Hewlett Family Dental Blog

It’s easy to miss a dental appointment. Life gets busy and suddenly you have to push your appointment back once, then again, or forget about it. We get that. These days, we all have a lot going on. But what we don’t want is for a lengthy absence to make you anxious about returning. It doesn’t matter how long it’s been, we always love to see you! So let’s take a moment to explain what you can expect when you pay us a visit. If you are coming to see us for your cleaning and check-up, you can expect your appointment to last roughly 45-60 minutes, so keep that in mind when you schedule it and plan accordingly. When you arrive, we will go over your medical and dental history to make updates to your file as necessary. Followed by X-rays to give us a better idea of what is currently happening inside of your teeth. Next, you will undergo a cleaning with one of our hygienists. Your teeth will be cleaned, polished, and checked for such things as broken fillings, cracked teeth, or acti...

Whether you are preparing for a prom, wedding, or other special occasions, nothing is more memorable than when you wear a smile. A healthy smile starts with regular dental checkups to keep your teeth and gums in tip top condition and to catch any concerns early – even for your general health. After all, if your mouth hurts, you can’t eat and enjoy the variety of nutritious foods which help insure good health. However, to perk up your pearly whites, there are cosmetic procedures which can make your smile picture perfect. Teeth Whitening Teeth whitening is a simple process. Whitening products contain one of two tooth bleaches (hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide), break stains into smaller pieces, so the color is less concentrated and teeth brighter. Teeth whitening may not work on all teeth, which is why it is important to talk to your dentist first. For example, yellow teeth will probably bleach well, brown teeth may not respond as well and teeth with gray tones may n...

The American Dental Association recommends that all adults visit their dentist for a checkup every six months, but why? Is it really that important to make an appointment twice a year? The short answer ? Yes, it absolutely is. You see, regular dental appointments cover a lot more territory than just checking for cavities (although that’s certainly one important part of the visit.) In fact, your overall wellness can be affected by your oral health and, as with any other part of the body, the earlier potential problems are addressed, the better. Here are six reasons why you should be keeping those checkups: Reason #1: Keeping an Eye on Gum Health One of the most important things that happens at a routine checkup is an overview or your periodontal health (or gum health.) The early symptoms of periodontal disease can be subtle to the untrained eye and your dentist will know exactly what to look out for. Why is this important? Well, untreated gum disease can cause an awful lot of ...