Do You Need to Visit a Cosmetic Dentist?

Many people assume they need a cosmetic dentist only when they need to fix their smiles, but that’s not all that cosmetic dentists are good for. Sure, they can improve your smile, but there are plenty of other reasons why you might need a cosmetic dentist. Here are a few reasons that will help you understand the importance of a cosmetic dentist.

Benefits of Choosing a Cosmetic Dentist

1.   More Options

One of the things that make a cosmetic dentist different from an orthodontist is the variety of technology at their disposal. With numerous technologically advanced techniques and machinery, a cosmetic dentist can give you many options to choose from. The best example of this is dental tooth filling. While a dentist might offer one or two options, a cosmetic dentist can offer multiple different materials and colors to decide which best suits your appearance.

2.   Better Training

Cosmetic dentists are trying their best to be at the top of their work. It means better technology for dental procedures and better training. A cosmetic dentist is trained to use the latest tools and machines to give you the best results possible.

3.   Better Fit

Not all dentists are well trained to design braces of dental implants that fit well. That is why cosmetic dentists are trained to use the latest tools that make dental procedures more comfortable and better fit.

Ending Note

A cosmetic dentist can fix your oral health in the most comfortable way possible. With the latest tools and technologies, a cosmetic dentist can help you achieve your desired results. If you are looking for the best Miami cosmetic dentist, you can trust Dr. Jennifer Lopez for the best results. Scheduling an appointment is as easy as calling (305) 227-1213 or visiting our website. 

It takes a lifetime of care to achieve healthy teeth. Even if you’ve been told that you have nice teeth, not taking the right steps to take care of them will cause them to deteriorate quickly. This involves getting the right oral care products and following a proper teeth care ritual daily!

Be mindful of your daily habits and practice the following to maintain that beautiful smile.

• DO NOT Go To Bed Without Brushing: This is always the first oral healthcare advice, and for a good reason. Even though people are generally aware of the importance of brushing their teeth at night, many people still tend to neglect this practice. Germs and plaque accumulate in our mouths throughout the day. Going to bed without brushing allows them to thrive and multiply in your mouth overnight. Brush before sleeping to get rid of these.
• Use a Fluoride Toothpaste: There are more important things than flavor and whitening powders when it comes to choosing a toothpaste. Fluoride easily lands the top spot on that list. This is because it is a leading defense against tooth decay. It provides a protective barrier for your teeth and fights germs that can lead to decay.
• Drink More Water: Water is the best beverage for your overall health, and this includes your oral health as well. Drinking water after every meal can help wash out some of the negative effects of the acidic and sticky foods that get leftover in your mouth. This is an excellent way to practice oral hygiene in between brushes.

It is also important to visit your dentist regularly. If you don’t have a regular dentist yet and reside in South Miami, Sweetwater, Kendall, Coral Gables, or Doral, visit Jennifer Lopez Dental now.

 The list of foods that aren’t great for your teeth goes far beyond soda and sugar. In fact, some of the healthy foods that are currently trending may wreak havoc on your enamel, potentially cause cavities, and have a negative effect on your overall health.

Following are some trending drinks that aren’t great for your teeth.

• Hard Seltzer: Most alcoholic beverages are a concern due to their high sugar content. The drying-out effect they have on the mouth can further enable the development of cavities. With modern trends towards wellness and natural ingredients rising, better alcoholic beverages are also making their way to most clubs. A prime example of this is hard seltzer – a drink with relatively clean ingredients and low sugar content. However, it still isn’t good for your teeth, as any carbonated beverage can mess with the mouth’s pH level, making the enamel more vulnerable to bacteria. That being said, it is still better than regular alcohol.
• Kombucha: One of the more popular health trends recently has been the general obsession with kombucha tea. The fermented tea is full of antioxidants and probiotics that aid your gut health and ease inflammation. However, it can be very damaging to your oral health. To prevent bacteria from forming, kombucha should be kept at a pH level below 3.5. This can be very acidic for the enamel and cause it to erode. It can also stain the teeth.

That being said, you don’t need to completely give up on these drinks; just make sure to consume them in moderation.

If you do not have a regular dentist yet and reside in South Miami, Sweetwater, Kendall, Coral Gables, or Doral, visit Jennifer Lopez Dental now.

Cosmetic dentistry is on the rise. More and more people opt for it as they learn and witness how a dentist can transform almost anyone’s teeth to give them a smile they desire. If seeing all the hype has made you curious, but you still aren’t aware enough to decide whether you want to opt for the treatment, read on.

There are several different choices for cosmetic dental work if you want to improve your smile. Following are the most common cosmetic dental procedures.

• Teeth Whitening: Also known as “teeth bleaching,” this procedure is used to fix discolored or stained teeth. This is one of the most simple cosmetic dental procedures and can quickly whiten or brighten your teeth in a few visits to the dentist. You can even get a home kit to whiten your teeth. However, not everyone’s teeth are suitable for bleaching, so it is important to check in with your dentist before getting a home kit.
• Dental Veneers: If you have minor teeth issues such as a slightly crooked tooth, chipped teeth, or discolored teeth, you can opt for cosmetic dental veneers. These are thin shells made out of porcelain or composite material. They’re custom made for each patient and are cemented to the front side of the tooth. It can also be used to cover spaces between the teeth.
• Dental Implants: A dental implant is performed to replace missing teeth. A metal device that is usually made out of titanium is surgically placed into the jawbone where the tooth is missing. The dental implant works as a tooth root, which can anchor artificial teeth such as a crown, bridge, or denture.

However, it is important to note that not all cosmetic dental procedures are suited for everyone. If you have any concerns regarding the appearance of your teeth, it is better to visit a dentist and get an expert opinion about the best course of action.

If you live in South Miami, Sweetwater, Kendall, Coral Gables, or Doral, visit Jennifer Lopez Dental for a consultation now.

One of the first things people notice about you is your smile. Not only does a good smile impact the way others perceive you, but it can also boost your self-confidence. A survey by a dating site showed that a whopping 60% of the men and 71% of the women claimed that they care about a potential date’s teeth the most. 

However, this can be an issue for people who suffer from dental problems that affect the look of their smile. Dental procedures that improve the look of teeth and gums are known as cosmetic dentistry. Issues such as yellowed, crooked, or even missing teeth can all be corrected through cosmetic dentistry.

Following is a list of issues that can be fixed with a few trips to a cosmetic dentist.

• Crooked teeth
• Misaligned teeth
• Chipped or cracked teeth
• Gaps between teeth
• Misshaped teeth
• Crossbites
• Underbites, overbites, or open bites
• Missing teeth
• Discolored teeth
• Gummy smile

If you suffer from any of the above issues and affect your confidence and self-esteem, it is worth undertaking a cosmetic dental procedure. However, it is more likely going to be a long term commitment. Therefore, it is necessary to do the proper research beforehand to make an informed decision after being aware of your options.

If you are looking for an excellent cosmetic dentist and reside in South Miami, Sweetwater, Kendall, Coral Gables, or Doral, consider visiting Jennifer Lopez Dental as soon as possible.

The one thing you probably never want to hear your dentist say is that you have a cavity. However, it is an issue that affects a lot of people.

What Is a Cavity?

A cavity is a hole in a tooth. It is caused by decay that happens over time. The issue is that a cavity can go unnoticed for an extended period until specific symptoms become impossible to ignore.

To avoid having your teeth filled, you have to take good care of your oral hygiene even if you have no symptoms at all, while also keeping a check on the early signs of a cavity.

Signs of a Dental Cavity

Most of the time, small cavities are impossible to detect by yourself. You will have to consult a dentist who will probe your tooth or even perform an X-ray to conclude if you have a cavity. However, the following are some signs that you should be on the lookout for.

• Toothache can be a sign of a cavity. If a specific tooth is throbbing and aching, and you find your tongue poking against it, you may want to consult a dentist.
• If one of your teeth has become more sensitive to temperature changes than the rest, then the chances are that it may have developed a cavity. This will be apparent when you drink something hot, cold, or really sweet.
• A lot of things can cause bad breath. However, if you consistently find yourself with bad breath without any reason, then it may be pointing toward a cavity.
• The biggest sign of a dental cavity is a hole in your tooth. Whether you see a tiny hole or a larger one, consult a dentist immediately.

If you find yourself suffering from any of the above symptoms and live in Miami, visit our website to book an appointment with Dr. Jennifer M. Lopez. She is one of the best dentists in Miami and will give your case her undivided attention.

Most people already know the various benefits of regularly visiting the dentist. It helps maintain oral hygiene, keeps teeth and gums healthy, and most oral problems are caught on early.

However, there are a few unexpected benefits of visiting the dentist regularly that may surprise you.

• It Can Help You Sleep Better: Do you have trouble dozing off but don’t seem to find the root cause of the issue? Well, your dentist may be able to help as your teeth can be the key to a good night’s sleep. There is a whole branch of dentistry called “dental sleep medicine,” which is devoted to sleep apnea treatment. Your dentist will likely fit you with an oral device that will help you enjoy uninterrupted sleep.
• It Can Help Prevent or Manage Diabetes: There is a strong link between oral health and diabetes. According to the American Academy for Oral Systemic Health, about 95% of people with diabetes also have gum disease. On the other hand, people with gum disease have a more challenging time controlling their blood sugar levels. So regularly visiting your dentist can help with diabetes as well.
• It Can Lower the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease: Having gum disease can increase your risk of developing heart disease. The risk of bacterial infection in the bloodstream is increased due to gum disease, which can further affect the heart valves. To avoid this, it is suggested to brush and floss your teeth regularly and adequately get dental-checkups.

If you live in Miami, it would be great to visit Dr. Jennifer M. Lopez at Jennifer Lopez Dental. Head over to our website to book an appointment today.

Soda isn’t great for our health. We know that, but many of us still indulge in soda, at least now and then. Other people can’t get through the day without their favorite soda, even drinking multiple cans a day! 

Why Is Soda Unhealthy? 

Below are a few of the most important reasons to consider cutting soda out of your diet for good: 

1. Sleeping disorders, including insomnia – Drinking too much soda can eventually interfere with your sleeping habits, making it harder to fall asleep or to get the full benefits of sleep. 
2. Difficulty in weight loss efforts – One can of Coke has 160 calories. If you drink only one can of Coke a day, this adds 4800 calories every month! Even diet soda options won’t help, as it has been found that those who drink diet soda instead of regular soda have increased waist sizes. 
3. Artificial stimulant – Caffeine is a stimulant, causing changes in mood, perception, and behavior. It can be addicting, just like any other stimulant, and it also comes with a crash. This can leave you feeling sluggish, lethargic, moody, and with a craving for another soda to pick yourself up! It’s time to break this cycle. 
4. Damages and stains the teeth – Dark sodas will eventually begin to stain your teeth. Colored sodas are also up to 10 times more harmful to the tooth enamel than fruit juices and other acids. Weakened tooth enamel will lead to cavities, tooth decay, and eventual tooth loss. 

Here at Jennifer Lopez Dental, we encourage you to discontinue or decrease your soda intake. Not just for the sake of your dental health, but your overall health as well! 

Thumb sucking that extends past the age of 5 can create an anterior open bite. With an open bite, the roof of the mouth (called the palate) arches too high, and the front teeth (incisors) don’t touch when the mouth is closed. An open bite will require expensive orthodontic treatment and may cause speech difficulties for your child. 

Quitting the Thumb-Sucking Habit 

There are a few ways you can encourage your child to quit this harmful habit before it can do any permanent damage: 

• Refrain from negative enforcement. Positive enforcement has been shown to be much more effective. This means praising your child when he isn’t sucking his thumb instead of punishing him when he does. 
• Use a reward system or a sticker chart to reward your child for going a day (or even an hour at first) without thumb sucking.
• Countless children will resort to thumb-sucking out of stress or boredom. Do your best to alleviate any anxiety your child may be experiencing or engage them in playing a game, doing a puzzle, playing with Legos, or participating in any activity that requires the use of their hands.
• Put your child to bed with a band-aid or a sock on her hands to discourage overnight thumb-sucking.

If your child’s behavior persists, please bring it up at their next dental cleaning and checkup, and we will be able to offer more advice. To make an appointment, please contact Jennifer Lopez Dental, our Miami general dentistry office.  

Bruxism is the technical term for nocturnal teeth grinding and clenching. Not only can bruxism result in disrupted sleep patterns, but it can also damage your teeth. 

Bruxism can be caused by several issues, including: 

• Drinking too much caffeine 
• Struggling with an anxiety disorder 
• Sleep apnea 
• A side effect of certain medications 
• Snoring 

You may be suffering from bruxism and not even know it! Most people only realize they’re clenching and grinding their teeth in their sleep is when a sleeping partner brings it up, or their dentist diagnoses it. The symptoms of bruxism include the following:  

• Headaches in the morning 
• Pain or a clicking sound when opening or closing the jaw
• Tight or achy jaw muscles 
• Pain that feels as if it’s coming from the ear 
• Tooth pain and sensitivity  

There is no cure for bruxism, but there are a few ways to manage the symptoms:

• Create a relaxing sleep environment- The ideal sleep environment is comfortable, cool, and dark. We recommend putting down screens (laptop, phone, tablet) at least one hour before going to bed. Blue light from electronic screens can inhibit melatonin production in the body, causing sleep problems. 
• Change your sleeping position – In the same way that changing position can stop you from snoring, it can also ease the bruxism flare-ups. If you’re used to sleeping on your back, switch to one of your sides, and vice versa. 
• Reduce stress as much as possible – Reducing stress not only helps to eliminate your bruxism but will also improve your overall health. 
• Wear a nightguard to bed – If you suffer from bruxism at any severity, a nightguard is a necessity. Nightguards are dental appliance worn to bed, similar to a retainer. The nightguard acts as a cushion between the jaws so that even if you grind, no damage is done to your teeth. 

If you suffer from bruxism and would like to talk about a custom nightguard in Miami, Florida, please contact Jennifer Lopez Dental to make an appointment!

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