Our Blog

When you are missing teeth, it is critical to replace them. Without all your teeth, chewing and eating can be challenging, as well as uncomfortable. Missing teeth can also destabilize your bite. Dental implants are a great option for replacing teeth that are missing or are badly diseased. A dental implant at North Shore Centre for Laser, Cosmetic, and Family Dentistry offers relief, support, and stability to your bite, and often, implants are the most natural and effective option available.

Dr. Ronald Plotka and Dr. Gregory Feider and our team have helped many patients using implant dentistry at our Swampscott office restore their smiles to look more natural. Each implant is created to fit in perfectly with the look of the rest of your teeth.

Besides making your smile appear more natural, dental implants have other benefits. They include:

• Restoring your ability to properly chew food
• Preventing your teeth from shifting and moving
• Stabilizing your bite, helping you avoid pain or discomfort

If you are missing a tooth or multiple teeth and feel like you are a candidate for dental implants, Dr. Ronald Plotka and Dr. Gregory Feider and our team at North Shore Centre for Laser, Cosmetic, and Family Dentistry encourage you to give us a call to schedule an appointment. See you soon!

Brushing your teeth properly removes the food particles and bacteria that can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. However, you do not want to scrub your teeth or gums heavily. A heavy hand can lead to tooth and gum erosion, as Dr. Ronald Plotka and Dr. Gregory Feider and our staff see all too often.

You should also use a soft bristle toothbrush to avoid damaging the surface of your teeth. Make sure the head of the brush fits in your mouth, because if it is too large you will not be able to reach all tooth surfaces. Follow these steps to ensure you are brushing properly.

1. Use a small amount of toothpaste on your brush. The recommendation is a pea-sized amount or thin strip on the bristles.
2. Hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the surface of your teeth, angling towards your gums. Use a circular motion on all exterior tooth surfaces, and avoid back-and-forth “scrub” brushing.
3. Once you have cleaned the outer surfaces, hold the brush vertically and clean the inner teeth surfaces — the side of your teeth that face your tongue. Do not forget the inner surfaces of your front teeth.
4. Finally, finish by cleaning all the chewing surfaces of your teeth. You need to maintain a gentle touch, but make sure you get into the full depth of your molars. The entire process should take about two minutes.

Dr. Ronald Plotka and Dr. Gregory Feider and our staff recommend changing your toothbrush every three to four months for best results. Do not forget to clean your tongue, which helps remove excess bacteria from your mouth. Special brushes are available just for cleaning your tongue, and they are easy to use.

Proper care of your teeth also requires flossing on a regular basis. Flossing can be performed before or after you brush. Following up with a quality mouthwash will provide you with even more protection. Do not be afraid to ask the North Shore Centre for Laser, Cosmetic, and Family Dentistry team for tips on proper brushing and flossing.

Summer is almost here, which means a season full of vacations, adventures and great memories is just around the corner for our patients at North Shore Centre for Laser, Cosmetic, and Family Dentistry.

Everyone wants a glowing and radiant white smile when the sun comes around and we have a few reminders to keep your pearly whites healthy and beautiful over the summer! Try to stay away from drinks that will stain your teeth like coffee, soft drinks, or dark colored juices. Not only will drinks like this weaken your enamel but they will also darken that fabulous smile you're working on! Another tip is to try and focus on brushing your teeth; everyone knows that when busy schedules start picking up, getting a good brushing session in tends to take the backseat! A good tip for keeping your mouth safe from staining and other possible pitfalls is to rinse your mouth with water after any meal you can’t fully brush your teeth after. Your teeth, inside and out, will benefit!

And remember, whether you are headed to a barbecue, a camping trip, or just having fun in the backyard this summer, we want to hear all about it! Make sure to let us know what you’re up to below or on our Facebook page! We also encourage you to post any photos from your adventures!

It’s a wonderful time to be a dental patient at North Shore Centre for Laser, Cosmetic, and Family Dentistry. Technology continues to make prioritizing your oral health easier and more pleasant. Imagine 150 years ago, when anesthetics had just made their debut. A dentist named William T.G. Morton used his unique “Letheon” mixture during a surgical procedure at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and the rest, as they say, is history.

Although anesthetics have long been assumed a part of dental procedures, companies like our partners at Convergent Dental saw room for improvement. Instead of subjecting patients to needles and discomfort, they created Solea. Solea allows Dr. Ronald Plotka and Dr. Gregory Feider to perform 95 percent of dental procedures completely anesthesia-free. The result: no numbing or wasted time. You’ll be in and out of the chair faster than ever before.

We can’t wait for you to experience the future of dentistry. Call today to make your next appointment at our Swampscott office!