South Miami Dentist -Great Tips to Getting a Healthy Smile

Brushing is not enough! Brushing your teeth every morning and night doesn't guarantee you're giving your mouth all the attention it needs. Even a regular oral hygiene routine may be leaving gaps if you engage in a few not-so-great habits. The best way to get a healthy smile is to understand proper brushing technique and ensuring you have the right tools in your cabinet to help get a more thorough dental cleaning every time you brush. The following dental hygiene tips will help you take your dental care routine to the next level.

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Brush Regularly and Enough

People brush regularly, but simply don't brush enough for their teeth to stay clean. The ADA recommends brushing for at least two minutes, twice daily. Having trouble sticking to your dental hygiene routine for two minutes? Try listening to short song, or cue up a two-minute YouTube video. This will keep you entertained and help you reach the two minute goal.

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Always Use Proper Brushing Technique

Most people do it wrong! A fast pass of the bristles isn't enough to remove leftover food particles and polish your teeth. Instead, use a technique suggested by the American Dental Association (ADA): Start with your brush at a 45-degree angle to your gums and use short back and forth strokes across the sides and tops of your teeth. Then, hold the brush vertically and use several shorter strokes to focus on the backs of your teeth of the front anterior teeth where plaque builds up often. When it comes to a clean mouth, technique makes a difference.

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Floss Right

Like brushing, flossing is also techniques-sensitive. It must be done properly so that, when you reach between teeth, you actually get to the germs and plaque that are stuck there. Ideally, use a piece of floss up to 18 inches in length, allowing you to use a fresh area of floss every few teeth. This way you are not reinserting bacteria you just removed. Keep in mind the floss should rub against the teeth in a motion that creates a forward or backward 'C' shape, wrapping the floss around each tooth.

Always Use a Mouthwash

Using a mouthwash is crucial because mouthwash can go where toothbrushes and floss can't.  A good mouthwash can rid your mouth of the same debris that irritates the gumline and causes gingivitis. Add a mouthwash to your oral care regimen to get the most thorough clean you can, especially when you are on the go.

South Miami Dentist

Eliminate Post-Brushing Snacking

Midnight snack? Brushing well may clear your teeth of bacteria and food particles, but if you sneak a snack afterward, you'll need to brush again before bed. Having a snack before sleep (without brushing) can allow food particles and sugar to remain on your teeth for an extended period of time, providing fuel for bacteria that feeds on it.

Dental hygiene should be part of any health routine. Following these dental hygiene tips will help you attain a healthy smile for life.

The best thing you can do to ensure you have a healthy smile is to visit your dentist at least 3 times per year for dental cleanings and dental checkups. Prevention is key if you want to have a healthy smile, and routine dental care is the best from of prevention. 

dentist in Coral Gables

Dr. Papiernik specializes in cosmetic dentistry, dental veneers, dental implants, teeth whitening, dental cleanings, adult braces and restorative dentistry.

South Miami Dentist.

Dr. Papiernik truly enjoys seeing the effect that a healthy smile has on his patient’s lives. He believes that a healthy smile begins with knowledge. That is why one of his goals is to help elevate each patient's dental awareness and to provide them with the best tools to maintain their dental health at its optimum. Please call (305) 670 5100 to schedule an appointment.

find the best dentist in Coral Gables, Florida for you, call our office. Dr. Papiernik serves patients from South Miami, Miami, Pinecrest, Kendall, Coral Gables, and all of South Florida.

Miami Smile Dental
Dr. Serge Papiernik
9350 S. Dixie Hwy., Suite #920
Miami, FL 33156
(305) 670 5100
http://www.miamismiledental.com

Miami dentist

Are Dental Veneers a Good option to Improve My Smile?

Miami dentist on dental veneers

Dental veneers are great option for improving your smile. Particularly if you are looking for a non-invasive solution that does not require a lot of time at the dentist. Dental veneers, also called porcelain veneers or dental porcelain laminates, are wafer-thin, custom-made shells of tooth-colored materials designed to cover the front surface of teeth to improve your appearance. These shells are bonded to the front of the teeth changing their color, shape, size, or length of your existing teeth.

Dental veneers can be made from porcelain or from resin composite materials. Porcelain veneers resist stains better than resin veneers and better mimic the light reflecting properties of natural teeth. The best choice for you depends on the color and transparency of your existing teeth.

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What Types of Problems Do Dental Veneers Fix?

Veneers are routinely used to fix:

Teeth that are chipped or broken

Teeth that are misaligned, uneven, or irregularly shaped (for example, have craters or bulges in them)

Teeth with gaps between them (to close the space between these teeth)

Teeth that have discolorations -- either because of root canal treatment; stains from tetracycline or other drugs, excessive fluoride or other causes; or the presence of large resin fillings that have discolored the tooth

Teeth that are worn down

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What's the Procedure for Getting a Dental Veneer?

Getting dental veneers is simple and only requires about three trips to the dentist – one for a consultation and two to make and apply the veneers. One tooth or many teeth can be done at the same time.

Step1. Diagnosis and treatment planning. This first step involves your active input and participation. Know what the result that you are trying to achieve is! During this appointment, your dentist will examine your teeth to make sure you are a good candidate for dental and will discuss what the procedure will involve and some of its limitations. They will take X-rays and impressions of your mouth and teeth.

Step 2. Preparation. To prepare a tooth for a veneer, your dentist will remove about 1/2 millimeter of enamel from the tooth surface, which is an amount nearly equal to the thickness of the veneer to be added to the tooth surface. Before trimming off the enamel, you and your dentist will decide the need for a local anesthetic to numb the area. Next, your dentist will make a model or impression of your tooth. This model is sent out to a dental laboratory, which in turn constructs your veneer. It usually takes 2-4 weeks for your dentist to receive the veneers back from the laboratory. For very unsightly teeth, temporary dental veneers can be placed.

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Step 3. Bonding. Before the dental veneer is permanently cemented to your tooth, your dentist will temporarily place it on your tooth to examine its fit and color. He or she will repeatedly remove and trim the veneer as needed to achieve the proper fit; the veneer color can be adjusted with the shade of cement to be used. Next, to prepare your tooth to receive the veneer, your tooth will be cleaned, polished, and etched -- which roughens the tooth to allow for a strong bonding process. A special cement is applied to the veneer and the veneer is then placed on your tooth. Once properly position on the tooth, your dentist will apply a special light beam to the dental veneer, which activates chemicals in the cement, causing it to harden or cure very quickly. The final steps involve removing any excess cement, evaluating your bite and making any final adjustments in the veneer as necessary.

South Miami Dentist

Your dentist may ask you to return for a follow-up visit in a couple of weeks to check how your gums are responding to the presence of your veneer and to once again examine the veneer's placement. Dental veneers are a great option to improve your smile. In fact, many of the smiles you see on TV and in the movies are a result of dental veneers. Call our office to schedule a dental veneer cosmetic consultation today.

dentist in Coral Gables

Dr. Papiernik specializes in cosmetic dentistry, dental veneers, dental implants, teeth whitening, dental cleanings, adult braces and restorative dentistry.

South Miami Dentist.

Dr. Papiernik truly enjoys seeing the effect that a healthy smile has on his patient’s lives. He believes that a healthy smile begins with knowledge. That is why one of his goals is to help elevate each patient's dental awareness and to provide them with the best tools to maintain their dental health at its optimum. Please call (305) 670 5100 to schedule an appointment.

find the best dentist in Coral Gables, Florida for you, call our office. Dr. Papiernik serves patients from South Miami, Miami, Pinecrest, Kendall, Coral Gables, and all of South Florida.

Miami Smile Dental
Dr. Serge Papiernik
9350 S. Dixie Hwy., Suite #920
Miami, FL 33156
(305) 670 5100
http://www.miamismiledental.com

Miami dentist

New Year...Try New Dental Resolutions

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New Year, new resolutions! That’s is the way it goes every year, but did you know that most resolutions never make it past the end of January? It’s true. One of the main reasons that resolutions don’t last is because they are not personal, - It’s a resolution created based on what someone else (or society) is telling you to change. This year I challenge you to make your resolutions personal and add a resolution to achieve the best oral health you possibly can. One of the best ways to achieve excellent oral health is to stop doing the things that are bad for your teeth. Below are three of the worst offenders for oral health, how to overcome them, and how to create the right habits that will ensure your new dental resolutions stick.

Chewing Ice Cubes

• The habit: Remember that tooth enamel is a crystal. Ice is a crystal. When you push two crystals against each other, one will break. Luckily most of the time it’s the ice, but sometimes the tooth or a filling will break and that’s when you are in trouble.
• The solution: Instead try to drink chilled beverages without ice, or use a straw so you're not tempted. Chewing ice is more risky than pleasurable so avoid the temptation to chew ice at all costs.

Constant Snacking

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• The habit: Snacking all day, especially on sugary or acidic foods and drinks, puts you at a greater risk for cavities. When you eat, cavity-causing bacteria feast leftover food, producing an acid that attacks the outer shell of your teeth. Also, the time you are exposed to sugary or acidic drinks makes a difference. The longer, the worse for your teeth.
• The solution: Eat balanced meals to feel fuller, longer. If you need a snack, make sure it's low in fat and sugar. If you indulge in the occasional sugary treat, follow it with a big glass of water to wash away leftover food. Also, avoid sticky candy that last long in your mouth. If you must indulge, keep short and sweet.

Using Your Teeth As Tools

• The habit: Your teeth were made for eating, not to stand in as a pair of scissors or hold things when your hands are full. When you do this, you put yourself at a higher risk of cracking your teeth, injuring your jaw or accidentally swallowing something you shouldn’t.
• The solution: Stop and find something or someone to give you a hand. Your mouth and teeth will thank you.

The next step in your dental resolution process is to incorporate the right habits. These include brushing twice a day, flossing, and visiting the dentist for cleanings and checkups three times a year.

Make this year your best dental year, call our office to schedule your next appointment.

dentist in Coral Gables

Dr. Papiernik specializes in cosmetic dentistry, dental veneers, dental implants, teeth whitening, dental cleanings, adult braces and restorative dentistry.

South Miami Dentist.

Dr. Papiernik truly enjoys seeing the effect that a healthy smile has on his patient’s lives. He believes that a healthy smile begins with knowledge. That is why one of his goals is to help elevate each patient's dental awareness and to provide them with the best tools to maintain their dental health at its optimum. Please call (305) 670 5100 to schedule an appointment.

find the best dentist in Coral Gables, Florida for you, call our office. Dr. Papiernik serves patients from South Miami, Miami, Pinecrest, Kendall, Coral Gables, and all of South Florida.

Miami Smile Dental
Dr. Serge Papiernik
9350 S. Dixie Hwy., Suite #920
Miami, FL 33156
(305) 670 5100
http://www.miamismiledental.com

Miami dentist

New Year, New Smile – Try Some Dental Resolutions This Year?

Pinecrest dentist

Don’t way until the New Year to make dental resolutions. Start today. Did you know that you should replace your toothbrush every three to four months? Toothbrush bristles become frayed and worn and are less effective at cleaning your teeth over time. Try celebrating the New Year with a brand new toothbrush. This is a smart resolution that is great for your dental hygiene.

Some more dental resolutions to try this year:

Start brushing 2minutes twice per day (Minimum): Make sure to always brush twice a day for two minutes for healthier teeth, good breath, fewer cavities, and to avoid painful dental problems. Three times would be optimum, but two is better than most people do.

Floss every day. Flossing is part of being mouth healthy. Try floss threaders, dental picks, and proxy brushes that make flossing a snap.

Chew sugarless gum. Chewing sugarless gum can actually be good for your teeth and gums. Chew gum for 20 minutes following meals to help prevent tooth decay. Gum takes care of food particles that are left over in your mouth after meals.

Eat a healthy diet. Eat a balanced diet, avoid sugary snacks, and limit between-meal snacks.

Drink fluoridated water. Fluoride helps prevent cavities by making teeth more resistant to the acid attacks that cause cavities.

See your dentist. Regular dental visits will help you be Mouth Healthy for Life. 

dentist in Coral Gables

Dr. Papiernik specializes in cosmetic dentistry, dental veneers, dental implants, teeth whitening, dental cleanings, adult braces and restorative dentistry.

South Miami Dentist.

Dr. Papiernik truly enjoys seeing the effect that a healthy smile has on his patient’s lives. He believes that a healthy smile begins with knowledge. That is why one of his goals is to help elevate each patient's dental awareness and to provide them with the best tools to maintain their dental health at its optimum. Please call (305) 670 5100 to schedule an appointment.

find the best dentist in Coral Gables, Florida for you, call our office. Dr. Papiernik serves patients from South Miami, Miami, Pinecrest, Kendall, Coral Gables, and all of South Florida.

Miami Smile Dental
Dr. Serge Papiernik
9350 S. Dixie Hwy., Suite #920
Miami, FL 33156
(305) 670 5100
http://www.miamismiledental.com

Miami dentist

Halloween Dental Tricks for Parents- How to Make Halloween Teeth Friendly

Miami dentist

It’s Halloween again! Adults are thinking “where has the year gone? “ While your kids are thinking…CANDY!!!  Make sure to be proactive this year in order to help ward off cavities, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), the leading authority on children’s oral health, reminds parents and that it is not only important to pay attention to how much candy your kids consume, but also the types of treats children your children eat this Halloween.

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Americans spend nearly $9 billion on candy every year.  Most of that candy is consumed in October by approximately 41 million trick-or-treating children ages 5 – 14 across the U.S. It is important for parents to know that when it comes to their children’s dental health, not all treats are created equal.

South Miami Dentist

One great way to get your kids to consume less candy is to make sure they eat a well-balanced meal before trick-or-treating to reduce chances they will fill up on empty calories and sugar. Another great way to reduce the negative effects of candy on your children’s teeth is to reduce the amount of time that the candy is in contact with their teeth. The longer teeth are exposed to sugars, the longer cavity-causing bacteria have to feed on them. Instead of gummy, sticky candy, like caramels, sour candies, offer your children candy that melts and disappears quickly – like chocolate. And always, always, always make sure your children brush and floss their teeth for at least two minutes before going to bed on Halloween…and every other day!

dentist in Coral Gables

Dr. Papiernik specializes in cosmetic dentistry, dental veneers, dental implants, teeth whitening, dental cleanings, adult braces and restorative dentistry.

South Miami Dentist.

Dr. Papiernik truly enjoys seeing the effect that a healthy smile has on his patient’s lives. He believes that a healthy smile begins with knowledge. That is why one of his goals is to help elevate each patient's dental awareness and to provide them with the best tools to maintain their dental health at its optimum. Please call (305) 670 5100 to schedule an appointment.

find the best dentist in Coral Gables, Florida for you, call our office. Dr. Papiernik serves patients from South Miami, Miami, Pinecrest, Kendall, Coral Gables, and all of South Florida.

Miami Smile Dental
Dr. Serge Papiernik
9350 S. Dixie Hwy., Suite #920
Miami, FL 33156
(305) 670 5100
http://www.miamismiledental.com

Miami dentist

Did you know chewing gum can actually prevent cavities?

Miami dentist

Did you know chewing gum can actually prevent cavities? 

Clinical studies have shown that chewing sugarless gum for 20 minutes following meals can help prevent tooth decay.It’s all about your saliva. The chewing of sugarless gum actually increases the flow of saliva, which washes away food and other debris, neutralizes acids produced by bacteria in the mouth and provides disease-fighting substances throughout the mouth. Increased saliva flow also carries with it more calcium and phosphate to help strengthen tooth enamel.

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Choosing the right gum makes a difference. Make sure it is sugarless. Sugarless gum is sweetened by non-cavity causing sweeteners such as aspartame, xylitol, sorbitol or mannitol. Of course, chewing sugar-containing gum increases saliva flow too, but it also contains sugar which is used by plaque bacteria to produce decay-causing acids.

South Miami Dentist

Chewing sugarless gum is not a replacement for regular brushing and flossing. It’s not a substitute. We recommend brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and cleaning plaque from between your teeth once a day with dental floss or other interdental cleaners.

Making the right choices when choosing a sugarless gum can help keep your teeth healthier. Take the time to read the labels and pick a flavor that is pleasant for you. Now you can add chewing gum to your oral health arsenal.

dentist in Coral Gables

Dr. Papiernik specializes in cosmetic dentistry, dental veneers, dental implants, teeth whitening, dental cleanings, adult braces and restorative dentistry.

South Miami Dentist.

Dr. Papiernik truly enjoys seeing the effect that a healthy smile has on his patient’s lives. He believes that a healthy smile begins with knowledge. That is why one of his goals is to help elevate each patient's dental awareness and to provide them with the best tools to maintain their dental health at its optimum. Please call (305) 670 5100 to schedule an appointment.

find the best dentist in Coral Gables, Florida for you, call our office. Dr. Papiernik serves patients from South Miami, Miami, Pinecrest, Kendall, Coral Gables, and all of South Florida.

Miami Smile Dental
Dr. Serge Papiernik
9350 S. Dixie Hwy., Suite #920
Miami, FL 33156
(305) 670 5100
http://www.miamismiledental.com

Miami dentist

Can A Bad Diet, Lead to Bad Teeth? Miami Dentist Tackles The Link Between Dental Health and Nutrition?

You already knew that a poor diet can lead to decrease health and increased chance for disease. But did you know that a poor diet can lead to gum disease and tooth decay?

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What you eat affects your smile! Your diet can make a great difference in your oral health and ultimately your smile. Foods high in carbohydrates, sugars and starches contribute to the production of plaque acids that attack the tooth enamel. These acids can cause tooth enamel to break down, forming a cavity. If left untreated this can cause pain and ultimately the loss of the tooth. Almost all foods, including milk and vegetables, contain some type of sugar; however; these foods are a necessary part of a healthy diet, because many of them also contain important nutrients that are beneficial for your body. There is a balance of good and bad in every food that you consume. The trick is to pick the best foods for health that have the least negative effects on your teeth and overall health. 

South Miami Dentist

Start by consuming healthy foods that are rich in nutrients. Foods that are high in vitamin C, D, and nutrients like calcium and phosphorus are essential to healthy teeth. Calcium and phosphorous are the main minerals that are the building blocks of tooth enamel and consuming foods rich in these is a necessity if you want to maintain strong and healthy teeth.

Miami dentist

It's not difficult to start, but you do have to start. Take charge and make the right changes in your diet to improve your smile. Introduce foods that are rich in vitamins and minerals like yogurt, cheese (hard, aged), seafood, milk (low-fat), tofu, almonds, pumpkin seeds, fish, Brazil nuts, red meat, eggs, tofu, celery, apples, cucumbers, and carrots. Also, limit your intake of foods that are high in sugars.  To help control the amount of sugar you consume, make sure to read food labels and make the right choices. Start with small changes in your diet to make sure you stick with it. Small improvements in your diet can create big results over time. 

dentist in Coral Gables

Dr. Papiernik specializes in cosmetic dentistry, dental veneers, dental implants, teeth whitening, dental cleanings, adult braces and restorative dentistry.
South Miami Dentist.

Dr. Papiernik truly enjoys seeing the effect that a healthy smile has on his patient’s lives. He believes that a healthy smile begins with knowledge. That is why one of his goals is to help elevate each patient's dental awareness and to provide them with the best tools to maintain their dental health at its optimum. Please call (305) 670 5100 to schedule an appointment.

find the best dentist in Coral Gables, Florida for you, call our office. Dr. Papiernik serves patients from South Miami, Miami, Pinecrest, Kendall, Coral Gables, and all of South Florida.

Miami Smile Dental
Dr. Serge Papiernik
9350 S. Dixie Hwy., Suite #920
Miami, FL 33156
(305) 670 5100
http://www.miamismiledental.com

Miami dentist