Carolina Complete Dental Blog

Cosmetic Dentistry – A Beautiful Smile is a Powerful Thing

February 13, 2018

There is a law of nature that states: “function follows form.” This saying means that how something appears determines how it works. For example, you may own many screwdrivers of different sizes and shapes (form) to loosen all different kinds of screws (function). Think of a watering can with a long spout that’s perfect for pouring water right where you want it, versus one with a broad spout meant to cover large areas more quickly.

When you think about it, this principle also applies to your smile. A mouth with missing teeth isn’t nearly as functional as a mouth with a full set of chompers. Enter: cosmetic dentistry. While the word “cosmetic” makes these treatments sound optional, many times they are necessary to improve physical function or mental and emotional well-being. Read more from Dr. Barganier, Dr. Zuffi, Dr. Williams, and Dr. McAdams to learn about cosmetic dentistry and the positive impact it can have on your life. (more…)

TMJ – The Root of Your Pain

January 27, 2018

Temporomandibular joint dysfunction is a really long name … so let’s call it TMJ. That sounds more familiar -you’ve probably heard it before. Maybe some lingering pain in your chewing muscles and bones even have you wondering if you have it.

TMJ dysfunction is sometimes called TMD, TMJD, or TMJ Syndrome, especially if there seem to be a number of other jaw-related issues. Dr. Barganier, Dr. Zuffi, Dr. Williams, and Dr. McAdams at Carolina Complete Dental are here to tell you more about TMJ and what to do if you’ve got it. (more…)

Breastfeeding & Dental Work

January 13, 2018

If you’re a new mom or about to be one, you’re likely already used to putting your needs second to the needs of this beautiful new little person in your life – but maintaining good oral hygiene is still important for keeping you and your baby in tip-top shape. If something happens and you need dental work, it shouldn’t prevent you from breastfeeding regularly, or from seeking the dental treatment you need. Dr. Barganier, Dr. Zuffi, Dr. Williams, and Dr. McAdams are experienced dentists in Goose Creek and can explain how prioritizing your own health needs is safe and important during this stage of a woman’s life. (more…)

Fun Dental Facts – Did You Know?

December 13, 2017

Sure, dentistry is serious medicine, and daily dental hygiene is a top priority. But teeth can be pretty fun, too! And fascinating. For starters, have you ever seen the full sets of baby teeth and adult teeth present in a child’s head x-ray? Go ahead, look it up.

Carolina Complete Dental in Goose Creek treats our patients professionally and joyfully, because teeth are cool. Take Dr. Jason Barganier’s word for it, there’s much to learn and admire about even the most average set of teeth.

Facts About People & Teeth

According to a survey by Time Magazine, 59% of people would rather visit the dentist than have to listen to one end of a cell-phone conversation.
By age 17, 78% of Americans have had at least 1 cavity.
Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss for people over the age of 35.
Tooth prints are as unique as fingerprints.
About 5 million teeth per year fall out due to sports-related accidents.
Babies have 20 teeth but a full set of adult teeth has 32.
Baby teeth do need to be brushed, or “washed”.
42% of adults said a toothbrush was one invention they couldn’t live without, according to a Lemelson-MIT Invention Index survey.

Facts About Your Mouth

The enamel on your teeth is the hardest part of your body.
More than 300 different kinds of bacteria can live in your mouth at the same time.
A tooth will start to die within 15 minutes of getting knocked out. But keeping it in a glass of milk can prolong its life.
35% of your tooth’s surface can only be cleaned by floss.
A third of the whole tooth is not visible, but under the gums (Titanic, anyone?).

Facts About Dental History

The first recorded dentist, Hesi-Re, practiced in ancient Egypt.
The first official female dentist was Lucy Beaman Hobbs, licensed in 1866.
The first commercial floss was made in 1882.
The first official dental hygienist was Irene Newman, trained in 1905.
The tooth fairy left an average of 25 cents per tooth in 1950.
The first toothbrushes were made of tree twigs (people chewed the tips to make soft brushes), and animal hair.

Don’t let your teeth become history, take good care of them today and they’ll serve you forever. Call us today to visit our Goose Creek office and show your smile some love.

Veneers – Not Just for the Silver Screen

November 13, 2017

There’s a lot of hair and makeup that goes into making your favorite stars sparkle on the screen. And while we can’t all hire a professional artist to make us look perfect every day, there is a lasting solution to giving you that perfect Hollywood smile – veneers! Dr. Jason Barganier in Goose Creek is an experienced and trusted provider of veneer treatments.

What are Veneers?

Veneers are a very strong, paper-thin cover over your teeth. They look just like real teeth, but even better. Veneers are often used to improve the look of teeth with spacing and alignment issues or staining problems. They can be applied wherever needed, on one tooth or a whole set.

Which Celebrities Have Veneers? (more…)

Dental Implants: A Security System for Your Smile

October 27, 2017

Your mouth is an intelligent system made to work with every piece doing its part. When you’re missing a tooth, the empty spaces are more than unsightly; they can be dangerous. Your other teeth, your gums, and even the bones in your face rely on you having a full smile. Enter: dental implants. Thanks to improved technology, you can replace a single tooth or a whole row of teeth quickly and effectively. Dental implants can improve your overall oral health and are now considered the gold standard in tooth replacement technology. Dr. Barganier, Dr. Zuffi, Dr. Williams, and Dr. McAdams at Carolina Complete Dental offer professional placement and restoration of dental implants, so let us tell you more about them and how they can help protect your greatest asset and secure your smile!

How Do Dental Implants Work?

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Is It Time To Straighten?

October 13, 2017

When to Straighten Your Teeth

There are a lot of reasons to straighten your teeth, and there are a lot of ways to do it. But you may not know that there are many unique times in your life when it might be best to straighten your teeth. In general, dentists begin considering the potential need to straighten a patient’s teeth around 8-10 years of age. People of any age can have their teeth straightened-there is never a bad time-but there are certain times when it makes more sense.

Carolina Complete dentists Dr. Barganier, Dr. Zuffi, Dr. Williams, and Dr. McAdams are local providers of professional orthodontics and teeth straightening treatments. Read below to learn tips for deciding if it’s time to straighten your teeth.

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Gum Disease – More Than Just Gums

September 27, 2017

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…)

Oral Health Tips at Every Age

September 13, 2017

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…)

To Be or Not To Be Sugar-Free: The Facts About Common Sweeteners

August 27, 2017

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…)