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Straighter teeth is something many people desire. A nice smile is one of the most attractive things about a person. However, wearing a mouth full of braces for two, three, or more years can be a major pain, both literally and figuratively.

Luckily, there is another option. Invisalign is an alternative to traditional braces. Learn more about the benefits Invisalign offers and why you should consider this exciting method of straightening teeth.

• When you have straight teeth, your mouth is healthier in general and there is less chance of tooth decay and gum disease. Invisalign makes it possible for more people to straighten their teeth.
• Invisalign is essentially invisible. You can straighten your teeth without unsightly metal in your mouth.
• The average cost is similar to that of traditional braces, which makes it affordable for many families.
• With Invisalign, the aligner trays are smooth and comfortable to wear. Traditional metal braces can be uncomfortable and cause irritation to the mouth.
• Invisalign is removable, so you do not have to wear the system during special occasions, or when you’re eating. With normal metal braces, you are stuck with them for the entire straightening process.
• Brushing and flossing are simple. Since the system is removable, you can brush and floss just like normal.

As you can see, Invisalign is an exciting option we provide at Cardinale Dentistry for those who want straighter teeth. If this is something that sounds interesting to you, talk to Dr. Vincent Cardinale and Dr. Chris Moody and find out if it would work for your particular situation. Get started today, and before you know it you will be enjoying your straighter teeth.

For more information about Invisalign, or to schedule an initial consultation with Dr. Vincent Cardinale and Dr. Chris Moody, please give us a call at our convenient Naples, FL office today!

We have all heard how important it is to remove plaque and food debris from our teeth and gums. In addition to brushing and flossing, many patients will benefit  from using an oral irrigator.  The concept of oral irrigation is to shoot a stream  of pulsating water out of a nozzle or tip toward the teeth and the gumline. This is effective in removing food debris, germs and bacteria  which remain in areas that  cannot be properly cleaned by brushing and flossing alone.

How the Hydro Floss Works:

The Hydro  Floss is very similar  in function to other irrigators on the market, but  very unique in patient response due to the patented scientific technology at work in the  Hydro  Floss; the science of  Hydro-Magnetics.

The   primary   cause   of   problems   in  our   mouths   is  an  over   abundance  of bacteria.   Bacteria adhere to  the  surfaces in our  mouths  using a  magnetic bond.   You see, the  surfaces in our  mouths  are made  up of  materials that carry a  natural  positive   (+) charge,  bacteria  have  a  natural negative (-) charge. Passing common tap  water  (and it must be tap or  mineral water, pure water is non-polar)  through a very  specific type  of  magnetic  field  reverses the   polarity   of   the minerals  and  ions  conta i ned  in  the  water.   Then   by bombarding   the  inside   of   the   mouth   around   the  teeth  and   gums,  the negatively  charged water reverses the  polarity  of  the materials to which the bacteria adhere.   When  this   reversal  in polarity  occurs, the bacteria are forced to  separate from   the   tooth's surface and  are swept out  with  the other debris from  under  the gums and between the teeth.

By pointing the jet  tip at the  top surface of  the gum at a 90  degree angle to the  tooth's surface and  working your  way around  the margin  of  each  tooth, you allow each  pulse of  the jet  stream to  cause  a compression of  the gum. When   the  gum  rebounds  from   each   compression,  it   creates  a   vacuum (Venturi   effect) that sucks  the  negatively  charged water down  under  the gum into the sulcus.   The negatively  charged water then  causes a reversal  of polarity  in the materials that the  bacteria cling to,  forcing the bacteria to be  repelled   from   the tooth's surface allowing the next   pulse  of  water  to blast  the loosened  bacteria and  other debris out  from   under  the gum and into the  sink.  This irrigation will not remove all bacteria, but  what  it does  do is  keep  bacteria from   reaching   critical  mass  where   they   cause   the  most harm.   Additionally,  this  process creates rifts or  tears in the bio-film  that protects bacterial colonies.   Opening up this  bio-film  will allow medicaments like chlorhex idine  or  other  anti-microbial solutions to  do  a  better job  of eradicating bacteria.

The Hydro Floss is available for purchase in the Cardinale Dentistry office.  Our hygienists can make recommendations on the use of the Hydro Floss and answer any questions you may have!

In dentistry, there are a wide variety of treatments, everything from elective procedures to those that are necessary and potentially lifesaving. So given the slew of treatment options, how do you choose what’s right for you? Our experts at Cardinale Dentistry have handpicked the three must-have procedures that we believe can benefit nearly every patient.

The first: A complete periodontal exam. If you are going to the dentist for scheduled cleanings, this exam should happen at least once a year. A periodontal exam is quick and relatively painless. The dentist or hygienist will carefully probe around each tooth to take measurements that show the health of the bone and its supporting tissue, all while looking for signs of any active infection. It has been suggested that there is a link between periodontal (gum) disease and the increased risk of some potentially fatal diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Signs of some diseases show up in the mouth sometimes before the patient is aware of changes in the body. Diabetes is one of these silent diseases. Many Americans are unaware that they have the disease until sudden and severe changes in the periodontal health of the teeth lead to a trip to the patient’s physician. And did you know that more adults lose teeth to periodontal disease than to cavities? A simple screening once a year can lead to saving your teeth.

The second treatment our team at Cardinale Dentistry recommends is a dental sealant; it’s not just for kids! Dental sealants provide a protective barrier from bacteria deep in the pits and grooves of the teeth where cavities often start. Sealants placed in childhood will often wear away in adulthood. Replacing a sealant as an adult can also help prevent decay in adulthood. This is a great cost-effective procedure for adults. Dental insurance will likely not cover sealants as an adult, but the cost of a sealant for prevention versus the cost of a filling is much less.

Our third must-have dental treatment is often the most fun: in-office whitening. Who doesn’t want an instantly dazzling smile? In-office whitening is one of the most dramatic and quick ways to brighten a smile. It will take a few years off your age in a two-hour period of time. Whitening is very safe and can give a patient newfound confidence to smile.

With the warmer and longer days here, we know many of our patients at Cardinale Dentistry will be much more active in the summer. Though most of our patients are probably already ready to hit the field for some summer fun, we thought we would discuss a few precautions to take when it comes to keeping your teeth safe as you enjoy playing your favorite sports.

Use a Mouthguard

Are your kids participating in contact sports this summer? If the answer is yes, we strongly encourage you to have them fitted for a mouthguard at Cardinale Dentistry before the season starts. Athletes can avoid serious mouth and jaw injuries by using a mouthguard.

Be Mindful of Sports Drinks

While sports drinks can be refreshing after a game, they unfortunately contain high levels of sugar and citric acid, which are known to erode the teeth and reduce the minerals in the outer tooth enamel. The simplest way to prevent sports drinks from damaging your teeth? Avoid them completely and drink water instead. Water is a great option to keep you hydrated before, during, or after a game.

Floss, Floss, Floss

While we always tell our patients about the importance of flossing, it is especially important on the day of the game. Athletes are likely to consume more sugar; from energy bars and chews to gum, you are not doing your teeth any favors. All that sugar may give you that extra bounce in your step when out on the field, but we want you to remember to floss when you get home, or else contend with an increased risk of cavities down the road.

If you have any questions about keeping your teeth and mouth healthy while participating in summer sports, please give us a call at our Naples, FL office! Have fun!