Monthly Archives: May 2016

Have you ever noticed that someone you know from work or a casual social acquaintance never seems to smile, and then you find out why? The situation can be embarrassing for you both. People who are hesitant to smile are usually self conscious about the condition of their teeth or the fact that there are some missing. If you’re lucky enough to have a healthy set of teeth you may have no idea what those who don’t go through and how important having a nice smile can be. But if you stop to think about it a nice smile is part of the good impression that we present to other people, some of whom can make a significant difference in our lives. The Harris Poll Online conducted a survey showing that a good percentage of the adults polled believed that a pleasant smile could be a definite advantage when interviewing for a job, or asking someone out on a date. Furthermore, the majority of people asked stated that the thing they would most like to improve about their looks was their smile. Fortunately it is easier today than ever before to get that improvement. Compass Dental can show you the way to the smile makeover that you desire. Dr. Simon and his associates are happy to consult with patients about the many innovative options available today. Call the office @ 828-358-2555 for an appointment at your convenience.

We know that significant tooth loss will affect our ability to chew some of our favorite foods. Steaks and corn on the cob for instance, may have to go by the wayside for awhile. If lost teeth are not replaced right away the surrounding teeth may start to shift out of position which in turn could change the alignment of your upper and lower teeth, better known as your “bite.” These are both examples of the physical ramifications that can happen after tooth loss, but what about the emotional ones? Losing a tooth isn’t really the same as losing another body part since it usually doesn’t require having a general anesthetic and a hospital stay is not typically part of the process. We depend on our teeth however, to give us the nice healthy smile that we are proud to display to the people that we communicate with everyday. When that smile is taken away because of the loss of one or more front teeth it can have a fairly devastating effect on the ego. Some people have been known to shy away from socializing with others altogether, even to the point of leaving their job. If you’re facing the possibility of having some teeth extracted talk to your dentist about replacement options. It will give you some peace of mind to know that the gap between your teeth is only a temporary situation. Get to know Dr. Sigmon and his staff of professionals at Compass Dental in Hickory, NC. Call the office @ 828-358-2555.

Tooth enamel is the outer covering that protects the inner layers of your teeth from exposure to bacteria. When you eat or drink something particularly hot or cold the enamel is what absorbs the impact and keeps you from feeling the pain of sensitivity. The system works perfectly until the enamel begins to deteriorate. Tooth enamel is the least vulnerable of all the tissues in the human body and is made to last a lifetime but it can be compromised. The thing is that once the damage is done it cannot be reversed, so you should do everything in your power to preserve it. Acid is a primary enemy of tooth enamel and is found in many of the foods and drinks that we enjoy, sugar is another. If you can eliminate some of the more offensive culprits and cut back on a few others you will be promoting your odds of enjoying good oral health for many years to come. You can also save yourself the anxiety and expense that can come with having to have extensive dental work done. If you just can’t do without citrus fruit or the occasional soft drink, there are ways to lessen the effect that the sugar and acidity will have on your tooth enamel. Ask your dentist or hygienist about what to do to protect your enamel from erosion. Check the get acquainted offers on the Compass Dental website, www.compassdentalhickory.com and call us @ 828-358-2555 for your appointment.

There’s an actual medical term for that consistent dry feeling that you have in your mouth. It is formally known as xerostomia. Xerostomia is what happens when your salivary glands fail to produce the right amount of saliva to keep your mouth moisturized, hence the tag, “dry mouth.” Xerostomia can be caused by taking a medication that has been prescribed to treat some other disorder, or it can be a symptom of the disorder itself. Your dentist may recommend that you talk to your doctor about prescribing an alternate prescription or dosage. Along with the typical dry mouth sensation xerostomia patients may notice that their breath is not as fresh as usual and their lips may seem to chap more easily. They may also experience the need to drink more water. The lack of saliva may make chewing more difficult and could also affect the body’s ability to digest food. Chewing gum can help produce more saliva. Another tip for dry mouth sufferers is to keep a bottle of water close by. Some symptoms are brought about by our own bad habits, smoking or consuming too much caffeine are good examples. A longer lasting solution will be easier to prescribe once your dentist has diagnosed the underlying cause. Take the video tour of the Compass Dental practice that is available on the website www.compassdentalhickory.com to get a clearer picture of our committment to the dental health of every member of your family.