Archive for December, 2014

Options for addressing a cavity depend mainly on the severity of the damage.

Call it what you will—tooth decay, dental caries, or cavities—it is one of the most common dental problems you could experience. Here are the possible options you may have when your dentist announces you have a cavity.

Do Nothing

If the cavity that has been spotted is still very minor, you may choose not to take any action yet. This would only be appropriate if the damage has not yet penetrated all the way through the enamel. With proper oral care, it is possible for the body’s natural remineralization process to strengthen the…

Your dentist can assist with options for improving the appearance of mildly or severely stained teeth.

Having a bright, beautiful smile is important. Unfortunately, many of the foods and drinks we enjoy can interfere with this, making teeth look dark, old, and ugly. The good news is that with dedication at home and proper care from your dentist, you can enjoy your coffee, tea, red wine, dark soda, and cigarettes without giving up on a white smile. Learn about your main options for cleaning stained teeth here.

Better Oral Care

In most cases, staining is extrinsic, or deposited on the outer layer of the tooth. What happens is pigments from…

Learn how to support they body’s natural ability to restore weakened tooth enamel through remineralization.

The human body has the ability to repair damage to just about every system of the body, and this includes teeth. However, only very mild damage to teeth can be restored naturally, without intervention from a dentist.

What Teeth Are Made Of

Teeth contain four different kinds of tissues. The innermost is the pulp, a soft tissue containing nerves and blood vessels. The vulnerable pulp is protected by hard layers of cementum, dentin, and enamel. Enamel is the outermost and most important layer of protection. Enamel is one of the hardest substances in the body—stronger even…

Xylitol has been clinically proven to fight tooth decay and gum disease.

Most everyone has heard of fluoride, a mineral naturally found in some water supplies (and added to others) that helps protect and strengthen teeth. But have you heard of xylitol? This natural compound has also been clinically proven to help protect teeth, without the negative side effects that can come with overexposure to fluoride.

What is Xylitol?

Xylitol is a natural sugar alcohol that can be extracted from a variety of fibrous plants. It tastes just like sucrose, but has fewer calories and carbs, making it a much healthier sweetener than ordinary cane sugar. It has been used…

These 6 questions can help guide you in the selection of a qualified implant dentist.

Dental implants are by far the best option for replacing missing teeth from the perspective of the health of the patient. Unlike alternatives like dentures and bridges, dental implants replace the tooth structure both above and below the gums. This helps to prevent bone loss in the jaw, which keeps neighboring teeth stronger and healthier and also promotes a more youthful, natural appearance.

With the recent surge in the popularity of dental implants, many dentists are scrambling to offer this procedure. Not all of them are as skilled in the procedure as…

Learn about 6 natural ingredients commonly used as alternatives to fluoride in toothpaste.

Everyone wants a healthy white smile. Unfortunately, fluoride (perhaps the most common cavity-fighting ingredient in oral care products) is not right for everyone. Some people may have sensitivities to fluoride due to overexposure to fluoridated water supplies in childhood, while others may simply prefer to avoid this ingredient for personal reasons. The good news is that there are many alternatives to fluoride that can achieve similar smile-protecting benefits. Here are some common active ingredients found in non-fluoride toothpastes and how they help keep your mouth clean and healthy.

Xylitol: This versatile sugar substitute is found in many…

Wisdom teeth extraction can correct or even prevent serious dental problems.

Wisdom teeth may have been a boon to our primitive ancestors, but for most people today, they are a serious liability. Up to 85 percent of Americans end up having their wisdom teeth extracted to prevent or cure the following top 4 wisdom tooth problems.

Pain

Wisdom teeth have great potential to cause pain. First of all, as they erupt through the gums they often cause aching pains. Secondly, because wisdom teeth are so hard to clean, they also present the risk of dental pain from cavities and gum disease.

Impaction

When wisdom teeth fail to erupt fully, they are said…

In addition to providing superior care, California Dental Group offers many perks for our patients.

When choosing your dentist, naturally you want to pick a consummate professional that is able to provide superior dental care in a hygienic and comfortable environment. But beyond the skill of your dentist and the quality of their staff, what else do you look for? At California Dental Group, we offer our patients numerous special perks in addition to superior care:

7 Convenient Locations

California Dental Group is actually a network of 7 dental clinics, each of which is staffed by experienced dental professionals. Having so many locations enables us to provide better…

Following these tips will help protect teeth from damage during the hectic holidays.

The holiday season is upon us once again, and many families will soon be gathering to celebrate Hanukah, Christmas, and New Year’s. Even if your family doesn’t celebrate, chances are you will have plenty of invitations to holiday parties from friends and coworkers. The sweet treats and hectic pace of the holiday season can really take a toll on your teeth if you’re not careful! Fortunately, you can help protect your teeth and your oral health by following these simple tips.

Address Dental Problems Before You Travel

If you will be traveling out of…

Learn about important considerations for choosing your dental implants.

If you are missing one or more teeth, dental implants offer an excellent solution for restoring the natural beauty and function of your teeth. You will be able to speak, chew, and smile as normal, and no one will even be able to tell you no longer have your natural teeth. Depending on your needs, you may want to consider the following different types of dental implants.

Traditional Implants

Traditional dental implants consist of a titanium peg that is surgically implanted into the jawbone. This peg is then capped with a dental crown…