Did You Know that Cosmetic Dentistry Can Improve Your Oral Health?

Cosmetic dentists work with patients to give them beautiful smiles and a confidence boost that will leave them beaming! But these procedures don’t just offer you a gorgeous grin. Many of them also leave you with a healthier mouth.

Below, we’ve explored how a few common cosmetic dentistry procedures can give your oral health a boost!

Dental Implants

Dental implants replace the roots of missing teeth, providing a strong foundation for replacement teeth. These implants connect directly to the jawbone, so they serve to stimulate the jaw and preserve bone density. Since these implants fill in a gap in the mouth, they reduce the risk of gum disease and protect the surrounding teeth from cavities. Finally, they can defend against denture-related issues like bacteria build-up, gum lesions, and facial collapse.

Invisalign Braces

When you have crooked and crowded teeth, you may not be able to reach spaces where food particles gather, so you will likely experience more cavities. An unusual bite may also lead to the wearing down of individual teeth, damaged enamel, and difficulty eating and speaking. Fortunately, our cosmetic dentists in Philadelphia use Invisalign Braces to straighten patients’ teeth.

Dental Crowns

This tooth-shaped cap is cemented in place over a tooth that is misshapen or discolored. Dental crowns restore the tooth’s size, shape, appearance, and strength. They can hold together a weakened tooth or restore a broken one, offering protection from decay and greater stability.

Dental Bonding

In dental bonding, the dentist applies a tooth-colored composite resin to a chipped, fractured, discolored, or decayed tooth. This procedure may be used as a nearly-invisible tooth filling option, to repair a damaged tooth, or to protect a section of a tooth’s root that has been exposed by receding gums.

Can you guess one more reason why patients’ oral health might improve?

Once they receive a cosmetic dental procedure, many patients take better care of their teeth! After all, when your smile looks like a million bucks, you’re bound to be a little more mindful about brushing, flossing, and scheduling regular check-ups.

If you would like to find out more about how our cosmetic dentistry and orthodontics in Center City Philadelphia can improve your oral health, then call us today at 215-315-7691!

Are You Thinking About Getting Braces? Here’s What You Should Know

If you’re looking to straighten your teeth as an adult, there’s no need to count out braces. Although many people think they’re only used to straighten children’s teeth, they can also be used for adults who are unhappy with their smile.

At Center City Emergency Dentist, we offer a variety of teeth straightening options to people in Philadelphia, PA, as well as the surrounding areas. If you’d like to straighten out your smile, you can schedule a consultation with our team to see what would be best for you. Here’s what you should know if you’re thinking about getting braces as an adult:

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The Types of Halloween Candies You Need To Keep Your Eye Out for This Year

Halloween has just passed, and whether your children went with a homemade costume or searched all the top websites for the perfect outfit, at the end of the day, they probably ended up stuffing their mouths with tons and tons of candy.

As the top cosmetic dentist office in Philadelphia, we here at CCED, want all parents to be alert of what kind of candy their children are consuming. Limiting these types of bad candy can help keep your little one out of our chair this fall.

Sticky Candy

Sticky candy is some of the worst types of candy that you can put in your mouth. Since the stickiness can linger on your teeth for a prolonged time, your chance of running into a cavity is much higher. The same goes for eating dried fruit. Both candies can eat away at your teeth because of the stickiness and sugar concentration.

Dark Chocolate

Since no one likes a ton of bad news in a row, we thought we’d shake it up and let you know one of the “better” kinds of candy. You did read that correctly, dark chocolate here and there may actually be good for you. The makeup of dark chocolate is just as effective as fluoride when it comes to fighting tooth decay.

Gummy Worms

Another bad type of candy can be found in gummy worms. Due to their acidic style, gummy worms can be very bad for the enamel of your teeth. Those popular sour gummy worms are even worse for you.

Lollipops

Just like with our first problem with stickiness, lollipops are awful for your teeth because of how long it takes to eat a single lollipop. Any candy that is eaten and followed up with a brushing of the teeth is not going to be as bad for your teeth compared to enjoying a lollipop for a couple of minutes.

Anyone who might be interested in switching it up and trying out a new center city Orthodontics office should strongly consider our team at CCED. Give us a call today at 215-315-7691 to schedule a consultation.

How Long Should You Wear a Retainer After Getting Your Braces Off?

 

You finally got your braces off. Congratulations! After years of tightening, avoiding certain foods, and brushing conscientiously, you have a beautiful new smile that Hollywood stars would envy.

To keep it looking flawless, however, your orthodontist may ask you to wear a removable retainer. Often, our patients will ask:

Why Do I Need a Retainer?

When your braces first come off, the bone around your jaw is not ready to firmly keep your teeth in their new position. Your teeth are at risk of shifting every time you bite, chew, or speak. A retainer is a custom-made mouthpiece that holds your teeth in place until new bone tissue builds up around them.

How Often Do I Need to Wear My Retainer?

For the first three to six months, you should only take out your retainer while eating after your braces come off. It may take a few more months depending on your unique situation. Eventually, you will be able to wear your retainer less often and then only at night.

Do I Really Have to Wear My Retainer Overnight for the Rest of My Life?

Your orthodontist may tell you to wear your retainer overnight every night for the rest of your life, and that is the ideal. After one year, make this commitment to your smile:

Wear your retainer at least a few nights a week to keep your teeth straight, and if your retainer starts to feel tight, wear it every night until it becomes comfortable again.

How Do I Take Care of My Retainer?

When you aren’t wearing your retainer, keep it safely in its case. Additionally, your retainer will warp in extreme heat, so don’t leave it in a hot car or set it beside the stove. Finally, clean your retainer regularly either by brushing it with toothpaste or soaking it in a cleaner recommended by your orthodontist.

Are You Looking for a Great Orthodontist?

If you live in Center City Philadelphia and need braces or other orthodontic work, then you can trust Dr. Han Lee of Center City Dental. Dr. Lee is highly qualified and loves to help each patient achieve renewed confidence in their smile.

To find out if you are a good fit for braces, a retainer, or Invisalign in Philadelphia, call us today at 215-315-7691!

7 Surprising Ways Smiling Can Improve Your Health

There are tons of health benefits to showing your pearly whites, even when a smile doesn’t always come naturally to you. At Center City Emergency Dentist, we offer Philadelphia patients the dental veneers, braces and other dental work that they need to feel confident in their smiles and enjoy those benefits.

For example, you might be surprised to find out that smiling can…

Lower Your Heart Rate

Smiling will slow your heart rate and can even temporarily lower your blood pressure. This puts less stress on your body and reduces your long-term risk of heart disease.

Reduce Stress and Anxiety

Smiling reduces levels of stress-enhancing hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. It also releases endorphins, which lower your anxiety, improve your mood and raise your motivation. That low heart rate may also help to relax you!

Increase Productivity

With lower stress and a better mood, you will be more productive at work. Positivity is linked to greater creativity, problem-solving and collaboration. Smiling and laughing also make it easier to see the humor in challenging situations.

Improve Sports Performance

Many athletes use periodic smiling to relax while performing. Research suggests that smiling reduces athletes’ perception of effort and even helps them use less energy, which allows them to push their performance to new heights.

Boost Your Immune System

Did you know that laughing and smiling can stimulate your immune system? A good belly laugh will release molecules in your brain that fight stress and illness.

Promote Longevity

If you want to live longer, then eat right, exercise more and share your smile with the world! A study by Wayne University found that people who smile more live an average of seven years longer than their peers

Relieve Pain

If you’re anticipating pain, don’t frown — it may hurt more. The endorphins that are released by a smile work as a natural painkiller that increases your body’s tolerance for discomfort.

Smile More: It’s Good For You!

If you are unhappy with your teeth, then you might be too embarrassed to smile and enjoy these fantastic benefits. Contact us today to ask about our Center City Philadelphia location’s dental implants and other cosmetic dentistry options. We promise that you will leave our office smiling!

6 Ways You Can Save Money at the Dentist

 

Roughly 1 in 10 Americans are afraid of the dentist, but many more people are fearful of the bill that comes afterward. At Center City Emergency Dentist, we believe that oral health is a vital component of your overall well-being and should never be ignored. That’s why we offer affordable services like oral surgery, cosmetic dentistry and Invisalign for teens to Philadelphia residents.

Don’t skip out on your next check-up because you’re worried about paying too much. Instead, use these six tips to save money on the services that you need.

Brush up on Your Oral Hygiene

With excellent oral hygiene, you can prevent 90% of dental cavities. Brush and floss twice a day, and use antibacterial mouthwash to resist plaque and tartar build-up. You might also want to eat more tooth-healthy foods like leafy greens, yogurt and apples.

Come in for Regular Check-Ups

It is vital that you go to your regular check-up. Preventative care like deep cleanings, examinations and X-rays stop small issues from turning into severe tooth and gum problems. Additionally, your dentist will examine your mouth for signs of oral cancer.

Sign Up for an Insurance Plan

If you have the opportunity to get dental insurance, then the upfront price will save you a lot in the long run. Many insurance plans provide crucial preventative care for free and will cover more than 50% of the cost for complex treatments like root canals.

Join a Dental Savings Plan

A dental savings plan connects you to a network of dentists who offer discounted services to members. You can save up to 50% on your visit — but you do need to pay an annual fee of $80 to $200.

Make a Plan to Tackle Treatments Slowly

Sometimes, non-urgent dental treatments can be delayed for a little while. Your dentist will help you to decide what has to be done right away, what can be covered with a temporary fix and what can wait for now.

Ask About Payment Options

At Center City Emergency Dentist, we offer cost-effective plans and financing options so that you can receive the treatment that you need. We encourage you to talk to our dentists about how we can help you afford emergency dental care, wisdom teeth removal or Invisalign for adults in our Philadelphia office. Just give us a call at 215-315-7691 today!