After more than a year in which many people stayed mainly at home in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, signs abound that life is starting to return to normal for people in South Florida and across the country. 

Vaccination rates are increasing and infection rates are on the decline. Businesses are reopening and people are going back to work. Many are even catching up on things they put off during the pandemic, like a visit with a dentist.

Some 93% of Americans plan to see a dentist this year, according to a recent survey. Nearly 90% of respondents said they believe oral health is an important part of overall health, while another three-quarters (72%) said they are paying close attention to their oral health at home during the pandemic.

For anyone on the fence about seeing a dentist, here is why now is the time.

Checkups are Essential to Good Health

Regular dental checkups are vital to ensuring oral health and can play a role in warding off other medical conditions. They are also relatively quick and painless, even for people who may be nervous about visiting a dentist.

Most serious dental problems and diseases are preventable if detected in the early stages, commonly through routine checkups. The earlier problems are spotted, the less expensive, extensive and invasive the process to treat them.

These appointments also give dental professionals a chance to thoroughly clean your teeth, ensuring that plaque and tartar buildup are removed. 

Most people should see a dentist for a checkup twice a year. Those who are at particular risk of gum disease and related issues – such as smokers, pregnant women, people with gum disease, and people prone to infection – are encouraged to see a dentist more frequently.

Restorative and Cosmetic Services Brighten Smiles

Some people who have primarily been at home the last year may be a little anxious about returning to everyday life, including going back to an office or workplace. Restoring and improving your smile can go a long way in boosting a person’s confidence.

At Pearl White, we have been helping people brighten their smiles for more than 15 years. We offer several restorative and cosmetic dental services, including: 

• Invisalign: These transparent and removable trays used to straighten teeth are a popular option that have made metal braces essentially a thing of the past.
• Root canals: This procedure helps save injured or decaying teeth from extraction by eliminating infections.
• Crowns and bridges: Crowns rebuild teeth by placing new caps on them. Bridges are artificial teeth used to fill gaps in a smile.
• Inlays and onlays: These restorative treatments are used to address various tooth imperfections.
• Teeth-whitening: Our teeth-whitening treatment lets people make their pearly whites shine from the comfort of their own homes.
• Botox: This treatment is often combined with others to brighten smiles by reducing lines and wrinkles around the mouth.

We take the time to understand each patient’s situation, goals and needs and develop a personalized treatment plan.

Visit a Fort Lauderdale Dentist Today

If you are due for a checkup, dealing with mouth pain or discomfort or interested in improving your smile, Fort Lauderdale dentist Natalia Benda-Celenski and her team at Pearl White Dentistry can help.

Contact us online, call us at (954) 491-8812 or email us at dr@pearlwhitedentistry.com to schedule an appointment with a Fort Lauderdale dentist.

There is good news for anyone nervous about seeing a dentist during the pandemic.

Dental treatment does not increase the risk of Covid-19 transmission, researchers at the Ohio State University recently concluded. The group said fears that the virus, which spreads through respiratory droplets or aerosols, might be more easily transmitted in dental procedures that produce more aerosols are unfounded.

“Getting your teeth cleaned does not increase your risk for COVID-19 infection any more than drinking a glass of water from the dentist’s office does,” Purnima Kumar,  a professor of periodontology at Ohio State and the lead author of the study, said in a statement announcing the research results.

“These findings should help us open up our practices, make ourselves feel safe about our environment and, for patients, get their oral and dental problems treated – there is so much evidence emerging that if you have poor oral health, you are more susceptible to COVID,” Kumar said.

The researchers found that water from irrigation tools used during most dental procedures, rather than patients’ saliva, causes most of the splatter from patients’ mouths. They said that dental procedures remain safe so long as “infection control measures are used, such as preoperative mouth rinses and intraoral high-volume evacuation.”

Dentists Focus on Safety During the Pandemic

Meanwhile, a separate study shows that the rate of infections among dentists was relatively low during the height of the pandemic. 

About 2.6% of dentists have contracted the coronavirus as of November 2020, much lower than other frontline health professionals, according to American Dental Association Science & Research Institute and Health Policy Institute.

Researchers applauded dentists for taking preventative measures to keep themselves, their staff and their patients safe. 

Nearly all of the 1,300 dentists who participated in the survey said they used enhanced infection prevention and control strategies in their practice each month. That includes screening patients and staff for COVID-19, disinfecting between patient appointments and encouraging social distancing among patients.

Make an Appointment with a Fort Lauderdale Dentist Today

If you are due for a checkup, dealing with mouth pain or discomfort or interested in improving your smile, Fort Lauderdale dentist Natalia Benda-Celenski and her team at Pearl White Dentistry can help.

We have been assisting people in Ft. Lauderdale and throughout South Florida who want to brighten their smiles and keep their mouths healthy for more than 15 years. Dr. Natalia has been cited for “Excellence in Clinical Achievement” because of her professional achievement and personalized approach. 

Whether you need a routine checkup and cleaning, are considering Invisalign to address crowded teeth or are thinking about cosmetic dentistry options, we will take the time to understand your situation and walk you through your options. We work with a wide range of insurance plans and are happy to assist with patient financing.

Contact us online, call us at (954) 491-8812, or email us at dr@pearlwhitedentistry.com to schedule an appointment with a Fort Lauderdale dentist.

A root canal is one of those procedures that many people are probably vaguely aware of but know little about until a dental professional tells you that you need it.

Generally, a root canal is a restorative procedure designed to help save injured or decaying teeth by eliminating infections in the tooth pulp. Also known as endodontic treatment, the procedure is safe, effective, and painless, thanks to anesthesia and sedation.

The key to saving natural teeth through a root canal is spotting the problem as early as possible. Routine checkups and cleanings are a vital part of maintaining oral health and monitoring for possible issues. You should also see a dentist if you are experiencing tooth or jaw pain.

At Pearl White Dentistry, we provide a wide range of dental services for our patients, from preventive checkups and cleanings to fillings, root canals, and other restorative work. 

Fort Lauderdale dentist Dr. Natalia Benda-Celenski prides herself on making personal connections with her patients and taking the time to understand each person’s unique situation and goals. That is why many patients call her the best dentist in South Florida. Check out our latest patient reviews here.

Our Fort Lauderdale Dentist Explains What a Root Canal Treats

Root canals are generally recommended to address serious tooth decay. These are situations in which the decay has moved beyond the exterior enamel of a tooth to the interior pulp. If untreated, the infected pulp will cause the tooth to continue to decay and eventually die.

Common reasons for root canals include:

• Deep tooth decay
• Repeated dental procedures on the same tooth
• Malfunctioning crowns
• A cracked, chipped, or damaged tooth

At Pearl White, Fort Lauderdale dentist Dr. Natalia and her team will explain specifically why they believe you need a root canal and how the process can help you save your tooth and restore your smile.

How a Root Canal Works

During the procedure, a dentist removes the damaged pulp, which runs from the tooth’s root in the jawbone to the top of the crown. The root canals are then cleaned, and the tooth is filled to help prevent further infection.

The root canal process is fairly intensive and was once considered painful. Fortunately, dentists now use anesthesia and sedation to keep patients calm and comfortable throughout the procedure. It is more painful to live with an infected tooth than to have a root canal.

The procedure is typically completed over one or two appointments. A temporary crown may be installed on the tooth to protect it between appointments.

Visit a Fort Lauderdale Dentist Today

If you are experiencing oral pain and other issues or are simply looking for a routine checkup and cleaning, Fort Lauderdale dentist Dr. Natalia Benda-Celenski and the staff at Pearl White Dentistry can help.

We take the time to understand each patient’s individual situation and needs and offer services tailored to their goals. That includes providing a full range of restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dental services.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Natalia in Fort Lauderdale, call Pearl White Dentistry at (954) 491-8812 or contact us by email at dr@pearlwhitedentistry.com.

As a Fort Lauderdale dental services provider that has helped people brighten their smiles for decades, we often get asked how frequently people should visit their dentist. 

Of course, the answer depends largely on the person, his or her specific individual situation, needs and goals. Generally speaking, people should come in twice a year for a routine checkup and cleaning. This is an essential part of keeping your mouth healthy by spotting any possible issues as early as possible and monitoring what is going on with your teeth and gums.

Some people are recommended to see a dentist more frequently for cleanings and checkups because they may be at a higher risk for gum disease or other oral health issues. Smokers and women who are pregnant, as well as people with oral cancer or gum disease and others who are prone to plaque buildup or infection, should ask their dentist whether they should be coming in more than twice a year.

At Pearl White Dentistry, Fort Lauderdale dentist Dr. Natalia Benda-Celenski and her team make routine checkups and cleanings a comfortable and pleasant experience. Do not just take our word for it: Our patients give us glowing reviews, often citing the quality service and personal touch that comes with visiting our office.

Checkups and Cleanings

The good news is that routine checkups and cleanings are relatively quick and painless. These services are typically performed in one appointment.

Checkups and cleanings are primarily designed to give your dentist a chance to see what is happening inside your mouth and clean your teeth to remove any harmful tartar buildup. At Pearl White, a dental professional will clean your teeth, and Dr. Natalia 

will assess your oral health and check for cavities, tooth decay, damage, crowding and signs of potential gum disease. 

Dr. Natalia may recommend that we take x-rays during your visit to take a closer look at your teeth. In some situations, she may also suggest a deep dental cleaning. This process, also called scaling and root planing is reserved for people with larger pockets between teeth and gums that put them at risk of gum disease.

Our Fort Lauderdale dentist understands that some people are often nervous about visiting a dentist. That is why we take several steps to ensure your comfort during a checkup and cleaning, including offering a variety of sedation dentistry options. Sedation is a common practice that keeps patients calm and comfortable throughout a visit.

Schedule a Checkup and Cleaning with a Fort Lauderdale Dentist

If you are interested in a checkup and cleaning in South Florida or are experiencing oral issues, Fort Lauderdale dentist Dr. Natalia Benda-Celenski and the staff at Pearl White Dentistry can help.

We take the time to understand each patient’s individual situation and needs and offer services tailored to their goals. That includes providing a full range of restorative, cosmetic and emergency dental services.

To schedule a routine dental checkup in Fort Lauderdale, call Pearl White Dentistry at (954) 491-8812 or contact us by email at dr@pearlwhitedentistry.com.

Invisalign is a clear aligner or plastic set of braces used to straighten teeth. Unlike the clunky metallic braces of old, Invisalign trays are transparent and easy to remove. That makes the treatment an increasingly popular option for improving smiles, especially among adults.

At Pearl White Dentistry, we help people straighten and restore their teeth by offering Invisalign and a wide range of other treatments. Dr. Natalia Benda-Celenski has been helping people in Ft. Lauderdale and across South Florida improve their smiles and enhance their oral health for more than 15 years.

Invisalign is a discreet, comfortable and relatively easy way to realign your teeth. If you are wondering whether the treatment is right for you, here is what you need to know.

How it Works

Invisalign takes its name from the nearly invisible clear plastic trays the system uses to align teeth gradually, over the course of months. In addition to being more visibly pleasing than metal braces, they also do not require the painstaking cleaning and regular dental visits that typically come with the old school method. 

The trays are crafted specifically to fit the unique contours of your mouth. Each tray is designed differently to place pressure on different parts of your bite over the course of the treatment. You wear each tray for one or two weeks at a time and then advance to the next tray in the series. So long as you are wearing the trays for the recommended 20-22 hours a day, you can also slip them out when necessary for important meetings and in other situations.

This system allows for slight alignment changes throughout the course of the treatment. Full Invisalign treatment typically lasts for one year. 

How Much Does it Cost?

The cost varies, based on a number of factors. Two of the biggest factors are how much realignment is needed and how well you stick to the treatment. In some situations, people who commit to wearing the trays can complete their treatment in as soon as six months.

Invisalign patients can cut down on the cost by properly caring for the trays and keeping track of them. Properly clean your aligners, keep them out of high temperatures and adequately store them when you remove trays to eat or for other purposes.

At Pearl White, we work with a wide range of insurance plans and are happy to assist with patient financing.

Contact Pearl White to Brighten Your Smile

If you are looking to use Invisalign to straighten your teeth, want to know more about a wide range of other restorative and cosmetic services or are simply interested in making sure that your mouth is healthy, Pearl White Dentistry can help.

Dr. Natalia and her team of dental professionals will take the time to understand your situation and walk you through your options.

Contact us online, call us at (954) 491-8812 or email us at dr@pearlwhitedentistry.com to schedule an appointment with a Fort Lauderdale emergency dentist.

As dental professionals who have been helping people improve their oral health, brighten their smiles and address emergencies for decades, we understand that not everyone is as enthusiastic as we are when it comes to seeing a dentist. 

The good news is that there are a number of ways to ease much of the stress that can come with a trip to the dentist.

Sedation dentistry is a common practice that keeps patients calm and comfortable throughout a visit, whether it is for a routine checkup and cleaning or more intensive procedures like a root canal. Because there are a number of different sedation options available, it is helpful to understand how each works.

At Pearl White Dentistry, we have been using sedation dentistry to help people in Ft. Lauderdale and throughout South Florida improve their smiles and keep their mouths healthy for more than 15 years. 

Dr. Natalia Benda-Celenski has been cited for “Excellence in Clinical Achievement” because of her professional achievement and personalized approach. She also has significant experience using sedation dentistry to improve patients’ experience. 

Sedation Options

Fortunately, there are a variety of different sedation options for people anxious about seeing a dentist. At Pearl White, we commonly offer these options:

• Oral Sedation: You take a sedative about an hour before the appointment and arrive already feeling relaxed before your dental treatment begins. This option is often used for people who are very nervous about a visit or are undergoing extensive treatment. The sedative takes some time to wear off, so you should not drive yourself to or from your appointment.
• Nitrous Oxide: Commonly referred to as laughing gas, nitrous oxide is often used for more run of the mill dental visits. It offers a little extra relaxation to relieve any stress during the appointment. The sedative wears off immediately, allowing you to resume daily activities right away.

At Pearl White, we take the time to understand each and every patient’s specific needs. Dr. Natalia and her team pride themselves on making personal connections with their patients, including tailoring treatment plans to their individual situations.

Make an Appointment with a Fort Lauderdale Dentist Today

If you want to improve your oral health or brighten your smile and are feeling anxious about seeing a dentist, Pearl White can help.

Whether you are experiencing a dental emergency, need a routine checkup and cleaning, or are thinking about cosmetic dentistry options, we will take the time to understand your situation and walk you through your options. Our patient reviews speak for themselves: the people that we assist are happy with the results!

We work with a wide range of insurance plans and are happy to assist with patient financing. Contact us online, call us at (954) 491-8812, or email us at dr@pearlwhitedentistry.com to schedule an appointment with a Fort Lauderdale dentist.

The coronavirus pandemic has changed life as we know it for people throughout Florida, across the country, and around the world. Although health care experts have advised people to take a number of specific steps to protect themselves from Covid-19, it is also important to continue to do what’s necessary to maintain and improve general health and wellbeing.

That includes regular dental checkups, which are vital to ensuring oral health and can play a role in warding off other medical conditions.

“Many times people do not comprehend that teeth are attached to the body, to the bone and head, and that it is as important to take care of their teeth as their organs,” Dr. Chad Gehani, president of the American Dental Association, recently told Today. “Most of the dental diseases are preventable and, if detected in an early stage, they are very inexpensive and they are very easily treatable. If you let the oral condition go for too long a period of time, it can become more complicated later on.”

In South Florida, Ft. Lauderdale dentist Dr. Natalia Benda-Celenski and her team at Pearl White Dentistry are helping people maintain oral health and brighten their smiles during the pandemic. We are also taking a number of steps to keep patients and our staff safe.

What to Expect at Your Checkup

Routine checkups are not just a central part of good oral hygiene, they are also quick and painless. The checkup gives a dental professional an opportunity to take a look at what is going on inside your mouth and clean your teeth to remove any tartar buildup.

During the exam, Dr. Natalia will assess your oral health by checking your teeth for cavities, tooth decay, damage or crowding. She will also look for potential gum disease, a serious condition in which your gums become infected. 

Dr. Natalia may also recommend we take x-rays during your visit to take a closer look at your teeth.

Most people should see a dentist for a checkup twice a year. Some patients who may be at particular risk of gum disease or other issues are recommended to see a dentist more frequently. That includes smokers, women who are pregnant, people who have gum disease, and others who are prone to infection.

At Pearl White, we understand that some people are often nervous about visiting a dentist. That is why we take a number of steps to ensure your comfort during a checkup and cleaning, including by offering a variety of sedation dentistry options.

Schedule a Checkup at Pearl White Today

If you are looking for a routine checkup and cleaning or interested in other services to improve your smile in South Florida, Fort Lauderdale dentist Natalia Benda-Celenski and her team at Pearl White Dentistry can help. 

We are experienced dental professionals who take the time to understand each person’s individual situation and goals. We work with a wide range of insurance plans and are happy to assist with patient financing.

Contact us online, call us at (954) 491-8812, or email us at dr@pearlwhitedentistry.com to schedule an appointment with a Fort Lauderdale emergency dentist.

As the coronavirus pandemic continues to sweep across Florida and throughout the country, many people remain justifiably hesitant to spend much time outside of their homes. Still, it is vital you take certain steps to maintain your general health and wellbeing. 

That includes regular dental checkups and cleanings, as well as deep dental cleanings for people who have or are at risk of developing gum disease.

“Dentistry is not an elective procedure,” Purnima Kumar, a professor of periodontology at Ohio State University recently told the Washington Post. “They’re important to your mouth health, as well as to the health of the rest of your body.”

It is particularly important for people to address gum disease as soon as possible. 

Periodontitis, or gum disease, is a serious condition in which the tissue that holds your teeth together becomes infected. If left untreated, the acids secreted by the bacteria can weaken and dissolve the tissue connecting your teeth and jaw bone.

Gum disease has also been linked to a wide range of other medical issues, including heart attacks, obesity, diabetes, and stroke. 

The good news is that Dr. Natalia Benda-Celenski and her team at Pearl White Dentistry are helping people in Ft. Lauderdale and across South Florida keep their mouths healthy and their smiles bright during the pandemic. Dr. Natalia is an experienced dental professional who has been cited for excellence in the practice and has successfully helped many patients address gum disease.

How Deep Dental Cleaning Works

Deep cleaning, as the name suggests, is a more extensive process than the regular cleanings that typically are part of a routine dental checkup. Unlike a regular cleaning, a dental professional will focus below the gum line to root out bacteria that cause gum disease.

A Pearl White hygienist will use a scaler – a special dental instrument – to get below the gum line and into any pockets between the gums and teeth. 

This is a more intensive procedure than a routine cleaning. At Pearl White, we regularly use local anesthesia to prevent discomfort, as well as an antibiotic to ward off infection. In some situations, a deep cleaning may also require a follow-up visit to ensure that the gums are properly healing.

Contact Pearl White for a Deep Dental Cleaning

If you are looking to address gum disease, improve your overall oral health or brighten your smile, Fort Lauderdale dentist Natalia Benda-Celenski and her team at Pearl White Dentistry can help. 

Whether you need a routine checkup and cleaning, are considering Invisalign to address crowded teeth or are interested in a deep cleaning, we will take the time to understand your situation and walk you through your options. We work with a wide range of insurance plans and are happy to assist with patient financing.

Contact us online, call us at (954) 491-8812, or email us at dr@pearlwhitedentistry.com to schedule an appointment with a Fort Lauderdale emergency dentist.

Excessive bleeding from the mouth could be a sign of a dental emergency. It is vital to act immediately to stop or reduce the bleeding and seek the help of an emergency dentist or go directly to an emergency room.

Fort Lauderdale emergency dentist Natalia Benda-Celenski and her team at Pearl White Dentistry have helped people in a wide range of urgent situations over two decades. We are experienced dental professionals committed to efficiently addressing emergencies and effectively restoring and improving smiles after an emergency is resolved.

Whether it is a broken tooth, cracked crown or trauma to the jaw, we are here for patients in emergency situations. We continue to provide a full range of dental services during the Covid-19 pandemic and have taken steps to keep people safe when visiting our office.

If you are experiencing a dental emergency in South Florida, call Pearl White at (954) 491-8812. The sooner you call, the sooner we can help you address the emergency and restore your smile.

Is it an Emergency?

Not all bleeding is an emergency that requires urgent care. 

Some may be caused by cuts inside the mouth or irritated gums during brushing and flossing. If the bleeding is caused by severe trauma to the mouth or jaw or accompanied by significant pain or broken or loose teeth, it is likely an emergency.

The first thing to do is to try to stop the bleeding. Rinse your mouth and apply pressure to the bleeding site. If it does not stop or slow significantly within 10 minutes of continuous pressure, go to an emergency room. If the bleeding stops, apply a cold compress to the area to keep swelling down and contact an emergency dentist.

After an Emergency

Once the emergency is under control, there are several restorative options for repairing cracked, broken and dislodged teeth, as well as other damage. Cosmetic dentistry can also help improve a smile after an emergency.

• Root canal
• Crowns and bridges
• Inlays and onlays 
• Dentures
• Porcelain veneers
• Metal-free restorations

At Pearl White, we can help you understand your options and choose a course of treatment designed to meet your goals.

How Our Fort Lauderdale Emergency Dentist Can Help

If you need emergency dental work in South Florida, Fort Lauderdale emergency dentist Natalia Benda-Celenski and her Pearl White Dentistry team can help. We are experienced dental professionals who are dedicated to patients and committed to assisting people in emergency situations.

After an emergency, we will take the time to understand your situation and walk you through your options. We work with a wide range of insurance plans and are happy to assist with patient financing.

Contact us online, call us at (954) 491-8812 or email us at dr@pearlwhitedentistry.com to schedule an appointment with a Fort Lauderdale emergency dentist.

Dental emergencies refer to a wide range of situations with at least one thing in common: They require immediate treatment. How quickly you act in an emergency can have serious consequences, including whether you can save teeth and avoid long-term jaw and other damage.

Florida emergency dentist Dr. Natalia Benda-Celenski has helped people in the Sunshine State address emergencies and brighten their smiles for two decades. She is dedicated to helping people in their time of need and helping them restore and improve their smiles after an emergency.

Do not just take our word for it. Pearl White Dentistry patients have hailed Dr. Natalia and her team for providing quality, personalized services. They know that Dr. Natalia has dedicated her professional life to serving patients throughout the community.

If you are experiencing a dental emergency in South Florida, call Pearl White at (954) 491-8812. The sooner you call, the sooner we can help you address the emergency and restore your smile.

Emergency and Urgent Care

A dental emergency is when immediate treatment is required to alleviate severe bleeding or infection or address significant swelling or bone trauma.

Common emergencies include:

•  Abscessed or infected teeth
• Broken, dislodged teeth
• Cracked or broken crowns, fillings, bridges
• Severe tooth pain
• Objects lodged between teeth

Many other situations often qualify as emergencies because they require urgent dental care, from malfunctioning dentures to broken orthodontic wires. 

Time is of the essence, regardless of the type of emergency. It is important to stop or slow any bleeding by using continuous pressure for up to 10 minutes. If the blood doesn’t slow during that time – or if you believe that you have a broken jaw – you should go straight to an emergency room.

For situations that do not require an immediate ER trip, over-the-counter medication can be used to reduce any pain, along with ice to reduce swelling. You should then contact an emergency dentist. 

Emergency Dental Care During the Covid-19 Pandemic

Pearl White is open to help patients with emergencies and other dental needs during the coronavirus pandemic. We are taking many precautions to help protect patients who visit our Ft. Lauderdale office.

We are also ready to help patients after emergencies are resolved using various restorative and cosmetic services to improve smiles and overall dental health. Dr. Natalia prides herself in a personalized approach, taking the time to understand patients’ specific dental needs and designing a treatment plan to meet their individual goals. 

How to Contact a Florida Emergency Dentist

If you need emergency dental work in South Florida, Pearl White Dentistry can help. We understand that it is vital to act quickly in an emergency, and we have had significant success in helping patients resolve these situations. 

Contact us online, call us at (954) 491-8812 or email us at dr@pearlwhitedentistry.com to schedule an appointment with a Florida emergency dentist.