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1330 St. Mary's Street Ste B30Raleigh, NC 27605-3334(919) 828-1001
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Posts for tag: celebrity smiles

Julianne Hough Shares a Video - and a Song - After Wisdom Teeth Come Out

By Ashley Lloyd, DDS
January 24, 2019
Category: Dental Procedures
Tags: celebrity smiles   wisdom teeth  
JulianneHoughSharesaVideo-andaSong-AfterWisdomTeethComeOut

Once upon a time, celebrities tried hard to maintain the appearance of red-carpet glamour at all times. That meant keeping the more mundane aspects of their lives out of the spotlight: things like shopping, walking the dog and having oral surgery, for example.

That was then. Today, you can find plenty of celebs posting pictures from the dentist on social media. Take Julianne Hough, for example: In 2011 and 2013, she tweeted from the dental office. Then, not long ago, she shared a video taken after her wisdom teeth were removed in December 2016. In it, the 28-year-old actress and dancer cracked jokes and sang a loopy rendition of a Christmas carol, her mouth filled with gauze. Clearly, she was feeling relaxed and comfortable!

Lots of us enjoy seeing the human side of celebrities. But as dentists, we’re also glad when posts such as these help demystify a procedure that could be scary for some people.

Like having a root canal, the thought of extracting wisdom teeth (also called third molars) makes some folks shudder. Yet this routine procedure is performed more often than any other type of oral surgery. Why? Because wisdom teeth, which usually begin to erupt (emerge from beneath the gums) around age 17-25, have the potential to cause serious problems in the mouth. When these molars lack enough space to fully erupt in their normal positions, they are said to be “impacted.”

One potential problem with impacted wisdom teeth is crowding. Many people don’t have enough space in the jaw to accommodate another set of molars; when their wisdom teeth come in, other teeth can be damaged. Impacted wisdom teeth may also have an increased potential to cause periodontal disease, bacterial infection, and other issues.

Not all wisdom teeth need to be removed; after a complete examination, including x-rays and/or other diagnostic imaging, a recommendation will be made based on each individual’s situation. It may involve continued monitoring of the situation, orthodontics or extraction.

Wisdom tooth extraction is usually done right in the office, often with a type of anesthesia called “conscious sedation.”  Here, the patient is able to breathe normally and respond to stimuli (such as verbal directions), but remains free from pain. For people who are especially apprehensive about dental procedures, anti-anxiety mediation may also be given. After the procedure, prescription or over-the-counter pain medication may be used for a few days. If you feel like singing a few bars, as Julianne did, it’s up to you.

If you would like more information about wisdom tooth extraction, please call our office to arrange a consultation. You can learn more in the Dear Doctor magazine articles “Wisdom Teeth” and “Removing Wisdom Teeth.”

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Singer Dua Lipa Sees the Wisdom in Postponing Tour Dates

By Ashley Lloyd, DDS
December 15, 2018
Category: Dental Procedures
Tags: celebrity smiles   wisdom teeth  
SingerDuaLipaSeestheWisdominPostponingTourDates

When die-hard music fans hear that their favorite performer is canceling a gig, it’s a big disappointment—especially if the excuse seems less than earth-shaking. Recently, British pop sensation Dua Lipa needed to drop two dates from her world tour with Bruno Mars. However, she had a very good reason.

“I’ve been performing with an awful pain due to my wisdom teeth,” the singer tweeted, “and as advised by my dentist and oral surgeon I have had to have them imminently removed.”

The dental problem Lipa had to deal with, impacted wisdom teeth, is not uncommon in young adults. Also called third molars, wisdom teeth are the last teeth to erupt (emerge from beneath the gums), generally making their appearance between the ages of 18-24. But their debut can cause trouble: Many times, these teeth develop in a way that makes it impossible for them to erupt without negatively affecting the healthy teeth nearby. In this situation, the teeth are called “impacted.”

A number of issues can cause impacted wisdom teeth, including a tooth in an abnormal position, a lack of sufficient space in the jaw, or an obstruction that prevents proper emergence. The most common treatment for impaction is to extract (remove) one or more of the wisdom teeth. This is a routine in-office procedure that may be performed by general dentists or dental specialists.

It’s thought that perhaps 7 out of 10 people ages 20-30 have at least one impacted wisdom tooth. Some cause pain and need to be removed right away; however, this is not always the case. If a wisdom tooth is found to be impacted and is likely to result in future problems, it may be best to have it extracted before symptoms appear. Unfortunately, even with x-rays and other diagnostic tests, it isn’t always possible to predict exactly when—or if—the tooth will actually begin causing trouble. In some situations, the best option may be to carefully monitor the tooth at regular intervals and wait for a clearer sign of whether extraction is necessary.

So if you’re around the age when wisdom teeth are beginning to appear, make sure not to skip your routine dental appointments. That way, you might avoid emergency surgery when you’ve got other plans—like maybe your own world tour!

If you would like more information about wisdom tooth extraction, please call our office to arrange a consultation. You can learn more in the Dear Doctor magazine articles “Wisdom Teeth” and “Removing Wisdom Teeth.”

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Dental Magic Transforms Smiles

By Ashley Lloyd, DDS
November 05, 2018
Category: Dental Procedures
Tags: celebrity smiles   cosmetic dentistry  
DentalMagicTransformsSmiles

Magician Michel Grandinetti can levitate a 500-pound motorcycle, melt into a 7-foot-tall wall of solid steel, and make borrowed rings vanish and reappear baked inside bread. Yet the master illusionist admits to being in awe of the magic that dentists perform when it comes to transforming smiles. In fact, he told an interviewer that it’s “way more important magic than walking through a steel wall because you’re affecting people’s health… people’s confidence, and you’re really allowing people to… feel good about themselves.”

Michael speaks from experience. As a teenager, his own smile was enhanced through orthodontic treatment. Considering the career path he chose for himself — performing for multitudes both live and on TV — he calls wearing an orthodontic device (braces) to align his crooked teeth “life-changing.” He relies on his welcoming, slightly mischievous smile to welcome audiences and make the initial human connection.

A beautiful smile is definitely an asset regardless of whether you’re performing for thousands, passing another individual on a sidewalk or even, research suggests, interviewing for a job. Like Michael, however, some of us need a little help creating ours. If something about your teeth or gums is making you self-conscious and preventing you from smiling as broadly as you could be, we have plenty of solutions up our sleeve. Some of the most popular include:

  • Tooth Whitening. Professional whitening in the dental office achieves faster results than doing it yourself at home, but either approach can noticeably brighten your smile.
  • Bonding. A tooth-colored composite resin can be bonded to a tooth to replace missing tooth structure, such a chip.
  • Veneers. This is a hard, thin shell of tooth-colored material bonded to the front surface of a tooth to change its color, shape, size and/or length; mask dental imperfections like stains, cracks, or chips, and compensating for excessive gum tissue.
  • Crowns. Sometimes too much of a tooth is lost due to decay or trauma to support a veneer. Instead, capping it with a natural-looking porcelain crown can achieve the same types of improvements. A crown covers the entire tooth replacing more of its natural structure than a veneer does.

If you would like more information about ways in which you can transform your smile, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about the techniques mentioned above by reading the Dear Doctor magazine articles “Teeth Whitening,” “Repairing Chipped Teeth,” and “Porcelain Crowns & Veneers.”

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Kathy Bates Plays It Smart With Professional Teeth Whitening

By Ashley Lloyd, DDS
September 26, 2018
Category: Dental Procedures
Tags: celebrity smiles   teeth whitening  
KathyBatesPlaysItSmartWithProfessionalTeethWhitening

Academy Award-winning actress Kathy Bates knows how important it is to present your best face to the world — and one of the most important features of that face is a beaming smile. But there came a point when she noticed something was a little off. “I've always had good teeth, but it seemed to me as I was getting older that they weren't looking as good,” Kathy explained in a recent interview with Dear Doctor magazine.

That's when she decided it was time to take action. Kathy had orthodontic treatment when she was in her fifties, and she keeps her smile bright with tooth whitening treatments. She uses a kit provided by her dentist with a safe, effective whitening solution.

Of course, a bright, healthy smile looks great anywhere — whether you're on the red carpet or “off the grid.” And you don't have to be a Hollywood star to have professional whitening treatments. In fact, teeth whitening is one of the most popular and affordable cosmetic treatments modern dentistry offers.

The basic options for professional teeth whitening include in-office bleaching or take-home kits. Both types of dentist-supervised treatments offer a safe and effective means of getting a brighter smile; the main difference is how long they take to produce results. A single one-hour treatment in the office can make your teeth up to ten shades lighter — a big difference! To get that same lightening with at-home trays, it would take several days. On the plus side, the take-home kit is less expensive, and can achieve the same results in a bit more time.

It's important to note that not all teeth can be whitened with these treatments. Some teeth have intrinsic (internal) stains that aren't affected by external agents like bleaches. Also, teeth that have been restored (with bonding or veneers, for example) generally won't change color. And you can't necessarily whiten your teeth to any degree: Every tooth has a maximum whiteness, and adding more bleach won't lighten it beyond that level. Most people, however, find that teeth whitening treatments produce noticeable and pleasing results.

What about those off-the-shelf kits or in-the-mall kiosks? They might work… or they might not. But one thing's for sure: Without a dentist's supervision, you're on your own. That's the main reason why you should go with a pro if you're considering teeth whitening. We not only ensure that your treatment is safe — we can also give you a realistic idea of what results to expect, and we will make sure that other dental problems aren't keeping you from having a great-looking smile.

How often does Kathy Bates see her dentist for a checkup and cleaning? “I go about every four months,” she noted. “I'm pretty careful about it.” And if you've seen her smile, you can tell that it pays off. If you would like more information about teeth whitening, please contact us or schedule an appointment. You can learn more in the Dear Doctor magazine articles “Important Teeth Whitening Questions Answered” and “Teeth Whitening.”

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Steely Dan Founder's Death Highlights Importance of Early Cancer Detection

By Ashley Lloyd, DDS
August 17, 2018
Category: Oral Health
Tags: celebrity smiles   oral cancer  
SteelyDanFoundersDeathHighlightsImportanceofEarlyCancerDetection

Fans of the legendary rock band Steely Dan received some sad news a few months ago: Co-founder Walter Becker died unexpectedly at the age of 67. The cause of his death was an aggressive form of esophageal cancer. This disease, which is related to oral cancer, may not get as much attention as some others. Yet Becker's name is the latest addition to the list of well-known people whose lives it has cut short—including actor Humphrey Bogart, writer Christopher Hitchens, and TV personality Richard Dawson.

As its name implies, esophageal cancer affects the esophagus: the long, hollow tube that joins the throat to the stomach. Solid and liquid foods taken into the mouth pass through this tube on their way through the digestive system. Worldwide, it is the sixth most common cause of cancer deaths.

Like oral cancer, esophageal cancer generally does not produce obvious symptoms in its early stages. As a result, by the time these diseases are discovered, both types of cancer are most often in their later stages, and often prove difficult to treat successfully. Another similarity is that dentists can play an important role in oral and esophageal cancer detection.

Many people see dentists more often than any other health care professionals—at recommended twice-yearly checkups, for example. During routine examinations, we check the mouth, tongue, neck and throat for possible signs of oral cancer. These may include lumps, swellings, discolorations, and other abnormalities—which, fortunately, are most often harmless. Other symptoms, including persistent coughing or hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, and unexplained weight loss, are common to both oral and esophageal cancer. Chest pain, worsening heartburn or indigestion and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can also alert us to the possibility of esophageal cancer.

Cancer may be a scary subject—but early detection and treatment can offer many people the best possible outcome. If you have questions about oral or esophageal cancer, call our office or schedule a consultation. You can learn more in the Dear Doctor magazine article “Oral Cancer.”

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Older Posts celebrity smiles (33)
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Archive:

  • 2019
      • February (2)
        • 4 Tips to Prevent Childhood Tooth Decay
        • 3 Age-Related Dental Problems and what you can do About Them
      • January (3)
        • Julianne Hough Shares a Video - and a Song - After Wisdom Teeth Come Out
        • NSAIDs Could be Just as Effective as Narcotics Managing Dental Pain
        • 3 Ways Orthodontic Techniques Could Prevent a Poor Bite
  • 2018
      • December (4)
        • An Orthodontic Retainer: Insurance Well Spent for Keeping Your New Smile
        • How Teeth Whitening Can Rejuvenate Your Smile
        • Singer Dua Lipa Sees the Wisdom in Postponing Tour Dates
        • Protecting Primary Teeth from Decay Helps Ensure Future Dental Health
      • November (3)
        • Moderate Your Child's Juice Drinking to Lower Tooth Decay Risk
        • Dental Porcelain is a Great Option for Creating a Natural Appearance
        • Dental Magic Transforms Smiles
      • October (4)
        • Inflammation is a Key Element in Both Oral and Systemic Diseases
        • How to Know If Invisalign Is Right for You
        • What You Should Know About a Home Teeth Whitening Kit
        • Guide Your Older Children or Teens through These 3 Oral Health Areas
      • September (3)
        • Kathy Bates Plays It Smart With Professional Teeth Whitening
        • Why Smoking and Dental Implants Don't Mix
        • Stop Gum Disease Before it Gets Started with Daily Oral Hygiene
      • August (4)
        • How to Treat the Problem of Teeth that Never Developed
        • How is Your Oral Hygiene?
        • Steely Dan Founder's Death Highlights Importance of Early Cancer Detection
        • How to Reduce Tooth White Spots While Wearing Braces
      • July (4)
        • Be on the Alert for Gum Disease While Wearing Braces
        • Need an Effective but Affordable Tooth Replacement? Look at a Flexible RPD
        • Signs You May Need a Root Canal
        • Fan of Superhero Film Black Panther Breaks Steel Wire...with Her Mouth!
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        • Use Partial Dentures Wisely to Protect Your Future Oral Health
        • 3 Common Causes for Chronic Dry Mouth and What You can do About It
        • June Is Men's Health Month
      • May (4)
        • Expert Advice: Vivica A. Fox on Kissing and Oral health
        • Tooth Loss: A Health Risk for Older Adults
        • Not a Fan of Using CPAP for Your Sleep Apnea? Consider an Oral Appliance
        • Tooth Colored Fillings Restore Your Smile
      • April (4)
        • What You Should Know About Veneers for Teenagers
        • Baseball's Francisco Lindor Shines as "Mr. Smile"
        • Instill Good Dental Habits in Your Child as Early as Possible
        • Anchorage Devices Enable Greater Precision During Orthodontic Treatment
      • March (2)
        • Keep an Eye on Your Teeth and Gum Health During Cancer Treatment
        • 2.6 Million Fans 'Like' Justin Bieber's Chipped Tooth
      • February (2)
        • Teeth Whitening Helps You Make Your Best First Impression
        • Cracked Mouth Corners can be Irritating - Here's How to Treat Them
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        • Treating a Young, Permanent Tooth Requires a Different Approach
        • Why Big Bang Theory Actress Mayim Bialik Couldn't Have Braces
  • 2017
      • December (3)
        • A Retainer Helps you Keep Your New Smile after the Braces Come Off
        • The Importance Of Preventive Care
        • Change Your Smile for the Better with Porcelain Veneers
      • November (2)
        • Looking Good for the Holidays
        • Actor David Ramsey Says: Don't Forget to Floss!
      • October (3)
        • Watch for these 4 Signs of Gum Disease
        • Lasers Poised to Transform Current Treatment for Gum Disease
        • Straighten Your Smile Discreetly
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        • Your Next Dental Visit Might Save Your Life - Here's How
        • Charlize Theron Back in Action After Dental Surgery
        • A Teen with a Missing Tooth May Need to Wait on a Dental Implant
      • August (3)
        • Dr. Travis Stork: If Only I'd Worn A Mouthguard!
        • Create a New Smile with Porcelain Veneers
        • This Young Woman's Cancer Experience a Teachable Moment for all of us
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        • Jimmy Fallon Can’t Catch a Break - Except in His Tooth
        • Here are the Facts on the Impact of Metal Allergies on Dental Work
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        • (Don't) Break It Like Beckham
        • What is a Dental Crown?
        • 3 Dental Signs of an Eating Disorder
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        • Game, Set, Match: Milos Raonic Says A Mouthguard Helps Him Win
        • Dental Care is Difficult but not Impossible for a Special Needs Child
      • April (3)
        • Jamie Foxx Chips a Tooth - This Time by Accident!
        • A Long-Term Orthodontic Strategy Could Help Ensure an Attractive Smile Later in Life
        • Common Signs of Gum Disease
      • March (3)
        • Dr. Travis Stork: Don't Ignore Bleeding Gums
        • Sedation, Along with Understanding, can Relieve Your Dental Visit Fears
        • Actress Emma Stone Reveals How Thumb Sucking Affected Her Teeth
      • February (3)
        • What Is Dental Bonding?
        • Take These Actions to Make Your Child More Comfortable During Teething
        • Actor David Ramsey Discusses Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
      • January (2)
        • A Retainer Helps You Keep Your New Smile After Braces
        • Master Illusionist Benefits from the Magic of Orthodontics
  • 2016
      • December (3)
        • Clear Aligners Make it Easier for Teenagers to have Their Teeth Straightened
        • Discover The Benefits Of Invisalign
        • Vivica's Veneers: the Making of a Hollywood Smile
      • November (2)
        • 3 Questions You Should Ask Before Undergoing Adult Orthodontics
        • Any Time, Any Place: Cam Newton's Guide to Flossing
      • October (3)
        • Weighing the Pros and Cons of Teeth Whitening
        • Renew Your Smile With Porcelain Veneers
        • How Kathy Bates Retains Her Movie-Star Smile
      • September (2)
        • Certain Mouth Rashes Don't Respond to Topical Steroid Treatments
        • Life Is Sometimes a Grind for Brooke Shields
      • August (4)
        • Dentures Still an Effective Restoration for Total Tooth Loss
        • Dental Crowns for the King of Magic
        • Types Of Fillings And How They Help Your Smile
        • We may Still be Able to Save Your Tooth with a Root Canal Alternative
      • July (2)
        • Johnny's Teeth Aren't Rotten Any More
        • Keep Watch for Bite Problems with your Child's Teeth
      • June (3)
        • Ariana Grande Breaks Free - of Her Wisdom Teeth
        • What Is TMJ And What Are Treatment Options?
        • Consider a Removable Partial Denture as a Temporary Solution After Tooth Loss
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        • Even Celebrities Like Jennifer Lawrence Aren't Immune From Bad Breath!
        • Dental Offices Hold to the Highest Standards to Protect Patients from Infection
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        • To Prevent Tooth Decay, Practice Effective Brushing and Flossing
        • Dental Crowns Strengthen Damaged Teeth
      • March (3)
        • America's (Dentists) Got Talent - for Fixing Damaged or Missing Teeth!
        • Find out What Kind of Tooth Staining you Have Before Seeking a Solution
        • Neil Patrick Harris: What the Oscars Host Treasures Most
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        • How Does Invisalign Work?
        • Jason Derulo's Ideal Match
      • January (2)
        • Facts About Those Amazing Wonders Called Teeth
        • New Front Teeth for a Teenaged David Duchovny
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        • Implant-based Overdentures may be a Better Long-Term Fit Option
        • Spice Up Your Teeth
      • November (3)
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        • Dwight Howard: A Bright NBA Star With a Smile to Match
        • Early Orthodontic Treatment Could Lessen Severity of Certain Bite Problems
      • October (2)
        • A Royal Fix
        • A Root Canal Treatment may be Your Best Chance to Save a Tooth
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