Dr. Charles I. Brimhall

Acid Erosion

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 23:01:34 GMT

You probably know that acids and sugars are bad for your teeth. The question is, how bad? Well, a recent news story indicates one bottle of Mountain Dew has the ability to dissolve a mouse in four to seven days. Imagine the damage it can do to your teeth with day to day, hour to hour consumption. This destructive process is often called dental or acid erosion, and it is a major problem in Provo.

Why is demineralization and acid erosion such a problem for this town? You might think it is because of the many children, teens, and college students who survive on sugary snacks and beverages form the vending machines. Though this does contribute to the problem, acid erosion in Provo has other causes. Even fruits and vegetables can cause demineralization of the enamel.

General Dentistry

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 08:07:47 GMT

We all know that nutrition is important for your physical health. Food is what fuels your body. It is what gives your body the nutrients, vitamins, and minerals it needs to survive. Those same nutrients and vitamins are what help your teeth. Eating patterns and food choices directly affect how quickly tooth decay develops. There are so many ways that diet and oral health in Provo are connected. By following some of these guidelines you will be able to avoid many invasive and expensive dental services.

Diet and nutrition affects your oral health in many different ways. Dental diseases related with diet include dental cavities, developmental defects of enamel, gum disease, and dental erosion. When bacteria in our mouth meet with sugars and carbohydrates it produces acid. This acid can corrode your enamel for twenty minutes or more if left on your teeth.

Pediatric Dentistry

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 19:15:53 GMT

For more than sixty years, dentists all over the country have celebrated National Children's Dental Health Month each February. As a Provo dentist I use this month as a time to remind my patients with small children about the importance of good dental care, starting early in life. When children acquire a good foundation in oral health, they tend to maintain good dental hygiene for the remainder of their life. In turn, their physical health is often greatly improved as well.

Despite the best efforts of dentists like myself, many parents are misinformed about dental health recommendations for children. This is particularly true of the parents of children under five, who, when surveyed, seem to be unaware of when their child should first see the dentist and what kind of care they should be receiving at home. All children, for example, should see a Provo dentist by their first birthday. However, many parents admit that they did not bring their child into see a dentist until they were much older. Do you know the basic guidelines of pediatric dental care of young children?

Dental Staff

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:53:11 GMT

Have you ever visited a dentist practice where the hygienist was constantly checking their cell phone for texts or new Facebook messages? If so, a recent survey on dental hygienists indicates that your experience was a rarity. Survey results indicated that a whopping 75% of hygienists felt that it was wrong to text or use social media during an appointment. As a Provo Utah dentist these results do not surprise me at all. The work that hygienists do is very detailed and requires immediate attention. During most visits they are either talking with their patient or performing a procedure, the entire time. It would be quite difficult to add in time for social media during such an involved job.

Though many hygienists admit to checking their phone for messages throughout the day, they are very unlikely to use them during a patient appointment. Most hygienists feel like the patient is paying for their time and should get the full attention of the dental staff. As a dentist in Provo, I rely on my hygienists to keep the patients happy and provide them great care. I would expect nothing less than a caring, committed hygienist who sticks to their job.

Do You Hate the Dentist?

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 23:38:24 GMT

Dentists get a bad rep for no apparent reason. We have all suffered from the anxiety of visiting the dentist. In most cases your fears were unfounded right? Sure, some of the procedures can leave us numb, or sometime leave us in pain, but in the end, aren't we better off receiving treatment?

Your Provo, Utah dentist explores the five most common reasons why people say they hate the dentist.

Because the dentist is exactly that: A dentist. Dentists like to poke around on teeth and stick sharp instruments into gums.
The dentist tells you things you do not want to hear. We are our own worst enemies when it comes to failure. The last thing we want when we know we've been slacking on our oral hygiene is a dentist in Provo, UT telling us that we need to improve our oral hygiene. We know it is important to brush and floss and yet we forget or just slack off. A dentist can make you feel like a child caught doing something wrong.
The dental drill. That high-pitched drill can put anyone's teeth on edge (no pun intended). More than not wanting to hear the drill, no one wants to be on the receiving end of that drill.
The dentist is mean. This sounds like something out of a child's mouth, but it is true in some cases. There are mean dentists, just like there are mean people. After all, isn't a dentist a person? You may have experienced a dentist who was not sympathetic to your pain, or you felt was not listening to you. These unfortunate circumstances do occur.
The office was cold and clinical. Some facilities are very clinical and do not feel or smell inviting. To an already anxious patient, this combination can really deter said patient from returning to the dentist.

Orthodontics

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 22:30:35 GMT

Finding the right dentist also means you should find the right person to perform orthodontics in Provo, Utah. Not only do you need someone to fill cavities, but it is also likely you will require orthodontic treatment at some point during your life. This is because the majority of the population suffers from malocclusions, or orthodontic problems. You don't need a smile makeover to gain a beautiful smile. You just need Provo invisible orthodontic treatment.

Malocclusions come in a variety of shapes and sizes. This is because there are limitless causes of orthodontic problems. Your dental alignment is most heavily impacted by your inheritance. Genetics plays a major role in your smile. You could be born with a small jaw and big teeth. Perhaps you grew an extra tooth or didn't grow one. These are just the problems caused by genetics. Then there are also malocclusions that are acquired over time. These are often caused by trauma, bad habits, disease, or premature tooth loss. With malocclusions comes a myriad of other problems as well. For example, you might experience unnecessary wear on your teeth, difficulty biting, and even snoring due to your crooked teeth. Fortunately Provo invisible orthodontic treatment can correct many types of malocclusion.

General Dentistry

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 07:37:37 GMT

Every type of material used in dental work has advantages and disadvantages. The real value of all metal dental work is worth more than its weight in gold. With the advances in modern dentistry gold dental restorations in Provo can last as long as 30 years if properly placed and cared for.

During the Civil War gold was the most popular and efficient material to use for dental restorations. It was known for its durability and strength. Even today gold is considered by many dentists to be the best material for restorative procedures. That is because the gold alloy developed for specific use in dentistry so closely matches the properties of your natural enamel. Basically, as a dentist in Provo we can replace your lost tooth tissue with a material with extremely similar characteristics.

Canker Sores

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 18:18:43 GMT

Canker sores, sometimes referred to as "lie bumps", are ulcers that appear in the mouth. Typically these ulcers are on the small side and rather shallow, though they can be painful and rather annoying. The dentist in Provo Utah points out that most of these sores appear on the moveable parts of the mouth, the tongue in particular.

According to the Provo Utah dentist, most patients do not notice their canker sores unless they are speaking and eating, though depending on the location of the sore discomfort may be present at other times as well. There are two primary types of canker sore.

Orthodontics

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 20:14:08 GMT

Malocclusions come in a variety of shapes and sizes. This is because there are limitless causes of orthodontic problems. Your dental alignment is most heavily impacted by your inheritance. Genetics plays a major role in your smile. You could be born with a small jaw and big teeth. Perhaps you grew an extra tooth or didn't grow one. These are just the problems caused by genetics. Then there are also malocclusions that are acquired over time. These are often caused by trauma, bad habits, disease, or premature tooth loss. With malocclusions comes a myriad of other problems as well. For example, you might experience unnecessary wear on your teeth, difficulty biting, and even snoring due to your crooked teeth. Fortunately Provo invisible orthodontic treatment can correct many types of malocclusion.

Malocclusions Corrected by Orthodontics in Provo Utah

Front Crossbite
Back Crossbite
Crowding
Open Bite
Protrusion
Underbite
Overbite
Spacing
Speech Difficulties
Unnecessary Wear
Pressure Headaches

Unfortunately not everyone is comfortable with using traditional methods of orthodontic treatment. Braces are hard enough for teens to manage, but for adults it can be even more difficult. Your professional, social, and personal life could all suffer from the use of metal braces. That is why we provide the best in invisalign treatments. Now you can get a straighter, healthier smile with comfortable plastic appliances that are nearly invisible. This method is preferred by many adults who would like to straighten their teeth without all of the discomfort and attention of traditional braces.