Honolulu Smile Design: March 2017

Friday, 31 March 2017

Gum Disease Linked with Tooth Loss

What's So Bad About Losing a Tooth?

Gum disease causes the loss of more teeth than routine decay, accident or any other trauma. So is it a big deal to lose a tooth? I mean, you can't die from it, right? No, you can't, but losing even a single tooth can cause the other teeth to shift and move around – affecting your ability to chew and process nutrients from your food. If you begin favoring softer foods loaded with more carbohydrates, it can cause you to gain weight. Loss of teeth can alter your appearance, making you look shriveled and aged. Also, your speech can be affected. That's why we work hard to help make sure this doesn't happen to you. If a missing tooth is unavoidable, we recommend replacement with a dental implant as the best solution.

Honolulu Smile Design
John Ha, DDS
1481 S. King Street, Suite 303
Honolulu, HI 96814
(808) 941-2088
HonoluluSmileDesign.com

Tuesday, 28 March 2017

Diet, Food Choices and Healthy Gums

Below is an excerpt from an article found on Colgate.com that was written by the ADA

Can food or drink choices help a person have healthier gums?

Japanese researchers studied a group of nearly 950 adults to determine whether consuming dairy products with lactic acid like milk, yogurt and cheese, had a lower risk for gum disease.

Participants' periodontal health was evaluated through two measurements - periodontal pocket depth and clinical attachment loss of gum tissue. Researchers found that participants who consumed 55 grams or more each day of yogurt or lactic acid drinks had significantly lower instance of periodontal disease. They found that consuming milk or cheese was not as beneficial to periodontal health.

Researchers theorize that the probiotic effect of Lactobacillus bacteria could be related to healthier gums. Another Japanese study showed that adults who drank green tea might also lead to healthier gums, because its antioxidants have anti - inflammatory properties.

To read the entire article visit Colgate.com.

Honolulu Smile Design
John Ha, DDS
1481 S. King Street, Suite 303
Honolulu, HI 96814
(808) 941-2088
HonoluluSmileDesign.com

Pregnancy and Newborn Oral Health

Learn what the American Dental Association has to say about 'Pregnancy and Newborn Oral Health.'

The above video is found on the American Dental Association YouTube Channel.

Honolulu Smile Design
John Ha, DDS
1481 S. King Street, Suite 303
Honolulu, HI 96814
(808) 941-2088
HonoluluSmileDesign.com

Friday, 24 March 2017

Dental Implants

Dental Implants Are Like 'Growing' New Teeth!

Lost teeth can cause bigger problems than you might imagine. The open space allows other teeth to shift and move, which can alter your bite. The tooth no longer stimulates jaw bone, so the bone begins to deteriorate. Chewing, speech, and appearance can all be affected.

That's why the ideal replacement is a dental implant. Whether the missing tooth is obvious, in the front of the mouth, or where you need the most stability, in the back, implants can help you recapture a healthy and beautiful smile. Unlike dentures and bridges, which rest on top of the gums, dental implants are placed under the gums. The crown placed on an implant can look just as real as the original, because it comes through the gums – so it's like growing a new tooth!

Implants can be used to replace any number of lost teeth. Even if you have no teeth, you can benefit from implants. Imagine replacing your dentures with teeth that don't move around when you talk! And of course implants are permanent and don't need to be taken out at night.

Dr. Ha handles the entire process, beginning with the placement of the implant post all the way through crown fabrication. So there's no need to be referred to another office. He is also skilled in bone grafting, sinus lift, and tissue grafting if these are needed to produce the optimal outcome.

Honolulu Smile Design
John Ha, DDS
1481 S. King Street, Suite 303
Honolulu, HI 96814
(808) 941-2088
HonoluluSmileDesign.com

Tuesday, 21 March 2017

Get Wise About Wisdom Teeth

Learn what the American Dental Association has to say about wisdom teeth in their video titled 'Get Wise About Wisdom Teeth.'

Friday, 17 March 2017

Dental Digital X-Rays

75% Reduction in Radiation

Digital X-rays use 75% less radiation than conventional X-rays. Using a digital sensor, an image is taken of your mouth and downloaded into our computer, where it is instantly available. No more waiting for images to develop and no more chemical waste to pollute the environment.

Honolulu Smile Design
John Ha, DDS
1481 S. King Street, Suite 303
Honolulu, HI 96814
(808) 941-2088
HonoluluSmileDesign.com

Saturday, 11 March 2017

Travel Tips for Your Teeth: Emergencies

In Case of Emergency...

Have your dentist’s contact info handy in your cell phone or keep a business card in your wallet. “If you think you need to talk to somebody, you probably do,” Dr. Messina says. In fact, more dental emergencies can be resolved over the phone than you might think (especially if you keep up regular visits). “As a patient, it’s hard to know the difference between something that needs to be treated right away and something that can wait until you get home,” he says. “That’s what we are here for.”

In Case of Emergency Overseas...
If you are out of the country and absolutely in need of a dentist, Dr. Messina recommends getting in touch with the local consulate or U.S. embassy. “While talking to the concierge at the hotel is OK, ask the consulate and their employees for a recommendation,” he says. “It’s an independent recommendation and not someone who may be driving business because of a contract or to a relative.”

To read the entire article visit MouthHealthy.org.

Honolulu Smile Design
John Ha, DDS
1481 S. King Street, Suite 303
Honolulu, HI 96814
(808) 941-2088
HonoluluSmileDesign.com

Tuesday, 7 March 2017

Custom Mouth-guards

Learn more about what the American Dental Association has to say about custom mouth-guards.

Saturday, 4 March 2017

Travel Tips for Your Teeth: Toothbrush

Forget Your Toothbrush?
Sunscreen? Check. Phone charger? Check. Toothbrush? Oops. If you find yourself temporarily without a toothbrush, Dr. Messina says you can rinse vigorously with water to wash away some of that cavity-causing bacteria. You could also put some toothpaste on a clean washcloth or your clean finger in a pinch. When you finally get to the nearest drugstore, look for a toothbrush with the ADA Seal of Acceptance. If there aren’t any Seal products, buy the softest brush you can find.

Proper Toothbrush Transport
Letting your toothbrush air dry is how you keep your toothbrush clean at home, but that’s not always possible on vacation. What’s a traveling toothbrush to do? “I’m a big fan of resealable plastic bags. Keeping your toothbrush clean and out of contact with other things is more important that making sure it’s dry on vacation,” Dr. Messina says. “A bag keeps your toothbrush separate from everything else in your luggage. When you get there, pop it open and let your brush air dry.”

To read the entire article visit MouthHealthy.org.

Honolulu Smile Design
John Ha, DDS
1481 S. King Street, Suite 303
Honolulu, HI 96814
(808) 941-2088
HonoluluSmileDesign.com

Thursday, 2 March 2017

A New Smile With Dental Crowns

A Crown Restores a Damaged Tooth

Sometimes a tooth can become broken or simply too worn for a filling to restore it to function. When that happens, a crown will save and even add strength to the damaged tooth. Our crowns are made of the most advanced materials available. The finished product will look so natural you won't be able to distinguish it from a real tooth.

Honolulu Smile Design
John Ha, DDS
1481 S. King Street, Suite 303
Honolulu, HI 96814
(808) 941-2088
HonoluluSmileDesign.com