At Lifetime Family Dentistry, in Collinsville CT, we provide a full range of dental care services and treatments. Our services include: children's, cosmetic, family, general, implant, preventive and restorative dentistry.
How Tongue Scrapers Work If you suffer from halitosis, or chronic bad breath, you’re probably looking for ways to help manage the problem. If so, consider a tongue scraper. They’re relatively inexpensive and available at most pharmacies. Tongue scrapers are often touted as the way to improve bad breath, but there is very little research to show that they are any more effective than simply brushing the tongue with your toothbrush as part of your toothbrushing routine. Trying a tongue scraper can’t hurt, and they’re easy to use. Simply hold the scraper at the back of your tongue, and bring it forward, scraping gently but firmly along the tongue as you go. Although tongue scrapers are harmless, you can probably prevent halitosis just as well by following a consistent oral care routine of twice-daily tooth brushing and daily flossing. And keep these points in mind as part of your daily oral hygiene plan:
Keep your toothbrush fresh. Be sure to replace your toothbrush every 3 to 4 months, even if you don’t have bad breath, but especially if you do.
Keep an extra brush at work. Keep a spare toothbrush and toothpaste at work so you can brush your teeth after lunch.
Drink plenty of water. Keeping your mouth moist helps minimize the amount of bacteria in your mouth that can cause bad breath.
Your Time is Valuable We want you to enjoy each visit, and part of that is making your appointments as convenient as possible. Our services are state-of-the-art and are efficient and effective, saving you both time and effort. You can be assured each family member will receive personalized care for his or her dental needs and goals. At Lifetime Family Dentistry, we have many ways that we care for you and your family.
Your Appointment Our office will send you a confirmation text message or email to remind you about your appointment time. Treatment for the Whole Family Kids of all ages love us, so bring the whole family! We are always sensitive to every age group’s needs.
Same-Day Emergency Care No one wants a dental emergency, but when one happens, we can see you the same day to take care of your pain.
Convenient Location We are conveniently located just a short drive from Route 44 Albany Turnpike and Route 202 Litchfield Turnpike.
Your Enjoyable Visit To make your visit as comfortable as possible, we offer warm neck pillows and blankets and headphones to listen to soothing music. We also offer complimentary beverages before your visit. New Patient Forms It’s easy to just print them off and take your time to fill them out at home, where all of the information is at your fingertips.
A Complete Range of Financial Options (with or without insurance) We make it easy to have every type of treatment you may need. With dental insurance, we file for you to ensure you receive all your benefits. We also accept credit cards, or you may chose one of our convenient in-house payment plans. We are conveniently located just a short drive from Route 44 Albany Turnpike and Route 202 Litchfield Turnpike.
What are Common Bad Breath Causes? If you suffer from chronic, severe bad breath, also known as halitosis, it's important to identify the cause so you can determine an effective treatment. Halitosis has many causes, including the following:
Tobacco use. If you smoke, quit. Your bad breath may be due to other causes, too, but tobacco use is a guarantee of bad breath. If you are ready to quit, ask your doctor or dentist for advice and support.
What you eat, or don't eat. Certain foods, such as garlic, contribute to bad breath, but only temporarily. Once they are absorbed into the bloodstream, the smell is expelled through the breath, but the odors remain until the body processes the food, so there’s no quick fix.
Dry mouth. If your mouth is extremely dry, there is not enough saliva to wash away excess food particles and bacteria, which can cause an unpleasant smell if they build up on the teeth.
Infections. Bad breath that seems to have no other cause may indicate an infection elsewhere in the body. If you have chronic bad breath and your dentist rules out any oral problems, see your doctor for an evaluation. Bad breath can be a sign of a range of conditions including respiratory tract infections, chronic sinusitis or bronchitis, diabetes, or liver and kidney problems, so it's important not to ignore the problem.
The best way to improve bad breath is to follow a thorough oral care routine including twice-daily tooth brushing and daily flossing to remove the food particles and bacteria that can cause bad breath. Mouthwashes only improve bad breath for the short term, and if you have a chronic problem, your dentist may suggest an antimicrobial rinse to help keep bacteria at bay. The above article is from: OralB.com Lifetime Family Dentistry Elena Bielawski, DDS, FICOI, FMIII 66 Maple Avenue Collinsville, CT 06019 (860) 605-2075 LifetimeFamilyDentistryCT.com
Dentistry without Drills or Needles? Is it possible to go to the dentist and never feel the drill or the pinch of that dreaded needle? One of the most spectacular advances in recent dentistry is called air abrasion. Instead of a conventional drill, this device aims a stream of tiny particles and air at the area of decay and gently mists it away! Many patients require little or no anesthesia at all. The sound and vibrations of the drill are gone – and so is most of the pain! For many procedures, it’s good-bye needles, good-bye drill! Lifetime Family Dentistry Elena Bielawski, DDS, FICOI, FMIII 66 Maple Avenue Collinsville, CT 06019 (860) 605-2075 LifetimeFamilyDentistryCT.com
75% Reduction in Radiation We use digital X-rays at our practice, an advanced technology that produces 75% less radiation than nondigital X-rays. A digital sensor is placed in your mouth and immediately, a complete image of the interior of your mouth is available. There is no waiting time for X-rays to develop and no polluting chemicals are used in the process. Lifetime Family Dentistry Elena Bielawski, DDS, FICOI, FMIII 66 Maple Avenue Collinsville, CT 06019 (860) 605-2075 LifetimeFamilyDentistryCT.com
Back To Basics Believe it or not, brushing your teeth is one of the simplest ways to help maintain your overall health. How Dental Health Connects To Your Overall Health This is because dental health is more connected to overall health than most people realize. In fact, doctors and scientists continue to find associations between oral disease and other diseases. Some researchers think that bacteria in the mouth - when they build up and cause inflammation and infection - can contribute to an increased risk of illness or disease elsewhere in the body. Oral Health and Overall Health When you have clean teeth and healthy gums, there are fewer bad bacteria to enter your bloodstream and travel to other parts of your body. But an invasive oral surgery, certain medications, or untreated gum disease due to poor oral hygiene could allow these bacteria to spread. Researchers continue to study the links between oral health and overall health.
Health The bottom line: You can help protect and promote your overall health by maintaining good dental health. Brush your teeth twice daily and floss at least once a day. Available For You These days, so many products are available to help you maintain clean teeth that there is no excuse to avoid good dental care. For example, if your gums are sensitive, in general or due to a recent illness or other medical condition, don't neglect your oral health. Try using an interdental cleaner or an electric flosser (such as the Oral-B Hummingbird) to make dental care more comfortable. And you may want to use a soft-bristled toothbrush to avoid gum irritation. If you have questions about what products are right for you, ask your dentist or dental hygienist. The above article is from: OralB.com Lifetime Family Dentistry Elena Bielawski, DDS, FICOI, FMIII 66 Maple Avenue Collinsville, CT 06019 (860) 605-2075 LifetimeFamilyDentistryCT.com
