Challenge yourself to a Quiz on Cavities

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 at Riverside Dental Group and see if you are atrue expert on tooth decay.

Questions

Q1. True or False: Sugar causes cavities.

Q2. True or False: The first sign of a cavity is tooth pain.

Q3. True or False: Untreated cavities can lead to a tooth extraction.

Q4. True or False: We are born with the bacteria that causes cavities.

Answers

A1. FALSE – Sugar contributes to tooth decay, but the key ingredient is Streptococcus mutans, or S. mutans, a strain of bacteria that mixes with food particles to create plaque. You can reduce plaque production by avoiding sugar in your diet, because the S. mutans feed on sucrose.

A2. FALSE – Mild cavities don’t always cause symptoms. Discomfort or pain generally comes from advanced stages of decay, when the dentin beneath tooth enamel has been more deeply infiltrated by bacteria. Daily brushing and flossing at home can help prevent even mild cavities from beginning.

A3. TRUE – You may have fillings in your mouth from cavities, but if they weren’t caught in time by your dentist, more invasive procedures would be necessary. When infection from tooth decay gets into the root of the tooth, a root canal procedure is necessary to clear out the bacteria, and stop if from spreading. If the infection goes even further than that, the dentist might have to pull out the entire tooth.

A4. FALSE – We are born with mouths free of bacteria. S. Mutans are contagious germs, and we generally get them from our parents or caregivers when we are still babies. Kissing, sharing drinks, and blowing on food can transmit the pathogen from one mouth to another. The bacteria are able to survive in a baby’s mouth long before their first teeth even erupt.

Visit your Riverside Dentists

To make an appointment with your Riverside pediatric dentists at our 92504 dentist office, call (951) 689-5031. We welcome patients of all ages from Riverside and surrounding areas.

Children’s Services Offered by Pediatric Dentists

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at Dental Associates of Corona. Providing our youngest patients with a soothing, comfortable, and enjoyable environment complete with comprehensive services for children is a passion of ours. These services don’t stop at cleanings and fluoride treatments, either. (more…)

Multiple Orthodontic Options Under One Roof

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work corrects irregularities in the teeth, and moves them into an optimal position. Once a procedure many considered only for adolescents and teenagers, many people who did not receive orthodontic work when they were younger opt for braces later in life. Due to this fact, there are benefits to options which will suit patients of every age. The Corona dentists, at Dental Associates of Corona, will explain the differences between traditional braces, lingual braces, and custom aligners.

Traditional Braces: A Classic

Traditional braces are tried, true, and effective. You have probably seen them so often on teenagers that you hardly notice them. Comprised of brackets and wires, braces are designed to exert constant gentle pressure on teeth in order to alter their position over time. The brackets on (more…)

Pediatric Dentists Set a Positive Tone

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at Riverside Dental Group have witnessed firsthand the influence parents have on their children. Particularly with little ones who are first time visitors to our office, it is imperative that parents  model positive attitudes about dental checkups and cleanings.

Research on Children’s Dental Fears

Almost all of us have certain natural fears of the unknown. Remember your first day of school, or going to a job interview. You may even have memories of extreme anxiety over going to the (more…)

Sugar is Never “Free”

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didn’t cost you any money, there’s always a high price for your dental and overall health when you consume large amounts of sucrose. Just ask any dentist. If you have goals in mind of reducing consumption of sugar, you might feel inspired by scientific research from Newcastle University as a motivation. The scientists at the helm of the trial concluded that reducing sucrose consumption is so effective for dental health, a global initiative is in order.

Reducing Sugar (more…)

Answers to Questions about Dental Crowns

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will answer some frequently asked questions about dental crowns.

Loose Crown

A loose crown can be a result of poor preparation, or not enough tooth structure. An experienced dentist will be aware of the importance of choice and administration of bonding adhesives selected. The bonding surface must be free of contamination from bacteria. If you end up with a loose dental crown, don’t hesitate to contact your dentist right away.

Crown Materials

Years ago, crowns were primarily made from gold or other metals. Along the way, porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crowns came along as a way to layer metal with tooth-colored materials. This way, these dental restorations carried the strength of metal with porcelain’s tooth-colored cosmetic advantage. PFM crowns have a drawback, however, which is the appearance of a black line at the gumline for many patients. To combat this issue, many dentists have turned to lithium disilicate or zirconia crowns. These materials are very strong, but also mimic a natural tooth closely.

Positions Dictate Crown Materials

Many people have had issues with all porcelain crowns put on molars. Particularly if you grind your teeth, the wear and tear you put your smile through can lead to cracks and chips in the porcelain. Some people end up having to get crowns replaced altogether, which can be time-consuming and costly. So, depending on the tooth needing the crown, and your dental habits, your dentist might consider all porcelain crowns to be too fragile for you.

Visit Your Temecula, CA Dentists

Call for a consultation from your Temecula dentists for a dental crown or any other dentistry needs. We provide comprehensive dental care for our patients of all ages. To reach our 92591 dental office, don’t hesitate to call (951) 695-2290 and schedule an appointment today. We welcome patients from Temecula and all surrounding communities.

 

Post Tooth Extraction Diet Plan

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Tooth extractions are sometimes necessary when a tooth is impacted, in advanced stages of decay, needs to be prepared for dentures, or is cracked beyond repair. The procedure of extaction is common and there is no reason to worry. Anesthesia will allow you to remain comfortable during the extraction, and mild pain medication will take the edge off afterwards. Patients often have questions about what types of food they should eat as their mouth heals after a tooth extraction. Here are a few guidelines:

A Soft Spot

Following an extraction, soft foods that go down easy are your best bet. Avoid foods which may cause injury to the surgical area. Stay far away from hard, chewy foods. If you received local (more…)

Oral Care Efforts Beyond Brushing Teeth

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Do you make a habit of brushing your teeth twice a day? Many people maintain consistent brushing habits, but might need to shoot for an extra mile or two to reach impeccable oral health. Besides brushing,what else contributes positively or negatively to your health? The Corona dentists, at Dental Associates of Corona will share a few ways you can enhance your routine, and improve oral health so that your next checkup is a snap.

Flossing

Flossing is particularly helpful in the removal of excess food debris which feeds germs. Oral bacteria inhabit your mouth constantly, but removing harmful bacteria found in plaque, prevent excessive bacterial accumulation which means less acid and less plaque. By reaching between teeth, floss removes leftover particles of food which are simply unreachable during routine brushing sessions for the average person.

Fluoride

To help keep teeth strong against bacterial ramifications (i.e. gum disease and cavities) use fluoridated toothpaste. Fluoride is an effective agent in preventing tooth decay. Many mouthwashes also include fluoride and should be used following every brushing session.

Say Cheese

The term “acid attack” is used a great deal to describe the process taking place in a patient’s mouth following consumption of sugar-rich foods. Several foods and beverages are known to have abnormally high acid levels. The acid contained in sour candy begins attacking teeth with greater force than foods with moderate acid levels, such as cheese. In fact, cheese actually protects teeth for a period of time by coating them with calcium.

Replace Sugar

Limiting your intake of sugar-rich foods is always recommended, but if you must indulge, quicker is better. Devouring candy at a fast pace may seem counter-intuitive, but will present less risk to teeth simply because of the amount of time your teeth are exposed. Instead of snacking all day on sour gummies, try cheese squares or unsweetened yogurt. According to the International Dairy Federation, there are at least 500 varieties of cheeses from which to choose.

Schedule Your Visit

If you’re due for a checkup, or have more questions about oral health, Dr. Archung can help. At Dental Associates of Corona, we offer comprehensive dental care and multi-specialty dentistry. Contact our 92879 dental office at (951) 273-9580 today. We serve patients from Corona, and surrounding communities.