Flouride Treatments: Not Just for Kids. Family and Cosmetic Dentist Irvine.

One common reason given by people who don’t floss their teeth is that the practice is difficult to fit into their daily schedule. If you’ve found this to be true, Art of Dentistry Institute in Irvine CA has some suggestions for fitting this vital dental health habit into your day.

• The most common time is right before bed, but make sure you aren’t too tired to do a good job.
• Right when you wake up is also an option, but if food is left between teeth all night, it can lead to plaque.
• Try just after lunch, before you go back to work.
• Floss while you are in the car sitting in traffic. It’s easier one-handed with the pre-strung floss pics. You might get some curious looks from other drivers, but it’s worth it.
• Keep some floss in your gym bag so you can floss after you exercise.
• While you’re watching the nightly news.

We hope this gives you some ideas to help you make flossing part of your daily routine. Flossing is important for anyone who wants to have a healthy smile. At Art of Dentistry Institute in Irvine CA, the dental health of our patients is always our number one priority. Our services include general and restorative dentistry, and we serve satisfied patients from Santa Ana, Newport Beach, and Laguna Beach. Contact us today!

Contact Art of Dentistry Institute:

949-284-1383

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

Art of Dentistry Institute 2646 Dupont Dr #200 Irvine, CA 92612

Tooth cavities, also known scientifically as dental caries, affect a large part of the population. According to a report by CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics, about 91 percent of adults in the United States have at least one dental filling. Obviously, no one wants to get a tooth cavity, but in conjunction of working with your dentist they are fairly simple to prevent and fix if you do find yourself needing a dental filling.

How Do Cavities Form?

Simply put, bacteria in your mouth combines with bits of food and saliva to create plaque, which then sticks to your teeth and begins to eat away at the protective enamel layer. The acids found in the plaque bore holes into you teeth and are ultimately how cavities form in teeth.

Tooth cavities and caries are often more prevalent in people who consume high quantities of carbohydrates and sweets. These food groups contain lots of sugars that your mouth’s naturally-occurring bacteria thrive on. When the sugars aren’t removed from your teeth, the bacteria converts the sugars into acid, which then combine with saliva to make plaque. Diets with high amounts of sugar are often what causes cavities to form.

Where Are Cavities Usually Found?

Cavities are often associated with children, who typically eat a lot of sugar and are not as diligent about brushing their teeth as adults.

In adults, cavities are often found near the edge of an existing cavity filling. Receding gums, a common occurrence in older adults, also causes cavities to form near the tooth root.

Why Do Cavities Need to Be Filled?

Untreated cavities and dental caries may eventually lead to a toothache. Plaque first attacks the enamel, which is the outer layer of the tooth, before moving on to the next layer. the dentin. From there, it continues to the pulp of the tooth, which is when you may start to notice pain and sensitivity. Ideally, you should treat a cavity before it reaches this painful step. Regular visits to your dentist can help you catch potential problems before they escalate.

If your dentist finds a cavity, don’t worry. Tooth cavities are easily treatable with a dental filling. Dentists will typically remove the tooth decay with a drill and then fill the hole with the appropriate substance.

How to Prevent Cavities?

Of course, prevention is always preferable to treatment. Keep tooth cavities from forming by brushing and flossing your teeth regularly and avoiding sugary foods and drinks. Visit your dentist twice a year for more thorough cleanings to further improve your chances to avoid the need for a cavity filling.

Did you find out you or a friend is pregnant? There are soon to be changes in every part of the body. Some of these changes are interesting and some might be exciting, but others are a literal pain. You may have heard friends or family talk about changes in general dental health, “pregnancy gingivitis” or other women who experience a toothache during pregnancy and are afraid to go to the dentist while pregnant. So, how do you maintain your oral health during pregnancy?

Keeping Healthy Teeth While Pregnant

Keeping healthy teeth while pregnant starts long before the road to pregnancy even begins. That’s right; the tried and true answer of good brushing and flossing habits prevails again. If you aren’t pregnant and are looking to start your family, we recommend continuing – or starting a routine – of healthy oral hygiene habits.

What to Tell Your Dentist

Have you started getting toothaches while pregnant? When you are pregnant there are so many things people tell you; what to wear, what to eat, what not to eat, etc. it can all be so confusing. While visiting the dentist, it doesn’t need to be confusing. Just tell your dentist that you are pregnant. That’s it, it’s that simple. Your dentist will know how to treat you, whether it is something small like a minor toothache during pregnancy or “pregnancy gingivitis”.

What is Pregnancy Gingivitis?

A common observation of many pregnant women is about their gums. Many pregnant women are quick to notice their gums are changing. Most commonly women report that their gums are more red than normal. Others notice bleeding gums while brushing their teeth. Others still complain about abnormal swelling of their gums. All of these symptoms are more commonly referred to as “pregnancy gingivitis”.

Before pregnancy gingivitis can be treated it’s important to understand the cause of pregnancy gingivitis. While many of the symptoms of pregnancy gingivitis are similar in nature to regular gingivitis some of the causes are different. The main difference is the hormone changes that occur during pregnancy. The hormones work two fold in creating a breeding ground for bacteria associated with gingivitis. Some of the hormones produced while pregnant encourage bacteria growth. Additionally, this change can affect the way your immune systems handles bacteria associated with pregnancy gingivitis.

Taking Care Of Your Teeth While Pregnant

So how do you prevent pregnancy gingivitis? Practice good oral hygiene techniques, like brushing twice a day for a period of 2 minutes each time and flossing once a day. You can also use an antimicrobial mouthwash to help eliminate these harmful bacteria.

Remember, dental health should remain an important part of your personal hygiene regimen, not only will proper oral health keep your breath fresh, but you are also looking out for the well-being of your future child.

If you have missing teeth — whether some of your natural teeth remain, or all natural teeth are missing — dentures are a cosmetic dentistry procedure that can remedy missing teeth, and help to restore your smile and improve your facial structure. There are two main types of dentures available—complete dentures, which include conventional or immediate dentures, and partial dentures.

Complete dentures are used when all of your teeth are missing, while partial dentures are often used when natural teeth remain. If you’re considering dentures, here is a quick look at both options.

Complete Dentures

Complete dentures can be either conventional or immediate.

A conventional denture is ready for placement 8-12 weeks after a patient’s teeth have been removed, and the gum tissue has healed.

Immediate dentures can be positioned as soon as teeth are removed so a patient does not have to be without teeth during the healing period.

The disadvantage of immediate dentures is that they often require multiple adjustments to fit properly as bones and gums shrink following tooth removal. Immediate dentures are usually considered a temporary solution until conventional dentures can be applied.

Partial Dentures

Partial dentures, also referred to as bridges, consist of replacement teeth attached to a removable, gum-colored plastic base connected by metal framework to hold the denture in place. Partial dentures are used when one or more natural teeth remain in the jaw, and can help prevent existing teeth from shifting position.

Eating and Speaking With Dentures

Due to modern dental technology, today’s dentures have come a long way from previous dentures that have been known to click or fall out when speaking or eating. While dentures may have an adjustment period to speaking and eating as any dental procedure, today’s dentures are solid mouth placements that have a much more reliable performance.

Alternatives to Dentures

Dental implants are the leading alternative to dentures, as they can support cemented bridges, eliminating the need for dentures. However, the cost of dental implants is greater than dentures, and not everyone is a candidate for implants.

If you’re considering dentures—whether complete dentures or partial—contact our Irvine Cosmetic Dentistry office today at 949-284-1383 for more information. Dr. Hawary and his professional staff of leading dental technicians will perform a thorough evaluation, and determine if dentures are the best cosmetic dental procedure for you. We can answer any questions you may have about dentures, and find the best dental solution to meet your needs.

Bad breath can be embarrassing, but the underlying causes for bad breath can be signs of illness, or the need for simple lifestyle changes. Determining what causes bad breath is the first step. Here are triggers of bad breath, and what you can do to remedy it.

How to Fix Causes of Bad Breath

If you follow these precautions, and you still suffer from bad breath, it’s best to contact your dentist for more help.

Monitor Rounds of Drinks

Alcohol can dry the mouth and produce bacteria that causes halitosis—in medical terms, this means bad breath. Spicy foods, cigarettes, and caffeinated beverages can also be contributing factors, as these lead to little saliva production, hence the term “morning breath.”

Clean Your Tongue

Bad breath is often caused by residing bacteria on the tongue.

Brushing your teeth, even flossing, can’t always catch bacteria that rests on the tongue. Perform a thorough cleansing of the tongue each day using a toothbrush or a soft tongue scraper.

Keep Hydrated When Using Medications

Both prescription and over-the-counter medications can halt saliva production, causing bad breath. Stopping medications isn’t the answer here, but the American Dental Association recommends if you are on any medications, stay hydrated and chew sugarless gum to keep your mouth moist, as well as use hydrating oral rinses.

However, try to avoid alcohol-based mouthwashes because alcohol makes the mouth dry, which can cause bad breath to become worse.

Fix Bad Teeth

Dental problems such as cracked teeth and bad fillings can harbor a bed of bacteria in the mouth, causing not only bad breath, but oral issues such as gum disease and cavities. Dentures that aren’t property fitted can also cause dental problems. If you have these problems speak with your dentist about dental implants.

Proper Dental Hygiene is Key

This should go without saying, but the leading cause of bad breath is from an unclean mouth. Brushing and flossing at least twice daily can eliminate bad breath on contact, and decrease plaque buildup and bacteria on the teeth and gums—which if goes unchecked can cause periodontitis and gingivitis.

If you’re experiencing bad breath, and need more information, contact Dr. Emil Hawary and our Irvine Cosmetic Dentistry office today at 949-284-1383. We understand the frustration bad breath can cause, and our expert team of dental technicians are here to help.

Oil pulling is by no means a new practice, but its trendy rise several years ago certainly increased its popularity as a dental health home remedy in the west. However, to this day many questions still remain. Oil pulling has its origins in India and southern Asia, and it describes the process of swishing edible oil (usually sesame, olive, sunflower, or coconut) around the mouth, “pulling” it through the teeth. But like all trends, certain misconceptions rose around oil pulling, making it hard to tell what’s true about the practice and what isn’t.

Today, we’d like to put to rest some of the greater myths while exposing a few truths about oil pulling that can help you make a decision whether this practice is for you and your teeth:

Fact: Oil pulling has some benefits for oral health.

Proponents of oil pulling claim that it helps fight gingivitis, bad breath, and plaque, with more extreme claims saying it whitens teeth and improves dental and overall health and well-being. Despite the lack of strong evidence or case studies, oil pulling has been found in many cases to reduce mouth bacteria. However, that same lack of evidence should not give patients the go-ahead to use oil pulling over other standard, proven dental practices.

Fiction: You can use oil pulling instead of brushing your teeth.

There is simply not enough evidence to support the use of oil pulling over brushing your teeth.  The ADA warns that oil pulling is not a proven replacement for reducing mouth bacteria or removing plaque. The ADA also suggests only using ADA-approved mouthwash to fight gum disease and other dental dangers.

Fact: Oil pulling takes longer to perform than mouthwash.

The recommended frequency for mouthwash use is twice a day for 30 seconds each. Compared to that, oil pulling takes a much more significant amount of time. Supporters of oil pulling seem to suggest doing it for anywhere from 5-10 minutes with many sources even claiming up to 20 minutes.

Fiction: Oil pulling is completely safe.

Although it’s true that many practice oil pulling without any side effects, the ADA cites several studies where regular oil pulling use has caused lipoid pneumonia, mineral oil aspiration, diarrhea, and upset stomach.

Fact: Oil pulling is best used as a supplementary dental remedy.

Oil pulling should not be used as a replacement for brushing your teeth. However, it may be used as a supplementary dental hygienic practice to be used in addition to brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash. Please first speak with your dentist before adding oil pulling to your dental health routine.

Considering that there’s already a lot to worry about when you’re pregnant, you’ll lik
ely be relieved to hear that dental work during pregnancy is nothing to stress over. You can’t always foresee when you’re going to need to visit the dentist but rest assured that you can safely complete necessary dental work while pregnant.

That said, the best time for dental work during pregnancy is during the second trimester. The nausea that many women experience during the first trimester will likely have subsided and the development of the baby’s organs is complete. Likewise, completing dental work before the third trimester lowers the risk of side effects, like premature birth, and you’ll likely feel more comfortable while getting the work done as it may become more difficult to lie on your back for long periods of time towards the end of the pregnancy.

One thing that you need to be more cautious of when receiving dental work during pregnancy is any potential infections. If you experience any pain or swelling, contact your healthcare provider immediately.

Can I Get My Teeth Cleaned While Pregnant?

Yes, if you are healthy you can get your teeth cleaned while pregnant. Regular teeth cleaning is just as important, if not more so, during pregnancy. Women should visit the dentist while pregnant for their regular teeth cleaning as they tend to consume more carbohydrates and may have difficulty brushing their teeth due to morning sickness.

Pregnancy also causes the gums to swell and food can more easily become trapped, leading to gum irritation. Keeping up on preventative dental work while pregnant helps avoid infections, such as gum disease, which can potentially lead to preterm birth.

Can I Get Dental Work While Pregnant?

If you find out that you need dental work during pregnancy, you can safely receive treatment using a local anesthetic. A study by the Journal of the American Dental Association found that women who underwent dental work while pregnant did not have a higher risk of medical issues or of passing along defects to the baby.

In fact, it may be more detrimental to the health of both the mother and the baby if the woman does not receive the necessary dental care during pregnancy. An untreated dental problem can turn into an infection that could harm both the mother and the baby.

However, if the dental work can safely be postponed until after the baby is born, it is considered to still be the best option. This is especially true for elective procedures, like teeth whitening, which may pose small risks to the baby that are simply better not to take.

Is Fluoride Good For Your Teeth?

The short answer is yes. The benefits of using fluoride for teeth protection far outnumber any potential risks and people of all ages should regularly use toothpaste with fluoride to guard against tooth decay.

How Fluoride Helps Teeth

Fluoride is a natural mineral that can be found in many foods and water. People can use fluoride to prevent tooth decay as the mineral increases the tooth enamel’s resistance towards acid from plaque and bacteria. It can also reverse the signs of early decay by rebuilding the tooth’s enamel if caught early.

It’s especially important to get enough fluoride for teeth during the growing phase while permanent teeth are coming in. Kids from six months to 16 years benefit the most from exposure to fluoride in toothpaste, water and other sources. However, adults can also benefit from continued exposure to fluoride to prevent tooth decay and strengthen tooth enamel.

There are certain groups of people who may require higher levels of fluoride to prevent tooth decay due to health conditions. People with dry mouth are more prone to tooth decay as the lack of saliva increases the amount of food particles that linger in the mouth and makes it more difficult to neutralize the acids that attack the tooth enamel. Those with gum disease are also at a higher risk due to a greater surface area of the tooth and tooth roots being exposed to bacteria.

How Fluoride Works

While fluoride occurs naturally in food and water, many people need an additional source of fluoride. Using fluoride to prevent tooth decay is made easy by the mineral’s addition to mouth rinses and toothpastes. You can find an over-the-counter toothpaste with fluoride or ask your dentist to prescribe a toothpaste with a higher dose. If you don’t want to rely on fluoride in toothpaste to get your recommended amount, your dentist can also apply fluoride directly to your teeth in the form of gel, foam or varnish as part of their general dentistry services. This method contains greater levels of the mineral than you will find in toothpaste with fluoride.

Fluoride is safe to use in small doses but it can be toxic if too much is consumed. For this reason, children under the age of six should be closely supervised when using toothpaste with fluoride and just a pea-sized amount of toothpaste should be used as young children are more likely to swallow the toothpaste.