Maintaining a Healthy Summer Smile: Tips to Keep Your Oral Health in Good Standing

During this season of summer celebrations, the Aspen Dental network of dental practices is reminding patients to keep a serious health issue top-of-mind: the importance of maintaining good oral health care habits.

“Between barbeques and amusement park fare, summertime eating can be synonymous with sugary, sticky foods and drinks, which can contribute to tooth decay if patients don’t practice good oral care,” said Maureen Howes, RDH, MS, director of hygiene services at Aspen Dental Management, Inc. “Maintaining your oral health at home and getting regular care is essential to help prevent dental problems.”

Since enjoying the occasional s’more or other sweet snack is part of the American tradition, Howes reminds patients to brush at least twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush, which helps remove food and plaque. You should also floss to remove plaque between teeth and below the gum line where your toothbrush can’t reach.

If you’re not able to brush your teeth immediately after consuming a sugary food or drink, rinse your mouth with water to help wash it away.

Another tip is to minimize snacking, which creates a constant supply of acid in the mouth. Avoid constant sipping of sugary drinks or frequent sucking on candy and mints. In addition to soda, other beverages that may be high in sugar are certain juices and sports drinks — check the label to see how much sugar you’re drinking.

Advice for Denture Wearers

For the nearly 50 million Americans who wear dentures, following a good oral care routine is just as important. Denture-wearers should clean their gums to avoid plaque build-up that can irritate the tissue under dentures, and thoroughly clean dentures at night to avoid bacteria growth.

And if your dentures no longer fit as well as they once did, consult your dentist about an adjustment or replacement — the tissues in the mouth change over time, and bone and gum ridges shrink, which can result in ill-fitting dentures that make eating uncomfortable or downright painful. While the American Dental Association recommends that dentures be replaced every five to seven years, many people keep the same set of dentures for much longer.

One sign that it might be time for a replacement is the overuse denture adhesive cream. If you are using more than one tube of denture cream every three weeks, your dentures may not fit properly and should be evaluated. Visit your dentist to see if they need to be adjusted.

About Aspen Dental
One of the largest and fastest-growing networks of dental care providers in the U.S., Aspen Dental practices are committed to providing patients with affordable, high-quality care.

Aspen Dental practices are nationally accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and maintain an A+ rating with the BBB’s Reliability Report.

The Aspen Dental network currently has more than 250 locations in 20 states. In 2009, Aspen Dental doctors recorded more than 1.5 million patient visits, including visits from more than 340,000 new patients.

Aspen Dental doctors and staff help meet the demand for high-quality, yet affordable denture and dental services by offering convenient retail locations, extended hours, affordable fees and a wide range of payment plan options. The offices work with all insurance plans.

For more information about Aspen Dental and the services it provides, please visit www.aspendent.com : www.aspendent.com/ . To learn more about careers at Aspen Dental, please visit www.aspendentaljobs.com. : www.aspendentaljobs.com./

First Aspen Dental Office in Tennessee to Open in Johnson City

The first Aspen Dental practice in the state of Tennessee is slated to open its doors in Johnson City on Thursday, August 12. Located at 520 West Oakland Avenue, the new practice will provide comprehensive dental care, with services ranging from dentures and preventative care to general dentistry and restoration, and offer affordable payment plan options.

In addition to offering patients the choice of eight different styles of Aspen Dental’s exclusive ComfiDents^® brand full and partial dentures, the new practice will provide comprehensive dental exams, hygiene services, treatment of periodontal (gum) disease, extractions, fillings, oral surgery, whitening, and crown and bridge work. The office features state-of-the-art Kodak Dental Systems digital radiography products to better diagnose and treat patients, as well as Vizilite Plus^®, which uses a blue-light, “glowstick” technology to detect oral cancer at its earliest stage.

The office will be open extended hours, including select Saturdays. To ensure that patients can get the care they need, Aspen Dental offers affordable fees, a wide range of flexible payment plan options and works with all insurance providers. Walk-in patients and those with emergencies are welcome.

Dr. Phung Pham, DMD, who will serve as lead dentist, received her degree from the University of Louisville School of Dentistry.

To make an appointment, call 423-926-5800 or 800-ASPEN DENTAL. As an added convenience, patients can schedule their visit online by going to www.aspendent.com and clicking on “Make an Appointment.”

Wide Range of Options for Denture Patients
Aspen Dental’s ComfiDents^® full and partial dentures come in eight different styles, giving patients more diverse and affordable options than are available at traditional dental practices. Patients can choose from dentures manufactured using two different technologies: heat-injection and cold-pour. Regardless of which denture style patients choose, Aspen Dental doctors work with each patient to ensure proper fit and comfort.

As an added convenience to denture patients, the Johnson City office will have its own on-site denture laboratory, which typically ensures same-day turnaround for select new dentures, denture repairs, relines or adjustments.

To help encourage patients to take the first step toward good oral health, Aspen Dental will offer new-patient exams and X-rays for $19 to patients without dental insurance; no obligation denture consultations for all denture patients; special promotions and senior discounts. Patients can learn about what to expect during their first visit to Aspen Dental at www.aspendent.com/appointment.first.visit.html.

About Aspen Dental
One of the largest and fastest-growing networks of dental care providers in the U.S., Aspen Dental practices are committed to providing patients with affordable, high-quality care.

Aspen Dental practices are nationally accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and maintain an A+ rating with the BBB’s Reliability Report.

The Aspen Dental network is comprised of more than 250 locations in 21 states. In 2009, Aspen Dental practices recorded more than 1.5 million patient visits, including visits from more than 340,000 new patients.

For more information about Aspen Dental practices and services, visit www.aspendent.com. To learn more about careers at Aspen Dental, visit www.aspendentaljobs.com.