It’s hard to believe, but there are just a few weeks of the year left! With that comes last-minute gift shopping, spending time with family, and making sure that you’ve used your medical, dental, and vision benefits.

Most people know, but many forget that you pay for your dental insurance whether you use it or not – so you might as well use it! Dental health is a big factor in overall health, and it can even play a role in your mental health and social life. 

Depending on your insurance, you’ll see varying levels of coverage, but most plans will allow for at least two cleanings and one x-ray exam each year. If you need or want work beyond that, many dental insurance benefits cover a large majority of the cost of preventative dental care treatments, if not the entire cost. 

Preventative care treatments typically include:

• Routine cleanings
• Examinations
• Sealants
• Fluoride treatments
• Periodontal care
• X-rays
• Oral cancer screenings
• Mouthguards
• Patient education

When it comes to general dental care, insurance typically covers around 50 to 80% of the cost of treatment. 

General dental care treatments typically include: 

• Tooth-colored fillings
• Porcelain inlays onlays
• Porcelain crowns and bridges 
• Dental implants 
• Removable partials
• Dentures
• Root canals 
• Minor tooth extractions
• Cerec restoration 

Regardless of the type of treatment you need, it is important to remember that although you pay for dental insurance that does not mean that your insurance benefits roll over from year to year. If you don’t use your benefits before the year ends, you will likely miss out on the services your insurance can help cover. 

At Cakmes Dental Studio we provide all of the services listed above and more, and would love nothing more than to help you take care of your dental needs and help you end every year feeling confident in your smile! 

The end of one year and the beginning of a new one are always the perfect time to evaluate your progress; whether that be your progress at work, your physical health, your mental health, or even the relationships you’ve built, evaluating what you have done in the past year and what you hope to achieve in the future are healthy ways to establish goals and keep yourself accountable. 

Take care of yourself, focus on your goals, and take advantage of your dental benefits before the year ends! Book an appointment at Cakmes Dental Studio by calling us at (865) 584-6163 or by filling out this form! There’s still time to end the year on the right note, with a healthy and beautiful smile at the center of it all. 

If you’re new to Knoxville, or if you’ve lived here for years and are still looking, finding the right dentist is an important decision to make. Cakmes Dental Studio is a family dental practice that is home to Dr. Nick and Dr. Steven Cakmes, a wonderful father-son duo who love their job and their patients. If you’re looking for the best dentist in Knoxville, TN, look no further than Cakmes Dental Studio for all of your dental needs – from general dentistry to cosmetics, and more.

There are many qualities, qualifications, and personality traits to consider when searching for the right dentist. Your dentist should have incredible attention to detail, they should be trustworthy, they should have intimate knowledge of teeth and gums, and they should have impressive manual dexterity. 

Dr. Nick and Dr. Steven possess all of those qualities and are both experts in their field. When it comes to general dentistry, they are skilled in many services – from cleanings to tooth-colored fillings, crowns and bridges to dental implants, root canals, tooth extractions, and more, you won’t find a better dentist to handle your procedure. 

Cakmes Dental Studio takes it a step further with cosmetic dentistry services, such as veneers, teeth whitening, and aesthetic contouring. Dr. Nick and Dr. Steven’s attention to detail is unparalleled. As dentists, they know that even the smallest details can make the biggest difference, and that is why they are so good at what they do. They know every detail of every project or procedure they tackle, and the results make that obvious. 

Whether you’re looking for bi-yearly cleanings, help with a crooked tooth, teeth whitening for summer, or anything else, Dr. Nick and Dr. Steven are here to answer your questions and fix your problems. 

Dr. Nick and Dr. Steven love their patients, many of whom have been treated for years, or even decades, and their patients love them back (check out the reviews to see for yourself!). Not only do they have the proper schooling and knowledge of every detail of dentistry, but they are also quite passionate about it. They attend conferences, seminars, and more, to ensure that they are always learning, staying up to date with best practices, and providing the best for their patients. 

If you’re looking for a wonderful dentist in Knoxville, TN, know that the superb dentists and staff at Cakmes Dental Studio are all you need. Their skills, work ethic, and personalities combine to create the perfect dentist, twice over! We are blessed to create an environment in which our patients feel happy, calm, and satisfied with their cleanings, procedures, and more. If you’re looking for a lifelong dentist, schedule an appointment today. 

Have you always wanted a better and brighter smile but found that whitening and braces or aligners weren’t enough or were too hard to keep up with? Veneers could be the answer you’ve been looking for. Dental veneers can protect your teeth while improving your overall appearance. There are many reasons someone may want veneers: crooked teeth, gaps between the teeth, stained teeth, and broken or damaged teeth. Veneers are a natural-looking and healthy option for anyone experiencing issues with their smile due to these common areas of concern. 

Porcelain Veneers

There are two types of veneers that we specialize in: porcelain and composite resin. Porcelain veneers are tooth-colored shells that fit over the front-facing side of each of your teeth. These shells are made in-house and have long been known for their durability and their striking similarities to natural teeth.

At Cakmes Dental Studio, we offer DURAthin porcelain veneers – an extremely thin, custom-made shell piece. Our patients’ favorite part of the DURAthin veneers is that these shells eliminate the need to drill, grind, or shave down the existing tooth. Many people have heard horror stories or seen images of veneers before the shell is replaced, oftentimes resembling sharp, chipped baby teeth, and are turned off by the idea of veneers. Utilizing our advanced technology eliminates any of the fear of shaved teeth, resulting in an improved and enhanced smile while keeping the healthy structure of the teeth. 

Composite Resin Veneers

Composite resin veneers have gained popularity due to their advancements in recent years. When going this route, the resin (a tooth-colored restorative material used to replace decayed portions of a tooth and its overall structure) is applied directly to each tooth in layers, in order to give the look and feel of natural teeth. While composite resin veneers have come a long way, they must be taken care of with extreme care and detail, more so than even natural teeth. If not properly maintained, these veneers will stain or wear at a much faster rate than porcelain veneers. 

How Cakmes Dental Studio Can Help

If you’re looking for a way to get the smile you’ve always dreamed of, veneers could be your answer. Our team is extremely skilled in both porcelain and composite resin veneers – sometimes, even a combination of the two is what a patient needs. We’ll determine the best approach for your specific wants and needs through a consultation at Cakmes Dental Studio. Keep in mind that while veneers may be able to improve the function of your teeth, their main purpose is to improve your appearance. If you think veneers could be what you’ve been missing, reach out to our team for a consultation and more information. We would love to transform your smile into a happy and healthy one. 

You are what you eat. But did you know that your diet doesn’t just affect your physical health? It can also have an impact on your oral health. 

What to eat for better dental health

Foods are not created equal. There are those that promote dental health and there are also those that cause tooth decay and gum disease.

If you want to keep your teeth and gums healthy, make sure to load up on these good guys:

• Fiber-rich fruits and vegetables

Fiber-packed fruits and vegetables keep your saliva flowing. 

Your saliva reduces the effects of acids and enzymes on your teeth. They also contain traces of calcium and phosphate, which help restore the minerals that are lost due to bacterial acids.

• Sugar-free chewing gum

This is another food item you should have on hand if you want to keep your saliva flowing, especially after a starchy meal. 

Sugar and starch can come in contact with plaque (a thin invisible layer of bacteria), forming acids that can damage your teeth enamel.

• Milk and other dairy products

The calcium and phosphate from milk and other dairy products can help restore some of the minerals lost due to other foods. 

• Teas

Green and black teas contain polyphenols that either kill or keep the bacteria from causing any damage in your mouth. 

• Anything that contains fluoride

Fluoride-containing food can help keep your teeth and gums healthy. 

Examples are fluoridated water and fluoride-containing powdered juices (as long as they don’t contain a lot of sugar) and dehydrated soups.

On top of watching your diet, it’s also important to have good dental habits like brushing and flossing your teeth regularly and seeing a dentist at least once a year.

Cakmes Dental Studio have dentists and staff who will take good care of your oral health needs. We are committed to giving our patients the best dental care out there.

To schedule an appointment with us, you may call (865) 584-6163.

References:

https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/d/diet-and-dental-health

https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentTypeID=1&ContentID=4062

Breastfeeding is known to be one of the earliest ways to reduce your baby’s risk of SIDS, obesity, asthma, and many more. It can also reduce the mother’s risk of ovarian and breast cancer. But did you know that breastfeeding can also impact the dental health of the baby? 

Breastfeeding promotes better teeth alignment

Recent studies have shown that babies who were exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months were less likely to develop open bites, crossbites, and other teeth alignment issues. 

Breastfeeding reduces the risk for baby bottle tooth decay 

Baby bottle tooth decay develops when a baby has prolonged exposure to drinks containing sugar. This usually happens to babies who are put to bed with a bottle, even if it’s formula or milk.

Dental care is still needed even if you are breastfeeding.

Although breastfeeding can be beneficial in so many aspects, children who have been breastfed can still develop cavities. Breastfeeding doesn’t make the kids cavity-free. 

It’s very important to start caring for your child’s dental health early. You can start cleaning your child’s gum area with a clean, damp cloth after every feeding. You can do this even if your child isn’t teething yet.

For moms, self-care is important especially if it affects your health. Many moms end up neglecting their dental health due to their busy schedules. Your dental health is as important as the rest of your family.

Brushing and flossing your teeth twice a day are still the simplest ways to prevent gum and tooth diseases. Also, make sure to have your teeth checked by a dentist. An annual dental check can help prevent serious dental health issues. 

Cakmes Dental Studio in Knoxville has a team of dental health professionals who can help you bring back your smile. To request an appointment, you can call us at (865) 584-6163 or visit https://cakmesdentalstudio.com/contact/

References:

https://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/caring-babies-teeth

https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/b/breastfeeding

We know that the beginning of the school year is usually chaotic. There’s that transition from lazy summer mornings to rushing to get the kids on time for the bus. However, we believe that oral care shouldn’t be neglected especially at this period. Dental issues such as tooth decay can cause an increase in your child’s missed days in school.

To help you out, we’ve outlined some of the best back-to-school dental care tips:

• Teach your kids how to brush and floss properly
  Brushing and flossing the teeth regularly are some of the simplest ways to prevent diseases of the gums and teeth. Until your child reaches the age of 7, monitor how he/she brushes and flosses his/her teeth. Make sure that your child brushes his/her teeth long enough. You may want to set a timer for 3 minutes to ensure this.
  
  
• Be careful of what your kids eat and drink
  Your child’s diet plays a significant role in his/her oral health. Provide your child with healthy snacks and meals at home and for school. It’s also best for their oral health to limit their consumption of sweetened drinks and treats.
• Learn how to handle dental emergencies

Accidents are inevitable especially when you have an active kid. These accidents may cause their teeth to get cracked or knocked out. Before these happen, make sure you know how to handle the situation.

When your child’s tooth is accidentally knocked out, carefully pick the tooth without touching the root. Keep the root moist by temporarily placing it back in the socket or placing it in a glass of milk.

In cases of a cracked tooth, have your child rinse with a glass of warm water. This will rinse any debris in the mouth. If there’s inflammation or swelling, place a cold cloth against your child’s cheek and call your dentist for further instructions.

• Schedule a dental check-up at least once a year

Before the school year starts to get busy, you may want to schedule your child’s dental check-up at the beginning of the school year. 

A dentist can check your child’s teeth and gums. Seeing a dentist can also ensure your child gets routine dental care before any tooth/gum issues arise.

Cakmes Dental Studio is a family-oriented dental clinic. We take pride in taking care of patients dealing with various dental issues. To schedule an appointment with us, please call (865) 584-6163.

References:

https://www.dynamicdentalinc.com/blog/back-to-school-6-dental-care-tips-from-your-family-dentist

https://consumer.healthday.com/dental-and-oral-information-9/misc-dental-problem-news-174/back-to-school-tips-for-healthy-teeth-700904.html

The emergence of your baby’s first tooth is a huge milestone. While it’s a big event in your baby’s life, it can be very uncomfortable him or her. The more you understand this phase and what you can expect, the more you help you are able to provide for your baby.

What can you expect during the teething process?

Many babies begin teething between 4 and 7 months. For some babies, it can happen at a much later stage.

Usually, the first tooth to emerge is one of the lower, central incisors. Some kids have a pattern of serial eruption while there are also those who experience multiple dental eruptions at the same time. 

Some teeth can be more sensitive when they erupt. The larger molars are usually the ones that cause a significant amount of discomfort due to their larger surface area. They simply can’t ‘slice’ through the gum tissue as what erupting incisors can do.

Although the symptoms of teething could vary from one baby to another, many babies who are teething experience the following:

• Tender and swollen gums
• Fussiness
• Gnawing or wanting to chew on things
• Lots of drooling
• Changes in sleeping and/or eating patterns
• A slightly elevated temperature

What can you do when your baby’s teething?

If your baby seems uncomfortable with his/her teething, you can do the following to soothe his/her gums:

• Rub your baby’s gums
  With the use of your clean finger or moistened gauze pad, you can relieve the discomfort from sore gums. 
• Keep it cool
  Whether it’s a cold washcloth or chilled (not frozen) teething ring, anything that’s ‘cool’ can be soothing to your baby’s gums. 
• Try hard foods
  If your baby is already eating solid food, try offering something edible such as slices of cucumber for gnawing. Keep an eye on your baby as any piece may break off and pose a choking hazard. 
• Use pain medicines
  Make sure to consult your healthcare provider before giving any medicine to your baby. Over-the-counter pain meds such as acetaminophen could help but they could also mask symptoms that are important to know.

If you have other concerns regarding your child’s teething, you can call us. At Cakmes Dental Studio, we have a team who can help you. We take pride in providing the best dental care for our patients.

To schedule an appointment, you can call us (865) 584-6163.

References:

https://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/teething-symptoms-remedies#1

https://www.emedicinehealth.com/teething/article_em.htm#what_are_teething_symptoms_and_signs

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/in-depth/teething/art-20046378

Halitosis is different from the usual “morning breath” or strong smell that stays after eating a tuna sandwich. It’s chronic bad breath that extends for a certain period of time and can be a sign of something more serious.

What causes halitosis?

Chronic bad breath can be a symptom that something is going on with your body, including:

• Dental issues
  Cavities and gum disease are common mouth issues that can cause halitosis. Both of these conditions create extra places for bad breath-causing bacteria to hide, making them more difficult to clear out when brushing or flossing.
• Dry mouth
  Your saliva plays an important role in your dental health. It helps remove unwanted leftovers in your mouth and aids in the breakdown of food. If you don’t make enough saliva, you may suffer from bad breath. This can happen as a result of medications, certain conditions, smoking, and excessive alcohol use.
• ENT infections
  Infections of the ears, nose, and throat may cause bad breath. It’s because the bacteria feed on the mucus that the body produces when it’s battling an infection.

What are the remedies for halitosis?

Fortunately, there are ways you can do to fix your bad breath problem.

1. Maintain good oral hygiene
   Many cases of halitosis are linked to poor oral hygiene. If you don’t brush and floss your teeth very well, the mouth breaks down the tiny pieces of food that are caught between your teeth. This can produce an odor similar to rotten eggs.
   
   Also, if you don’t brush and floss your teeth well, it can provide a very suitable environment for bad breath-causing bacteria to thrive.
2. Don’t forget to scrape your tongue
   Regular brushing and flossing helps but it’s not enough. Remember, the tongue also houses tons of food particles. So, it’s important to include it as part of your oral hygiene routine.
   
   Get your tongue cleaned by brushing it or using a tongue scraper.
3. Check in with your dentist
   If you’ve been consistent with your oral hygiene routine and still suffer from bad breath, you may want to schedule an appointment with your dentist. With a good, thorough cleaning and exam, your dentist can determine what causes your halitosis and can advise you on your next steps.
   
   Cakmes Dental Studio has well-experienced dental staff who can help you with any dental health issues. We take pride in the quality of dental care we provide to our patients. To request for an appointment, you can call us at (865) 584-6163.

References:

https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/features/natural-home-remedies-for-bad-breath#1

https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/h/halitosis