Think Before You Eat and Drink

It’s the silly season again and that means lots of parties and lots of food, and even if you are watching your weight, there are some foods that you should avoid or keep to a minimum to keep your teeth and gums healthy.

When you eat foods and drinks that contain sugar, the bacteria that naturally occur in your mouth will feed on sugar creating acids. Those acids will wear down the enamel making it weaker. The weaker your tooth’s enamel, the more susceptible you will be to tooth decay and gum disease.

The holidays are known for lots of goodies including sweet treats, cakes, candies and deliciously sweet dried fruit, however, those dates and dried cherries in the fruitcake could cause problems for your teeth. Dried fruit may be good for your figure, but can also stick to your teeth. If you must enjoy a dried apricot, fig, or date, rinse your mouth with water afterwards.

If you snack on sweets all day or over an extended period, such as a holiday party or holiday event, it can be especially harmful, as damaging acids will form in your mouth every time you consume a snack that is loaded with sugar. Even healthy servings of cranberry sauce can cause those acids to start forming. If that isn’t bad enough the sugary treat will continue affecting your teeth for 20 minutes or more after you have finished.

Snacking on sugary drinks and sweets all day long will increase your risk of gum disease and decay. If you brush and floss after indulging, you will see a reduction in bacteria.

When it comes to keeping cavities at bay, your dentist recommends that you balance out your sugary drinks and sweets with other types of foods. Eating sweets with foods that are rich in carbohydrates will help ease the impact that sugar will have on your teeth.

If you must indulge, choose wisely and consume sweets that dissolve quickly as this will limit the contact with the enamel on your teeth. Instead of caramels and gummy Santa’s, opt for plain dark chocolate, which is said to be good for your teeth.

Make sure that you are prepared and carry floss and a toothbrush with you. If you are eating sweets, it is important to brush if you can. However make sure that you wait about a half an hour if you are consuming foods that are acidic, such as wine or citrus fruits, as brushing can soften the enamel if you do not wait.

This holiday season think before you eat and drink, and remember to schedule an appointment with your dentist for the New Year. 

Smile this Thanksgiving and Mean it

The holidays are all about gathering together with friends and family, sharing food, laughter, conversation, and of course, smiles, and if your grin isn't what you’d like it to be, Thanksgiving may not be as fun for you as it could be.

Chipped or missing teeth, especially if the tooth or teeth are located in the front of your mouth can affect your self-esteem. In fact, in recent studies those surveyed admitted to having a lack of self-confidence because of their smile, but thanks to the marvels of cosmetic dentistry, you could have a new smile quicker than you think.

If all you need is to repair a couple of chips or fill in the gap between your teeth, talk to your dentist about CEREC. CEREC is the only dental system on the planet where you can walk in with badly stained or chipped teeth and walk out with a beautiful new smile in a single office visit.

One of the biggest advantages with CEREC is time. Because dental veneers, crowns, inlays and onlays only require a single visit, you will have fewer shots, less time drilling and less time in the dentist’s chair.

Decades ago, your dentist’s only option for repairing damaged or decayed teeth was with materials made out of gold, amalgam and other metals. However, your CEREC dentist uses tooth colored ceramic materials that will help restore your teeth back to their natural beauty, strength, and function.

Because the materials used in CEREC closely match the natural structure and composition of your tooth, your restored teeth will expand and contract at the same time. This means your tooth will not crack. Old metal fillings do not expand and can chip, leak or break because the materials do not expand and contract.

With CEREC your dentist can save as much of your natural healthy tooth as possible making your CEREC dental restoration even stronger.

When it comes to cosmetic dental restoration, you really can have it taken care of in a single appointment. Talk to your dentist today and find out what cosmetic dental procedures you can take care of in time for the holidays. Call or click today.  

Smiling is Contagious

These days a beautiful smile doesn’t have to cost you a fortune. In fact, thanks to 21^st century modern dentistry you can straighten your crooked teeth, whiten your stained teeth, or replace a missing tooth. Cosmetic dentistry is something that everyone can afford and not only helps your smile, but can also boost your self-confidence.

Your smile is the first thing that people notice when you meet, and if you are tired of putting your hand in front of your mouth when you speak or are constantly smiling with a closed mouth, cosmetic dentistry can help.

Your dentist explains that a beautiful smile makes you feel great, while discolored and crooked teeth will have the opposite effect.

People who have misaligned, crooked, decayed, or discolored teeth quite often avoid smiling while others who suffer from gum disease and constant bad breath are afraid to speak to others and often shy away from conversations or will look away when speaking.

If you are worried about your teeth and gums, schedule an appointment with your dentist who can come up with a, “Smile,” plan to help boost your self-confidence.

Your dentist explains that there really is a psychology when it comes to smiling, which can help boost your mood as the response to moving your facial muscles actually lets your brain know that it’s time to release those endorphins and start feeling good.

Smiling really is contagious. When you smile, people around you smile. If you expose a wide toothy genuine grin, others will follow suit, while a fake smile will generate a fake smile in return.

Smiling makes you look younger while frowning ages you. If you give a neutral expression, you are most probably looking your age.

A smile can actually reduce conflict and make other people feel more open and comfortable during a conversation. Smiling can also make you more approachable.

Unfortunately, some people are just too embarrassed to smile out of fear because of something that may have happened when they were younger, or because they are truly ashamed of the way that their teeth and gums appear.  

If you are afraid to smile because of your lackluster grin, schedule an appointment with your dentist today who can determine the best cosmetic and restorative dental procedures for your needs. Call or click today. 

Why Do I Need Scaling and Root Planing?

If you have been experiencing red, swollen, and bleeding gums every time you brush or floss, it is time to schedule an appointment with your dentist who can determine if you are dealing with some type of gum disease.

Gingivitis is the least serious and can usually be taken care of with a professional cleaning. Gingivitis can be reversed as long as you follow your dentist’s instructions, brush twice, and floss once each day, eat tooth and gum healthy foods and schedule regular checkups with your dentist.

However, if your gum disease has advanced to the more serious periodontal disease, your dentist may recommend Scaling and root planing. If it is past the point of no return, and yes, some types of periodontitis are irreversible, then he or she may refer you to a gum specialist or a periodontist who can determine what steps need to be taken to get your gums healthy again

Scaling and root planing is the most conservative and most common type of periodontal disease treatment.

Scaling is used to remove the tartar or calculus and plaque that are attached to the surfaces of your tooth. Scaling targets the hard to reach areas below your gum line and along the roots of your teeth.

Plaque is loaded with bacteria and will stick to your teeth. Over time, that plaque will harden turning into tartar. Plaque is likely to stick to the rough surfaces on your teeth. Because of this, your dentist will use root planing to remove any of the calculus that is still on your teeth while smoothing out the irregular spots on the surfaces of your teeth.

Bacteria will eventually cause periodontitis as tartar and plaque give teeth an irregular surface that makes it easy for bacteria to hide and attach itself. Scaling and root planing will remove the tartar and plaque giving your gums a chance to heal. As long as you practice good oral health habits, you may not need another scaling and root planing. If you are in the early stages of gum disease, this maybe all that you need for treatment, however, more advanced gum disease may require more invasive procedures such as surgery.

If you would like more information regarding a professional deep teeth cleaning, or scaling and root planing, schedule an appointment with your dentist today who can determine what comes next if you are suffering from gingivitis or gum disease. Call and schedule an appointment today. 

Dental Emergency Quick Fixes

Dental accidents happen, but unfortunately, sometimes it is not always possible to make it to the dentist in a timely manner. Of course, there is no substitute for an emergency visit to your dentist however; there are some things you can do to make your dentist’s job a little bit easier.

Braces

If you or anyone in your family wears wire and bracket braces, it is important that you check them regularly. If a wire protrudes out, should snap, or rubs against your gum or cheek, try to push it back where it sits more comfortably. Use a pencil with an eraser on the end, and use the eraser to push it gently into a place where it will not rub. If that does not work, cover the wire that is protruding with a small sized cotton ball, a piece of gauze, or some orthodontic wax. Make sure that you schedule an appointment with your orthodontist as quickly as possible. Also, make sure that you never cut the protruding wire as the person who is wearing the braces could inhale it into their lungs or swallow it.

Missing Dental Filling

If you should have a filling fall out, try and plug the cavity with dental cement or dental was. You can buy both the wax or cement at your local pharmacy. If a filling should fall out you will want to see your dentist quickly. If you still have the filling, make sure to bring it with you.

Missing Dental Crown

If you lose a crown, try to slip it back into position on the tooth using toothpaste, dental cement or an adhesive used for dentures. This will hold the crown into place until you can make it to the dentist’s office.

Never attempt a DIY repair of an already damaged tooth, crown, filling or dental implant with super glue. All of these dental emergencies are jobs for your dentist.

It is nearly impossible to avoid a dental emergency; however, you can keep your teeth and gums in tiptop shape by scheduling regular appointments with your dentist. Call and schedule your dental checkup today. 

The Consequences of Tooth Decay

Second only to the common cold, dental caries, or dental decay is a disease that will cause damage to the structure of a tooth or teeth. Cavities, which are spaces or hollowed out holes, are the most noteworthy consequences of decay. If dental caries remain untreated, they can cause pain, the loss of the decayed tooth or death. In the most extreme dental decay cases, an infection can eventually enter your brain through the cavernous sinus, which is the air cell behind your eye.

If you take care of your cavities, drilling and filling is all you will have to deal with, however, without proper dental treatment, those dental caries can affect your speech, diet and your overall quality of life. If left unfilled that simple cavity may require root canal therapy as well.  

Tooth decay is a worldwide epidemic that is costly, painful, and most importantly, preventable. Oral diseases cause disability and pain for millions of people all over the United States every year, with oral diseases ranging from cavities to oral cancer.

Dental decay starts early with dental caries affecting over a quarter of children in America between the ages of two and five with more than half affecting adolescents to teens ages twelve to fifteen. Hardest hit are children who come from low-income homes. In addition to dysfunction and pain, cavities that are left untreated can cause school absences, a lack of social interactions, poor appearance, and low weight. All of these problems could reduce the capacity to lead a successful life.

However, kids and teens are not alone as tooth decay affects approximately 90 percent of adults over the age of 40. Even more shocking is that over one quarter of American adults over 60 have lost every single tooth, primarily because of tooth decay.

Don’t become a statistic. Schedule regular dental checkups for your entire family, practice good oral health habits, and a diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables and you will have a heads up when it comes to tooth decay. Call your dentist for an appointment today. 

Porcelain Veneers Without the Hassle

If you have been considering Porcelain Veneers to improve your smile, schedule an appointment with your dentist who can determine if Porcelain Veneers are right for you. Dental Care of Corona has more than 40 years of combined service and expertise when it comes to Porcelain Veneers.

With Porcelain Veneers, you can get rid of that unsightly gab between your front teeth or repair that chip or crack. When you schedule an appointment for Porcelain Veneers, you can even mask those stains that will not budge with regular tooth whitening methods. Porcelain Veneers look just like your natural teeth and will not only improve your smile, but also boost your self-confidence.

Made out of wafer thin shells of dental ceramic, Porcelain Veneers bond on to the front surfaces of your teeth making them the perfect choice for people who are afraid to smile because of cosmetic issues. Porcelain Veneers are versatile and simple to apply thanks to the highly skilled team of Dental Cosmetic technicians from Dental Care of Corona.

The Porcelain Veneers used by Dental Care of Corona can usually be placed without the use of an anesthetic, and without changing the shape of your teeth.

When you schedule an appointment with Dental Care of Corona for Porcelain Veneers, you will be given a thorough examination to determine if Porcelain Veneers are right for you. Dental Care of Corona has hundreds of happy patients who can smile with ease thanks to the placement of Porcelain Veneers.

If you are a good candidate for Porcelain Veneers, Dental Care of Corona will individually design your new Porcelain Veneers to enhance and improve the characteristics of your smile.

During your appointment, an impression or mold of your teeth will be made to send to a dental lab. Once your new veneers are ready, Dental Care of Corona will check for fit before permanently cementing in place. After your new Porcelain Veneers are bonded to your teeth, they will look completely natural. In fact, the only people who will know that you have new Porcelain Veneers are you and your dentist.

Porcelain Veneers are extremely durable and stronger than dental bonding. Porcelain Veneers are so strong that you can expect them to last for more than 10 years if you practice good oral hygiene and resist the temptation to bite things you shouldn’t such as an ice cube, or the end of your pen.

If you would like more information regarding Porcelain Veneers, schedule an appointment with Dental Care of Corona today.