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…)

Moreno Valley Dentists Explain Periodontal Disease

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Periodontal (gum) disease affects 75% of Americans and is the leading cause of adult tooth loss. Unfortunately, once gum disease develops, you cannot cure it. You can, however, treat gum disease and prevent it from completely destroying your oral health and structures. In order to raise awareness of the perils of gum disease, your Moreno Valley dentists offer this important information on preventing the progressive condition.

What Causes Gum Disease?

Many people do not realize that tooth decay and gum disease are not the same thing. Tooth decay results when the bacteria in your mouth digest sugars and starches and produce acids that attack your tooth enamel. The acids weaken enamel until bacteria are able to slip past it and infect the interior of your tooth. Gum disease, by contrast, occurs when bacterial plaque causes an inflammatory reaction in your gums. The suspected main cause of gum disease is the bacteria Porphyromonas gingivalis, or P. gingivalis. This microbe is known to incite the body’s inflammatory response to infection. P. gingivalis is also the suspected link between gum disease and chronic inflammatory diseases like heart disease and diabetes. When your gums are infected, bacteria can enter your blood stream through the soft, infected gum tissue. When P. gingivalis enters the blood stream, it can incite the same inflammatory response in other body tissues. (more…)

Why do Gums Suffer with Age?

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Periodontitis, or gum disease, causes excessive gum bleeding and bone loss, which eventually leads to tooth loss. In fact, periodontitis is the leading cause of adult tooth loss in the US. The swelling and bleeding associated with gum disease is caused by an over-active immune response to the bacteria in your mouth. As we grow older, we become more susceptible to inflammatory diseases, including gum disease. Your Corona dentists explore new research from Queen Mary, University of London that may explain why gum disease is more common with old age.

The Immune System Controller

When your body detects infection, your immune system immediately reacts to combat the infection. White blood cells are your immune system’s agents in this battle and a common sign that your body is fighting infection is inflammation. When harmful bacteria colonies increase in number in your mouth, your body responds by sending white blood cells in response to the threat, and your gums often become inflamed while your immune system goes to work. The University of London study revealed that gum health deterioration is associated with a drop in the levels of a chemical called Del-1. The purpose of this protein is to restrain the immune system by preventing white blood cells from attacking the mouth (thus reducing inflammation). (more…)

Get to Know Your Gum Disease Terminology

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What is periodontal disease?

is another word for gum disease. This involves an infection of the gums that wreaks havoc on many aspects of your health. Typically a result of incomplete oral hygiene, bacteria and plaque builds up along the gum line, allowing for the gum tissue to become infected and inflamed. Without treatment, periodontal disease will progress to devastating side effects for your dental health including tooth loss and jawbone deterioration.

What is gingivitis?

Gingivitis is the early form of gum disease. It presents its symptoms with gum bleeding during brushing, puffy, deep red-looking gums, and sometimes . Gingivitis is usually the first sign of gum disease, so periodontal treatment at this stage is absolutely necessary to prevent further complications. Usually a thorough dental cleaning and continued meticulous oral hygiene will keep gingivitis at bay.

What is a periodontal pocket?

A periodontal pocket is the space of separation between your gum tissue and teeth when gum disease is present. As the gingival infection grows, the gum tissue detaches from the tooth from the crown to the root. This allows plaque and bacteria to create a cesspool of infection. Our can measure the depth of these pockets to determine the severity of your gum disease and implement an effective treatment plan.

What is scaling and root planing?

One of the most successful , this non-surgical therapy removes infection in periodontal pockets from around the tooth and below the gum line. This process is called scaling. For the root planing, your Riverside dental hygienist will use special tools to smooth the tooth root and make it less hospitable to bacteria and periodontal pockets. Sometimes scaling and root planing will be accompanied by antibiotics to expedite healing. (more…)

Dental Exams in Temecula

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You might think that if your teeth are straight and white, your smile is in perfect shape. This may very well be true, but looks can be deceiving. It doesn’t take tooth pain or a visible problem to necessitate a visit to the dentist. You should visit your dentist every six months for dental cleanings and checkups for the maintenance of your healthy smile, if nothing else. Today, our Temecula dentists would like to share with you what you can expect at a dental exam.

Now or Later

One of the benefits of visiting your dentist every six months is that he or she can closely monitor your oral health for signs of changes. In fact, because dentists recommend semi-annual visits, they are often the first to notice symptoms of diseases or problems that can either progress or cause other problems if left untreated. Many people are hesitant to get a dental exam because they don’t want the dentist telling them the things they need to have treated; but preventive dentistry and early treatment are almost always less costly than treating ailments in their later stages. Sometimes waiting could cost you your life.

Oral Cancer

A dental checkup allows your dentist to check your mouth for signs of oral cancer. Malignancies in the mouth, lips, and throat affect more than 40,000 new patients each year. One fifth as many will die. But early detection and treatment can dramatically improve the chances of successful treatment.

Gum Disease

During a dental checkup, your dentist can check for signs of gum disease. If detected and treated in its earliest stage, gingivitis, gum disease can be reversed. If gum disease progresses, it can eventually lead to tooth loss. Also, a hygienist will remove plaque from between teeth and under the gum line. This will help prevent gum disease.

Shine Your Smile

Brushing, flossing, and even over-the-counter tooth-whitening products can’t produce the results that a dental hygienist can. He or she will remove unsightly plaque and tartar from your teeth and polish away stains from coffee, tobacco, and aging. (more…)

The Importance of Oral Hygiene

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Nobody wants to have receding gums, bad breath, or yellow teeth. But there’s more to oral hygiene than appearances. Yes, we all want pretty white smiles; but maintaining proper oral health is also essential to our overall health. The health of our mouths is closely connected to the health of our bodies, and our Temecula dentists would like to impart the importance of oral hygiene.

Mouth and Body, Together as One

Research has shown that gum disease can lead to more serious problems than tooth loss and a less-than-esthetically-pleasing smile. People with gum disease, also called periodontal disease, are more likely to suffer from other inflammatory conditions, such as heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and diabetes. Poor oral hygiene also puts you at risk for the following complications:

  • Stroke—bacteria in the mouth may bind with plaques in the arteries of the brain and form clots, causing a stroke.
  • Heart attack—much like with stroke, oral bacteria may bind with plaques in the arteries leading to the heart and cause a myocardial infarction (heart attack).

Oral Health Problems

Failure to maintain proper oral hygiene can cause several oral problems, including gum disease and tooth decay.

Gum disease—Gingivitis, the early stage of gum disease, can be reversed if it is caught early. If allowed to progress, however, gingivitis can develop into full-blown periodontitis. This more serious form of gum disease can lead to loss of gum tissue and teeth.

Tooth decay—Tooth decay occurs when bacteria form a sticky film on the teeth and gums called plaque and reacts with the sugars in the foods we eat to create acids. These acids eat away at the protective enamel on teeth and cause tooth decay.

At-home Oral Care

Proper oral hygiene starts at home. It only takes a few minutes each day to safeguard yourself against a host of oral health problems and more serious total health complications.

  • Brush your teeth twice a day
  • Floss once a day
  • Use an antibacterial mouth rinse to help fight plaque (more…)