Kelly, Dental Hygienist

Kelly is a life-long resident of Dunedin. Her family owns a three-generation business. Kelly graduated from the University of Florida in Tallahassee. Her Mom was a Dental Assistant and that’s how she became interested in Dentistry. She has been with us for several years, loves her dogs, Emma and Daisy and loves to travel.

Ever noticed that a bright, natural smile catches your attention?

Let’s face it … one of the first things you notice about people is their smile. When you meet someone with a bright, natural smile, it catches your attention. However, over time, the natural aging process and your lifestyle (coffee, tea, wine, smoking) can stain your teeth. To get your smile back to looking its best, you should choose a whitening method that:

• Helps you look and feel younger, more attractive and more confident
• Achieves the longest-lasting results
• Gives you the most naturally brilliant and uniform look
• Is clinically proven to be safe and effective and administered by a dental professional

Request an appointment or call our office at (727) 796-1713 to schedule a personal consultation during your next visit.

Sincerely,

Prior Cosmetic & Family Dentistry
(727) 796-1713

Periodontal (Gum) Disease

Periodontal (gum) diseases, including gingivitis and periodontitis, are serious infections that, left untreated, can lead to tooth loss. The word periodontal literally means ‘around the tooth’. Periodontal disease is a chronic bacterial infection that affects the gums and bone supporting the teeth.

Periodontal disease can affect one tooth or many teeth. It begins when the bacteria in plaque (the sticky, colorless film that constantly forms on your teeth) cause the gums to become inflamed.

You may be at risk of gum disease if you answer yes to any of the following questions:

Do your gums ever bleed?
Are your teeth loose?
Have your gums receded, or do your teeth look longer?
Do you smoke or use tobacco products?
Have you had any adult teeth extracted?
Has it been more than 2 years since seeing a dentist?
Have any of your family members had gum disease?
In the mildest form of the disease, gingivitis, the gums redden, swell and bleed easily. There is usually little or no discomfort. Gingivitis is often caused by inadequate oral hygiene. Gingivitis is reversible with professional treatment and good oral home care.

Request an appointment or call our office at 727-796-1713 to schedule a personal consultation during your next visit.

Sincerely,
Prior Cosmetic & Family Dentistry

Year End Dental Insurance Reminder

It’s hard to beleive that tha we are 4 months away from the end of the year! This is just a friendly reminder that now is the time to be thinking about using your insurance benefits before they may expire at the end of the year.

Request an appointment online or call our office at (727) 796-1713 to schedule an appointment before the end of the year to take advantage of your insurance benefits. If you are unsure of what benefits are remaining, please call the office to get a COMPLIMENTARY BENEFITS SUMMARY.

Please give us a call if you have any questions or if we can be of any assistance whatsoever.

See you soon,

Prior Cosmetic & Family Dentistry
(727) 796-1713

Offer expires 12/06/2010. Some restrictions apply.

TMD/TMJ (Temporomandibular Disorders)

According to the American Dental Association, more than fifteen percent of American adults suffer from chronic facial pain. Some common symptoms include pain in or around the ear, tenderness of the jaw, clicking or popping noises when opening the mouth, or even headaches and neck aches.

Two joints and several jaw muscles make it possible to open and close the mouth. They work together when you chew, speak, and swallow. These structures include muscles and ligaments, as well as the jaw bone, the mandible (lower jaw) with two joints, the TMJ’s.

Diagnosis And Treatment
A dentist can help identify the source of the pain with a thorough exam and appropriate X-rays. Often, it’s a sinus, toothache or an early stage of periodontal disease. But for some pain, the cause is not so easily diagnosed. The pain could be related to the facial muscles, the jaw ortemporomandibular joint, located in the front of the ear. Treatments for this pain may include stress reducing exercises, muscle relaxants, or wearing a mouth protector to prevent teeth grinding. They’ve been successful for many and your dentist can recommend which is best for you.

Request an appointment or call our office at (727) 796-1713 to schedule a personal consultation during your next visit.

Sincerely,

Prior Cosmetic & Family Dentistry
(727) 796-1713