Dental News

Archive for October, 2014

No More Excuses! You CAN Floss Daily

October 27, 2014

Why the 4 most common excuses for not flossing won’t fly at California Dental Group.

FlossAccording to a recent study, over half of Americans don’t floss daily, and about 10 percent don’t floss at all. Considering how important flossing is for your oral health and your overall health, these statistics should be pretty shocking.

Flossing is important because it helps to remove plaque bacteria and the bits of food debris that they feed on from crevices where your toothbrush just can’t reach. This helps keep your mouth free of tooth decay and gum disease, which in turn helps you avoid painful toothaches and tooth loss. And since oral hygiene


Is Red Wine Good or Bad for Teeth?

October 24, 2014

New research suggests red wine can kill bacteria responsible for cavities.

Red WineMost people who are seeking to maintain white, healthy, beautiful teeth believe that red wine belongs firmly on the list of foods and beverages to avoid. After all, like many dark beverages, red wine does contain compounds that can stain teeth over time, especially if you consume red wine regularly.

However, new research suggests that red wine may help teeth more than it hurts them. After all, staining issues can almost always be corrected or at least improved with professional teeth whitening. Tooth decay and gum disease, on the other hand, are more difficult to correct. If red wine…


4 Reasons to Care About Your Gum Health

October 22, 2014

The early stages of gum disease may not seem serious, but they can lead to big problems if not addressed.

Gum HealthIf you’ve ever visited the dentist for a routine cleaning and exam, no doubt you’ve heard the speech about the importance of brushing and flossing daily to help prevent gum disease and cavities. Yet according to the CDC, over half of all Americans over age 30 have the advanced form of gum disease, namely periodontitis. Obviously, something is getting lost in translation, causing individuals not to care enough about their gum health to keep up with their oral care or seek dental care for chronic infections. Here are 4…


Fighting Dental Inflammation with Food

October 20, 2014

Eating an anti-inflammatory diet may help fight gum disease as well as other health issues.

Fighting InflammationYou may already know that poor oral health, and specifically gum disease, has been linked to a variety of serious health problems including heart disease, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s. But did you know that according to the American Academy of Periodontology, recent research is now suggesting that the link is forged by inflammation? This has led some nutritional experts to postulate that by consuming foods that help fight inflammation, we can improve our oral health and our overall health.

What is Inflammation?

Inflammation is the body’s natural response to infection or trauma. In most cases, this natural…


You Can Afford Cosmetic Dental Care

October 17, 2014

Strategies for affording your smile makeover.

Cosmetic Dental CareUnfortunately, most insurance plans don’t cover all the cosmetic dental treatments you may need to achieve the smile of your dreams. The good news is that you have other options for getting the care you need. Here are some sample strategies for affording your cosmetic dental care.

Use a New Patient Coupon

Currently, we are offering a new patient coupon that gets you a great deal on professional teeth whitening. This is a relatively quick and easy cosmetic treatment that can brighten your teeth significantly and take years off your smile.

Use Your Flex Spending Account

Flexible spending accounts are a…


What to Expect from Wisdom Tooth Extraction

October 15, 2014

Learn what is involved in a wisdom tooth extraction and how we care for patients each step of the way.

Widsom ToothWisdom teeth were designed to replace decayed molars that early humans typically lost relatively early in life. However, with modern dental care we no longer need these replacement teeth. In fact, they can actually cause many problems, including overcrowding and decay. If your wisdom teeth are painful, decayed, or likely to push your other teeth out of alignment, you may need to get them extracted.

Before Extraction

If your dental x-rays show problems with your wisdom teeth or adjacent teeth, or you have pain, we will definitely want you to explore…


Special Dental Tips for Seniors

October 13, 2014

Follow these tips to help protect your oral health as you age.

Dental Tips For SeniorsNo part of the body is exempt from aging, and this includes teeth. As you get older, your teeth may become more brittle and your gums more sensitive. You may even lose some of your teeth. Considering that untreated tooth loss can affect your ability to eat a healthy diet, speak clearly, and interact with others without embarrassment, naturally you will want to keep your natural teeth as long as possible. Here are 5 important tips that can help you continue to enjoy healthy teeth as you age.

Be Vigilant About Home Care

Proper oral…


Dental X-Ray FAQ

October 10, 2014

Get answers to some frequently asked questions about dental x-rays.

Dental XraysMany people are unnecessarily frightened of routine dental x-rays. Here is some helpful information that will help you understand the process better.

Why do I have to get dental x-rays?

Certain dental issues simply can’t be diagnosed and corrected without dental x-rays. Dental x-rays are especially helpful as a preventative tool, as they can often detect cavities and other hidden issues before they actually begin to cause you pain. Other examples of problems that can be detected with x-rays include:

  • Abscesses or cysts
  • Bone loss
  • Tumors
  • Decay between teeth
  • Developmental abnormalities
  • Poor tooth and root position
  • Decay below the gum line

How often will I need x-rays?

In general, healthy…


Are Plastic Beads in Your Toothpaste Hurting Your Teeth?

October 8, 2014

Despite a lack of clinical evidence as to the impact of polyethylene plastic beads, toothpaste manufacturers are phasing them out.

ToothpastePolyethylene plastic beads are present in a lot of personal care products, including face wash, exfoliating scrubs, and toothpaste. Recently, these seemingly harmless bits of plastic have been getting a lot of media attention. For example, the Illinois state legislature banned exfoliating beads this year over concerns that they can end up in the water supply and harm marine life.

While exfoliating beads have a functional purpose, the beads present in some toothpastes are purely decorative. In other words, they provide no real benefit, but may pose certain risks.

The first dental professional…


Top 4 Enemies of Tooth Enamel

October 6, 2014

Avoiding these 4 enemies of tooth enamel can help keep your smile healthy and beautiful.

Tooth EnamelAlthough it may not get much attention, tooth enamel is actually one of the most important tissues in your body. When tooth enamel becomes damaged, the nerves and pulp inside teeth become exposed. Not only is this painful; it also paves the way for infection and inflammation that can eventually lead to tooth loss. In turn tooth loss can affect just about every aspect of your being, from your health to your mental state to your looks and your social relationships. Understanding the following top 4 enemies of tooth enamel can help you keep…


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