Chitra Naik Blog
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.
Enjoy Your Favorite Foods Again with Implant-Retained Dentures in Flint, MI
March 15, 2015
For the majority of men and women who wear dentures, dietary restrictions negatively impact daily life. Biting into a fresh, crisp apple has become a thing of the past, and a buttery ear of corn on the cob is nigh impossible to manage. Even your favorite cut of juicy steak is too tough to chew with traditional dentures, leaving you feeling limited and unsatisfied with the available options. Fortunately, Dr. Chitra Naik offers implant-retained dentures at her Flint, MI dental office.
Why Choose Implant-Retained Dentures?
Dental implants are the most sophisticated and versatile restorative dentistry solution available today. These tiny, titanium posts are secured within the bone of your jaw, replacing the roots of the teeth you have lost due to decay, damage, or disease. The posts serve as sturdy anchors for your implant-retained dentures, custom prosthetics that are designed just for you for a perfect fit and a natural look.
With implant-retained dentures, you can feel confident in the appearance of your smile as well as your ability to speak, laugh, and eat whatever you like. There’s no more fear of slipping dentures or the worry that food will become lodged between your restoration and your gums. You’ll love the freedom you feel with implant-retained dentures, and your body will thank you for the wider variety of nutritious foods that you are now able to enjoy.
Schedule Your Consultation Today
If you currently wear dentures and you’d like to learn more about the possibilities afforded by implant-retained dentures, please don’t hesitate to contact us today to schedule your visit with Dr. Naik and her caring, experienced team. We genuinely look forward to helping you achieve a better quality of life and a more varied diet with our state-of-the-art restorative dentistry services. Our cutting-edge dental practice in Flint, MI warmly welcomes patients from throughout the surrounding areas, including Fenton, Flushing, Davison, Ortonville, 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!
Find Real Relief from Migraines & Jaw Pain with TMJ Therapy in Flint, MI
December 16, 2014
Do you often awaken in the morning with a splitting headache? Perhaps you suffer from persistent pain in your jaw, face, neck, and shoulders. Though you may not be aware of it, you may be affected by a condition known as temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMJ dysfunction. This condition is responsible for a variety of unpleasant symptoms, and it can lead to lasting damage to the joints that allow your jaw to move freely. At the Flint, MI dental practice of Dr. Chitra P. Naik, we offer a wide selection of preventive dentistry solutions, including TMJ therapy.
How Do I Know if I Need TMJ Therapy?
TMJ disorder is characterized by the repetitive, subconscious clenching of the jaws. It may be accompanied by bruxism, or teeth grinding. The muscles, nerves, and cartilage discs of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) grow irritated and damaged over time due to the constant pressure exerted by the jaw.
A one-on-one consultation with Dr. Naik will determine the underlying cause of your pain, marking the beginning of a journey toward improved comfort and oral health. While this careful evaluation is the only way to definitively diagnose TMJ disorder, there are some common symptoms that you can keep an eye out for at home. Patients suffering from TMJ disorder typically report experiencing one or more of the following symptoms on a regular basis:
- Pain that originates in the jaw and radiates throughout the face
- A clicking or popping sound or sensation when opening and closing the mouth
- A difference in the way your upper and lower teeth fit together
- Jaw that becomes locked in one position
- Pain while yawning or chewing
- Frequent headaches, often accompanied by sensitivity in the temple and sides of the skull
- Sore, achy, or strained feeling in muscles of the neck, shoulders, and back
In order to relieve you of the pain and potential damage caused by teeth clenching, Dr. Naik may provide you with a custom-fitted oral appliance. This comfortable splint is typically worn at night or whenever you tend to clench your jaw the most. The majority of patients recognize an improvement in their level of comfort within days of using their appliance. We want to help you experience the same kind of relief.
Schedule Your Consultation Today
Do you suspect that you may be suffering from TMJ disorder? Don’t spend another day suffering with the discomfort and aching pains associated with teeth clenching; contact our office today to schedule your visit with Dr. Naik and her caring, compassionate team. Dr. Naik will perform a full assessment of your teeth, gums, and jaw to determine the cause of your symptoms and recommend a treatment plan that best suits your needs, lifestyle, and budget. Conveniently located in Flint, MI, our state-of-the-art dental practice warmly welcomes families from throughout the surrounding areas, including Flushing, Fenton, Ortonville, Davison, and beyond. We genuinely look forward to serving you!
Have a Bright, White Christmas with Holiday Teeth Whitening from Dr. Naik
November 10, 2014
The holiday season is the time of year we celebrate giving and sharing. Among the most precious gifts we can give our loved ones this season, is a warm and loving smile. But if you’re missing your bright and confident smile because of stained and discolored teeth, Dr. Naik has the teeth whitening solution for you. You can make an appointment with Dr. Naik today, to show of a bright and confident smile this holiday season. Dr. Naik restores smiles daily for patients throughout Flint, MI, Davison, Flushing, Ortonville, Fenton, and nearby areas.
Holiday Teeth Whitening Solutions from Dr. Naik
Our teeth can become discolored, yellowed, and stained over time from consuming acidic foods and beverages. Although discoloration and staining is hard to avoid, it’s very simple to treat, if you choose the right teeth whitening system. If you’ve tried and failed to whiten your teeth with ineffective teeth whitening toothpastes, gels, strips, or rinses, you need to make an appointment with Dr. Naik today. She can solve your teeth whitening problem once and for all. These products claim to be able to whiten your teeth. However, many of them don’t have the bleaching power needed to eliminate discoloration. The truth is that with most of these products, it takes several weeks of daily use to achieve the same results that Dr. Naik can offer in just one hour.
Quick and Easy Holiday Teeth Whitening in Flint, MI
Dr. Naik understands how frustrating it can be to get rid of long standing staining and discoloration. That’s why she offers a permanent teeth whitening solution with the professional and in-office Zoom teeth whitening system. Unlike over-the-counter teeth whitening solutions that over promise and under-deliver, you can eliminate years of staining and get your teeth several shades whiter in just one visit with Dr. Naik. If you prefer at-home teeth whitening, Dr. Naik also offers an easy take-home teeth whitening solution. You’re in good hands when you make an appointment with Dr. Naik. Since 1995, she has been a trusted provider of quality dental care for the Flint, MI area. Dr. Naik proudly serves patients throughout Flint, MI, Davison, Flushing, Ortonville, Fenton, and the surrounding communities.