At some point in our lives we have all felt the need to fit in. For teenagers this need to fit in can come at an unhealthy cost. The most common of all trends in teenagers today includes oral piercings. Unfortunately, not much thought goes into the negative risk factors behind this social trend. Some of the risks include:

• Severe Infection- The mouth has a substantial amount of bacteria which is worsened by oral piercings. The bacteria traps around and under the piercings. Piercings are the breeding grounds for bacteria.
• Prolonged Bleeding- Piercings can cause damage to the tongue’s blood vessels which can cause blood loss.
• Swelling and nerve damage- Because the tongue is in always in motion the healing process is long and drawn out. During the healing process it is customary to have swelling. The tongue has an abundance of nerves which can be very risky. If the nerves are damaged it is usually permanent.
• Bloodborne disease transmission- Oral piercings have been identified by the National Institute of Health as a possible factor in transmissions of hepatitis B, C, D, and G.
• Deterioration of the gums and enamel- In some cases the placement of the oral piercings can have a negative effect on the gums and enamel. Constant contact with the gums can cause recession. Bulky metal piercings banging against the teeth can cause the teeth to chip which causes unnecessary repair expenses.

The moral of the story is check out all the negative factors involved in oral piercings. Spread the word to your children and friends to help discourage them from making a mistake.

Patients today often have a long list of highly qualified professionals from which to choose when seeking reconstructive and cosmetic dentistry services.

So how is a patient to choose the best dentist to meet their needs when the field is filled with talented professionals?

The professionals at Smile South Florida Cosmetic Dentistry became aware years ago that in addition to selecting an experienced professional, patients in need of porcelain veneers or other cosmetic dentistry services should be able to like and trust the dentist they choose to perform the needed procedures. That is why they adopted the Homoly Method within their practice.

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Why do people hold back from getting braces? Because the tools worn to fix these malocclusions, like gaps, overlaps and rotations, are noticeable and make people’s teeth issue, that much more evident. Though braces turn out wonderful results, people are usually not ready for the multi-year commitment to a metal exterior. Looking unattractive for a couple of years is better than having problems with your teeth forever. But people have waited too long. They are older now, with an important job and a family. Fortunately, there is Invisalign that generates the same results as braces and is invisible and removable. This post will tackle some important questions about Invisalign and lend some important information to anyone searching to upgrade that smile.

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Hollywood A-Lister’s Still Need a Little Help from Their Neighborhood Cosmetic Dentists

With so much film, media, and magazine exposure these days, Hollywood celebrities are zero-ing in on making every aspect of their physical exterior an image of perfection. Their smiles are certainly no exception!

Advances in technology over the past years have allowed dentists to create flawless grins for people, while still looking and feeling natural. These celebrity smiles can range from a few thousand dollars for a minor adjustment, to the extreme makeover cases of $50,000 or more for their toothy treasures.

And while some celebrities use their signature snaggle-teeth to their advantage, in most cases their new cosmetic dental work is a vast improvement as they jolt into super stardom. Here are a few examples of some celebrities that had smile makeovers:

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Teeth are porous and made up of hollow tubelike structures called dentin tubules. These form the part of the tooth between the enamel (surface) and the pulp (core) of a healthy tooth. Some people develop stronger tooth enamel in their formative years, thanks to genetics and good brushing and flossing. But people with weaker enamel soak up things they eat and drink through their dentin tubules, and the surfaces of their teeth look stained.

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Many dentists call themselves extreme makeover dentists. What does this mean? What does it take to be an extreme makeover dentist?

Certainly, the dentists appearing on ABC’s Extreme Makeover are talented dentists that likely have this advanced dental capability. But, how are they qualified? Who ascertains their ability as a dentist… producers or filmmakers?

How about the dental lab service of ABC’s Extreme Makeover, da vinci labs? The owners of da vinci dental laboratory had the ability to send their mother to any of the television extreme makeover dentists, but they did not. They chose a talented South Florida dentist, Dr. Charles Nottingham.

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No one thinks happy thoughts when they hear the term ” root canal ,” but painful root canals can be the exception rather than the rule.

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July 30, 2007—MIAMI, BOCA RATON AND FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA— Smile South Florida Cosmetic Dentistry recently began offering Vizilite Plus® oral cancer screenings.

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July 20, 2007 -MIAMI, BOCA RATON AND FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA- Visiting the dentist on a regular basis and brushing and flossing daily could do more than prevent cavities. These activities also could prevent heart attacks and strokes.

A recent study presented at the American Association for the Advancement of Science meeting suggests that the bacteria present in gum diseases may trigger blood clots which can contribute to a heart attack or stroke, according to the American Academy of Periodontology.

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July 12, 2007- MIAMI , BOCA RATON AND FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA- The effects of a missing tooth can run far deeper than a flawed smile.

People with missing teeth often feel self-conscious about their smiles. They can have difficulty eating certain foods. Missing teeth can even change a person’s bite pattern.

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July 12, 2007-MIAMI, BOCA RATON AND FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA- Smile South Florida Cosmetic Dentistry has a new way of helping patients achieve a beautiful white and bright smile in just 45 minutes.

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June 14, 2007 — MIAMI , BOCA RATON and FT. LAUDERDALE , Fla.   - Cosmetic dentistry has gone through many innovations in recent years, but none as dramatic as porcelain veneers treatments. These wafer-thin shells of porcelain can replace discolored, chipped, misaligned or worn teeth to give you a flawless smile.

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MIAMI, BOCA RATON and TAMARAC, Fla, April 19, 2007 – Dental procedures generate a fair amount of hazardous wastes. Yet, because few states have regulations regarding proper disposal, safe procedures are infrequently implemented.

Smile South Florida has longpracticed safe disposal, as well as other sustainable dental methods.

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April 10, 2007 — MIAMI, BOCA RATON, and FT. LAUDERDALE – The Atkins Diet was popular for its weight-loss properties: But there was a second, little-considered, benefit. A low-carbohydrate diet also helps prevent tooth decay.

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March 30, 2007 –Palm Beach and Broward County, Fla. –  You can pop Altoids, chew Trident, and spritz Binaca until the cows come home; but if your halitosis is caused by poor oral hygiene or a systemic disease, your breath may still smell like rotten eggs.

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