A perfectly white smile for your Winter Wedding!

It’s winter, and it’s cold. But, believe it or not, there is a growing trend of brides choosing to tie the knot in the winter wonderland. If you are gearing up for a wedding this winter, consider matching that white dress to a perfectly white smile!

At Dental Excellence we offer in-office tooth whitening for the bride, the groom, or the entire wedding party! You get the girls together to get their nails done, and now you can get them together to get their teeth done!

In-office whitening is the quickest, most effective way to achieve whiter teeth. Because we are dental professionals, we have the expertise to use higher percentages of whitening agents than the at-home systems allow. So you can get a brighter white, usually in just one visit!

Give us a ring and let us add some extra sparkle to your “I do”!

Moooooove Over Gum Disease!

Drs. Carr, Hawkins, LaBarca, Smith, and Wiley want to know: Is dairy a major part of your diet? If not, it should be! A 2008 study from the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) has found that regular consumption of dairy products, such as milk, cheese and yogurt, can actually lower your chances of contracting periodontal disease (also known as gum disease). Results of the study also showed that adults who consume at least 55 grams of lactic acid a day are less at risk for gum disease.

Cheese is one of the healthiest snacks for your child's teeth. In addition to providing large amounts of much-needed calcium, cheese also does its part to fight cavities. Cheddar, Swiss, Mozzarella, and Monterey Jack all stimulate the body's salivary glands to clear the mouth of debris and protect them from acids that weaken them, according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. This means cheese disrupts the development of cavities, especially when eaten as a snack or at the end of a meal. Calcium and phosphorous found in cheese reduce or prevent decreases in the plaque's ph level and work to re-mineralize the enamel of your child's teeth.

Gum disease is caused by a bacterial infection in the mouth that affects the gums and jaw. Gum disease results in a loss of teeth and bone, and has been connected to certain cases of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, respiratory disease and osteoporosis.

Eating dairy is not just healthy for building strong bones, but is essential for maintaining a strong, healthy mouth. Next time you reach for a quick snack, choose some cheese, or a glass of milk, and remember with each bite, and every sip you are preserving your teeth for a lifetime of smiles and good oral health!

For more information about which dairy foods are best for keeping your teeth healthy, please give Dental Excellence a call.

Dental Excellence loves Patient Reviews!!

Our team loves getting patient reviews. And lately, Dental Excellence, serving Independence Missouri and surrounding communities, has been getting some pretty great patient testimonials! We thought we'd share some with you today!

"Dental Excellence is the best place I have found in the metro to go to the dentist. They are professional and organized. I have always been able to schedule when necessary, and they have a great system of letting you know how much your services cost and your options to pay. Dr. Smith is honest and trustworthy and his chair side manner is excellent. A great place all around."
- Jerianne

"I have been going to this practice almost my whole life and I always have great care, every single time. I rarely have to wait at all in the waiting room, and now matter who cleans my teeth, they are always overly nice! I would recommend anyone to go here is they are looking for a great dentist!"
-Lindsey B.

Dental Excellence is definitely the place to go for the best care and treatment. They have given me great care and treatment, the best I've ever received.
-Carolynn E.

How to Freshen Bad Breath

Your Independence MO dentists at Dental Excellence, recognize that many of our patients are concerned about bad breath, or halitosis. While some cases of bad breath are persistent (chronic bad breath), generally bad breath is transient, and can be prevented.

We recently came across this helpful video about bad breath and thought it was worth sharing with our patients. The video explains what might cause bad breath and some ways that it can be avoided. In most instances, bad breath can be prevented by practicing common oral hygiene techniques that you have probably heard us emphasize during a visit to Dental Excellence, such as brushing and flossing daily. We encourage you to watch this video for additional tips on how to keep bad breath at bay. Enjoy!