Brushing Tips from Your Riverside Dentists

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We learn to brush our teeth as children, and the practice becomes rote. Many people are brushing their teeth at 40 the same way they brushed their teeth at 5, which could be incorrect or inadequate. Proper brushing technique can mean the difference between years of solidly good oral health, or ongoing issues with tooth decay. Your Riverside dental practices believe prevention is the cornerstone of good oral health. Therefore, we would like to share a few guidelines for better brushing.

Brush Often and Thoroughly

Adults should be brushing at least twice a day, and preferably, after each meal. The sooner you clean your teeth after eating, the less time plaque has to accumulate. Plaque is a thin, sticky film that is formed by bacteria. If you allow plaque to remain on your teeth, it produces an acid that breaks down the tooth structure. This acid erosion leads to cavities, and can ultimately lead to tooth loss.

When you brush your teeth, take your time. Spend at least two solid minutes cleaning every single tooth. Brush inside the biting surfaces, as well as outside. Get behind the back teeth, and don’t neglect your gumline. Also, brush your tongue. This helps combat halitosis and is an important part of your brushing routine.

Use the Right Brush

Many people think that the harder the bristles, the cleaner the teeth. This is untrue. You can clean your teeth just as well with a soft-bristled brush, and softer bristles mean less irritation to the oral tissues. Using a hard-bristled brush, or simply brushing too hard with any brush, can damage the gums.

Make sure you rinse your brush after every use and store it upright. Allow the brush to air-dry between uses, and avoid putting covers on your brush. This practice encourages the growth of bacteria. Replace your toothbrush every three months, or if the bristles are frayed.

Schedule an Appointment

If you have questions about oral hygiene or wish to schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Riverside Dental Group, please call our office at (951) 689-5031. We have six dental offices serving Southern California.

The Connection Between Sinus Pressure and Toothaches

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Even as the summer comes to a close, allergy sufferers are complaining of discomfort as their allergies and sinuses flare up. If you suffer from allergies and sinuses, do you sometimes have a toothache to accompany your nasal symptoms? If so, you’re not alone. Often, dental patients wonder why sinus pressure affects the teeth and how to tell if a toothache is sinus or oral health related. Today, the dentists at Oasis Dental in Temecula, California want to answer these questions.

How does sinus pressure affect the teeth?

The maxillary sinuses are located in the lower part of the face, right above the upper dental arch. Generally, the maxillary sinuses need to drain upward. When the sinus cavities become congested, they swell and consequently put pressure on the upper teeth and cheeks. This can create uncomfortable tooth pain that can feel identical to an infection or injury-induced toothache.

How can I tell the difference between sinus pressure and a toothache?

The dentists at Oasis Dental, can determine if your pain stems from sinus pressure or an oral problem. How? With a percussion test. During a percussion test, your dentist will tap on your teeth to determine where the pain is located. If there is pain in all of your teeth, the pain is most likely a result of sinus pressure. If there is pain in just one tooth, however, it’s likely that the tooth has fallen victim to infection or injury. If the latter is true of your condition, we will suggest possible treatment plans to help you restore comfort, functionality, and health to your smile.

If you are experiencing a toothache and can’t determine the cause, call our Temecula, CA dentist office at (951) 695-2290 to reserve an appointment.

Moreno Valley Dentists Explain Orthodontics

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As dentistry advanced and our knowledge of dental health grew, it became apparent that some aspects of dentistry required their own science to master. For instance, the position of your teeth and how they fit together can vary so widely, and influence so many other factors, that an entire branch of dentistry evolved around this phenomenon. Orthodontics is the dental specialty that focuses on studying and treating malocclusion, or poorly aligned teeth. Your Moreno Valley dentists explain how you and your family can benefit from the science of orthodontics.

The Benefits of Orthodontic Treatment

If you’re unhappy with your smile, chances are that you don’t smile very often, if at all. The aesthetic value of orthodontic treatment is impressive. Studies have shown that smiling can positively influence your personal, social, and professional life, and improve your mood. Because smiling is infectious, flashing your pearly whites can make others around you do the same, creating a lighter atmosphere and more pleasant environment. (more…)

Corona’s Discrete Solution for a Straighter Smile

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The term “malocclusion” refers to an incorrect alignment of the upper and lower dental arches, meaning the upper and lower teeth do not fit together properly when your jaw is at rest. The most common forms of malocclusion are overbite (upper teeth extend too far), underbite (lower teeth extend too far), and crossbite (teeth angle toward the cheek or toward the tongue, instead of straight up). The most common form of treatment for a misaligned bite is braces. Many teenagers and adults, however, would prefer not to adorn their teeth with metal wires and brackets for the duration of treatment, which could take years. Luckily, your Corona dentists have options to straighten your teeth discretely, without the use of unsightly metal hardware.

Invisalign vs Traditional Braces

A common problem with traditional metal braces is that, for the duration of treatment, patients have to take extreme care with the food they eat. Popcorn, pizza crusts, pretzels, corn on the cob, and many other delicious foods are off limits when you have a complex network of metal attached to the front of your teeth. Invisalign technology abolishes the need for cumbersome hardware. The smooth, virtually invisible plastic aligners are not only discrete, they are removable, so you can eat whatever you like during the course of your treatment. Invisalign also eliminates those awkward moments when jagged metal brackets scratch or scrape the inside of your mouth. (more…)

The Best Ways to Lose Your Teeth Explained by Riverside Dentists

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often discuss the best way to keep your mouth healthy and strong. Today we will put a twist on this information and present the best ways to lose most of, if not all of your teeth. While losing teeth is certainly not a good dental health goal, knowing what causes tooth loss can be just as beneficial as understanding preventive dentistry.

Don’t Brush Your Teeth

“Brush only the teeth you want to keep” is a favorite quote among dentists by an anonymous wise person. is the number one cause of missing permanent teeth. Poor oral hygiene can contribute to gingivitis as well as tooth decay that attacks the tooth’s connection to the jawbone, called abscess. This painful dental condition is often untreatable with restorative dentistry measures. Instead, some abscessed teeth must be extracted.

Play Hockey without a Mouthguard

This is one of the best ways to incur a dental injury, and possibly concussion. Some sports studies have shown that proper sports mouthguards soften the blow to the head, reducing the risk of deadly concussions. Hockey is notorious for the gapped-tooth grin due to . For avulsed teeth, or knocked out teeth, one of your best bets is a hockey stick, hockey puck, or fist to the mouth. Without mouth protection, all of these projectiles will certainly cause dental injury. In fact, last season, one NHL player lost seven teeth in one game. Tooth chipping is also not uncommon for hockey players. (more…)

Riverside Dentists Discuss Types of Mouthwash

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Most dentists agree that while mouthwash can help keep your mouth healthy, it is not a necessary ingredient in your oral hygiene routine. The best way to protect against cavities and gum disease is to brush your teeth twice daily, floss regularly (once a day), and have your teeth cleaned every six months. Using a mouthwash does have benefits, though. For one, mouthwash can wake you up in the morning, make your breath feel fresher, and help prepare you mentally for your day. There are medical benefits, as well. Some mouthwashes strengthen enamel, while others treat mouth infections.

The following is a list detailing the different types of mouthwashes available today. Some categories overlap, but speaking in general terms, there are three kinds. Each is suited to a specific function, so your individual needs should be first on your mind when considering which to buy.

Cosmetic

This first category of mouthwashes only disguises bad breath by making your breath smell fresher. These do not provide any medical benefit and you should not use them to protect against cavities or prevent gum disease. While they do help keep your teeth clean, they do not actually reduce your risk of tooth decay. (more…)

All about Dental Crowns from your Riverside Dentists

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 from porcelain crowns, to PFMs and zirconia crowns, and how each can help improve your smile.

The Need for Dental Crowns

Excessive tooth decay from internally infected teeth can wreak havoc on your oral health. If a cavity is not addressed in a timely fashion, the decay will reach deeper into the tooth, destroying the nerves and creating toothache. At our Riverside dental office, we always work diligently to help you avoid internally infected teeth by addressing cavities at the earliest sign; however, once tooth decay has breached the tooth enamel, a root canal is necessary. After most root canal procedures, our will place a dental crown to build back the tooth’s strength and cosmetic appeal, while preventing further infection. Dental crowns cover the entire exposed portion of the tooth, mimicking cusps, shapes, and sizes of the tooth with a durable material.

Types of Dental Crowns

A dental crown can be made from a variety of materials. One of the most popular dental restorations, offer durability that and cosmetic appeal that closely mimics the look of a natural tooth. Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns, or PFM crowns, are another variety of dental restoration that combines the aesthetics of porcelain with the ultra-durability of metal. This is a great option for people with bruxism, or chronic teeth grinding. Zirconia crowns are one of the strongest dental restorations available, and quickly becoming the go-to choice for restorative dentists. (more…)

The Domino Effect of Tooth Loss Explained by Riverside Dentists

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will explain the domino effect a missing tooth can have on your entire smile and how dental implants can help.

Teeth Are Placeholders

Did you know that each of your teeth rely on surrounding teeth to keep them in place? That’s why can create a problem for your back molars and the void from a missing tooth can leave other teeth vulnerable. Without a missing tooth, other teeth may drift out of place from speech patterns, eating habits, and other subtle influences.

Missing Teeth Can Lead to Maloclussion

When teeth are out of alignment, it creates bigger problems for your whole mouth. A misaligned bite can cause problems for your teeth by contributing to bruxism, or chronic teeth grinding. Malocclusion, or misaligned bite, is one of the main reasons for bruxism. This harmful dental condition results in symptoms like excessive tooth wear, headaches, .

Teeth Keep Your Jaw Healthy

Missing teeth also have some less known but serious implications for your total health. Without chewing stimulation from tooth roots, your jawbone will slowly deteriorate. This occurs because the nerves no longer send signals to the brain that the section of jawbone needs nourishment. Therefore, over time, the jawbone will begin to shrink. (more…)

Can Soy Milk be Bad for Your Teeth?

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In a health-conscious world, the word “soy” receives mixed reviews. Some praise soy for its health benefits as an alternative to such foods as milk and meat, while some consider it useless, if not downright harmful, to our physical wellbeing. A new study from University of Melbourne’s Dental School in Australia suggests that soy milk may actually be more harmful to your teeth compared to cow’s milk. Your Corona dentists explore the study and what it may mean for soy milk consumers.

Production of Acid

Bacteria constantly form in your mouth and accumulate into a biofilm known as plaque, which coats your entire mouth. The bacteria is a mix of helpful and harmful microbes, and in a healthy mouth, the bacterial population can be controlled by natural defenses like saliva and tooth enamel. When you eat or drink, the bacteria metabolize sugars and carbs and excrete lactic acid on the surface of your teeth. Acids weaken your enamel, and sap minerals from your tooth so the enamel cannot regain its strength. When the enamel is sufficiently weakened, bacteria have access to the interior of your tooth, where they can cause decay and severe sensitivity. Cow’s milk contains high volumes of calcium and phosphate, the same minerals your enamel is made of, and that acids siphon from your tooth. By drinking milk, you can assist your enamel in remineralization by providing a source of calcium and phosphate. Cow’s milk also has the added benefit of neutralizing acids, lessening their attack on your teeth. (more…)

Can a Temecula Prosthodontist Help Me?

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Have you lost teeth due to a traumatic injury, tooth decay, or gum disease? If there was a type of dentist who specialized in restoring the function and esthetics of your mouth, would you want to see that dentist? Well, that specialty exists. It’s called prosthodontics, and it’s one of the services offered by our Temecula dentists. Today, we’ll hear from our Temecula dentists about prosthodontics and how it can help people with missing or deficient teeth.

Prosthodontics Defined

A prosthodontist is a dentist who receives two to three years of additional training to focus on the diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation to restore the function, esthetic, and feel of natural teeth for patients with missing or deficient teeth. Prosthodontics is one of only nine specialties recognized by the American Dental Association. A general dentist must complete seven years of college and dental school before taking and passing a licensure exam in the state in which they intend to practice. A prosthodontist must do that, but then complete an additional two to three years at a university or hospital.

Areas of Expertise

A prosthodontist uses the many options available to develop a personlized treatment plan employing one or many of the following treatments:

Crowns—A crown is an artificial cap that is placed over a tooth to restore its look, feel, and function.

Implants—An implant is a rod or cylinder, made of titanium or titanium alloy, that is inserted into the jaw bone. An artificial tooth is then placed on the implant, creating the feel and appearance of a natural tooth.

Dentures—Dentures can either be full, in which an entire upper or lower arch is replaced with a prosthetic device, or partial, in which many natural teeth are retained, but supplemented with prosthetic teeth to restore a full bite.

Veneers—A veneer is a thin layer of material placed on a tooth to improve its appearance and function. (more…)