Resolutions for a Healthier Mouth

Are you amazed sometimes by the dazzling white, A-lister worthy perfection of the smiles of those around you? Don't write it off to good genes or good luck, chances are those friends, co-workers, family members, and neighbors work hard to look their best. In addition to maintaining healthy gums and a glistening smile, routine self-care is the key to establishing excellent mouth health.

If you resolved to do better this year in regard to your overall dental care, and have had trouble getting started, here is a quick and easy action plan just for you!

• Start the new year by scheduling your first routine checkup and cleaning. That way, you will know if there are any issues your dental professionals need to address with you, such as sensitivity, cracked teeth, or damaged fillings. Make the most of your visit and get a refresher on the proper ways to brush and floss.  Contact our office to schedule an appointment: 919-782-0548.
• In the spirit of new beginnings, treat yourself to a new dental "tool" kit. Having the best tools will ensure that the job is done right. Ask your dentist about new electric toothbrushes and other ADA approved items including: fluoride toothpaste, an egg timer, waxed floss, a tongue scraper, dental rinse, sugarless gum and lip balm.
• Resolve to brush 2 X daily for 2 minutes.* This is when your egg timer will come in handy! Brushing twice daily is a step in the right direction for a brighter smile and fewer dental problems.
• Floss your teeth and scrape your each night before bedtime.* That way, particles that cause cavities and bacteria that can lead to decay and bad breath will be banished!
• Reach for a stick of sugarless gum 20 minutes after a meal. Recent advancements have made chewing sugarless gum a good thing because many brands now contain ingredients that can protect the teeth. Look for the ADA seal of approval before you buy that pack of spearmint or favorite fruit flavored gum.
• Pay attention to your diet. That means eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Whenever possible, consume raw carrots, apples, and celery. These healthy snacks are great for crunching away other food particles that can cause decay. Also, avoid sugary snacks and beverages, processed foods, and drink plenty of fluoridated water.

*(or even better - after every meal)

Need more motivation? Dr. Melcher and his team of dental professionals in Raleigh, NC would be happy to see you soon! Just give us a call at: (919) 782-0548.

How to Treat Canker Sores

Nobody likes getting canker sores, but unfortunately, they are a common condition. Even if you practice good oral hygiene, you will likely get a canker sore at least once or twice in your life. Fortunately, they are fairly easy to treat.

Canker sores are small, shallow ulcers in the mouth that can cause discomfort and pain when eating, drinking or brushing your teeth. They can be caused by a variety of factors, but there is no definite way to know how a canker sore develops. Tissue injury is thought to be the most common cause, while acidic foods (citrus fruits, figs, tomatoes, etc.) are thought to trigger or worsen the condition. If you have braces or dentures that aren't fitted quite right, you could experience canker sores due to the friction of the dental work against your mouth surface.

Symptoms of a canker sore include a small, painful area within the mouth, a tingling or burning sensation prior to the sore first appearing and, in the case of severe canker sore attacks, fever and swollen lymph nodes. Contrary to what some believe, cold sores and canker sores are not the same thing. Cold sores, also known as fever blisters or herpes simplex type 1, are fluid-filled blisters. Unlike canker sores, cold sores are caused by a virus and are very contagious.

Most canker sores will heal on their own after about a week, but to treat the pain and discomfort, a variety of over-the-counter products are available in most drug stores. If you experience canker sores that last longer than a week, seem to be getting worse, or are experiencing other medical symptoms, you should contact us at 919-782-0548.  We may prescribe a special mouth rinse or ointment to treat the sore.

Here are a few suggestions to avoid canker sores:

• Stay away from foods and drinks that irritate your mouth, including acidic fruits and veggies or spicy foods.
• Brush and floss after meals to keep your mouth free of debris that could cause a sore to develop.
• Use a soft-bristled tooth brush to minimize gum irritation.

Make sure any dental apparatus you use is well-fitted and does not cause irritation to your gums, cheeks or soft palate (the back portion of the roof of your mouth).

What Causes Tooth Decay?

Tooth decay is the unpleasant result of plaque reacting with sugary and starchy deposits from food. This reaction produces an acidic substance that eats away at your tooth enamel. Over time, this weakens the tooth and will eventually lead to advanced decay if left untreated. Cavities, abcsesses or gum disease are possible consequences of tooth decay.

A few symptoms of tooth decay include pain around the tooth (or teeth), bad breath, white, gray, brown or black spots on the teeth, or a tooth that is sensitive to pressure. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, do not hesitate to contact us. Call 919-782-0548 for an appointment.

The best way to avoid tooth decay is to maintain a healthy oral hygeine routine. Bushing and flossing after meals (or at least twice a day) will greatly reduce your chances of tooth decay. In addition to at-home dental care, you should make every effort to schedule regular cleanings with your dentist.

By keeping up with your excellent dental hygiene, healthy eating habits, and regular six-month cleanings and check-ups, you will avoid having to come see us for more serious treatments later on!

Smile Gallery - See How We Can Transform Your Smile

Visit our Smile Gallery at TheRaleighDentists.com to see how our dental treatments can transform your smile!  You'll see before and after photos of the treatments so you can really get an idea of the difference this dental work can make for your health and appearance.

From teeth whitening to veneers and implants, Dr, Simon Melcher has the knowledge, experience, and resources to give you a whiter, brighter, and healthier smile.  Give us a call today to schedule your appointment: (919) 782-0548.

Reviews for Implant and General Dentistry, Raleigh NC

We always appreciate the feedback we hear from our patients, whether in-person, online, or in the form of a referral.  Your feedback helps us improve our service and helps others know more about us.  We can tell people how great we are until we're blue in the face :) but recommendations mean so much more when they come from another patient.

We wanted to share some of our first-hand patient reviews and testimonials so you can read for yourself what others have to say about us.  You can get all of our latest reviews here:

Patient Testimonials

We also invite you to leave an online review for Implant and General Dentistry in Raleigh NC at one of the following places:

RateADentist - Implant and General Dentistry, Raleigh
Google Places - Implant and General Dentistry, Raleigh
Google Places - Dr. Simon Melcher 

Thank you so much for providing us with your valuable feedback.  We truly appreciate your time.

Routine Teeth Cleaning and Dental Hygiene

One of the most basic and most important services we provide for our patients is routine teeth cleaning including dental hygiene, oral exams, and annual x-rays. We schedule routine cleanings every six months for each patient and do our utmost to stay on schedule. If an appointment cannot be kept, whether by our schedule or yours, we will find the next best available time slot for you to come in.

Routine cleanings help us not only provide the best care for your teeth, they also allow us to diagnose any problems and ideally take steps to manage those problems before they develop further.

Our routine teeth cleanings also allow us to help educate you about brushing and flossing best practices to ensure that you're taking optimal care of your teeth between visits. We can point out potential trouble spots with your teeth and gums so you know where to pay extra attention during your own dental care.

Please contact us or request an appointment for your routine teeth cleaning and we'll get you on your way to a healthy mouth! 919-782-0548

Find us Online

Dr. Simon Melcher wants to make it easy for you to learn more about his practice at Implant and General Dentistry and to connect with him online.

In addition to our blog and website, Dr. Melcher can also be found in Google, Facebook, and YouTube as well as other local business sites. Here are some links to help you connect with Dr. Melcher online:

• Our Website: www.TheRaleighDentists.com
• Our Blog: TheRaleighDentists.blogspot.com
• YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/TheRaleighDentists
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Implant-and-General-Dentistry/195770077121309
• Google Places: maps.google.com/maps/place?q=dentist+raleigh+nc&hl=en&cid=16496568863670239301
• Google Profile: profiles.google.com/ImplantandGeneralDentistry/about
• Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/101181894628150727559/posts
• Our Reviews: rateadentist.com/com/rateadentist/view/officesummary/office-summary.jsf?_afPfm=tbsjkd58d

We appreciate your interest and support and hope to hear from you soon! 919-782-0548

Friendly Staff, Experienced Dentists

Here at Implant and General Dentistry in Raleigh NC, we take great care to provide comforting and friendly service as well as expert and experienced dentistry.

We understand that visits to the dentist may make some of our patients nervous or worried and we hope to alleviate that by educating our patients on the specfic procedures they require and on what they can expect before, during, and after the procedure. Our technicians and support staff are welcoming and we have a wealth of knowledge and experience in each treatment we provide.

If you are looking for a dentist in Raleigh, please give us a call and come in to meet with our staff and with Dr. Simon Melcher. We are confident that we can provide the dental services you need with the polite, friendly, and welcoming attitude that you desire.

You can reach us at 919-782-0548 or request an appointment directly through our website.

Implant and General Dentistry in Raleigh NC

Welcome to the blog for Dr. Simon Melcher, Dentist in Raleigh NC with Implant and General Dentistry. We are conveniently located at 3340 Six Forks Rd. in Raleigh. We offer a full range of cosmetic and general dentistry treatments including:

• Teeth Cleaning and Dental Hygiene
• Teeth Whitening
• Dental Implants
• Crowns
• Bridges
• Dentures
• Veneers

Please see our dental treatments page to learn more about each procedure and the product brands we use here at the practice.

We hope to keep you informed and updated about our office and the treatments we offer.

Please request an appointment directly through our website or call us at 919-782-0548 to learn more.