Dental Care La Canada Flintridge CA

Dental cavities
Cavities are holes, or structural damage, in the teeth.

Tooth decay is one of the most common of all disorders, second only to the common cold. It usually occurs in children and young adults but can affect any person. It is a common cause of tooth loss in younger people.

Bacteria are normally present in the mouth. The bacteria convert all foods -- especially sugar and starch -- into acids. Bacteria, acid, food debris, and saliva combine in the mouth to form a sticky substance called plaque that adheres to the teeth. It is most prominent on the back molars, just above the gum line on all teeth, and at the edges of fillings. Plaque that is not removed from the teeth mineralizes into tartar. Plaque and tartar irritate the gums, resulting in gingivitis and ultimately periodontitis.

Plaque begins to build up on teeth within 20 minutes after eating (the time when most bacterial activity occurs). If this plaque is not removed thoroughly and routinely, tooth decay will not only begin, but flourish.

The acids in plaque dissolve the enamel surface of the tooth and create holes in the tooth (cavities). Cavities are usually painless until they grow very large and affect nerves or cause a tooth fracture. If left untreated, a tooth abscess can develop. Untreated tooth decay also destroys the internal structures of the tooth (pulp) and ultimately causes the loss of the tooth.

Carbohydrates (sugars and starches) increase the risk of tooth decay. Sticky foods are more harmful than nonsticky foods because they remain on the surface of the teeth. Frequent snacking increases the time that acids are in contact with the surface of the tooth.

Above article from: http://www.nlm.nih.gov

Flintridge Dental Studio
Tel:818-495-4969
4542 Rinetti Lane
La Canada Flintridge, CA 91011
USA

Dental Hygiene Treatment La Canada Flintridge CA

Tips on Proper Brushing

Dentists say that the minimum time you should spend brushing your teeth is 2 minutes twice a day. Here are some tips on how to brush properly:

• Hold your brush at a 45-degree angle against your gumline. Gently brush from where the tooth and gum meet to the chewing surface in short (about half-a-tooth-wide) strokes. Brushing too hard can cause receding gums, tooth sensitivity, and, over time, loose teeth.
• Use the same method to brush all outside and inside surfaces of your teeth.
• To clean the chewing surfaces of your teeth, use short sweeping strokes, tipping the bristles into the pits and crevices.
• To clean the inside surfaces of your top and bottom front teeth and gums, hold the brush almost vertical. With back and forth motions, bring the front part of the brush over the teeth and gums.
• Using a forward-sweeping motion, gently brush your tongue and the roof of your mouth to remove the decay-causing bacteria that exist in these places.
• Use an egg timer or play a favorite song while brushing your teeth to get used to brushing for a full 2 to 3 minutes. Some electronic toothbrushes have timers that let you know when 2 minutes are up.

Above article from www.kidshealth.org

Flintridge Dental Studio
Tel:818-495-4969
4542 Rinetti Lane
La Canada Flintridge, CA 91011
USA

Dental Care Services in: La Canada Flintridge, Altadena
Pasadena, Glendale and Burbank areas of California

Dental veneers La Canada Flintridge CA

What are Dental Veneers?

Veneers

Veneers are very thin acrylic or porcelain shells that are attached to the front part of teeth. Like bonding, veneers can cover badly-stained teeth, chipped teeth, uneven teeth and large fillings.

Here's how veneers are done:

Step 1
On your first visit, your dentist may give you freezing (called a local anesthetic). He/she then removes part of the enamel from your teeth to make room for the veneers. Your dentist makes a mold (or an impression) of your teeth. The impression is sent to a dental lab, where your veneers are custom-made.

Step 2
On the next visit, your dentist puts a mild chemical on your teeth to make them a little rough. This helps the veneers stick to your teeth better.

Step 3
The veneers are then attached to your teeth one by one, using composite resin cement.

Above article from www.cda-adc.ca

Dental veneers La Canada Flintridge CA

Flintridge Dental Studio
Tel:818-495-4969
4542 Rinetti Lane
La Canada Flintridge, CA 91011
USA

Preventative dental care La Canada Flintridge CA

Healthy Gums

What Are Healthy Gums?

Your gums are made of soft skin-like tissue that covers the bone that support your teeth. When gums are healthy, they form a tight seal with the tooth that limits the places bacteria can hide.

Healthy gums are usually a light or coral shade of pink, but may also contain other pigments depending on your ethnic origin. Color changes in your gums (redness, yellow spots) as well as gum tenderness and bleeding may indicate gum disease.

Gingivitis, also called gum disease, is caused by plaque building up along the gum line. The plaque bacteria release toxins that irritate the gums and cause them to become inflamed. If left untreated, gingivitis can weaken the seal between gums and teeth, eventually causing the gums to recede and exposing the root of the tooth.
Above article from www.aquafresh.ca

Preventative dental care La Canada Flintridge CA

Flintridge Dental Studio
Tel:818-495-4969
4542 Rinetti Lane
La Canada Flintridge, CA 91011
USA

Dental Care La Canada Flintridge CA

Do I really need to floss?

30% of all tooth surfaces cannot be reached with a brush. Therefore even if your brushing was 100% perfect you are only 66% complete. Another tip, Starting to floss even once a week from never flossing, is increasing your production 100%. Floss provides stimulation to the gum tissues, increasing oxygen flow to the area, and increasing regeneration of the tissues. Contact points between the teeth need to be cleaned with floss to reduce decay. Bacteria between the teeth will increase gingivitis and periodontal disease.

The softer the bristle the better.

Pressure from a hard brush or pressing too hard on the teeth can remove the fluoride rich layer of the teeth. You can etch, abrade or damage the enamel and root surfaces, weakening them. This can increase decay, sensitivity to cold and will cause recession of the gum line.
Above tips from: dentalhygienecare.ca

Dental Office, Dentistry, Dental Care
Flintridge Dental Studio
Tel:818-495-4969
4542 Rinetti Lane
La Canada Flintridge, CA 91011 USA

Dental Care Services in: La Canada Flintridge, Altadena
Pasadena, Glendale and Burbank areas of California

What is Scaling?

Scaling is the act of removing calculus, plaque and stain from the teeth. You may recognize this procedure from your last routine maintenance appointment with your Dentist or Dental Hygienist. Calculus must be removed to promote the healing of the tissues, and reattachment of any damaged tissues. After a thorough scaling you can expect some regeneration of the gingival tissues. It is very important to remove any new plaque daily. Please note, damage from Periodontal Disease cannot be reversed, it can be slowed or arrested (stopped).
Above tip from: dentalhygienecare.ca

Dentistry
Flintridge Dental Studio
Tel:818-495-4969
4542 Rinetti Lane
La Canada Flintridge, CA 91011 USA

Dental Care Services in: La Canada Flintridge, Altadena
Pasadena, Glendale and Burbank areas of California

What is Periodontal Disease?

When Gingivitis is left untreated new types of bacteria can form. These new strains of bacteria are generally stronger (more virulent), there are higher numbers of concentration (more of them). The bacteria tend to migrate down the root of the tooth (beyond the gum-line), creating a periodontal pocket. This is what causes destruction of the bone and other soft tissues below the gum-line. This can occur localized (specific areas) or generalized (more than 50% of the teeth). Periodontal Disease is diagnosed by a Dentist, using radiographs and certain measurements from a Periodontal Assessment. Periodontal Disease causes permanent damage. The goal is to slow or arrest (stop) the disease.
Above tip from: dentalhygienecare.ca

Dentistry
Flintridge Dental Studio
Tel:818-495-4969
4542 Rinetti Lane
La Canada Flintridge, CA 91011 USA

Dental Care Services in: La Canada Flintridge, Altadena
Pasadena, Glendale and Burbank areas of California