Are you at risk for oral cancer? Learn to perform a self-exam.

Watch American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons's video on "Are you at risk for oral cancer? Learn to perform a self-exam.'

The above video is found on the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons YouTube Channel.

Palm Beach Smiles 
Michael Barr, DDS
COSMETIC & FAMILY DENTISTRY
650 W. Boynton Beach Blvd, Suite 1- Boynton Beach, FL 332426
(561) 736-2377
http://palmbeach-smiles.com/

What 10 Common Mouth Issues Really Look Like (Part 1 of 3)

You know good dental habits can help prevent things like cavities and gingivitis, but you may not know what conditions like these really look like or how they can affect your mouth. Use this visual guide to learn more about some of the most common dental health issues, symptoms to watch for and the potential treatments that are available. Please note: This content is for informational purposes only. Only a dentist, physician or other qualified health care professional can make a diagnosis.

Cold Sores (Fever Blisters)

Cold sores are fluid-filled blisters that erupt on your lips, under your nose or around your chin caused by a virus known as herpes simplex virus type 1. Once you have them, you’re likely to get them again. Extremely contagious, they can be passed to others from the time you feel the first symptoms (like itching or tingling by your mouth) to the time they heal completely. Cold sores are often red, yellow or gray and usually heal within a week or two on their own. Your dentist can prescribe antiviral drugs within the first few days of an outbreak to help it heal more quickly. Over the counter drugs are available to help with pain, itching and burning they might cause.

Cavities

One in four adults has an untreated cavity, and according to the CDC, nearly every adult will have tooth decay at some point. You might have a cavity if you experience pain, food gets caught in your tooth, your tooth feels rough to your tongue or it hurts to eat something cold or sweet. Depending on their severity, cavities can be treated with fillings, crowns or root canals. If the damage is too extensive or involves nerve damage, the tooth may need to be removed. To reduce your chance of developing cavities, brush twice a day, floss once a day, drink water with fluoride, use a fluoride toothpaste, stay away from sugary food and drinks and see your dentist regularly.

Chipped Tooth

If you regularly chomp on hard foods like nuts or ice cubes, grind your teeth or have a mouth piercing, you’re at a higher risk for a chipped tooth. You might feel pain, depending on how much tooth has been lost. You may also feel a rough edge when you run your tongue along it.

If this happens, see your dentist. A small chip might be able to be smoothed down. Your dentist can use a tooth-colored filling, a veneer or crown to shape up your smile after a larger chip.

Teeth Grinding

Grinding your teeth (bruxism) is most likely to happen when you’re sleeping, though it can occur anytime during the day if you’re stressed, have a new filling or crown that’s higher than the rest of your teeth or have an abnormal bite. Over a long period of time, the surface of your teeth will become worn. You could experience toothaches, dull headaches or earaches, and jaw pain (TMJ). Your teeth may also appear more yellow because the white outer covering is worn away.

A custom mouthguard from your dentist can protect your teeth during sleep and correct bite issues. If stress is the cause, find a way to relax. Meditation, counseling and exercise can help reduce stress and anxiety (and the likelihood that you will grind your teeth).

To read the entire article visit MouthHealthy.org.

Palm Beach Smiles 
Michael Barr, DDS
COSMETIC & FAMILY DENTISTRY
650 W. Boynton Beach Blvd, Suite 1- Boynton Beach, FL 332426
(561) 736-2377
http://palmbeach-smiles.com/

Cavity Dental Care

Cavities in Boynton Beach

How can the hardest substance in the human body turn to mush? Invisible fillings are your solution!

"Thank you for your honesty with taking care of my teeth. I love all you guys and keep smiling." —Evelyn Thomas

Everyone knows about cavities. Most of us know that sugar is a major culprit. Most of us have had fillings to fix cavities throughout our lives. Teeth are decayed by the acids in our mouth produced by bacteria (plaque) consuming sugars and carbohydrates. That acid is what turns our teeth into mush. Today's popular and very acidic soft drinks and "energy" drinks are like gas on the decay fire.

However, you may not be aware of early tooth decay. Here are some signs that may indicate cavities in your teeth:

• Sensitive to sweets, food, or cold temperatures.
• Brown-stained pits or craters in your teeth.
• Broken teeth or broken old fillings.

Though, oftentimes, cavities don't hurt at all.

The solution to cavities depends on many things including: how large the cavity is, where the cavity is on the tooth, and where the tooth is in the mouth.

It may be as simple as placing a tooth colored filling, inlay or onlay, or even a crown for very large cavities. While some dentists still use silver-mercury amalgam, Dr. Barr has not used it in many years. Dr. Barr believes that silver-mercury amalgam, a 150 year-old technology, is an obsolete material. Today's technologies can give you metal-free invisible fillings!

Palm Beach Smiles 
Michael Barr, DDS
COSMETIC & FAMILY DENTISTRY
650 W. Boynton Beach Blvd, Suite 1- Boynton Beach, FL 332426
(561) 736-2377
http://palmbeach-smiles.com/

Are you at risk for oral cancer? Learn the facts.

Watch American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons's video on "Are you at risk for oral cancer? Learn the facts.'

The above video is found on the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons YouTube Channel.

Palm Beach Smiles 
Michael Barr, DDS
COSMETIC & FAMILY DENTISTRY
650 W. Boynton Beach Blvd, Suite 1- Boynton Beach, FL 332426
(561) 736-2377
http://palmbeach-smiles.com/

Dental Cosmetic Crowns

Cosmetic Porcelain Crowns in Boynton Beach

Actual case by Dr. Barr at Palm Beach Smiles. This is a combination of crowns and veneers. Click any of the photos above to see more about this case!

Do you have large stained fillings? Do you have existing crowns that have a dark line at the gumline or look unnatural, like "chiclets"?

Cosmetic Dental Crowns can be used to create a more pleasing smile. Some of the conditions that can be corrected with cosmetic crowns:

• Old crowns that have "black line syndrome" near the gum line.
• Old crowns that no longer match your other teeth.
• Large stained fillings or bondings.
• Large silver-mercury amalgam fillings.
• Issues with your bite or how your teeth fit together.
• Teeth worn down over the years.

The trend is towards reducing or eliminating metal in dentistry. The All-Ceramic Crowns are state-of-the-art. They appear very natural and have the advantage of being bonded to the tooth for strength. Since there is no metal substructure, they don't have the "black line syndrome" at the gum line.

Dr. Michael Barr has dedicated himself to creating beautiful smiles with the latest porcelain or all-ceramic dental crowns. He has even taught these techniques to other dentists from across the country. If you're in Boynton Beach or Palm Beach County, Porcelain Crowns may be your answer to getting your own "Palm Beach Smile!" Whether it's a single tooth or an entire smile, we want it to look like it grew there - natural and beautiful.

To see photographs of actual cases done by Dr. Barr, click on Dental Crown photos.

Palm Beach Smiles 
Michael Barr, DDS
COSMETIC & FAMILY DENTISTRY
650 W. Boynton Beach Blvd, Suite 1- Boynton Beach, FL 332426
(561) 736-2377
http://palmbeach-smiles.com/

Top Dental Symptoms: Jaw Pain or Popping/Clicking in the Jaw

Many things can cause these symptoms, which can make it difficult to diagnose. Possible causes include sinus problems, toothache, arthritis, injury, teeth grinding, gingivitis or problems with your jaw like TMJ. Your dentist will conduct a thorough exam, which may include X-rays, to determine the source of the pain.

Above article from: MouthHealthy.org

Palm Beach Smiles 
Michael Barr, DDS
COSMETIC & FAMILY DENTISTRY
650 W. Boynton Beach Blvd, Suite 1- Boynton Beach, FL 332426
(561) 736-2377
http://palmbeach-smiles.com/

The Top 7 Risk Factors for Oral Cancer (Part 3 of 3)

You know your dentist is looking for cavities during regular check-ups, but you may not realize your dentist can check for cancer at the same time. It’s estimated that approximately 51,540 people will be diagnosed with oral cancer and cancers of the throat, tonsils and back of the tongue in 2018.

Sunlight 
People who have jobs working outside are more prone to developing lip cancer and should use UV protection.

Diet 
Poor nutrition also may put you at risk for developing oral cancer. A diet low in fruits and vegetables may increase your chance of developing oral cancer, so add more color to your plate! 
 










To read the entire article visit MouthHealthy.org.

Palm Beach Smiles 
Michael Barr, DDS
COSMETIC & FAMILY DENTISTRY
650 W. Boynton Beach Blvd, Suite 1- Boynton Beach, FL 332426
(561) 736-2377
http://palmbeach-smiles.com/

Top Dental Symptoms: Cracked or Broken Teeth

A cracked or broken tooth can happen for a variety of reasons- brittle teeth, teeth grinding, injury. The crack may be invisible to the naked eye and even X-ray, but they can be incredibly painful and create bigger problems if left untreated. If you experience pain when chewing see your dentist. They can diagnose the cause and develop a plan for treatment.

Above article from: MouthHealthy.org

Palm Beach Smiles 
Michael Barr, DDS
COSMETIC & FAMILY DENTISTRY
650 W. Boynton Beach Blvd, Suite 1- Boynton Beach, FL 332426
(561) 736-2377
http://palmbeach-smiles.com/