Schedule Your Cleanings Like Clockwork: Q&A

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You may have noticed that we are pretty diligent about getting you to schedule your next six-month visit. While you probably recognize how clean and comfortable your mouth feels after your cleaning, you may not realize why we encourage you to schedule your dental cleanings like clockwork. True, one of our main priorities is ensuring you feel wonderful about your smile and that your mouth feels comfortable. However, on a deeper level, we encourage consistent and on-time six-month cleanings to ensure your teeth avoid the development of oral problems that we can often prevent with professional plaque removal. Have some questions about all of this? Do yourself a favor and look over the following questions and answers for a clearer understanding of our preventive service:

Questions and Answers About Dental Cleanings

Question: Do I need to come in every six months if I take good care of my teeth?

Answer: Yes. This is the standard setup for scheduling appointments for patients with good oral health. For individuals who require restorative care or who suffer from gum disease, we may suggest more frequent visits.

Question: Why do you need to clean my teeth? I brush them every day.

Answer: Our professional instruments and techniques provide you with the thorough plaque removal you need and that you cannot achieve at home. Complete plaque removal is so important because this sticky substance adheres to your teeth every day and is filled with bacteria. By leaving it on your teeth, you place your smile at risk of developing cavities, which are most often caused by plaque. It may also lead to gum disease when left untreated.

Question: What will you do during the cleaning?

Answer: One of our highly skilled hygienists will first use special instruments to gently yet thoroughly remove plaque from the surfaces of your teeth. We will then ensure we remove final traces of plaque and leave your teeth feeling fresh and smooth by providing you with a comfortable polishing treatment.

ABOUT YOUR RIVERSIDE DENTISTS:

With offices throughout Riverside Country, including Corona, Temecula, and Moreno Valley, Riverside Dental Group is happy to provide advanced general, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry services to patients of all ages. To learn more, or to schedule a consultation, call our office today at (951) 689-5031.

Prosthodontics to Protect Your Oral Health

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Are you missing one tooth? All of your teeth? Somewhere in between? No matter how many teeth you have lost, your oral wellbeing is compromised. In fact, the longer you avoid teeth replacement, the more vulnerable you become a variety of potentially negative side effects that can damage the appearance, function, comfort, and long-term health of your smile. If you are missing any amount of teeth, we encourage you to consider the advantages of prosthodontics, and how this specialized field of dentistry may transform your life. For a better understanding of why we feel strongly about replacing teeth, consider the following:

About Prosthodontics

This field of dentistry focuses on completing your smile in the wake of tooth loss. Prosthodontics includes the use of prosthetic devices – or artificial teeth replacements – to restore your function and appearance. This solution also protects your smile. Our prosthodontist will examine your smile and will come up with a personalized care plan to replace your one missing tooth, two teeth, many missing teeth, a full arch of teeth, or even complete tooth loss.

The Prosthetics We Offer

We take prosthodontics seriously to ensure all of our patients receive the treatment they need to achieve a beautiful, healthy smile. For this reason, we offer a comprehensive variety of choices, including: dental bridges (fixed prosthetics that replaces one tooth or up to three teeth in a row), partial dentures (removable prosthetics that replaces several missing teeth), full dentures (removable prosthetics that replaces a full arch of missing teeth), and dental implants (the only solution to replacing both your tooth’s roots and its visible portion for total rejuvenation).

Why You Need This Treatment

Patients often assume that one missing tooth is no big deal. However, whether you are missing one tooth, several, or all of your teeth, we encourage you to act with urgency to take advantage of prosthodontics. Look over the following problems that may occur, and which we may prevent:

  • Remaining natural teeth will migrate into the open space, resulting in misalignment
  • Food or debris may become caught in the open space, resulting in irritation and difficult daily hygiene
  • A missing tooth may promote jawbone deterioration – your roots that once stimulated your jaw to remain healthy and support its teeth will no longer be there to provide the signal for your jawbone to remain strong

ABOUT YOUR RIVERSIDE DENTISTS:

With offices throughout Riverside Country, including Corona, Temecula, and Moreno Valley, Riverside Dental Group is happy to provide advanced general, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry services to patients of all ages. To learn more, or to schedule a consultation, call our office today at (951) 689-5031.

Root Canal: FAQs

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Have we determined that your tooth is suffering from a deep crack or a severe cavity? Or, perhaps your tooth is infected and you have visited us for relief. If your dental pulp – the tissue that lines the lowermost canals of your teeth, called roots –becomes open to invasion by bacteria, we will suggest root canal treatment to restore your oral health. We recognize that many patients feel unhappy with this solution, which is why we have collected answers to frequently asked questions. You will find that this restorative services is actually quite beneficial, comfortable, and will quickly lead you toward improved comfort and daily function:

Frequently Asked Questions About Root Canals

Question: What is root canal treatment?

Answer: This is a service that removes infected pulp from your tooth. The pulp houses nerves and blood vessels. Once it becomes infected, we need to address it quickly to save the health of your tooth.

Question: Will you numb my tooth?

Answer: Yes. This treatment takes longer than a typical filling, but is just as comfortable. We will thoroughly numb the tooth and the entire surrounding area, so you will remain comfortable during your procedure.

Question: Can I wait to schedule my appointment?

Answer: The nature of a tooth infection creates great urgency. The infection will only continue to worsen, may abscess, and may even spread if you ignore it. We encourage you to schedule your visit as soon as possible, so we can quickly address the problem while preventing the need for further, more complex care.

Question: Will I still have a tooth when you are finished?

Answer: Yes. Your natural tooth will remain. However, because the structural integrity of the tooth may become compromised from the infection and treatment – and because it remains vulnerable to bacterial invasion – we will complete treatment with a beautiful dental crown. You will be able to return to daily function and enjoy your complete smile as a result.

ABOUT YOUR CORONA DENTIST:

With offices throughout Riverside Country, including Corona, Temecula, and Moreno Valley, Riverside Dental Group is happy to provide advanced general, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry services to patients of all ages. To learn more, or to schedule a consultation, call our office today at (951) 689-5031.

White Fillings: Questions and Answers

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Have you been diagnosed with a cavity? If so, you may feel the desire to avoid treatment because you assume it will feel uncomfortable or will leave your smile looking somewhat unattractive. Fortunately, we offer comfortable, beautiful composite fillings, so you can feel confident about the outcome of your dental filling. Still have questions about this treatment? Look through the following questions and answers if you are ready to schedule an appointment but feel like you need to know a bit more about this restorative service:

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What is a Dental Emergency?

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Have you ever broken a tooth or experienced sudden discomfort. If so, then you may require dental emergency treatment. What is a dental emergency? This involves any damage or pain involving your teeth or gums. If the problem could potentially be life threatening, then please contact 911 or have someone take you to the emergency room. Otherwise, there are ways you can address the immediate discomfort before you see a dental professional.

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FAQs: Reshaping Your Smile with Tooth Contouring

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Are your teeth a bit rough around the edges? Do you find yourself feeling unhappy with the appearance of your overall smile line as a result of a too-long tooth or general lack of symmetry? Whatever the cause, if you require assistance with the contour – or outline – of your teeth, you may wish to consider tooth contouring to reshape your smile. Not quite sure what this treatment has to offer? Consider some frequently asked questions and answers for a clearer look into the details of this cosmetic solution:

Frequently Asked Questions About Contouring

Question: Why would I need tooth contouring?

Answer: You may feel unhappy with the way your smile looks as a result of too much tooth tissue or tissue that could look better with gentle reshaping.

Question: What kind of reshaping does contouring achieve?

Answer: Tooth contouring addresses a variety of problems, including improving the appearance of a tooth that looks longer than the rest, creating an even tooth line for a uniform appearance, softening a jagged or pointed tooth, or improving the appearance of gently overlapping teeth without the need for braces.

Question: How does tooth contouring work?

Answer: We will use a polishing tool to gently remove a very small portion of your tooth’s outermost layer – called enamel. The goal of this cosmetic treatment is to achieve an even, consistent look to your smile.

Question: Is contouring comfortable?

Answer: Yes, this treatment is simple and comfortable. You will not need any anesthetic.

Question: Can contouring improve the surface texture of my teeth?

Answer: Yes, if your teeth display a pitted texture, for instance, we may be able to soften and smooth the outer layer of your teeth as long as the damage does not place your oral health at risk. In some cases, this type of concern may require restorative care or more advanced cosmetic treatment like porcelain veneers.

ABOUT YOUR RIVERSIDE DENTISTS:

With offices throughout Riverside Country, including Corona, Temecula, and Moreno Valley, Riverside Dental Group is happy to provide advanced general, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry services to patients of all ages. To learn more, or to schedule a consultation, call our office today at (951) 689-5031.

Quiz: How Do I Avoid Tooth Decay?

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No one enjoys a cavity. But what can we do to avoid tooth decay? Despite the fact that dental caries are so widespread, they are surprisingly preventable. Many people are unaware that a few simple steps can help you avoid the onset of dental cavities. With the right information, you can enjoy a healthier smile and enjoy a reduced risk of developing dental caries.

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FAQs: I Chipped a Tooth, Now What?

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Have you ever chipped a tooth? Aside from the initial discomfort, a broken tooth can actually boost your chances of developing tooth decay and infections, as well as comprising the integrity of the tooth. However, by repairing the tooth you can enjoy a full and functional smile once again.

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Brush Up On Your Tooth Brushing Facts

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Between your six-month dental cleanings with us, you brush your teeth and perform a great deal of plaque removal on a daily basis. This allows you to prevent tooth decay, gum disease, and even bad breath. But have you ever stopped to think about whether you’re doing the best job you can at brushing those lovely teeth of yours? Sometimes, even making decisions based on common sense can cause you to make less-than-ideal choices. For this reason, we encourage you to look over the following brushing facts. Making even minor improvements to your daily habits can have a significant effect on the long-term health and beauty of your smile.

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Check In On Your Dental Cleaning Knowledge

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You know on some level that visiting us for six-month cleanings is an important part of your dental care. You know this because every time you see us, we mention seeing you in six months. However, do you really understand why we are so enthusiastic about your return? True, we love seeing your smiling face, but that’s not the only reason we recommend twice annual cleanings. Test your knowledge and you may come to realize just how well dental cleanings protect your teeth and gums.

Dental Cleaning Quiz

  1. True or False: If you forget to brush your teeth for a couple days, it’s okay – as long as you brush them really well, your oral health will be fine.
  2. True or False: Brushing and flossing daily is enough to maintain completely healthy teeth.
  3. True or False: As long as you schedule a cleaning eventually, we can make up for lost time.
  4. True or False: During a cleaning, we will use special instruments to gently yet thoroughly remove plaque from all teeth surfaces. We will also polish your teeth.
  5. True or False: During your cleaning, we encourage you to ask questions about any concerns you may have, such as bad breath.

Quiz Questions

  1. False. Plaque exists on your teeth on a daily basis. When left untreated for as few as 24 to 48 hours, it may harden so that you cannot remove on your own. This may lead to problems like gum inflammation. These concerns may be prevented by and require professional cleaning.
  2. False. Though you may take excellent care of your teeth, your brushing and flossing can only effectively remove some of the plaque on your teeth. Only our professional dental instruments and techniques can leave your teeth plaque-free.
  3. False. By leaving plaque on your teeth, you also leave your teeth and gums vulnerable to its effects – namely tooth decay and gum disease. Once these problems occur, you will require restorative care. The more consistently you schedule dental cleanings, the greater your chances of maintaining excellent oral health.
  4. True. You can expect to leave our office with teeth that feel extremely clean.
  5. True. An essential aspect of good care includes excellent communication and patient education. Please remember to voice your concerns, so we may guide you toward your best smile.

ABOUT YOUR RIVERSIDE DENTISTS:

With offices throughout Riverside Country, including Corona, Temecula, and Moreno Valley, Riverside Dental Group is happy to provide advanced general, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry services to patients of all ages. To learn more, or to schedule a consultation, call our office today at (951) 689-5031.