Share Your Smile Confidently with Cosmetic Dentistry in Flint, MI
April 15, 2015
If it’s true that a picture is worth a thousand words, then it’s doubly true for a beautiful smile. It’s the first thing that people notice about you, and it’s often the feature that leaves the most memorable impression. If your teeth are marred by aesthetic imperfections, however, you may feel less inclined to share your smile with those around you. At the Flint, MI dental office of Dr. Chitra P. Naik, you’ll find an all-encompassing range of cosmetic dentistry solutions, each designed with your most radiant smile in mind.
The Confident, Beautiful Smile You Deserve
One of the most popular cosmetic dentistry solutions is professional teeth whitening. While it’s easy enough to find generic whitening kits at your local pharmacy or grocery store, these over-the-counter products lack the whitening power needed to eliminate persistent stains. Most tooth discoloration is caused by dark foods and beverages, though other sources of stains include tobacco and certain medications. With both in-office and take-home teeth whitening, Dr. Naik can help you erase years from your smile in a way that fits your lifestyle.
For problems like chips, cracks, gaps, and uneven spacing, Dr. Naik may recommend porcelain veneers. These ultra-thin, stain-resistant layers of dental porcelain are meticulously crafted to look and feel just like your natural teeth. They are carefully placed over your existing teeth in order to mask a variety of cosmetic concerns all at once. The porcelain veneers process typically takes only two to three visits to our office, so you can begin enjoying your luminous new smile faster than ever.
Because dark amalgam fillings can detract from anyone’s smile, Dr. Naik is happy to offer posterior and anterior tooth-colored fillings as an alternative. These composite resin restorations are carefully shaded to perfectly match the color of your tooth enamel, promoting a completely natural appearance.
If a gap between two of your teeth (typically the two upper teeth) causes you embarrassment, we can help with a treatment solution known as diastema closure. This cosmetic bonding procedure can completely transform your smile, making you look more sophisticated and professional in just one visit to our office.
Transform Your Smile with Cosmetic Dentistry
Whether you are seeking a brighter smile with teeth whitening or you’re interested in transforming the appearance of your teeth with veneers, Dr. Naik is your trusted source for cosmetic dentistry solutions in Flint, MI and the surrounding areas. Contact our office today to learn more and to schedule your consultation with our team. We sincerely look forward to realizing your dream of a gorgeous smile and the confidence that comes with it. We happily welcome patients from throughout Flint, MI and the surrounding areas, including Grand Blanc, Burton, Mount Morris, Clio, Swartz Creek, and beyond.
How Does Your Workout Affect Your Smile? Athletes and Oral Health
February 15, 2015
While your teeth may be the last things on your mind when you gear up to hit the gym, a recent study has uncovered a vital connection between oral health and strenuous exercise. At the Flint, MI dental practice of Dr. Chitra P. Naik, Dr. Naik and her team are committed to helping our patients achieve and maintain optimal oral health, and today we’d like to talk about how exercising – particularly running – impacts the health of your teeth and gums.
Why Do Athletes Have More Cavities?
A 2014 study published in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports found that athletes –especially those who engaged in distance running on a regular basis – had a higher incidence of enamel erosion and tooth decay than their peers who were non-athletic. This was found to be directly related to pH levels in their mouths; a decreased pH level (one that falls below 5.5) has been linked to a higher risk for cavities and gum disease. It is believed that the lower pH levels were caused by a diet high in carbohydrates, including sports drinks and energy bars frequently consumed before and during workouts.
In addition, breathing through the mouth – a habit of many runners – decreases saliva levels. Saliva is necessary for good oral health; it actively protects the enamel from acidic bacteria. While the study certainly offers insight into why athletes tend to suffer from more tooth decay, the results should not be used to deter anyone from pursuing a healthy and active lifestyle. They simply further support the belief that runners and other athletes should visit the dentist often for routine checkups and cleanings to ensure continued oral health.
Schedule Your Next Visit Today
If you or someone in your family exercises regularly, it’s important to remember that your teeth and gums require special care to stay healthy. Contact us today to schedule your consultation with Dr. Naik, and learn more about how our general and preventive dentistry solutions can help you avoid cavities, periodontal disease, and more. Our family-friendly dental practice in Flint, MI warmly welcomes patients from throughout the surrounding communities in Flushing, Davison, Fenton, Ortonville, and beyond. We look forward to seeing your smile!
Take Care of Your Smile with Preventive Dentistry in Flint, MI
October 10, 2014
The old adage, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” is true with many health matters and oral health is no exception. The American Dental Association recommends twice yearly check-ups for adults and children, so that your can dentist can spot any concerns and treat appropriately before they become problems. Dr. Chitra P. Naik and her team in Flint, MI, are ready to provide you and your entire family with the preventive dentistry you need to maintain oral health and general health.
Dr. Naik: Your Partner in Preventive Dentistry
Successful preventive dentistry is actually a partnership between you and your dentist. Optimal oral health requires at-home care—your part—and regular in-office visits with Dr. Naik. Daily brushing and flossing at home is basic oral care. In fact, this basic should begin as soon as a child’s first tooth appears. Good habits start early!
In the office, Dr. Naik and her colleagues will pick up where you leave off in preventive dentistry. At a check-up, we will provide a professional cleaning to remove plaque and stains; a thorough examination of your teeth, gums and oral cavity; and when necessary, we’ll take x-rays in order to spot problems that are not visible to the naked eye, such as cavities and problems below the gum line.
At your preventive dentistry check-ups, Dr. Naik will also check for any abnormal signs of wear and tear on your teeth that may be caused by teeth grinding and clenching, or bruxism. If found, Dr. Naik will prescribe a night guard to wear during sleep when bruxism usually occurs. Likewise, if you or one of your children is active in sports, Dr. Naik will create a custom-fitted athletic mouthguard.
Contact Our Office Today for an Appointment
If it’s time for you or someone you care for to see the dentist for a preventive dentistry check-up call the office of Dr. Naik today. We’ll be happy to assist you. Our office serves patients in Flint, MI, and Flushing, Davison, Fenton, Ortonville and beyond.
Root Canal Therapy: What You Need to Know
July 2, 2014
When you think of the dental procedure known commonly as a “root canal,” what is the first thing that comes to mind? Many patients think immediately of a treatment that is both exceedingly painful and immensely complicated, fearing multiple appointments and a hefty bill. Fortunately, none of these are true today. Root canal treatment, known as endodontic therapy, has come a long way over the past few decades, allowing patients to receive the care they need without the fear. At the office of Dr. Chitra P. Naik in Flint, MI, our team performs root canal therapy only when absolutely necessary, helping patients with root infections preserve the integrity and health of their natural teeth.
Why Do I Need a Root Canal?
Any dental pain should be assessed as soon as possible in order to rule out the possibility of a serious condition. An exam with Dr. Naik will help determine whether or not the tooth pain you are experiencing is caused by an infection, as well as aid in the development of a customized treatment plan. If your tooth root is infected, the diseased pulp within must be removed so that the canal may be thoroughly cleaned. After all traces of infection have been eliminated the canal will be filled and the tooth will typically be capped with a custom-made, aesthetically pleasing crown. You’ll finally be free of pain and your smile will look better than ever.
Though an exam by Dr. Naik is the only way to be sure if root canal therapy is necessary, there are some things that you can be aware of at home as well. Keep an eye out for the following, and call us immediately if any of these factors pertain to you:
- Inflammation and/or redness in the gum tissue surrounding a specific tooth
- Tooth pain that does not subside with regular oral hygiene care (brushing and flossing)
- The formation of an abscess
- A tooth that becomes darker than the rest (usually gray)
- Unexplained increase in sensitivity to hot or cold
Schedule Your Consultation Today
Do you suspect that you or someone in your family may be suffering from a tooth infection? If so, time is of the essence and we urge you to contact our office today. Though prevention is certainly the best medicine, timely treatment of a serious dental issue is the next best thing. Dr. Naik and her caring staff look forward to helping you find lasting relief from tooth pain and infection with our comprehensive array of general, restorative, and endodontic dental solutions. Our family-friendly office happily serves patients from Flint, MI and the surrounding areas, including Davison, Flushing, Ortonville, Fenton, and beyond.