developing oral health. Our dentists may also recommend fluoride treatments and dental sealants to further protect their teeth from decay.

Call Our Office Today

To schedule an appointment with the general dentist Peoria, AZ, and Glendale, AZ, turn to for exceptional care, call the office of Smile Fitness Dental Centers today. We also serve patients from Sun City, Paradise Valley, Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tempe.

Gum Disease Treatment from Smile Fitness Dental Center in Phoenix, AZ

December 28, 2014

164144314Take care of your gums and your gums will take care of you. That may sound cliché, but it’s true nevertheless. Your mouth is the gateway to the rest of your body, and your gums are a critical part of that gateway. Unfortunately, gum disease is one of the most prevalent health conditions. If left untreated, it can contribute to other health problems, too, when bacteria in the mouth migrates to other parts of the body. The dentists and their team at Smile Fitness Dental Center in Phoenix, AZ, and Peoria are dedicated to first preventing gum disease, and then treating appropriately with gum disease treatment when necessary.

First stage gum disease is called gingivitis. This may be marked by tender gums that bleed during brushing. On the other hand, gingivitis may not present any symptoms, making regular checkups at Smile Fitness Dental Center all the more important. If we should find signs of gingivitis during one of your regular visits, then the condition may be reversible with proper brushing and flossing, as well as professional cleaning by one of our dental hygienists.

Periodontitis: Advanced Gum Disease

However, if gum disease progresses to periodontitis (the more advanced stage of gum disease) then more aggressive treatment may be required. With periodontitis, the gum and bone begin to pull away from the teeth leaving small spaces where debris and bacteria can collect and cause infection. If allowed to progress, then the infection may lead to tooth loss. In this case, we may need to perform root scaling and planing to scrape away the plaque that traps bacteria; gum pocket irrigation; or local antibiotic placement in the areas that are most irritated. With these treatments from Smile Fitness Dental Center, patients often experience quick improvement and manage to avoid surgery.

Schedule an Appointment Today

If you haven’t seen the dentist in a while, then now is the time to call Smile Fitness Dental Center in Phoenix, AZ, or Peoria, AZ. You shouldn’t neglect your gums, and with proper gum disease treatment, we can help you maintain healthy gums. Our offices also serve patients in Sun City, Paradise Valley, Glendale, Scottsdale and Tempe.

Get Some Zzzzz’s with Sleep Apnea Therapy in Phoenix and Peoria

December 14, 2014

474189791No one needs to tell you how important a restful night’s sleep is to your general health, your mental health and your ability to function well during the day. Everyone has a sleepless night now and then, but if you find yourself feeling tired day after day, then the problem may be more than occasional insomnia. Sleep apnea is a chronic condition that often goes undiagnosed. However, when diagnosed, there are treatment options available. With sleep apnea therapy from Smile Fitness Dental Center in Phoenix, AZ, and Peoria, AZ, you’ll be able to sleep peacefully and enjoy new energy during the day.

Sleep Apnea Therapy to the Rescue

First of all, sleep apnea is a condition that causes a person to temporarily stop breathing during the night. Consequently, the body and the brain may not receive an adequate amount of oxygen during sleep. When this happens, the brain awakens in order to signal the body to begin breathing again. This can repeat throughout the night.

The most common form of the condition is obstructive sleep apnea. In this case, the airway becomes blocked, usually by soft tissue at the back of the throat that relaxes during sleep. This is what causes that snoring sound your bed partner may complain about. Left untreated, sleep apnea may lead to high blood pressure, stroke, heart failure, depression, headaches and diabetes. Sleep apnea has also been linked to reduced productivity at work and automobile accidents.

At Smile Fitness Dental Center, we will conduct tests to determine if you have obstructive sleep apnea and if non-surgical treatments will help. If yes, then we will prescribe one of two treatments. A CPAP machine provides continuous air flow through a face mask, so your airway remains open. The other option, which is often more comfortable, is a custom designed dental appliance that repositions your tongue and jawbone to keep your airway open.

Schedule an Appointment Today

If you suspect that you or your bed partner has sleep apnea, call the office of Smile Fitness Dental Center today. Our offices in Phoenix, AZ, and Peoria, AZ, conveniently serve patients in Sun City, Paradise Valley, Glendale, Scottsdale and Tempe.

Jaw Pain? Headaches? See Your Dentist about TMJ Therapy

November 28, 2014

167121308Do you wake up in the morning with a headache? Do you sometimes hear a clicking or popping sound when you yawn? These are only a couple of the signs of TMJ disorder. TMJ disorder can be a painful and annoying condition. However, the dentists at Smile Fitness Dental Center have been treating patients in Phoenix, AZ, and Peoria, AZ, with TMJ therapy for years, and they can help you, too.

TMJ disorder, or dysfunction, is a condition that results when the temporomandibular joint is not working properly. This joint is located on either side of your head just in front of your ears and is called into play whenever you talk, chew, yawn or laugh. TMJ has a number of causes including traumatic injury to the face or head, an improper bite, wear and tear on the teeth as a result of aging, or teeth grinding and clenching. In fact, the symptoms of TMJ are largely due to overuse of the jaw muscles, making nighttime teeth grinding and clenching (or bruxism) a primary culprit.

TMJ Therapy: Diagnosis and Treatment

Everyone may occasionally experience some of the symptoms of TMJ disorder. For example, your jaw may temporarily feel sore after chewing sticky candy. However, if the pain is persistent and lasts for a few weeks, then you’ll want to see one of the dentists at Smile Fitness Dental Center. Some other symptoms include: swelling on the side of your face, sensitive teeth, an earache without infection, upper and lower teeth that do not align, or a feeling that your jaw is locked when you try to chew or talk.

If you are consistently experiencing any of these symptoms, then you should schedule an appointment at Smile Fitness Dental Center. Our dentists will be able to determine whether or not you may benefit from TMJ therapy. If so, they will likely prescribe an oral appliance called a nightguard that will reposition the bite and prevent nighttime grinding and clenching. Another option is to build up the surface of your teeth in order to reconstruct proper bite alignment.

Call Our Office Today

To determine whether or not you need TMJ therapy, schedule an appointment with Smile Fitness Dental Center in Phoenix, AZ, or Peoria, AZ. We also conveniently serve patients in Sun City, Paradise Valley, Glendale, Scottsdale and Tempe.

Dental Implants Can Give You a Natural and Functional Smile

November 14, 2014

Shutterstock Dental ImplantTime was when a missing tooth meant, well, a missing tooth. Today, however, thanks to the advantages of modern dental technology, a missing tooth can be replaced with a lifelike substitute. Dental implants replicate the look, feel and function of natural teeth. The dentists at Smile Fitness Dental Center in Phoenix, AZ, and Peoria, AZ, have used dental implants to restore the smiles and in many cases the overall health of patients in their practice.

Teeth can go missing for a host of different reasons, among them are severe tooth decay, traumatic injury or advanced gum disease, also called periodontitis. Regardless of the reason, the consequences are not only cosmetic. Yes, a missing tooth affects your smile, but did you know that it can also have consequences to your health? Missing teeth can making chewing difficult, which can lead to malnutrition. Therefore, dental implants not only repair smiles, they can improve general health, too.

The Dental Implant Procedure

First, one of the dentists at Smile Fitness Dental Center will conduct a thorough dental exam and determine whether or not there is adequate bone volume for implants. If yes, then the first step is to implant a titanium post into the jawbone where the tooth is missing. In the case of multiple missing teeth, your dentist will implant several strategically positioned posts that will support a partial or full denture. Then, those posts are given time to heal while the bone fuses with the posts and creates a secure foundation. You’ll return to the office for the dentist to attach the crown or fixed denture that will become your new teeth. Thanks to dental implants, you’ll have a natural looking smile that will give you good health and happiness for years to come.

Schedule an Appointment Today

If you’ve been dealing with the appearance and difficulty of missing teeth, call the office of Smile Fitness Dental Center in either Phoenix, AZ, or Peoria, AZ to learn more about dental implants. We also proudly serve patients in Glendale, Scottsdale, Tempe, Sun City and Paradise Valley.

Maintain Your Smile with a Crown and Bridge from Smile Fitness Dental Centers

October 28, 2014

180413013Whether you are missing one tooth or several, the consequences are more than cosmetic. As if feeling self-conscious when you smile or talk isn’t bad enough, there is also the risk of your remaining teeth becoming misaligned. This can lead to a bad bite, gum disease or even temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMJ. The way to avoid all of this is to fill the void, and one viable option is a crown and bridge from Smile Fitness Dental Centers in Phoenix, AZ, and Peoria, AZ. With a crown and bridge, your smile is complete and other oral health hazards are averted.

Crown and Bridge to the Rescue

A crown, otherwise known as a cap, is usually made of dental porcelain and made to cover a tooth that is badly damaged by decay or injury. In the case of a crown and bridge, the crown is placed on the teeth that abut the space of the missing tooth. These abutments then act as anchors to firmly hold the bridge in place. The bridge, in turn, spans the space of the missing tooth and holds the replacement tooth, or pontic, in proper position.

As the first step in fabricating your custom-fitted crown and bridge, the dentist at Smile Fitness Dental Center will slightly diminish the size of the teeth on either side of the open space, so they can accommodate crowns. Then, an impression is made in order to create a precise mold from which the crown and bridge are made in a professional dental lab. You’ll wear a temporary replacement while your crown and bridge are manufactured. When this is ready, the temporary is removed and the permanent crown and bridge are secured in place with dental cement. With good oral hygiene, including brushing, flossing and regular dental check-ups, your crown and bridge can last for decades.

Schedule an Appointment Today

If you’re ready to fill the void of a missing tooth or teeth, call either the Phoenix, AZ, or Peoria, AZ, office of Smile Fitness Dental Centers to learn more about a crown and bridge. We’ll gladly answer your questions and schedule a consultation. Our offices also conveniently serve patients in Tempe, Glendale, Scottsdale, Paradise Valley and Sun City.

Dental Anesthesia: You Can Relax in the Dentist’s Chair

October 14, 2014

76132811Does the thought of going to the dentist send chills down your spine? Have you, in fact, not seen a dentist in who knows how long because of that fear? Well then, dental anesthesia is made for people like you. With dental anesthesia, also known as sedation dentistry, the dentists at Smile Fitness Dental Centers in Phoenix, AZ and Peoria, AZ, can have you relaxed for most any dental procedure you require.

Dental anesthesia keeps your body calm and your mind at ease while dental work is safely performed. Usually during dental anesthesia, you are not unconscious or asleep. In fact, the dentist will be able to talk to you, checking to make sure you’re okay or asking you questions. Throughout your appointment, the dentist and staff will monitor your condition under anesthesia.

The Types of Dental Anesthesia

At Smile Fitness Dental Centers, there are two options for dental anesthesia. The first is nitrous oxide, otherwise known as laughing gas. With this, a small mask is placed over your nose. As you inhale the measured mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen, you will quickly feel your body relax. The dentist will control the amount of sedation you receive, and the affects wear off in a matter of minutes once the mask is removed.

Alternatively, or sometimes in conjunction with nitrous oxide, the dentist can prescribe an anti-anxiety medication that you take prior to your appointment. This medication will make you drowsy, but you’re not likely to fall asleep. In this case, you will need someone to drive you to your appointment and back home at the end of your treatment.

All of us at Smile Fitness Dental Centers want your visit to either of our offices to be as comfortable as possible. With dental anesthesia we offer comfort, compassion and as always the best in dental care.

Call Our Office Today

If you haven’t been to the dentist in a long time, then call the Phoenix, AZ, or Peoria, AZ, office of Smile Fitness Dental Centers today and ask about dental anesthesia. We also conveniently serve patients in Paradise Valley, Sun City, Tempe, Glendale and Scottsdale.

Pediatric Dentistry: Thumbsucking Dental Concerns

September 29, 2014

174994145Thumbsucking is a natural reflex in children. Some babies even discover thumbsucking in the womb. Thumbsucking can make them feel secure and soothe them as they to fall asleep. Older children may continue to suck their thumbs or fingers because of exhaustion, boredom or to relieve stress and anxiety. After a child’s permanent teeth erupt, thumbsucking can cause problems with the alignment crowding, crookedness and bite problems. However, the intensity and duration of the thumbsucking determines the potential for damage. To prevent permanent damage, thumbsucking should be addressed by the time that permanent teeth arrive, which is around age six. Make an appointment for your child to see the family dentists at Smile Fitness Dental Center. Smile Fitness Dental Center serves patients of all ages throughout Glendale, AZ, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe, Sun City, Peoria and Paradise Valley.

Addressing Thumbsucking in Children

The damage of thumbsucking could include abnormal alignment of teeth, known as a malocclusion, as well as damage to the structure of the roof of the mouth. If they passively rest their thumb in the mouth, it doesn’t do as much damage as aggressively sucking the thumb. To get your child to stop sucking their thumb you can try the following:

  • Give child praise for not sucking their thumb
  • Focus on relieving anxiety and providing comfort
  • For an older child, involve them in choosing the method for stopping
  • Try putting a bandage on the thumb or a sock over that hand to break the habit
  • Use positive reinforcement to reward children for not sucking their thumbs as opposed to negative comments when they do engage in the behavior, which may only increase the stress and sucking
  • It can take about 30 to 60 days for children to let go of the urge to suck their thumbs
  • Involve your dentist

Pediatric Dentistry and Thumbsucking Help in Glendale, AZ

It’s important to start bringing your child to the dentist when their baby teeth arrive around age one. The dentists can help you address any dental concerns you may have for your children including thumbsucking, cavities and dental hygiene. Make an appointment to visit Smile Fitness Dental for your child’s pediatric dental needs. Smile Fitness Dental Center serves families throughout Glendale, AZ, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe, Sun City, Peoria and Paradise Valley.

Do You Need Cosmetic Contouring?

September 17, 2014

483317827Cosmetic contouring, or reshaping, is a process by which chipped, cracked, misshapen or oddly sized teeth can be reshaped to perfect alignment and continuity with surrounding teeth. Tooth contouring is a quick, painless and inexpensive procedure that can be completed in one visit in as little as 30 minutes. It is usually focused upon the front teeth including the upper central, lateral, and canine teeth since they are the most visible. Removing a small amount of enamel doesn’t hurt the tooth or touch any nerves. There is no healing time required and you can eat immediately after the procedure. To get your perfect smile, make an appointment today with the experienced dentists at Smile Fitness Dental Center in Glendale, AZ. Smile Fitness Dental Center proudly serves patients in Glendale, AZ, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe, Sun City, Peoria and Paradise Valley.

The Cosmetic Contouring Procedure

The process starts with a thorough examination and bite analysis to ensure that you are a good candidate for cosmetic contouring, and that the procedure will improve your bite and not make it worse. The dentist will also x-ray the teeth to make sure that they are healthy enough to undergo removal of a small amount of the surface enamel. The dentist will first remove a portion of the enamel and then reshape and polish the tooth. There is no pain, so anesthesia and sedation are not typically needed. Dentists must make sure that the inner gum tissue above the contoured tooth is healthy. Sometimes the root surfaces must also be reshaped to make sure that the procedure doesn’t eventually lead to gum disease.

Cosmetic Contouring in Glendale, AZ

Before a cosmetic contouring procedure can be performed, the dentist will determine whether the defects that are present in your smile are minor enough to be corrected using contouring and reshaping.  Imperfections like small chips, minor unevenness, slight overlaps, shallowly pitted surfaces, or worn biting areas qualify. However, the reshaping of the front teeth cannot be allowed to disturb the bite or alignment. If you have thin enamel, previous extensive restorations of the tooth or surrounding teeth, recently erupted teeth, gum structure that would be disturbed by the procedure, or teeth that are still shifting, contouring may not be possible. To discuss your contouring options and get started fixing those small imperfections in your smile, make an appointment with the gentle and caring dentists at Smile Fitness Dental Center. Smile Fitness Dental Center is conveniently located to serve patients in Glendale, AZ, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe, Sun City, Peoria and Paradise Valley.

Achieve A Natural Smile with Tooth-Colored Fillings

August 29, 2014

492529287Whenever people have any sort of cosmetic procedure done, many of them want the results to look as natural as possible. While some may want to look like a completely different person, others may opt for looking simply as an improved version of themselves. The same goes for your smile! Whether it is dental implants or porcelain veneers, many patients just want to look new and improved, not completely different. If you have metal, or amalgam, fillings, you may be unhappy with your smile because it is obvious you had dental work performed. Thankfully, our doctors are able to make your smile look natural with the use of tooth-colored fillings.

The wonderful thing about tooth-colored fillings is that they are able to restore the health of your smile while looking organic with the rest of your smile! There are many benefits to tooth-colored fillings that our patients may not be aware of. One of them being that they are healthier for your body than amalgam fillings are. Amalgam fillings contain mercury, and when they are left to sit in your smile, the toxins in the element can enter your blood stream, affecting other parts of your body. Another benefit is that we are able to keep much more of your original tooth structure with tooth-colored fillings. This way, your smile not only looks more natural, but it will actually be more natural!

When we make your filling, we will be sure to make it to where it matches your tooth color exactly. We will remove the decay and fill the tooth, restoring health and structure in your smile. At the end of the procedure, you are left with a beautiful, more natural-looking smile! If you would like our doctors to help your smile with tooth-colored fillings, contact our office today!

Contact our office today if you are ready to schedule your appointment for tooth-colored fillings! We are able to take care of all of your general, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry needs. We have two locations for your convenience in Glendale and Phoenix. We are also proud to serve patients throughout the nearby areas of Scottsdale, Tempe, Sun City, Peoria, Paradise Valley, and beyond.

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