MOST OF OUR PATIENTS KNOW THAT a visit to our practice sometimes involves an x-ray or two.

Well we have some good news for those of you with concerns—x-rays pose very little danger to your health…and the amount of radiation you receive during routine x-rays here at our practice is MUCH smaller than the amount you receive daily from natural radiation sources.

Exposure to tiny amounts of radiation is a natural component of life! Each year, the average United States citizen is exposed to about 360 mREM from common things like the earth itself, natural materials, cosmic radiation, and even from other people! In fact, the State Department of Health has set the yearly maximum safe radiation level at 5000 mREM.

Our dental x-rays only emit .30 mREM per unit…SO, even if you have a full mouth series taken, you’re still only being exposed to a mere 6 mREM! This means you’d have to have around 60 full-mouth series to really be at risk…and we promise we’ll never need to take that many in a year’s time!

X-rays are an important part of dental care, as we use them to diagnose problems that we might not otherwise be able to detect. We promise you’re in the best of hands here at our practice, so don’t let x-ray fears worry you.

If you ever have any questions or concerns regarding dental x-rays, please don’t hesitate to contact us! We would love to help put your mind at ease!

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ARE YOU WALKING AROUND WITH ONE OR MORE BROKEN, CRACKED, OR DISCOLORED TEETH?

Dental crowns are often called “caps” that cover your tooth completely. Often used in connection with many cosmetic and restorative dental procedures, dental crowns are a tooth restoration solution used to protect and restore function to damaged, discolored, or decaying teeth. And, they look and function just like natural teeth. Dr. Gulizio and Dr. Cordoves may recommend them if your tooth has so much decay that it would have trouble holding a filling—or if it’s in danger of cracking down near the root.

Curious about the benefits of a dental crown procedure? Here are a few reasons why a dental crown may be the very best option for improving both your appearance AND your health:

• Prevent a weak tooth from decay or breaking.
• Hold together parts of a cracked tooth.
• Restore a tooth that is already broken or severely worn down.
• Cover a dental implant.
• Cover and support a tooth with a large filling—especially if there isn’t a lot of tooth left.
• Hold a dental bridge in place.
• Cover misshaped or severely stained and/or discolored teeth.

Protection And Durability

Dental crowns also protect damaged teeth from intrusive bacteria that is present in saliva—thereby preventing further decay. And they help support the tremendous pressures of chewing. They typically last many, many years if accompanied by good oral hygiene—sometimes for a lifetime. However, it’s good to have them regularly checked by our team to be sure.

To learn more about dental crowns, or if you have questions, please feel free to contact us. We deliver the highest-quality treatment for restoring your smile and confidence. So, what are you waiting for? Set up a brief consultation with Dr. Gulizio and Dr. Cordoves today to see if dental crowns are the right solution for you. We look forward to helping you rediscover a brilliant, confident, and healthy smile.

Also, be sure to join us on Facebook by clicking on the image below! It’s a great way to stay connected with our practice.

ARE YOU NEWLY GRADUATED, stuck in a mid-life crisis, starting a new career, or re-entering the dating scene?

Here at our practice we know that flashing a smile is one of the best ways to turn someone else’s day around…But guess what—smiling not only brightens other people’s days, it also benefits the smiler!

Here are some reasons we should smile!

1. It Makes You More Attractive: It is no secret that we are drawn to people who smile. There’s something remarkably irresistible about someone who isn’t afraid to flash those pearly whites.
2. It’s Contagious: A simple smile has the ability to brighten a whole room and draw people to you. The world would be a happier place if everyone kept smiling!
3. It Can Change Your Mood: Even when you feel down, smiling can trick your body into changing your mood! Try it the next time you’re not having the best day.
4. It Boosts Your Immune System: When you smile, your immune function improves due to increased relaxation.
5. It Relieves Stress: We all know what it’s like to look stressed and overwhelmed…but did you know that putting on a smile makes you look happier AND actually takes away some of that stress!?
6. It Lowers Blood Pressure: The physical act of smiling causes a measurable reduction in your blood pressure. Test it out at home if you don’t believe us!
7. It’s A Natural Drug: Studies have shown that smiling actually releases endorphins, serotonin, and natural pain killers.
8. It Makes You Look Younger: The muscles your body uses to smile actually lift the face, making you appear younger and healthier!
9. Smiling Makes You More Successful: Smiling in a job interview is much more likely to land you the job! People who smile appear more confident and approachable—and they end up being the ones that get promoted!
10. Smiling Helps You Stay Positive: Try this—put on a smile, and then think about something negative without losing the smile. It’s hard to feel quite as down when you’ve got a grin on your face, huh? When we smile our body sends us a message saying “Life is Good!” Worry, stress, and depression problems can be greatly helped through smiling.

So, the long and short of it is: SMILE! Don’t let insecurities about your teeth hold you back any longer! If you are uneasy about smiling, talk to Dr. Gulizio and Dr. Cordoves about the many options available at our practice. We can have you proud and confident about your smile in no time!

Contact our practice today. Your unforgettable smile awaits you.

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN CURIOUS about all the odd facts dental professionals like Dr. Gulizio and Dr. Cordoves have floating around in their heads all day?

Did you know…

• Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in a human’s body.
• Toothbrush bristles were originally made from cow hair.
• A shark goes through about 40 SETS of teeth during its lifetime.
• A person’s teeth set is unique—much like their fingerprints. Even identical twins do not have exactly the same set of teeth. Did you know that your tongue print is also unique?
• The average woman smiles about 62 times a day! A man? Only 8!
• Kids laugh around 400 times a day. Adults… just 15.
• According to the Academy of General Dentistry, the average person only brushes for 45 to 70 seconds a day. The recommended amount of time is 2-3 minutes.
• People who are right-handed typically chew their food on the right side of their mouth. Left handers? The left side.
• 50% of people consider the smile the first facial feature they notice.
• 80% of people are not happy with their smile.
• 78% of Americans have had at least one cavity by age 17.
• 32% of Americans cite bad breath as the least attractive trait of a co-worker.
• According to the recent American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry survey, 92% of Americans believe that an attractive smile is an important social asset.

Well, there you have it! We hope you enjoyed those facts! It never hurts to know a little more about your smile. Contact us if you have any other dental-related questions or to set up an appointment!

Oh, and please “Like” us on Facebook too!

We look forward to seeing you during your next visit!

GOOD NEWS! Taking care of our mouths actually improves our smiles!

So, here are some of the ways that taking care of your teeth affects your body.

Good oral health…

- can boost your confidence and self-esteem

• Gum disease and decaying teeth can lead to LOTS of problems—including an unsightly smile and foul breath. This can be so bad that your self-image is affected. If you keep your mouth healthy you’ll be much more inclined to smile!

- has been directly linked to lowering your risk of heart disease

• Gum disease can cause inflammation that can be directly associated with cardiovascular problems.

- can preserve memory

• Believe it or not, in recent studies show that adults with gingivitis actually performed worse on cognitive skills/memory tests than those without gum disease. Those with gingivitis are also more likely to have delayed verbal recall.

- reduces risks of inflammation and infection

• Poor oral health is linked to the development of infection in other parts of the body. Eat a balanced diet, visit Dr. Gulizio and Dr. Cordoves regularly, and practice good oral hygiene to reduce bacteria and gingivitis.

- helps keep your blood sugar stable

• Those with diabetes are more likely to develop gingivitis, making it more difficult to control sugar blood levels. Reducing your risk of gingivitis by protecting your oral health can help you regain better control of your blood sugar.

- helps pregnant women carry a baby to term

• Gingivitis becomes a greater risk to women when they are pregnant. Unfortunately, there may be a connection to gum disease and pre-term infants, so be sure to visit Dr. Dentist as part of your prenatal care.

Well, there you have it. Keeping your mouth healthy really can improve your overall health and well-being. Feel free to contact us if you have any additional questions about the benefits of preventive care.

Oh, and don’t forget to join us on Facebook too! We look forward to connecting with you there!