Smiling is the foundation of joy. A genuine smile brightens your eyes, tightens your cheeks, and radiates across your face. When it comes to self-confidence, communication, and relationships, your smile is one of the most significant factors. Why? We catch up on nonverbal communication intuitively as humans. In reality, nonverbal communication accounts for 60 to 90 percent of your daily interactions with people.

Smiling has been found to release endorphins, enhance immunity, and improve the mood of others around you. Most importantly, having a healthy smile boosts your self-esteem. Do you raise your hand to cover your teeth when you feel these muscles moving? Or are you attempting to disguise your teeth by controlling your cheek muscles? If that’s the case, you are missing out on the benefits of smiling, which is why Dr. Borham recommends seeing a dentist to get a confident grin.

Learn with Dr. Borham how a healthy smile can help you feel more confident and how Mesilla Valley Family Dentistry can help you have a great smile:

1. The first thing people notice about you is your smile:

When you can grin with sincerity, it creates the idea that you are trustworthy, enjoyable to be around, and friendly! Having good teeth allows you to highlight your best feature which is your personality.

2. Meaningful Conversations Follow Fresh Breath:

Relationships are strengthened when people communicate effectively. Fresh breath allows conversations to endure longer, whether at work, play, or at home. A healthy dental routine, as well as frequent dental cleanings and examinations, are the first steps toward fresh breath.

3. Your handshake’s best friend is a smile:

Have you practiced your professional handshake to make a strong first impression in interviews and at work? Did you also practice greeting people with a smile? You transmit the message that you are fearless, confident, and upbeat when you pair a confident handshake with a self-assured smile.

4. 4. Having healthy teeth shows that you care about yourself and have confidence

The bright smile around you says that you care about yourself and have confidence. This indicates to others that you understand that you are worthy of attention.

5. Make a big smile for the camera!

It is nearly difficult to avoid being photographed, and you should not try. With a bright smile, you may find yourself planning more memorable vacations and adventures, as well as capturing more photos. You will be delighted to show your photos to your children, grandchildren, and friends.

So, is your smile promoting positive connections, communication, and self-assurance? Do not allow your smile to get the best of you. You have earned the right to take advantage of whatever life has to offer with self-assurance and pride. Mesilla Valley Family Dentistry can assist you in developing a healthy dental regimen and repairing any damage that may be preventing you from smiling freely.

Make an appointment with us today for self-confidence and a smile you will be proud to flaunt! Simply contact us at the Mesilla Valley Family Dentistry.

Have you seen a bit of blood in your sink when you brush your teeth recently? That bleeding can be one of the first warning signs that you have got gum disease. Most gum diseases can be reduced or eliminated by practicing more consistent and comprehensive oral hygiene and having professional dental cleanings. After a dentist or dental hygienist at Mesilla Valley Family Dentistry removes the plaque and tartar, the patient can usually avoid gingivitis and gum disease by brushing and flossing after each meal. A patient can use a prescription mouth rinse that targets the oral germs that cause gum disease under the supervision of Mesilla Valley Family Dentistry.

Healthy gums are vital for strong teeth, and the best way to make sure gums stay healthy is with a good oral health routine. Professional dental cleanings help remove built-up plaque that is not removable using conventional brushing and flossing. Often, dentists are also capable of identifying potential problems that patients are not yet able to see or feel. When you maintain regular preventative dental appointments, you can stave off decay and gum disease, as well as identify the beginnings of oral health problems before they become severe. Dr. Borham explains the best way to treat gum disease:

Oral Hygiene:

It is important to maintain oral hygiene to avoid gum disease, to keep it clean Dr. Borham recommends the following:

1. Borham recommends brushing your teeth twice before bedtime and once more a day by using toothpaste with the proper amount of fluoride, a natural mineral that aids in tooth decay prevention.
2. Brushing your teeth after flossing or using interdental brushes on a regular basis (preferably daily).
3. Visit your dentist and dental hygienist on a regular basis.
4. Do not smoke.

Mouthwash:

Mouthwashes can’t get rid of plaque that’s already there, and this can only be accomplished by brushing and flossing on a regular basis. Dr. Borham will be able to advise you on the best mouthwash to use and how to use it properly. If mouthwash helps control plaque build-up, the sticky substance that formed when bacteria collect on the surface of your teeth, your dentist may recommend it. Pharmacies sell antiseptic mouthwashes containing chlorhexidine or hexetidine over the counter but if you use chlorhexidine mouthwash on a daily basis, it might colour your teeth brown. Hence, Chlorhexidine mouthwash should not be used for more than four weeks.

Saltwater Treatment for Gingivitis:

Rinsing with salt water can help repair gingivitis-inflamed gums. Salt is a natural disinfectant that aids in the healing process of your body.

Salt water can also be used to:

1. Gums that are irritated should be soothed.
2. Assist in the reduction of pain.
3. Bacteria are reduced.
4. Food particles should be removed.
5. Get rid of foul breath.

To find out how to treat Gum Disease, simply contact us and get more details by making an appointment at the Mesilla Valley Family Dentistry.

The Best Dentist in Las Cruces, New Mexico! Please Click here to check it out

 

The Best Hygienist in Las Cruces, New Mexico! Please Click here to check it out

Our patients often ask Dr. Borham if they are old for Invisalign. As Dr. Borham advises his patients that as long as their teeth and gums are healthy, he can help them get an incredible smile at any age.  Also, patients may be embarrassed to get braces installed, or maybe they want but cannot afford the costs, do not worry, the solution is always there, most adults are embarrassed to get braces, or they cannot afford the costs, and this is where Invisalign comes in. Invisalign is a clear, invisible compound that a person can take off and eat and will no longer embarrass you.

If you are an adult who needs orthodontics and wants a straighter and more beautiful smile, then Invisalign is the leading provider of clear braces and guarantees stunning results.

Mesilla Valley Family Dentistry shares the reasons why Invisalign is such a great option for adult patients:

1. Completely invisible and does not affect speech and pronunciation:

No one will know you are wearing Invisalign unless you want them to know. Adults who wear braces are more likely to be shy, especially those who work professional or white-collar jobs. When Invisalign is worn, however, it is undetectable. Because it is invisible and no one can tell you are using Invisalign, it has no effect on your speech or appearance, allowing you to carefully adjust your smile.

2. Comparing to braces, Invisalign has a much shorter treatment time:

You do not have to wear Invisalign indefinitely. You usually will only have to wear Invisalign for about 12 months, which is less than traditional treatment via wearing braces. Placing Invisalign and using it now at an early age will help you make your teeth straighter and more comfortable. Invisalign for adults is considered successful and effective according to advances in diagnosis, treatment, and procedures.

3. Invisalign is low maintenance:

Even If you have a busy schedule, it is easy to make time for the treatment you need with Invisalign. You do not have to spend an hour every few weeks in the dentist’s office to adjust your Invisalign and this will save you time and money.

4. Invisalign is more affordable than you would think:

Dr. Borham believes everyone deserves to get a smile they love within their budget limit. You can call our office to get a quote.  Dr. Borham recommends Invisalign if you wish to straighten your teeth without braces. The therapy consists of a series of clear, removable plastic aligners that are custom-made for you according to Dr. Borham’s instructions. Your new smile emerges as you progress up the chain. The advantages of Invisalign are that it is nearly invisible, and the orthotics are removable, so there are no limits on what you can eat, and your mouth hygiene regimen remains the same and it is convenient. You will not need to schedule any emergency repairs because straighteners do not have brackets or wires. You will be able to go about quickly.

5. The Benefits of Adult Orthodontics are Significant.

• • Improving your facial symmetry and appearance
  • Increasing self-esteem and confidence, which has a positive impact on all aspects of your life
  • Enamel protection against early deterioration
  • You’ll like brushing and flossing since straight teeth are easy to clean.
  • Gum disease, for example, can cause bone loss and possibly tooth loss.

 

Invisalign is the preferred method of smile correction for most adults. To find out if Invisalign is right for you, simply contact us and get more details by making an appointment at the Mesilla Valley Family Dentistry.

From a very early age, your dentist will advise you to stay away from unhealthy foods and always take care of brushing and flossing your teeth, but unfortunately with this attention, you may have a cavity in your teeth at some point in your life. Tooth decay, which is often referred to as cavities, can occur at any time. But do not worry, here you need to take care and visit Dr. Borham in Las Cruces, New Mexico without delay.

Dr. Borham explains the best ways to keep your teeth in perfect shape.

Here are eight tips that will help to prevent cavities:

1. Brush Your Teeth Regularly

Dr. Borham advises to combat cavities to clean the teeth at least twice a day for at least two minutes each time to avoid the occurrence of cavities. When brushing your teeth, the toothbrush should be at a 45-degree angle to clean the teeth well from all sides, front, back, top and bottom. In addition, the toothbrush should come into contact with both the tooth as well as the gums. It is recommended to use fluoride toothpaste.

2. Floss or Clean Between Your Teeth Daily

When eating, some food residues may get stuck between the teeth, and even if you use a toothbrush, it may not remove these residues. If they are not removed, this may lead to tooth decay, unless dental floss is used to clean the teeth. A common problem that hygienists find is that their patients are not flossing their teeth. String floss, flossing brushes, and water flossing devices are different types of floss options available.

3. Visit Your Dentist and Dental Hygienist:

Cavities can only be discovered by a dentist or x-ray. Therefore, it is important to visit your dentist for regular routine check-ups to check your teeth, maintain oral hygiene and prevent cavities. You can consult your doctor and take the doctor’s advice regarding dental cleaning.

4. Consider Fluoride Treatments

Dr. Borham recommends periodic fluoride treatments, especially if you aren’t getting enough fluoride through fluoridated drinking water and other sources. Dr. Borham may recommend custom trays that fit over your teeth for the application of prescription fluoride if your risk of tooth decay is very high.

5. Consider Sealants

Dental sealants are clear coatings applied to the surfaces of a child’s molars to prevent the development of tooth decay. They work by preventing food and plaque from resting in the grooves and crevices of molars – an area especially susceptible to cavities. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, nearly 1 in 3 U.S. children ages 6 to 12 currently have sealants on their teeth.

6. Eat Healthy Food and Avoid Sugary Drinks

Eating healthy meals helps prevent plaque formation on your teeth, so Dr. Borham advises to stay away from sugary drinks and food that contain sugar, eat healthy food, and drink water instead.

7. Chew Sugar-Free Gum

Sugar-free gum stimulates the flow of saliva, which protects your teeth from cavities. Dr. Borham says: When you eat sugar-free gum, it helps produce saliva and protects your teeth from cavities, thus reducing plaque acid.

8. Use Mouthwash but Do Not Just Rely on It

Use a mouthwash that contains antimicrobials that reduce plaque, such as Listerine or Crest Pro-Health. Dr. Borham recommends using mouthwash after brushing and flossing, but you can’t rely on it alone so make sure you remove food residue.

 

Dr. Borham always advises you to consult your dentist and perform a routine dental examination to ensure that no plaque builds up on your teeth and to prevent them from decaying.

Are you tired of being limited to certain foods due to your missing teeth or ill-fitting dentures? Our staff at Mesilla Valley Family Dentistry can lift those restrictions, allowing you to consume whatever food or beverages you please.

The Dental Implant Advantage

If you’re looking to restore your smile and its functions, we can offer you dental implants. These tooth replacements are supported by titanium fixtures to ensure they’re as durable as possible. The implants infuse with your jawbone in a short period of time, causing new bone tissue to grow and strengthen it. This process also creates stability for your beautiful porcelain crowns that are attached to the titanium fixtures.

With implants, you’ll be able to chew and speak normally without fear of your teeth shifting around or falling out. If these sound like qualities that you desire, Dr. Borham will offer you a no-obligation consultation. During this time, he’ll take 3D images of your teeth and determine which of our implant solutions are best for you.

Contact Our Office for More Information

Contact our Las Cruces, NM dental office at 575-523-5589 or click the button below to learn more about dental implants and why they’re durable enough to last a lifetime. These stunning restorations will function just like your existing teeth, giving you total freedom over your life.

If you feel dissatisfied with some aspect of your smile, you may be considering dental veneers as a cosmetic treatment. A veneer is an extremely thin piece of ceramic that adheres to the front surface of one of your front teeth to cover a minor cosmetic problem. Some of the most common ones include teeth staining, a crack or chip in a tooth, or a misshapen tooth. A veneer is also an ideal treatment option when the gap between your two front teeth is larger than normal.

At Mesilla Valley Family Dentistry, we understand that you have many factors to consider when it comes to getting a veneer or another type of cosmetic dentistry procedure. We discuss some of the pros and cons below to help you make the best treatment decision possible.

Dental Veneers are Typically Irreversible

You may require shaping of some of your teeth to receive a veneer, which is a process that we can’t reverse. It all depends on your specific dental issue and whether the current shape of your teeth could support a new veneer or not. This isn’t necessarily a negative, but it’s something to consider before you commit to the procedure.

Larger Out-of-Pockets Costs than Other Dental Procedures

Most dental insurers don’t cover this procedure since they consider it purely cosmetic. However, you should check with your individual provider for possible exceptions. Mesilla Valley Family Dentistry works with many dental insurance companies and can submit a request for benefits on your behalf. Even when you do need to pay the entire cost yourself, we accept several forms of credit as payment. We encourage you to apply for CareCredit if you don’t already have an account. You may be able to finance your veneer procedure interest-free as well as have several months to pay it off.

A Simple Procedure Completed in Only Two Visits

One thing that patients especially appreciate about dental veneers is that they only need to schedule two appointments to receive them. During the first session, Dr. Borham or Dr. Oushy take X-rays of your teeth as well as impressions. They use this information to direct our laboratory technicians to create your customized veneer. When you return for your second appointment, your dentist will coat your tooth with a dental bonding agent, apply the veneer, and use a curing light to force it to harden in place.

Veneers are Long-Lasting and Can Transform Your Smile

As long as you don’t subject your veneer to unnecessary stress, you can expect it to last 15 to 20 years before requiring replacement. It’s also important to commit to a daily oral hygiene routine that includes brushing and flossing every morning and evening. If it feels like your veneer has come loose, don’t hesitate to contact us for a touch-up.

Many patients say that the greatest benefit of veneers is that it gives them renewed confidence in their smile. They don’t think twice about smiling at others because they’re no longer embarrassed about a cosmetic problem.

Are you ready to learn more about transforming your smile with a dental veneer? Just contact our Las Cruces, New Mexico dental practice today to request a cosmetic dentistry consultation.

Many kids keep busy during the summer months off from school by playing on organized sports leagues. As a parent, you want to do everything you can to encourage physical activity and sportsmanship while keeping your child safe at the same time. It’s important to protect his or her teeth and jaws as well as other parts of the body. We encourage you to speak to your regular dentist at Mesilla Valley Family Dentistry to learn more about our customized mouth guards.

The American Dental Association on the Importance of Mouth Guards

An injury to the mouth can knock out teeth, push your child’s upper and lower rows of teeth out of alignment, and cause several other significant injuries. The good news is that it’s possible to prevent most of these injuries simply by wearing a mouth guard. In fact, the American Dental Association (ADA) estimates that including this piece of safety equipment helps to prevent more than 200,000 oral injuries every year.

Most youth sports leagues require participants to wear protective equipment such as helmets, shin pads, goggles, and shoulder pads. Unfortunately, it’s rare for them to require the use of a mouth guard except in hockey. The ADA hopes that its statistics will help change that. Approximately 85 percent of children do not wear mouth guards when playing organized sports according to this well-respected dental organization. Additionally, injuries to the teeth and jaw are the most common type of facial injury in youth sports today.

Playing a sport such as football, lacrosse, basketball, soccer, baseball, martial arts, and wrestling all increase the likelihood that your child will sustain a mouth injury. While you can’t eliminate the risk entirely, you can reduce the possibility of your child losing a tooth, breaking a jaw, or sustaining another significant injury by insisting that he or she wear a mouth guard as a condition of playing sports.

What to Expect When Your Child Receives a Customized Mouth Guard

You can find a one-size-fits-all mouth guard at any sporting goods store. However, we don’t recommend using them because everyone has a unique mouth shape and the device may slide around or fit too tightly. We start the process of creating a customized mouth guard by taking an impression of your child’s upper and lower rows of teeth. Our dentists then mold the impression into a custom-fit mouth guard. Your child should only require one appointment for fitting in most cases.

Caring for the New Mouth Guard

Like all oral appliances, mouth guards wear out eventually. Here is what your child needs to do to keep it lasting as long as possible:

• Store in a protective case when not in use
• Never chew on the device
• Keep it out of the hot sun to prevent melting
• Gently scrub the mouth guard with toothpaste after each use, rinse it with water,
  and dry it off before storing

Children grow quickly, especially during the teen years. We recommend bringing your young athlete in at the start of each new season to determine if he or she needs a replacement mouth guard. Please don’t hesitate to contact our Las Cruces, New Mexico dental office if you have additional questions.

While the foods we eat affect the health of our teeth and gums, the same is true of the beverages we drink. Unfortunately, people sometimes overlook this fact when trying to find the cause of their oral health issues.

Because drinks have even more contact with teeth than food does, it’s important to look at the ingredients in the things you drink most often. Many soft drinks, for example, have high sugar and acid content that can cause issues such as tooth decay, a weakening of tooth enamel, and sensitivity. If you’re looking for ways to improve your oral health by what you drink, we offer some suggestions for healthy beverages as well as what to limit or avoid.

You Can’t Go Wrong with Milk, Water, or Tea

Milk has a reputation of being great for bone strength, but it also has the same effect on teeth. The Vitamin D and calcium in milk are especially good for teeth because they help to form a barrier that prevents tooth decay.

Water, whether it’s mineralized or straight from your tap, has important oral health benefits. Bottled water with added minerals contains calcium phosphate, an important element to help strengthen tooth enamel. Water from your faucet is full of fluoride that also strengthens teeth and does a good job at removing food particles.

Green or herbal tea is a good drink choice because both varieties contain antioxidant ingredients that help to prevent tooth staining. Instead of reaching for a glass of wine or soda known to stain your teeth, consider this healthy alternative instead.

Beverages That Can Damage Your Teeth

If you’re a soda lover, the fact that it’s bad for your teeth is one more reason to give it up. The high sugar content, which can be found in both regular and diet sodas, erode tooth enamel and cause tooth staining. When soda is your only option, be sure to drink a glass of water with the equal number of ounces as soon as you can.

Coffee, wine, and black tea are all dark drinks that contribute to teeth staining. If you feel you must have them, consider using a straw to keep as much of the liquid off your teeth as possible. Look for lighter colored alternatives of these beverages as well. Other drinks you may want to avoid include fruit juice for its high acid content and non-mineral bottled water since the bottling process strips it of fluoride. Choosing a fluoride supplement can help to make up for this if you have come to enjoy the flavor of pure bottled water.

Feel free to contact us at Mesilla Valley Family Dentistry if you would like more tips on choosing drinks that improve your oral health rather than potentially harm it.

Did you need braces as a child, but your family couldn’t afford them or you didn’t receive them for another reason? If so, it’s not too late for you to straighten your teeth and have the smile you have always wanted. Perhaps you’re the parent of a patient who needs braces but doesn’t want the metal smile associated with them for two or more years. Whatever your situation, Dr. Borham and Dr. Oushy are happy to let you know about Invisalign clear braces at Mesilla Valley Family Dentistry in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

The Benefit of Braces without the Metal

Invisalign is a revolutionary approach to orthodontic care. Instead of an orthodontist applying wires and brackets to your teeth, you wear a clear plastic retainer for approximately two weeks and then replace it with the next one in the series made especially for you. Each retainer applies pressure to your teeth to encourage them to move into the desired position. They are just like braces in that regard except that they’re nearly undetectable to others.

Another difference with Invisalign is that you can remove your retainers for cleaning and brushing. Since they’re a clear color, you can remain discrete about your orthodontic treatment. It typically takes less time to complete treatment with Invisalign than it does with traditional metal braces. In fact, some patients finish wearing their clear retainers in just one year. The cost is a bit higher, but most patients find this a fair trade-off for the benefits that Invisalign offers.

You must abide by many food restrictions when you wear traditional metal braces to prevent breaking a bracket or wire. With Invisalign clear braces, you simply remove the aligner from your mouth and eat whatever food you desire. Of course, you should still follow good hygiene practices while undergoing orthodontic treatment. It’s also important to wear your customized aligners for up to 23 hours a day for the fastest and most accurate results.

The Process of Receiving Invisalign Braces

If you’re interested in this treatment approach, the first step is to schedule a consultation with one of our dentists. Dr. Borham or Dr. Oushy will inspect your teeth and gums and take an impression to aid in treatment planning. Your dentist will then provide you with an in-depth treatment plan as well as an estimate of how long it will take to achieve treatment goals.

We are also happy to let you know that we accept financing through Care Credit. Qualified applicants may receive interest-free financing for six, 12, or 18 months. Our entire staff looks forward to helping you achieve healthier teeth and a smile you won’t be able to hold back.