The eyes might be the windows to the soul, but a bright smile is the doorway to confidence. It’s never too late to consult your dentist about improving your smile, and the solutions can be implemented quickly, allowing you to start the new year with fresh new confidence. There are various cosmetic dental treatments available. Read on to find out which one will best suit you.

Aesthetic Contouring

If you’re looking for a quick and pain-free solution to overcrowded teeth, chips, and cracks, speak to your dentist about Aesthetic Contouring. 

What is Aesthetic Contouring?

Aesthetic contouring is a fast procedure that produces instant results. Your dentist will re-shape your teeth by removing small amounts of enamel with lasers and drills. While dental contouring doesn’t usually require anesthetic, gum contouring does require a strong topical anesthetic applied to the gums. The results are even teeth and balanced gums after just one session in the dentist’s chair. Your teeth may be sensitive after the procedure, so your dentist will likely recommend products to ease the sensitivity. 

Veneers

Veneers are an excellent solution for patients with crooked teeth, gaps in their teeth, dental discoloration they want to cover, or general damage and wear and tear.

What are Veneers?

Veneers are a thin covering for the front of your teeth and are made of either porcelain or composite resin. Porcelain veneers are crafted from durable dental ceramics and are extremely thin and hard-wearing. These are fitted to each tooth, matching the shape and shade. A fitting for porcelain veneers is a longer process, but it produces excellent overall results. 

Composite resin veneers are fitted quickly, often in one session, and are bonded to your teeth using intense light. Although both options produce beautiful smiles, we ask patients to consider that composite resin veneers require more maintenance than their porcelain counterparts and can wear and stain more easily.

Ultimately your veneer options will be based on the state of your teeth, so make an appointment so your dentist can assess your options. 

ClearCorrect

If you’ve been wanting to straighten your teeth but are worried about how metal braces will affect your appearance, ClearCorrect is an excellent treatment. 

What is ClearCorrect?

ClearCorrect are transparent teeth aligners designed to straighten your teeth comfortably and aesthetically. Manufactured in America, the aligners are made with safe materials and free of BPA and phthalates (a group of chemicals designed to make plastics more durable). 

Your dentist can assess whether you are a good candidate for ClearCorrect, as this treatment is best for patients with moderate misalignment. If this treatment benefits you, your dentist will fit you for your ClearCorrect aligner using x-rays, scans, and impressions. We recommend that our patients wear their aligners for 22 hours daily and remove them when eating. If this sounds like a smile-brightening solution, book your appointment with us! 

Teeth Whitening

If you’re happy with your teeth but feel that years of drinking coffee or red wine have left their stain, teeth whitening might be for you. Cakmes Dental Studio can solve this problem for you in under 45 minutes! 

What is Teeth Whitening?

Teeth whitening changes the color of your teeth using specialized dental bleach products. The method is straightforward and can be done by your dentist or at home using dentist-approved bleaching trays. Teeth whitening will not be the answer to a brighter smile for everyone, however, as different shades of teeth respond differently to the bleaching process. Additionally, bleaching will not work on veneers or caps, as it is only effective on natural teeth. 

Our in-chair teeth whitening is comfortable and painless. The Phillips in-office whitening treatment uses more powerful ingredients and, under your dentist’s supervision, safely whitens your teeth by up to eight shades. 

If you want to whiten your teeth from the comfort of your own home, then we can provide you with custom tooth whitening trays molded to your teeth, ensuring a more effective whitening treatment than you would receive from over-the-counter products. 

Cakmes Dental Studio offers you several pain-free options to brighten your smile; make an appointment with one of our dentists, and learn which option is best for you.

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Maintain your regular cleaning routine

Despite office parties, big family gatherings, and late nights, it’s essential to maintain a regular oral maintenance routine. Brush your teeth twice a day and floss once. If you’re going out of town, pack all your essentials, including any specialized dental supplies you might need. 

Dental professionals recommend brushing your teeth approximately 30 minutes after eating (not sooner, as this could damage your teeth). If you’re at an event, and can’t brush your teeth, rinse your mouth with still water and chew some sugar-free gum. 

Consider the sugar content.

Sugar rules the holiday season. Eggnog (particularly store-bought!), sweet baked goods, and cookies are easy high-sugar examples. The list is endless when we move on to the puddings, fudge, and hot cocoa. Even food we don’t consider sweet can be loaded with added sugars, such as in the glaze on cooked ham, cranberry sauce, and dressings. So, the recommendation is to do everything in moderation.  

Sweet drinks such as soda and lemonade significantly increase sugar intake, but some alcohol, such as ciders and cocktails, can also quickly push up that sugar counter. If you do want alcoholic or sugary drinks, make sure to also stay hydrated by drinking plenty of still water.

If, in addition to the festive fun, you also want food that is good for your teeth, consider adding these ingredients to your menu. 

Treat your teeth well.

Everyone can get a bit silly over the festive season, but don’t take it out on your teeth. Be careful of doing anything that might crack or damage them, such as opening beer bottles, cracking nuts, or playing contact sports without a mouth guard. Plus, don’t forget crunchy or sticky food; candy canes, rocky road, or caramel, for example, can all be nightmares for your dental well-being.

And if your tooth does get knocked out, or if it falls out? The recommendation is to pick it up (don’t touch the root), wash it gently if dirty, and place it back in the socket if possible. Make sure to gently hold it in place, keep it moist, and see a dentist within half an hour of the injury. This leads us to our final point:

Be prepared if something happens.

Many dental practices will be closed over the holiday season, so be prepared if you need medical attention. If your dentist is unavailable until the new year, ask him for a dental referral or emergency dental practice, just in case. 

Do You Have Your 2023 Appointment Lined Up?

Make sure you’re at the front of the line for the 2023 dental check-ups. Contact us to schedule an appointment for the new year.

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Sleep apnea and snoring are serious medical issues often left undiagnosed and untreated. If you feel like you are suffering from sleep apnea, an easy way to get a diagnosis is to make an appointment with your dentist. 90% of people are unaware that they have sleep apnea, but dentists can identify early signs of sleep disorders in patients and help treat the problem.

What is Sleep Apnea?

There are two categories of sleep apnea: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and Central sleep apnea (CSA). 

Obstructive sleep apnea is characterized by the narrowing or closing of the airway. Johns Hopkins Medicine explains that OSA occurs when your breathing is restricted for more than 10 seconds at least five times an hour. The lack of oxygen sends a signal to the brain, and jolts you awake, often with a snort or choke. 

Not everyone with OSA snores, however, so it is good to stay alert for any other common symptoms, which, according to the National Sleep Foundation, are: 

• Waking up with a dry mouth
• Night sweats
• An inability to focus
• Daytime sleepiness
• Irritability
• Headaches
• The need to urinate frequently
• Sexual dysfunction

Your breathing is also affected when suffering from CSA. In this form of the condition, your brain stops sending signals to breathe, so your breathing stops for short bursts. This means sufferers may struggle to fall and stay asleep. A common symptom of CSA is waking up short of breath.

Health Complications Caused by Sleep Apnea

Sleep disorders such as sleep apnea can cause serious health issues, as sufferers often cannot achieve the REM cycles needed for muscle repair and memory health. Leaving sleep apnea untreated can lead to health problems such as:

• Hypertension
• Cardiovascular conditions
• Mood-related issues, such as depression
• Unstable blood oxygen levels 

Who is at Risk of Sleep Apnea?

Several factors affect your risk of acquiring sleep apnea, but a stand-out statistic is that men are two to three times more likely to develop the condition than women. Other factors that can increase the risk of sleep apnea are: 

• Obesity
• A large neck circumference
• Mandibular Retrognathia or Micrognathia (conditions contributing to a receded lower jaw and undersized jaw, respectively)
• Age (sleep apnea is more common in older patients)
• Nasal congestion
• Lifestyle habits such as smoking and drinking alcohol
• A family history of the condition

How Can a Dentist Help My Sleep Apnea?

Your dentist can work alongside your doctor or sleep specialist to develop a treatment plan that will help alleviate your OSA or CSA symptoms in the long term. A dentist can diagnose initial sleep apnea through dental and physiological examinations. If your physician determines that the course of treatment includes an oral appliance, then your dentist will collaborate to ensure a thorough oral examination in preparation for your fitting.

Oral appliances are the standard treatment for OSA patients. Many oral appliances on the market, ranging from mouth guards to tongue-retaining devices, usually move the tongue, jaw, and soft palette out of the way to encourage an open airway. Your dentist can custom-fit the chosen device for you and will work with your doctor to find a comfortable solution that best suits your needs. 

We’re Here to Help

If you’re worried that you might have sleep apnea, or are unsure and want to be sure, then make an appointment with us at Cakmes Dental Studio in Knoxville, TN. Your oral health is our priority.

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Over 2 million Americans have Celiac Disease. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, it is estimated that 1 in 133 Americans could have the disease without being aware of it. Celiac Disease doesn’t just affect your digestive tract; it can cause health problems everywhere, from your heart to your mouth.

What is Celiac Disease?

Celiac Disease is an autoimmune disease characterized by a reaction to gluten, a protein found primarily in wheat, barley, and rye. When a person living with Celiac Disease ingests gluten, it causes a painful immune response in the small intestine. This response damages the villi (small finger-like projections on the lining of the small intestine), designed to absorb nutrients. Over time, the lack of nutrient absorption causes damage to the intestine and leads to serious health complications. 

If left untreated, possible health complications include (but are not limited to):

• Early onset osteoporosis
• Anemia
• Heart disease
• Pancreatic insufficiency
• Malnutrition

According to research, the disease tends to be prevalent in Caucasian people and those whose ancestors came from Europe. Patients with type 1 diabetes, Down syndrome, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), and other autoimmune diseases are also more at risk.

Celiac Disease is genetic (it tends to run in families) and can present at any age, so if you display symptoms, it is vital to seek medical advice.

What are the symptoms?

The symptoms of Celiac Disease vary significantly amongst patients. Common symptoms can include: 

• Chronic diarrhea or constipation
• Gas
• Repeated stomach pain or bloating
• Muscle Cramps
• Missed menstrual cycles
• Weight loss
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fatigue
• Joint pain

Children who have Celiac Disease tend to present symptoms more centered around the digestive process.

How Does Celiac Disease Affect My Teeth?

Celiac Disease can affect your oral health from a young age. Children aged seven years and younger may develop enamel defects as their teeth and enamel are still developing. Celiac disease can also cause a delay in the development of the teeth and mouth. The frequent development of canker sores is a common indication of Celiac Disease in adults and children. Patients can suffer from Dry mouth syndrome, which can result in tooth decay and atrophic glossitis, a condition noted for a smooth, shiny, red tongue. 

If left untreated, Celiac Disease can also lead to the development of pharyngeal, mouth, and esophageal cancers.

How can this be fixed?

Celiac Disease does not have a cure, but lifestyle changes allow most people to live symptom-free. Adopting a gluten-free diet is the only way to treat the disease, and it must be followed rigorously.

Where else is gluten found?

Patients adopting a gluten-free diet must know that gluten is found in many different foods, including soy sauce, salad dressings, condiments, french fries, grain-based alcohol, bouillon or soup mixes, imitation meat, and seafood. Additionally, gluten is also in certain medications. Because of the extensive list of non-gluten-free foods, your medical practitioner will likely advise you to consult a celiac disease specialist for assistance with a dietary plan. 

A thorough oral examination allows dentists to diagnose Celiac Disease and refer you to a physician. If you think that you or your child has  Celiac Disease, then make an appointment to come and see us at Cakmes Dental Studio in Knoxville, TN.

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