Making a Choice

In his mid twenties, though, Kelly had to come to grips with the fact that years of avoiding the dentist had come at the cost of his oral health.

He relates, “Among other issues, I had a fractured back molar that began to decay. I was so nervous about going to the dentist that I did nothing about it. At first, I minimized the situation because I told myself it was just a minor discomfort and it would go away on its own. I was wrong.”

He continued, “As the decay progressed, the discomfort intensified until it became a constant, unbearable pain. Yet, my paralyzing fear made enduring the pain still seem a more acceptable solution than a dental visit.”

Do you find yourself relating with Kelly’s sentiments? Have you avoided getting needed dental work because of excessive anxiety? If so, you are not alone. According to the Journal of the American Dental Association, an estimated 35 million Americans experience significant apprehension about dental procedures, while an additional 10 to 12 million are considered to be “dental phobic” and avoid needed dental care altogether.

How was Kelly able to address his dental fears and get the help that his smile required?

Getting Needed Help

Kelly explains, “As apprehensive as I was, I began considering getting professional help because the pain was simply not going to disappear on its own. I discovered that there was online support for people suffering dental anxiety just like me. I also asked my family and close friends if they could recommend a dentist that would understand and acknowledge my concerns and fears. A lot of the anxiety that I had stemmed from the feeling I would have no control or say about the procedure.”

“When I found the dentist with the expertise to address the dental anxiety I was dealing with, it was such a relief. I loved the fact that I felt respected and understood. The office atmosphere was soothing and was nothing like the experience I remembered as I child. We even arranged for a hand signal that I could make to immediately stop the procedure if I started to feel overwhelmed.”

The Results

“I was so surprised,” Kelly exclaimed. “The procedure was not at all the traumatic experience that I expected. I only wish that I had got my teeth looked at sooner. I’ve also recently taken advantage of sedation options to get some other work done that I would have never dreamed of having before. I never thought my teeth could look this great! I feel confident, I feel relieved! ”

There are a number of reasons why people can develop dental phobia. If you have been holding back from getting professional assistance because you suffer from dental anxiety, we understand what you are going through. Please feel free to contact us for a stress-free, no obligation consultation to see how we can provide you with the assistance that you need to get your smile back on track.

Just imagine, a healthy pain-free smile can be yours in no time, with assistance from our sedation dentistry in Columbia, SC, and our compassionate dental team. We hope to hear from you soon!

If you could finally relieve your dental anxiety, what would you want to improve about your smile?

The popularity of the Paleo Diet has thrived with it promising and beneficial results.

The Paleo Diet basics

When you convert to the Paleo Diet, you completely eliminate processed foods. You start eating:

• Grass-produced meats
• Fish/seafood
• Fresh fruit and vegetables
• Eggs
• Nuts and seeds
• Healthful oils (olive, walnut, flaxseed, macadamia, avocado, coconut)

And completely eliminate:

• Cereal grains
• Legumes
• Dairy
• Refined sugar
• Potatoes
• Processed foods
• Salt
• Refined vegetable oils

By completely eliminating these processed food items, you dramatically reduce serious health risks including:

• Heart disease
• Diabetes
• Inflammation
• Some cancers

Try this Paleo recipe

Thankfully, there are many websites promoting vast amounts of Paleo recipes. Dr. Loren Cordain, founder of the Paleo Movement, has all kinds of simple recipes centered on this healthy diet. As a leading dentist in Columbia, SC, Dr. Justin Griffin wants you to have a healthy diet to obtain a healthy body and smile.

For this month’s healthy recipe, we are going to introduce a comforting recipe you can whip up: the Chicken Vegetable Soup. According to thepaleodiet.com, all you need for this recipe is:

• Water
• Whole chicken
• Garlic
• Yellow onion
• Bay leaf
• Black pepper
• Tomatoes
• Zucchini
• Carrots

If you go to the website, it provides simple instructions how to cook up this recipe and enjoy the life changing benefits of the Paleo Diet.

We always navigate the Internet to promote many healthy recipes to give options to your food palate, and you can stay up-to-date by checking our blog monthly.

Do you have any healthy recipe suggestions? Share your thoughts and comments below!

When Crowns Save the Day

Consider some dental scenarios where your premier dentist may recommend implementing a crown.

1. Securing a dental bridge in proper position.
2. To hold together and strengthen a tooth that is cracked, or structurally weakened by a large filling.
3. Enhancing the appearance of badly stained or misshapen teeth.
4. To restore the appearance and strength of teeth that are fractured, broken or severely worn.
5. To fortify the tooth against fracturing after a root canal.
6. Acting as the replacement tooth attached to a dental implant.

Crowns Fit for a King

We make it our priority to ensure that your crown will fit perfectly, provide functionality, look completely natural, and keep you smiling proudly. By creating a restoration that blends naturally with the rest of your teeth, no one will guess the extent of your dental work.

It’s a simple matter to brush, floss, and care for a dental crown just like you would your natural teeth, while reaping the benefits of a smile fit for a king!

Crowns can open the door for you to eat, talk, and laugh without discomfort, pain or feeling self-conscious about the appearance of your teeth. Book your crowns appointment in Columbia, SC, with us today and give your teeth something to smile about for years to come.

Learn more about the truth behind sleep apnea below:

Getting the Facts

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Sleep apnea is a disorder in which your breathing repeatedly stops and starts while you are sleeping. Of course, sleep apnea and snoring are more than simply a nuisance that affects you at bedtime. The condition hinders your ability to breathe adequately and freely while sleeping, leading to typical side-effects that include loud snoring, excessive daytime sleepiness, dry mouth, morning headaches, and obesity.

Sleep apnea is a serious medical condition and can detrimentally affect your overall health. Studies have linked sleep apnea with the likelihood of developing health issues including high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.

Modern Treatment Options

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As opposed to prescribing a cumbersome CPAP machine, our high-tech sleep apnea treatment is SomnoMed, which is an orthotic appliance to optimize airflow. SomnoMed is expertly created to position your jaw for optimum air intake, and can help reduce or completely eliminate your snoring. Dr. Justin Griffin has received extensive training and education to effectively treat sleep apnea in Columbia, SC. He will work closely with your sleep physician to achieve your desired outcome.

How does this treatment method prove superior?

1. Mobile

In comparison to other sleep apnea apparatuses, our sleep apnea mouthguards are small and compact, making them easy to bring with you when travelling and sleeping away from home.

2. Comfortable

No annoying limitations associated with other sleep apnea treatment options. Our uniquely crafted mandibular advancement devices permit you to sleep in any position that your body finds comfortable.

3. Relaxing

Just climb into bed and enjoy getting some quality shut-eye. You can experience great relief and peace of mind by knowing that you’re no longer irritating your loved one with your endless snoring. They too will be thrilled to sleep next to you and still enjoy a good nights’ rest.

4. Healthy

An open airway increases your ability to sleep through the night. By getting the vital, restorative sleep that your brain and body needs, you can experience a boost in the quality of your life—mentally, physically, and socially.

Don’t just imagine what a night free from the complications of sleep apnea would be like. Discover it first hand by contacting our elite dental office today! The only regret you’ll have is that you didn’t pursue our high-tech, sleep apnea treatment options earlier.

Give us your thoughts. Do you think it’s worse to be the one who snores, or the one who has to listen to someone else?

Thanks to the modern option of Invisalign, over 2 million patients are now smiling with confidence, and are proudly making the best of their opportunities to make a great first impression. Invisalign is a revolutionary method of straightening teeth that has taken the dental industry by storm, and has quickly become the gold standard in orthodontic treatment.

29 percent of Americans say teeth is the first facial feature they notice when meeting someone. So if your teeth reveal a somewhat crooked, misaligned smile, consider the benefits you could be missing out on each and every day.

The Power of a Straight-looking Smile

A perception study conducted by the makers of Invisalign and Kelton research reveal that having a straight-looking set of pearly whites can improve virtually every aspect of your life.

The recent survey involving more than 1000 people confirmed that people with well-aligned teeth have an increased likelihood of making a good first impression. In fact, people with straight-looking smiles are perceived more likely to be:

• Happy
• Healthy
• Friendly
• Popular
• Trustworthy
• Second-date Worthy
• Successful
• With High Self-esteem

Furthermore, it also revealed that people with straight teeth are more likely to:

• Land a job when competing with someone of a similar skill set and experience.
• Earn a higher salary.
• Attract a possible mate on a dating site based on a picture alone.

When it comes to teeth straightening, Invisalign proves superior to traditional metal braces in virtually every way. Make great first impressions with a set of straight, gorgeous looking teeth, and enjoy the continued success, friendships, and happiness it can bring for your future. Book your Invisalign consultation in Columbia, SC, with our elite dental team today, and start reaping the benefits that a picture-perfect smile brings.

Why do you think the condition of a smile has such an impact on how a person is viewed by others?

We would like to share one particular recipe from the Keep it Skinny blog: the breakfast burrito. It’s easy to make; it’s extremely healthy; and it contains nutrients to help promote a strong, healthy smile.

The Breakfast Burrito

All you need is:

• 1 tortilla
• 1 scrambled egg
• ½ avocado
• Goat cheese
• 2 slices of tomato

Just by looking at the photo, all you need to do is put one ingredient on top of the other. Your breakfast meals just went from drab to fab with this tasty treat.

Adding Some Zest into Your Smile

This burrito contains protein, dairy, grains, and a variety of vitamins to enrich your smile with the right amount of nutrients. Even if this treat is great for your body and teeth, do not forget to brush and floss your teeth every day and visiting Dr. Griffin, a respected cosmetic dentist in Columbia, SC, for regular check-ups and professional cleanings.

Get creative with your cooking by looking through multiple healthy recipe blogs. You will feel better about your overall well-being, and your body and teeth will thank you.

What are your favorite recipes? Share your thoughts below!

Why They Can Harm You

Energy drinks, carbonated sodas, and sports drinks are all the rage in our modern times, especially among the younger generation. Unfortunately, these drinks are often loaded in sugar, and are acidic in nature, both of which can harm your teeth.

Every time these drinks are consumed, your teeth are under attack as the acid temporarily softens the hard, protective coating on your teeth. Over time, these repeated battles can weaken the enamel until it’s no longer able to provide adequate protection. The result? A greater likelihood of developing cavities, along with tooth sensitivity and translucency. The sugar in these drinks allow bacteria in your mouth to thrive and form plaque, which can lead to tooth decay and periodontal disease.

The Sugary Drink Tax Proposal

The truth of the matter is that our food choices are affecting more than just our dental health, and the detrimental effects are felt among people of all ages groups. Reports show that alarmingly, 60 percent of adults in the UK are considered overweight and obese.

The Chief Executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, Dr Nigel Carter OBE also commented that “three in every ten children starting school have tooth decay, and around one in three 12 year-olds have visible dental decay.”

He continued, “The increase in consumption of sugary drinks is one of the key reasons for dental decay, particularly in children. By proposing the introduction of a duty on sugary drinks there will be an inevitable reduction in consumption and benefits for both general and dental health. Cutting down on how often you have sugary foods and drinks is one of the Foundation’s key messages, and any measure which helps reduce how often our teeth are exposed to sugary foods and drinks is one the Foundation wholeheartedly welcomes.”

What You Can Do

For those who enjoy their sugary beverage too much to kick the habit, some simple yet important steps can be adopted to limit their effect.

• Place limits on the amount you have on a daily basis.
• Avoid swishing the drink in your mouth and use a straw to lessen the acidic exposure to your teeth.
• Drink your sugary beverage at meal time to limit the number of times your teeth are exposed to sugar.
• Drink water after to remove some of the acid and sugar from your teeth.

Contact us today to learn more on how you can keep your smile gorgeous and healthy-looking under the care of Dr. Justin Griffin, a a respected cosmetic dentist in Columbia, SC.

Do you agree with the idea of imposing a tax on sugary drinks? Share your comments below.

What are Lumineers?

Put simply, they are custom-made, ultra-thin porcelain veneers. They are highly effective in resolving smile deficiencies including teeth that are worn, chipped, cracked, discolored, crooked, misshapen, or unevenly spaced.

Size Matters!

What makes Lumineers such an appealing option? Their size. Their slim size, that is. These ultra-thin veneers are slimmer than traditional veneers and possess the width comparable to that of a contact lens ( about .2 mm). Despite this, they are durable and proven to last for decades. How does this benefit you and affect your ability to achieve your dream smile?

Amazing Results in Only Two Visits

Because Lumineers are so thin, they can be attached directly to your tooth without requiring the many steps associated with traditional veneers. In most cases, the complete Lumineers procedure can be performed without any shots or needless grinding down of sensitive tooth structure.

First Visit: A precision mold of your teeth will be made, and then we will help you decide on the best shade for your new, permanently white teeth.

Second Visit: We will ensure that your custom made Lumineers are the correct shade of white, and that they fit properly. Then your Lumineers will be skillfully bonded to your natural teeth. With no pain or sensitivity issues to worry about, you can focus on enjoying your gorgeous smile immediately.

You can also take comfort in knowing that the Lumineer process is completely reversible. So really, you have nothing to lose, and a dazzling smile to gain. It really is that simple and amazing!

Give your friends and family a reason to smile by sharing this exciting information with them. Your dream smile can finally become a reality in as little as two visits, thanks to the superior option of Lumineers.

Get your smile on the fast-track to success by contacting us today.