Carolina Complete Dental Blog

Your Mouth: A Picture of Health

Did you know, when a dentist looks at your mouth, they can tell a lot more than just how often you’re brushing? It’s true; your oral health is like a window into your lifestyle and habits. Dr. Barganier, Dr. Zuffi, Dr. Williams, and Dr. McAdams at Carolina Complete Dental should know. We’ve seen mouths from all over Goose Creek in our office!

If you’re not taking care of the rest of your body, your gums will give it away. Hormones, sickness, stress, diet, smoking, prescription medicine, and more can all affect your gum health.

And that goes both ways. If you don’t take care of your gums, the consequences will stretch beyond just your mouth. Unhealthy gums can lead to an unhealthy heart, diabetes, pregnancy complications, memory problems, tooth decay, and more. (more…)

A few things are equally important for your oral health no matter your age or stage of life. Good nutrition, brushing and flossing habits, visiting the dentist and a little fluoride are always (always) the essentials. And you won’t ever hear us say otherwise.

However, your dental hygiene routine requires unique considerations at each new season of growth and maturity. Read below as Carolina Complete Dental shares what is especially important to know for your oral health throughout your life. You may be surprised at what we have to share!

Babies

From the moment your child enters the world, they are equipped with not one, but two sets of teeth to last their lifetime—even if you can’t quite see said teeth yet. Oral health and dental care are as important now as ever. Don’t wait to start good habits that will ensure a healthy, functioning smile for your newest family member. (more…)

Originally created for people that can’t consume regular sugars, alternative and artificial sweeteners have become extremely popular in Goose Creek in all kinds of different products. From chewing gum to diet soda, Dr. Barganier, Dr. Zuffi, Dr. Williams, and Dr. McAdams want you to know which of these options are best for your dental and general health, so here are the facts about a few of the most common sweeteners. If you have any questions, please feel free to call Carolina Complete Dental.

The Big Five Sugar Substitutes

The benefits of natural and artificial sugar-free sweeteners were first recognized as a safe option for diabetics, but have since exploded in popularity because food, beverage, candy, and snack companies have discovered that it is easier to sell fewer calories. In addition, Goose Creek residents with a sweet tooth know that artificial sweeteners are notorious for their ability to ruin your portion control. All of the following substances are considered sugar-free and inhibit tooth decay because bacteria cannot ferment them into enamel-destroying acids. Despite ongoing controversy about health concerns of sugar substitutes, the FDA considers all of the following substances to be safe for regular consumption. (more…)

If you are a parent, you probably know how difficult it is to get Goose Creek children to brush and floss regularly. On top of that, young children often lack the necessary motor skills to properly care for their teeth. At Carolina Complete Dental, we want your whole family to have excellent dental health, so here’s some information on how Dr. Barganier, Dr. Zuffi, Dr. Williams, and Dr. McAdams can help protect your kids from tooth decay. If you have any questions or would like schedule a consultation, please give us a call.

Kids and Cavities

In the back teeth, there are numerous nooks and crannies that toothbrushes can’t quite get to. Referred to as pits and fissures, these areas on the chewing surfaces of the molars and premolars are particularly susceptible to tooth decay in children between the ages of 6 and 14. Food can easily get stuck in the tiny grooves and remain for long periods of time, which, combined with bacteria, creates the perfect environment for tooth decay and cavities.

How Dental Sealants Can Help

Dental sealants are thin coatings of plastic applied directly to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. By covering areas where pit and fissure cavities are likely to form, dental sealants effectively seal out tooth decay and prevent cavities in these areas. Dental sealants are an excellent boost for dental health. Dr. Barganier, Dr. Zuffi, Dr. Williams, and Dr. McAdams recommend that Goose Creek children get sealants as soon as their first and second sets of permanent molars come in (usually at 6 and 12 years of age, respectively).

The process is quick and painless: (more…)

A hole in your smile is never a good thing. It negatively affects your appearance, your eating, your speaking, and your overall sense of confidence and wellbeing. Let Carolina Complete Dental bridge the gap between where you are with your smile and where you want to be!

A missing tooth or teeth can also cause jaw pain and bite misalignment. Without a full set of teeth, your other teeth have a tendency to move into the empty space causing an unnatural alignment in your bite and jaw—which can be very uncomfortable and can lead to bigger headaches and TMJ/TMD problems.

Dr. Barganier, Dr. Zuffi, Dr. Williams, and Dr. McAdams share how each tooth plays an important role in your health and every day life, and how dental bridges can restore your smile and the function of your teeth.

Types of Bridges

Depending on your needs, there are three common kinds of bridges that your dentist may recommend. The difference among these types is how they are installed and secured. (more…)

Have you ever heard someone say, “It was worse than a root canal?” Most of us in Goose Creek are used to hearing root canals compared to some genuinely unpleasant circumstances, but Dr. Barganier, Dr. Zuffi, Dr. Williams, and Dr. McAdams would like to set the record straight and talk about how root canals can do some serious dental good. As always, we are happy to answer any questions you may have, so please feel free to give Carolina Complete Dental a call.

Root Canals Save Teeth

Here it comes, the question on everyone’s mind – why on Earth would you want a root canal?! There is one thing all dentists in Goose Creek and beyond will agree on – saving your natural teeth is always the best option. There are many ways that Dr. Barganier, Dr. Zuffi, Dr. Williams, and Dr. McAdams can replace missing or damaged teeth, but nothing is as good as the real thing. If you have a tooth with inflamed or infected pulp, a root canal, or endodontic treatment, can get rid of infection and save it. Thus, root canals are preferable to extraction. Here are some more advantages of endodontic treatment: (more…)

Your smile is more powerful than you may know. Scientists have studied many aspects of smiling, such as how it affects your brain, your health, and your overall experience of life. Even the situation you’re in and the people around you are influenced by your smile. The findings may surprise you. Or, if you’re someone who smiles often, they may just confirm what you already know.

Dr. Barganier, Dr. Zuffi, Dr. Williams, and Dr. McAdams in Goose Creek love a good smile and want to help you smile more. Read on to let us convince you to smile more and to maintain that smile with a healthy dental routine.

Smiling & Your Health

The physical act of a smile can benefit both your mental health and your physical health. Experiencing an emotion connects all the parts of yourself: body, mind, and spirit, so the physical act of smiling can improve your overall experience of life. (more…)