The smile is one of the most powerful features of the human face. It conveys meaning and emotions in an instant. It can catch the eye of that special someone or soothe the tears of your little child.
Throughout history, smiles have inspired artists and the arts, sparking the inspiration that has led to famous paintings, beautiful songs, and even the writing of poems. As your Oxnard dentist, we have been so inspired by smiles that we have dedicated our profession and our passion to caring for them. Whether keeping them healthy or restoring or beautifying them, we wake up every day motivated by the impact a healthy, happy smile can have on the lives of individuals and entire communities.
This April is National Poetry Month. We would like to take this opportunity to demonstrate our love for pearly whites by sharing with you some of our favorite quotes and sayings about smiles.
Our Favorite Quotes About Smiles
“Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.” —Thich Nhat Hanh
“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” —Leo Buscaglia
“A warm smile is the universal language of kindness.” —William Arthur Ward
“A smile is happiness you’ll find right under your nose.” —Tom Wilson
“Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.” —Dr. Seuss
“Peace begins with a smile.” –Mother Teresa
The Smile
By William Blake
There is a Smile of Love
And there is a Smile of Deceit
And there is a Smile of Smiles
In which these two Smiles meet
And there is a Frown of Hate
And there is a Frown of Disdain
And there is a Frown of Frowns
Which you strive to forget in vain
For it sticks in the Hearts deep Core
And it sticks in the deep Back bone
And no Smile that ever was smild
But only one Smile alone
That betwixt the Cradle & Grave
It only once Smild can be
But when it once is Smild
Theres an end to all Misery
If you would like to find out more about how we can help you keep your smile in art-inspiring condition, give us a call and set up your next appointment. We offer general-dentistry services such as regular cleanings, fluoride treatments, and sealants — all designed to protect your teeth from decay and harmful cavities.
We also provide restorative services such as porcelain crowns and inlays and onlays designed to restore cracked and broken teeth. These procedures can relieve dental discomfort and give you back your confidence so that you can spread happiness every time you grin.
Is your smile missing something? Our beautiful, natural-looking, permanent dental implants will make your smile whole again so that you can enjoy eating and speaking without reservation.
We are here to help keep your teeth and oral health in the best condition possible so that you can confidently share it with the world.
Happy National Poetry Month from our dental family to yours.
Oral Piercings & Your Dental Health
A Healthy Smile Is Your Best Accessory
Body piercings have become increasingly prevalent over the past decade, and with more and more celebrities like Victoria Beckham, Tyrese, and Christina Aguilera sporting them, they are only gaining popularity among people of all ages. While piercings offer people the opportunity to express their individuality and add some extra bling to their personal style, some of the most popular piercings are located in the mouth area, which can lead to the rapid deterioration of oral health.
Popular face and mouth piercings include those in the tongue, lip, and cheek areas. The following are just some of the health risks and side effects associated with these piercings.
- Infection: Your mouth is home to a large number of bacteria that breed in moist environments. This is the perfect environment for an infection to occur. When an infection occurs in your mouth, it can become life threatening if not treated immediately.
- Excessive bleeding: On occasion a blood vessel gets punctured during the piercing process and results in prolonged bleeding. If not dealt with properly, severe blood loss can cause complications.
- Damaged gums and teeth: People with mouth piercings often develop the habit of playing with them, which may include biting and twirling them around the mouth. This can lead to scratched, cracked, and broken teeth and fillings. It can also damage the gum line.
- Allergic reactions: Sometimes people may unknowingly be hypersensitive to metals and can experience an allergic reaction.
- Nerve damage: Numbness at the site of the piercing is common. However, in some cases it remains a permanent condition due to nerve damage.
- Excessive saliva: Heavy salivation can result from wearing jewelry in your mouth. This can cause complications with your ability to chew and swallow correctly. It can also interfere with the pronunciation of words.
If you do decide to get a face or mouth piercing, or if your child or adolescent has one, be prepared for four to six weeks of healing time. The following are some tips that will help you maintain your oral health should you decide to keep or get a mouth piercing:
- Make sure to keep the piercing site clean after you eat. Clear away any food particles by using mouthwash after each meal.
- Remove all jewelry when participating in sports, and ask the dentist about getting a mouthguard for protection.
- If you notice that you are developing habits that include biting or clicking your piercing against your teeth, stop immediately or consider removing the jewelry.
- If you think you may have an infection or might be developing an allergic reaction to the metal in your mouth jewelry, remove it immediately and call your doctor.
Choosing to get a facial or oral piercing is an aesthetic decision that impacts your oral and whole health. Your at-home oral hygiene routine will be more important than ever should you choose to get one, as will your routine visits to the dentist and your dental cleanings. Make sure to let our provider know if you have an oral or mouth piercing so that he can help create a dental plan that will protect and maintain your best oral health.
To find out more about mouth piercings, your oral health, and how we can help protect your teeth and gums, give your Oxnard dentist a call at (805) 228-4483 today.
