If you are looking for a quick way to dramatically enhance your smile, professional teeth whitening may be a good option. Teeth whitening is convenient and highly effective, making it one of the most popular and commonly requested cosmetic dental treatments today.

At Dr. Martinez, we understand that many patients want to achieve a whiter smile, but it's also important for patients to understand that teeth whitening isn't for everyone. Teeth whitening results will vary from patient to patient, and procedures will differ by need and budget. The only way to determine which treatment will produce the best outcome for your teeth is by visiting our Cape Coral office first.

The following circumstances and conditions may prevent you from using teeth whitening products:

• Teeth with yellow hues will generally produce the best results. Natural tooth colors that are brown or gray typically don't react to whitening treatments.
• Mothers who are pregnant or nursing should refrain from all whitening treatments
• If your teeth are oversensitive, whitening procedures are likely to intensify the sensitivity of your teeth.
• Teeth that have been restored with veneers or bonded with white fillings should not be whitened with certain whitening solutions as it will discolor the restorations.

Because the natural teeth retain the ability to absorb stains, patients should also be aware that the results of teeth whitening may fade over time, especially if the individual smokes or drinks a lot of coffee, tea, or red wine. An easy way to achieve a whiter, healthier smile is to brush with fluoride toothpaste, floss regularly, and avoid foods and beverages that augment tooth stains.

At Dr. Martinez, we can help you determine whether or not you are a good candidate for a professional whitening treatment. Whether you choose an in-office or at-home teeth whitening procedure, the results can be amazing and take years off of your appearance.

There's no doubt that your smile is one of your most eye-catching qualities. With new advances in cosmetic dentistry today, there are other smile-enhancing treatments available to improve the appearance of your teeth, and at Dr. Martinez, we strive to stay abreast of new cosmetic treatments so that our patients can easily achieve the smile they've always wanted.

If you suffer from frequent headaches, facial pain or an aching jaw, you may have a common, but painful condition known as temporomandibular disorder (TMD).  TMD is an inflammation of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which connects the skull to the lower jaw.  This important joint allows you to eat, speak and yawn, and any problem that prevents the TMJ’s complex system from functioning properly can result in severe, chronic pain. As a result, the long-term consequences can take a serious toll on your emotional and physical well-being.

Common symptoms of TMD include:

• Headaches
• Facial Pain
• Jaw pain
• Neck pain
• Dizziness
• Upper back and shoulder soreness
• Ringing in the ears
• Clicking or popping sounds when you open or close your mouth
• A locked jaw in the open or closed position
• Difficulty opening the mouth wide
• Chipped or worn teeth

It’s important to address symptoms of TMD as soon as possible as the disorder typically doesn’t go away on its own.   Because TMD often mimics other conditions, it is frequently misunderstood and in many cases ignored.  With proper treatment, TMD is highly treatable.  

If pain persists and interferes with your every day activities, visit your Cape Coral dentist. Dr. Martinez specializes in diagnosing and treating this painful disorder.  There are treatment methods available, and your dentist will work with you to identify the best option for your specific case.

Thumb sucking is a natural and common behavior that many infants start naturally.  Its repetitive nature brings the child security, comfort and relaxation, and in most cases is not a cause for worry.

According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), many children stop sucking their thumbs and other objects on their own between the ages of two and four. When permanent teeth begin erupting around the age of five or six, your child’s thumb sucking behavior should have ceased.  In cases where thumb sucking persists, problems concerning your child’s dental health can arise.

Prolonged thumb sucking can cause:

• Misaligned teeth
• Protruding front teeth
• Malformation of the roof of the mouth
• Speech problems

How can I help my child stop thumb sucking?

Children who are slow to break the habit may need guidance from their parents or dentist.  If your child is still sucking when his permanent teeth start to erupt, consult your child’s dentist for assistance.  Other tips for helping your child stop thumb sucking include:

• Always be positive and supportive. Instead of scolding a child for sucking his thumb, give praise or a reward when he doesn’t suck.
• Distract your child with activities when you notice the thumb in his mouth.
• Because children frequently suck their thumbs for security, focus on soothing the cause of the anxiety rather than correcting the thumb sucking behavior.  
• Place an obstacle on your child’s hands at night, such as a mitten or bandage.  
• Visit Dr. Martinez and allow your dentist to explain the harmful effects of thumb sucking to your child and encourage him to quit.

If at any time you suspect your child’s thumb sucking behavior may be affecting his oral health, call Dr. Martinez.  Our Cape Coral dentists are qualified to provide parents with the information and appropriate dental treatment needed to help children stop thumb sucking. A dentist’s advice combined with support from the parents is the best approach to breaking the habit and avoiding dental problems.

A toothbrush removes plaque and debris from the surface of your teeth, but only floss can penetrate those hard to reach areas between your teeth and gums.  Why is it then that so many of us skip this important step during our daily dental regimen?

Flossing is an essential part of the tooth-cleaning process because it removes plaque from between teeth and along the gumline, where periodontal disease often begins. Plaque irritates the gums, and when not removed from in between the teeth with dental floss, the gums may start to pull away from the teeth.  With continuous plaque build-up, bacteria can form causing the bone that supports the teeth to deteriorate.

Many people avoid flossing because it results in bleeding of the gums. What most people don’t know, however, is that it’s actually normal for gums to bleed. In fact, it means you should floss more often! Get in the habit of flossing regularly. The bleeding will typically stop as your gums become healthier.

Flossing Tipsfrom the American Dental Association:

• Break off about 18 inches of floss and wind most of it around one of your middle fingers. Wind the remaining floss around the same finger of the opposite hand. This finger will take up the floss as it becomes dirty. Hold the floss tightly between your thumbs and forefingers. 
• Guide the floss between your teeth using a gentle rubbing motion. Never snap the floss into the gums.
• When the floss reaches the gum line, curve it into a C shape against one tooth. Gently slide it into the space between the gum and the tooth.  
• Hold the floss tightly against the tooth. Gently rub the side of the tooth, moving the floss away from the gum with up and down motions.
• Repeat this method on the rest of your teeth.
• Don't forget the back side of your last tooth.  

Ask your Cape Coral dentist about tips for flossing at your next cleaning. A simple, tutorial can help you keep your teeth looking and feeling great. 

Flossing is an easy and essential step to keeping your teeth healthy for a lifetime. Next time you brush, remember to take those few extra minutes to floss while you’re at it.  Your smile and gums will be glad you did.

Is your sleep disrupted by abrupt awakenings accompanied by shortness of breath? Does your loud snoring disturb the sleep of others?  You may suffer from sleep apnea- a serious sleep disorder that causes a partial or complete reduction of airflow to the lungs during sleep, most often marked by loud snoring.

Snoring and sleep apnea reduce deep, restorative sleep. This results in extreme fatigue through the following day, which can negatively affect personal, physical and intellectual performance during work and other daily activities.

The most common signs of sleep apnea include:

• Loud snoring
• Breaks in your breathing (apnea) during sleep
• Episodes of choking or gasping during sleeping, a result of trying to get air into the lungs
• Daytime fatigue due to the previous night’s interrupted sleep
• Morning headache
• Awakening with a dry mouth or sore throat

Snoring and sleep apnea may seem like minor nighttime inconveniences, but without treatment these sleeping problems can lead to serious health problems, some of which are life-threatening:

• Poor concentration and memory loss
• Lowered health and immune system
• Increased weight gain and muscle weakness
• Cardiovascular issues, high blood pressure or diabetes
• Depression
• Increased stress on the relationships with others in the household 

Your City Dentist Can Help

A dentist specially trained in aspects of sleep disorders can create custom oral appliances that are highly effective in the treatment of mild to moderate sleep apnea and snoring. In fact, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) recommends oral appliances as a primary line of treatment for use in patients with sleep disorders.  A variety of FDA form-fitting dental devices have been designed to support the jaw in a forward position and advance the position of the tongue and soft palate to keep the air passage open during sleep and reduce air velocity and soft tissue vibration. These mandibular appliances are easy to wear, portable, and safe.  For milder cases of sleep apnea, your dentist may recommend simple lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking, changing sleep positions or losing weight. 

Frequently the subject of humor, in many cases, snoring is no laughing matter. With millions of Americans suffering from sleep apnea and snoring, the health and relational risks that accompany this condition are real. Don’t settle for a poor night’s sleep any longer. Contact Dr. Martinez and get the rest you deserve.