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These Habits Harm Teeth, Say Dentists in Virginia Beach

November 15, 2016

Bruxism, smoking and other habits harm teeth, gums and jaw function. Dentists in Virginia Beach at Smile by Design give details and countermeasures.Your smile is one of your most important personal assets. Not only do your personal appearance and self-confidence depend on it, but your oral and systemic health do, too. Preventive dentistry aims to keep your teeth and gums strong for a lifetime and to spare you the expense and discomfort of extensive dental work. That’s why dentists in Virginia Beach, Drs. Santos and Folck, show patients what can harm their teeth so smiles last.

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Restore Damaged Smiles with CEREC Virginia Beach

November 16, 2015

a woman with a beautiful smile thanks to the CEREC virginia beach residents preferIf you’ve ever had a crown, inlay, onlay, or other dental restoration you’re likely aware that traditional dental restorations require at least two appointments. During the first visit, patients’ teeth are prepared, and impressions taken that are used by a lab to create a custom smile restoration. In the meantime, patients wear a temporary restoration. During a subsequent appointment several weeks later, patients receive their final dental restoration. At Smile by Design, we offer patients CEREC, the single-visit smile restoration alternative.
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Tooth Loss: Common Causes from Virginia Beach Dentist

September 24, 2015

Father and daughter smiling with missing teeth. Get tooth loss facts from your Virginia Beach Dentist.However it happens, losing teeth is always a traumatizing experience. Gaps in your smile negatively affect more than your confidence — they can also interfere with the way you speak, eat and chew. The key to avoiding tooth loss is knowing why it happens, and what you can do to stop it. Keep reading to learn about the top four causes of tooth loss from the Virginia Beach dentist you trust at Smile By Design.
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All About Dental Implants Virginia Beach Prefers

September 4, 2015

Smiling woman with beautiful dental restoration with the dental implants Virginia Beach trustsMissing teeth happen for a number of reasons. It could be genes — maybe your mother gave you her knack for tennis, but she could have also given you a few gaps in your mouth. Or perhaps your missing teeth were the result of a traumatic accident, like a car wreck. Whatever caused those gaps in your smile, one thing is for sure — you’ve got to get them fixed. Did you know that nothing comes closer to a natural tooth replacement than dental implants? Today, learn how your Virginia Beach dentist can help you complete your smile with dental implants.
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The Importance of Maintaining Good Dental Habits from Your Virginia Beach Dental Office

July 24, 2015

surprised beautiful young woman talking on the phone

About 100 years ago, almost no one brushed their teeth. When men in the US were drafted for WWI, poor oral hygiene was considered a risk to national security, and during WWII, more recruits received medical rejection from military services because they didn’t have enough teeth than for any other medical condition.  Maybe this seems like the distant past, but today, more people own smartphones than own toothbrushes and periodontal disease effects nearly 80% of US adults easily qualifying as an epidemic. Oral health has a long history of neglect. Despite the best efforts of dental professionals, most people don’t spend enough time caring for their smiles, but in the past 30 years, a significant shift has occurred in dentistry to help improve dental health. Previously, dentists focused on treatment and replacement. Today, we focus on prevention and restoration. At Smile by Design, we don’t treat your dental issues after they arise we prevent them, and if our preventive measures fail, we don’t extract and replace your teeth, we always try to restore them. It’s a whole new dental world, but without your commitment to oral health between visits, your teeth remain at risk. Call the Virginia Beach, VA dental practice of Drs. Stephanie L. Santos and Vinita John Folck to find out more about oral health or schedule an appointment today.

Essential Family Dentistry Virginia Beach Relies On

In order to maintain optimal oral health, the American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that, at minimum, people brush their teeth for 2 minutes 2 times a day, floss between teeth and below the gum line at least once per day, and receive a regular dental examination and cleaning every six months. That’s the foundation for a lifetime of oral health, but many patients are surprised to hear that their oral health is closely related to their overall physical wellbeing. Remember that 80% of US adults suffer from some form of periodontal (gum) disease? Gum disease has been linked to numerous systemic and chronic illnesses including:

Cardiovascular disease – Oral bacteria causes infection and inflammation in the mouth. This infection and inflammation can spread throughout your body in your bloodstream. Fatty plaque deposits or other blood cell irregularities make it difficult for your heart to pump blood into the rest of your body which can lead to blood clots, stroke, and atrial fibrillation.

Infection of heart, lungs and liver – Endocarditis, walking pneumonia, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease have all been linked to gum disease as a possible source or at the very least an indicator. While research hasn’t discovered a causal connection, the likelihood that patients with one of these illnesses will also suffer from gum disease is more than 50%.

Immunodeficiency – Patients with diabetes, HIV/AIDS and other diseases that affect the immune system are extremely susceptible to gum disease.

Low weight and pre-term birth – A study of periodontitis (severe gum disease) developed from “pregnancy gingivitis” (common form of mild gum disease in pregnant women), has linked periodontal disease to low weight and pre-term birth. Women with periodontitis are 50% more likely to deliver early or underdeveloped babies.

Contact Your Family Dentist, Virginia Beach

There’s no need to dread your next dental checkup. You should look forward to the opportunity to improve your oral health, and overall wellbeing. Drs. Santos and Folck and the entire Smile by Design team are dedicated to making you feel right at home because we do! Our staff loves coming to work every day, and our patients know it. Happiness is contagious, and we guarantee you’ll smile through your entire appointment. Call to schedule a checkup or teeth cleaning today. Our convenient, Virginia Beach, VA office welcomes patients from surrounding areas Virginia Beach, Northeast Virginia Beach, Fort Story, Sand Bridge and beyond.

Enjoy General Dentistry Services That Will Keep Your Family Smiling Big

May 21, 2015

General dentistry for the whole family.To us, there’s nothing better than seeing a family with bright, beautiful smiles. Think about family pictures throughout the years. You want you and your family’s smiles to stay beautiful throughout your lives, and the best way to maintain a great smile is by keeping Dr. Santos, Dr. Folck and the rest of the Smile By Design team as part of your dental family. Our general dentistry services are here to help your mouths stay strong, clean and, most importantly, healthy. Unhealthy mouths can lead to a multitude of problems down the road that could be very expensive and time consuming. With comfortable, comprehensive dental care within your reach, why wouldn’t you want to treat your family’s mouths to a dental team that has their care at the top of their minds? Our Virginia Beach, VA office is ready to treat your family with the utmost care.
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Composite Fillings vs. Amalgams: The Benefits of Tooth-Colored Fillings

December 28, 2014

For more than 150 years, tooth decay and other types of
dental damage were treated with an amalgam of metals, including silver,
mercury, copper, tin, and other trace elements. While these types of fillings,
commonly called amalgams, were
sufficient for restoring damaged teeth, they came with a number of drawbacks.
Today, composite resin fillings (often called white fillings or tooth-colored fillings) are the
preferred restorative method for teeth that have succumbed to cavities, minor
cracks, and injury. At Smile by
Design
in Virginia
Beach, VA
, Dr.
Stephanie Santos and Dr. Vinita Folck
offer a variety of natural-looking,
long-lasting restorative
dentistry options
, including tooth-colored
fillings
.
Why Choose
Tooth-Colored Fillings?

Tooth-colored
fillings
have rapidly become the restoration method preferred by both
patients and dentists for a variety of reasons. One of the most obvious is
their aesthetic appeal and their ability to blend seamlessly with the enamel of
a patient’s natural dentition. While amalgam
fillings
are dark and shiny, composite
resin fillings
are carefully color-matched to the surrounding tooth
structure. The result is a beautifully restored smile that looks completely
natural.
The benefits of tooth-colored
fillings
extend far beyond their cosmetic appeal. While the metals in amalgam fillings cause them to
adversely react to extreme temperatures, composite
resins
maintain their original shape and size for improved stability over
time. You don’t have to worry about the strength of the seals between your
fillings and your teeth, and there’s no risk of leaking or microfractures as
there can be with amalgams. In
addition, tooth-colored fillings are
more conservative than their metal counterparts. This means that less of your
natural tooth must be removed in preparation for a tooth-colored filling as compared to a metal filling. As with all of our cosmetic and restorative
services, we will do everything we can to preserve as much of your natural
smile as possible while offering the most effective treatments available.
A
Healthier, More Natural Smile

If you currently have amalgam
fillings
and you’re interested in the possibilities afforded by composite resin fillings, we invite you
to contact us today
to schedule an appointment with Drs.
Folck and Santos
at Smile by Design.
Our advanced technology, comforting amenities, and years of experience have
made our practice the premier destination for dental care in Virginia Beach, VA. We look forward to
helping you and every member of your family achieve lasting oral health and
beautiful smiles for life. Our warm, welcoming dental office proudly serves
families from throughout Virginia Beach,
Sandbridge, Fort Story, Norfolk, Portsmouth,
and beyond. 

What is Halitosis? Bad Breath Treatment in Virginia Beach, VA

December 15, 2014

More commonly known as bad breath, halitosis is a condition
that affects approximately 80 million people on a daily basis. Sufferers of
chronic halitosis find that their
condition negatively impacts their daily lives, leading to embarrassing social
interactions and extreme self-consciousness. At Smile by Design in Virginia Beach, VA, Dr. Santos
and Dr. Folck
offer a comprehensive range of general and family
dentistry services
, including diagnosis and management of chronic bad breath.

Causes and
Treatment for Bad Breath

While nearly everyone experiences bad breath after consuming certain foods – including onions,
garlic, and dairy products – chronic
halitosis
is caused by accumulation of volatile sulfur compounds, or VSCs,
on the tongue near the back of the mouth. These compounds are the result of
countless bacteria in the mouth and can often be difficult to eliminate with
regular home hygiene. If periodontal disease (a common cause of bad breath) is present, the infection
must be treated in order to prevent further gum damage. Our doctors offer
customized periodontal therapy treatment
plans to help patients suffering from this common condition, thereby improving
their oral health and stopping halitosis
in its tracks.
Chronic
halitosis
is most effectively treated at your dentist’s office, but
there are some things you can do at home until you are able to schedule an
appointment at Smile by Design. Brush
and floss at least twice per day, and rinse with an antibacterial mouthwash
each time. Use a tongue scraper to remove as much bacterial buildup as
possible, and try to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the
day. Sugar-free gums and mints can help to alleviate bad breath following snacks and meals. Drs. Santos and Folck are happy to discuss your concerns and
expectations regarding treatment so that we can develop a plan that best suits
your needs and lifestyle.
Schedule
Your Visit Today

Don’t spend even one more day worrying that your persistent bad breath is noticeable or offensive
to others. Contact our
office
in Virginia Beach, VA
today to schedule your consultation with Dr. Folck, Dr. Santos, and our friendly, experience team. Our
state-of-the-art technology and genuinely caring approach make our practice
your premier destination for general and
family dentistry solutions
in the Virginia
Beach
area. We are also happy to serve communities in the surrounding areas
of Portsmouth, Sandbridge, Norfolk, Fort
Story,
and beyond. We look forward to becoming your trusted partners in
your journey toward fresher breath and a healthier smile overall. 

Kids, Candy and Cavities: The Case for Children’s Dentistry

October 15, 2014

For kids, Halloween is nothing but fun. Costumes,
candy, games and parties. For parents and the other people who care about kids,
Halloween can raise a few concerns. Of course, you take every precaution to
make sure your children are safe on that night of trick-or-treating. But how
about protecting their teeth? This is the perfect time of year to be mindful of
your children’s oral health. Dr. Stephanie
Santos and Dr. Vinita Folck
at Smile by Design in Virginia Beach, VA,
make children’s
dentistry
an integral part of their family practice.
Children’s
Dentistry: A Partnership among Dentists, Parents and Kids

At home, you know what you should do to help your
children build a foundation of good oral health. Brush and floss at least twice
a day, usually in the morning and at night. This practice should begin as soon
as that first little white tooth shows up in your baby’s gum. Just take a soft
washcloth or gauze pad and wipe the tooth with warm water after feeding. As
more teeth grow, you’ll want to use a soft child’s toothbrush and pea-size
amount of toothpaste. Help your children brush their teeth until the age of
seven or eight, when they have the coordination to do so themselves.
That foundation for good oral health continues when
you bring your children to Smile by
Design.
Your child’s first visit to the dentist should happen between the
ages of two and three, or certainly earlier if you suspect a problem. Our
dentists and their staff will do their best to make sure your child’s time in
the office is relaxed and inviting. Then, as they grow and mature, they will be
comfortable with routine dental procedures such as cleanings, fluoride
treatments and the occasional x-ray. We recommend bringing your children to the
dentist twice per year, so that we can spot concerns before they become
problems.
Contact
Our Office Today

Keep your little ghosts and goblins smiling brightly
with children’s dentistry at Smile by Design in Virginia Beach, VA.
Schedule an appointment today. We conveniently serves patients in the
surrounding communities of Fort Story, Portsmouth, Sandbridge and Norfolk. 

What To Do When Canker Sores Won’t Go Away

September 29, 2014

A canker sore is a small, painful, shallow ulcer that appears inside the mouth; they may form on the tongue, the back portion of the roof of your mouth, or inside your cheeks. The exact cause of most canker sores is still unknown, although stress or tissue injury is thought to be the cause of most simple canker sores. Highly acidic foods can also trigger a canker sore or make the problem worse. Some cases of complex canker sores are caused by an underlying health condition, such as an impaired immune system or nutritional deficiencies involving vitamin B-12, zinc, folic acid, or iron. Other medical conditions like gastrointestinal tract disease, celiac disease, or Crohn’s disease could also be the culprit. If you have a canker sore that has lasted more than a week or two, you should make an appointment with the dentists at Smile By Design today. Dr. Santos and Dr. Folck can help you get immediate treatment and relief. Smile By Design is conveniently located in Virginia Beach, VA and proudly serves patients throughout Norfolk, Sandbridge, Portsmouth, Fort Story and surrounding communities.

Types of Canker Sores

There are two types of canker sores. The first type is the simple canker sore. These may appear sporadically three or four times per year and last for up to a week. They typically afflict young people between the ages of 10 and 20 years old. The second type is the complex canker sore. Complex canker sores are larger than simple canker sores, extremely painful, take more than a month to heal and can possibly leave a scar. They are less common and occur more often in people who have a long history of simple canker sores. People often confuse canker sores with cold sores but they are not the same. Cold sores, also known as fever blisters or herpes simplex type 1, are groups of painful, fluid filled blisters. Unlike canker sores, cold sores are caused by a virus and are extremely contagious. While canker sores only appear inside the mouth, cold sores typically appear outside the mouth, under the nose, around the lips, or under the chin.

Treatment for Canker Sores in Virginia Beach, VA

Usually, the pain from a canker sore lessens in a few days, and the sores heal themselves without treatment in about a week or two. However, if you experience any of the following symptoms, you should make an appointment with the experienced dentists of Smile By Design immediately as these may be signs of a more serious medical condition:

  • Unusually large sores
  • Sores that are spreading throughout your mouth
  • Sores that last three weeks or longer
  • Intense pain despite avoiding acidic foods and taking pain medication
  • Difficulty drinking enough fluids
  • High fever accompanying the canker sores

Smile By Design is located in Virginia Beach, VA,
with service to patients from the nearby communities of Norfolk, Sandbridge,
Portsmouth and Fort Story
.

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