The Benefits of Xylitol

Xylitol is a naturally-occurring sugar substitute that has fewer calories and carbohydrates than traditional table sugar. What’s more, it won’t raise blood sugar levels, making it a great sweetener for patients who may be diabetic.

The major benefit of xylitol, though, is that it can also benefit for your teeth. Ordinary sucrose encourages tooth decay by giving bacteria in the mouth energy to feed on, but not xylitol. Instead of fueling decay, xylitol encourages a healthy pH level and makes it harder for bacteria to stick to teeth, protecting them in the process.

Where Can You Buy Xylitol Products?

One of the best places to buy candy made with xylitol is on the Internet, whether on Amazon or on sites catering to customers with diabetes.

Patients looking for something closer might want to check their nearby health food store, or even their neighborhood grocery store. Candy sweetened with xylitol might not be as easy to find, but with a little digging, you never know what you might be able to find.

Still Have Questions? Give Us a Call!

If you still have any questions at all about xylitol, or one of our services for that matter, feel free to give Dr. Curtis’ Bridgeport office a call. Our team would love to help you. We can also schedule your next visit with Dr. Curtis while we have you on the phone. We serve patients from Fairfield, Stratford, Monroe, and the greater Connecticut area.

You can also visit xylitol.org to find out extra information about xyiltol and how it can help smiles.

On one hand, this is true. These products have been proven to work, to some degree. However, there are many factors that play into just how effective these products will be, and there are some dangers most consumers are unaware of until it’s too late.

As with most things, the easy way is easy for a reason. Teeth whitening is safest and most effective when administered by your dentist. Dr. Curtis outlines just a few things to consider before you take teeth whitening into your own hands.

• Hygiene and oral health are important. Some common dental issues (many of which go unknown without consistent dental visits) may hinder the efficacy of your whitening attempt. Sometimes whitening can even aggravate dental issues, which may lead you to require costlier attention. For example, whitening a tooth with pulpitis may lead to the need for a root canal.
• We can actually pinpoint the cause of your teeth’s discoloration. By asking a few simple questions (Do you smoke? Do you eat a lot of _____? Have you had a root canal?), Dr. Curtis can usually figure out what’s altered the color of your teeth. And with this knowledge, he can help whiten your teeth more effectively and advise you how to avoid future discoloration.
• Some previous dental work might compromise the integrity of your whitening attempt. If you’ve had a crown or a composite filling, the color won’t change. Teeth whitening only works on tooth enamel. Therefore, if any of your front teeth have been altered in one of these ways, you could wind up with an unevenly brighter smile.
• Dr. Curtis can custom design teeth whitening trays for you, if you prefer whitening at home. Most trays that come with over-the-counter whitening kits make it difficult to keep the gel away from your gums. When your gums are exposed to these gels for any length of period, your gums become susceptible to uncomfortable burns. However, Dr. Curtis can custom fit a set of whitening trays, which—paired with professional-grade whitening gel—provide a much safer way to whiten your teeth.

Your oral health and comfort are of the utmost importance to us, and we’ll be more than happy to answer any further questions you have about teeth whitening. To learn more or to schedule a whitening consultation, call our Bridgeport dental office today. We’re located two blocks from the Trumbull Mall in Commerce Park.

• Bleeding gums have been linked to heart disease, problems with fetal development, and numerous other health conditions. The good news is that it is entirely preventable. If you already suffer from gum problems, there are numerous ways to treat it that dentists never had before.
• Bad Fillings: Often, a defective, irregular filling, a cavity or a leaking crown is the cause of shredding, breaking floss, and bleeding gums. If you suffer from anything like this, please consider getting it professionally evaluated as soon as possible.
• Best Toothbrush: Do your gums bleed when you brush or floss? Bleeding or tender gums are one of primary symptoms of gum disease. Unfortunately, many people stop brushing or flossing when gums bleed   fearing that brushing too hard or flossing may worsen the problem. Actually the wrong toothbrush or floss can aggravate the problem. Dr. Curtis recommends you throw-out your hard, medium or soft toothbrush and switch to an ultra-soft. (We’ll give you one at your cleaning appointment.)
• Best Floss: As for floss, try Gilde’s waxed floss. It is the least likely to shred or break; and slides in more easily than other brands. Other floss-applicators can also make traditional flossing a hassle.
• Water-Flossers  & Rinses: If you have trouble flossing, Dr Curtis recommends the Hydrofloss “water-flosser.” This unit blasts out food debris and bacteria with a jet of ionized water. Simply shoot the little water gun between your teeth and under your gums. You will be amazed at the squeaky clean feeling your teeth will get.
• Dental Rinses: Dr Curtis may also recommend highly effective rinses – some require a prescription and others you may find in your typical pharmacy or supermarket.
• Bacterial plaque: The truth is, if your gums bleed when you floss, it’s most likely because bacterial plaque has begun to irritate your gums. Oftentimes, a professional cleaning will stop the damage and get you on the road to healthy teeth, fresh breath, and uninfected gums for a lifetime.

To schedule an appointment with us, contact our office today at 203-372-4296. We’re located two blocks from the Trumbull Mall in Commerce Park. You will love Dr Curtis and his staff!

Prevent Dental Problems Before They Start

The best thing about preventive oral care is that it’s really quite simple. Brush twice daily, floss before bedtime, rinse occasionally with a dentist-recommended mouthwash, and visit your dentist twice a year, and you’ve done your part to maintain a healthy mouth. Granted, this doesn’t guarantee a life with no dental problems; but it certainly reduces the likelihood you’ll experience serious decay and disease.

The sad thing is, so many people neglect these simple measures; and by doing so, all you’re doing is keeping your neighborhood dentists busy. Don’t get us wrong, we appreciate your business. But at the end of the day, we really want to see our patients care for their teeth and gums and keep their dental visits to general hygiene and checkups, and maybe the occasional cosmetic enhancement, such as teeth whitening or porcelain veneers.

Dr. Curtis would love to teach you and your family healthy oral care routines and keep an eye on your dental condition through semi-annual visits to our Bridgeport office near the Trumbull Mall in Commerce Park.  Call us today to schedule an appointment, and take the first step in preventive oral care!

Do you wish you had a beautiful white smile?  If so, you’re not alone. 80% of adults, ages 18-49 wish they had whiter teeth. Dr. Curtis offers both in-office and at-home teeth whitening. These techniques are faster and far more effective than anything you can buy in the store. In fact, one hour in our office, located between Bridgeport and Trumbull, CTis enough to whiten your smile up to eight shades brighter.

Love Your Smile

If you would rather whiten at home, we make comfortable custom-made whitening trays. Simply fill them with professional-strength whitening gel and wear them for 30 minutes or more a day. Many people see results in just one session, but you should typically figure one-two weeks for the most dramatic results to appear.

You might also want to consider a combination of in-office and at-home whitening. With this method, you would come to see Dr. Curtis for a one hour session, and then use your at-home kit to whiten your smile even more in the following weeks.

How to Start:

The first thing to do is set up a consultation with Dr. Curtis. You can’t whiten if you have cavities and Dr. Curtis can also speak to you about how cosmetic bonding, porcelain veneers, 5 month braces for adults or other cosmetic procedures can make your smile even better. To schedule an appointment with us, call our office today at 203-372-4296. We’re located two blocks from Trumbull Mall in Commerce Park.

Dr. Michael Curtis is a recognized expert in the field of dental anesthesia and pain control. He understands how paralyzing dental anxiety can be, and he can tell you how he has helped thousands of patients put their dental fears behind them. Whether it’s the sound of the drill, fear of the needle, deep-seated embarrassment, or wondering if you may have an uncontrolled panic attack, we understand. You are not alone. Get the beautiful, comfortable, successful smile you desire.

Learn more about oral conscious sedation here.

Dental sedation is a safe and proven technique. You’re in good hands with Dr. Curtis. Call our Bridgeport, Trumbull dental office today to schedule your consultation!

But you don’t have to let bad breath put a damper on your professional or social life. When you schedule a visit to our Bridgeport office, Dr. Curtis will perform a thorough oral exam and talk with your about your lifestyle conditions and brushing habits.

Just What Exactly Causes Bad Breath Anyway?

Causes of bad breath range from internal infections to snoring and hormonal changes. In many cases, bad breath is caused by leftover food particles. When food trapped between your teeth isn’t removed by brushing or flossing, it mixes with the plaque and bacteria already present. This combination creates sulfur compounds, and bad breath is born. Not so pretty, we know.

An underlying symptom of a more serious problem, halitosis may also point to gum disease. So when you visit our office for bad breath, we’ll provide a thorough periodontal evaluation and check for symptoms of gum disease such as tender, swollen gums, or the separation of gum tissue from the teeth. Often, treating periodontitis can alleviate bad breath, too.

Treating and Preventing Bad Breath: Brush, Floss, Rinse, Repeat!

Often, treating halitosis is as simple improving home care techniques and spending a little more time at the sink each day. Improving your oral hygiene is the first step towards treating halitosis and strengthening your smile. Make sure you brush twice a day, floss at least once, and use a quality mouthwash. It’s also important to clean your tongue. Sound strange? Using a specially designed tongue scraper will actually remove bacteria 10 times more effectively than a toothbrush!  If you don’t notice improvement, we can also recommend professional breath kits designed to destroy sulfur compounds and odor along with them.

Of course, seeing Dr. Curtis every six months for a checkup will ensure your oral health remains at its best, and it lets us keep an eye out for gum disease.

If you suffer from Halitosis and live in Bridgeport, Fairfield, Stratford, Monroe, or the greater Connecticut area, we’d like to help. Treating your bad breath may be easier than you think. Call us today to start taking control of your oral health.

Customized for You
If you can envision it, Dr. Curtis will help you achieve it! Porcelain veneers are a completely custom cosmetic dentistry solution. This means that you and the doctor can design each aspect of your veneers to create the smile you’ve always dreamed of.

Close gaps between teeth, get a whiter smile, alter the size and shape of teeth, correct crowding, twists, protruding teeth – it’s all possible with porcelain veneers.

At our consultation, Dr. Curtis can show you pictures of smiles to help you choose what you like. Or bring your own photos to help us identify the attributes you find most appealing.

Ready, Set, Go!
Following the design phase, Dr. Curtis will make the necessary preparations to prepare your smile for veneers, then fit you with temporaries. A skilled cosmetic dentistry lab will make your veneers using luminous, stain-resistant porcelain.

When your final veneers are completed, Dr. Curtis will bond them in place to complete your smile. Your porcelain veneers will look amazing, with an impeccable fit and wonderfully natural appearance.

Besides porcelain veneers, Dr. Curtis also offers 6-month clear braces, Invisalign, and even braces hidden behind your teeth to give you a smile you can love. A new smile can change your life. Call Dr. Curtis today to schedule a porcelain veneers or cosmetic braces consultation. Our Bridgeport/Trumbull office serves Fairfield, Stratford, Monroe, and the greater Connecticut area.

Where can you find Six Month Braces? At the dental office of Dr. Michael Curtis. He’s been delivering innovative dental solutions for over three decades. He offers Six Month Braces to give teens aged 15+ and adults fabulous smiles!

The Six Month Braces technique has been around for a long time. Dr. Curtis did his first case over 17 years ago. Since then, he’s helped countless people just like you eliminate dental crowding, close gaps, and otherwise refine the teeth that show when you smile.

Six Month Braces offers numerous advantages over other techniques:

Fast Treatment Time: As a Six Month Braces patient, you’ll likely complete your treatment in…six months! Average treatment time ranges from 4 to 9 months, because every smile is different.

Increased Comfort: Even though Six Month Braces work fast, the technique gently and comfortably moves teeth into their ideal positioning.

An Unobtrusive Appearance: Clear brackets and tooth-colored wires blend discreetly with your natural tooth color for an inconspicuous appearance.

Budget Friendly: Six Month Braces cost about half the price of traditional braces.

Call our Bridgeport/Trumbull office today to schedule a complimentary Six Month Braces consultation with Dr. Curtis, then watch your smile can go from so-so to sensational!

Dr. Michael Curtis

Dr. Curtis has written several books to educate other dentists about effective dental techniques and best practices. The topic of one of these books? Root canal therapy.

When it comes time for you to have a root canal, shouldn’t you choose the Bridgeport/Trumbull doctor who wrote the book on it?

What is a root canal?
A root canal is a conservative treatment to save an internally damaged tooth from extraction. When a tooth develops a deep cavity or sustains a fracture or other trauma, a tooth can become infected. Left untreated, this infection will only worsen and may spread into the jaw, your blood stream, and your general system. At some point, the only alternative may be to remove the tooth and replace it with a prosthetic.

However, caught in the early stage, Dr. Curtis can perform root canal therapy to eliminate your infection, save your tooth, and prevent more serious symptoms.

Isn’t a root canal painful?

No. Modern root canal therapy is an extremely comfortable experience. Dr. Curtis uses advanced techniques to perform root canals, and he offers sedation dentistry to alleviate any anxiety you may have. Many patients doze off during many of our dental procedures, including root canal therapy.

Bridgeport/Trumbull/Fairfield/Monroe smiles are in good hands with Dr. Curtis. Call today to experience comfortable, personalized care by a doctor who knows a thing or two about root canals!