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By Sergio Jacas 16 May, 2023

An overbite is a type of malocclusion, or misalignment of teeth, where the upper front teeth protrude outwards exaggeratedly. This can be caused by genetics, thumb-sucking, or other habits that cause the jaws to develop differently.

Overbites can lead to speech impediments and difficulty chewing food properly. Fortunately for those with an overbite,  a dentist in Sunrise, FL , has treatments available to help correct this issue. In more severe cases, these treatments include braces, spacers, and jaw realignment surgery.

Here are problems you can avoid by getting your overbite fixed.

By Sergio Jacas 12 Apr, 2023

Porcelain veneers are a popular choice among those looking to improve the appearance of their teeth. Not only do they provide an aesthetically pleasing look, porcelain veneers also last longer than other cosmetic dentistry options. A dentist in Sunrise, Florida, will correctly apply veneers.

However, you must take good care of your porcelain veneers to keep them pristine. This includes regular dental visits and following certain rules regarding what you eat and drink.

Below we will discuss how you can keep your porcelain veneers looking great by following these simple tips and tricks.

Use a Soft-Bristle Toothbrush

Brushing your teeth twice daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush is one of the most important ways to keep your porcelain veneers looking their best. It’s essential to use a toothbrush with soft bristles to avoid damaging the delicate surface of your veneers. Toothpastes specifically designed for veneers are also available and can help protect them.

Don't Chew On Hard Objects

Refrain from chewing on hard objects like ice, as they can cause damage to your porcelain veneers. This is because the delicate surface of the veneers can chip or even crack when exposed to extreme temperatures or pressure from hard objects. These hard objects can also wear away the surface of the veneers over time.

Visit Your Dentist Regularly

Visiting your dentist in Sunrise, Florida, every six months is one of the most important steps to keeping your porcelain veneers looking great. During these visits, your dentist will check for any signs of wear and tear, such as chips or cracks. They may also recommend professional cleaning services to help keep your veneers in pristine shape.

Eat and Drink Carefully

Certain foods and drinks can cause staining and discoloration, so it’s important to be mindful of what you consume. Foods that are high in acidity or have a dark color can cause staining, so try to avoid them as much as possible. Steer clear of highly acidic drinks or foods containing a lot of sugar.

Rinse Your Mouth With Lukewarm Water

Rinsing with lukewarm water after eating sugary snacks or drinks is important in keeping your porcelain veneers looking their best. Sugary substances can stick to the veneers and cause discoloration or staining, which can be difficult to remove. Rinsing with lukewarm water right after eating or drinking can help prevent this.

Use Caution When Eating Crunchy Fruits and Vegetables

Using caution when biting into crunchy items like apples or carrots is important. While these fruits and vegetables are good for your dental health, they can be dangerous when you have porcelain veneers. Biting down on hard objects with porcelain veneers can cause chipping, cracking, and other damage.

Be sure to cut crunchy fruits and vegetables into small pieces before eating them to avoid accidental damage to your veneers. If you feel pain or discomfort when chewing, stop immediately and consult your dentist in Sunrise, Florida, for further advice.

Need a Dentist in Sunrise, Florida?

If you need to have your veneers cleaned or repaired, getting professional help is vital. Book an appointment with a reputable dentist in Sunrise, Florida, today!

By Sergio Jacas 13 Mar, 2023

Delaying wisdom teeth surgery increases the risk of infection in the area. The wisdom teeth are located in an awkward place that can be difficult to clean and maintain, which increases the number of bacteria present. When wisdom teeth are impacted, they often push against existing teeth or even the jawbone, which can cause additional problems.

Keeping wisdom teeth in place after they’ve been impacted can lead to a greater risk of infection or decay that affects the gums, nearby teeth and jawbone.

By Sergio Jacas 24 Feb, 2023

Every day, when the curtain opens on our professional office, we get ready to offer smiles.

We offer our own smiles, and we work hard to improve the smiles of our patients.

That means two things, really – to get them to a better frame of mind about their dental health, and to actually make their physical smiles look better by fixing their teeth. It’s a big job, but we’re up to the challenge, with the resources that make modern dentistry much easier and more painless  than it used to be in the past (giving anxious patients a sigh of relief).

A Booming Business

One thing that most people can agree on is that dental services are in demand.

Our teeth are one of the most complex systems in our body , and people invest quite a bit of money in optimizing their smiles!

But lots of people also agree that it can be stressful to go to the dentist. Dentists can agree that it can be complicated to serve patients, too.

So in some ways, there's sort of a chaotic environment, where everybody can benefit from some additional structure and improvement. That’s where we bring our care philosophy to the table, to work with your family, to everyone’s benefit.

Cosmetic and Restorative Dental Services

At Jacas Family Dentist, we have a firm philosophy when it comes to dentistry. Our goal is to help each patient feel the best they can feel, and look the best they can look, and think fondly of our practice after they've left the chair. And be in good health!

That's easier said than done, but a lot of it runs on that care and compassion that we give to our patients. And people mention this, too, when they talk about our practice. We get a lot of benefit from word of mouth, as you do when you invest in patient care.

Too many dentists just treat people as a number, not a name. People feel slighted or marginalized when they're in the chair, and that translates to their overall experience with the business.

On the other hand, some of the best family dentist practices are well loved in the community because of that care and attention! People want to feel like they matter, in general, and when going to the dentist (something that tends to make us feel vulnerable) how people interact is important!

Take a look at all that we can do here, to keep your family’s smiles bright for the future. We have personalized care plans to fit each person’s specific needs, and the know-how to care for teeth  in every stage of life: as the young person develops, and as the mouth ages. We are proud of our track record in the community, and excited about getting you into the dentist’s chair!


By Sergio Jacas 31 Jan, 2023

As we provide dental services for the whole family, and all age ranges of patients, we've observed that a lot of modern dentistry has to do with how people feel…

Of course, it has to do with how they feel before services, versus afterward. So much of restorative dentistry is in managing tooth pain and other symptoms from things like cavities, exposed nerves and abscesses, to name a few.

But there's also how people feel while they are in the dental chair. Let's talk about that a bit as we think about what people want from a dentist’s office.

Comfortable Dentistry

Some dentists talk about the practice of providing ‘comfortable’ dentistry. This has a lot to do with understanding how you’re meeting each patient's needs.

It is not inherently comfortable for a lot of people to sit in the dentist’s chair. They may have respiratory issues or other kinds of conditions that make it challenging to lie on their back while getting work done on their teeth. They may find it hard to keep their mouths open in a very specific structured position for a long period of time.

Now, a lot of making people comfortable has to do with communication. It's not that the dentist has to always be talking to the patient – but it's important that the dentist and hygienist team acknowledge that the patient is there. Paying attention to this sort of bedside manner in your practice will promote that comfortable dentistry that patients crave.

Making the Most of Time

When they are in the chair , patients want dentists and hygienists to be working actively on dental problems. It's important to keep the total chair time down to the minimum that you would need to deliver services. You don't want to just park people in the chair and leave them there – that's another component of making dentistry more comfortable and less stressful for patients. Think about each of those minutes as feeling pretty long when you're sitting there in the chair with nothing to do!

The same applies to those interim times where dentist and hygienist teams are waiting for Novocain to set in or working with other timelines.

Predicting Outcomes

A lot of times, a routine appointment turns into something more. Dentists get into their work, and they realize they have a bit more to do than they had thought!

Then you have to really think about scheduling this additional work. Do you do it at the same visit, or later? How long can the patient afford to wait?

The point is that being more versatile and knowledgeable about this type of scheduling ultimately helps the patient out, and makes them feel better about the services provided. In other words, the dentist has to be on the ball and know what he or she is talking about.

Those are just some of the types of considerations that help dentists really provide top-notch service. Do all dentists put these rules in place and pay attention to these elements of dental care? Not really – many do, and many don't. That's where it becomes necessary for the patient to look for the best and most professional services in the local area. Call Jacas Family Dental for a warm and welcoming environment!

By Sergio Jacas 29 Dec, 2022

Dealing with extreme dental problems can be worrisome. When issues involving tooth loss start to surface, you will need the help of an experienced dentist to solve them. If your natural teeth are too damaged to save, a dentist will probably recommend dental implants.

Over 5 million Americans get dental implants annually. In order to get new dental implants in place, you'll have to undergo surgery. Having a successful surgery experience will require a lot of preparation. Here are some things you can do to prepare for dental implant surgery.

Be Sure to Communicate With The Dentist

Before your dental implant surgery is scheduled, you will need to meet with your dentist. During this initial meeting, you need to ask questions about the surgery and the recovery. Ideally, you want to prepare a list of questions before you arrive at this appointment.

Once the dentist has addressed your concerns , they will go over a list of pre-operation instructions. These instructions will usually feature things like:

·      Avoid alcohol and tobacco use

·      Details about proper oral hygiene

·      Requests for a list of medications you're currently taking

By reviewing these pre-operation instructions, you can develop a plan of action. With this plan of action, you can have a successful dental implant surgery.

Line Up a Ride On the Day of the Surgery

If you're unfamiliar with dental implant surgery, you might not know that sedatives are used during this procedure. These sedatives are powerful and will leave a patient impaired for hours after the surgery has concluded. This means that you will be unable to operate a car after your surgery.

Asking a friend or family member to give you a ride from the dentist's office is a good idea. By doing this, you can keep yourself and other motorists safe.

Dress For Comfort

When the day of your surgery arrives, you need to be mindful of what you wear. Trying to wear makeup and jewelry to this procedure can present many problems. Bulky jewelry will get in the way and the makeup will come off during your surgery.

This is why you need to focus more on comfort when getting dressed for dental implant surgery. Loose-fitting clothing will provide you with the comfort you need after this surgery.

Prepare Meals Before Your Surgery

After your surgery, it is normal to feel tired. As the sedatives you were given during the surgery start to wear off, you will feel groggy. This means you probably won't have the energy needed to prepare a meal. Instead of allowing your stomach to remain empty, you need to make meals before the surgery.

Softer food options like smoothies, soups and applesauce are easy to consume. By providing your body with nourishment, you can speed up the healing process. Consulting with your dentist will help you create a menu of safe and nutritious foods to consume after dental implant surgery.

By putting these tips to use, you can have a good dental implant surgery experience.

By Sergio Jacas 22 Nov, 2022

What can you do to prevent severe gum disease problems later in life?

At Jacas Family Dental, where we work proactively on our patients’ behalf, we tell all of our patients that it's important to start early in developing good habits and warding off the situations that can lead to this type of chronic disease. That’s information that you can take to the bank!

First of all, gum disease is a widespread epidemic. The ADA found that gum disease or periodontitis affects almost half of all American adults. But so many people just aren’t thinking about how this happens, and they pay the price as they age.

With that in mind, here are some good tips that can benefit you as a young person.

Regular Cleanings

Regular cleanings do a lot to help you to avoid serious dental problems that can happen over time. By getting rid of the plaque and tartar, there's less of a chance of the gums getting irritated and receding, where deep pockets can lead to things like bone loss. So cleaning is really a front line intervention that has to be done, and that’s part of what we are here for as one of the most popular family dental offices in the area.

Frequent Checkups

Going to the dentist regularly also helps, because these professionals can look at the situation before things start to deteriorate, or early on in the process, and recommend preventative care or something that clinicians would call an “intervention.”

It might mean specific brushing and flossing schedules or other kinds of home care.

But your professional dentist is an early warning system for things like gingivitis and gum disease that can compromise the bone. So don’t neglect your relationship with your dental provider!

Medications

In some cases, dentists will recommend things like prednisone or steroidal medications to be used with toothpaste.

We can talk about this in more detail in a particular patient exam, but the key is that dentists know how to recommend the right interventions to keep you healthy.

Bone Density and Bone Loss

Modern x-rays can detect bone loss. That's extremely important in treating things like gum disease. But it can also spot other incipient problems that can get a lot worse if not treated.

So you see that a dentist’s approach x-rays on a timeline that will help keep patients safer and avoid these types of disease.

This is just part of what we do for the entire family at Jacas Family Dental. A pediatric and family dentist that cares about you is a big value in these days. Talk to us about getting everyone to come in for routine dental work and happy smiles…!

By Sergio Jacas 26 Oct, 2022

When it comes to personalized dental treatment, that can mean a lot of things.

At Jacas Family Dental , we are here for our patients to carefully consider each of these concerns and try to work through them in a way that's best for each individual person who gets up there in the dentist chair.

Dental Fear and Anxiety

More than a few of us have a nagging fear of people getting in and working on our teeth.

It's actually a lot more common than most people would think, and normal for people to have some level of fear or anxiety. Of course, some have more than others.

It also has to do with your past experience with dentists, and whether you have encountered those who are too aggressive with care or treatment, or perhaps just don't have a good bedside manner (or chairside manner in this case.)

Whatever the case may be, we are here to help with any of these concerns, as well as others that you encounter when you go to the dentist.

Treatment Needs

Some people clearly need a root canal. Others may perhaps need a root canal down the road, but may be able to get by with a large filling.

Some people need a crown. Others may be able to make do without this costly treatment for a certain period of time, with the right evaluation and checkups.

A good dentist will be attuned to these particular needs, and try to weigh the benefit and risk analysis.

Others will just err on the side of caution and do all kinds of work that might not be necessary in the long run.

The bottom line is that personalizing care means looking at each person's specific need and talking them through their options, rather than just suggesting any course of action that seems most convenient to the dentist or to their profit margin.

Financial Need

That brings us to our next point about personalized care.

It's also very common to have trouble affording dental services.

The worst dental offices never talk about this, and never factor it into consideration at all.

The best ones try to get an idea from their patients of what they can afford, and work with them on a budgeting dental plan. That might mean financing, or it might mean strategic preventative care or anything else. But if you don't have the conversation, how can you start to go in that direction?

All of this is what we think personal care means here at Jacas Family Dental. You’ll see our dedication at work in our warm and welcoming office. Bring in the whole family and enjoy dental care, from people who care, about you!

By Sergio Jacas 27 Sep, 2022

Fortunately, if you have a damaged tooth, your dentist may be able to place a crown on it instead of having to remove it. Dental crowns are caps designed to fit over your tooth that can be made from various materials, including porcelain and metal. Most crowns offer a natural appearance that won't distract from your smile. Let's look at what you need to know about dental crowns.

Types Of Dental Crowns

Crowns can be made of various types of materials or a combination of materials, including:

· ceramic

· porcelain

· composite resin

· zirconia

· metal

Your dentist will help you select the suitable material for your crown by considering factors such as:

· location of the tooth that needs to be crowned

· the function of the tooth

· position of your gum tissue

· color of surrounding teeth

· how much of the tooth is visible

You can also discuss with your dentist your preferences, concerns, and financial needs when choosing the type of crown for your tooth. Your dentist may fit you with a temporary crown while you wait for your permanent crown to be made.

Why Would You Need A Dental Crown?

Dental crowns can be placed on damaged teeth for many reasons, including:

· to address a large cavity that is too large to be filled

· to protect a weakened tooth

· to repair a cracked tooth

· to cover a severely worn-down tooth

Crowns also may be placed on a tooth after a root canal because the tooth will be more fragile after the procedure. People who are missing a tooth may also have a crown as part of a dental bridge or tooth implant treatment.

Dental Crown Procedures And Care

The procedure for placing a dental crown will depend on the material of the crown and where the tooth is located. Some crowns can be placed on the same day, while others may take several visits to complete. Once your crown is in place, you must take good care of it. Carefully clean your crown by:

· brushing twice daily with a toothbrush with soft bristles

· floss daily

· avoid eating hard foods like ice and candy

· use a night guard if you grind your teeth at night

Your dentist will provide you with any specific care instructions that you may need. Dental crowns should last for many years when cared for appropriately.

Final Thoughts

Crowns protect damaged teeth and allow you to keep your beautiful smile healthy. The type of dental crown you receive will depend on many factors specific to your situation, including where the tooth is located and its function. Once you have your dental crown in place, its longevity depends on your attention to oral hygiene and the types of foods you eat. Please talk with your dentist about your choices and consider their recommendations to ensure you make the best dental health decisions.

By Sergio Jacas 23 Aug, 2022
Periodontal disease can strike any age person, including children and teens. Certain things may increase your child's risk for periodontal disease, including the following.
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