Whole body health begins with a trip to the dentist, Jacksonville's Dr. Eric Burgess says.

New Year’s resolutions typically include a few designed to boost a person’s health, whether it be losing weight, toning up those muscles or nixing unhealthy habits. Rarely does a visit to the dentist’s office make the annual better-thyself list.  But it should, says Dr. Eric Burgess, a cosmetic dentist.

Jacksonville’s Burgess Center for Cosmetic Dentistry is about much more than teeth. In fact, they offer a full line of facial skincare and aesthetic services and products. But all that’s for naught if your whole self isn’t healthy. And a healthy body can begin with a routine dental checkup. Here’s why:

1. As the mouth goes, so goes the whole body: Dental conditions gone untreated can contribute to a multitude of other, more serious medical conditions. Plaque buildup and periodontal disease (gum disease), a chronic bacterial infection that affects the gums and bone supporting the teeth, are linked to heart disease, diabetes and high blood sugar.
2. Your baby’s depending on it: Expectant mothers have long been warned that gum disease can cause premature birth. But because bleeding gums, a major sign of gum disease, also is a common effect of simple hormonal changes in pregnant women, the condition often goes untreated. That statistic proved heartbreaking for a woman in California whose baby was stillborn. The case marked the first time that scientists have been able to link bacterial from a mother’s bleeding gums to an infection in a full-term, but stillborn baby. Bacteria from a mother’s mouth can enter her bloodstream, which allows it to enter and colonize in the placenta, potentially infecting a fetus.
3. Confidence is very healthy: A person’s smile is one of the first features that others notice. So, if your teeth are healthy, white and beautiful, your confidence will soar. This only means good things for your social and business interactions. Plus, taking the initiative to get professional care for your teeth can help ease any worries you may have about your dental health and other related medical risks.

Take control of your full body’s health by starting with a trip to the dentist. Jacksonville’s Burgess Center for Cosmetic Dentistry offers both general dentistry and cosmetic dentistry services. And an array of aesthetic services including facials, peels, facial hair removal, and Botox and Juvederm dermal fillers can give you a healthier, more youthful look – something that tops many New Year’s resolution lists.

Are you a grider? Those hard candies can exacerbate your teeth griniding tendencies.

No matter how charmed, no life is completely free of stress. And that stress can contribute to a myriad of health problems, including heart disease, digestive problems, immune system disorders and even dental problems if you happen to be “grinder.” A top cosmetic dentist, Jacksonville’s Dr. Eric Burgess, offers tips for busting your bruxing habit.

Known by dentists as bruxism, teeth grinding is just what it sounds like – constant pressure or clenching of the teeth. Often, you people don’t even realize they’re doing it. In fact, many grinders grind when they’re sleeping – the day’s stress seeping into their dreams, perhaps? Grinding also is an involuntary reaction when you’re angry, frustrated or afraid.

While the causes may be situational, the effects, unfortunately, are very visual. Teeth grinding can wear down your teeth, causing them to chip, break or come so loose they have to be pulled. Not pretty. Plus there are the recurring headaches or earaches, intensified sensitivity in the teeth, sore jaw muscles or TMD. So how do you stop doing something you typically don’t realize you’re doing? Here are Dr. Burgess’ tips:

• Nix the stress: While we’ll likely never banish stress and tension from our lives altogether, we can learn to minimize it. Exercise, relaxation techniques, time management, meditation, avoiding known stress triggers and learning to step away from stressful situations long enough to take a few deep breaths and collect your thoughts all can help reduce stress.

• Sleep soundly: When you’re headed to bed, massage your jaw, light some aromatherapy candles and place a warm washcloth over your jaw joints to help relax your muscles and induce deep, restorative rest. Sleeping on your back or using a contoured pillow will help reduce the amount of pressure placed on your jaw joints.

• Watch what you eat and drink: Limit caffeine, alcohol and stimulant or depressant medications or substances that can interfere with a good night’s sleep. Also avoid chewing hard candies and objects (ever know someone with a cup full of chewed up ink pens on their desk?) and gum. All that constant chewing can be habit forming. Check medication labels for bruxism among the potential side effects. And make sure your diet is rich in calcium and panothenic acid.

• See your dentist: Your dentist can check the alignment of your teeth and make sure your dental crowns, bridges, etc. are fitted properly and not placing undue stress on your jawbone. If teeth grinding is a significant problem, your dentist may also recommend a custom-made mouthguard or night guard. And he can help repair an already damaged smile with crowns, implants or veneers.

If you need help getting your teeth grinding under control, or if you need cosmetic dentistry repair on teeth already damaged by grinding, contact the Burgess Center for Cosmetic Dentistry at 904-273-3001.

Vamping it up this Halloween? Dr. Burgess has tips for choosing safe, stylish vampire teeth for your costume.

Vampires have always been a favorite fun Halloween costume choice. But the immense box office success of the Twilight film series and the True Blood TV series have made vampires downright sexy. If you’re planning to flash a fanged smile this Halloween, Jacksonville cosmetic dentist Dr. Eric Burgess has a few safety tips for you.

Just because a product is manufactured, packaged up and stocked on the shelves of your local store, don’t assume that they’re of high quality. A perfectly legal product isn’t necessarily a perfectly safe product – a big consideration when you’re talking about a costume piece worn in your mouth (either as a single piece that slips in front of your gum or separate pieces that each slip over your canine teeth). But there are ways to make sure the vampire teeth you’re buying as part of your costume are both stylish and safe.

• Know the numbers game: Different types of plastics are labeled by different numbers, according to the type of petroleum-based plastic resin used in manufacturing. Environmentally conscious consumers are familiar with these numbers, because they determine whether and where a product can be recycled. When buying fake vampire teeth, look for the numbers 4 and 5, which are generally considered food safe.

• Toss the toxins: You might think that painted products meant for the mouth are non-toxic. In many cases, you’d be wrong. Purchase only teeth that come in their own separate, sealed package with a list of materials used to make the teeth. If the package doesn’t specify that non-toxic paint is used, toss them back in the bin and shop elsewhere.

• Take a bite test: Fake vampire teeth should be flexible enough that they won’t cut into your gum, or in to your friend’s skin should you get a little carried away for the role playing for that Facebook photo. Gently rub your fingers over the tips of the teeth. If they’re too rigid, choose another set. Be sure to file down any too-sharp points or edges with an emery board.

• Give them a good cleaning: Before wearing you vampire teeth, clean them with soap and water. Then, run hydrogen peroxide over them, rinse and repeat until the peroxide no longer forms bubbles when on the teeth.

Of course, enjoy a few sweet treats, but don’t overdo it on the Halloween candy and make sure to brush and floss extra well. From all of us here at the Burgess Center for Cosmetic Dentistry, happy haunting!

Prepare for your teeth whitening with tips from Jacksonville’s Burgess Center for Cosmetic Dentistry.

If your plans for the season include teeth whitening, Jacksonville’s Burgess Center for Cosmetic Dentistry has a few tips to help you prepare. The better condition your teeth are in from the start, the better your teeth whitening results will be.

1. Clean up. Your teeth whitening process should start with a professional dental cleaning by a dentist. No amount of brushing and flossing will fully remove plaque and tartar deposits that build up over time like a professional teeth cleaning will. Getting your teeth whitened without first getting them cleaned is a lot like trying to polish or paint a table without first removing the dust. Plus, a dental cleaning will help undercover any more urgent issues that may need to be addressed first, such as cavities, gum disease or exposed roots. If your teeth are sensitive, start brushing with a desensitizing toothbrush several weeks before your appointment.
2. Study up. Make sure your expectations are on point. Even if you’re in great dental help, teeth whitening won’t be as effective with certain tooth discolorations. Whitening processes are most effective on extrinsic stains formed on the surface of the tooth and typically caused by smoking, eating and drinking. Intrinsic stains that develop beneath the tooth enamel may not be improved by teeth whitening at all. Yellowish stains are easy to whiten – brown or grey stains are not. Also, know that materials in tooth veneers, dental caps or dental crowns won’t be affected by teeth whitening agents. So, their color may stick out like a sore thumb among the gleaming white teeth surrounding them.
3. Follow up. This is particularly important if you choose a teeth whitening approach that includes an at-home factor. Prep work takes time and the wear-at-home molds or other devices aren’t always comfortable. But if you slack on your part, then your results will be lackluster. Talk with your dentist at length to make sure you’re aware of all that’s involved. Decide whether your schedule (or your patience level) comfortably allows for doing your part and whether you’re willing to give up bad dental habits that could mar your beautiful results in the future. Follow up appointments with your dentist also are a must to check your progress.

For teeth whitening, Jacksonville’s Burgess Cosmetic Dentistry Center is a top choice. Call 904-273-3001 or use our convenient online appointment request form to schedule your consultation today.

Teeth whitening, facials and Botox are among the top back-to-school beauty treatments offered at the Burgess Center for Cosmetic Dentistry in Jacksonville.

If you’re headed back to school this fall and want to make a great first impression, head to your cosmetic dentist. Jacksonville’s Burgess Center for Cosmetic Dentistry offers an array of aesthetic procedures – and they’re not just for your smile.

Teeth whitening is an instant beauty boost for clients of most any age. Studies show that an attractive smile is among the most powerful first impressions and can help improve the mood of not only the person smiling, but those around him or her as well. One of the area’s top cosmetic dentists, Jacksonville’s Dr. Eric Burgess, offers patients three effective and affordable options for teeth whitening: one-hour laser whitening; two-week whitening via Day-White brand bleaching trays worn for half an hour a day; or our deep bleaching technique that removes even the harshest stains over a three- to four-week treatment course.

A luxurious facial is a great way to celebrate summer’s end and improve your complexion. Typical facials at the Burgess Center for Cosmetic Dentistry include a deep cleansing of the face; analysis of your skin type and condition; steam exfoliation to open the pores; a relaxing facial muscle massage; application of a masque tailored for your unique skincare needs; and a moisturizer, toner and sunscreen chosen specifically for you. For older, uneven or sun-damaged skin, a chemical peel can significantly improve your skin’s tone and texture and smooth wrinkles.

For older adults going back to college, a popular back-to-school beauty option is Botox. Jacksonville’s Burgess Center sees many middle aged and older patients heading back to school to help further their careers or even study for second careers. Finding themselves in the hallways with much younger fellow students can be a little stressful. But an expertly administered Botox treatment can plump skin, restore a youthful look and boost confidence.

To schedule your back-to-school beauty treatments, call the Burgess Center for Cosmetic Dentistry at 904-273-3001 or use our convenient online appointment request form.

Considering a chemical peel? Jacksonville's Burgess Center for Cosmetic Dentistry has three to choose from.

If you’re considering a chemical peel, Jacksonville‘s Burgess Center for Cosmetic Dentistry offers three to choose from. But which one is right for you?

Our chemical peels are topically applied formulas designed to brighten, tighten and revitalize your skin’s surface by creating a controlled shedding of dead skin cells. A skincare specialist will apply a cream mask to your face and leave it on for several minutes, allowing the active ingredients to seep into your skin and loosen dead facial tissue. The mask then is rinsed off or gently scrubbed, allowing new layers of skin to be exposed.

Our peels are designed to improve sun-damaged skin, acne scarring, blotchy pigmentation, fine wrinkles or certain types of skin lesions. Depending on your skin’s condition and your goals, our aesthetician will recommend the chemical peel that’s right for you – the Illuminize Peel, Vitalize Peel or Rejuvenize Peel.

The Illuminize Peel is a non-invasive, superficial peel that’s great for first-time patients or patients with minimal skin damage. You’ll enjoy a more radiant, youthful look with restored skin clarity, texture and color.

The Vitalilze Peel goes a little deeper to dramatically improve your skin’s texture and tone. It helps reduce age spots and stimulate natural collagen production in your skin cells. It’s more intense than the Illuminize Peel, but gentle enough for routine use.

The Rejuvenize Peel uses an advanced formulation of peeling agents that go into the deeper layers of your skin. The aesthetician expertly controls exfoliation of the upper layers of damaged skin to reveal a healthier, smoother, tighter level of new skin. It can be an effective alternative to surgical facelift procedures for reducing wrinkles and fine lines. Though it’s a bit more intense than the other types of peels, but typically is well tolerated with minimal downtime.

If you’re ready for a chemical peel, Jacksonville’s Burgess Center can be reached at 904-273-3001.

With a visit to the cosmetic dentist, Jacksonville-area patients also can get Botox and other facial treatments.

Botox, chemical peels, facials and facial hair removal typically aren’t on the list of services you expect from a cosmetic dentist. Jacksonville’s Burgess Center for Cosmetic Dentistry, however, is a local leader in the growing nationwide trend of dentists offering aesthetic procedures for the face.

According to a recent survey, 16 percent of U.S. dentists already offer Botox to their patients and 37 percent said they would consider it. A subsequent survey by TheWealthyDentist.com revealed that while 43 percent of respondents feel dentists should stick to healthy teeth and gums, a full 57 percent argue that dentists are licensed medical professionals fully capable of safely offering services like dermal fillers, skin peels, microdermabrasion and facial hair removal.

Jacksonville cosmetic dentist Dr. Eric Burgess, founder of the Burgess Center for Cosmetic Dentistry, believes that dentists, and particularly cosmetic dental surgeons, are uniquely qualified to perform facial aesthetic procedures.

“As dentists, we are much more knowledgeable and skilled about facial anatomy and features than many of the skincare boutique practitioners out there,” he says. “Dentists are very adept at giving facial injections, so with the extra training in skincare and dermal fillers, including the techniques, indications and contraindications, it is fully within our realm of professional skills.”

The Burgess Center for Cosmetic Dentistry offers Jacksonville-area patients a full battery of general and cosmetic dentistry services, as well as facial aesthetic services including Botox and other dermal fillers, facial hair removal, skin revitalizing facials, microdermabrasion and chemical peels. Ready to put your best face forward? Call the Burgess Center at 904-273-3001 for a gorgeous smile and radiant skin.

Get your celebrity smile makeover with Jacksonville Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Eric Burgess of the Burgess Center for Cosmetic Dentistry.

We suspected it all along – celebrities aren’t perfect. Their careers and their looks need a lot of managing. And a few of them could use a great cosmetic dentist. Jacksonville‘s Burgess Center for Cosmetic Dentistry and the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentists have a few thoughts on the subject.

A recent survey by the AACD revealed cosmetic dentists’ top picks for the best celebrity smiles. Choices were among this year’s Oscar nominees and the winners were:

1. Natalie Portman
2. James Franco
3. Nicole Kidman
4. Annette Bening
5. Colin Firth
6. Christian Bale

Perennial favorite Angelina Jolie won votes for the most kissable pout with Portman coming in second and Halle Berry and Julia Roberts in a third-place tie. The men’s category saw Jake Gyllenhaal beat longtime favorites like Brad Pitt, George Clooney and Denzel Washington.

But not all celebrity grins are golden. Among those needing a cosmetic dentist, AACD members say, are actor Tom Cruise, television news anchor Katie Couric, actress Jennifer Garner, performer Miley Cyrus and singer/songwriter Jewel. Dentists surveyed said they’d love to see Cruise get a total mouth makeover including veneers. They’d also like to fix retired New York Giants defensive end and NFL commentator Michael Strahan’s diastema (front tooth gap) and give former President George W. Bush splint therapy (bite correction), bonding and veneers.

As for the women, cosmetic dentists want to give Couric a gum lift and lengthen her front teeth; Cyrus a crown lengthening; Garner veneers and Jewel orthodontics and teeth whitening.

Want to give your own smile a celebrity makeover? If you’re looking for a top-notch cosmetic dentist, Jacksonville’s Burgess Center for Cosmetic Dentistry offers an array of services using advanced technologies. Browse our website to see why we’re different, then contact us 904-273-3001 or via our online Request and Appointment feature.

A great smile can boost your chances for college and career success, says Jacksonville Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Eric Burgess.

They say that first impressions are crucial in all types of scenarios, from job interviews to love connections. Jacksonville Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Eric Burgess of the Burgess Center for Cosmetic Dentistry has helped hundreds of patients make their best first impression with expertly designed smile makeovers. Time and time again, patients’ new smiles have proven to be investments that paid off in numerous ways.

Research shows that attractiveness biases are prevalent in teacher evaluations of students, interviewer evaluations of college and job applicants, voter preferences for political candidates, even jury judgments in mock trials. People who are considered attractive are initially judged to be more intelligent, competent, sympathetic and healthier than those considered less attractive. These biases can have significant long-term impacts on a person’s life, career and chances for success.

A major factor of attractiveness is a person’s smile. A Jacksonville cosmetic dentist since 1996, Burgess has helped countless patients revamp their images with procedures that achieve straighter, whiter, more beautiful teeth. Get the radiant look – and the competitive edge – that you’ve always wanted. Call 904-273-3001 to schedule an appointment at the Burgess Center today.

One of the most dramatically effective ways to improve your overall look is teeth whitening. Jacksonville’s Burgess Center for Cosmetic Dentistry offers you three different ways to get a gleaming smile. Choose the best one for you depending on your budget, schedule and goal for your new look.

Over the years, even the best cared-for teeth absorb stains from food, drinks and cigarettes or cigars, gradually becoming darker shade by shade. You’re left with a lackluster smile that just doesn’t live up to your outgoing personality or your sleek, professional image. To help make sure your smile matches your image and outlook, consider one of three very different procedures for teeth whitening.

Jacksonville-area locals are an active crowd – too much fun in the sun to be had, so a long wait in the dentist’s office may not fit many schedules. For the constantly on-the-go set, our Zoom2 one-hour whitening technology is a favored choice. Using a bleaching solution activated with a strong light, we can give patients a bright new smile in an amazingly short time. And results can be enhanced when combined with the whitening tray option.

If you’ve got a little more patience, you may want to try our Day-White tray option for teeth whitening. Jacksonville patients choosing this option get great results at a lower cost than the one-hour alternative. The procedure involves applying a bleaching solution into custom-made trays made just for you and wearing the trays for about 30 minutes a day over two weeks. You’ll begin to see an improvement within a few days and by the end of the second week, you’ll have a dazzling new smile.

Some patients need more than traditional systems for teeth whitening. Jacksonville dentists often see patients whose teeth have harsh stains caused by tetracycline, an ingredient in certain medications. If whitening trays or laser whitening treatments don’t work, we may recommend the Deep Bleaching Technique that combines in-office and home whitening procedures. Using a specialized tray and our proprietary bleaching formula, the Burgess Center is able to offer you the beautiful new smile that other dentists can achieve only by prescribing veneers.

To help decide which teeth whitening option is best for you, use our online appointment request form or call 904-273-3001.