SmilesByGlerum News

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.

Snap-On Smile by Karen Glerum DDS

April 11th, 2017

Snap-On Smile by Karen Glerum DDS Have you ever just wanted to snap on a smile? Snap-On Smile uses a high-tech dental resin that serves as a cosmetic solution, either temporary or permanent, based on your needs.

In just two, short, painless visits to the dentist, you can enjoy an affordable and life-changing solution, no matter your age. Snap-On Smile fits on over your teeth to give you a natural-looking but beautiful smile, even if you have stains or missing teeth!

It’s not a permanent fix for dental problems, but this non-invasive solution will give you a cover-up or a transitional smile.

Is it right for you? If you have gaps, stains, crooked teeth, or missing teeth, this may be something for you to try!

Might be getting bridges or implants? You should wait until those procedures are done before you get a Snap-On Smile.

This quick fix is great for people who want a gorgeous smile without having to go through endless procedures. Hollywood smiles aren’t just for the rich now! Transform either your top row, bottom row, or both at the same time for an effortless way of returning a gleaming smile to your face.

You can also give it a try if you have a partial, removable denture and would prefer a more comfortable, less old-fashioned alternative.

If you miss how your teeth used to feel or look, try a Snap-On Smile for better aesthetics and easier eating! Get your confidence back. We know better than anyone that having great teeth can raise self-esteem and let you feel like your old self again. Confidence is fantastic for your mental health, so why suffer with teeth that make you miserable?

Easy, painless, and quick! Just get your smile evaluated today, and you can get a fitting within 3 weeks. Then, you can wear your Snap-On Smile all the way home and beyond!

This affordable option is inexpensive enough to be temporary but long-lasting enough to stay with you for years.

Ready to get your smile back on track with a Snap-On Smile? Contact our team at 561-374-8922 for more information or to set up an appointment.

What are the Differences Between Dental Crowns and Dental Implants?

March 29th, 2017

A dental crown is a cap for a tooth or dental implant. So, for starters, one is used on the other, which is an important distinction.

A crown is used when a cavity is so large that it threatens the health of a tooth. When a crown is put in, it is bonded to the tooth with dental cement. Crowns come in various types and materials. Generally, they are fully made of gold or are porcelain fused to metal. They are also often resin or complete ceramic. These different materials affect the quality of the crown, and all of them have their own advantages and disadvantages. Porcelain and ceramic teeth often naturally match tooth colors, so they’re typically used for front teeth. Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns are good for front and back teeth, while metal crowns are usually just for molars because they don’t match tooth colors and are less visible in the back. Resin crowns, while they are less expensive, are prone to fractures. Stainless steel and acrylic crowns are typically temporary.

Getting a crown is necessary when part of a tooth is missing, or if part of a tooth needs to be removed because on injury or decay.

A dental implant is used when support is needed for crowns, bridges or dentures. They’re typically made of titanium and look like a tooth or group of teeth when missing teeth need to be replaced. They are typically attached to a tooth root (called a “root-form implant”) and are placed within the bone. The jawbone accepts and integrates the titanium post into itself, which fuses to the bone. Another usage of dental implants is preventing orthodontic tooth movement.

The implant is used to replace the root and create a support system for a new tooth. Once the implant is in place, a dentist will take a mold of it. Then, a dental implant crown completes the restoration of the dental implant.

The dental crown improves the look, strength, shape, and size of a tooth. It encases the surface and is cemented over the structure of the tooth. Ideally, it looks exactly like a natural tooth.

Think you might need a crown or implant? Make an appointment or ask about implants and crowns contact our team at our Boynton Beach, FL office (561) 374-8922 .

How Is Your Diet Affecting Your Teeth?

February 15th, 2017

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What you eat affects your mouth not only by building healthier teeth and gums, but also by helping prevent tooth decay and gum disease. Learn how to eat the best diet for your teeth, including the foods to eat, beverages to drink, and what to avoid.What you eat affects your mouth not only by building healthier teeth and gums, but also by helping prevent tooth decay and gum disease. While a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and unsaturated fats will benefit your overall oral health, there are a few standout foods and nutrients that can really boost it.

Teeth and Calcium

A diet with adequate calcium may prevent against tooth decay. When a diet is low in calcium, as a majority of Americans’ diets are, the body leeches the mineral from teeth and bones, which can increase your risk of tooth decay and the incidence of cavities. A study that appeared in the Journal of Periodontology found that those who have a calcium intake of less than 500 mg, or about half the recommended dietary allowance, were almost twice as likely to have periodontitis, or gum disease, than those who had the recommended intake.The jawbone is particularly susceptible to the effects of low calcium. It can weaken because of low calcium intake, which in turn causes teeth to loosen, leaving you at greater risk for gum disease.

The Food and Drug Administration recommends 1,000 mg of calcium daily for women younger than 50 and for men of any age, and 1,200 mg for women over 50. Calcium is found in dairy foods like milk, cheese, and yogurt; in fish, including sardines with bones and salmon; and in some vegetables, including kale and broccoli. Eating two to four servings of dairy per day will help you meet the RDA for calcium.

Teeth and Vitamin C.

The body needs vitamin C to repair connective tissue and help the body fight off infection. No surprise then that a study at the State University of New York at Buffalo showed that those who eat less than the recommended 75 to 90 mg per day are 25 percent more likely to have gingivitis than those who eat three times the recommended daily allowance. Gingivitis is the mildest form of periodontal diseases, and it causes the gums to become red from inflammation, swelling and bleeding easily. Eating one piece of citrus fruit (oranges, grapefruits, tangerines) or a kiwi daily will help you meet the RDA for vitamin C.

Teeth and Fruits and Vegetables

Crunchy fruit and veggies — like apples, pears, celery, and carrots — are excellent for your teeth in two ways. The crisp texture acts as a detergent on teeth, wiping away bacteria that can cause plaque. Plus these foods require a lot of chewing, which increases the production of bacteria-neutralizing saliva.

Teeth and Tea

While tea may stain teeth, studies at the University of Illinois College of Dentistry have shown that compounds in black tea can destroy or suppress the growth of cavity-causing bacteria in dental plaque, which can help prevent both cavities and gum disease.

Teeth and Water

Drinking plenty of water benefits teeth as it helps rinse away both bacteria and the remnants of food that bacteria turns into plaque. Tap water is better for teeth than bottled because it contains fluoride, which prevents tooth decay.

Foods to Avoid

Sugary snacks, especially gummy candies and hard candies that stick in your teeth, are at the top of every dentist’s list of foods to avoid. Regular soda provides a double hit to teeth, combining sugar with acids. Even foods and drinks that are good for your teeth, like milk, contain sugars. No matter what you eat, it’s important to brush and floss afterward — or at least to rinse your mouth with water. Brush twice a day using either a manual or power toothbrush, and remember to visit a dentist at least twice a year for checkups.

If you have any additional questions about your oral health, be sure to contact our team at our Boynton Beach, FL office.

What are the advantages of dental implants?

January 17th, 2017

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Losing a tooth can affect a lot more than just the look of your smile. Missing teeth affect your ability to chew and can also cause problems for your other teeth. It is essential to replace missing teeth in order to maintain oral health as well as your overall well-being. Dental implants are an excellent option to replace your natural tooth and its root without affecting your neighboring teeth, and are available from Dr. Karen Glerum and her qualified team.

Why choose dental implants?

There are many reasons to choose dental implants to replace your lost or damaged teeth. According to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, dental implants are often considered more predictable than other treatment options and are known to provide long-term successful outcomes.

Dental implants provide many benefits over other treatments such as bridgework and dentures:

Unlike other treatment options for missing teeth, dental implants allow Dr. Glerum to replace your tooth without impacting the healthy teeth surrounding the space.
Dental implants also protect healthy bone by preventing potential bone loss and deterioration in the jaw.
This treatment option allows you to speak and eat normally without worrying about slippery or uncomfortable removable dentures.
The closest thing to natural teeth, dental implants allow you to maintain your smile and natural face shape.
These implants are built to last, providing you with a long-term solution to missing teeth.

Overall, dental implants are the next best thing to natural, healthy teeth. Choosing to undergo surgery to replace your lost or damaged teeth is an important decision. To avoid the issues caused by lost teeth, consult Dr. Karen Glerum or visit our office in Boyton Beach, FL to see if you are a candidate for dental implants.