Be Healthy!

February 1, 2017 Blog

Life is too short to be worried, scared, or angry. Choose to be healthy and take care of yourself is my rant for today. My awesome patient was truthfully honest about not being committed to brushing twice a day and flossing. We laughed, as I said, well we brush the teeth that we want to keep right? Brushing helps rid of dangerous bacteria that enter the body through the mouth. It practically is the dirtiest part of your body. Can you imagine these bacteria invading your blood stream, organs and entire body?

Research has linked cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and numerous health issues with periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is an infection of your gums. It causes odor, bad breath, loose teeth, spaces between teeth and bleeding. When you are healthy your gums do not bleed. So do the simple task of brushing for at least two minutes a day and floss, to have a healthy mouth. I recommend get your teeth cleaned a minimum of twice a year. And for those who don’t brush and floss twice a day, you are in active disease. You need to see the dentist at least four times a year. And when you say it’s too expensive, consider that you spend more on your cell phone and entertainment. Paying for your dental health is a part of life. And ps, if you have insurance, consider yourself lucky and not take it for granted. Health is a responsibility, not a privilege. Always do your best. -Dr Linda Ma

Pink, pink pink pink sonicare toothbrush

August 19, 2014 Blog

I am super excited to receive our Diamond clean pink sonicare toothbrush. The Sonicare Diamond clean keeps my teeth extra clean and white with its 5 speeds and sonic action. It removes plaque better than a manual toothbrush and keeps stains from accumulating. I brush twice a day with opalescence toothpaste, and floss at bedtime to make sure that my teeth are in health. No bleeding, odor, or gingival disease in my mouth. I often get asked how to get teeth white, and the best way is to remove the stains, and a monthly whitening maintainence with a whitening product. It’s just like dying your hair. If you want it to look good, you have to maintain it and invest time in it. Everyone is always looking for a quick solution when the answer is right in front of them. Visiting your dentist on a regular basis and basic oral hygiene will keep your teeth looking great. Have an amazing day! See you in the office. Dr Linda Ma

SureSmile, The Clear Alternative to Braces

August 9, 2012 Blog

Is there something that you don’t like about your smile? Have you ever considered having straight teeth? Well, SureSmile is a clear alternative to braces. SureSmile is a series of clear trays that reposition teeth to make your teeth look straighter and better.

I am excited to say that I am currently in SureSmile. Hip hip hooray! I have had in braces twice in my life, and the third times a charm, right? Most people who see me say “Dr. Ma, your teeth look straight already”. But I know that my teeth have repositioned itself. The first time I had braces was in 7th grade and the second time was 10 years later in dental school, and now 10 more years later, I am in SureSmile. And yes, I did wear my retainer AND I had a lingual bar on the backs of my teeth. Teeth will continually move throughout your life and the wire in the retainer will not last forever. If your body changes, your teeth will too!

I remember my metal braces in grade school because my teacher gave one of my classmates detention for calling me brace face. I remember looking goofy, food getting stuck in my braces and my lips and cheeks getting scratched from the wires. I carried wax with me to cover the areas where the wires would rub. I constantly brushed my teeth after every meal because food would be stuck everywhere. The second time, in dental school, I had clear braces. I looked like a teenager. LOL

Treatment times for braces was 2 years each time, so being that I had braces twice, I spent 4 years of my life in braces. This time my SureSmile treatment time is six and a half months. Was I happy the first time in 9th grade when my braces were removed? No, my teeth were flared, straighter than before I had braces but not quite straight. My mom accused me of not wearing my retainer because the orthodontist said my teeth relapsed from not wearing my retainer. I did wear my retainer. There are great orthodontists but not all of them have the same skill level. My orthodontist in dental school, however, was great. She made my teeth perfectly straight. But after a few years, my teeth shifted again. Now flash forward to the present time, I am in SureSmile. I love this product because it is very predictable. I have a short treatment time, it is barely noticeable and is very comfortable after you get used to it.

Having straight teeth is a constant battle, and maintenance is the key. SureSmile offers a retainer after treatment and should be changed every few years. SureSmile is a great way to align teeth, and can help most people. Come visit us to see if you are a candidate. I will help you align your teeth so that you will have a beautiful smile.

Dr. Linda Ma DMD

Ten Reason To Get a Dental Implant at Smile Innovations

June 28, 2012 Blog

Missing teeth, dentures that move, not chewing your food well, not smiling in public? If you ever considered getting a dental implant, here is my top ten reasons to get a dental implant at Smile Innovations.

10. You want to eat better. You can chew more efficiently and properly. You will enjoy your meals. Get ready for steak and hard foods.

9. A dental implant will make you look and feel great. Missing teeth causes bone loss and premature aging. When you have a missing tooth, your bone shrinks, your face sinks in, becomes shorter and causes you to have more wrinkles because the skin will lose support from bone, muscle and tissue.

8. You will smile more! Our dental implants are placed aesthetically so it will look and feel very natural. No one will know that you have ever lost a tooth

7. You will have more confidence. You will not have to worry or feel embarrassed from having a gap or hole in your smile.

6. At Smile Innovations, we use top of the line dental implants. Our dental implants are custom made in Germany, are titanium and biocompatible with your body.

5. Dr Boyd Patummas is an awesome dentist. He is very well trained and knowledgeable in placing your dental implant. He is very charming, patient and polite.

4. We pride ourselves in using and learning the latest technology. We utilize a the Gallileos, which is a 3D scan which is used for computer guided surgeries. Your dental implant will be placed more accurately, precisely and safely. The 3D scan gives us more information than traditional X-rays.

3. Our dental Team is amazing. They are wonderful, knowlegdeable, and care about you. They are intelligent, delightful are here to help you.

2. At Smile Innovations, we are committed in providing the highest quality dental care. We pay attention to details and want our patients to be happy and smile all the time.

1. We will help you will your dental goals and help you maintain good oral health. We are honest, care and listen to your needs. We appreciate everyone who supports us in doing our best.

By Dr Linda Ma DMD

Straight White Teeth is Amazing

May 23, 2012 Blog

I wonder why, when I see a gorgeous looking person that does not smile because they do not like their teeth or smile. You know who those people are, the ones that cover their mouths when the speak, or have bad breath, or never smiles. You can look at their photographs, and see that the picture is a missing smile. I hear excuses like I’m too old, or I don’t have money, or I don’t care, or I don’t have time, or I’m afraid of the dentist. These excuses prevent people from being happy, feeling good and looking their best.

I feel when people have decay, gum disease, bad breath, or missing or crooked teeth, they are embarrassed, discouraged, or lose confidence and feel less attractive. They stop smiling, talk less, and avoid eye contact and become old. These behaviors can lessen their chances for a better job, a good relationship, or new friendships.

It is also unhealthy when there is an infection in the mouth. It is extremely painful when the tooth’s infected. Many women tell me that they rather give birth than have tooth pain. Then why wait to go to the dentist? Being healthy should be a powerful motivator to see the dentist.

I notice that when people whiten their teeth, or get veneers, or get dental implants, or finish their invisalign treatment ( the clear alternative to braces), they smile much more. I think they have more self confidence, more self esteem, and feel more attractive. Dentistry has revolutionized in the last ten years. With all the technologies and new innovative products, dentists can give their patients a great smile. A great smile goes along with a great attitude. People who finish their dental treatment and maintain their oral hygiene are healthier and happier. They are perceived to be friendlier, kinder, younger, intelligent and more successful because they smile more frequently. If you would like to improve your smile, you will always be welcomed at Smile Innovations, your Tempe Cosmetic and Family Dentist

Don’t let those excuses prevent you from living a great life. Find an awesome dentist who can create that beautiful smile so that you can smile in your pictures, and not have bad breath and gum disease.

This is How We Whiten and Brighten Teeth

April 27, 2012 Blog

I love bright, white teeth. White teeth makes your smile look better, gives you more self esteem, and makes you look younger. White teeth changes people’s attitude and personality by making them look good and feel good about themselves. Pictures always look amazing when you have white teeth. Teeth can discolor as we age, take medications and develop tartar and stains. One rule I tell my patients is “whatever stains your white shirt can stain your teeth”. For example, broccoli and rice will not stain your teeth, but a blueberry or a glass of wine will. If you drink coffee and tea, like myself you will develop stain. A solution to this problem would be to invest in a sonicare toothbrush and a good quality toothpaste such as opalesence. I love my sonicare, and I am the perfect example that it works. Come check my teeth out for yourself if you’d like.

How do you get white teeth you ask? Excellent question. If you are in rush, have a special event or need instant gratification, you can do a one hour dental office treatment. You can use custom dental whitening trays for an hour for a few days. You can brush daily with a professional quality whitening toothpaste such a opalensce and a sonicare toothbrush. You can get crowns and veneers to achieve the exact shade, shape and size of your tooth. Everyones circumstances, committments and desires will be different so your local dentist can help you choose which treatment is best for you.

For the best results, you should do the combination of the three whitening processes.

1. One hour in office whitening. This is to kick start the whitening process. It’s fast, convinient and you see the results right away. The teeth are polished to remove stains and tartar, the gums are then isolated to be protected from the bleaching solution, a solution of 28%-40% carbamide peroxide is place on the teeth for 3-4 intervals of 10-15 minutes. Our bleaching solution is very concentrated so it cannot be done at home and it can burn your skin, eyes and mouth.

2. Take home bleaching trays. Solutions range from 8%-20%. Every few weeks or months, you have to touch up, or re-whiten your teeth. Like dying you hair, you have to maintain the color. The trays are worn for about an hour per day and the bleach is placed only on teeth that are visible when you smile. The gel should cover only your teeth. If you place too much solution on the tray and it overflows to your gums, you can irritate the gums and cause yourself discomfort, so be careful not to get the gel on your gums. You will just be wasting your product.

3. The sonicare toothbrush with opalensce toothpaste. Daily brushing twice a day with this toothpaste creates amazing results.

For more questions and answers about teeth whitening visit http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/teeth-whitening-faq and http://www.teethwhiteningreviews.com/faq.php

Your Family and Cosmetic Dentist

Dr. Linda Ma DMD

Your Tempe Cosmetic and Family Dentist

April 4, 2012 Blog

Hello world! This is Dr Linda Ma DMD, from Smile Innovations, your local family dentist. I would like to thank our team and patients for helping us build our new office at 6326 S. Rural Rd suite 101, Tempe Arizona, 85283. If you would like to contact us, please click here. This is my first blog so bear with me. I will be discussing new and interesting topics in the future. Enjoy our new website. I will be looking forward to updating everyone on their dental health and concerns. Please email me at smileinnovations@hotmail.com for topics you would like me to talk about.

Dr Linda Ma and Dr Boyd Patummas

cosmetic dentistry