Smile makeovers at New Image Dentistry!

The most dramatic treatment Dr. Allen Blourchian offers at our convenient Franklin office is a smile makeover.

Using a variety of procedures, your smile can be transformed to the ideal one you have always dreamed of. We begin by listening to your desires and preferences. Next, Dr. Blourchian and our staff analyze your smile completely, including your lips, teeth, mouth, jaw line, etc.

Actual treatment takes only two appointments in a period of two weeks. Patients will be amazed at how a smile makeover can improve their appearance and self-image. For many, this treatment is a life-changing event.

If you're interested in a smile makeover, we encourage you to give us a call at 615.591.4490. Have a wonderful rest of the weekend!

September is National Gum Care Month! From Dr. Allen Blourchian

At New Image Dentistry, we know that gingivitis - the early stage of periodontal disease - can be difficult to recognize. Many people don't recognize the warning signs - bleeding and swollen gums, as a precursor to gum disease. This month, a national campaign is under way to raise awareness about gum health and periodontal disease, and we wanted to help do our part to spread the word!

Dr. Allen Blourchian will tell you early recognition and action are the most important steps to health gums, and ultimately a health body, too! Studies are published every year linking oral health, including the gums, to the health of other areas of the body, such as your heart. One of the most important steps to improving the care of your gums is recognizing the warning signs for gum disease.

Dr. Blourchian knows these can include:

• Gums that appear red or swollen
• Gums that feel tender
• Gums that bleed easily (during brushing or flossing)
• Gums that recede or pull away from the teeth
• Persistent halitosis, or bad breath
• Loose teeth
• Any change in the way teeth come together in the biting position

If you happen to notice any of these signs, please schedule an appointment at our convenient Franklin office by calling (615) 591-4490 as soon as possible. Dr. Blourchian can take proactive steps to prevent gingivitis and gum disease, while showing you how to improve gum care in your daily oral hygiene habits.

We hope you're having a relaxing Labor Day weekend!

Write a review of Dr. Allen Blourchian!

Happy Friday! Whether you've visited New Image Dentistry for a week, months or even years, we'd love to hear your feedback about Dr. Allen Blourchian. There are lots of places on the Internet where you may share your reviews, but we'd like to direct you to our Google Local Page to write a review of us - it only takes a moment!

You may write your review here.

Thank you in advance and enjoy your weekend!

Foods for healthy gums and healthy hearts, from Dr. Blourchian

Gum disease, known also as periodontal disease, is far more common than you may think. Each year, new studies begin to link the effect gum disease can have on the heart, and we at New Image Dentistry have been helping spread the word! One of the simplest steps to achieving healthier gums can be your diet. We recently found a great article outlining several options for healthier gums. Included among the suggestions were:

*Raisins
*Green Tea
*Whole Grains

In addition to these foods being gums-friendly, they happen to be healthy foods in general, and a great option to begin integrating into your diet.

Have a great weekend!

National Smile Week at New Image Dentistry!

This week marks National Smile Week, and an ideal time to remind patients of Dr. Allen Blourchian to practice good oral hygiene to keep those teeth shining and happy! This includes brushing and flossing regularly, avoiding foods that can stain your teeth such as tea and coffee and visiting our convenient Franklin office every six months or as recommended. Remember, we serve Franklin, Cool Springs, Nashville, Spring Hills, Brentwood and all of Tennessee.

The American Dental Association, or ADA, recommends the following for good oral hygiene:

• Brush your teeth twice a day with an ADA-accepted fluoride toothpaste. Replace your toothbrush every three or four months, or sooner if the bristles are frayed. A worn toothbrush won't do a good job of cleaning your teeth.

• Clean between teeth daily with floss or an interdental cleaner. Tooth decay–causing bacteria still linger between teeth where toothbrush bristles can’t reach. This helps remove the sticky film on teeth called plaque and food particles from between the teeth and under the gum line.

• Eat a balanced diet and limit between-meal snacks.

• Visit New Image Dentistry on a regular basis for professional cleanings and oral exams.

Lastly, a great reason to smile is this: smiling can actually help you live longer according to a new study! Have you visited our office lately for a cleaning or checkup? If not, give us a call at (615) 591-4490 to set up an appointment! Summer is a great time for a visit!

The importance of flossing, from New Image Dentistry

At New Image Dentistry, we hope you're not a part of the 51 percent of Americans who don’t floss daily. Or worse, we hope you're not part of the 10 percent who never floss at all. Dr. Blourchian and our staff will always tell you that proper flossing is just as important for your dental health as brushing regularly. Flossing cleans food and plaque that build up between teeth and below the gumline, key areas that brushing simply cannot reach.

Flossing 3-to-5 minutes everyday is recommended, but even 60 seconds of flossing has a great benefit over not flossing at all. Also, make sure to always brush your teeth after you floss, and to rinse with water or mouthwash. When you begin flossing you may experience gum pain or bleeding, but with daily flossing and brushing this should stop within a week or so.

On a side note, has it been at least six months since your last checkup at our office? If the answer is yes, we encourage you to schedule an appointment by calling (615) 591-4490!

We hope you're enjoying your summer! Be sure to post your summer photos on our Facebook wall!

When should you call New Image Dentistry?

Having to deal with a dental emergency during the summer while at work or on vacation is not something people often think about. And Dr. Blourchian will always tell you that being prepared can make the difference between saving or losing a tooth. If you're facing a dental emergency this summer, we want you to call us immediately or let us know on our Facebook page. If you need urgent treatment after hours, you can call our emergency number (please ask us for the number if you haven't already done so). We are always here to assist when your dental health is at risk. Below are tips on dealing with urgent dental situations; you may want to display this list on your refrigerator or store it near your emergency phone numbers for easy reference.

Toothache: Rinse your mouth with warm water and inspect your teeth to be sure there is nothing caught between them. If pain continues, use a cold compress to ease the pain. Do not apply heat or any kind of aspirin or topical pain reliever directly to the affected area, as this can cause damage to the gums. Schedule an appointment immediately.

Bitten Lip or Tongue: If you've bitten your lip or tongue severely enough to cause bleeding, clean the bite gently with water and use a cold compress (a cold, wet towel or washcloth pressed firmly against the area) to reduce or avoid swelling. Give us a call to help determine how serious the bite is.

Object Caught In Teeth: If you have something caught between your teeth, use dental floss to gently remove it. Never use a metal, plastic, or sharp tool to remove a stuck object. If you are unable to remove the item with dental floss, give us a call.

Broken, Chipped, or Fractured Tooth: If you've chipped or broken a piece off of your tooth, rinse your mouth with warm water, then use a cold compress to reduce swelling. Try to locate and save the tooth fragment that broke off. Call us immediately.

Knocked Out Tooth: If your tooth has been knocked out, find the tooth and rinse it with water (no soap), taking care to only touch the crown of the tooth (the part you can see when it's in place). If you can, place the tooth back in its socket and hold it in place with a clean towel or cloth. If you can't return the tooth to its socket, place it in a clean container with milk. In either case, call us immediately and/or head to the nearest hospital. If you act quickly, it's possible to save the tooth.

Loose Tooth: If you have a loose tooth, it should be removed to avoid being swallowed or inhaled. And, you probably guessed it: give us a call.

We hope that helped you get prepared for - knock on wood - any dental emergency this summer. We hope you're having a GREAT summer so far!

Ask Dr. Blourchian: What does Invisalign® have to do with my oral health?

When considering treatment options with Dr. Allen Blourchian, patients often ask us how Invisalign treatment is so different than braces. Well, there are more reasons to smile about Invisalign at New Image Dentistry than you may know. Invisalign is a series of removable aligners that are nearly invisible. Besides straightening your teeth, Invisalign can improve your oral health. Here’s how Invisalign can help improve your health, while shaping your beautiful smile:

Healthy gums: Straight teeth allow a close fit for gums. This lessens the gum stress that is caused by crowded or widely spaced teeth, thus also reducing red and swollen gums.

Easy cleaning: Invisalign is removable, therefore brushing and flossing is easier and you are able to maintain a healthy mouth. These habits are vital to avoiding tooth decay, plaque, and gum disease.

Improved speech and chewing: Properly-aligned teeth don’t have the discomfort or compound speech impediments that can be caused by crowded teeth or a deteriorating jawbone.

If you have any questions about Invisalign, just ask Dr. Blourchian the next time you’re in for an appointment. Or, you may post your question on our Facebook page or give us a call at 615.591.4490!

Happy Thursday,

Dr. Blourchian and team

New Image Dentistry, helping you avoid heat exhaustion this summer

93 degrees today! With the heat wave sweeping through Nashville, Franklin and surrounding areas this summer, Dr. Blourchian and staff want you to be extra careful when you’re out and about. Last week, Good Morning America ran a segment about the many ways you can protect yourself from heat stroke and other heat-related conditions this summer. And, here are some helpful summer safety tips from our friends at WebMD.

Dr. Blourchian and our team encourage you to watch this GMA short clip and remember to always have a bottle of water handy when heading out! We hope you're having a wonderful summer.

White for Life Club at New Image Dentistry!

At our convenient Franklin location, we have a wonderful program for our patients who would like to keep their smile white and shiny for the rest of their life. For a one time fee of $99.00, Dr. Allen Blourchian and staff will make you bleaching trays and give you bleaching solution. For as long as you keep your six month appointments with us, we will refill the bleach at no other cost to you! We call this White For Life Club and invite you to join! Please give us a call at (615) 591-4490 if you are interested! We hope you had an outstanding Fourth of July weekend!!

Featured patient review for Dr. Blourchian!

For Franklin and Nashville dentist Dr. Blourchian and our entire team at New Image Dentistry, nothing speaks louder than patient reviews. One of Dr. Blourchian's patients, Pamela Wheat, recently send the doctor a card and chocolates. Her card says:

Dear Dr. "B"
I can't begin to tell you how very happy I am that I found you for my new dentist here in Tennessee. You have not only changed my confidence level in a Dentist, but you have also changed my appearance, for which I will be forever grateful.

Thank you, Pamela! We are honored to have you as a patient! Dr. Blourchian and our staff are always happy to hear from current and former patients! Please feel free to contribute your own thoughts about our office!

Dr. Blourchian wants to know: What are you up to this summer?

It’s summer here at New Image Dentistry!, a season full of vacations, adventures and great memories. Whether you are headed to a barbecue, a camping trip, hitting America’s open roads or just having fun in the backyard, Nashville family dentist Dr. Allen Blourchian and our team want to hear all about it! Leave a comment on our Facebook fan page and tell us about your summer!

Happy Travels,

Dr. Blourchian and team

Dr. Blourchian and team, supporting National Smile Month

Our friends at the American Dental Association discovered that a person's smile was important than their eyes, hair and body as the most important physical feature. After all, there's a big reason why Americans spend as much as they do each year on general and cosmetic dentistry each year: people want to look (and feel) great.

That brings us to June, also known as National Smile Month. It's a great time for Dr. Blourchian to remind all of our patients to practice good oral hygiene between your visits to New Image Dentistry.

Here are a few simple steps you can take to improve your oral health so that you may celebrate National Smile Month for many, many years:

* Brush at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
* Floss everyday to clean between your teeth.
* Reduce your intake of sugary foods and drinks.
* Visit Dr. Blourchian regularly (usually every six months).

If you have questions about any of these tips, we encourage you to give us a call at (615) 591-4490. We hope you have a great weekend! Now get out there and share your smiles with Nashville!

This Memorial Day, what are you up to? From New Image Dentistry

Memorial Day Weekend, only a day away, is a time Americans everywhere stop and remember those men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom over the course of history.

Memorial Day also marks the unofficial start of summer 2010, and for many folks in Nashville, Franklin and surrounding areas, getting out of town for three days after being cooped up in the office or in the classroom is sweet, sweet relief. At New Image Dentistry, we also know Memorial Day weekend is ripe for travel. After all, it’s a season of vacations, adventures and great memories. Whether you are headed to a barbecue, a camping trip, or hitting America's great open roads this weekend, we want to know all about it!

Dr. Blourchian and our entire team at New Image Dentistry wish you a nice, safe and relaxing Memorial Day weekend!

Sedation dentistry in Nashville - Dr. Blourchian

While Dr. Blourchian and our team at New Image Dentistry strive to offer a comfortable experience for all our patients, we realize that fear or anxiety while visiting the dentist can affect a lot of patients anyway. For patients who need extra comfort and relaxation during their dental visit, we are pleased to offer sedation dentistry.

The reasons for patients' fear of the dentist can be numerous, but are usually due to a traumatic experience during their childhood. This overwhelming anxiety can cause one to avoid modern dental care, resulting in poor oral hygiene and possible mouth-related issues such as gum disease.

There are, however, some important things to note about sedation dentistry:

- Sedation dentistry is not the same as being unconscious: you will be responsive and conscious throughout the entire procedure, but in a deeply relaxed state of mind.

- Because the sedation takes some time to wear off completely, it is crucial for you to have a friend or family member with you to transport you to and from our office safely.

If you suffer from dental phobia, sedation dentistry may be the answer for you. At our Nashville suburb office, several patients have successfully completed dental treatment using this state-of-the-art and effective technology. Please give us a call at 615.261.8879 for more info about sedation industry, and we'll be more than happy to answer your questions.

Enjoy your weekend!

New Image Dentistry, supporting National Physical Fitness and Sports Month

Did you know the month of May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month? In 1983, President Ronald Reagan encouraged Americans to include more physical activity into our lives, and the reminder is even more significant today as folks are distracted more and more by television, social networking and working more hours. Living an active lifestyle can and does improve physical and mental health, productivity and overall well-being. The best part? It doesn’t have to take a lot of time or effort.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has provided these public health guidelines for your reference. The guidelines call for people to exercise one hour every day of moderate intensity physical activity (such as playing sports or brisk walking) or one hour and 15 minutes of vigorous activity (jogging, dancing and jumping rope).

At New Image Dentistry, our staff and Dr. Blourchian encourage our patients to exercise or participate in sports. However, we want to remind you to always wear a mouth guard or other forms of mouth or facial protection when doing so. To learn more about how often you should exercise, we recommend you check out these helpful tips, courtesy of our friends at the American Heart Association.

Are you a teeth whitening 'addict'?

In an age—and society—where looks matter as much as anything, and at a time when sparkling white teeth might be the difference between getting a job or that promotion, more and more Americans want to look and feel great. But can there be too much of a good thing when it comes to teeth whitening? Dentists everywhere are reporting a spike in patients' complaining about irritation and bleeding gums, translucent teeth and excessive teeth sensitivity, especially to cold food and drink items.

There are two main types of home teeth-whitening products, including tray-based systems, in which a tray filled with beaching solution is worn over the teeth - or whitening strips. If you're considering using a tooth whitening product containing bleaches, however, the American Dental Association recommends that you visit Dr. Blourchian at New Image Dentistry first.

We offer two types of teeth whitening procedures at Dr. Blourchian’s Franklin practice: a take-home bleaching kit and Zoom!® In-office teeth whitening. Each is designed to remove stains and discoloration on the teeth, giving patients a bright, white smile.

Give us a call and have yourself a great weekend!

Mr. Bean goes to the dentist! From Dr. Blourchian

How do you feel about a treat today? Here's a little classic dental humor for you to enjoy, from the bumbling yet lovable British spy, Mr. Bean. Our staff loved it, and know you'll get a laugh out of it as well. Enjoy "Mr. Bean Goes to the Dentist”!

If you have any other suggestions you think we should share with our patients, please let us know!