Update

We are now less than one month away from the grand opening of Kenwood Complete Dentistry. Walls are now up, painting has begun, and in the next two weeks, construction will be wrapping up. I thought I'd show a few more pictures.

Lobby

Our front door

Front Desk

Main Hallway

One of the treatment rooms

We can't wait to start seeing patients on November 2nd!

A quickie

Things are moving fast on the construction front, but I wanted to show off the creative side of the office. My talented wife has created our branding. Take a peek.

Apparently drywall goes up next week. I told the guys that since I'm unemployed until they finish, I'd help them hang the drywall. They said no thanks. I don't blame them.

Dr. P

More photos

Photos from yesterday. The walls are now up (sort of)...

Thankfully, they don't need my help.

A look down the main hallway.

From the front door.

One of the treatment rooms.

Another treatment room.

So, things are progressing quickly. I'll keep everyone updated as things move along.

This is why I haven't blogged in awhile...

After months and months of hard work, I am thrilled to announce the opening of my new office! What can I say about the new office? Brand new equipment, fantastic location (for those of you in Cincinnati, it is located at the corner of Kenwood and Galbraith, across from Kenwood Towne Center), extremely comfortable environment, and the best that dentistry has to offer. Just as before, we will offer general, cosmetic, and implant dentistry, which is why Dr. Greg Sherman and I decided to name the office Kenwood Complete Dentistry. You will be able to check out our new website KenwoodCompleteDentistry.com shortly and see why we are so excited. You can check in on the progress here. I'll post pictures as things develop!

Kenwood Complete Dentistry

5050 E. Galbraith Road, Suite C

Cincinnati, OH 45236

513.531.5050

kenwoodcompletedentistry.com

When would I need a dental implant?

First, let me explain what an implant is. Basically, it is a replacement root. When there is extensive damage to a tooth, whether it be from decay, gum disease, or trauma, sometimes you are better off removing the root of the tooth and getting a new one. These implants are made from titanium and are incredibly strong and versatile.

Let's take the two most common occurrences for needing an implant and talk about your options. Let's say you have a single tooth that needs to be removed. Your options for replacing it are either a bridge or an implant. With a bridge, your dentist needs to grind on the tooth in front of the space and also on the tooth behind the space. So, basically because there is one bad tooth, you now have to damage two potentially healthy teeth. Not great. With an implant, you never have to touch the teeth on either side of the space.

At least currently, most dental implants are not covered by insurance. But, think about this for a second. The average bridge lasts 7-10 years and costs around $3000. If you have good insurance they will cover half of that, leaving your cost to be $1500. If you have to replace the bridge in 10 years, you are now talking about $3000, which is about the cost of a dental implant. And with the life expectancy of an implant to be around 25-30 years, it more than makes up for it in cost, let alone not having to damage the teeth on both sides.

The other most common use for dental implants is to hold dentures in place. You would be shocked how many people have dentures, and if you were able to get an honest answer from these people, they'd tell you that their teeth slip and slide and those adhesives are nothing but a mess. Especially with lower dentures. If someone has to wear a lower denture, they are a dental cripple instantly. But, if you can anchor the denture to dental implants, they become extremely stable. People say adding these implants instantly transforms their lives, allowing them to eat the foods they want and have the confidence that their teeth aren't going anywhere when they talk or laugh.

So, implants are here to stay. And that is a very, very good thing.

If you think you have a problem with bad breath, you probably do.

A relative of mine (to be kept nameless) asked me how to fix bad breath. Interestingly enough, when I am at work and a patient asks me to close the door to give them some privacy to ask a "personal" question, 9 times out of 10 it is about bad breath. It is such an embarrassing problem, but there are some steps you can take to fix it.

Bad breath is caused by odor-producing bacteria that grow in the mouth. When you don't brush and floss regularly, bacteria accumulate on the bits of food left in your mouth and between your teeth. The sulfur compounds released by these bacteria make your breath smell. Certain foods, especially ones like garlic and onions that contain pungent oils, can contribute to bad breath because the oils are carried to your lungs and out through your mouth. Smoking is also a major cause of bad breath.

There are lots of myths about taking care of bad breath. Here are three things you may have heard about bad breath that are not true:

Myth #1: Mouthwash will make bad breath go away.

Mouthwash only gets rid of bad breath temporarily. If you do use mouthwash, look for an antiseptic (kills the germs that cause bad breath) rinse, such as Listerine. I also really like Crest Pro Health mouthrinse because it doesn't contain alcohol, which dries your mouth out and can lead to a better environment for those bad-breath-causing bacteria. Try the Nighttime version of the Crest Pro Health because the Daytime version seemed to cause (temporary) staining of teeth in about 1% of people that used it.

Myth #2: As long as you brush your teeth, you shouldn't have bad breath.

The truth is that most people only brush their teeth for 30 to 45 seconds, which just doesn't cut it. To sufficiently clean all the surfaces of your teeth, you should brush for at least 2 minutes at least twice a day. Remember to brush your tongue, too — bacteria love to hang out there. It's equally important to floss because brushing alone won't remove harmful plaque and food particles that become stuck between your teeth and gums.

Myth #3: If you breathe into your hand, you'll know when you have bad breath.

Wrong! When you breathe, you don't use your throat the same way you do when you talk. When you talk, you tend to bring out the odors from the back of your mouth (where bad breath originates), which simply breathing doesn't do. Also, because we tend to get used to our own smells, it's hard for a person to tell if he or she has bad breath. If you're concerned about bad breath, make sure you're taking care of your teeth and mouth properly. Some sugar-free gums and mints can temporarily mask odors, too.

If you brush and floss properly and visit your dentist for regular cleanings, but your bad breath persists, you may have a medical problem like sinusitis or gum disease. Bottom line is that bad breath can be prevented and fixed.  Do these things and you won't have to worry about getting close to your special someone and whispering them sweet nothings... 

Can Diet Coke cause cavities?

A friend of mine who lives out of town contacted me over Facebook with a good question. She never had cavities growing up and now that she is in her 20's, she is getting a few. When she goes to the dentist, he makes her feel like she "just ate a candy store." But, this girl takes good care of herself and doesn't really eat sweets. She wondered if the 2-3 Diet Cokes she drinks during the day can cause cavities. So, can something without sugar cause cavities?

Yes, Diet Coke can cause cavities. Basically, you need four things to get cavities: bacteria (everyone has it), sugar, acid, and time. While Diet Coke doesn't have the sugar, it is really high in acid. So, let's say you have a sandwich for lunch (there is sugar in bread) and you have a Diet Coke (acid) and then you sip on your Diet Coke for an hour or two, you then have everything you need to get cavities. So, here is my advice. Have sugar, have acids, whatever, but drink water afterwards. This will rinse the acids and sugars off of your teeth. Another good trick is to chew sugar-free gum, which will do the same thing as water. Don't sip on a can of Diet Coke for a long period of time. Drink it over a shorter period of time and then have water. If you do that, use an electric brush, and floss once a day (I know it's a pain), you'll be home free.