Let’s Work Together To Keep Your Smile Healthy And Beautiful

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Categories: Checkups and cleanings, Dental health, Oral Health

low cost tooth bleaching Durham

Here at Durham Dental Group we approach all your oral care needs from two separate angles—what we can do in our dental office and what you can do at home.

For example, teeth whitening and correcting discoloration can be treated in our office or at home. Here in the office there are safe and effective methods for lightening yellowed or stained tooth enamel. At-home whitening methods are also safe and effective and sometimes more budget-friendly.

Additionally, we counsel you regarding food and drink choices that can impact your whitened smile. Be aware of staining substances such as coffee, tea, tobacco and soda. We understand that eliminating these items altogether is not an easy lifestyle change. Nor do we expect it.

Mindfulness and precaution can make a big difference. Rinsing your mouth out with water after drinking a dark or sugary drink can cut down on the contact your teeth have with it and help neutralize the acids. Prolonged exposure to sugar can lead to buildup of plaque and tartar and prolonged exposure to staining substances can negate the results of teeth whitening.

When it comes to hygiene and healthy teeth we are a practice that wants to see you as little as possible. (It’s not that we don’t love you—we just want you to have a healthy smile!) If we only see you twice a year for regular checkups then we’ve done our job.

At Durham Dental Group we work hard to ensure all our patients enjoy excellent dental health. We offer general and cosmetic dentistry. Call for an appointment today!

Contact Durham Dental Group:

919-322-3585

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

202 W NC Highway 54 Ste 201
Durham, North Carolina
27713

 

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How Bright Can You Shine?

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Categories: Cosmetic Dentistry, Teeth Whitening

Affordable Durham Cosmetic Dentistry

Most people notice their teeth getting dull as the years go by. Maybe duller teeth is the least of our worries as we age. On the other hand, who doesn’t want a beautiful smile? At Durham Dental Group, we use cosmetic dentistry to improve smiles every day!

There are lots of teeth whitening choices out there, and over the counter products like whitening strips and toothpastes can be moderately effective. But they cannot match the results you’ll get from professional teeth whitening.

Stained Teeth?

There are two types of tooth stains: extrinsic and intrinsic.

  • Extrensic stains. Extrinsic stains are surface stains. We’re all vulnerable to them, because they’re the type of teeth stains that come from things like coffee, cola, and other beverages. Tobacco is also a major staining agent, whether it’s smoked or chewed.
  • Intrinsic stains. These are stains that are within the enamel of the tooth itself. They are often caused by antibiotics such as tetracycline.

Professional teeth whitening is just one of the cosmetic dentistry services we offer at name of practice. Schedule your next cleaning and checkup with us today!

Contact Durham Dental Group:

919-322-3585

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

202 W NC Highway 54 Ste 201
Durham, North Carolina
27713

 

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Preventive Dentistry At Durham Dental Group

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Categories: Checkups and cleanings, Dental checkup, Dental health, General Dentistry

tooth decay pictures at

At Durham Dental Group, we do everything we can to keep the teeth and gums of our patients clean and healthy. In other words, we really stress dental health: how to get it and how to keep it. One of the best approaches is with preventive dentistry.

Preventive dentistry – or preventative, as some prefer – combines good dental hygiene at home with regular visits to our office. The goal is avoiding gum disease, tooth decay, and enamel wear.

Twice A Year

As a rule of thumb, we recommend a dental appointment every six months. At each visit, one of our hygienists will inspect and clean your teeth. We may take x-rays, too. The cleanings you get in our office go beyond the brushing and flossing you do at home. Even with good home care, most patients have at least a little tartar built up on the teeth. The only way to get it off is with a professional cleaning.

The dentist also does an inspection of your teeth and gums. If there is any new decay we’ll fill it. We’ll also check for any signs of gum disease.

Brush and Floss

At home, you should be brushing your teeth at least twice a day, and flossing at least once. Brushing is easily the most important part of preventive dentistry. Use a toothpaste with fluoride, and has the American Dental Association seal on the tube. Use a soft-bristled brush, and replace it every three months or so.

Manual or electric toothbrush? That’s up to you. Just be sure to use the one you have!

Flossing your teeth every day is how you clean out the spaces between your teeth. There’s no way a toothbrush can get the gunk that builds up. If you have any questions about flossing, ask our hygienist for some tips at your next checkup.

Remember, prevention is always the best medicine, and preventive dentistry is the best way to maintain healthy teeth and gums! Be sure to see us at Durham Dental Group twice a year for a cleaning and checkup. Our services include general and cosmetic dentistry. Schedule your next appointment today!

Contact Durham Dental Group:

919-322-3585

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

202 W NC Highway 54 Ste 201
Durham, North Carolina
27713

 

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Nearly Invisible Teeth Straightening

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Categories: Braces, Crowns and bridges, Invisalign

Clear Braces - Nearly Invisible Teeth Straightening for Durham Adults

Are you thinking about straightening your teeth? You may be able to skip those old-fangled metal braces, the bane of teenagers in an earlier era. Clear braces from Durham Dental Group make teeth straightening a whole new ballgame.

Unlike traditional metal braces, clear braces have no wires or brackets or rubber bands. Even better, they are almost undetectable – even to people standing just a few feet away from you.

The proper name for clear braces is “aligners.” They look a lot like an athlete’s mouth guard. You wear a series of them to put pressure on your teeth, which gradually brings them into alignment. Each aligner is worn for a week or two before you go to a new one. The new one changes the alignment slightly, and in time, you have an ideal bite.

Clear braces are so undetectable that some people call them invisible. Of course, they are not invisible, but they’re really close. They are made from clear plastic, which is what makes them so subtle.

One of the things that people like best about clear braces is that they are removable. You can take them out at mealtime, and when you brush your teeth at night. For the best results, however, they should be worn for at least twenty-two hours each day.

At Durham Dental Group we have clear braces from Invisalign. We also offer general and cosmetic dentistry services. Schedule an appointment today.

Contact Durham Dental Group:

919-322-3585

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

202 W NC Highway 54 Ste 201
Durham, North Carolina
27713

 

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4 Reasons To Make Sure Your Child Sees A Dentist

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Categories: Checkups and cleanings, Dental health, General Dentistry, Oral Health, Pediatric Dentistry

Blands family dentistDid you know that The American Dental Association recommends that a child’s first visit to a dentist should occur around twelve months of age?
In this blog post from Durham Dental Group, we are going to review 4 reasons why your toddler’s teeth are worth a dental visit.

1. Twelve months of age happens to be about the time when a child’s first teeth tend to erupt. Once those teeth are out, it’s time to get them looked at by a professional.

2. One of the most important things we will do at this visit will be to clean those young teeth and apply fluoride.

3. Visiting the dentist at a young age is a great way to help your child get used to the dentist’s office. This will help them to be more comfortable with the dentist as they grow older.

4. Visiting the dentist also helps parents enlist the help of other adults is establishing good dental habits in their children.

At Durham Dental Group we  want the best possible dental health for all of our patients. Services include general and cosmetic dentistry, and pediatric dentistry. Call to schedule an appointment today!

Contact Durham Dental Group:

919-322-3585

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

202 W NC Highway 54 Ste 201
Durham, North Carolina
27713

 

10 Terrific Tooth Tips From Durham Dental Group

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Categories: Dental checkup, Dental health, General Dentistry

cost of dental crowns Durham

In addition to cleanings and checkups, Durham Dental Group likes to share useful information to help you stay on top of your dental health. So without further introduction, here are ten terrific tooth tips!

  1. If you have kids and your municipal water supply does not have the recommended level of fluoride, talk to your pediatrician about fluoride supplements. Fluoride strengthens both the teeth you can see and the ones still forming in the jaw.
  2. Set a timer when you brush to make sure you spend at least two minutes thoroughly (but gently!) cleaning all surfaces. Don’t forget your tongue – it provides a cozy home for bacteria to flourish.
  3. Floss before you brush so that tooth bristles can better reach between teeth.
  4. If you can’t brush after a meal, chew some sugarless gum with xylitol. Xylitol may curb the growth of bacteria on your teeth to reduce plaque formation.
  5. Eat carbohydrates with meals instead of alone as snacks. More saliva is generated while eating a meal and this can lessen the effects of carbs sitting on your teeth.
  6. An oral fluoride rinse used right before bedtime adds an extra measure of decay deterrence. Fluoride rinses (not traditional mouthwash) work best when swished over teeth for at least thirty seconds after flossing and brushing. After spitting it out, don’t rinse with water.
  7. Let the residue protect and strengthen your enamel all night long. This is especially important for kids – just make sure they don’t swallow it.
  8. If you have diabetes, it is important to understand that unhealthy blood sugar levels can increase your risk of tooth decay and gum disease. We can help you maintain oral health in spite of your condition.
  9. Beware of the dental risks of chronic dry mouth (xerostomia). Continual saliva production is essential for keeping the mouth lubricated, washing the food from tooth surfaces, and neutralizing the acid caused by plaque. Decongestants, blood pressure medications, antidepressants, and painkillers are some of the medications that can cause dry mouth.
  10. Wearing a mouthguard when you participate in sports can prevent tooth injury.

At Durham Dental Group, we want all our patients to take good care of their teeth. Brush and floss daily, and see us for a checkup every six months. Services include general and cosmetic dentistry. We offer evening and Saturday hours for your convenience. Schedule your next exam today!

Contact Durham Dental Group:

919-322-3585

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

202 W NC Highway 54 Ste 201
Durham, North Carolina
27713

 

ArticleID 6515

Do I Need A Dental Cleaning If I Brush And Floss At Home?

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Categories: Checkups and cleanings, Dental health, Oral Health

dental cleanings Durham

This blog post from Durham Dental Group focuses on professional dental cleanings. You might wonder if you need a professional dental cleaning if you already brush and floss at home every day.

The answer is that both processes are important because they work together to maintain oral health.

We encourage patients to practice preventative dentistry by:

  • Brushing
  • Flossing
  • Healthy diet – fruits, vegetables, legumes, and nuts
  • Regular dental cleanings
  • Regular checkups

Dental cleanings increase the effectiveness of your daily oral care by removing the plaque and tarter that can accumulate regardless of daily brushing and flossing. In fact, when plaque hardens, it can only be removed with the special tools used by a hygienist.

A hygienist will use a vibrating ultrasonic tool to dislodge the largest pieces of tartar. It may tickle a bit. The hygienist will then use tools with finer attachments to remove the smaller pieces of calculus. When all plaque and tartar is gone, polishing is the final step in the cleaning process.

At Durham Dental Group, our services include general and cosmetic dentistry. Schedule your next cleaning and checkup with us today!

Contact Durham Dental Group:

919-322-3585

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

202 W NC Highway 54 Ste 201
Durham, North Carolina
27713

 

ArticleID 7074

If My Gums Bleed, Should I Stop Flossing?

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Categories: Checkups and cleanings, Dental checkup, Dental health

bleeding gums Durham

If your gums bleed when you floss your teeth, should you drop flossing from your dental health routine? We’re asked about this from time to time at Durham Dental Group.

Our answer is short and sweet: “No!”

Bleeding is probably a sign that you need to clean your teeth and gums more thoroughly—not leave them alone. It is all but impossible to clean effectively between teeth without using floss or an interdental brush.

If you have never made flossing a habit before, your gums might bleed the first few times you use do it. The bleeding may be due to gum inflammation, the beginnings of gum disease. Keep flossing gently and the bleeding usually stops within a week or two.

Gum disease is extremely common, and is a leading cause of tooth loss among adults. Healthy teeth and gums are essential for good dental health.

At Durham Dental Group we want all our patients to brush and floss twice a day, and see us for regular checkups. We offer general and cosmetic dentistry. Call to schedule a checkup with us today!

Contact Durham Dental Group:

919-322-3585

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

202 W NC Highway 54 Ste 201
Durham, North Carolina
27713

 

ArticleID 6969

How Tooth Brushing Prevents Gum Disease

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Categories: Dental health, General Dentistry, Oral Health

Durham Teeth Bleaching

Why should everyone brush their teeth at least twice a day? At Durham Dental Group, we’re using this space to discuss why it is so important.

The first, and most obvious benefit, is that brushing and flossing prevents tooth decay. It removes the food debris from teeth and clears away plaque, that filmy residue that forms on their surface.

When food stays on  teeth, the starches in the food mixes with theplaque and forms an acid that begins eating into the enamel. That is how cavities are formed.

Gum Disease

Second, and perhaps less obvious, is that brushing and flossing keeps gums and bone healthy. The same plaque that causes decay can infect the gums. Eventually the gum tissue becomes infected and leads to gingivitis, the early stage of gum disease.

Left untreated, it progresses into the more serious periodontitis.

The sequence generally goes like this:

  • Plaque build-up irritates gums.
  • Irritated gums pull back from the tooth.
  • Bacteria multiply in the spaces between the gum and tooth.
  • The bone holding the tooth is eaten by the bacteria.

Gum disease is a leading cause of tooth loss. The good news is that gum disease is treatable, especially in its earliest stages.

At Durham Dental Group, we offer a full range of general and cosmetic dentistry, and have extended evening and Saturday hours for your busy schedule. Call us to make an appointment today!

Contact Durham Dental Group:

919-322-3585

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

202 W NC Highway 54 Ste 201
Durham, North Carolina
27713

 

ArticleID 2251

Bad Breath Treatment At Durham Dental Group

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Categories: Dental health, General Dentistry, Oral Health

Bad Breath Treatment at Durham Dental GroupDo you suspect that you have bad breath? At Durham Dental Group we help our dental patients  overcome this unpleasant, annoying, often embarrassing condition.

Bad breath is caused by the bacteria that live on and around your teeth, gums, and tongue. Breath mints and mouthwashes do not cure bad breath, they only mask the symptoms.

Proper oral hygiene can cure many cases of bad breath. However, in some cases, bad breath is caused by more serious health matters. Sinus and tonsil infections, acid reflux, ulcers, diabetes, hypoglycemia, kidney malfunction, and eating disorders are just some of the issues that can cause bad breath.

If you have bad breath, the first thing to do is make sure you are cleaning your teeth, gums, and tongue thoroughly. And don’t forget regular professional cleanings. Our friendly dental hygienists are trained in the latest and most effective deep-cleaning procedures. Your teeth feel so good after being cleaned professionally!

At Durham Dental Group, we offer general and cosmetic dentistry, as well as children’s dentistry. Schedule an appointment with us today!

Contact Durham Dental Group:

919-322-3585

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

202 W NC Highway 54 Ste 201
Durham, North Carolina
27713

 

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