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Save Your Smile And Your Life With Implants

By on June 6, 2016

Welcome back to our oral health blog. At Really Smile, we strive to provide you with high-quality dental work in a compassionate environment. Our Carmel, Indiana office has everything you will need to keep your smile healthy all through life. But we will also be here for you should the unexpected ever happen.

Tooth loss is one of those things. Even if it happens slowly as the result of untreated gum disease or tooth decay, no one ever expects it to happen to them. And when it does, it will rock your world, and not in a good way!

Our team chose the tagline “life-changing dentistry” to sum up our practice, and it couldn’t be more appropriate for the work that we do with dental implants to help adults with missing teeth get back on the good road.

That’s why today we want to talk about implants and how they can save not only your smile, but quite possibly your life.

Keep reading to learn more about this wonderful restorative procedure, and then be sure to follow up with our team to schedule your consultation in our Indianapolis area office.

A Viable Solution For Tooth Loss

Unlike the false teeth of earlier eras, dental implants are stable, permanent, and not dependent on nearby teeth to anchor them. A dental implant actually consists of two parts. It has an artificial tooth root and a crown.

Here’s how the procedure works at Really Smile:

First, your implant post, made from titanium, will be surgically inserted and allowed to fuse into position to serve as the new root.

Once healing has happened, after a few months, you will come back so that a permanent crown can be placed on top. That’s the part that looks like a tooth.

Once that is done, you might just come back again to thank us, but that is not an official step by any means.

You Will Look Better

The crown we place over the implant will look stunning. You will once again have a complete smile and facial structure support. So, there will be no more embarrassing moments moving forward.

You Will Feel Great

Things will feel normal in your mouth, and your smile will be attractive. As such, your confidence will soar. Plus, your health will get a boost too as you go back to a normal diet.

You Will Be Able to Chew

You will have enough biting power to eat whatever you want with confidence. That should make meals more enjoyable and dinner dates a delight.

Take Back Your Life!

The best part about implants is that, with proper care, they will last a lifetime. It is also nice that they will help you look great, feel better and live longer!

We hope you have been inspired by all the possibilities outlined in today’s post to want to learn more about dental implants.

We can determine if you are a suitable candidate for this life-changing procedure when you schedule your consultation. To get started, contact us online or call our Carmel, Indiana office at 317-597-8748. We can’t wait to get to work!

We’ll Keep You Smiling This Summer

By on June 2, 2016

Welcome to the Really Smile blog!

We are a full-service dental practice based in Carmel, Indiana.

Our office was designed with YOU in mind. To make sure that each patient is comfortable when they get here, we have set up a complimentary refreshment area.

You can then listen to soothing music in our tensing room while you prepare for your appointment. You’ll be pleased to know that this room also comes replete with a massage chair, Tempur-Pedic cushions, blankets and pillows.

Then we will attend to your needs, load you up with education, and then send you on your way. As part of that education, we wanted to make sure you are keeping your oral health top of mind this summer. For today’s blog post, we have compiled some suggestions that will keep you smiling all summer long.

Water Is For Winners

We all know the importance of staying hydrated in the summer heat. But did you know that drinking water can also help keep your breath from turning foul? It helps by allowing you to produce enough saliva to fight off the bad-breath-causing bacteria. Drink up!

Keep Brushing

Our friends at the ADA tell us that you will need to brush every day at least twice regardless of the season. This is your basic defense against disease and decay. Do it like you mean it. And then find the floss!

Flossing Is More Fun Than A Root Canal

You should be flossing every day in order to get food, tartar, plaque, etc. out of the spaces in-between your teeth. This will save you time, expense, and pain down the road.

Rinse Your Mouth

Fluoride mouthwashes can bring added oral health benefits. They are an easy thing to add to your hygiene habits at home. Why wouldn’t you want to take advantage of all they have to offer?

Sugar Is A No-No

We understand that when you are at the pool or on the road a cold soda or sugary treat is delightful. We wouldn’t want to deprive you of life’s simple pleasures. But these choices won’t be good for your smile in the long run because all that sugar will feed the bacteria that hastens cavities and decay.

Make Us Part Of The Plan

Teeth cleanings from our team will eradicate any bacteria, tartar, or plaque that remains even after your best efforts to brush, floss, and rinse at home. What’s more, our thorough exams can alert you to any problems including cavities and oral cancer!

Don’t worry, if you are apprehensive about coming here, we can help you work through your dental anxiety. We now have NuCalm, a drug-free relaxation technology that will allow you to totally relax at the dentist and feel more refreshed at the end of your appointment than when you came in. Doesn’t that sound nice?

Our team is also certified in oral sedation. We offer nitrous oxide, and we can partner with an anesthesiologist to help us relax even the most fearful dental patients.

Learn More, Get Started!

Contact the Really Smile team today to schedule your next preventive dental appointment in Carmel, Indiana. You’ll be glad that you did!

The Hidden Dangers Of Oral Bacteria

By on May 29, 2016

Your mouth is completely filled with oral bacteria. From the moment you’re born your mouth contains hundreds of bacteria strains that will be with you for life, and plenty more are added as you are exposed to the world.

While many of the strains in your mouth are completely harmless there are some that can do serious damage. In most circumstances that bacteria stays confined to your mouth, but all it takes is a little bit in your bloodstream to cause problems throughout your body. At Really Smile we feel that it’s our responsibility to warn you of the health risks posed by oral bacteria. We want you to have a lifetime of healthy smiles, and that can only happen if we help you keep it that way!

How Oral Bacteria Gets Into Your Blood

Have you ever bled when brushing your teeth? If so you’re probably seeing the earliest signs of gum disease. It starts small with just a bit of bacteria under your gums, and as it progresses you end up with swollen, sensitive, red, and receding gums that are constantly letting bacteria pour into your bloodstream and spread throughout your body.

Because bleeding happens so early in the course of gum disease it’s the most common way for bacteria to spread around your body. It isn’t the only way, however, and in many cases severe cavities cause it as well. If you’ve ever had a persistent toothache then decay has probably reached the root of a tooth, which is filled with blood vessels. Bacteria has ready access to your circulatory system when a cavity becomes that deep.

What Happens Once Bacteria Gets Around?

When oral bacteria spreads into your blood it has the potential to cause problems everywhere. Certain strains are known to cause certain conditions, so not everyone is at risk for the same complications.

Heart disease is probably the most common complication for people suffering from poor oral health. The worst part is that bacteria doesn’t even need to make it into your blood to cause this serious problem – all it takes is the chronic inflammation that comes with gum disease. Inflammatory markers in your blood, which gum disease causes a lot of, are also a common cause of heart disease.
Kidney disease patients suffer from immune system problems, which increases the risk of developing gum disease and cavities. If you suffer from kidney disease your chance of dying from the condition skyrockets with if you also have poor oral health!
Hemorrhagic strokes are often caused by oral bacteria, specifically the strain known as Streptococcus mutans. S. mutans loves to latch on to weakened blood vessels in the brain, where it reproduces and grows until it causes a rupture.
Recent studies point to a link between oral bacteria and the speed of Alzheimer’s development. Patients who have Alzheimer’s and poor oral health have much higher fatality rates and will experience faster mental decline than those with healthy mouths.
Breast cancer patients have been found to have much higher rates of gum disease, which can make the condition more dangerous.
Esophageal cancer has been shown to attract oral bacteria. Samples of throat tissue from esophageal cancer patients reveals an incredibly high concentration of oral bacteria on cancer cells, but no excess on neighboring healthy tissue. This suggests that oral bacteria is either causing the development of cancer or is part of its growth.
Pancreatic cancer patients often have completely unique microbiomes (bacteria populations) in their mouths. When these particular strains get into the blood it’s a severe risk for the development of cancer.

How To Protect Your Mouth And Body

Keeping yourself healthy doesn’t need to be a challenge. In fact, it’s easy to maintain good oral health by following a few simple guidelines.

Brush your teeth twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste. Make sure you don’t brush too hard and always use a soft bristled brush.
Floss every night. The spaces between your teeth are particularly vulnerable to gum disease and decay. You have to be sure you’re cleaning them daily or else problems will develop.
Don’t forget to make regular checkup appointments at our Carmel office. Cleanings and exams twice a year are a fundamental part of good oral health!

Ready To Commit To Good Oral Health?

We’re ready to see you as soon as you’re ready to be seen! If you want to schedule an appointment at Really Smile Dentistry don’t wait another day – call us now! You can reach our Carmel office at 317-597-8748 or you can request an appointment online. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Five Oral Health Myths That Need Busting

By on May 25, 2016

We see a lot of patients at our Carmel office, and with them come a lot of questions about dental health. There’s a lot of information out there about dentistry, and health in general, and sometimes it’s hard to separate fact from fiction.

Today we’re going to try doing just that. We’ve collected a list of the five oral health myths that we get asked about most often, and we’re going to set the record straight. Hopefully you’ll learn something from this bit of dental mythbusting!

#1: Whiter Teeth Are Healthier Teeth

Plenty of patients come to us thinking that whiter teeth mean that their smile is healthier, but that’s not true. While stains and a dull smile might not look the best, the color of your teeth are in no way indicative of their health.

Staining is simply an accumulation of darkly colored molecules from tea, wine, coffee, and other foods that have snuck into the small pores on your enamel. Our whitening treatments can get rid of them, but don’t worry about the health of your smile – it’s really not being affected by its shade.

#2: Fluoride Is Dangerous

We’ve all heard people talking about the dangers of fluoride, and it seems no amount of good scientific data can put this one to rest. If you were to ingest too much fluoride then yes, there would be health risks. The amounts you’re getting in the water and toothpaste you consume are nowhere near a toxic level.

To notice any harmful effects from fluoride you would need to be exposed to roughly ten to twenty times more than you likely get on a daily basis. What’s worse, the studies that show fluoride is harmful were performed in a part of the world where fluoride in groundwater exists at naturally toxic levels. Trust us: the fluoride you’re getting daily isn’t only safe, it’s essential for good oral health because it rebuilds damaged tooth enamel.

#3: Gum Disease Is Pretty Rare

Sorry, but your chances of developing some form of gum disease are around 60 percent over the course of your life. If you’ve noticed even the slightest bit of bleeding while brushing or flossing it’s probably already too late – that’s the earliest sign of a serious risk.

Oral bacteria is present in everyone’s mouths, and it doesn’t take much for it to start affecting your gums. It only needs about 24 hours of constant contact to cause irritation that develops into gum disease. If you’re not brushing twice a day and flossing every night you can take stock in the fact that you’ll end up with it – that’s practically a guarantee.

#4: Gum Disease During Pregnancy Is No Big Deal

Pregnancy is a real risk factor for developing gum disease, but that doesn’t mean you’ll necessarily get it. You need to work harder than ever on your oral health during pregnancy to prevent gum disease. If you develop it your chances of pregnancy complications skyrocket!

Women suffering from gum disease during pregnancy pass bad bacteria into their children, and they also have higher rates of premature and underweight births. Those babies that are born healthy have mouths containing the same dangerous strains of bacteria that caused your gum disease, setting them up for higher risks later in life. That’s not the kind of gift you want to give your child!

#5: The Best Time To Brush Is After A Meal

This myth is actually the exact opposite of reality – you should never brush your teeth after a meal! The acids produced by oral bacteria soften your enamel, and for about 30 minutes after you eat they’re much more susceptible to damage. Even something as soft as a toothbrush can scrape away enamel and increase your chances of developing cavities!

If you feel the need to clean your teeth after a meal we recommend rinsing your mouth with water, swishing with mouthwash, or chewing sugar-free gum. All are great ways to freshen up, and they won’t do damage to your teeth in the process.

Let’s Bust Some More Myths Together!

There are a lot of other misconceptions about dental care – we couldn’t possibly cover them all here. If you want to get the truth about some of the rumors and myths you hear most often you’ll just have to call Really Smile Dentistry!

You can reach us at 317-597-8748 or you can request an appointment online. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Tooth Regeneration: Is It In Our Future?

By on May 21, 2016

Here’s a hypothetical situation for you: it’s the middle of winter. It’s cold, snowy, and there’s ice everywhere. You’ve just come home from a long day of work, and while leaving your car you slip on the ice. The unthinkable happens and you bang your face on a step, instantly shattering a tooth.

We hope you never have to experience a situation like that, because you know what’s probably coming with it: the loss of that damaged tooth. Your replacement options are limited, and expensive, but what if there was another option: Could you soon be coming to our Carmel office to have your teeth regrown?

The Secret To Tooth Regrowth, Unlocked

With so much research being done in genetics nowadays it’s amazing how much information we’ve found out about ourselves. One of the most recent discoveries has led scientists to believe that tooth regeneration could be possible some time in the future, a prospect that definitely gets our attention!

It all starts with a gene we have in common with creatures like sharks and alligators, both of whom can regrow teeth their entire lives. As humans we’re limited to just two complete sets, but here’s the really interesting part: the genes that we use to get that second set is the same gene that sharks and alligators use!

Millions and millions of years ago we all shared a common ancestor who spent life hunting for food and living in constant fear of predators. As we evolved away from the need to constantly regrow teeth we ended up with just two sets that get us through the amazing amount of growth we do.

But what if we could unlock that gene? Once our adult teeth grow in the gene basically “deactivates,” leaving us with just enough teeth to get through life. If we could find a way to flip the switch back to the on position we might just be able to regrow teeth on demand!

You probably aren’t going to find a scientist in the world who says we’re ready to do that, though. In reality we’re a long ways off from being able to simply regenerate teeth when we have an accident or lose them to decay and gum disease.

So what do we do to replace teeth right now? There’s no way we can do something that works just as well as a natural tooth, right?

The Current State-Of-The-Art In Tooth Replacement

While we’re not able to replace lost teeth with new ones grown naturally we can do something that’s just as stable, just as long-lasting, and just as natural looking as a real tooth. The solution to tooth loss problems in today’s world is dental implants.

Using nothing more than a small titanium screw we can place an anchor that binds to your jaw just as firmly as a natural tooth. Titanium is the implant material of choice because it’s so amazing at integrating with bone – dental implants can easily last for life with proper care.

Once an implant is healed we can restore it with an amazingly lifelike crown, or even a bridge for replacing multiple lost teeth. Patients who get implants are amazed by how good they look – some even forget which tooth is the implant and which are natural!

Dental implants don’t only provide a cosmetic solution; they’re also the best way to keep the rest of your mouth healthy after tooth loss. Other tooth replacement methods, like a bridge or dentures, don’t stop the bone loss that comes along with tooth loss. Over time this leads to other teeth shifting or coming loose until you end up with a chain reaction of lost teeth!

If you’re excited about regrowing teeth naturally you’re probably going to be waiting for a long while. In the meantime you can still enjoy tooth replacement that provides the same security, reliability, and great natural look as real teeth. We’re sure you’ll love what we can do with just a single dental implant!

Find Out How We Can Help

Whether you’ve lost a single tooth in an accident or a whole bunch of them to gum disease and decay we want to help. Our Carmel dental team is ready to show you exactly what we can do for your smile with dental implants, and we’re confident you’ll love the results!

If you’re ready to discover the great new smile that can be created with dental implants don’t wait – call Really Smile today at 317-597-8748. If you would prefer, you can also schedule an appointment online. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Get A Better Looking Smile Without The Wait

By on May 17, 2016

We all want to look good – it affects our confidence, our happiness, and it also has a lot to do with how other people react to us as well. But what if you don’t like your smile? As an adult you might be thinking you’re stuck with your look but that’s hardly the case. Transforming your smile is easier and faster now than it ever was before.

Worried that your new look might not be natural enough? That’s a problem of the past too – the state of the art dental veneers we offer at our Carmel office are able to change your look fast, all without sacrificing quality.

What Is A Dental Veneer?

Like anything else that’s supposed to look good and be permanent, teeth can end up worn and damaged as life takes its tolls on your body. Let’s say the woodwork in your home starts to show damage – you might replace it, but the easier and more affordable solution is to apply a new veneer of wood to restore its appearance. It’s the same with a dental veneer!

Whether your teeth never quite looked as good as you wanted them to or they’ve been damaged by life you can restore them with veneers. Made of an ultra-thin layer of porcelain, dental veneers are just like any other veneer-type restoration: they attach to the visible surface of your teeth to reshape, restore, recolor, and transform. It’s amazing what they can do!

Who Can Benefit From Veneers?

When patients come to our Carmel office hoping for a reasonable and fast solution to their smile correction needs they don’t always consider veneers as an option. Many think they need Invisalign or some other long-term treatment to get the results they want, but it simply isn’t the case.

If you want a new smile – and want it fast – you can get it you have:

Teeth damaged by chips
Teeth worn by grinding and clenching
Gaps between your teeth
Stains in your teeth that won’t come out
Small, uneven, or misshapen teeth
Misaligned teeth

The reality of veneers is that they can treat most any simple cosmetic problem under the sun, and they can do it all far quicker than alternative treatments.

How Fast Is “Fast?”

When we say that getting veneers is simple and quick we mean it. If you had your first veneer appointment today you’d be sporting a new smile in just a couple of weeks. Because veneers aren’t trying to move your teeth and don’t require surgery the time between appointments and after treatment is recovery-free, meaning there’s no downtime at all.

As we mentioned above, veneers are wafer-thin layers of porcelain that are custom built for your teeth. At your first appointment we’ll remove a thin layer of enamel so that your veneers sit flush with your teeth and bind perfectly to them. We’ll also take an impression of your mouth that’s used to build your veneers at our dental lab.

Getting your veneers back from the lab usually takes two weeks, and once we have them you’ll come back in for the final fitting. We’ll be sure that everything looks just as you want it, and then we’ll permanently bind your veneers to your teeth. With proper care that new smile can last you for decades!

Why Get Veneers?

Still wondering if veneers are the right cosmetic solution for you? If you’ve ever wanted a new smile, considered more intense cosmetic solutions, hidden your teeth from friends or coworkers, or felt depressed about your look, veneers are definitely for you.

In just two short, non-surgical appointments we’ll have your teeth looking completely different. You’ll be enjoying life with a beautiful new smile in no time. The best part? No one will know it’s not completely natural – all they’ll see is your great new look!

Veneers Are The Perfect Cosmetic Choice

When you don’t want to – or simply can’t – wait for your teeth to be transformed you need to find an option that works, and veneers are that option, The application is pain-free and fast, the treatment is simple, and the results are immediately stunning.

We want to show you how great veneers can make your smile look, so don’t hesitate – contact Really Smile Dentistry today! You can schedule an appointment online or you can call 317-597-8748. We look forward to seeing you soon!

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