How Often Should I Take My Child To The Dentist?

October 13, 2024 | by James Sampson | Blog

How Often should I take my child to the dentist? If you are asking this question then first know that you are not alone. Most parents are not sure exactly when is the perfect time to schedule their child’s first dentist appointment.

Should your child wait and go after the first tooth comes in or maybe after all their teeth come in? According to the American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, your child’s first scheduled dental visit should occur within six months of the first tooth erupting, but no later than by age two.

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Your Child’s first dental appointment generally is more about learning their teeth and the importance of taking care of them versus an actual examination. Typically your dentist will not do an actual exam. They may peek inside your child’s mouth so they can make sure the teeth are coming in properly and there is no bottle rot, but generally, this visit is more about building trust and awareness. Your child’s dentist will often explain all of their tools, what they are for, and why they are important. Establishing trust and building a relationship with the dentist often helps the child overcome dental fears later on as they grow and have actual appointments, or even avoid dental anxieties all together.

What Happens After a Child’s First Dental Visit?

After your child’s first visit, it is highly recommended they visit the dentist every six months, unless there is a health concern. Common concerns that call for a visit early include a lisp, teeth grinding, and mouth breathing. Once your child is ready for their second visit, this is where your dentist will begin to work on your child’s teeth. Typically, the second dentist visit will include counting the child’s teeth and brushing them with cleaning paste. Dentists often introduce treatments in stages for two reasons, one, they may not have all of their teeth and be quite ready for advanced treatments, and two, to slowly build trust and ease fears. It generally isn’t until the third visit, or after the age of three were they start receiving more advanced treatments, such as fluoride treatments.

A great way to minimize the fears of going to the dentist, is when you bring your child to one of your dental exams. When they see the dentist working on your teeth, it can help ease fears. Remember, it is never too early to begin proper oral care.

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Top 3 Reasons To Whiten Your Teeth

October 1, 2024 | by James Sampson | Blog

Thousands of Birmingham Alabama residents get their teeth whitened every year. At Sampson Dentistry, here are the top 3 reasons to whiten your teeth. Teeth whitening from Sampson Dentistry can provide you with a gorgeous smile that’s up to 10 shades whiter.

Top 3 Reasons To Whiten Your Teeth

Improved Appearance: One of the most significant reasons people choose to whiten their teeth is to improve their appearance. A brighter, whiter smile can boost your confidence and self-esteem, making you feel more attractive and self-assured.
Enhance Professional Image: A bright, white smile can also enhance your professional image. If you work in a job that involves meeting people or speaking in public, having a confident and attractive smile can make a positive impact on your clients or colleagues.
Better Oral Health: Teeth whitening can also help improve your oral health. Professional teeth whitening treatments remove surface stains and deep-seated discoloration, helping to protect your teeth from decay and other oral health issues. Additionally, many people find that after they have had their teeth whitened, they are more motivated to maintain good oral hygiene habits.

Whether or not to whiten your teeth is a personal decision, and it depends on your individual circumstances and goals. Ultimately, the decision to whiten your teeth is up to you.

If you’re not sure whether teeth whitening is right for you, it’s a good idea to talk to your dentist. Sampson Dentistry can help you weigh the pros and cons and determine the best course of action for your individual needs.

Why A Missed Dental Appointment Can Be Bad

September 28, 2024 | by James Sampson | Blog

There are times that we all have to reschedule a dental appointment. Why a missed local dental appointment can be bad. Even if it’s just one appointment missed, the health of your teeth and overall condition could in fact suffer.

So, why is it important to attend all your dental appointments?

Your cavities can be spotted quickly before they cause other oral problems.

Many people believe that the worse a cavity could do is cause a bit of oral pain and sensitivity. But cavities, if left untreated for even a few months too long, can cause a lot of harm.

Leaving a tooth to decay is not only painful, but it could also lead to infection and tooth loss. Cavities don’t just sit there; they get deeper, uglier, and more painful over time.

Potential oral cancers and other diseases can be diagnosed and treated ASAP.

While oral cancers and other diseases aren’t per say common in dental patients, they still have a very real possibility of developing.

With gum disease and oral cancers, these are important to detect as soon as possible as these are not curable, at least not in the late stages.

Your dentist can get rid of your plaque before it turns into hard-to-remove tartar.

This may not seem very important to some patients, however, keep in mind that plaque is a type of dangerous oral bacteria that can cause gum disease, cavities, and other health problems.

With that being said, imagine how damaging tartar is, which is a more permanent, hardened form of plaque. Looking at the short-term effects, tartar is visible in comparison to a microscopic plaque.

Your body will thank you in the short and long run.

The goal of having good oral standing isn’t always about having perfectly straight, white teeth and fresh breath. It’s also about keeping your oral bacteria levels down.

The less oral bacteria you have, the healthier the rest of your body will be and the less bad bacteria that will be present in the rest of your body. In general, bad bacteria can cause a distorted digestive system and gut flora and in turn cause other body-related problems and diseases.

How to Choose The Right Dentist?

September 22, 2024 | by James Sampson | Blog

Choosing the right dentist is an important decision that can have a significant impact on your dental health. Here are some tips to help you choose the right dentist for your needs:

Check for credentials: Look for a dentist who is licensed by your state’s dental board and has proper credentials. You can check with the American Dental Association or your state dental association to verify a dentist’s credentials.
Ask for recommendations: Ask family, friends, and coworkers for recommendations on dentists they trust. Also ask if they have had good experiences with the dentist you chose.
Consider location and convenience: Choose a dentist who is conveniently located to your home or work. Location makes it easy to schedule and attend appointments.
Read reviews: Look for online reviews of the dentist to get an idea of their reputation and the experiences of other patients.
Evaluate the dentist’s communication skills: Choose a dentist who is easy to communicate with. Also make sure they take the time to answer your questions and concerns.
Consider their areas of expertise: If you have specific dental needs or conditions, choose a dentist with expertise in those areas.
Check for availability and office hours: Choose a dentist who has flexible office hours that work with your schedule, and is available for emergency dental care.

If you would like to schedule an appointment with Sampson dentistry, please call or fill out the form below to schedule an appointment.

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How to Choose The Right Dentist?

By taking the time to carefully evaluate potential dentists in Hoover Alabama based on these factors, you can make an informed decision and choose a dentist who meets your needs and provides the best possible dental care.

Hoover Laser Dentistry

September 18, 2024 | by James Sampson | Blog

Especially relevant, what is laser dentistry? Most noteworthy, Hoover laser dentistry is a minimally invasive option when you’re facing gum surgery, cavity treatment, or other oral issues. As a result, discuss your laser surgery options with one Sampson Dentistry today.

What is Laser Dentistry? Overview

Furthermore, Dentists use lasers in a variety of procedures involving the inside of the mouth, to remove overgrown tissue, reshape the gums, or to whiten teeth.

What Can Laser Dentistry Treat?

Almost all issues laser dentistry treats are related to the gums. Including:

Canker sore and cold sore treatments.
Root canal infections.
Gum disease.
Removing gum inflammation.
Gum reshaping.
Biopsies.
Exposing wisdom teeth.
Removing throat tissue that causes sleep apnea.
Regenerating damaged nerves.
Removing benign oral tumours.

Benefits of Laser Dentistry

In addition, laser dentistry helps with reducing discomfort and expediting healing time for patients. Furthermore, dentists choose laser dentistry because of distinct benefits that make the procedures go more smoothly. Furthermore, you typically will not experience pain and discomfort associated with scalpel surgery because your post-op irritation is likely to be minor.

Most noteworthy, Hoover laser dentistry is a convenient solution to many oral and dental problems, whether serious in nature or simply cosmetic.

If Sick, Should I Visit My Hoover AL Dentist?

September 13, 2024 | by James Sampson | Blog

If sick, should I visit my Hoover AL dentist? You know how long it takes to get a dental appointment sometimes. That’s why you hate the idea of cancelling. You hate the idea of cancelling a dental appointment, so here’s a guide on whether or not you should go to the dentist when you’re sick.

If your options are keeping the appointment or rescheduling, what’s better for you, the workers in the dentist’s office, and the other patients? Here’s a guide on whether you should go to the dentist when you’re sick.

The Basics of Cancelling a Dentist’s Appointment

You should never cancel an appointment unless you have a good reason. After all, you’ve scheduled office time with a health care professional and they’ve reserved that time for you. While many offices can and will be understanding if you need to cancel, your cancellation can hurt their bottom line, which is why many dentists charge cancellation fees.

How Sick Are You?

If Sick, Should I Visit My Hoover AL Dentist?

Since you’re quite possibly on the hook for a cancellation fee, your instinct is probably to go. While other issues will impact your decision, the first thing to decide is how sick you are. Something like a headache isn’t contagious. Your ability to sit through a dental appointment is a matter of pain tolerance.

One other issue to consider is how often you get headaches, though. If you experience a lot of them, you should know how to manage the pain by now. If headaches are a rare occurrence, having a bad one is enough to reschedule to a day when you feel better.

The type of ailment, depending on your symptoms, can greatly affect your appointment. You must evaluate the severity of your sickness, and the level ofpain and discomfort. Patients who are unable to sit still through an appointment should consider rescheduling.

Does Cold Temperatures In Hoover Alabama Make My Teeth Hurt?

September 11, 2024 | by James Sampson | Blog

Does Cold Temperatures Make My Teeth Hurt?

Does cold temperatures in Hoover Alabama make my teeth hurt? Yes, cold temperatures can make your teeth hurt. In response to extreme heat and cold, your teeth expand and contract. Over time, this can lead to cracks in your teeth, exposing the vulnerable microscopic tubes beneath your enamel. This is the same tooth pain you feel because of cavities, gum disease, and other bad oral habits. Therefore, any problems with your enamel or gums, such as periodontal disease, could leave you vulnerable to cold temperature pain.

Weather sensitivity can occur regardless of how well you care for your teeth, but you’re at greater risk if you don’t practice good oral hygiene and live in an area that has extreme temperature swings.

To minimize sensitivity, you should learn about the common causes for sensitive teeth and what you should do when you notice pain because of the cold temperature.

Individuals often wear down their enamel or suffer from receding gums and tooth sensitivity because of one of the following reasons:

Periodontal disease: Diseases of the gums can expose the dentin and cause sensitivity. Gingivitis is one of the earliest stages of periodontal disease.
Brushing too hard: You may think that you need to bear down hard to remove surface stains, but brushing with too much force can start to wear down your enamel.
Grinding: Some individuals may clench or grind their teeth in their sleep. This can wear down tooth enamel and lead to sensitivity.
Tooth decay: Sensitivity to cold is an early sign of an undetected tooth decay problem. If you start to experience tooth pain, go see a dentist.
Tooth whitening applications: Have you started using a new tooth-whitening agent? The ingredients that make your teeth whiter may strip past surface stains and start wearing down your enamel. If the agent starts hurting your teeth, stop the treatment and consult with your dentist.
Acidic drinks: Sodas, coffee, tea, and other drinks with a high concentration of acid, such as juices, can erode your teeth and expose the dentin layer.
bad lifestyle habits: Other bad oral health habits, such as using tobacco products or not brushing or flossing properly, can cause your gums to recede. When this happens, the dentin at the base of the gums is exposed and can lead to temperature-sensitive teeth.

Possible Solutions for Sensitive Teeth

A fluoride application: Fluoride strengthens the enamel and thus prevents sensitivity because of exposed dentin.
Covering root surfaces: A dentist can apply a sealant to fix problems with receding gums.
Mouth guards: If you grind your teeth, a dentist can make a mouth guard to prevent you from damaging your teeth in your sleep.
Root canal procedure: This is recommended to fix issues with deep decay or a cracked or chipped tooth.

Porcelain Veneers Hoover AL

June 17, 2024 | by admin | Blog

Porcelain Veneers Hoover AL

In recent years, Hoover Alabama residents have had two options to choose from in regards to today’s porcelain veneers in Hoover AL. Hoover residents can choose from traditional veneers and no-preparation veneers.

traditional veneers

With traditional veneers, your dentist will remove a very small amount of enamel from the tooth or teeth that will be receiving the veneer. Then, your Hoover Alabama dentist takes an impression of your slightly shaved tooth, so a veneer can be crafted for it. It’ll take between two and four weeks to receive the veneer. In the meantime, you can get temporary veneers during the interim.

No-preparation veneers

Take in consideration that with no-preparation veneers, there is no removal or shaving your natural teeth required. Veneers fit over your existing natural teeth.

Before placing veneers permanently, your dentist checks the final veneer’s fit and appearance in your mouth. If the veneer doesn’t fit perfectly, the dentist can trim it down. After cleaning, polishing, and etching your tooth, your dentist will bond the veneer to your tooth.

Your local Hoover dentist can make a bite and fit adjustment after the veneer has been placed and cemented. Today’s veneers last for between 10 and 30 years, which is a huge improvement over the old style that barely stayed in place.

Porcelain veneers have been around since the late 1920s, and it should be no surprise that they began in Hollywood. A local dentist came up with a way to enhance the smiles of his Hollywood star patients. The stars would wear the caps during movie scenes, then remove them. Though this is a long way from the porcelain permanent veneers we think of today, it’s the beginning of using veneers to perfect someone’s smile.

Cavities Hoover Dental Patients

June 10, 2024 | by admin | Blog

Do Cavities Hurt? Yes, no, sometimes, always, never…it just depends. They are different for everyone. Cavities in Hoover AL dental patients do not present with any symptoms until they are quite large.

In fact, I have seen many teeth with cavities so large that they were abscessed and yet there was never any pain or sensitivity present. Of course there are those on the complete other side of the spectrum as well.

My wife is a great example. She told me she had a cavity about a year before I could detect anything (and we use magnified vision and the most modern equipment to detect cavities). Some people are just like that though. One of the biggest complaints I have as a dentist is when I get the response, “it doesn’t hurt.”

I can detect a cavity and even show pictures, x-rays, etc to the patient, so they can see the cavity for themselves and then the response I get is: “it doesn’t hurt.” And this is used in the context of, “it doesn’t hurt, therefore it doesn’t exist.” This is very poor reasoning.

Cavities Hoover Dental Patients

I believe it doesn’t hurt…it may never hurt, but there is a problem that needs addressed while it still can. There are so many factors involved that determine whether or not there will be pain associated with a cavity. So the presence (or absence) of pain should never be the deciding factor.

Dental Tips From Your Local Hoover Dentist

June 2, 2024 | by admin | Blog

Here’s our 3 unexpected dental tips from your local Hoover dentist.

1. A healthy smile is more important than a “perfect” smile.

Our smiles are what make us unique. If everyone had the same uniform, cookie-cutter set of teeth, life would be boring. To us, the most important thing about your smile is that it’s healthy enough to last a lifetime, and that YOU feel great about it.

That’s why at a first visit you’ll often hear us ask: what do you love about your smile, and is there anything you’d like to change about it? Our job is not to tell you what to do, or how you should look, but to help you understand what’s going on when it comes to your oral health, and provide you with information and options so you can decide what works best for you.

2. The most important dental work you’ll ever have done is what you do at home.

The best possible dental tip we can give you to keep your smile healthy and bright is to keep up a great dental hygiene routine at home that includes brushing twice a day for 2 minutes, and flossing at least once a day.

Dental decay is one of the most common and preventable diseases in the world. While there are other contributing factors that can lead to decay and cavities such as genetics, medications, and certain medical conditions, the most common risk factor for developing cavities is still a lack of proper oral care at home.

3. It’s more important to have properly aligned teeth than “perfectly straight” teeth.

Yes, we just said that. Straight, evenly spaced teeth, the most important result is that your bite is properly aligned. Some signs that may indicate a need for orthodontic treatment include difficulty chewing or biting of the lips or cheek, crowding or extra spacing between teeth, clenching or grinding, headaches, or protruding teeth. Sometimes shifting teeth can also be a sign of periodontal or gum disease.