General Dentistry

We find that many dental patients in the Sandy, Taylorsville, and Draper areas get a couple of dental terms mixed up. We would like to clarify the differences between plaque, calculus, and cavities.

Plaque is a film that covers teeth – a sticky layer of bacteria. You can remove plaque through daily brushing and flossing. However, if it isn’t removed it can build up and harden into calculus.

Calculus, also known as tartar, is hardened plaque that also accumulates minerals from food and saliva. Regular check-ups and cleanings with your Murray dentist are necessary to remove tartar as well as hard-to-reach plaque.

Plaque and calculus are not cavities, but they can lead to cavities. A cavity is basically a hole in the tooth caused by decay. Because plaque and calculus contain bacteria, the bacteria release acids which accelerate tooth decay and eventually lead to more cavities.

A good rule of thumb for Salt Lake City dental patients is this: Avoid plaque to avoid calculus and tartar to avoid tooth decay to avoid cavities. Got it?

I hope you’ve found this helpful, and if you’re in the Sandy, Taylorsville, or Draper area and are in need of quality dental care, call our office at 801-938-8855 to schedule an appointment today.

Our high-quality staff would love to answer any questions you have about our services, including cosmetic dentistry, teeth whitening, and veneers.

Contact Salt Lake Dental Care – Clint Blackwood DDS:

801-938-8855

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

279 E 5900 S Ste 202
Murray, Utah
84107

Most parents know children’s oral health basics: brush regularly, reduce sugar intake, limit snacking, and get adequate amounts of calcium and Vitamin D. Salt Lake Dental Care – Clint Blackwood DDS recommends three additional tools for preventing cavities in toddlers and children.

Sealants
Fluoride supplements
Oral rinses

Resin dental sealants are applied by your dentist. The material bonds to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, protecting the pits and fissures from decay. Some Utah dental insurance providers cover dental sealants, so check with your provider if you are considering them.

Fluoride supplements help strengthen developing teeth prior to eruption. You can get a prescription from your pediatrician or talk to us at Salt Lake Dental Care – Clint Blackwood DDS in Murray. There is one caveat, however: if you have fluoridated water, your pediatrician may counsel against taking additional fluoride in supplement form.

If your son or daughter is taking fluoride supplements, is an oral rinse redundant? Actually, no. While supplements help tooth development, fluoride rinse helps teeth that have already come in. Make sure you pick one specifically formulated for children. Products labeled as a mouthwash are usually intended only for breath-freshening and may not contain fluoride.

I counsel children to use an oral rinse after they brush and floss at night. They are most effective when they are the last substance on teeth before kids go to bed.

At Salt Lake Dental Care – Clint Blackwood DDS, we believe that with proper preventative dentistry, kids can enjoy healthy teeth for life.

Contact Salt Lake Dental Care – Clint Blackwood DDS:

801-938-8855

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

279 E 5900 S Ste 202
Murray, Utah
84107

Today’s Salt Lake Dental Care – Clint Blackwood DDS post addresses one of the most feared dental procedures: the infamous root canal.

A successful root canal (or endodontic treatment in dental-speak) can save a tooth and prevent the need for an extraction followed by a dental bridge, dental implant, or gap in your smile.

If, after a thorough evaluation, we determine that a tooth needs a root canal, Dr. Blackwood will explain the procedure and costs that are involved.

Root canals are completed to save an infected tooth. If not treated, abscesses and complete tooth loss may occur.

During the procedure, Blackwood will remove the nerve and pulp, and then clean and disinfect the interior of your tooth (the canal). The next step is filling and sealing the cleaned area with a special rubbery material, and then protecting the restored tooth with a crown or filling.

Root canals have the reputation of being painful, but this is not the case anymore. There are several effective pain management methods available today at Salt Lake Dental Care – Clint Blackwood DDS. We will make sure you are comfortable during the procedure. Once the infected tissue is removed, we will focus on helping the area heal.

If you are unfamiliar with our services at Salt Lake Dental Care – Clint Blackwood DDS, be sure to visit our website at http://www.saltlakedentalcare.com/meet-dr-blackwood/ to get more information.

Contact Salt Lake Dental Care – Clint Blackwood DDS:

801-938-8855

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

279 E 5900 S Ste 202
Murray, Utah
84107

Every person’s mouth provides a cozy home for over 600 types of bacteria. If you are passionate about oral hygiene and have healthy gums, these microbes usually don’t affect your health. However, if you have gum disease, bacteria can enter your bloodstream through your gums and cause problems.

The first sign of gingivitis is swollen, sore gums.

Gingivitis is the term for Stage 1 gum disease. At Salt Lake Dental Care – Clint Blackwood DDS, we routinely discover gingivitis in patients who are not even aware that they have the condition.

It is essential for people to understand that it is not normal for gums to bleed when they are brushed or flossed. Sore, swollen, or bleeding gums are an alert that something is amiss.

If you haven’t had an oral examination in a while and live in the Salt Lake City area, call Salt Lake Dental Care – Clint Blackwood DDS at 801-506-6009.

Dr.Blackwood will complete a thorough examination of your teeth and gums and take time to discuss the results and recommendations with you.

Salt Lake Dental Care – Clint Blackwood DDS is a full-service dental practice at 279 E 5900 S Ste 202 in Murray. We provide comprehensive general and cosmetic dentistry for patients who live in Murray and the nearby communities of Sandy, Taylorsville and Draper.

During your dental consultation, we can examine any cosmetic or restorative care in which you are interested. Some of the procedures that we use to achieve brilliant smiles are porcelain veneers, orthodontics, dental implants, and tooth bleaching.

If you haven’t had your teeth cleaned in a while, we invite you to schedule an extensive cleaning. Our hygienists are skilled professionals who complete the ultimate in dental deep-cleanings.

Oral health goes hand in hand with your overall physical health. Schedule a dental consultation today by calling 801-506-6009.

Contact Salt Lake Dental Care – Clint Blackwood DDS:

801-938-8855

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

279 E 5900 S Ste 202
Murray, Utah
84107

The retention phase is an important milestone. When you’re ready for an orthodontic retainer, the slow, challenging work of moving teeth is over.

Your smile looks amazing, but stay with the program.

There is still a lot going on behind the scenes—under the gums. Your jawbone, muscles, and soft tissues are adapting. This takes a while.

What is a Retainer?

A retainer is a custom-made appliance that helps teeth preserve their new position after orthodontic treatment. Retainers may be removable or fixed in the mouth.

Patients who neglect to wear their retainers are at risk. Their beautifully-aligned teeth may shift. If your bite was corrected during treatment, it may revert back to the original condition.

Follow Dr. Blackwood’s Recommendations

Your dentist will prescribe a schedule for wearing your retainer. Your orthodontic treatment plan is unique. It may differ from that of other patients.

What If I Lose My Retainer?

Occasionally, patients lose their retainers. If this happens, contact Salt Lake Dental Care – Clint Blackwood DDS right away for a replacement. We understand that life can get hectic. We urge you not to let weeks pass without getting a replacement retainer.

We teach our patients how to care for their retainer. It’s helpful if parents reinforce this training at home for their kids undergoing treatment.

Keep Your Retainer Clean

After eating, clean the retainer with a toothbrush. Brush it carefully with a toothbrush and toothpaste. You can use denture cleaner periodically for a deeper clean.

If your teen has a cell phone, set an alert to remind them to clean their retainer. While you’re at it, set an alert reminding them to keep the retainer in its case when not in use.

Keep Your New Smile Clean!

If it’s important to clean your retainer, it’s no surprise that it’s even more important to clean your beautiful new smile. It will be easier now that the braces are off.

Practice daily oral hygiene. This includes brushing after meals and flossing at least once a day. Flossing and brushing before bed ensures that particles of food don’t sit on teeth all night. For extra cavity prevention, use a fluoride rinse before going to sleep. This helps to rinse food particles from your mouth as well as neutralize the acids that cause plaque.

Contact Salt Lake Dental Care – Clint Blackwood DDS:

801-938-8855

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

279 E 5900 S Ste 202
Murray, Utah
84107

The team at Salt Lake Dental Care – Clint Blackwood DDS, would like to share with you some insights about halitosis.

Halitosis, or bad breath, can be embarrassing when it happens. Poor oral hygiene is often the cause. Make sure you schedule your preventive visits and teeth cleaning with us twice a year.

Brushing just the teeth may not remove particles of food between the teeth and up in the gums. Bacteria can grow and stink from hidden floss-only locations. Gently brushing the gums, sides of the mouth and the tongue in addition to the teeth may make the difference.

Also, the food you are eating can impact the odor in your mouth. Onions, garlic, and coffee are likely to show up on the breath regardless of time spent brushing.

Illness, infection, and allergies can all cause dry mouth which in turn upset the control of bacteria in the mouth. Diabetes, kidney failure, radiation therapy, liver malfunction, dry mouth, or even a sinus infection can cause an odor. The microbe balance in the mouth is ever-changing.

Finally, dentures or a removable appliance may also carry bacteria that needs to be cleaned and freshened up on a regular basis.

1. Brush and floss the teeth as well as brush the tongue, gums, and sides of the mouth.
2. Enjoy onions and garlic a little less.
3.  Stay on top of health issues.
4. Keep dentures clean.

Call Salt Lake Dental Care – Clint Blackwood DDS, serving the Murray, Salt Lake City and Sandy Utah area if you have a breath issue. At Salt Lake Dental Care – Clint Blackwood DDS, we offer sedation dentistry, Invisalign braces, and Six Month Smiles, as well as general and cosmetic dentistry. Call today for an appointment.

Contact Salt Lake Dental Care – Clint Blackwood DDS:

801-506-6009

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

279 E 5900 S Ste 202
Murray, Utah
84107

Dental health and a stunning smile depend on more than simply brushing regularly. In this post from Salt Lake Dental Care – Clint Blackwood DDS, we present a quick refresher course on critical lifestyle practices that affect dental health.

You are probably familiar with most of these recommendations, but it is helpful to get a reminder once in a while. We encourage all of our patients to maintain a lifestyle that promotes dental health as well as overall physical health. After all, the two are inseparable.

DO:

• Eat a nutritious diet.
• Eat calcium-rich dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt to neutralize acids that attack enamel.
• Brush gently but meticulously at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste.
• Make sure you clean thoroughly between teeth with dental floss or interdental cleaners such as flossing picks.
• If you have children, talk to your Salt Lake City dentist about water fluoridation.
• If your municipal water supply is not fluoridated, you may want to give your children fluoride supplements.
• Get your teeth professionally cleaned twice a year.
• Have a dental examination twice yearly with your Murray dentist.

DON’T:

• Eat a sugar frequently. Sugar triggers the production of detrimental cavity-causing acids that weaken enamel.
• Snack throughout the day. This speeds up plaque production and subjects the teeth to constant bombardment with acids.
• Chew on ice.
• Use your teeth as tools. Ever.
• Drink energy drinks.
• Get oral piercings.
• Ignore tooth pain or sensitivity.

At Salt Lake Dental Care – Clint Blackwood DDS, we serve the Murray area with general and cosmetic dentistry. Schedule your next checkup with us today!

Contact Salt Lake Dental Care – Clint Blackwood DDS:

801-506-6009

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

279 E 5900 S Ste 202
Murray, Utah
84107

As you stand over your sink looking at the frayed bristles of a favoritre toothbrush, do you think the time has come to replace it? It’s a good question, and Salt Lake Dental Cary in Murray has an answer.

We all brush our teeth on a daily basis. Like a good pair of jeans, it seems the more we use a toothbrush, the more comfortable it gets.

As it turns out, that’s not a good thing.

The angle of the bristles on your toothbrush are an important part of cleaning. Straight bristles scrub your teeth and flex your gums. A light circular motion is enough to clean your teeth without causing damage.

Flat or frayed bristles are less efficient and can even cause you to work harder. Pressing harder on your teeth can cause damage.

So how often should you change your toothbrush?

Anyone who has worried about the oil in their car knows this basic rule of thumb: change it every three months. It’s the same with your toothbrush.

The American Dental Association suggests replacing your toothbrush “every three to four months.”

In addition to worn bristles, bacteria can also built up in the small gaps of your toothbrush and may contribute to decay and bad breath. Make sure you keep your toothbrush in a sanitary location. Allow for good drying to help extend its life.

Regardless of how long it’s been, if the bristles on your toothbrush look like they’re trying to get away from each other, it’s time. Otherwise, change your toothbrush at the start of every new season to keep it fresh and effective.

At Salt Lake Dental Care in Murray, services include general and family dentistry, and cosmetic dentistry. Schedule your next appointment today.

Contact Salt Lake Dental Care – Clint Blackwood DDS:

801-506-6009

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

279 E 5900 S Ste 202
Murray, Utah
84107

We spend a lot of time in the dental world emphasizing how to create a dazzling, healthy smile This time around, however, we’re flipping the script, so to speak. In this latest installment of our Salt Lake Dental Care blog, we present to you, the Top Six Ways To Destroy A Beautiful Smile. Take note so you will know going forward, what NOT to do!

6. Be a Builder Not a Wrecker
Bacteria is constantly trying to build an empire in your mouth, give it what it wants: juice, soda, chewy candy for the small crevices and hard to reach surfaces!

5. Let Acid Rock It!
Energy drinks, diet soda, red wine, coffee, tea. Great at staining and wearing away surfaces. The perfect magnet for acid loving bacteria. So avoid gums with Xylitol and Recaldent and shoot for foods and beverages containing citric acid and the super duper sourest of candies.

4. Enjoy an Overcast Day Every Day
Lighting up and remaining in a tobacco fog is an efficient way to achieve the vibrant yellow hue we’re all (so not ) looking for in the appearance of our teeth.

3. Toss out Toothbrush and Floss
Avoid brushing after every single meal with a soft, gentle bristled toothbrush and fend off the urge to floss twice a day. This is critical if you want the bacteria to take over and result in gum disease and tooth decay.

2. Use Your Teeth as Tools
Hammer, wrench, screwdriver, scissors, bottle-opener. Use your imagination. Who needs a toolbox when you’ve got 32 solid options?

1. Cancel Regular Check-Ups
It is more difficult to ruin your smile if you have regular check-ups with your trusted dentist. Best to avoid them altogether if your goal is to wreak havoc in your mouth.

No, but seriously. We hope that you have walked away from reading this blog with a renewed desire to take care of those enamel-covered marvels that serve you faithfully day in and day out.

We know that you have plenty of options when it comes to dental care in the Murrah, Utah area. Our team at Salt Lake Dental Care  would like to work with you on discovering the many options available for improving your oral health and increasing your smile satisfaction Please consider calling our office to schedule a consultation. We look forward to working with you on a plan to restore the beauty of your smile. Braces, veneers, teeth whitening and dental crowns are among some of our many available offerings. Call us today at 801-506-6009.

Contact Salt Lake Dental Care – Clint Blackwood DDS:

801-506-6009

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

279 E 5900 S Ste 202
Murray, Utah
84107

Our team at Salt Lake Dental Care – Clint Blackwood DDS is committed to educating you on the many ways that you can maintain optimal oral health. It’s one reason we consider ourselves your top choice for general and cosmetic dentistry in the Murray, Utah area.

This post offers some answers to some common questions about bad breath.

Q. My wife says my breath is terrible, but I brush twice a day. Shouldn’t that be enough?

A. Bacteria can increase and stink in hidden crevices that can only be reached with floss. Time to start flossing. If your breath hasn’t improved in a few months, make an appointment so we can discuss other possible causes of your halitosis.

Also keep in mind that brushing just the teeth may not remove food particles between the teeth and up in the gums. Gently brushing the gums, sides of the mouth and the tongue in addition to the teeth may make the difference.

Q. My breath seems to get worse during hay fever season. What’s up with that?

A. Allergies can change mouth odor in a couple of ways. First, anything that stimulates post-nasal drip can be a trigger because bacteria at the back of the throat mixes with the mucous and gives off a smelly odor as it breaks down. Second, hay fever medications often cause dry mouth which can cause stinky breath. Antihistamines can diminish post-nasal drip so this is a catch-22. If you take antihistamines, drink water frequently throughout the day to keep your mouth hydrated, suck on sugar-free mints to stimulate saliva production and rinse with a non-alcohol mouth rinse.

Q. What health conditions can cause bad breath?

A. As discussed before, any condition that lessens saliva creation can cause halitosis. It is also a frequent side effect of diabetes, kidney failure, and liver failure. Of course, if your kidneys or liver is failing, you have bigger problems.

Q. Why did my breath become dreadful when I went on a strict low-carb diet?

A. Ketones were most likely the culprit. Ketones are generated when the body digests fat—which is usually the goal of a low-carb plan. On the flip side, sounds like you weren’t cheating!

We hope this q&a provided some answers to common questions. Don’t you think it’s time to secure yourself a consultation with a high-quality dental practice? We will examine your teeth and also answer questions about how to improve your oral hygiene in Murray. We offer a wide array of services, such as general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, sedation dentistry, and dental implants. That’s just one reason we have been a trusted dental option in the Murray, Utah area since 2005. Please call us today for an appointment. We would be honored to take care of all your dental needs.

Contact Salt Lake Dental Care – Clint Blackwood DDS:

801-506-6009

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

279 E 5900 S Ste 202
Murray, Utah
84107