Find out 2 new ways to clean your dentures using common household products.

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Greystone Smile Design has a 24 hour emergency contact number.  So, if you have a toothache and it’s after hours or on the weekend, simply call 877-515-7645 to speak with Dr. Buchanan.  We go the extra SMILE for you!

Some children may need dental care beginning with the eruption of their first tooth and some may need care more often than every six months. 

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Taking 1,000 micrograms daily of vitamin B12 reduces the frequency, pain, and duration of canker sores, according to a study in the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine. 

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Waiting until your teeth darken and then touching them up is a losing proposition over time. Keeping your teeth at their maximum whiteness, not allowing them to ever darken is the only sure-fire way to have a lifetime of beautiful white teeth – FOREVER!

You should wear your KoR Whitening Trays while you sleep at least one night per month for protection against darkening.  Your dentist may suggest more frequent maintenance if your teeth are more resistant than normal.  As you have found, this is very simple because your KoR Whitening Trays are incredibly comfortable.  Continuing your recommended at-home maintenance will keep your teeth a stable color indefinitely.

Maintaining Whiteness with KoR Whitening Trays:

1.  Keep your syringe of KoR Whitening Gel in the refrigerator when not in use.

2.  Wait until you are ready for sleep to use your whitening trays – do NOT watch television or read a book with KoR Whitening Trays in your mouth.

3.  Brush your teeth.

4.  Dispense KoR Whitening Gel into the whitening trays and be sure to dispense the correct amount of whitening gel.

5.  After you insert the tray over your teeth, GENTLY push the tray back against the teeth to establish the seal of the tray at the gum line – this is VERY important.

If you put too much gel in the tray, you will notice a significant amount of gel oozing out from under the edge of the tray when you GENTLY push the tray back against your gums.  Remove the excess with tissue or cotton, and next time use a little less gel.

When you put the ideal amount of whitening gel in the trays, after GENTLY pushing the trays back against the teeth, you will see just the slightest bit of whitening gel “peeking” out over the edge of the KoR Whitening Trays.  If you do not place enough gel in the trays – if you do not see the gel “peeking” out over the edge of the whitening tray – you will not benefit from your maintenance.

6.  In the morning, remove the trays, rinse your mouth and brush your teeth.

7.  GENTLY clean the KoR Whitening Trays with cotton swabs under COOL running water.  Shake the water off the trays and place them in their case.

8.  Apply the Teeth Desensitizer after brushing your teeth:

a)  Use one cotton swab from your kit and apply drops of Teeth Desensitizer liquid directly onto the cotton tip of the swab until it is moist.

b)  Firmly rub the desensitizer into the surface of your teeth next to your cheeks and lips, adding an additional drop to the cotton swab when necessary to keep the swab moist.  This should take at least a minute.

c)  Apply the desensitizer to the outer surfaces of your teeth, including near the gum line and on the biting edges of your front teeth.

d)  Let the desensitizer sit on your teeth for 30 seconds while doing your best to keep your lips and cheeks away from your teeth.

e)  Rinse your mouth with water.

9.  If you experience significant sensitivity of your teeth or gums, call our dental office immediately.

Whitening gel is very sensitive to heat.  It is imperative NOT to leave your whitening kit with the whitening gel in the hot car after leaving our office.  Place the whitening gel into the refrigerator when you can, and keep the gel away from heat.

If you have any problems or questions, call our dental office immediately.

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To learn more about how to get a dazzling white smile, visit us today!

Our Optimum Dental Wellness Plan is a reduced fee dental plan that allows individuals and families – just like yours – to receive quality dental services at prices that make sense in today’s economy. 

This Plan is designed to help eliminate problems before they happen and make caring for your oral health convenient and affordable.  Consistent, quality oral healthcare is essential to a beautiful, healthy smile!

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A popular question nowadays is not just which toothbrush is best, but which POWER  toothbrush is best.  Power toothbrushes are gaining popularity because of staggering advancements in technology.  These have become somewhat of the iPhone of oral hygiene.  But, which is best? – This post will compare and contrast the top 2 power toothbrushes:  Sonicare vs. Oral B.

Sonicare

Sonicare toothbrushes by Philips feature a high frequency bristle motion – basically a vibration of the brush head – that creates a cleaning action that drives fluid forces deep between teeth and along the gum line.  Several studies have been published that show better plaque removal and decreased incidence of gingivitis when using a Sonicare toothbrush.  The brush design and cleansing motion are very similar to a manual toothbrush with the added benefit of the vibration action. 

There are several different types of Sonicare brushes.  The FlexCare is the Cadillac which consists of several brushing modes, a timer, and a brush head sanitizer.  The HealthyWhite has a sensitive mode and a whitening mode that helps remove everyday stains.  The Essence has extra gentle bristles while the Xtreme is battery powered with a slim, angled neck.  There is also a kid’s version with a wide-grip handle to make brushing easier for the youngsters.

Oral B

Oral B is famous for their oscillating-rotating brushes.  This is somewhat like the “brush” used by the hygienist when you get your 6 month cleaning.  In most studies, oscillating-rotating brushes almost always show more plaque reduction than sonic brushes.  The brush consists of a circular, rotating head that is designed to be placed on each tooth for maximum effectiveness.  The cleansing action is different than manual brushes and sonic brushes in that there is no brush strokes or scrubbing.   

Oral B’s Cadillac brush is the Triumph.  It has a timer, 4 brushing modes, tracks brush head wear, and can even tell if you are brushing too hard. 

Ways They Are Alike

So, studies show both reduce plaque and gingivitis, both can remove stains and whiten teeth, both have timers, both have several different brushing modes, both are somewhat expensive (around $170), and both can encourage better brushing from the experience.  People like something different which can make brushing fun and, therefore, improve brushing habits.

Ways They Are Different

Sonicare is primarily a vibrating brush that is used pretty much like a manual brush.  There is not as much wrist action as a manual brush, but there is some “brushing” involved.  Oral B is primarily a rotating brush head that is just held on each tooth.  Very little “brushing” is involved. 

So Which One Is Better?

Since the Oral B resembles the “brush” at the dentist office used to clean teeth, I would have to say that Oral B brushes may be better for preventing cavities.  An ultrasonic scaler (with somewhat of the same cleansing action of a sonic brush) is used at the dentist office to clean around the gums, which means sonic brushes may be better for gum health.  I would recommend a Sonicare brush for patients with gum issues, and an Oral B brush for patients with teeth issues.  This is merely my opinion. 

The Dentist Always Has the Last Word

A power toothbrush is not going to necessarily make you a better brusher.  If you were a bad brusher with a manual brush (bad brusher meaning you missed certain areas of the mouth), then you will probably be a bad brusher with a power brush and miss the same areas.  If you are a bad driver, will a new car make you a better driver?  That is the ultimate question.  Some people are bad drivers ultimately because they hate their car.  When you put them in a new car, they become very cautious again.  So maybe some people are bad brushers because they hate their toothbrush and brushing is more of a chore.  If this is the case, maybe power brushes could  inspire the oral hygiene Olympian in us all.

Both the Sonicare and Oral B are fantastic toothbrushes with amazing technology.  You couldn’t go wrong with either.  Happy brushing!

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Shown cutting the ribbon is Dr. Trent Buchanan, assisted by Dr. Tom Dudney, as Mayor Tony Petelos looks on. They are surrounded by dozens of friends and family members, as well as several chamber ambassadors.

Visit Greystone Smile Design today!  Office hours are Tuesday and Thursday 12 pm – 8 pm, Wednesday and Friday 8 am – 4 pm, and every other Saturday 9 am – 4 pm.

Athletes lose approximately 5 million teeth every year making mouthpieces an essential piece of equipment for any sport.  Mouthpieces may not only protect teeth and prevent concussions, but recent research shows some types may actually increase athletic performance.  Read on for a review of mouthpieces and the science (or myth) behind performance enhancing mouthwear.

There are three types of mouth guards:  Stock, Mouth-formed, and Custom-made

The stock mouthguard is available at most sporting good stores.  It is the least expensive and is ready to be used without any further preparation.  They are bulky, lack retention, and interfere with speech and breathing, making them the least acceptable among athletes.

Mouth-formed (also known as boil and bite) are the most common type of mouthguard and are the ones people are the most familiar.  These are a step up from the stock type because they can adapt to the teeth.  These are inexpensive and readily available, but, as with stock types, these may be ill-fitting and bulky, and may not offer optimal protection. 

Custom-made mouthguards are the most satisfactory.  They are made by a dentist, and offer the best adaptation, maximum retention, and increased stability and comfort. 

Under Armour Performance Mouthwear

Bite Tech has recently partnered with Under Armour to take custom-made mouthguards one step further.  Under Armour Performance Mouthwear claims to help athletes improve strength, endurance, and reaction time.

How does it work?

Stressful situations (including strenuous athletic activity) cause the body to release stress hormones.  This causes clenching of the jaw which, in turn, releases more amounts of stress hormones.  An overload of stress can affect the body in a negative way, leading to fatigue and decreased muscle building. 

The Under Armour Performance Mouthwear prevents the teeth from clenching a places the jaw in a more relaxed position, which decreases the stress hormone levels.  With less stress, the athlete can increase endurance, reduce fatigue, and increase muscle-building potential.   

How it’s different than the Stock and Boil and Bite?

The Under Armour mouthguard is made by a dentist.  It covers all of the teeth (upper for contact sports, lower for non-contact sports) and extends over the gums.  It allows the jaw to be placed in a more relaxed position, which can cushion a blow that may have otherwise caused a concussion. 

Will it really increase my athletic performance?

This is the million dollar question – is it science or myth?  My answer – who cares!  The positives:  it’s comfortable and stylish.  I think just because it’s has the Under Armour logo will mean more kids will wear it, meaning less injuries.  The research shows it can reduce concussions, which is a huge plus.   Even if it does nothing for athletic performance, just thinking it does can increase athletic performance on its own.  My 1994 Air Jordan shoes definitely made me a better basketball player – same concept.  Mind over matter.  The only negative is probably the price, although they do give a team discount. 

Summary

Any mouthguard is better than no mouthguard at all.  With advancements in the fabrication process, Under Armour Mouthwear is more comfortable and offers superior protection to facial and teeth trauma.  And, if it happens to make you run faster and jump higher, then that’s good too.  I give it two thumbs up!

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The Link Between the Mouth and the Body

New research is available showing how infection from the teeth and gums is directly related to illnesses in the rest of the body. 

Bacterial infections in the mouth can be a major factor in the development of several systemic diseases.  These new risk factors have disproven the fallacy that the mouth is a separate entity when compared to the entire body.   These findings also allow dentists and physicians to join together in treatment modalities for the betterment of their patient’s overall health.

To read the rest of this article, click here.

Anesthetics in dentistry are a much needed necessity; we tend to lose friends if we don’t use them.  But does it have to last all day?  Wouldn’t it be nice to go to the dentist on your lunch break then return to work without the speech impediment and constant drooling? 

We finally have the answer! 

To read the rest of this article, click here.

To read the rest of this article, click here.

Greystone Smile Design is a state-of-the-art dental practice in the Greystone Cosmetic Center.  The office consists of cosmetic, family, and pediatric dental procedures behind the expertise of Dr. Trent Buchanan and Dr. Tom Dudney.  Services include tooth-colored fillings, teeth whitening, veneers, children’s dentistry, implants, dentures, teeth cleanings, root canals, and more.  It truly is an office for the entire family, and that’s something to smile about!

Dr. Buchanan is one of the most aspiring young dentists in the area.  He brings a wealth of knowledge in the fields of restorative dentistry, cosmetic procedures, and emergency treatment.  Dr. Buchanan recently completed the requirements for the prestigious Fellowship Award from the Academy of General Dentistry and will be recognized for his accomplishments at the July 2010 meeting in New Orleans.  Requirements consisted of 500 hours of approved continuing dental education and successul completion of a written examination.  Of the 140,000 dentist in the United States, only approximately 13,000 have earned this impressive honor.

Dr. Dudney, the present program director for the California Center of Advanced Dental Studies, brings an impressive resume relating to cosmetic dentistry.  He has maintained a successful private practice in Alabaster for almost 30 years and was recently featured on The Rick and Bubba Show for the “Fix Mama’s Mouth – Ultimate Mother’s Day Makeover” and ABC 33/40’s Extreme Makeover.  Dr. Dudney’s patients rave about their extraordinary results, but they claim it’s his kindness and caring attitude that sets him apart.

Greystone Smile Design prides itself on impeccable affability, caring availability, and advanced technology to make going to the dentist much more pleasurable.  Below is a list of services that make this “not your average dental office”:

• Extended hours on nights and weekends for your busy schedule
• Tooth-colored fillings
• Limited warranty on all major procedures
• Flat screen TVs in each treatment room for your enjoyment
• Payment Plans to help you get the treatment you deserve
• An anesthetic reversal agent so you’re not numb all day
• Intra-oral cameras for a virtual tour of your mouth
• Invisalign to straighten teeth without braces
• A new bleaching technique that is predictable and permanent
• Digital x-rays to reduce exposure to radiation

The ultimate goal at Greystone Smile Design is optimal oral health for life and creating lasting relationships in the process.  To schedule an appointment, fill out the form above or call 205-433-9452.

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Hoover, Alabama Dentist