Archive for July, 2015

Cosmetic dentists offer many options for achieving a more youthful smile

Wrinkles, age spots, gray or white hair, walking with a stoop…these are all common signifiers the brain instantly associates with age when we meet someone. But have you considered the impact that your teeth can have on your perceived age?

If you are searching for that ageless smile to complement your other efforts at looking younger, we have good news. Our skilled cosmetic dentists can tackle all the signs of aging your teeth may be displaying to give you that younger-looking smile. Our work always looks natural, never fake, so you can rest assured you’ll…

Banish bad breath with help from your dentist.

Do you feel self-conscious about your breath? Are you worried that it might embarrass you in front of a friend, business colleague, client, or romantic partner? Check to see if you may be suffering from one of these 4 causes of bad breath and then follow our tips for eliminating bad breath.

Cigarettes

Smoking is a common cause of bad breath. Not only does the smoke itself have a foul odor; smoking actually encourages the growth of bad-smelling bacteria in the mouth. Plus, smoking can also stain teeth and cause complications with recovery if you ever…

Learn about the link between oral health and heart health.

For many years, researchers have known that a link existed between heart attack risk and poor oral health, specifically gum disease. However, for a long time the nature of this link was not understood and could not be said to be causal. Researchers were not sure whether poor oral health was actually causing increased heart attack risks, or whether poor oral health was simply a side effect of the same unhealthy lifestyle and sugary diet that predisposes many people to heart disease.

However, a landmark 2014 study changed this.

We now know that there is a direct cause…

Learn how whitening floss helps brighten spaces between teeth.

Are you concerned about the color of your teeth? You’re not alone. Having white teeth is practically a national obsession. While you don’t want to go so white it looks unnatural, brightening stained teeth a shade or two will help you look younger and feel more attractive when you smile.

In the battle against stained and yellow teeth, whitening treatments are the most effective weapon. While over-the-counter products can help, the most dramatic results come from professional teeth whitening in a dentist’s office.

No matter which way you whiten, you will need to maintain your newly brightened teeth using oral hygiene…

Learn which types of restoration are likely to be repaired and which should be replaced.

Composite restorations have a wide variety of applications, from filling cavities to repairing broken teeth to providing minor cosmetic contouring. Because composite fillings are white, they look very natural and support a beautiful smile.

The only problem is that while composite fillings do have a long service life, they will not last forever. A number of factors including poor oral hygiene and accidents can potentially cause the fillings to fail.

The good news is that by visiting your dentist in Los Angeles CA regularly, you can ensure your fillings and other restorations get repaired…

To prevent bacterial infections, all patients always need to maintain excellent oral hygiene.

If you’ve been looking into the possibility of getting dental implants, you may already know that in order to enjoy a successful implant procedure, you must work hard to keep your teeth and gums healthy before and during treatment. But did you know that you are going to need to work just as hard on your oral hygiene AFTER your implants are placed?

Here’s why:

Individuals who do not maintain excellent oral hygiene are at risk for a serious condition called peri-implantitis.

Peri-implantitis is an inflammatory disease similar to periodontitis, aka gum disease. The…

Preventative dental care helps to prevent many serious dental problems.

Let’s face it—few people actually look forward to visiting the dentist, but they manage to motivate themselves to keep up with their routine cleanings anyway. But for some people the prospect of a session in the dentist’s chair is so frightening that they avoid treatment altogether.

It is very important to understand that the longer you put off visiting the dentist for routine dental care, the more likely you are to develop serious dental problems. Some of these problems should actually scare you far more than a visit to a caring dentist from…

Why risk traveling abroad for discounted dental care when you can get affordable care at California Dental Group?

Traveling abroad for medical care, a phenomenon known as “medical tourism,” has become increasingly popular in recent years. Turns out, “dental tourism” is also a growing trend.

According to one Mexican dentist with a practice in Los Algodones, just a block from the US border, 90 percent of his patients are Americans who need extensive dental work and want top-quality care, but can’t afford to visit a dentist in their home town.

Is Dental Tourism a Good Idea?

Like overseas medical care, dental care in a foreign country may be inexpensive…

Health, not age, is the deciding factor when it comes to getting dental implants.

The idea that it is possible to be “too old” for dental implants is a one of the most damaging dental myths out there. The reality of the matter is that dental implants can deliver significant benefits to patients of all ages, and help aging individuals maintain their quality of life.

Are You a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?

Health, not age, is a much more important factor in deciding whether or not a patient is a good candidate for dental implants. Generally speaking, if you are in good enough health for elective…

Brushing immediately after eating acidic foods can damage tooth enamel

Normally, dentists are all about encouraging patients to brush promptly after every meal. After all, brushing helps remove plaque bacteria and food debris that could otherwise contribute to cavities and gum disease. So it may surprise you to learn that dentists in Los Angeles are advising patients NOT to brush after eating certain foods.

Why would a dentist ever say this?

Because acidic foods can weaken tooth enamel. If you brush right after eating or drinking something acidic, the scrubbing action can actually etch the enamel.

Think about it like this: When artists want to etch glass, they…