Generations Dental Care Blog

Relieve Painful Symptoms with TMJ Therapy in Concord, NH

March 10, 2015

167121308We know what you’re thinking… thank goodness for my temporomandibular joints. Where would I be without them? No, you’re not thinking that? Well then, perhaps now you’re wonder what are and where are my temporomandibular joints. These joints are positioned on either side of your face just in front of your ears. They allow you to open your mouth so you can speak, eat, yawn and laugh. Unfortunately but like other bodily joints, your temporomandibular joints, or TMJs, can malfunction. Fortunately, however, there is TMJ therapy from Generations Dental Care in Concord, NH, to help relieve what can often be painful symptoms.

When your TMJs malfunction, the condition is called TMJ disorder or dysfunction. Although symptoms can vary from patient to patient, the most common is pain in the jaw joint. Other symptoms include:

  • A clicking or popping sound when you open or close your mouth
  • The feeling of an earache in the absence of infection
  • Sensitive teeth
  • Swelling on the side of your face
  • Headaches or pain around the ears, neck and shoulders
  • Changes in you bite or the alignment of your teeth
  • Stiffness or a locked feeling in your jaw

TMJ Therapy from Generations Dental Care

The most frequent cause of TMJ disorder is stress, which leads to teeth clenching and grinding, especially at night. If you are diagnosed with TMJ disorder, then Generations Dental Care can prescribe a custom-designed nightguard to reduce teeth clenching and grinding. This helps to alleviate muscle tension and pain. Most TMJ therapy patients have relief from their symptoms almost immediately, with the best results occurring after a few weeks of continued use.

Call Our Office Today

If you are experiencing any of the painful symptoms of TMJ disorder listed above, then schedule an appointment at Generations Dental Care. Our TMJ therapy in Concord, NH, will provide relief. We also serve patients from Penacook, Bow, Canterbury, Chichester, Pembroke, Manchester, Hooksett, Boscawen, Epsom, Hopkinton and Loudon.

Enjoy a New Smile with Porcelain Veneers in Concord, NH

February 10, 2015

100047604You know the feeling you have when you put on a new outfit? It’s a feeling of confidence, happiness and satisfaction. Now, imagine the intensity of that feeling when you’re wearing a new smile. With porcelain veneers from Generations Dental Care in Concord, NH, you can repair the smile you have with the designer smile want.

Porcelain veneers are modern dental wonders that essentially cover up the minor flaws in your smile. If you have teeth that are permanently stained, chipped, slightly cracked, somewhat misaligned, misshaped or irregularly spaced because of gaps, then porcelain veneers may be the solution you need in order to have a beautiful smile. And in most cases, you can have your new smile is just two appointments at Generations Dental Care.

Porcelain Veneers for You

The first step toward having a new smile is a consultation with one of the dentists at Generations Dental Care to discuss your smile goals and evaluate your oral health in order to address any concerns before your veneers are placed. Once you and the dentist determine that porcelain veneers are the best option for you, a customized plan is devised, including the shape, size, and color of your veneers.

At your first appointment, we’ll prep your teeth, which requires removing a very thin layer of your front teeth’s enamel, so the veneers will adhere better and lay flush with your other teeth. While your custom-designed, permanent veneers are fabricated in a cosmetic dental lab, you’ll wear temporaries. Once your own porcelain veneers are ready, you’ll return to Generations Dental Care for the dentist to bond the veneers to your teeth. With precision and care, we’ll trim and polish your veneers so they look completely natural and beautiful. Congratulations—that new smile looks great on you!

Schedule an Appointment Today

If you want to learn more about porcelain veneers, then call Generations Dental Care and schedule an appointment for a consultation. We serve patients in Concord, NH, as well as the surrounding communities of Penacook, Bow, Canterbury, Chichester, Pembroke, Manchester, Hooksett, Boscawen, Epsom, Hopkinton and Loudon.

Let Preventive Dentistry from Generations Dental Care Help You and Your Family Avoid Oral Health Problems

January 25, 2015

170082992Ever wonder why your dentist wants to see you every six months? Yes, yes—of course he or she likes seeing you. The actual reason, however, is because with regular checkups you and your dentist can work together to help you avoid oral health problems. In fact, the primary goal of dentistry is to prevent problems before they become painful or expensive. With this in mind, the dentists at Generations Dental Care in Concord, NH, place an emphasis on preventive dentistry for their patients, young and old.

Preventive Dentistry at Home

There are several components to preventive dentistry, but believe it or not the process begins with you. When you brush and floss your teeth twice a day, every day, you are taking an important step in preventing oral health problems. When you brush, you remove plaque, which can become dental tartar—the sticky substance with acid-producing bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum disease. Flossing, of course, is critical to removing food particles and plaque from between teeth.

Preventive Dentistry in the Office

At your regularly scheduled checkups with Generations Dental Care, our dentists and their staff supplement your at-home regimen. We will clean your teeth, remove plaque, take x-rays when necessary to expose hidden areas of decay, and examine all of the soft tissue in your mouth to spot any abnormalities that may be a warning sign of oral cancer. Furthermore, we may recommend fluoride treatments to strengthen your teeth’s enamel, or dental sealants, which create a barrier between your deeply grooved molars and decay-causing bacteria.

Schedule an Appointment Today

If it’s time for you or a family member to see the dentist for a checkup, then call the office of Generations Dental Care in Concord, NH, today. With preventive dentistry, you can avoid a host of dental problems. We also conveniently serve patients in Pembroke, Hooksett, Canterbury, Loudon, Bow, and Manchester and the surrounding communities.

Relax…. Generations Dental Care has Sedation Dentistry

January 10, 2015

76132811“… the only thing we have to fear is fear itself,” said President Franklin D. Roosevelt in his first inaugural address in 1932. One has to wonder if there were any dental-phobes listening to those famous words and thinking to themselves, “and dentists.” Although there might not have been much that could be done back then to quell those fears, today there is. If you have been avoiding the dentist out of fear, then now is the time to relax and come to Generations Dental Care in Concord, NH, for sedation dentistry.

According to the Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation, some 30 percent of the population avoid seeing the dentist because of fear. Not only does this fear prevent people from receiving the dental care they need, it may also be indirectly having a negative effect on their overall health, because many systemic conditions have been linked to oral health. Thus, the need to defeat that fear becomes all the more important.

Sedation Dentistry to the Rescue

At Generations Dental Care, our dentists and their staff are trained to use oral conscious sedation to help relieve a patient’s fear and anxiety. Your dentist will prescribe a commonly used sedative or anti-anxiety medication for you to take about one hour before your appointment. A word of caution: with oral conscious sedation, you will need a family member or friend to drive you to and from your appointment. Once in the office, you’ll be able to sit back and relax while we take care of your dental needs. In fact, you may not even remember the appointment.

With sedation dentistry you can overcome your fear of the dentist and receive the dental care you need.

Schedule an Appointment Today

Don’t let your fear of the dentist prevent you from receiving proper dental health care. Call Generations Dental Care in Concord, NH, and ask about sedation dentistry. We also conveniently serve patients in Pembroke, Hooksett, Canterbury, Loudon, Bow, and Manchester and the surrounding communities.

Root Canal Therapy: Save a Tooth and Save a Smile

November 24, 2014

480377293When you have a cavity, you know the drill. No pun intended. But what happens if the bacteria that causes decay on the outer surface of your tooth penetrates deeper? Well, that you could begin to feel if the soft tissue inside the tooth is affected. Then, repairing the tooth may require more than a filling. The dentists at Generations Dental Care in Concord, NH, can restore teeth to their proper function and appearance with root canal therapy.

Although decay is the most common reason why a tooth would need a root canal, it’s not the only one. If a tooth suffers a deep crack due to injury, has had repeated dental procedures or a large filling, then a root canal may be necessary. And although many people think that root canal therapy is painful (with modern anesthetics, the procedure is usually painless), it’s actually not having a root canal that is painful. The toothache that ensues when a tooth’s pulp, or soft tissue, becomes infected by decay causing bacteria can be extreme. Other signs that a root can may be necessary include:

  • Swollen gums around the tooth
  • Severe pain with chewing or any kind of pressure
  • Sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures on the tooth
  • Discoloration of the tooth

During a root canal, Dr. Tevyah Dines, the endodontist at Generations Dental Care, will remove the tooth’s infected pulp and nerve tissue along with any bacteria and debris. Once the root is meticulously cleaned, the doctor will fill the space with a biocompatible material and seal the root chamber. Then, the tooth is covered with a temporary crown to protect it. When your permanent crown is ready in a few weeks, you’ll return to the office for it to be cemented into place. With that, your tooth will be functional and your smile will be preserved.

Call Our Office Today

If you are experiencing a toothache, then don’t wait. Schedule an appointment at Generations Dental Care in Concord, NH, to determine if root canal therapy is required. We also serve patients in Pembroke, Hooksett, Canterbury, Loudon, Bow, and Manchester and the surrounding communities.

Children’s Dentistry is a Priority at Generations Dental Care

November 10, 2014

469174173Your children are your priority and your children’s teeth are our priority at Generations Dental Care in Concord, NH, where children’s dentistry is practiced with gentle care. Just like adults, children should see the dentist twice a year, too. At Generations Dental Care, we recommend that you begin bringing your child to the dentist around the age of three. At that age, they are likely capable of sitting in the dentist’s chair for the brief time we’ll need to conduct an exam. Of course, if there is something that concerns you, then please bring them earlier.

Children’s Dentistry: The Foundation of Good Oral Health

Actually, your child’s dental health begins at home with you. Did you know that you can help your child avoid cavities as they grow? First, if your child uses a pacifier, never “clean” that pacifier in your mouth. Likewise, don’t share eating utensils with your children. When you do, you may be transferring decay-causing bacteria from your mouth directly to theirs.

Around the age of four to six months of age, your baby’s teeth will begin to appear. When they do, cleaning is simple. Take a soft cloth or gauze dipped in warm water and gently wipe their teeth clean. Don’t neglect those baby teeth that allow your child to chew, talk and smile.

When you bring your child to Generations Dental Care, we will count their teeth at their first appointment, and at all of their ensuing visits, we’ll clean their teeth, check for proper development, and examine for signs of tooth decay. We may also recommend dental sealants—a thin plastic coating that is “painted” on molars to seal them against decay causing bacteria—or fluoride treatments to strengthen their teeth’s enamel, the first line of defense against decay.

Call Our Office Today

If the time has come for your child to visit the dentist, then schedule an appointment today with Generations Dental Care in Concord, NH. We also serve children (and adults) from Manchester, Bow, Loudon, and Canterbury, Hooksett, Pembroke and the surrounding areas.

Crowns and Bridges from Generations Dental Care

October 27, 2014

164144314When a tooth is missing, whether because of extraction for severe decay or traumatic injury, the space vacated must be filled in order to maintain proper alignment of the remaining teeth. If teeth become misaligned, this can lead to a bad bite, gum disease or temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMJ. To avoid all of this, there are crowns and bridges. At Generations Dental Care in Concord, NH, our dentists create functional and natural-looking crowns and bridges to complete your smile and keep your mouth healthy.

Crowns, also known as caps, are most commonly used to completely cover a damaged tooth. In the case of crowns and bridges, however, a crown is placed over the teeth that are on either side of the missing teeth. These crowned teeth anchor the bridge that spans the space where teeth are missing. Attached to the bridge is the replacement tooth, or pontic, that fills the space of the missing tooth.

How are Crowns and Bridges Made?

Your dentist at Generations Dental Care will first need to slightly reduce the size of the anchor teeth in order to prepare them for crowns. Then, an impression is taken to make an exact mold for the crown and bridge. While your custom-fitted crown and bridge is fabricated in the dental lab, you will have a temporary replacement to cover the prepared teeth and open space. Then, when the permanent crowns and bridge are ready, the temporary is removed and the permanent crown and bridge is cemented into place. To ensure the longevity of your crowns and bridge, proper daily brushing and flossing is imperative. Also, see your dentist at Generations Dental Care for regular check-ups at least twice per year.

Schedule an Appointment Today

If you have a missing tooth, then don’t wait for the consequences before deciding to take action. Call our office today for an appointment with one of our qualified dentists. Generations Dental Care serves patients in Concord, NH, as well as the surrounding areas of Canterbury, Hooksett, Pembroke, Loudon, Bow and Manchester.

Teeth Whitening for a Whiter Smile and a Brighter You!

October 14, 2014

158554263When you whiten your teeth, it’s not only your smile that becomes brighter. You brighten, too. You’ll have greater self-confidence and self-esteem. Many people who have recently undergone teeth whitening report feeling more out-going. Yes, all this with teeth whitening. If you’re ready to reap the benefits of a whiter smile and a brighter you, then the dentists at Generations Dental Care in Concord, NH, are ready to help.

Our teeth become stained and dulled for a slew of reasons. Some of the most common causes are the foods we eat and the beverages we drink. That delicious blueberry pie and hot coffee for dessert last night may be the culprit. Over the years, whatever we eat and drink adds up to discolored teeth.

Other causes include smoking and chewing tobacco, medications like certain antibiotics, poor oral hygiene, and genetics. In most cases, teeth whitening can reverse the effects to a degree that is pleasing if not just plain shocking.

Two Options to Whiten Your Teeth

At Generations Dental Care we offer two in-office teeth whitening systems and an at-home system. For our patients who prefer a more rapid teeth whitening process, there is the KoR Deep Bleaching or Zoom! Teeth Whitening. With either of these systems, we first cover your lips and gums with a protective shield. Then, either the KoR Deep Bleaching or Zoom! Teeth Whitening gel is applied to the teeth. The gel penetrates your teeth to remove stains. In about an hour, you’ll have teeth that are several shades whiter.

If you prefer to whiten your teeth in the comfort and privacy of your own home, then Generations Dental Care offers the KoR or Zoom! at-home teeth whitening products, too. We’ll give you custom-fitted whitening trays and professional grade gel. Simply fill the trays with gel and wear them for the amount of time specified by your dentist. You’ll see results immediately, with the most dramatic whitening appearing in about two weeks.

Schedule an Appointment Today

If you’re ready for whiter teeth and a brighter you, then call Generations Dental Care today. We conveniently serve patients in Concord, NH, as well as the surrounding areas of Manchester, Bow, Loudon, Pembroke, Hooksett, Canterbury and beyond.

How Can Dental Implants Restore and Revitalize Your Smile?

July 10, 2014

shutterstock_46186261There are many reasons that a person may be missing one or more of their permanent teeth; disease, an oral injury, and necessary extractions are common culprits. If your smile is incomplete for any reason, it is important to replace your missing teeth as soon as possible. At Generations Dental Care in Concord, NH, our team of experienced, highly-trained doctors offers an all-encompassing selection of restorative dental services to help you reclaim your smile, including dental implants.

Benefits of Dental Implants

A dental implant is comprised of two primary components: a tiny, biocompatible titanium post and a custom ceramic crown that looks like one of your natural teeth. The implanted post serves as an anchor for your new restoration, allowing you to enjoy a gorgeous smile that looks and feels as if you’d never lost a tooth at all.

Dental implants offer a huge variety of benefits, both aesthetic and functional. In addition to helping your smile look its best once again, dental implants effectively replace the roots of your lost teeth for unparalleled structural stability. When you lose a tooth, the jaw bone beneath the gum tissue begins to lose density. This can lead to the loosening or complete loss of additional teeth as well as visible changes to the shape of your face.

Dental implants help to stimulate the jaw bone, preventing it from deteriorating further. Your replacement tooth is durable, long-lasting, and fully functional. Your smile will look fantastic, and you’ll love the fact that you’re able to eat and speak with complete, natural comfort.  

Enjoy a Complete Smile Once Again

Whether you are missing a single tooth or you are in need of replacements for an entire arch, the doctors at Generations Dental Care are here and ready to help. Contact our office in Concord, NH today to schedule your consultation with our team. We can’t wait to show you how much more comfortable and confident you’ll feel with your newly rejuvenated and restored smile! Our state-of-the-art practice also serves patients from throughout the surrounding areas, including Loudon, Epsom, Pembroke, Manchester, Hooksett, Canterbury, Penacook, Hopkinton, Bow, and more.

Periodontal Disease Therapy: How it Affects Your Overall Health

May 18, 2014

shutterstock_119151670When you think of gum disease, what is the first thing that comes to mind? Perhaps you envision gums that bleed when brushed or flossed, or bad breath that doesn’t go away even with a thorough routine oral hygiene regimen. Though these are certainly some of the ill effects associated with periodontal disease, there are even more serious complications that may arise if the condition is left untreated. At Generations Dental Care in Concord, NH, our experienced team of dentists and staff help patients just like you understand the effects of gum disease, as well as how it is treated.

The Importance of Gum Disease Therapy

When the tissue that supports your teeth becomes infected, the first sign is typically something along the lines of the common suspects: bleeding gums, sensitivity, gum recession, and foul breath that isn’t improved with brushing the teeth. When left untreated, periodontal disease can lead to teeth that become loose and even fall out. Additional consequences that have been linked to gum disease include the following:

  • Complications during pregnancy, including low birth weight babies
  • Intensified diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis
  • Pancreatic cancer
  • Dementia in elderly patients
  • Respiratory illnesses
  • Heart disease
  • Pulmonary hypertension
  • Stroke

Fortunately, periodontal therapy at our Concord, NH dental practice can help to dramatically reduce your risks of suffering from these and other systemic illnesses. We can treat the existing infection within the gingival tissue and take steps toward preventing future damage.

Schedule Your Visit Today

Are you concerned that you or someone in your family may be suffering from periodontal disease? Contact our office today to schedule your appointment and discover what a difference our experience, expertise, and cutting-edge technology can make in your smile and in your overall health. Our team looks forward to providing you with the knowledge and treatment you need to prevent and overcome a variety of oral health concerns, including gum disease. We happily welcome families from throughout the Concord, NH area, as well as surrounding communities in Boscawen, Manchester, Pembroke, Epsom, Loudon, Hopkinton, Penacook, Bow, Concord, Canterbury, Hooksett, and more.

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