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Our Favorite Tips for Dental Hygiene Month

As you probably know, October is Dental Hygiene Month! The purpose of this month is to raise awareness about the Mouthwash on Counterimportance of good oral hygiene. In honor of this month, here are our favorite hygiene tips to keep your mouth healthy and your smile bright:

1) Are You Brushing Properly?

You should be brushing your mouth, not just your teeth, but you know that, right? Hopefully! When you brush, you should be hitting your gums, tongue, and the roof of your mouth. All of these areas are prone to the buildup of bacteria and infection, and brushing them helps cut down on this risk.

Make sure your brush is at a 45-degree angle when brushing near the gum line. You should brush in a small circular motion. Be gentle and use a soft-bristled toothbrush: being too aggressive can cause issues for your gums!

2) Remember the Number “2”

What does “2” have to do with your dental health? Simple! Remember to brush your mouth twice a day for two minutes each time. Two minutes may be longer than you think, so set a timer on your phone to make sure you are hitting your target. When teaching your children good dental habits, invest in an hourglass or timer so that they have a visual illustration of how long two minutes actually is. Studies have shown that how long you brush is the most important part and that two minutes is the optimal amount of time!

3) Floss Floss FlossFather and Son Flossing Their Teeth

Flossing is one of the main aspects of oral health care that often gets skipped over. This is unfortunate because flossing is important, if not crucial, for your teeth and gums. Dental floss can get the areas in between your teeth that brushing simply cannot do alone. Although it may be uncomfortable at first and your gums may feel tender, getting into the habit of flossing daily will pay off in the long run.

4) You Are What You Eat

There’s more to oral health than just brushing and flossing. In fact, your diet can greatly impact the appearance and health of your teeth. Drinks like wine and coffee can stain your teeth. Excessive sugary foods like candy and soda can be the beginning of cavity development. We know that some sugar is unavoidable, so rinse your mouth out with water if possible after ingesting sugary foods.

5) Invest in Fluoride Treatment

Many people know that fluoride is part of the dental cleaning process and that it is infused into our water supply, but aren’t entirely clear on what fluoride actually does. Fluoride helps to strengthen the surfaces of your teeth. It also helps prevent cavities from developing months after the treatment has been administered.

6) Come See Us!

What’s the best form of dentistry? Preventative, of course! Good oral practices and care can prevent lots of pain, time, and money in the future. The better your dental habits are now, the better off you will be in the future. One way of keeping your mouth happy and healthy is by coming to the dentist regularly. When you come to see us, we will give you a thorough tooth cleaning and look for any signs of dental issues. By catching things early, we are able to treat you quickly and efficiently.

Dental Hygiene Month is a fun reminder to take care of your teeth and gums, but you should be practicing good oral habits every month! If you have any questions about your oral care or if you are due for a check-up, come see us. We, here at 5Points Advanced Dentistry, want to keep your dental health on track.

Teeth Whitening Options at Our Office

As the saying goes; “You only have one chance at a first impression.” And what’s the first thing you notice during a  first impression? Their smile! Here at 5Points Advanced Dentistry, we see white teeth and a bright smile as a golden opportunity to make an outstanding first impression.

White teeth communicate health, beauty, and success. Teeth whitening is one of the most popular services in the cosmetic industry. It is a quick and somewhat easy way to greatly improve your overall appearance.

Many people yearn for a sparkling smile but are held back by stained or yellowed teeth. Several factors can cause teeth discoloration. If you suffer from tooth discoloration, you are not alone. Dr. Imm and his staff here at our office can help to restore your healthy smile!

What Does it Involve?Teeth Whitening Before and After

The color of your teeth is a result of a combination of the color of the dentin under the enamel and the reflection of light off the enamel.  Every day the outer coating of the enamel picks up stains. Aging can also make your teeth less bright because the dentin gets darker while the enamel becomes thinner. This discoloration can be mitigated through advanced whitening technology.

The Most Effective Ways To Whiten Your Teeth

If drugstore whitening products aren’t working for your teeth, it may be time to seek help from a professional. There are several reasons why you may benefit from whitening your teeth at our office. At 5Points Advanced Dentistry, you will receive specialized care from Dr. TJ Imm and his team. You will have the opportunity to choose the option that best fits your budget, schedule, and preference. Through Zoom!® advanced teeth whitening technology, we can gently lighten up your teeth.

The best thing about our Zoom! whitening system is that it is suitable for everyone; the treatment can be customized to for your specific needs. After making all the necessary arrangements, the doctors will apply a whitening gel to the affected teeth to activate the process.

After the procedure, you will be given Zoom! gel to carry home for touch-ups. You will be provided with post-whitening instructions. Our in-office procedures are suitable for anyone looking for a safe way to get a whiter smile instantly. So, if you have a special event coming up such as a graduation or a wedding, our in-office whitening treatment will get your smile ready to go.

Most patients experience impressive results with this whitening treatment. Teeth whitening treatments are effective in removing brown, orange or yellow tinges caused by beverages, smoking or aging. Dark grey stains as a result of smoking, fluorosis or tetracycline may take time to whiten. Besides this, patients with periodontal disease, sensitive teeth or worn enamel may not do well in whitening treatment. The best solution for these cases may involve dental crowns and bridges.

How to Prepare For Treatment

When you schedule an appointment, Dr. Imm will examine your teeth to help evaluate the best course of action. In the examination, he will photograph your mouth. Other dental problems can affect the whitening treatment. In most cases, some conditions such as cavities must be treated first before whitening.

Before the whitening process, our team will clean your teeth. This will remove the food residues, bacteria, and other substances that may contribute to the yellowing.

Benefits of In-Office WhiteningLady Smiling While Sitting on Couch

Instant Gratification: You will leave our office with a healthy smile. You will have whiter teeth within two hours. In most cases, a whitening session lasts less than an hour.

Safe and Painless: 5Points Advanced Dentistry utilizes the latest technology in teeth whitening. This results in a low risk of developing long-term sensitivity issues. This is safer than over the counter whitening treatments.

Improve Your Image: Most may argue that our eyes are the window to our soul. While this is true, teeth are also the window to our health and lifestyle. Dull teeth can signal ill health or nutritional deficiency.

Improve Your Self-Esteem: If you are less confident about yourself especially because of stained teeth; it is possible that you avoid social gatherings. Whitening can improve your self-esteem and can help you regain your social life. While some events such as a graduation, a wedding, the photos you take at these events are permanent. With our in-office whitening, you can shine through the years courtesy of a beautiful smile.

Improve Interview Performance: A bright smile projects confidence, capability, and energy. These are the traits that most employers are looking for.

If you are ready to improve your appearance with a healthy smile, please call us at 5Points Advanced Dentistry today! Our team will have your smile looking “first impression ready” in no time at all!

 

How Can Dental Implants Improve My Smile?

5 Points Advanced Dentistry has a variety of solutions for people who suffer from missing teeth, gaps, alignment problems, discoloration or overall dissatisfaction with their smile. If you are impacted by any of these issues, you may want to consider dental implants. Dental implants are a sturdy, permanent solution to restore your smile to its healthy and natural state.

More About Implants

Implants are replacement teeth that have two parts to them. They have a titanium post that the specialist places underneath the gum line and into the jawbone. The post acts as the root of the entire tooth. It’s the foundation that the tooth is set upon after the post integrates into the jawbone. A replacement tooth or a bridge goes over the top of the root and forms the entire implant. The process of placing implants in the mouth requires surgery no matter which type of implant you get when you visit. It also takes a while before it’s officially complete.

Reasons to Choose ImplantsDental Implant Rendering

There are many reasons to choose implants over other methods of correction. One main benefit is its durability. Because it is integrated into the bone, the implant stands firm in its placement, even while eating. It fuses with your jawbone and creates a solid foundation that cannot easily be interrupted. The permanence makes them a lifelong option that requires minimal maintenance.

Implants are a much better solution to missing teeth than dentures, which require adhesives and are often inconvenient and unsightly.

The Benefits of Implants

The benefits of choosing dental implants are many. One of these is simply the natural look of dental implants. They can restore your perfect smile and bring your self-confidence back.

Another benefit of the implants is that they are long-lasting. They can last for 25 years or longer if cared for properly. Other solutions may only last five to 10 years before they start to deteriorate. Dental implants can also improve your speech. Unlike dentures, that can move around in the mouth if not fitted properly, dental implants are permanent and can help you speak clearly. Dental implants make eating easier than other smile repair options. Because they fuse to your bone, chewing with a dental implant is easy and comfortable.

When a tooth is missing, the jaw bone beneath it can start to deteriorate. Implants prevent this; helping you protect your jaw and prevent future dental issues.

How Implants Can Improve Your Smile

Dental implants can be a saving grace when it comes to improving your smile. They fill gaps and give you a full, healthy set of teeth again. The implants are so life-like that other people will not detect them. Facial structures can often appear sunken when an individual is missing teeth. Dental implants can fill out your smile and give you a full and youthful appearance.

The Process of Getting Implants

To begin the dental implant process, you must first make sure that you are a good fit for the procedures. For implants to be effective, there must be a workable amount of bone and gum tissue. Having deteriorated bone or damaged gums from the disease will not allow for successful implant placement. Thus, Dr. Imm will determine if you qualify for the implant procedure. If you do, then you can start working with Dr. Imm to create your recovery plan.

The implant will most likely take multiple visits to conduct. The specialist will implant the post into the jawbone or gum during the first visit. You may be able to request a flipper or partial denture for the area while your jawbone is recovering from the initial procedure.

The second visit will involve putting the tooth onto the posts. This is a surgical procedure, so there will be a waiting period between procedures. The entire process may take up to seven months, but it will be worth it when you see the results.

Visit for an Assessment

Contact 5 Points Advanced Dentistry if you’re interested in learning more about dental implants. We can help determine if implants are the right course of action for you and create a treatment plan. Call us today and let us help you get back your perfect smile.

What Is Sleep Apnea?

Do you snore loudly? Do you feel tired when you wake up, even though you went to bed early? Do you occasionally wake up at night with a gasp? You may have a common sleep disorder that affects about 18 million adults in the United States. Sleep apnea can interfere with the quality of your sleep, disrupt your relationship with a partner, interrupt work, and increase your risk for heart attacks, early death, and car accidents.

what is sleep apnea

Here’s what you should know about this common sleep disorder, including how you can start your sleep apnea treatment.

What Is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a very common sleep disorder that causes breathing to become interrupted briefly but frequently during sleep. Each apnea episode lasts at least 10 seconds when breathing stops completely.

There are three types of the disorder: obstructive, central, and mixed. It is conservatively estimated that Obstructive Sleep Apnea, (OSA), affects about 4% of men and 2% of women, although it’s estimated that just 1 in 10 people who are diagnosed with OSA seek medical care. This form of sleep disorder is caused by blockage of the airways during sleep when your throat relaxes and allows your tongue or tissue of your throat to fall back and reduce airflow.

The central form of this sleep disorder, or CSA, happens when the brain does not signal to the muscles responsible for breathing during sleep. This form is less common than OSA. A third form of the disorder is called mixed or complex because it combines central and obstructive symptoms.

Signs You Have a Sleep Disorder

There are many signs you may have a sleep disorder, some more obvious than others. You may have OSA or CSA, or a mixture of the two if you experience the following:

  • You snore very loudly. Not everyone who snores has a sleep disorder, but it is a classic sign of the condition. Snoring punctuated by moments of silence is an especially clear sign of sleep apnea.
  • Beware! Not everyone who has sleep apnea snores! Stoppage of breath is oftentimes completely silent!
  • You wake up with a dry or sore throat.
  • You sometimes wake up gasping or choking.
  • A partner witnesses episodes in which you stop breathing during sleep. This usually lasts about 10 seconds and you may startle when breathing resumes.
  • You have headaches in the morning.
  • You feel very sleepy while driving.
  • You have chronic fatigue or low energy.
  • You wake up frequently at night, even just to use the bathroom, or have insomnia.
  • You wake up feeling tired.
  • You notice mood changes, forgetfulness, or reduced libido.

What Causes Sleep Disorders?

All three forms of this sleep disorder can be caused by many factors. In adults, excess weight is the most common cause of OSA, but it may be caused at least in part by anatomical features like a thick neck, small jaws, or narrow throat. In children, it can be caused by enlarged tonsils and dental conditions like an overbite. CSA is also associated with being overweight, but it may be caused by certain medications, heart failure, and conditions that affect the brain stem as well.

what is sleep apnea

Men are up to twice as likely to develop a sleep disorder than women, and as you age it can increase your risk of developing OSA or CSA. Other risk factors associated with serious sleep disorders include:

  • Smoking
  • Heart disorders
  • Stroke
  • Opioid medications
  • Frequent alcohol consumption
  • Family history

How Is it Diagnosed?

Sleep disorders are usually diagnosed with a sleep study or polysomnogram. This will require spending the night at a sleep center. Your dentist or primary care physician may refer you to a sleep clinic if you suspect a sleep disorder.

During the sleep study, your eye movement, sleep state, respiration, airflow, heart rate, muscle activity, and blood oxygen levels will be monitored and used to diagnose you. This will be done through surface electrodes on your scalp and face that monitor electrical signals generated by your brain and muscles. You will also have a belt around your chest to measure breathing and an oximeter probe on your finger to monitor blood oxygen levels.

Treatment Options

A sleep disorder can cause more harm than snoring and poor sleep quality; it can also increase your risk of heart disease, accidents, and death. Once diagnosed, it’s important to have the disorder treated effectively to help you get a full night of quality sleep.

There are several options to treat sleep apnea. For very mild cases, lifestyle changes can be effective. This includes losing weight, quitting smoking, and avoiding alcohol. Sleeping on your side can also help keep your airway open.

For OSA, positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy is the most common. This usually involves a BiPAP or CPAP machine with a mask you wear at night. A CPAP machine blows air gently and continuously into your airway to keep it open while you are asleep. A BiPAP machine is similar but it changes airflow when you breathe in and out.

Oral appliances like a tongue-retaining mouthpiece or a mandibular advancement device (MAD) can also treat obstructive sleep apnea. These dental appliances work by repositioning the lower jaw and tongue to clear the airway during sleep. These dental devices are designed by dentists who specialize in treating sleep disorders.

In extreme cases, surgery may be necessary. There are a few types of surgery that may be warranted such as nasal surgery to correct a deviated septum, removal of soft tissue at the back of the throat that obstructs the airway, and surgery on the jaw to correct issues that contribute to sleep apnea.

Are you concerned that you may have OSA? At 5 Points Advanced Dentistry, we can help. While a dentist cannot diagnose a sleep disorder, your dentist can help treat your condition and refer you to a medical professional that can diagnose you. We screen patients at our Upper Arlington office for sleep disorders, and if this screening indicates you may have sleep apnea, we can refer you to a sleep doctor for a formal sleep evaluation and testing. From there, we can help treat your condition with a special dental appliance that keeps your airway open while you sleep.

Don’t ignore the signs of sleep apnea; it can negatively affect your life in a variety of ways. If you suspect you have a sleep disorder, contact our office today for a screening and referral.

Why Choose Invisalign?

Who doesn’t dream of having the perfect smile? However, a lot of us don’t want to go through the trouble of getting braces to achieve our dream smile. Fortunately, Invisalign clear aligners give you the option to get straight teeth without the hassle of braces!

Braces are still used to straighten teeth, but they are not the only option for patients. Braces use brackets with wires connecting them. These wires are made to move the teeth slowly in one direction as they guide the teeth to a more even position. The brackets come in clear plastic or metal materials and have bands that come in a variety of colors. But, unfortunately, braces are limiting to what a patient can eat, and they can be uncomfortable and not very aesthetically-pleasing.

Invisalign offers a great solution to these problems. They work in a similar fashion as traditional braces, but they are removable and transparent, making it a virtually invisible treatment option for people who want to keep their dental treatment on the down-low. Invisalign aligners are custom-made retainers that change the position of the teeth over time. They serve the purpose of braces, but they are clear and don’t have the same restrictions as braces do with their brackets and wires.

why choose invisalign 5 points advanced dentistry

Why would I choose Invisalign?

Apart from their convenience and invisibility, there are still even more reasons as to why they may be the perfect option for you. Below are many benefits to Invisalign that demonstrate why so many people love this treatment option.

Confidence

Many of us hate the look of traditional braces and feel uncomfortable getting them, especially as an adult. Invisalign offers a great way to feel confident showing off your smile while striving to perfect your teeth and bite.

As effective as traditional braces

Invisalign aligners offer fantastic results, as good as traditional braces. Overbites, underbites, gaps, and overcrowding can all be fixed with Invisalign. During this treatment, you will be fitted with several different invisible retainers that make tiny adjustments to the position of your tooth over time. These aligners are made from a plastic material, and they fit perfectly over the teeth.

Eating habits

There are some things that you cannot eat when you have braces. You have to avoid eating certain sweets, popcorn, raw carrots, apples, bagels, etc. With Invisalign aligners, you will bypass these restrictions because you can remove them when you are eating and indulge in anything you want!

Cost-effective

Invisalign is also a cost-effective way to straighten your teeth. You can get them directly through your dental office, so you already know if your dentist takes your insurance and can work with them to find out how much coverage you have or a payment plan that works for you. Some dentists and orthodontists even offer monthly payments to make the treatment affordable and convenient.

Convenient Treatment

The Invisalign treatment takes 12 months on average depending on the condition of the teeth that need to be moved. Your follow-up visits to your dentist along the way are usually very short, about every 6 weeks or so. This allows your dentist to make recommendations and check your progress to ensure your teeth are moving together correctly.

Aesthetics

This is probably one of the main factors as to why Invisalign is the preferred treatment by most people over traditional braces. Not only do they give you the great results you are looking for, but they are also almost invisible! People will barely notice you’re wearing them, and you are able to remove them at any time to fit your lifestyle.

Fix your bite

This aligner doesn’t only help you feel confident smiling, but it also works to improve your health. When your bite is corrected, you can relieve jaw and joint pain, headache pain, and improve how you chew to better your overall health.

Reduced pain during treatmentwhy choose invisalign 5 points advanced dentistry

If you grind your teeth, it can make your muscles sore and cause other dental problems. The treatment for this is usually a custom mouthguard. However, wearing Invisalign aligners will also help protect you from grinding your teeth because of the protective layer between the teeth.

Improve your dental hygiene

When you have traditional braces, there are a lot of hard-to-reach places to brush and floss to keep your teeth clean. On the other hand, with Invisalign, you can remove your aligners and you can brush and floss your teeth easily without barriers. Not to mention, that when you have crooked or cluttered teeth, it is more difficult to clean them and bacteria can grow with ease. Once the aligners straighten your teeth, it will be easier to clean them and ensure you don’t have plaque or tartar build-up.

No discoloration

It is possible to get teeth discoloration when you have other dental treatments like braces. This can occur when the patient is eating sugary foods or drinks that leave stains, such as coffee, tea, wine, etc., and not taking time to clean all the nooks and crannies of his or her braces. Although you can still get teeth discoloration without braces, your chances are lower with Invisalign, as you can take out your clear aligners at any time and easily brush or floss each area of your teeth.

How to use Invisalign

To be successful with this treatment, you need to wear them at least 20 to 22 hours a day. This means that you need to wear them all day and night with the exception of removing them when you are eating or brushing your teeth. This ensures that your teeth are moving in the right direction and not reverting back to their original state. After your Invisalign treatment has been completed, you risk the teeth returning to their original form. To counter this, your dentist can offer you a retainer to wear at night to ensure that you maintain your beautiful new smile.

There is a lot that Invisalign offers our patients and reasons why we think it’s a great treatment option! For more information on how you can get started with Invisalign today, contact 5 Points Advanced Dentistry at 614-451-5435. You can also visit the office at 3380 Tremont Rd, Upper Arlington, Ohio 43221 or go to our website to find out more about our services!

 

 

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3380 Tremont Rd
Upper Arlington, OH 43221

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