How Enamel Protects Your Teeth

What Causes Tooth Enamel Damage?
Enamel is kind of like the shell of an egg: it protects the softer, more vulnerable part of the tooth inside.
But unlike an eggshell, the thin layer of enamel is tough. In fact, enamel is the hardest substance in the body. It can withstand decades of biting, chewing and crunching -- with some luck and good dental care.
 
Above article from: WebMD.com/oral-health

Millcreek Family Dental 
Dr. Anthony J. Baird, DDS
1455 South 500 West, Suite D
Bountiful, UT 84010
Phone: (801) 292-4009
Website: www.DrBaird.com

Grinding Teeth

What Causes Tooth Enamel Damage?
Another cause of tooth enamel damage is bruxism -- or teeth-grinding. Over time, the constant clenching and friction can wear down or fracture the enamel. In this slide, teeth grinding has ground down the upper and lower front teeth.
Bruxism is often worst when you sleep -- that's when you can't control it. Reducing stress may help. Some people wear a special mouth guard to bed.
 
Above article from: WebMD.com/oral-health



Millcreek Family Dental 
Dr. Anthony J. Baird, DDS
1455 South 500 West, Suite D
Bountiful, UT 84010
Phone: (801) 292-4009
Website: www.DrBaird.com

Children's Dentistry

 Our Care for Your Children
Each team member in our office will ensure your children will be at ease to enjoy their visit. With the latest advances in dentistry, we deliver each treatment with care and compassion. This includes teaching your children proper care of their teeth and gums, so they will keep their natural teeth for a lifetime. As we watch them grow and change, they'll enjoy their visits to maintain good health and keep a happy, healthy smile.

No More Dental Fears – No Kidding!
We want to ensure that future generations of children will not have fear of dental visits. Our happy parents have told us we are achieving those goals! No matter if you have an active three-year-old or a scared eight-year-old, we can help to relieve their fears and make them feel happy to come to our office.

Choosing Your Child’s Dentist for Good
Dental Health
Children’s teeth are more susceptible to cavities during formative years for many reasons. That is why it is important to instill good dental and nutrition habits at a young age before permanent teeth are damaged from decay.

As children do not always brush well by themselves, it is important that parents maintain and observe their daily dental care. This helps to create good dental habits for years to come.

Kids tend to eat throughout the day, which prolongs the exposure of their teeth to the acids in the food. This makes them more prone to the development of cavities. If a tooth is already not as clean as it needs to be, more contact with food and drink will increase the rate of decay. A child who is taught good dental and dietary habits early in life, plus applications of a fluoride varnish to mineralize teeth, can greatly reduce the chance of having cavities develop.

Millcreek Family Dental 
Dr. Anthony J. Baird, DDS
1455 South 500 West, Suite D
Bountiful, UT 84010
Phone: (801) 292-4009
Website: www.DrBaird.com

Gum Health

Gum Disease is the Primary Reason for
Tooth Loss
Most people seem to think that the main reason for tooth loss is decay. But it is periodontal disease (infected gums). Often times, it is not treated until it has reached advanced stages, as signs may not be present. Symptoms that do occur may be bleeding gums while brushing or flossing and loose teeth. If previously you have been told you need gum surgery, let us assess the state of your gums, as it is possible we can reverse the infection through nonsurgical methods.

Other Serious Health Problems May Result from
Gum Disease
It has been estimated by the American Dental Association that most Americans have periodontal disease at some level. Dentists regard this problem as a health epidemic. From the findings of recent medical research, it has been proven there is a link between gum disease and stroke, diabetes, and heart disease. The American Academy of Periodontology confirms that gum infections add to the development of serious health afflictions with the heart, diabetes, stroke, or respiratory ailments. The bacteria from the gums travels throughout the body in the bloodstream, affecting and/or worsening life-threatening diseases.

Good News in Gum Disease Treatment
If gum disease is treated before it reaches an advanced stage, there are nonsurgical treatments that will stop its continuation and allow the gum tissue to heal. Together with improved hygiene efforts by the patient, nonsurgical methods will destroy the bacteria and help in preventing its re-occurrence. It is important to seek treatment at the first signs of this problem, as once the infection is in advanced stages, the treatment will be surgery. Most dental insurance provides coverage for both nonsurgical and surgical procedures.

The Importance of Replacing a Missing Tooth
Most people think that missing a tooth has no effect on your overall health or appearance. But even if only one tooth is missing, it can cause other teeth to shift. This often has an effect on your ability to obtain nutrients from your food, as your chewing is not as it should be. Often, people will start to eat softer foods that are not too nutritious and result in weight gain. Maybe that one missing tooth may not bother you in how you look, but it can eventually create a sunken look to your face and you will look older than your age. Speech may become slurred and affect your job performance.

We have a solution to alleviate all these problems – dental implants for one or more missing teeth. They look so natural you will not even know they are not your own teeth.

Millcreek Family Dental 
Dr. Anthony J. Baird, DDS
1455 South 500 West, Suite D
Bountiful, UT 84010
Phone: (801) 292-4009
Website: www.DrBaird.com 

White Dental Fillings

No Metal in Our Fillings
Many of our patients are familiar with the silver-mercury amalgam fillings that have been used for years in dental practices. Although there are many dental offices that still use them for restoration, we do not. We use composite resin fillings that look natural, can be matched to the shade of your tooth, and have absolutely no metals. They actually add strength to a tooth and can last for years.

Amalgam fillings did not enhance a smile, as they were a very dark plug in a light-colored tooth. People did not like the way they looked and that they were so noticeable when they spoke or smiled. They also had shortcomings as they did not bond well to a tooth and eventually, decay would set in. The composite restorations we use bond very tightly to a tooth to eliminate the chance of decay in the future and give a natural, pleasing look to your smile.


Millcreek Family Dental 
Dr. Anthony J. Baird, DDS
1455 South 500 West, Suite D
Bountiful, UT 84010
Phone: (801) 292-4009
Website: www.DrBaird.com

Habits That Wreck Your Teeth: Opening Stuff With Your Teeth

Opening bottle caps or plastic packaging with your teeth may be convenient, but this is one habit that makes dentists cringe. Using your teeth as tools can cause them to crack or chip. Instead, keep scissors and bottle openers handy. Bottom line, your teeth should only be used for eating.

Above article from: webmd.com/oral-health

Millcreek Family Dental 
Dr. Anthony J. Baird, DDS
1455 South 500 West, Suite D
Bountiful, UT 84010
Phone: (801) 292-4009
Website: www.DrBaird.com 

Habits That Wreck Your Teeth: Bedtime Bottles

It’s never too early to protect teeth. Giving a baby a bedtime bottle of juice, milk, or formula, can put new teeth on a path to decay. The baby may become used to falling asleep with the bottle in his or her mouth, bathing the teeth in sugars overnight. It's best to keep bottles out of the crib.

Above article from: webmd.com/oral-health

Millcreek Family Dental 
Dr. Anthony J. Baird, DDS
1455 South 500 West, Suite D
Bountiful, UT 84010
Phone: (801) 292-4009
Website: www.DrBaird.com 

Habits that Wreck Your Teeth: Cough Drops

Just because cough drops are sold in the medicine aisle doesn't mean they’re healthy. Most are loaded with sugar. So after soothing your throat with a lozenge, be sure to brush well. Whether the sugar comes from a cough drop or a hard candy, it reacts with the sticky plaque that coats your teeth. Then bacteria in the plaque convert the sugar into an acid that eats away at tooth enamel. Hello, cavities.

Above article from: webmd.com/oral-health

Millcreek Family Dental 
Dr. Anthony J. Baird, DDS
1455 South 500 West, Suite D
Bountiful, UT 84010
Phone: (801) 292-4009
Website: www.DrBaird.com 

Habits That Wreck Your Teeth - Tongue Piercings

Tongue piercings may be trendy, but biting down on the metal stud can crack a tooth. Lip piercings pose a similar risk. And when metal rubs against the gums, it can cause gum damage that may lead to tooth loss. The mouth is also a haven for bacteria, so piercings raise the risk of infections and sores. Bottom line, discuss the health risks with your dentist first.
 
Above article from: webmd.com/oral-health

Millcreek Family Dental 
Dr. Anthony J. Baird, DDS
1455 South 500 West, Suite D
Bountiful, UT 84010
Phone: (801) 292-4009
Website: www.DrBaird.com 

Teeth Whitening

Brighten Your Teeth to Their Whitest in Just One Visit!
You may have seen this professional-strength whitening on TV. We use the in-office whitening methods of ZOOM! Advanced Power™ and EZ White™ Pro. They easily remove stains or dark areas and change your teeth to a brilliant white in only one visit. And amazingly, the results often last for years!

We also offer an at-home method that is both safe and effective. We make custom whitening trays in our own lab and provide you with instructions and materials to take home. Within 1 - 14 days, you won’t be able to stop smiling! 
 
Millcreek Family Dental 
Dr. Anthony J. Baird, DDS
1455 South 500 West, Suite D
Bountiful, UT 84010
Phone: (801) 292-4009
Website: www.DrBaird.com  

One-Visit Crowns

Crowns Made While You Wait
Many people are familiar with the two-week procedure to have an impression made, a temporary inserted, and the fitting and placement of a permanent crown. If the crown doesn’t fit just right, it is returned to the lab and the procedure starts all over again with yet another trip to the dentist.

As technology progresses, so does the length and procedure of treatments. In just a single visit, you can have a perfect-fitting crown that looks great and functions like a natural tooth. With CEREC™ technology, we can create a permanent crown in just a few minutes! This is a computer-aided design that can mill and produce the crown with amazing accuracy. All the waiting and return trips to the dentist are gone. The entire length of the process is only about an hour. You no longer have to go through the time and process of an impression or temporary, and it provides the aesthetics and satisfaction of a real tooth.

The restoration begins by putting a reflective powder on the tooth. With a special camera, a picture is taken and then shown on our computer screen. From this image, we design the restoration and then CEREC creates it. The new crown is bonded to the surface of the tooth and the procedure is completed. It couldn’t be easier or have a better fit! Our patients love this quick and easy way to make and fit a long-lasting crown.

Millcreek Family Dental 
Dr. Anthony J. Baird, DDS
1455 South 500 West, Suite D
Bountiful, UT 84010
Phone: (801) 292-4009
Website: www.DrBaird.com 

Invisalign

Orthodontics – The Clear Alternative
Dr. Baird is very pleased to offer his patients Invisalign invisible aligners. With this modern orthodontic technique you can have your teeth straightened in only 9 - 15 months! They correct all the problems traditional braces do – underbite, overbite, crossbite, overcrowding, or widely gapped teeth. With 3-D computer-imaging technology, we will fashion a complete treatment plan for you – from the current position of each tooth to your completed new look. From this imaging, your thermoplastic aligners will be custom designed and manufactured to exactly fit your teeth. With your first set of aligners, your teeth will gently start to be moved to the desired position. Every two weeks, you will receive a new set of aligners that will move them a little more toward the final positioning. You spend very little time in the dental chair, as you only need to come into our office approximately every four to eight weeks. Treatment time varies according to your individual needs and goals.

Advantages of the Invisalign System
Here are some reasons you would want to choose the Invisalign system: 

• Since they are nearly invisible, no one will notice you are wearing braces, unless they look very closely at your teeth. This gives you confidence and keeps you smiling while you are in treatment.  
• They are one piece and very comfortable to wear. There are no wires to be adjusted, no irritating metal or headgear, and require much less time in the dental chair to create and check your progress. 
• They are easy to take care of and can be taken out for eating and brushing. Since they are removable, you can eat and drink what you want during the duration of your treatment plan. And taking care of your teeth is the same as before treatment, as there are no braces to clean around.

Millcreek Family Dental 
Dr. Anthony J. Baird, DDS
1455 South 500 West, Suite D
Bountiful, UT 84010
Phone: (801) 292-4009
Website: www.DrBaird.com  

Habits That Wreck Your Teeth - Playing Sports With No Mouth Guard

Whether you play football, hockey, or any other contact sport, don't get in the game without a mouth guard. This is a piece of molded plastic that protects the upper row of teeth. Without it, your teeth could get chipped or even knocked out when the action gets rough. Self-fitting mouth guards may be purchased at a store, or you can have one custom made by your dentist.
 
Above article from: webmd.com/oral-health

Millcreek Family Dental 
Dr. Anthony J. Baird, DDS
1455 South 500 West, Suite D
Bountiful, UT 84010
Phone: (801) 292-4009
Website: www.DrBaird.com