Dr. Dennis Lucas Blog
Attention teeth fans: How many of these fun facts do you know?
Imagine never brushing your teeth; that was normal until recently Teeth are essential and fascinating parts of our body. They play a vital role in our ability to eat, speak, and smile. Here are some interesting facts about teeth that can help you appreciate the history of dental care and maybe even encourage you to take better care of your pearly whites: Teeth are unique to each individual – Just like our fingerprints, our teeth are also unique to us. No two people have the same set of teeth, not even identical twins. This uniqueness is what makes dental records an essential tool in...
We are celebrating our dental hygienists and dental assistants
National appreciation weeks honor our important team members We already know how awesome the dental hygienists and dental assistants are in Dr. Dennis Lucas’s office. It’s still nice that national organizations recognize them every spring with their own special weeks. We appreciate their skills and the outstanding patient care they provide every day. National Dental Hygienist Week was April 3-9 and Dental Assistants Recognition Week was March 5-11 across the USA. These annual events celebrate the important roles these professionals play in promoting oral health and providing preventive...
Valentine’s Day kisses can affect your health for better or worse
Cupid’s power brings benefits and hazards to the art of affection Likely the last thing on your mind when indulging in a little Valentine’s Day kissing is how that enjoyable activity might affect your health. At least, it should be the last thing on your mind if you’re doing it right. However, there is no getting around the fact we experience some unintended consequences to smooching. First, the good news. Puckering up and sharing some quality time with your partner releases chemicals in your brain that reduce stress and calm the mind. The positive effect that kissing has on emotional...
Commit to upgrading your oral health routine this year
Small steps can make a big difference for the sake of your smile If you’re like most people, you have followed the same routine for taking care of your teeth for most of your life. That may or may not be serving you well. Perhaps the time is right to adjust your dental care habits as part of your renewed focus on health this year. Building a healthier you begins with good oral health. Studies have shown that poor oral health can contribute to a wide range of chronic issues including diabetes and heart disease. Chief among the aspects of oral care that we see many people neglect is the...
Give yourself the gift of a beautiful smile this holiday season
Treat yourself with brighter, straighter teeth to greet the New Year The holiday season is all about getting together with family and friends, and buying gifts for those important to you. But when was the last time you included your own name on your Christmas list? Not just for a brief vacation or fancy dinner, but for something that you will love for years to come? Consider giving yourself something to really smile about this year by investing in that cosmetic dental restoration you have been putting off. Dr. Dennis Lucas and his team can help with a variety of options to straighten your...
Hurricane Ian may have us down, but the Naples area is never out
Our team joins with you in moving forward with our new normal The Naples, Florida, area is no stranger to storms, yet Hurricane Ian was an experience we will never forget. Our own families came through the storm with varying degrees of property damage and stress, and we want to share our best wishes with you as we pull together as a community for a strong recovery. If you are like many Southwest Florida residents, you are making adjustments to your priority list on almost a daily basis. Home repairs, vehicle repairs, clearing downed trees and even getting power restored continue to be top of...
Our new iTero® intraoral scanner delivers comfort and accuracy
Digital images eliminate the need to create physical impressions Our office has taken a significant step up in technology with the addition of an iTero® intraoral scanner from global medical device leader Align Technology. This scanner greatly enhances the patient experience by letting us avoid the messy, choking impressions we used to need in advance of restorative procedures or initiating Invisalign® teeth alignment treatments. The software included with the iTero scanner gives us the ability to send digital files directly to dental labs as well as the Invisalign case design and...
Don’t let a dental emergency ruin your vacation
A little preparation can reduce the stress of a dental issue Dental emergencies can happen anywhere, and vacations are no exception. Before you head out of town on your next vacation, take a few minutes to plan out some options in the event you or someone in your party experiences a dental emergency. Taking a little pre-emptive action is a good way to minimize the chances of a dental emergency happening while you’re away. Complete any pending dental treatments well in advance of your trip. This way you remove the chances of a pre-existing dental condition getting worse and putting a damper...
Dental health needs to remain a priority in your busy summer
Use healthy foods and sunshine as natural oral health aides As busy as we tend to be during the summer, paying attention to routine healthy habits such as oral health is something that shouldn’t take a vacation. You may be happy to learn that any time you’re able to spend in the sunshine can benefit your oral health. Our bodies and teeth need vitamin D as a key nutrient because of its role in helping us absorb phosphorus and calcium. We need both of those elements in order to maintain optimal health, including strong bones and teeth. The sun’s rays and the cholesterol in our skin work...
Topical fluoride treatments can strengthen your teeth
Make your teeth more decay-resistant with professional applications Topical fluoride treatments provide an effective method of strengthening your teeth and helping prevent decay. While fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that has been included in many community water fluoridation programs for years – including Naples and Collier County, Florida – professionally applied fluorides feature higher concentrations for added effectiveness. Our bodies rely on an adequate supply of minerals such as fluoride to keep the outside enamel layer of our teeth strong. Fluoride’s role in this process...