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Archive for the ‘General Dentistry’ Category

Children’s Dental Health in Phoenix

Monday, September 28th, 2009

For years, the American Academy of Pediatrics advised Paradise Valley parents to begin children’s dentist visits before the third birthday.

The AAP now advises parents to take their toddler to a Arizona dentist before their first birthday, or about six months after their first tooth appears.

Why? Prevention, prevention, prevention! Sadly, Arizona dentists find advanced tooth decay in very young children.

High-risk children should be seen as early as possible. Following are some of the risk factors:

Sleeping with a bottle
Drinking juice continually during the day
Abnormal tooth development
Thumb sucking
Tooth grinding
A mother with significant tooth decay
Other health problems

To talk to us about pediatric dentistry, call 602-955-8600. Children love Dentist Drs. Joseph, Brian, Eric & Scott Harris at Harris Dental. We also pamper busy Phoenix and Queen Creek parents who come to Harris Dental for general and cosmetic dentistry. If you are between the ages of 20 and 80, we would love to provide you with the most advanced dental care in the Phoenix area.

Harris Dental
4444 N. 32nd Street, Phoenix, AZ
20261 E. Ocotillo Road, Suite 120, Queen Creek, AZ
http://www.HarrisDental.com
602-955-8600

Tags: cosmetic dentistry, Pediatric Dentistry, Phoenix Cosmetic Dentist, Phoenix Dentist
Posted in General Dentistry, dental health | No Comments »

Dental Specialties Available In Phoenix

Saturday, July 18th, 2009

General dentists in the Phoenix area are trained in a wide variety of dental procedures. However, sometimes, your general dentist will refer you to a local specialist, or include a specialist as part of your treatment team.

Following are some of the most common dental specialties found in the Phoenix & Queen Creek areas:

Endodontists
Endodontists specialize in root canal therapy and other procedures involving the root and surrounding parts of the tooth.

Periodontists
Periodontists treat the conditions affecting gum tissue and the bone surrounding the teeth. If you have gingivitis or more advanced periodontal disease, you may be referred to a periodontist in Phoenix.

Prosthodontists
Repairing damaged teeth and replacing lost teeth is called ‘restorative dentistry’. Prosthodontists have advanced training in procedures involving crowns, dental implants, bridges, veneers, inlays, and partial or complete dentures.

Pediatric Dentists
Infants, young children and teenagers have different dental needs than adults. Pediatric Dentists undergo additional training in the diagnosis and treatment of dental diseases affecting the youngest population in Phoenix.

Oral Surgeons
Oral Surgeons perform surgical procedures involving the teeth, mouth and jaw. These include dental implants, surgery to repair damage due to injury, tumor surgery, and cleft lip and palate reconstruction.

If you are interested in learning more about these specialties, or have a concern regarding your oral health, please visit us at Harris Dental. You will find us at 4444 N. 32nd Street, Phoenix, AZ in Phoenix Arizona 85018. We are also located in Queen Creek at 20261 E. Ocotillo Road, Suite 120, Queen Creek, AZ 85242. Please give us a call at 602-955-8600.

-Drs. Joseph, Brian, Eric & Scott Harris, DDS

Tags: Phoenix Dental Specialists, Queen Creek General Dentist
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Preventing Gum Disease at Harris Dental

Saturday, June 27th, 2009

Run your tongue along the gumline behind your lower front teeth. Do you feel a ridge? This is probably tartar or dental calculus.

Even if you brush and floss regularly, plaque and tartar can gradually accumulate. If not removed, these bacteria-breeding substances cause the gums to become irritated and swollen. Eventually, the gums become detached from the tooth, creating a ‘pocket’. This creates a new space for plaque and tartar to grow. In advanced stages of periodontal disease, the toxins created by the bacteria literally rot the gum, teeth and bone.

At Harris Dental in Phoenix and Queen Creek, we perform the most thorough dental cleanings possible. Gum disease can be reversed in its early stages.

Our goal is to help our dental patients prevent gum disease before any damage occurs. Cleanings include root planing and periodontal scaling. Scaling removes the plaque and calculus above and, especially, below the gumline where your toothbrush cannot reach. Planing smoothes root surfaces so it is more difficult for plaque and tartar to accumulate and grow. It also creates a healthy surface for the gums to reattach to the root if necessary.

To schedule a deep cleaning, call 602-955-8600. We are located at 4444 N. 32nd Street, in Phoenix; or 20261 E. Ocotillo Rd, St. 120 in Queen Creek. In addition to providing comprehensive dental cleanings, we create mega-watt smiles for cosmetic dentistry clients. See http://www.HarrisDental.com for more information about our state-of-the-art dental practice.

Tags: Arizona Dental, Phoenix Cosmetic Dental, Queen Creek Dental Cleaning
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Restoring Smiles at Harris Dental in Phoenix

Friday, May 22nd, 2009

A great smile is essential for putting your best face forward. At Harris Dental, we not only restore teeth to their original condition; we make many Arizona smiles better than they ever were before!

Some patients have only a few problems they wish to correct. Perhaps one or two teeth are misshapen and seem out of alignment. If the problem teeth are only superficially crooked—meaning they do not need to be moved into place with orthodontia—porcelain veneers are the answer. Veneers are wafer-thin porcelain shells that are attached to the front of one of more teeth. They are extremely versatile and can correct shape, color, or both.

Another plus: porcelain veneers are essentially non-invasive and do not affect healthy tooth structure.

Some of our Phoenix and Queens Creek dental patients were happy with their smile in years past but now want to bring up the whiteness a notch or two. Teeth whitening is a popular procedure for our cosmetic dentistry clients. We provide a variety of teeth whitening options for every type of smile. If you are ready to brighten your smile, come on in; we’ll help you find the best tooth whitening system for your smile.

Dr. Joseph and Brian Harris, DDS
Harris Dental
4444 N. 32nd Street, Phoenix, AZ
Phoenix, Arizona 85018
602-955-8600
http://www.HarrisDental.com

Put your best face forward with a brand new smile!

Tags: Arizona smile makeover, Phoenix Cosmetic Dentist, porcelain veneers, Queens Creek teeth whitening
Posted in General Dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, dental crowns, porcelain veneers, teeth whitening | No Comments »

The Dangers of Oral Piercing

Friday, May 22nd, 2009

If you live in the Phoenix or Queens Creek area and are considering puncturing your lip or tongue, read this:

Infection
Your mouth is full of bacteria. Any opening in the tissue carries the risk of infection. The germs from your tongue and mouth can easily get into your bloodstream. Arizona dentists and doctors are continually treating serious infections caused by oral piercings. Oral infections can be a real problem, and should be a major consideration before getting an oral piercing.

Tooth Damage
It should come as no surprise that having a piece of metal bang around in your mouth can easily chip tooth enamel. Though tooth enamel is amazingly strong, once it’s chipped or cracked, it can only be restored with artificial material. Fortunately, Harris Dental offers many tooth restoration options such as crowns and fillings, but our advice is to avoid the problem if you can.

Prolonged Bleeding and Swelling
The blood vessels in the tongue are often damaged when the tongue is pierced, causing prolonged bleeding and possible build-up of scar tissue. In some cases, the tongue swells up enough to block the airway.

Gum Recession
A number of periodontal disease studies have shown that wearing oral jewelry is linked to periodontal disease which can result in tooth loss. Periodontal disease, or ‘gum disease’, can cause gum recession and exposes the root of your teeth, potentially causing hyper sensitivity and pain. Again, our advice is to avoid the problem right from the start.

These are just a few of the dangers. Dr. Joseph, Brian, Eric and Scott Harris at Harris Dental can give you more information about the risks of oral piercings. If you already have damage, call 602-955-8600 to schedule a consultation.

Tags: Arizona Dentists, Phoenix Dangers of Oral Piercing, Queens Creek risks of oral piercing
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Harris Dental on Jaw Bone Deterioration

Monday, May 18th, 2009

To remain dense, your jaw bone requires the continual stimulation and pressure of chewing, biting and talking. Each of your teeth has a root structure attached to the surrounding bone material. As each tooth absorbs the forces of everyday mouth function, it stimulates the bone to which the root is attached.

When a tooth is extracted, the jaw bone that previously surrounded the root structure begins to recede. Though tooth extraction is often the only possible treatment for our Phoenix and Queens Creek patients with tooth damage beyond repair, every effort should be made to preserve the root structure.

Fortunately, tooth implants provide a new root which keeps the surrounding bone healthy and strong. A dental implant consists of a titanium post which is placed in the jaw bone. It replaces the original root and eventually integrates into the surrounding bone. After the implant has been placed and the surrounding bone has healed and meshed with the implant, a post is inserted into the implant. The new artificial tooth, or crown, is then attached to the post. Implant restoration is a safe and effective treatment for tooth loss.

To learn more about dental implants, call Dr. Joseph, Brian, Eric and Scott Harris at 602-955-8600. The friendly professionals at Harris Dental, with offices in Phoenix and Queens Creek, provide world-class dental treatment for their patients.

We Absolutely Love What We Do and You’ll Feel It Every Time You Visit!

Tags: Phoenix dental implants, Queens Creek cosmetic dentistry, tooth extractions, tooth implants
Posted in General Dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, dental crowns, dental implants, restorative dentistry | No Comments »

Bad Breath Treatment at Harris Dental

Saturday, May 9th, 2009

Do you suspect that you have bad breath? At Harris Dental–with full-service dental offices in Phoenix and Queen Creek, Arizona–we help our dental patients diagnose and overcome this unpleasant and potentially embarrassing condition.

Halitosis is caused by the bacteria that live on and around your teeth, gums and tongue. Breath mints and mouthwashes do not cure bad breath, they only mask the symptoms. Proper oral hygiene can cure many cases of bad breath. However, in some cases, bad breath is caused by more serious conditions. Sinus and tonsil infections, acid reflux, ulcers, diabetes, hypoglycemia, kidney malfunction, and eating disorders are just some of the health issues that can cause bad breath.

If you have bad breath, the first thing to do is make sure you are cleaning your teeth, gums and tongue thoroughly. This does not mean you should brush as long and forcefully as possible. Brushing too vigorously can harm gums and contribute to gum recession. At Harris Dental, we help patients of all ages learn safe and effective brushing, flossing and tongue cleaning methods.

And don’t forget regular professional cleanings. Our friendly dental hygienist is trained in the latest and most effective deep-cleaning procedures. Your teeth feel so good after being cleaned professionally!

To make an appointment for an exam, cleaning or consultation, call Harris Dental in Phoenix or Queen Creek at 602-955-8600. Your teeth are too important to neglect.

Tags: Phoenix Bad Breath, Phoenix Cosmetic Dentist, Queen Creek Dentist, Queen Creek Halitosis
Posted in Bad Breath, General Dentistry, dental health | No Comments »

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