SmilesByGlerum News

Your Smile Says Keep Trying!

January 23rd, 2018

Smiles By Glerum in Boynton Beach, FL

Today’s message is for people who are frustrated because they haven’t been successful at making some changes that will benefit their oral health. We want to encourage you to keep trying and assure you that the team of dental professionals at Smiles By Glerum is eager to help.

Keep Trying To Floss

Many people are vigilant about brushing and believe that it makes up for lack of flossing. This is a misconception. Flossing is the only way to clean food debris and plaque from the gumline. Failure to floss can lead to periodontal disease which can, in turn, cause tooth loss. We urge everyone to make it a habit to floss correctly every day. If you are not sure how to floss correctly, any one of the personable dental hygienists at Smiles By Glerum would be eager to teach you. (They’re the pros!)

Keep Trying to Overcome Dental Anxiety

Skipping dental checkups can have dangerous, and in some cases, irreversible oral health consequences. Severe tooth decay or delayed diagnosis of oral cancer are two potential dangers. If you are afraid of going to the dentist, you are not alone. This psychological disorder affects a significant portion of the population. Fortunately, there are many ways to manage this condition so you can undergo an exam and any required care. Talk to Dentist Karen Glerum if you or a family member suffers from dental anxiety. Smiles By Glerum provides oral sedation and other help for anxious patients.

Keep Trying to Quit Tobacco

Smoking is just as dangerous for your teeth and gums as it is for other parts of your body. If you’ve tried unsuccessfully to drop the habit, it’s clear that you value your health and want to lower your risk for all the problems caused or exacerbated by smoking, chewing, or vaping.

Many smokers do not conquer the habit the first time. But there’s hope! According to the CDC, there are now more former smokers than current users. Each of those former smokers was once right where you are. Keep trying!
Sometimes, a little help can make all the difference. Call Smiles By Glerum at 561-374-8922 to schedule an appointment.

Source: https://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/reports/50-years-of-progress/index.html
The Health Consequences of Smoking—50 Years of Progress: A Report of the Surgeon General.” U.S. Department of Health and Human Services., Atlanta: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office on Smoking and Health, 2014, accessed June 13, 2017

Is Bonding as Good as Veneers?

September 28th, 2017

cosmetic dentistry

If your teeth are worn or chipped, it’s natural to want to do something about it. Veneers are one option to give you that new, flawless, Hollywood smile. Veneers are a great option but they do come with a higher price tag. If your budget just won’t stretch quite that far, bonding is an alternative that can help save you some money.

So, which option do you choose? In this article, we’ll discuss both so that you can make an informed decision about which option will work for you.

Dental Bonding

Let’s start off with the least expensive option – dental bonding. This is also called cosmetic or composite bonding and it can produce really great results in a single session. If you have a minor flaw, like chipped teeth, gaps or edges that are worn, this could be a good option for you.

The dentist will use dental composite to build up the areas that need it and reshape them as necessary. Dental composite is designed to match up with your teeth’s natural shade and is moldable until set, giving the dentist a fair amount of time to get the look exactly right. Once they have done so, the composite is exposed to a curing light to allow it to set.

The dentist will check one last time once everything has cured and make adjustments as necessary.

Veneers

Veneers work slightly differently. The work out more expensive because they are made up of extremely thin porcelain or ceramic material that is laminated. They are fitted to the front of your natural teeth and cover the whole front of the tooth.

The advantage of veneers over standard bonding is that they create a much more dramatic finish. Whereas bonding relies more in the tooth’s natural color, veneers can transform it completely.

There are any different veneer treatments and products to choose from so it will pay you to discuss your questions with your properly qualified cosmetic dentist before making your final decision.

Which option you end up choosing will depend on the state of your natural teeth, and the extent of the transformation that you are aiming to achieve.

The health of your teeth is best determined by your dentist, preferably a dentist who has experience in cosmetic dentistry. They will be able to recommend either veneers or bonding, depending on how much of a change needs to be made.

They’ll also be able to run through all the relevant pros and cons for you.

The Top 3 Reasons Why You Should Choose Karen Glerum DDS As Your Boynton Beach Dentist

August 29th, 2017

Karen Glerum DDS

Choosing a dentist is something of a commitment. You want to have someone who is skilled and someone who uses the most up to date techniques and technologies. And sure, there are a lot of dentists around that fit those criteria. But you also need a little bit more – you need a dentist that you can really trust, not just someone who sees you as a cash cow.

The Relationship Comes First

And that is where Dr. Karen Glerum is different. She understands that it is extremely important to establish a relationship based on mutual trust and respect. Your smile is one of your most valuable assets and Karen understands that.

She will take you step by step through how to keep your smile bright and white for a long time to come. She works with her patients to ensure that they get the very best treatments possible – treatments that are based on what they actually need.

Dr. Glerum is the first choice for many when it comes to choosing a Boynton Beach dentist and she achieved that position by building lasting relationships with her patients.

She realized a long time ago that having excellent clinical skills was only a small part of the equation and that if she wanted to be the best dentist Boynton Beach had ever seen, she would also need to be worthy of her patient’s trust.

The Very Best Treatment Options

Of course, while the relationship with your dentist is especially important, you do also want the best possible care. Why settle for anything less? And that means using the latest in dental technology and superb clinical skills. Dr. Glerum is not only a highly skilled and experienced dentist, but she ensures that the practice makes use of state of the art technology and the very best in new dentistry techniques.

She and her team keep up to date with the latest developments to ensure that you are getting the very best treatment possible.

That Perfect Smile

The primary goal, when it comes to new patients, is to make sure that they are properly educated on preventing dental disease and how to care for their teeth. Dr. Glerum will work with you to ensure that your teeth and mouth is as healthy as possible.

The dental exams are very thorough to ensure that no potential problems are missed. They can check for anything for small cavities to oral cancer.

Once your oral hygiene is under control, you can discuss options for cosmetic improvements that you want to make. With a specialization in restorative and cosmetic dentistry, Dr. Karen Glerum is the perfect person to help you build a winning smile.

Dr. Karen Glerum D.D.S. – Dentist Boynton Beach – We emphasize cosmetic dentistry & education on dental disease prevention. Also serving Delray Beach, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach.

3 Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures That Are All The Rage

July 21st, 2017

Procedure of Dental Cosmetic Dentistry Who doesn´t want to have shiny, white teeth? Being able to smile confidently can play an instrumental role in building personality, displaying authority and increasing confidence, which can, in turn, positively impact one´s professional and personal life. So, if you are looking to have bright, shiny teeth, you should consider visiting the dental clinic.

So, what exactly does cosmetic dentistry mean? Well, cosmetic dentistry comprises of various different treatments that all help make your gums, teeth, and smile visually appealing. Some examples of the treatments include whitening of the teeth, ensuring proper alignment of the teeth, filling gaps, and fixing issues related to crowding etc. Cosmetic dentistry also includes the application of crowns and veneers to either cover bad teeth or cap them.

Without beating about the bush any further, here are cosmetic dentistry procedures that are all the rage in the big apple!

Whitening teeth through laser treatment

Many people suffer from discolored teeth due to excessive intake of staining beverages such as coffee and red wine. Heavy smokers also tend to have discolored teeth. Thankfully, we live in the contemporary world that doesn´t have a dearth of facilities and modern technology. Hence, it is possible to whiten the teeth through procedures such as Zoom teeth whitening without making the teeth appear fake. The teeth whitening procedure common and popular throughout the globe.

Replacement of tooth

There are many ways one can lose a tooth. Some may lose a tooth in a fight, in an accident, or through a freak injury. A loss of tooth can play a detrimental role in lowering one´s self-confidence. In addition to that, it can also affect one´s eating habits and delivery of speech. Fortunately, skilled dentists can easily replace the missing teeth through different procedures such as dental implants and bridges.

Tooth-colored fillings

We no longer have to be content with amalgam fillings. Although they have served us well for a long period and are sturdy and durable, they are not attractive, to say the least. After all, who would want to flash a smile when their teeth are highlighted by a silver-like color? We are lucky to live in the contemporary world where dentists use composite or white fillings as solutions to combat the decay in teeth. We look all the better because of the white fillings, don´t we?

Laser Treatment for Cold Sores

May 23rd, 2017

What are cold sores?

They are little sores/blisters that usually form on your lip or around your mouth. They can be very contagious and spread easily. Cold sores spread through everyday activities like sharing chapstick, sharing food or drink, kissing, or any contact with a person’s saliva that has a cold sore. Cold Sores often appear during weather changes or heavy periods of stress. Since they are so easily spread and some people are more prone to them, many people have had or will have cold sores in their lifetime. Those that contract cold sores describe them as unattractive, painful, and a cause of unwanted attention to the area.

What about canker sores?

Canker sores are different from cold sores because of their location. Cold sores are outside of your mouth while canker sores are inside of your mouth and can also be very painful.

How do you get rid of them, and how long do they last?

Both can last anywhere from a few days up to two weeks and can be extremely hard to get rid of. You can buy Carmex, Abreva, or even get medicine from the doctor, but nothing truly stops them and helps immediately. The one thing that does stop them is laser treatment for cold sores. This laser treatment also works on canker sores! It works by putting the laser on the specific area that the cold sore is located and the energy from the laser changes the tissue in that area. If you get this done right when you feel the tingling sensation before a cold sore forms, it will stop it from forming into an actual sore/blister. Even so, if the cold sore is already present when you get the treatment done, it will help relieve the pain and make it go away faster. The BEST part about laser treatment for cold sores is that once it is done on an area, a cold sore will most likely NEVER appear in that same area again. It can also reduce the number of cold sore outbreaks you experience once you get the treatment done.

Is it a long procedure? Does it hurt? Is it expensive?

It’s not a lengthy or costly treatment. The treatment takes roughly five minutes and most of the time no anesthesia is needed at all. It’s also affordable and your insurance may even cover the treatment. It does not hurt and most of the time relieves pain from cold sores instantly. Creams and pills can be expensive and are only temporary fixes. Laser treatment is affordable and can be a permanent cure for your cold sores. Contact our team at 561-374-8922 for more information or to set up an appointment.