General & Preventive Dentistry Archives - Limestone Dental Associates

Posted on October 4, 2018October 4, 2018 by Matt Baran

Choosing a family dentist isn’t always an easy process. Caregivers and parents have many questions and criteria to consider—safety, convenience, and types of services available. At Limestone Dental Associates, we make the decision of choosing a family dentist as transparent, comfortable, and easy as possible. Consider five characteristics that make Limestone Dental the family dentist Wilmington DE parents choose.

Five Reasons to Choose Limestone Dental as Your Family Dentist In Wilmington

Limestone Dental Associates has provided comprehensive dental care for the Wilmington community for over 40 years. In addition to the latest dental approaches in family dentistry, Dr. David Nibouar and Dr. Matt Baran are dedicated to continuing education and have combined skill sets to offer a variety of services to patients of all ages.

Check out five benefits of choosing Dr. Nibouar and Dr. Baran as your family dentist in Wilmington DE:

Opportunities for Growth

At Limestone Dental Associates we specialize in treating toddlers to grandparents, and every age in between. No matter what stage of life a family member is in, we have the dental approaches and services to treat them, including digital x-rays, fluoride treatments, periodontal exams, and so much more!

Safety and Trust

At Limestone Dental, we have found that part of what facilitates lasting relationships with our Wilmington dental families is our commitment to safety and trust—in our dental procedures and in upholding patient privacy.

Convenience and Comfort

We want to make our Limestone Dental family patients as comfortable as possible, from our office to our dental chairs to procedures. We’ll even provide blankets and favorite Sirius music channels! We’ll also do our best to accommodate multiple family member visits on the same day for ultimate convenience.

Variety of Options

In addition to offering thorough family cleanings and exams, Dr. Nibouar and Dr. Baran also provide cosmetic, restorative, and orthodontic dental services.

Education and Innovation

Keeping up with the latest dental approaches and technology is a priority of Dr. Nibouar and Dr. Baran who both complete several hours of continuing education every year. At Limestone we capture digital x-rays and perform dental exams with an intraoral camera to provide the most comprehensive dental screenings possible.

Ready For a Family Visit?

If you’re looking for a new dental home, we encourage you to make Limestone your family dentist in Wilmington DE. If you have questions or are ready to schedule your first appointment, get started by clicking here or call us now at 302-307-6407.

Posted on September 18, 2018September 7, 2018 by Matt Baran

Seven Reasons Limestone Dental Is the Top Wilmington Family Dental Home Blog General & Preventive Dentistry

Whether you’ve just completed a literal move to Wilmington or are simply seeking to move your family to a new dental office, it can be an intimidating process. How do you know if you’ve picked the right dentistry? You may feel like you need just one good reason to pick a specific family dentist. Lucky for you, we can provide seven reasons why patients pick Limestone Dental Associates as their Pike Creek and Wilmington Family Dental home.

Seven Benefits of Limestone Dental as Your Wilmington Family Dental Home

While the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry emphasizes the importance of children having a “dental home” to become accustomed to, the notion of a home-base dentistry for the entire family is a practical one. While children need to establish a safe, friendly and familiar environment to foster a foundation for positive oral/dental health and hygiene, parents and caregivers need convenience, a diverse range of dental services and consistency. Limestone Dental offers all of the above (and more).

Seven ways Limestone Dental caters to the entire family:

Checkups and Cleanings Under One Roof
From toddler to senior (and every age in between), Dr. David Nibouar and Dr. Matt Baran provide routine dental checkups and cleanings catered to your family’s specific needs. This includes X-Rays, tooth development and oral cancer screenings, among other services.
Restorative Options for Everyone
When a need arises for more complex dental work, our expansive restorative dental services can accommodate the need for fillings, porcelain inlays and onlays, implants, root canals and more.
Cosmetic Procedures for the Perfect Smile
It’s not uncommon for someone in the family to desire an improvement to his/her smile due to trauma, injury, discoloration of the teeth, or other similar issues. That’s why we provide a full menu of dental cosmetic procedures including porcelain veneers, composite bonding, gum contouring, tooth contouring and smile whitening.
Three Amazing Orthodontic Options
Not all Pike Creek and Wilmington family dental homes offer orthodontic options, let alone three! At Limestone Dental, we are proud to present our families with Invisalign, Six Month Smiles and Clear Retainer orthodontic treatments.
Savings Plan for Easy Payments
Sometimes our Limestone Dental families don’t have dental insurance or are in between dental plans. To help make payments easy and worry-free, we developed a special savings plan available to families of three.
Transparency and Trust for New Families
Equal to the importance of making our existing families feel comfortable and content with our dental services and environment, we offer full transparency for our new clients, too! We offer both virtual and live tours for any prospective families considering Limestone Dental as their new dental home.
Innovation and Education
At Limestone Dental, we pride ourselves in offering Wilmington, Pike Creek and other local community families the latest in innovative and advanced technology and dental approaches. This includes our VELscope technology to catch abnormalities undetected by the human eye.

Have You Found Your Dental Home?

If you’re interested in making Limestone Dental Associates your new dental home, we’d love to schedule a visit for you. Click here to get started or call 302-307-6407 to learn more about our extensive dental offerings for the entire family.

Posted on June 14, 2018August 31, 2018 by Matt Baran

Limestone Dental Offers Quality Care for Children, Adults and Seniors

Effective dental care is not one-size-fits-all. Dental treatments vary greatly from patient to patient and from age group to age group. It’s no surprise that the care involved in pediatric dentistry differs greatly from dental treatments for senior citizens.

With that in mind, finding a family dentist that can offer patient-specific care for each member of your family is essential.

Family dentistry should provide more than just general dental care. Rather, it should feature specialized treatments and departments for the diverse needs of patients (from children to seniors), all while offering the convenience of a single, local office that can provide for each member of your family.

That’s exactly what Limestone Dental Associates can offer you and your family. Featured below is a closer look at Limestone’s dental care for kids, adults and seniors.

Pediatric Dental Care

Tooth decay is the most common childhood disease. Whether your child still has their baby teeth or has a full set of adult teeth, kids require a distinct approach to dental care to promote dental and overall health.

Some of the most important preventive services for kids include cleanings, fluoride applications, monitoring for cavities and decay, and X-rays to assess the growth and shape of the jaw and bite. As kids get older, access to specialized services, like orthodontics, is essential.

Adult Dental Care

Once you reach adulthood, you can largely put general dental care on hold, right? Wrong. While adults are much less likely to attend regular dental appointments, they are recommended to visit the dentist just as often as kids: every six months.

For adults, visiting the family dentist means more than just undergoing regular teeth cleanings. Your dentist will monitor for cavities, oral cancer, nerve damage, and other dental and oral issues that could severely impact your health and wellbeing.

Senior Dental Care

As you age, your teeth are susceptible to wear and tear, just like any other part of your body. Aging teeth may raise the risk of dental decay, gum diseases, exposed nerves and other issues. That’s why quality dental care is so critical for seniors. Limestone Dental Associates is proud to feature the specialized services that seniors rely on.

Limestone Dental Associates: Your Family Dentist

If you’ve been looking for a qualified family dentist local to you, Limestone Dental Associates is the reliable, attentive dental practice you’ve been in pursuit of.

Our family dentists provide preventive care and specialized treatments for family members of all ages. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, contact Limestone Dental Associates online or by phone at 302-239-0502.

Posted on June 8, 2018August 31, 2018 by Matt Baran

Dental Teeth Cleaning Has Come a Long Way Since Ancient Egypt Blog General & Preventive Dentistry

It may be cool to walk like one, but what about when it comes to dental teeth cleaning like an Egyptian? Did you know that primitive Egyptians constructed makeshift toothbrushes out of split twigs? Several other cultures have used other “resourceful” items, including herbs and ox hooves in the hopes of maintaining some semblance of clean teeth. Today, modern dentistry has afforded us many luxuries to help us keep our teeth in tip-top condition, without so much as a branch or hoof.

Thank Your Pearly Whites for Modern Day Dental Teeth Cleaning!

According to an article featured in the Washington Post, the first toothbrush was conceptualized in an England prison (by a prisoner) out of a small bone and pig bristles in the mid 1700s. Even prior to this, according to National Geographic, ancient Sudanese cultures used the purple nutsedge weed in dental teeth cleaning practices. While purple nutsedge contains antibacterial properties that could indeed keep ancient teeth in good shape, the bitter weed is not known for its taste … which is reportedly quite potent and unpleasant.

It’s not uncommon for modern day dental patients to experience some level of reservation toward the prospect of a visit to the dentist—even for a dental teeth cleaning. In comparison to the aforementioned dental cleanings, however, it kind of makes going to the modern-day dentist a cake walk!

Today’s Teeth Cleaning Experience

In time, as with most medical advancements, a greater understanding has led to more innovative approaches in dentistry. At Limestone Dental Associates, we take great pride in offering our patients the most up-to-date experiences in dental teeth cleaning and general dentistry services. We are dedicated to the incorporation of the most modern dental technology and practices.

Dental Teeth Cleaning Has Come a Long Way Since Ancient Egypt Blog General & Preventive Dentistry

We look at dental teeth cleaning holistically, providing comprehensive exams to include:

Utilization of the Cavitron cleaning system complete with gentle, oscillating sound waves to remove tartar through sound wave vibration
Removal of old stains and debris, and full attention to the cleaning of the gum line
Application of the Prophy-Jet ultra-mild air-polishing system
Thorough exam for potential tooth decay, cavities and gum disease
In-Depth oral cancer screening
Digital x-rays (as needed)

Our patients also enjoy the added benefit of over four decades of experience shared by our dentists, Dr. David Nibouar and Dr. Matt Baran. There is no question our resident dentists and staff aren’t happy to answer, even if it’s about homecare best toothbrushing practices.

In tandem with the American Dental Association, we recommend that all our dental patients schedule dental teeth cleanings every six months to ensure optimum oral hygiene and overall health.

We also offer a number of other modern dental services, including:

Family Dentistry
Restorative Dentistry
Cosmetic Dentistry
Orthodontics

Whatever dental needs you and your family require, we likely accommodate them all (with no twigs involved!). If you’re looking for a new dental home, click here to help us get to know more about you or call us any time to speak with one of our professional, friendly and knowledgeable staff members: 302-239-0502.

Posted on February 17, 2018August 31, 2018 by Matt Baran

Orthodontics are no longer the scary, taboo tale of old. With an Invisalign dentist, you can take back the confidence you had in your smile without the use of scary headgear!

Do you remember when you were a child, and you would notice when another student would enter a classroom with bulky, unsightly headgear with the sole purpose of straightening teeth? With an Invisalign dentist, your fears of orthodontic procedures can be over! These braces are designed with your physical (and mental) health in mind, keeping your smile a confident fixture on your face. Here are some of the benefits that can positively impact you with the use of Invisalign braces.

5 Benefits Provided By an Invisalign Dentist

No more obnoxious headgear
The technology used to create braces has vastly improved since their inception, and Invisalign is a sure beneficiary of this. The once-dreaded headgear has been mostly retired, with many people opting for Invisalign clear braces that are virtually invisible. Not only will you be able to avoid the hassles that come with maintaining metal-based braces, you will also be able to feel like you can share your grin again without fear or judgment from others.
Invisalign is customized for each mouth
An Invisalign dentist can custom-fit each set of braces for each individual mouth, using the “invisible” plastic braces that fit perfectly over your teeth. They are designed to fit the contours of your teeth while helping to shift them into a more natural position. Just like the standard braces, the custom nature of each set allows for a more comfortable experience, while removing the necessity for bands and metal.
Removable aligners make it easier to eat, brush and more
One reason why many try to purposefully steer away from braces, despite their health benefits, is how limiting they can be when attempting to eat food. This is no longer the case with Invisalign. The aligners used in each set can be removed at any time, so you can do your normal eating activities and perform the daily maintenance of brushing and flossing. Keep in mind that you should only do this for short periods of time, so the invisible braces can remain effective throughout the process.
Easy to track results
Invisalign does what most clear braces manufactures do not – they track your alignment progress through the use of smart technology. With programs like Invisalign Assist, you can use the Progress Tracking tool that helps identify teeth that are not moving as scheduled and helps to build on the next pair of aligners that you will receive. Even without such a program, the Invisalign clear aligners can physically show the status of your teeth while inside and outside of your mouth.
Faster Results
Traditional braces can take up to 36 months to complete treatment. With Invisalign, treatment time can be as short as 4 to 6 months and as long as 24 months. Invisalign clear aligners longest treatment time is still half the time it takes with conventional braces. You get the smile you’ve always wanted in a shorter amount of time.

Our dental professionals are looking forward to bringing you the best an Invisalign dentist can bring! If you’re looking for more information about our experiences and policies, please call us today at 302-239-0502 for more information.

Posted on November 22, 2017July 31, 2018 by Matt Baran

Every November we take an entire Thursday to give thanks, spend time with friends and family, and eat.

And eat, and eat. There’s also a tradition of sharing everything that you’re appreciative of. As you go around the dinner table sharing what you’re thankful for this Thanksgiving, let our Wilmington dental office give you a few reasons why your teeth should be on that list.

Let’s Eat!

Since we are close to Thanksgiving, and Thanksgiving means a lot of delicious food, we wanted to start with a reason you should give thanks to your teeth that relates to the occasion. Our teeth help us chew all of those treats spread across the dinner table. Certain types of teeth even have different purposes. The incisors (the front four teeth on top and front four on the bottom) start the process by biting off bits of food. The canines rip and tear while the molars mash, crush, and chew. Our full set of teeth work together to allow us to enjoy as much Thanksgiving food as we (or our pants) can handle.

Talk It Out

Our teeth not only help us eat, they also aid in helping us speak and pronounce words properly. Teeth allow us to form certain sounds and without them, we’d have a difficult time pronouncing any word that contains an ‘f,’ ‘v,’ ‘s,’ ‘th,’ or countless other sounds. When people have difficulty forming certain words or sounds, they may be helped by their dentist in Wilmington, orthodontics, and a speech therapist.

Let Me Digest That

The digestion process is crucial in how our bodies function as proper digestion allows you to absorb all the nutrients and energize your body. While many may think digestion begins in the stomach, the truth is it begins in your mouth. While chewing, your mouth releases saliva. This saliva contains enzymes that begins the breakdown of food and starts the digestion process. This means chewing your food properly can aid in proper digestion and healthier body.

Smile, You’ll Feel Better

Research has supported a strong link between smiling and a boost in mood and reduction in stress. But not just any smile will do. A big smile that activates the muscles around the eyes is key to getting these mood-enhancing effects. If you’re someone who tends to hide your teeth behind a tight lipped grin because you don’t like your smile, consider cosmetic dentistry to transform both your smile and your mood.

Everyone at our dental office in Wilmington wishes you and your family a very happy Thanksgiving!

Posted on November 15, 2017August 10, 2018 by Matt Baran

‘Tis the season of sniffles and coughs, body aches and congestion.

It’s officially the time of year when the flu can make for a miserable few days. But it doesn’t have to take its toll on you or your family. Our dental office in Wilmington is here to help you prevent the flu this season with some helpful tips.

Keep Your Hands Clean

This tried and true life lesson is probably one of the best ways to avoid the flu or the common cold. Make sure you wash your hands with warm, soapy water before meals, after using the restroom, or following shaking hands with another person. If soap and water isn’t readily available use an alcohol-based sanitizer.

Protect Your Toothbrush

It may sound gross, but your toothbrush can harbor all sorts of germs. That’s why it’s important to take proper care of it. Thoroughly rinse your brush after each use, and make sure you store it in an upright position. Keep family members’ toothbrushes separated from each other to avoid cross contamination. And of course, never share your toothbrush.

Stay Hydrated

A body that’s hydrated it also better at fighting off germs and bacteria since it’s operating optimally. It’s recommended to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day, but during flu season you may consider increasing your intake. Drinking plenty of H20 is not only great for your body, but it’s good for your oral health, too.

Sanitize Your Space

Whether it’s your home or your office, having the areas where you spend the most time clean and sanitary is key to keeping germs away. Pay attention to things that get touched the most — doorknobs, your computer mouse, faucets, and toilets. Germs are invisible to the naked eye, so even if it seems clean it can’t hurt to give it a quick wipe down.

Avoid Touching Your Face

The CDC states that one of the most common ways germs are spread is by touching a contaminated surface then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. These body parts have mucus that can easily transport germs into the body and make you sick.

Following this these tips can go a long way in helping you prevent getting knocked down from the flu. However, if you happen to catch the bug, our Wilmington dental office encourages you to use sugar-free medicines to help alleviate your symptoms. Not only will these medications help you feel a bit better, they’re safer for your teeth, too.

As always, having a healthy mouth can directly impact how healthy you are overall. Make sure you brush and floss every day and maintain visits with your dentist in Wilmington at least every six months.

Posted on October 31, 2017August 10, 2018 by Matt Baran

Root canals have an unnecessarily bad reputation of being painful, which causes many people to be afraid of the treatment.

However, the team at our dental office in Wilmington wants to ease any concerns you may have about root canals and hopefully relieve any apprehension.

Do Root Canals Hurt?

There’s been a lot of talk surrounding just how terrible a root canal is when, in fact, advancements in dental technology have made them virtually pain free. If your dentist in Wilmington recommends a root canal, it’s most likely because you’re experiencing pain caused by deep decay or a severe infection. A root canal treatment can actually make that pain go away so you can finally get relief.

So, What Exactly is a Root Canal?

The name of the treatment itself isn’t necessarily descriptive of the actual procedure, so let’s take a look at how a root canal is typically done. Your dentist will:

Numb the area to reduce any discomfort.

Make a tiny hole in the tooth.

Gain access to the inside of the tooth. This is where the the pulp chamber and canals are located. Inside the canals, nerves, pulp, and blood vessels are found.

Clean out all of the canal contents.

Seal the pulp chamber and canals.

Place a dental crown restoration to protect the tooth.

Signs You May Need a Root Canal

Besides the obvious sign of tooth pain, there are other symptoms that may warrant a root canal including:

Gum pain and swelling
A pimple-like bump on the gums by the painful tooth
Tooth discoloration
Worse pain when chewing or applying pressure
Hot/cold sensitivity that doesn’t go away once the food or drink is removed

Notice any of the symptoms listed above? We encourage you to call our dental office in Wilmington to schedule an appointment. A thorough examination by our caring and gentle dental team will help us identify the cause of your problem and recommend the best treatment for you. If the appropriate solution is in fact a root canal, we assure you that you have nothing to fear.

Posted on October 17, 2017August 10, 2018 by Matt Baran

With Halloween just around the corner, we hope all of our patients and neighbors are ready for a night of ghouls and ghosts, witches and wizards, and tricks or treats.

When it comes to those treats, the team at our dental office in Wilmington has a few pointers for what may be best left behind, especially for those who wear braces. Check out our guide to braces-friendly candy below.

Best Choices

Chocolate Bars – You can’t go wrong with some pure, delicious chocolate. Whether you choose a candy bar or perhaps a Hershey’s Kiss, chocolate dissolves quickly and is safe for braces. If you’re lucky enough to score a full-size candy bar, we encourage you to cut it up into smaller pieces to reduce the risk of damaging the braces on your front teeth as you bite into it.

Peanut Butter Cups – Another scrumptious yet safe option for braces are peanut butter cups. Their smooth consistency makes chewing very easy with really no concern of breaking a bracket or wire.

Milky Ways – Although these candy bars contain caramel (more on that in a bit), Milky Ways are still soft enough for braces wearers to enjoy.

Important Note: All of these options are safe as long as they’re not frozen. Frozen chocolate bars and peanut butter cups make the texture too hard to bite and chew safely.

Worst Choices

Hard Candy – Candy that falls under this category can be both all right for braces and potentially damaging. Hard candies that allow you to suck on them over time, reducing their size and making them less dangerous for braces, may be ok to enjoy. However, it increases the time your teeth are exposed to the sugar which may put you at greater risk for decay.

Gooey Gum – When you first got your braces you were probably told to avoid gum. That rule doesn’t change during Halloween. Chewing gum can bend your wires, and that’s particularly concerning. When a wire is placed by your doctor, it’s put on in such a way that gently moves your teeth into the desired position. However, if the wire bends, your teeth tend to follow the direction of the wire instead of its original path. This can actually prolong treatment.

Sticky Sweets – Things like caramels, gummies, taffy, and similar candies are almost sure to cause some trouble. Sticky sweets and their tacky consistency not only tend to bend wires, they’re also bad for your teeth in general. The stickiness allows the sugars to stay attached to teeth longer, again increasing your risk for decay.

Important Note: When in doubt, if it’s sticky, hard, or super chewy, it’s best to choose another option.

In order to keep your braces in tip-top shape and to avoid any broken brackets, bent wires, or other complications, it’s wise to listen to your dentist in Wilmington about which foods are safe for braces. Halloween candy is no exception. Following the guide of braces-friendly candy can protect your braces and help you avoid an emergency dental appointment.

Posted on September 18, 2017August 10, 2018 by Matt Baran

There are plenty of reasons why a tooth may hurt.

When this happens, the best thing you can do is to call your dentist in Wilmington as soon as possible to determine the reason why and get treatment started quickly. However, there are a few ways you can try to narrow down the cause of your tooth pain at home. Check out some of the most common symptoms and potential explanations to the most common causes of tooth pain.

Symptom: Quick Bursts of Sensitivity to Hot or Cold Foods or Drinks

Possible Cause: There’s a good chance you may have a cavity. Treatment for this incredibly common dental problem is easy as long as you seek treatment quickly. If left untreated, a cavity can progress into an infection, also known as an abscess. If a cavity isn’t to blame, you may have some gum recession brought on by rough brushing or perhaps a loose dental restoration.

Symptom: Pain When Biting Down

Possible Cause: If your tooth pain is more commonly experienced when pressure is applied, you could again have a cavity or perhaps even a cracked or broken tooth. The best course of action is to see your dentist as soon as you can to see if there’s any damage to the interior of the tooth or the pulp. If there is, you may need a root canal to reverse the pain. But don’t worry, a root canal isn’t as scary or painful as you may have thought. In fact, the procedure actually makes the pain go away.

Symptom: Aching in the Jaw or Upper Teeth

Possible Cause: This type of jaw or tooth pain is typically a result of chronically clenching or grinding teeth (bruxism). The constant friction between teeth can wear away tooth enamel and leave your teeth feeling sensitive. What’s more common, however, is the jaw pain associated with grinding. Grinding may also contribute to severe headaches or sinus pain. Your Wilmington dentist should be able to identify if grinding is a problem for you and recommend the appropriate treatment. Most of the time, a custom nightguard is a go-to solution.

Whatever the Cause, See Your Dentist

Any tooth pain is usually a sign of a problem, and even if you suspect nothing serious is going on, we recommend seeing your dentist to make sure. After all, it’s better to be cautious than to let tooth pain go and end up with a larger issue.

Looking for a caring dental team to help? Give our dental office in Wilmington a call to schedule an appointment today. We’re always happy to help!

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