Holiday Treats to Avoid at Parties

During the holidays, it is vital that you steer clear of the sweets table for the sake of your teeth and gums. When you munch on healthy party food, you will be more likely to get a green light the next time you see your dentist. However, it is easy to be tempted when it comes to holiday treats to avoid.

Keeping your teeth and gums healthy throughout the year is easy, but once those holiday parties start rolling around, it may be tough to stick to good oral hygiene. If you love the dried fruit that your grandmother sends you every year, be sure to rinse after you enjoy. That sticky fig will stay around much longer and can be hard to budge, even after you brush.

Try to avoid starchy foods as much as you can. Christmas cookies and cakes, and especially those fruitcakes that are both starchy and filled with the sticky fruit mentioned above. It’s double trouble when it comes to your Aunt Betty’s prized Brandied Fruit Cake.

Your dentist in Corona recommends sipping on water between those holiday drinks. That champagne punch may be delicious, but it can cause problems with your teeth. The sugar in the punch and the fizz in the bubbly can cause acid erosion on your teeth.

Good oral hygiene, including regular checkups with your dentist and enjoying a good healthy diet will go a long way in protecting your teeth and gums and your overall long-term oral health.

Pay attention to your teeth and gums. If you notice anything different, feel any pain, or have swollen or bleeding gums, it is essential that you see your dentist as quickly as possible. You may want to ignore that toothache until after the New Year, but skipping a dental checkup could cause further damage. If a dental emergency should occur, it is vital that you head to the dentist as quickly as possible.

What You May Not Know about Your Toothbrush

If you are like most people, you brush your teeth twice a day with a manual or electric toothbrush that you purchased from your grocery store or pharmacy. However, today’s toothbrush wasn’t even invented until the later part of the 15^th century.

Below are a few more fun facts that you may not know about the tool that you use to brush your teeth.

That first attempt at a, “Toothbrush,” was made from wild boar hair that the Chinese attached to a bamboo stick. Variations of this original brush were used right up to the 20^th century.

When nylon was invented, the modern toothbrush became a mainstay for families all over the globe back in 1938.

Apparently, oral hygiene has been important to all cultures with archeologists uncovering toothbrushes from all over the world. The toothbrushes were made from feathers, animal bones, and porcupine quills.

The first variation of that crude Chinese toothbrush made back in the 15^th century resurfaced after an Englishman invented his version while he was in prison back in 1780. Once he was released, he started mass-producing what would become the Wisdom Toothbrush. Wisdom is still around today, but has certainly changed from the original horsehair and bone toothbrush.

The first chew sticks where unearthed by archaeologists in Babylonia. These chewing sticks were removed from an Egyptian tomb believed to be from 3000 BC. Chewing sticks were also removed from a Chinese Tomb that archaeologists believe to be dated in 1600 BC.

The first patent was granted to HN Wadsworth in 1857, but the mass production of the bore and bone toothbrush didn’t start until 1885. Unfortunately, the animal bristles held on to the bacteria, took too long to dry, and would often fall out.

Believe it or not, brushing twice a day didn’t really take off in America until after WWII when soldiers were ordered to brush every day.

Brushing and flossing are part of daily life, as should regular dental checkups. Call or click and make your dental appointment today. 

How to Prevent Tooth Trauma

Teeth and mouth injuries are responsible for 80 percent of dental injuries that affect your teeth, inner cheeks, lips, tongue, and your gums.

In young children, baby teeth injuries usually result from a baby learning how to walk. There could also be damage from permanent teeth that have not yet erupted. However, sports injuries are the leading cause of 40 percent of dental and mouth injuries in older children and adults. According to your dentist in Corona, there are some things you can do to help prevent mouth injuries.

Mouth Protectors-If you or any member of your family plays any type of sports, your dentist in Corona recommends a custom-made mouthguard to help prevent mouth injuries.

Facecage-Facecages help protect your face from trauma, especially if you play certain sports such as baseball or hockey. If you or someone you know is a hockey goalie or baseball catcher, a Facecage is an essential piece of equipment.

Helmets-Wear a helmet for most sporting activities. Although wearing a helmet will not protect your mouth or your teeth, it will protect your head, and your brain from concussion.

Can Knocked Out Teeth Be Fixed?

A knocked out tooth can be repaired, but it is important that you get to your Corona dentist as quickly as possible. If you have a knocked out tooth you have a higher chance of saving the tooth as it can be placed back in the socket within 60 minutes of the knock out.

If you have just had a tooth knocked out, gently rinse debris from the root of your tooth and try to place it into the socket. If that isn’t possible, hold the tooth between your teeth and gums on your way to the dentist’s office. If this doesn’t work, keep your tooth in milk before your dental appointment.

Even if your knocked out tooth cannot be saved, you will still have something to smile about thanks to the advances in dental technology. Dental implants can be anchored in or on your jawbone with an artificial tooth that will look and feel just like your natural tooth.

If you would like more information regarding tooth trauma or have a dental emergency, call or click and schedule an appointment with your Corona Dentist today.  

Dental Checkups Corona for the Whole Family

Dental checkups are important. It’s impossible to watch your kids 24/7, especially now that school is in session; however, there are some things you can do to help keep your families teeth and gums healthy.

If you haven’t already done so, the first step is to schedule dental checkups for everyone in the family, and that includes you and your partner.

Call or click and schedule an appointment with Dental Care Corona who will thoroughly examine everyone’s teeth and gums. If a problem is detected, the caring and experienced Corona Dental team will discuss the issue before proceeding with a solution.

Dental Care Corona also recommends that you go over everyone’s brushing and flossing habits. Ask the team to show the family how to brush and floss properly. If you and your kids aren’t brushing for two minutes with a soft bristled brush, you may need to, no pun intended, brush up on your oral hygiene skills.

If you have kids, adolescents or teens that may have a bite issue, Dental Care of Corona can help. Dental Care of Corona will assess the situation and recommend orthodontic treatment.

Some signs that one of your kids and teens may need braces include, 

• Late, early, or irregular baby tooth loss
• Problems biting or chewing
• Blocked, misplaced, or crowded teeth
• Jaws that pop shift or make noise
• Cheek biting
• Roof of mouth biting
• Teeth that don’t meet
• Teeth that are misaligned 

Keeping your families teeth healthy should be your main concern. Along with regular physical examinations, you need to schedule dental checkups at least once a year, even more so if you, your kids, or your partner is prone to tooth decay or gum disease.

The holiday season is coming up, and if you are like most people will rarely have time to squeeze in dental checkups.

You still have time, call or click and schedule your dental checkups with Dental Care of Corona today. 

Tooth Whitening May Not Be The Best Option

Tooth whitening may be all you need to give you the smile that you deserve. Tooth whitening really is the most popular cosmetic dental procedure in the world, however, sometimes people go overboard, especially with over the counter whitening products.

According to your Corona Dentist those gels, pastes, strips, and mouth rinses that you purchase from your local pharmacy are not as strong as the prescription whitening products from your dentist. Most whitening agents contain hydrogen peroxide, but the over the counter whiteners don’t have as a high a percentage.

Dental Care of Corona offers both in office tooth whitening and custom made tooth-whitening systems that you take home. Both will give you the confidence you need to flash your pearly whites again. However, tooth whitening doesn’t work for everyone.

If you have interior or intrinsic stains, old restorations, chips, cracks or other issues, your Corona Dentist may recommend other cosmetic dentistry procedures such as cosmetic dental bonding or porcelain veneers.

Cosmetic Dental Bonding

This quick and easy treatment can repair chips and cracks, make your teeth longer or shorter, or fill in the small gap between your teeth. Done in a single office visit, dental bonding is not as strong as porcelain veneers, but may be a good option, especially if you do not want any permanent changes.

Porcelain Veneers

Cosmetic porcelain veneers are custom made to fit your teeth. They are permanent because a small portion of your natural tooth needs to be removed to make way for the porcelain veneer. During the manufacture of your permanent veneers, your dentist will fit you with temporary veneers if your natural teeth are unsightly.

If you would like more information about tooth whitening, cosmetic dental bonding or porcelain veneers, schedule an appointment with Dental Care of Corona, it really will make a difference to your self-esteem.

Invisalign Instead of Braces for Straight Teeth

Invisalign® is the revolutionary way to straighten teeth, and if you have been reluctant to see a dentist or orthodontist because you don’t want to wear conventional wires, and brackets, talk to Dental Care of Corona who can determine if you are a good fit for Invisalign®.

Old School Braces

Conventional braces can take up to two years to straighten your teeth, but that isn’t the only problem with old school braces. Because you cannot remove the wires and brackets, it is impossible to brush and floss properly. With conventional braces tooth decay and gum disease are both issues. Conventional wires and brackets can also cause pain when adjusted.

Invisalign® Clear Plastic Aligners

Invisalign® consists of a series of clear plastic aligners that you wear between 20 and 22 hours every day. Because you remove your aligners when you eat, brush and floss you are less likely to deal with gum disease or tooth decay.

The Invisalign® Process

Dental Care of Corona will custom make the Invisalign®  trays and give you between 11 and 31 sets of clear plastic trays that you will swap out every week or two depending on your Invisalign® customized tooth straightening plan.

Unlike conventional wires and brackets, you will only need to see your Corona Dentist every 6 weeks to make sure that your Invisalign® treatment is going according to plan. Old school wires and brackets require more frequent dental appointments. Although the average for Invisalign®  wearers is between 9 and 18 months, some patients will have a brand new smile in as little as six months.

If you want to boost your self-confidence and repair your rotated, tipped, or crooked teeth, schedule an appointment with Dental Care of Corona who can determine if Invisalign® is right for you. You really can have the smile that you deserve. Call for a no obligation Invisalign® consultation today. 

Chronic Halitosis Could Be Ruining Your Life

If your chronic halitosis is keeping you away from social engagements, it’s time to schedule an appointment with your dentist.

Although there are several reasons for chronic bad breath, gum disease is at the top of the list. If you have gum disease it’s not just your teeth and gums that will suffer.

Periodontal disease, the more serious form of gum disease, has been linked to heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and Alzheimer’s disease.  Although it is imperative that you schedule an appointment for your chronic halitosis, there are some other reasons for your bad breath.

Dry Mouth-Medications, postnasal drip, tobacco use and certain medical problems can cause dry mouth. Dry mouth can cause bad breath and other teeth and gum problems. Dry mouth occurs because your salivary glands aren’t producing enough saliva. Ask your doctor to switch your medication. If you aren’t on any over the counter or prescribed drugs, talk to your dentist.

Tobacco-Cigarettes, cigars, Hookah pipes, and chewing tobacco are equally as bad as each other. If you smoke or chew, you could be suffering from chronic halitosis. Ask your doctor about kicking the habit. Tobacco also affects your sense of taste and smell, can irritate your delicate gums and can stain your teeth. When you quit chewing or smoking, you may see an increase in your social engagement invitations.

Onions and Garlic-You may love garlic and onions, but be aware that the odor will stay in your system up to 72 hours after you have eaten it. Odorous foods are absorbed into your blood stream, through your skin and into your teeth and gums. Brushing, flossing and mouth rinse will not help the smell go away until the onions, garlic and other odorous foods have been absorbed into your body.

If you have chronic bad breath, schedule an appointment with your Corona Dentist who can determine the cause and come up with a solution to your chronic halitosis. Call or click now.