Healthy Smiles Family Dental

Dr. Na Xu is experienced in providing her patients with high-quality fillings for decayed and cracked teeth. But in order for patients to get the most out of these treatments, they need to understand how they work so they can recognize when it is time for a return visit. That’s why this week we’re discussing the lifespan of fillings. Ordinarily, fillings will last for about ten years. At that point, their bonding will begin to break down and bacteria will be able to enter the cracks. From there, the process of decay starts over again. By maintaining regular check-ups, patients help to ensure old fillings can be replaced before they lose any more tooth enamel. We are confident in the services we provide, but patients should be aware that there are times when a filling needs to be reworked sooner. This is true if the filling is “high,” meaning it is preventing the patient from comfortably closing their teeth together. A filling that is “leaking” is also one that has been compromised and

Every February, the American Dental Association declares a National Children’s Dental Health Month. At Healthy Smiles Family Dental in Salem, we’re proud to participate by educating our patients about this year’s theme: the proper use of fluoridated toothpaste. While it is true that baby teeth fall out, taking care of them is still vital to a child’s development and for beginning a lifetime of good health habits. Children with tooth decay commonly have difficulty sleeping, resulting in their being irritable and easily distracted. They also may avoid eating and their speech development may be delayed. Fluoride treatments can help to prevent their teeth from being damaged by the acid produced by oral bacteria, but only regular brushing can prevent bacterial build-up. Fluoridated toothpaste has the advantage of providing additional protection. However, children using it must still thoroughly brush every tooth surface for at least two minutes per session. This will often be the first way i

If you wish to improve your smile, but don’t want to break the bank, dental bonding can repair teeth that have been decayed, chipped, fractured, or discolored. Bonding is made of composite resin and resembles a natural tooth’s appearance. Dental bonding provides an aesthetic benefit to the patient, but also has restorative properties and our doctors at Healthy Smiles Family Dental can provide this service to you. Unlike veneers, which can be costly and require several appointments, dental bonding is cost-efficient and can be completed in one single visit. The process for applying bonding material takes little to no preparation unless the bonding is being used to fill a cavity. Once the tooth is prepared, one of our doctors will apply the resin and harden it with a special light. This process takes 30-45 minutes to complete and requires no recovery time. If you have questions or concerns regarding cosmetic dental services, please give us a call. To learn about services provided at our p