, you will soon realize receiving this both cosmetic and restorative treatment can actually make you feel excited about your future smile.
Teeth Whitening: True-or-False Quiz
Ever wondered how you can achieve the white, bright, dazzling smile you see celebrities sporting on the red carpet? If you have been searching for an efficient option to improve the dazzle of your smile, speak with us at Dental Associates of Moreno Valley about how teeth whitening can improve the beauty of your smile. In the meantime, test your knowledge of this cosmetic treatment with the following quiz:
A Few Good Reasons To Choose Veneers
Have you put off discussing cosmetic dentistry at the dental office because you are afraid your teeth require too many treatments? Some patients find that to address all of their aesthetic concerns, a variety of cosmetic treatments may become essential. Fortunately, we offer porcelain veneers at Dental Associates of Corona for the dramatic smile transformation you desire. Consider a few compelling reasons to say, “yes” to veneers.
Replace Metal Dental Restorations with Gorgeous White Crowns
at Riverside Dental Group will talk to you more about all types of crowns, and the potential to replace them with attractive tooth-colored options. (more…)
Why Tooth Decay is Worrisome
Everything you (hopefully) learned as a child about preventing cavities still holds true. However, by the time they become adults, many people forget some of those lessons, like not snacking too often, and cavities remain the most common dental health issue. The reason they’re worrisome is because, when left untreated, a cavity (or hole) can grow large enough to consume your entire tooth. By treating tooth decay, you can stop it from destroying your tooth, but the structure you do lose won’t grow back. Therefore, preventing them from occurring in the first place is the best way to protect your teeth from infectious cavities.
How a Tooth Defends Itself
Your teeth aren’t completely defenseless against tooth decay. In fact, the enamel (outer layer) that’s designed to protect them is the most resilient substance in your body. Underneath enamel lies the bulk of your tooth, known as dentin, which is slightly sensitive and less resilient. Made mostly of mineral crystals, enamel shields dentin from infectious bacteria, and is the first line of defense against decay.
How Bacteria Attack
Before tooth decay occurs, the bacteria in your mouth attack tooth enamel by producing acids from sugars and carbs. Once enamel is weak enough, bacteria can slip past it and infect the dentin, causing a hole in the structure commonly referred to as a cavity. Severe tooth infection can reach the tooth’s center pulp chamber and infect the nerves and blood vessels housed there, and root canal therapy may be the best option for restoring the tooth.
What to Do When a Cavity Strikes
For the most part, you can keep your enamel strong and resilient against bacteria by brushing and flossing the plaque off your teeth at least twice a day, and attending regular dental cleanings. If decay does strike, however, then we advise seeking treatment immediately. If caught early enough, your tooth may be restored with a minor, tooth-colored dental filling before the need for root canal therapy arises.
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.
3 Perks of Preventive Care
You may think that brushing and flossing every day is all it takes to maintain a healthy, beautiful smile. You are definitely onto something – daily hygiene is a significant factor in enjoying excellent oral health but it is only one part of the equation. Preventive care provided by dental professionals is the other contributing factor that allows you to avoid problems before they develop for a lovely, healthy smile for years to come.
Mysterious Headaches? Think “TMJ Disorder”
Headaches aren’t always the first thing people think of when they think of dental discomfort, but many people with seemingly-unexplained headaches can blame an oral health issue. Aside from trouble with your jaw’s movement and varying types of pain, headaches are another common sign of a jaw dysfunction known as TMJ disorder. The condition affects your jaw’s joints, or TMJs. Unfortunately, patients who experience TMJ disorder headaches may endure for years before learning that their discomfort is dental-related.
What Is a TMJ Headache?
Your temporomandibular joints (TMJs) connect your lower jaw to your skull, and are extremely close to the trigeminal nerves responsible for your mouth’s movement. These nerves also supply sensory information for much of your facial structures. When they’re disturbed by TMJ disorder, the pain can manifest as chronic headaches, as well as jaw pain, earaches, and more.
Finding Common Causes
When a cavity forms, or you develop gingivitis, the cause is fairly easy to trace back to the bacteria found in dental plaque (which makes prevention relatively easy). When it comes to TMJ disorder, however, the causes aren’t always clear, or involve multiple issues that must be addressed to restore your jaw health and relieve your headaches. Some of the more-frequently related issues can include;
- stress, which can cause tension in your jaw muscles
- crooked teeth, which can throw your bite off-balance
- and habitual teeth-grinding, also known as bruxism, that can exhaust your jaw’s muscles and joints.
Headache Relief Through Dental Treatment
If you experience chronic headaches, including migraines, and have not been able to find an accurate diagnosis to explain why, then speak with your dentist today about TMJ disorder. After a thorough examination, we can help you determine if jaw dysfunction is an issue, and how you can find relief from TMJ disorder headaches through an appropriate, case-specific treatment.
ABOUT YOUR CORONA 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.
The Thing About Teeth-Grinding
You won’t notice it immediately, but if you constantly grind your teeth, then eventually, the friction and pressure can damage your teeth and exhaust the jaws that move them. The thing about teeth-grinding, however, is that patients who do it dangerously often typically do so in their sleep, and therefore aren’t aware of it until the damage occurs. In case you grind your teeth (known as bruxism) and don’t realize it, visiting your dentist for routine exams and cleanings might offer the best chance of detecting and treating it.
Long-Term Effects
Over time, rubbing your teeth together can wear down their chewing surfaces. As the surface of your bite changes, so does its balance, and to compensate, your jaw muscles and joints will have to work overtime. Since your bite is imbalanced, some teeth might be forced to sustain more pressure than usual, and can chip and crack from the undue force. Your jaw’s joints (TMJs) can also suffer damage, become inflamed, or be forced out of alignment.
How to Stop Bruxism
Treating bruxism requires a unique, patient-centric approach, and often focuses on addressing the cause of the condition and restoring any damage, if necessary.
Crooked teeth
Like worn teeth, crooked teeth disturb your bite’s balance, and an uncomfortable jaw can shift, forcing your teeth against each other. If malocclusion is the cause, then stopping bruxism could mean straightening your teeth with orthodontic treatment.
TMJ disorder
Teeth-grinding can increase your risk of TMJ disorder, but it can be a symptom of it, as well. Treating TMJ disorder may involve a custom-designed mouthguard and/or oral splints to help realign your jaw, relaxation therapy to relieve chronic tension in your jaw muscles, or other case-specific treatment.
Excessive stress
If you suffer from chronic stress and anxiety, then teeth-grinding might be a physical manifestation of the tension. Taking a vacation, taking up a hobby, or learning other stress-relieving techniques can help you find relief from teeth-grinding, as well as other stress-related oral and overall health issues.
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.
3 Compelling Reasons to Choose Orthodontic Care
You have probably watched friends and loved ones wearing braces throughout your life with the knowledge that the finished product will include a beautifully aligned smile. What you may not realize is that orthodontic treatment offers so much more than an improved bite. Have you been thinking about improving the alignment of your teeth? If so, consider three compelling reasons to move forward with orthodontic care.
White Restorations Make All the Difference
“What’s the big deal with tooth-colored restorations, and what exactly are they?” you may wonder to yourself. Regardless of the jargon, understanding the benefits associated with advanced restorations like tooth-colored fillings and white all-ceramic crowns can greatly affect the way you feel about agreeing to restorative dental care. Learn more about your options for a clearer understanding of just how far dentistry has come in helping you maintain a beautiful smile.
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