Bobby J. Carmen, DDS Blog

Saying Bye to Decay: Can Dental Implants Get Cavities?

September 4, 2024

Filed under: Uncategorized — dr_carmen @ 4:30 pm
A photo highlighting a woman’s dental implant for her front tooth

If you want to get dental implants, it’s likely because they’re so lifelike. People now see the posts as the most realistic replacement teeth – more toothlike than dentures or dental bridges. Having said that, their “natural” quality may leave you curious: Can dental implants get cavities? One could think posts that act so much like real teeth would also decay. The good news is that your Norman dentist can answer your question, so read on to see whether implants get cavities.

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Restful Restorations: 3 Reasons to Take Your Dentures Out at Night

July 2, 2024

Filed under: Uncategorized — dr_carmen @ 6:21 pm
Set of dentures in a glass next to an alarm clock

Dentures are the tried-and-true way to rebuild your smile after tooth loss, whether you need a full or partial set. They allow you to eat, speak, and smile more like you used to. Although it can take about a month for your tongue and other supporting muscles to acclimate to your restoration, when they do, you may feel so comfortable wearing it that you forget it’s there.

You might even wonder whether you can wear them 24/7 to avoid the hassle of removing and reinserting them at night. While this might be okay occasionally, it’s not usually recommended. Continue reading to learn 3 reasons why!

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Dental Darkening: What Causes Stained Teeth?

May 6, 2024

Filed under: Uncategorized — dr_carmen @ 7:46 pm
Before/after shot of teeth that were stained and then whitened

Did you know that an estimated 48% of adults have reported that a person’s smile is the first thing they notice when meeting someone new? That means almost half of the people you come across believe that clean, healthy teeth are more attractive than flawed or tinted ones. If your grin is more brown or yellow, it’s natural to feel self-conscious and want to make a change.

Before you can decide on an appropriate cosmetic dental service, however, you must first understand what caused the discoloration to know the best way to resolve it. Extrinsic stains exist on the enamel of your pearly whites and can usually be bleached away. However, intrinsic stains that originate below the surface won’t be impacted by topical treatment.

If you’re frustrated by tarnished teeth, keep reading to learn 3 potential causes and what you can do to enhance your appearance!

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Getting to a New Grin: What to Expect at a Dental Implant Consultation

February 22, 2024

Filed under: Uncategorized — dr_carmen @ 10:53 am
A woman talking to her dentist at a dental implant consultation

While you may really want them, you can’t just get dental implants at once. You’ll need to consult your dentist first to learn if the treatment suits you. Still, do you know what to expect at a dental implant consultation? Things go more smoothly if you attend this visit with a sense of how it works. Luckily, your local Normal dentist can help you prep for it. Here are four big things that will happen at your future consultation visit.

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4 Tips to a Happy Holiday Smile

December 5, 2023

Filed under: Uncategorized — dr_carmen @ 3:14 pm
Tooth shaped cutouts on a yellow background with holiday decorations

The holidays are here which means store shelves are stocked to the brim with festive decorations, gift ideas for everyone you know, and a variety of tasty treats. Between your co-worker’s homemade cookies and the candy canes hanging on your tree, it can be hard to resist the many delicious temptations. It’s important to remember to care for your teeth so that you don’t develop any dental issues this time of year, like tooth decay or gum disease. Thankfully, these problems can be prevented by following these 4 tips to keep your smile happy all season long.

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There Are Much Better Things to Be Afraid of Than the Dentist This Halloween

October 13, 2023

Filed under: Uncategorized — dr_carmen @ 10:30 pm
Jack-o-lantern

Since you have enough to be afraid of with all the ghouls, vampires, werewolves, zombies, and witches running around during the Halloween season, why should you add the dentist to that list? Nearly 20% of Americans have dental anxiety, so fear of the dentist’s office is a common thing. There are many reasons people might feel this way. Some people have had bad experiences, others worry about how much treatment will cost, and many people are simply afraid of receiving bad news. Read on to learn how advances in dentistry have made the office more pleasant than it ever has been before.

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Does it Hurt to Have Your Teeth Cleaned?

August 7, 2023

Filed under: Uncategorized — dr_carmen @ 5:02 pm
patient getting dental checkup and cleaning

While it’s advisable for patients to schedule a dental checkup and cleaning every six months, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that in 2019, less than 65% of patients actually visited the dentist. If it’s been a while since your last dental visit, you might be curious about whether teeth cleanings are painful. Continue reading to understand why regular dental visits are crucial for keeping your oral health in check.

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Why Does One Side of My Jaw Hurt?

March 8, 2023

Filed under: Uncategorized — dr_carmen @ 7:35 pm
person clutching their jaw in pain

Are you currently experiencing significant pain on one side of your jaw, but not the other? If you are, it’s natural to be concerned about it, especially if the discomfort is serious.

Thankfully, it being on one side of your jaw can eliminate a lot of really scary possibilities, which may make a conversation with your dentist a little easier. If you want to know what that kind of pain could mean, here are a few common things that it could be.

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From the 1920s to Today: The History of Veneers

January 9, 2023

Filed under: Uncategorized — dr_carmen @ 9:56 pm
Picture of an antique film projector

Veneers are incredibly powerful. They’re capable of completely transforming someone’s smile from cracked or discolored to the Hollywood-white smile of their dreams!

However, that wasn’t always the case. Veneers have taken a long and interesting road to becoming as sophisticated as they are today. If you want to know a little more about the history of veneers that have brought them to the place they are now, here’s a brief overview of the cosmetic treatment’s progress from the 1920s to today.

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5 Reasons the Holidays Are Bad for Your Oral Health

December 10, 2022

Filed under: Uncategorized — dr_carmen @ 12:34 am

Cookies and candy cane on holiday tableIt’s not unusual to gain a little extra weight during the holidays, but your oral health can also suffer. The next few weeks can be bad for your smile in many ways if you aren’t careful. Here are 5 reasons the holidays can harm your dental health and what you can do to protect your pearly whites.

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