October 31, 2016

Oral Health and Pregnancy

Dental Visits

If you’re not pregnant yet, schedule a dental checkup. Have your teeth cleaned and schedule any necessary treatment. This can help reduce the risk of having a dental emergency during pregnancy.
If you are already pregnant or SUSPECT that you might be, let your dental office know.
Tell your dentist or hygienist if any changes in your health. This will help your dentist determine the best plan and treatment that better suits you.

X-rays

Check-up x-rays are normally postponed during this time until after the baby is born. However in case of an emergency x-rays may be taken.

Pregnancy Gingivitis

Plaque buildup can irritate the gums. This makes them red, tender, and inflamed. This condition known as gingivitis can lead to more serious periodontal (gum) diseases affecting the gums and bone that anchor teeth in place.
This may appear early as the first trimester. An increase in hormones exaggerates the way gum tissues react to irritants in plaque.

Tooth Decay

Tooth decay results from repeated acid attacks on tooth enamel. The process begins with plaque, the harmful bacteria stick to the surfaces of the teeth .
The bacteria use sugars found in most foods and beverages to produce damaging acid
For suggestion on how to prevent tooth decay please refer to our blogs on decay.

Food choices

A well balanced diet is important to maintain for you and your baby.what you eat during pregnancy affects the development of the fetus, including the teeth.
The babies teeth begin to develop between the third and sixth months of pregnancy. A sufficient quantity of nutrition especially vitamins A,C, and D, protein, calcium, and phosphorous are needed.

To get more insight about proper dental care, please visit our dental procedures page. If you’d like to make an appointment with our dentist in Irvine CA, please give us a call today at (949) 727-9077.

October 20, 2016

Trick Or Treat

Halloween is around the corner, which means lots of yummy free candy.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind before Halloween day!!!

Time It Right

Eat Halloween candy with meals or shortly after mealtime. Saliva production increases during meals. This helps cancel out acids produced by bacteria in your mouth and rinse away food particles.

Stay Away from Sweet Snack

Snacking can increase your risk for cavities

Choose Candy Carefully

Avoid hard and sticky candy and other sweets that stay in your mouth for a long time.
Sticky candy like caramel take longer to come off the surface of your teeth .
Candies that stay in the mouth for a long period of time subject teeth to an increased risk for tooth decay

Have a Plan

Have your family pick their favorites and donate the rest .

Drink More Water

Drinking fluoridated water can help prevent tooth decay

Maintain a Healthy Diet

Your body is like a complex machine. The foods you choose as fuel and how often you “fill up” affect

your general health and that of your teeth and gums.

Stay Away from Sugary Beverages

This includes soda, sports drinks and flavored waters.

Chew Gum with the ADA Seal

Chewing sugarless gum for few minutes after meals helps reduce tooth decay,

This helps increase saliva flow which then helps wash out food and neutralize the acid produced by bacteria.

Xylitol in gum help prevent cavities : Spry gum or ice breaker gum are some options out there

Brush Twice a Day

Brush your teeth gently twice a day for two minutes if using an electrical toothbrush ( 4-5 if using a manual toothbrush) with an ADA-accepted fluoride toothpaste. Remember, replace your toothbrush every three or four months, or sooner if the bristles are frayed. A worn toothbrush won’t do a good job of cleaning your teeth.

Don’t forget to floss

Floss your teeth once a day before brushing and before bed time. Decay-causing bacteria get between teeth where toothbrush bristles can’t reach. Flossing helps remove and disrupt plaque and food particles from between the teeth .

—————————————————————————

Sand Canyon Dental – Dentist in Irvine CA

References:

http://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/h/halloween-tips

October 14, 2016

Receding Gums: Cause and Treatment

What is gum recession?

Receding gums, also known as, gingival recession, is a common dental problem among many people older than 65. Gum recession can start at an early age and it’s important to take preventive measures before the problem gets worse.

The main concern with receding gums is that the roots of your teeth become exposed leaving your teeth susceptible to decay, infection, and even loss. The good news is, you can stop gum recession with proper dental care.

Why are my gums receding?

Poor oral hygiene and periodontal disease are connected to gum recession. However, receding gums can happen to people who have good dental hygiene.

There are two common causes of gum recession:

A wear of the gums
Inflammation of gum tissue (a reaction of our immune system)

Some people are more prone to gum recession because of inherited factors such as tooth positioning and the thickness of their gums.

If you brush your teeth too aggressively or use a harder bristle brush, you can cause physical wear of the gums over time.

Plaque is a common enemy when dealing with recession. Plaque buildup causes gingivitis, which can later turn into periodontitis. Periodontitis results in an increase of space between your gums and teeth. This loss of connective fibers leads to receding gums.

Treatment options:

For mild gum recession, you do not require any treatment. Dentists may just advise you to brush with a soft bristle toothbrush and to

monitor your gums.

If you require treatment, these are some options available to you:

The use of a desensitizing agent, varnish, or dentine boding agents.
Composite restoration
Composite or Pink Porcelain
Gingival Veneers (removable)
Orthodontics
Surgery

For more information on this topic, visit our dental procedures page.

October 7, 2016

The Link Between Diabetes and Dental Health

Are you at risk for dental problems if you have Diabetes?

This is a question that often comes up with dental patients who suffer from diabetes. Before we answer that question, lets familiarize ourselves with gum disease. The more severe kind of gum disease Periodontitis which occurs when your teeth start pulling away from your gums. Those new pockets that are formed begin to harbor germs and pus which erodes your teeth. The only solution to save your teeth then becomes gum surgery.

Lets break down the link between Diabetes and Dental Health:

Over 30 million Americans suffer from Diabetes. To add to the list of complications that arise from Diabetes, such as kidney disease, stroke, heart failure, is gum disease. Research now shows that gum disease is more prevalent in individuals who have Diabetes.

What if I only suffer from gum disease. Am I at risk for Diabetes?

Most people wouldn’t think of gum disease and diabetes as a two-way street, but research actually proves otherwise. Serious gum disease can affect blood glucose levels increasing the progression of diabetes.

It is very important to brush and floss daily to prevent dental health problems, such as gum disease, down the line.

Prevention of dental health problems associated with Diabetes:

It’s quite simple, really. First, focus on maintaining and controlling your blood glucose level. Secondly, make sure you see your dentist for a routine check-up every 3 to 6 months, floss and brush your teeth regularly, and avoid smoking. If you have dentures, remove them and clean them daily.

Best Family Dentist Clinic in Irvine CA | Sand Canyon Dental