General Dentistry Archives - Page 3 of 4

Defend Yourself Against Periodontal Disease at Juno Beach Smiles

January 30, 2014

Filed under: General Dentistry — Tags: Dr. Duane E. Keuning, Dr. Greg K. Riley, Juno Beach, Juno Beach Restorative and Aesthetic Dentistry, Jupiter, North Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, periodontal therapy, Tequesta — Greg Riley @ 10:49 pm

Shutterstock Periodontal Health Body When most people think about periodontal disease, they think about the obvious symptoms: sensitive and receding gums, bleeding when you brush and even eventual tooth loss. It is, after all, the leading cause of tooth loss in adults in America. Did you know, though, that gum disease can affect your health in other ways as well? At Juno Beach Restorative and Aesthetic Dentistry in Juno Beach, FL, Dr. Keuning and Dr. Riley want you to know how periodontal disease can impact your life as well as how to prevent it before it does.

Hidden Dangers of Gum Disease

When you suffer from periodontal disease, the accumulated bacteria in your mouth can spread throughout your body via your blood stream. This can lead to a variety of potentially life-threatening conditions, even in patients who are otherwise healthy. This mouth-body connection is something many patients are completely unaware of, making them even more vulnerable to the following conditions:

Pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in the lungs)
General high blood pressure
Poor diabetes management
Increased risk of stroke and heart attack
Coronary artery disease
Pancreatic cancer
Rheumatoid arthritis

Fortunately, the periodontal therapy services provided at Juno Beach Restorative and Aesthetic Dentistry can help keep your gums and teeth clean and healthy, thereby reducing your risk of developing these kinds of problems.

Take Control of Your Oral Health

If you or someone in your family has begun to notice the signs of periodontal disease, it’s not too late to reclaim your oral health and protect yourself from further damage. Contact us at our Juno Beach, FL office today to find out how Dr. Riley and Dr. Keuning can help you keep your mouth – and the rest of your body – healthy and happy. We also happily welcome patients from throughout the surrounding areas, including Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens, Tequesta, North Palm Beach and beyond.

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Let Us Guide You to a Healthier, More Radiant Smile This Year

January 15, 2014

Filed under: General Dentistry — Tags: Dr. Duane E. Keuning, Dr. Greg K. Riley, general dentistry, Juno Beach, Juno Beach Restorative and Aesthetic Dentistry, Jupiter, North Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Tequesta — Greg Riley @ 7:36 am

2014 Goals If you have serious goals for your smile in 2014, you’re going to need a team that can help you carry them out. At Juno Beach Restorative & Aesthetic Dentistry, we’re happy to be your guides to a healthier, more radiant smile.

Of course, improving your smile takes planning and time. If you want to transform the appearance of your teeth with a cosmetic service, or if you have missing teeth you want to replace with a restorative service, seeing us for a consultation is important. In general, we recommend that patients see Dr. Keuning or Dr. Riley twice within a 12-month period. This not only helps us plan your cosmetic or restorative care, it also helps us watch for common oral health issues that need to be treated.

We offer a comprehensive range of services. A sampling includes:

Because every patient has different needs, Dr. Keuning and Dr. Riley will work one-on-one with you to understand your needs and your goals. After an oral exam, we’ll be happy to recommend one or more services to help you. If you have questions about what we recommend, we’ll be happy to answer them.

Call Juno Beach Restorative & Aesthetic Dentistry today to schedule your first 2014 appointment with us. Dr. Keuning and Dr. Riley are happy to work with patients from Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens, Tequesta, North Palm Beach, and beyond.

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CoQ10, Heart Disease and Gum Disease

November 30, 2013

Filed under: General Dentistry — Tags: CoQ10, Dr. Duane E. Keuning, Dr. Greg K. Riley, gum disease, heart disease, Juno Beach, Juno Beach Restorative and Aesthetic Dentistry, Jupiter, North Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Tequesta — Greg Riley @ 7:02 am

Some studies have shown a connection between gum disease and heart disease. It would seem that, as a patient’s case of gum disease worsens, bacteria and plaque are able to gain access to other parts of the body, possibly contributing to other health problems.

But even if there isn’t a connection, the two do have something in common—CoQ10 can be used to treat or prevent both. CoQ10 is found in the body and in commonly eaten foods. It can also be produced in a laboratory. In studies, patients with heart disease were found to be deficient in CoQ10. Through a CoQ10 supplement, though, it may be possible to reserve or outright prevent heart problems, and other kinds of problems in the body, including:

High blood pressure
Mitral valve prolapse
Angina
Congestive heart failure
Cardiomyopathy
Diabetes
Immune deficiencies

Gum disease is another condition that CoQ10 can help with. It may be applied topically to the patient’s gum tissue or taken by mouth as a pill. Either way, patients can experience great benefits to their oral and overall health.

Do you have questions about gum disease and how it can be treated? Call Juno Beach Restorative & Aesthetic for an appointment. Dr. Keuning and Dr. Riley offer exception cosmetic and restorative care to patients from Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter, North Palm Beach, or Tequesta.

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Use Benefits Before the Year Is Over

November 25, 2013

Filed under: General Dentistry — Tags: dental benefits, Dr. Duane E. Keuning, Dr. Greg K. Riley, general dentistry, Juno Beach, Juno Beach Restorative and Aesthetic Dentistry, Jupiter, North Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Tequesta — Greg Riley @ 2:02 pm

With November almost over, we’re quickly reaching the end of 2013. That means 2014 will be with us before you know it. It also means you have a very limited time to take advantage of your remaining dental benefits.

That’s because what you have left over on your benefits now won’t roll over to next year. Instead, 2014 will come with a new deductible, a new yearly maximum, and possibly new co-pays and premiums. All of which means that now is the best time to take advantage of the benefits you have left.

We recommend that all of our Juno Beach patients visit Dr. Keuning or Dr. Riley twice a year for a regular checkup. We would also be happy to help you plan your care for next year with a consultation. During your consultation, we can talk about your treatment options and help you craft a treatment plan for one or more general, cosmetic or restorative services.

Our services include:

Do you still have part of your yearly maximum to use? Call Juno Beach Restorative & Aesthetic Dentistry today to schedule your last visit for 2013. We offer general, cosmetic, and restorative care to patients from Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter, North Palm Beach, or Tequesta.

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Trade Sugar for Xylitol This Holiday Season

October 10, 2013

Xylitol You already know how damaging sugar can be to your smile. But did you know there’s an alternative to sugar that can give you your sweet fix without ruining your oral health?

Xylitol is a natural sweetener derived from the fibrous part of plants. But unlike sugar, which creates an acidic environment harmful to your smile’s tooth enamel, xylitol creates a neutral environment. In this environment, bad bacteria have trouble sticking to teeth, preventing cavities instead of causing them.

That’s why xylitol is sometimes used as the main cavity-fighting ingredient in toothpaste. There are also brands that specialize in candy sweetened with xylitol, like Ice Chips and Dr. John’s Candies. You can even find xylitol candy for sale on Amazon and in some natural health food stores.

If you’re going to be doing some baking for Halloween, or in November and December, xylitol can also be substituted for sugar at a 1:1 ratio. No one will notice the change, but everyone will benefit.

Do you have questions about xylitol and how it can benefit your smile? Talk to Dr. Duane Keuning and Dr. Greg Riley of Juno Beach Restorative & Aesthetic. We can explain more about how sugar can damage your smile and how xylitol works as a substitute. We can also recommend a treatment plan to help you with any oral health problems.

Explore our services or call us today. We serve patients from Juno Beach, North Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter, and Tequesta.

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Another Cause of Decay and How It Can Be Treated

September 27, 2013

Filed under: General Dentistry — Tags: Dr. Duane E. Keuning, Dr. Greg K. Riley, Juno Beach, Juno Beach Restorative and Aesthetic Dentistry, Jupiter, North Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Tequesta, tooth-colored fillings — Greg Riley @ 6:49 pm

tooth-colored fillings In our previous post, we talked about what effect acid reflux can have on your smile. Today, we’d like to highlight a more common cause of decay and other oral health problems.

In most cases, tooth decay is caused by the way certain kinds of bacteria react to food, especially foods high in sugar. These bacteria react by producing acid, which encourages the growth of new bacteria and then more acid. As bacteria accumulate, a harmful, acidic environment is created. This is how decay occurs.

But that’s just the beginning. If not cleared away by brushing and flossing, bacteria eventually becomes plaque, which can irritate the gums and cause gum disease. When untreated, gum disease can eventually cause pockets to develop between teeth and gums. It’s also known to be the primary cause of tooth loss in adults.

Thankfully, the doctors at Juno Beach Restorative & Aesthetic can help with tooth-colored fillings, plus crowns, inlays, and onlays. We can also provide periodontal care and offer tips on how to maintain good oral health in between visits.

Regular visits are important for more than just offering general and restorative services—they’re also about prevention. We don’t want to just treat common oral health problems; we want to prevent them as much as possible, too.

Is it time for your next visit to Juno Beach & Restorative Aesthetic. Call our Juno Beach dental office today for an appointment. Dr. Keuning and Dr. Riley serve patients from North Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Tequesta, and Jupiter.

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What Can Acid Reflux Do To Your Smile?

September 13, 2013

Filed under: General Dentistry — Tags: acid reflux, Dr. Duane E. Keuning, Dr. Greg K. Riley, general dentistry, Juno Beach, Juno Beach Restorative and Aesthetic Dentistry, Jupiter, North Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Tequesta — Greg Riley @ 6:47 pm

Occasional heartburn is common. What’s less common is experiencing heartburn two, three, or more times a week, though it happens.

If you experience heartburn this frequently, it could be a sign of acid reflux disease. Other symptoms of acid reflux disease include:

Burping or bloating
Nausea
Regurgitation
Hiccups
Narrowing of the esophagus
Weight loss
Sore throat, wheezing, hoarseness, or dry cough
Black/bloody stools or bloody vomiting

But were you aware that acid reflex can also have an impact on your oral health? That’s because, when a patient experiences acid reflux, some amount of acid leaks from the stomach to the esophagus. If this acid ends up coming into contact with a patient’s teeth, it can damage the patient’s protective tooth enamel, exposing the sensitive layer of dentin underneath.

Signs your teeth may have been damaged by stomach acid include:

Sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet foods and drinks
Thin or shortened teeth
Pain or irritation
Sharp-edged teeth

At Juno Beach Restorative & Aesthetic Dentistry, Dr. Duane Keuning and Dr. Greg Riley offer a combination of general and restorative services to help patients overcome decay and reclaim optimal oral health. We serve patients from North Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Tequesta, and Jupiter. Call us today!

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Entering the Home Stretch of 2013

August 9, 2013

fall For patients who visited Dr. Keuning or Dr. Riley back in January or February, now is the perfect time to schedule your second visit with our Juno Beach team. Not only is August the eighth month of the year, it’s a sign that we’re entering the home stretch of 2013.Within the next month, children will be going back to school, and not long after that, the holiday season will be on everyone’s mind.

All of which means your life is about to get busier. Make time for your next checkup and cleaning now, while you have it available.

During every checkup and cleaning, Dr. Keuning and Dr. Riley look for some of the most common oral health issues a patient can face. That includes the obvious, like gum disease and tooth decay, but it also involve neuromuscular problems and oral cancer. It’s only through having a thorough understanding of your current needs that an effective diagnosis can be made.

If we find any reason to suggest extra care, you can look forward to excellent cosmetic and restorative care from our Juno Beach dental team. With our years of experience, our education, and our continued eagerness to learn, we’re helping patients achieve healthy smiles and a better sense of wellbeing.

To schedule your next appointment with Juno Beach Restorative & Aesthetic Dentistry, call us today. We’re happy to serve patients from Juno Beach, North Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter, and Tequesta.

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What You Should Know About Diabetes and Gum Disease

July 31, 2013

Filed under: General Dentistry — Tags: diabetes, Dr. Duane E. Keuning, Dr. Greg K. Riley, general dentistry, gum disease, gum disease therapy, Juno Beach, Juno Beach Restorative and Aesthetic Dentistry, Jupiter, North Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Tequesta — Greg Riley @ 7:19 am

As we’ve mentioned on this blog before, gum disease doesn’t just affect your oral health—it’s also been linked to a wide array of health problems in the rest of the body, and that includes diabetes.

For a while, researchers weren’t sure what the exact nature of that relationship was, but we have a better understanding of it today. It turns out the relationship goes two ways. Gum disease raises the body’s blood sugar levels, increasing the risk of diabetic complications. Meanwhile, because of how diabetes affects blood sugar levels, diabetics have an increased risk of developing the disease in the first place.

All of which means that if you have diabetes, seeing Dr. Duane Keuning or Dr. Greg Riley twice a year for checkups is important—and not just if you have diabetes. Every patient can benefit from seeing a dentist twice a year. That’s because a majority of Americans have some form of gum disease, even if it’s very mild.

During your visit with our Juno Beach dental team, we can offer you home care tips to keep in mind, or we can put together a more advanced therapy plan if we need to. Some of the most common treatments for gum disease include scaling, root planing, antibiotics, and surgery.

Are you a diabetic with concerns about gum disease? Call Juno Beach Restorative & Aesthetic Dentistry today for an appointment with Dr. Riley or Dr. Keuning. We offer effective cosmetic and restorative care to Juno Beach, North Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Tequesta, and Jupiter.

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Decrease Your Risk for Cavities by Knowing the Risk Factors

July 25, 2013

Filed under: General Dentistry — Tags: cavities, Dr. Duane E. Keuning, Dr. Greg K. Riley, general dentistry, Juno Beach, Juno Beach Restorative and Aesthetic Dentistry, Jupiter, North Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Tequesta — Greg Riley @ 3:17 pm

general dentistry Not everyone has the same level of risk when it comes to developing cavities. Knowing what risk factors are associated with them can help you protect your smile and improve your oral health. That’s what today’s post is all about. If you have any questions afterwards, feel free to call Juno Beach Restorative & Aesthetic Dentistry to let us know.

Having a cavity already increases your risk of developing new cavities

If you think you might have a cavity, or a doctor has diagnosed one, have it treated as soon as possible with a filling or crown. This will help you support your oral health and prevent the spread of decay

Watch what you eat

Foods and drinks that are sugary or acidic will increase your risk of decay by spurring the production of bacteria and acid in your mouth. This, in turn, can weaken your tooth enamel and lead to cavities.

Poor oral hygiene

Are you brushing and flossing enough? We recommend brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and flossing once a day. This will protect your smile from the acid and bacteria that comes from sugary or acidic foods and drinks. Getting enough fluoride is especially important because it helps to strengthen your enamel.

Poorly done fillings or crowns

When a filling or crown isn’t done the way it should be, your smile may be especially vulnerable to bacteria, as you may have bacteria deposits in a hard-to-brush area. Give our Juno Beach office a call if you’ve had a negative experience with another doctor.

Family history

Sometimes a patient’s increased risk of cavities is due to genetics, but in other cases, it may just be that good oral health habits weren’t taught at home. Remember to brush and floss regularly, and make an antibacterial or fluoride mouthwash a regular part of your regimen.

Not seeing your dentist enough

Dr. Duane Keuning and Dr. Greg Riley recommend coming in for regular visits twice a year. Why? So we can watch for changes in your smile. Cavities need to be treated as soon as possible, and with a visit every six months, we can provide early care that will help you support your oral and overall health.

Do you need to schedule your next visit with Dr. Keuning or Dr. Riley? Give us a call today. Our Juno Beach dental office is happy to provide general, cosmetic, and restorative care to patients from North Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter, Tequesta, and surrounding areas.

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