What Do Pufferfish have to Do with Dentistry?

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Puffer fish are known for their poisonous bodies. These ocean fish puff up into a spiky ball when approached by threats. Pufferfish have teeth and something resembling a beak. Research shows that, following the fish’s initial tooth development may offer insight into spontaneous tooth replacement. One particular study focused on the pufferfish beak. The development of this part of the fish’s anatomy is dictated by genes which have remained consistent for upwards of 400 million years.

What Researchers Say About the Pufferfish

Dr. Gareth Fraser led research at the University of Sheffield’s Department of Animal and Plant Sciences on the pufferfish’s beak. The scientist noted that the beak is a “model for a simplified tooth replacement system – composed of just four continually replacing teeth that make up the beak structure.” If future research can discern how pufferfish (and other similar aquatic animals) are able to continuously replace lost teeth, they may also determine why humans don’t do the same. Pin-pointing this information may aid in advances in dentistry regarding the replacement of missing teeth. Other animals which have been the subject of similar studies include sharks and crocodiles.

Keep Your Second Set of Teeth for Life

At Riverside Dental Group, we are dedicated to keeping you informed of the latest developments and advances in dentistry. If a time comes in your future when you might be able to spontaneously regenerate lost permanent teeth, this will be great news. However, you want to make sure that you take good care of the teeth you have, and try to avoid tooth loss if at all possible. Over 600 different types of bacteria are swarming around in your  mouth at any given time. Some are responsible for tooth decay and gum disease. Keeping up with good oral hygiene and regular dental checkups is important. So is wearing an athletic mouthguard when you play high contact sports, to avoid traumatic dental injuries.

Visit your Riverside Dentists

To schedule an appointment with one of our Riverside dentists, contact us at (951) 689-5031. We have six dental offices throughout Southern California, including Corona, Temecula, and Moreno Valley.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Link Between Earaches and TMJ Pain

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You have two temporomandibular joints (TMJs) located on either side of your jawbone. TMJs help you to chew, eat, yawn, and speak properly. TMJs are sensitive joints which make it possible to open and close your mouth smoothly. Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) is an unpleasant condition which involves both the joints and muscles in your jaw. Conditions such as bruxism (teeth grinding) traumatic jaw injuries, and stress all contribute to the unpleasant and uncomfortable symptoms of TMD. Beware of aches, pains, a feeling of misalignment, popping, and clicking in your jaw. One TMD symptom which may surprise you is pain in your ear. (more…)

The Up Side(s) of Orthodontics

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Whether you’re a working professional, a stay at home mom (or dad), or the parent of a tween who’s about to get braces, you’re probably dealing with some mixed up emotions. Often, negative emotions like doubt, uncertainty, and even anxiety can overshadow more positive emotions, like the anticipation and excitement of achieving a fantastic looking smile. Today, we’re taking a glass-half-full approach and looking at three upsides to keep in mind throughout your orthodontic treatment. (more…)

What Motivates Men to Go to the Dentist?

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According to the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) men are far less likely to stick to their regular biannual dental checkup schedule than women. What could be the reason behind this? The number of men going to the dentist is fortunately on the rise, but their motivation may be something other than overall dental health. Many dentists report an influx of male patients on a quest for a whiter, brighter smiles with the help of cosmetic dentistry. (more…)

How Smoking Works Against Dental Treatments

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Your Oasis Family dentists’ number one priority is you. Above all else, they care about the oral health of their patients. That is why they affirm the cause behind the upcoming World No Tobacco Day on May 31st. The World Health Organization (WHO) has marked this date as World No Tobacco Day in order to educate the public about the dangers of tobacco consumption. Specifically, the WHO is asking countries across the globe to raise taxes on tobacco in order to decrease tobacco use. Your Temecula Valley dentists at Oasis Family Dental offer superb comprehensive dentistry in a friendly environment. They understand the impact of smoking on the services that they provide. Read on to learn more about smoking’s effect on popular dental services.

  • Whitening. Your Temecula dentists offer professional teeth whitening in their office. In-office whitening can brighten your teeth up to ten shades in as little as an hour. Your dentists also offer a take-home whitening kit which includes bleaching trays which are used daily for about two weeks. However, smoking can work against your best efforts to whiten your teeth and obtain that brighter smile that you had envisioned. Smoking can quickly stain your teeth because of its nicotine and tar.
  • Bad breath. Smoking can lead to bad breath because it reduces saliva flow. When our mouths create adequate saliva flow, the saliva helps to remove food particles which may later cause bad breath. Our dentists can suggest potential clinical treatments as well as possible home therapies to combat bad breath such as increased hydration, sugar-free gum, avoiding certain food, or sleeping near a humidifier. However, treatments may prove to be less effective if patients smoke because of smoking’s effect on saliva flow.
  • Dental implants. It is a common belief among dentists that dental implants are less likely to succeed or last a long period of time if the patient smokes. In fact, the National Institutes of Health performed a study that found that the majority of all scientific studies shows that smoking is indeed a significant risk factor for the success of dental implants. Most of the studies conclude that for smokers, the failure rate of implants is more than twice the failure rate in nonsmokers.

About Our Doctors

Oasis Family Dental offers comprehensive dental care for patients of all ages. Dr. Y. Stephen Sugiono provides general dentistry, Dr. Tonia Cantrell is our pediatric dentist, and Dr. Jessicah Moretz specializes in orthodontics. Together they strive to maintain your good oral health so that you can enjoy a beautiful, vigorous smile. To schedule a consultation at our 92591 dental office, please call (951) 695-2290. We proudly treat patients from Temecula and all surrounding communities.

Porcelain Veneers: Plenty of Advantages

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Are you in the market for whiter teeth, a straighter bite, and a nearly flawless grin? can help you achieve the smile of your dreams thanks to porcelain veneers.

Are you a Veneer Candidate?

Because porcelain veneers are a minimally invasive cosmetic dental procedure, almost anyone can benefit from the procedure. The treatment is completely customized to complement your facial structure and your smile wishes.  One stipulation for candidacy is age, however. Veneers aren’t a viable option for kids, as their facial structure is fully developed. You also must be free of  and tooth decay. A healthy foundation is imperative, or the veneers will fail until the infection is addressed. If you do qualify as a porcelain veneer candidate, placement is surprisingly fast. From start to finish, high-quality veneers are usually completed in as little as two office visits.

High Quality Materials

At Riverside Dental Group, we use high quality materials for all of our cosmetic dentistry procedures. Close collaboration with an experienced dental ceramist and the insistence of not cutting corners translates to high-end porcelain veneers. These cosmetic dentistry wonders look and feel natural because we start with ultra-thin porcelain shells. The material is not only color matched to your smile, but also mimics the semi-translucency of natural teeth. Porcelain veneers offer an aesthetic transformation which brings out the smile you’re meant to have instead of hiding your teeth behind bulky, fake looking prosthetics.

Visit your Riverside Dentists

Are you in the market for a fast smile makeover? For more information about cosmetic dentistry with porcelain veneers, contact our Riverside dental office. Reserve an appointment at by calling (951) 369-1001.

The Vicious Cycle of Tooth Loss

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Permanent tooth loss is a surprisingly common occurrence, especially as we get older. The frequency may make losing adult teeth seem like no big deal, but to your body, there is nothing normal about it. Tooth loss has detrimental effects on your mouth. In our determination to ensure that you maintain excellent dental health, the Moreno Valley dentists at Moreno Valley Dentistry would like to make you aware of how to prevent the vicious cycle of tooth loss.

The Importance of Maintaining Teeth (more…)

Can Spinach Benefit Dental Health?

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“Eat your spinach!” is a sentiment you probably heard growing up. Perhaps you’ve heard the same words coming out of your mouth as a parent. Since Popeye hit the cartoon scene in the 1930’s, pop-culture has bred the idea that spinach makes you stronger. While eating spinach straight out of a can won’t make your muscles bulge instantly,the Corona dentists from Dental Associates of Corona recognize that there are dental and overall health benefits of the leafy green.

Spinach and Health

You have probably heard about the high iron content of spinach, but the vegetable contains many more beneficial nutrients. Spinach contains 13 types of antioxidants as well as vitamins A, C, K, folate, calcium, protein, and fiber. On top of that, spinach only has 40 calories in one cup. The nutrients in spinach pack a powerful cancer-fighting punch. Spinach produces a substance which incites prostate cancer cells to self-destruct. Another compound in spinach prevents ovarian cancer cells from forming. Spinach also promotes cardiovascular health.

A Refreshing Glass of Spinach Juice?

Drinking spinach juice may not sound like the most refreshing way to quench your thirst. However, studies show spinach juice has the potential to enhance your oral health. Spinach juice may prevent gum disease and cavities according to one research study. Because the juice from spinach offers so many concentrated nutrients, scientists are trying to find ways to isolate the extract and utilize it for toothpastes and mouthwashes in the future.

Visit your Corona Dentists

Dental Associates of Corona can provide your six month checkups as well as treatments for dental  cavities and gum disease. We provide comprehensive dental care for patients of all ages, as well as multi-specialty dentistry. Contact our 92879 dentist office by calling (951) 273-9580 to schedule an appointment today. We welcome patients from Corona and all neighboring communities.

Dentists of Modern Times Embrace Technology

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The Riverside dentists at Riverside Dental Group are invested in providing advanced technology within the office. This makes your dental appointments more efficient and more comfortable. Whether you need a dental checkup, teeth whitening, restoration, gum disease treatment, or any comprehensive dentistry service, our team will make sure your experience is comfortable and safe for you. The truth is, if dentistry hadn’t evolved so much over the last hundred years or so, you might still have to undergo whitening in barber shops with drills and nitric acid. This is just one of many examples of how technology has its benefits. (more…)