Archive for February, 2014
5 Mouth Myths Debunked
Get the real facts about oral hygiene and oral health
Dental care is a part of everyday life, yet many people are laboring under misconceptions about their oral health. Check out these top 5 myths and get the real facts about your mouth.
Myth: Sugar is the top cause of cavities.
Fact: Sugar doesn’t actually “rot your teeth” on contact like certain old wives tales would have you believe. It’s not the sugar that does the damage, but the acids produced by the plaque bacteria that eat the sugar. These bacteria like carbs such as rice, potatoes, bread, and certain fruits and veggies just as well as…
When Brushing Is Bad
It isn’t enough to just brush—you also need to brush right
We all know we’re supposed to brush our teeth often—ideally after every meal, or at least twice per day. However, there are some situations in which brushing your teeth can actually do more harm than good. Here are three examples that show why it’s important to think carefully about how and when we brush our teeth.
Brushing Can Be Bad…
When You Have an Old Toothbrush
Best case scenario, brushing with an old toothbrush is just a wasted effort. An old, worn toothbrush with frayed bristles pointing every which way simply won’t get into spaces between…
Is Teeth Whitening Safe?
The safest way to dramatically whiten teeth is to contact your dentist for professional whitening
Teeth whitening products are safe to use, so long as you follow the manufacturer’s directions carefully. As with just about any product, deliberate or accidental misuse of teeth whitening products can be dangerous. The specific risks associated with using teeth whitening products too frequently or leaving them on too long include:
- gum irritation
- tooth sensitivity
- enamel erosion
What’s the Best Way to Safely Whiten Teeth?
When it comes to improving the color and brightness of your teeth, you have three main options. For best results, you will probably want to use some combination of these…
Make Dental Care a Family Affair
Set a good example for your kids by involving the whole family in oral care
Did you know that half of all Americans have gum disease? This means it’s more than likely that a member of your immediate family is suffering for some form of the disease. While mild to moderate gum disease may be practically symptom-free, if left untreated it could quickly advance to severe gum disease, potentially resulting in receding gums, tooth loss, and other painful conditions. Is this what you want for your family? Of course not! Here are some helpful tips for making dental care a family…
3 Things You Need to Know About Baby Teeth
Baby teeth may be temporary, but failing to care for them properly can have lasting effects
Just because your child’s first set of teeth are temporary doesn’t mean that they don’t need proper dental care. Dental care for kids is important at every stage of childhood development, to ensure that your child has strong, healthy teeth that will not limit chewing, interfere with speaking, affect school performance, or detract from their beautiful smile. Knowledge is power in the fight against early childhood caries (tooth decay) and related issues, and a…
We Treat the Top 7 Dental Symptoms
California Dental Group offers fast, effective, and affordable treatment for nearly every dental issue
When you have trouble with your teeth, you need a reliable dentist you can count on to address your symptoms in a cost-effective and professional manner. At California Dental Group, we have 7 convenient locations to serve you. Visit any of our clinics for gentle & effective dental cleanings plus help with any of the following top 7 dental symptoms, as identified by the American Dental Association.
1. Toothache. Pain in your mouth or jaw, as well as pain in individual teeth, is a cause for…
Energy & Sports Drinks Destroy Kids’ Teeth
Research suggests energy and sports drinks can damage teeth after just 5 days of use
Energy and sports drinks are sometimes seen as a “healthier” alternative to soda. The fact of the matter is that most of these drinks are far more damaging to teeth than soda due to high sugar and acid content.
According to a study published in the journal General Dentistry, 50 percent of American teenagers use energy drinks. Plus, about 62 percent of teens consume at least one sports drink each day. Considering that researchers found that these beverages are so high in acid that…
How Often Do You Really Need to Visit the Dentist?
You may need to visit once per year or several times depending on your needs
For many years, prevailing wisdom dictated a visit the dentist for a cleaning and exam every six months. New research, however, suggests that twice-yearly cleanings may not be right for all patients. A recent study found that visiting the dentist only once per year instead of twice did not cause any significant change in the risk of tooth loss among healthy adults with a history of good oral health.
Depending on factors like…
4 Benefits of Children’s Orthodontics
Straightening your child’s teeth can have lifelong benefits
If your child has crooked teeth, you really should consider orthodontic treatment. Straightening teeth and correcting overbites and underbites has many important benefits, and one day your children will thank you for your investment in their futures.
Prevent Damage to Buck Teeth
Buck teeth are prone to damage throughout a person’s life, but childhood tends to be hardest on them. Kids love to be active and adventurous, and often this gets them into trouble. When a child with buck teeth suffers a fall or a blow to the mouth while playing sports, the teeth…
Neglecting Your Teeth Can Have Serious Consequences
Poor oral health & gum disease have been linked to cancer, heart disease, and Alzheimer’s
We all know about the obvious consequences of failing to take good care of your teeth and gums: advanced tooth decay, gum disease, tooth pain, and eventual tooth loss. But are you aware of some of the other serious health conditions that have been linked to poor oral health?
Heart Disease
Many studies have explored the link between oral health, specifically gum disease, and heart health. In 2010, a group of researchers in the UK found that heart attacks and gum disease tend…