Archive for August, 2015

Everything you need to know about correcting an overbite with orthodontics.

An overbite is a relatively common type of “malocclusion” or tooth misalignment in which the upper teeth protrude too far over the bottom teeth. If you or your child has an overbite, the following information will help you understand your options for improving your smile.

Why Correct an Overbite

The most common reason to correct an overbite is that it simply is not attractive. However, if you need more convincing, consider that straighter teeth actually have health benefits over crooked, protruding ones.

• First of all, if the teeth are crooked or overlapping as well as protruding, straightening…
  

Quick tips and tricks for preventing dental problems.

Visiting the dentist for annual cleanings and exams is of course an important part of maintaining your oral health. But there are many other ways to keep your mouth cleaner and healthier, some of which you can implement right now for free.

Take a Toothbrush to Work

Brushing your teeth is the single most effective way to protect yourself from tooth decay and gum disease, which together are the top 2 leading causes of tooth loss in American adults. Unfortunately, many people fail to brush twice a day as recommended by their dentist. Sometimes, this is a logistical problem–people…

You can identify some signs of a cavity yourself, but it is best to visit the dentist for a professional diagnosis.

Ultimately, the best way to tell if you have a cavity is to visit your dentist. Your dentist can not only diagnose the cavity or other dental problem that is causing you distress, but also recommend the appropriate treatment option to relieve that distress.

However, you might be looking for information about cavities that will help you figure out if you really need to visit the dentist for help, and how urgently you might need this help. If this is the case, ask yourself these…

What you need to know about the top cosmetic dental procedures for teenagers.

The teenage years have the potential to be very awkward. Having a less than perfect smile can potentially make matters worse. Whether others really do notice a teen’s imperfect teeth, or the teen only thinks that they do, self-confidence can really suffer. Fortunately, there are many cosmetic dentistry options for teens that can improve the beauty of their teeth and prepare them for a lifetime of smiling with confidence.

Orthodontics

The teen years are a prime time for orthodontic work. In the past, this meant going through high school with a mouth full of metal, which was…

Learn how our iTero digital scanner will improve the experience of getting your dental implants.

When choosing a dentist to guide you through the dental implant process, there are many factors to consider. For example, you will obviously want to know about the dentist’s experience with implants. How extensive is their training and education in implantology? Have they placed hundreds of implants, or just a handful? Do they perform the oral surgery for placement of your implant pegs themselves, or refer you to an oral surgeon? What kind of follow up care can you expect?

All of these are of course important questions to answer.

However, there is another…

You can afford to have healthy teeth! Just follow these tips.

Have you been postponing a visit to the dentist because you are afraid of the costs? These 5 tips for saving money on dental care in Los Angeles CA will help encourage you to put your fears aside and make an appointment at California Dental Group for affordable dental care.

Focus on Prevention

The first—and some would say best—way to save money on dental care in Los Angeles CA is to take good care of your teeth at home. By brushing and flossing daily, you can make great strides towards preventing…

Learn how to correct problems caused by impacted or partially impacted wisdom teeth.

In the past, it was common for just about everyone to have their wisdom teeth extracted as a preventative measure, just to make sure these hard-to-clean teeth did not cause any future problems. However, today more and more dentists are recommending close monitoring of wisdom teeth rather than automatic extraction. By waiting until one or more of the wisdom teeth actually causes a problem before performing an extraction, patients are saved from unnecessary surgery.

One common problem that is encountered with wisdom teeth is impaction. An impacted tooth is one that has…

Learn why teeth whitening is not advise for kids under 16.

Kids naturally have bright, white teeth, but poor oral hygiene can easily lead to discoloration by the teen years if parents aren’t careful to instill good habits in their kids and take them to get professional dental cleanings on a regular basis.
If your teenager is self-conscious about the color of their teeth, you might naturally wonder if teeth whitening products could help. Here’s what you need to know.

Kids Are Not Ready for Bleaching Products

Whether you are talking about an over-the-counter product like a whitening gel, strip, or tray, or a professional teeth whitening…

Discover the true facts behind some of the most persistent myths about sensitive teeth.

Are you troubled by teeth that are sensitive to heat, cold, or contact? Don’t just live with the problem! Get the information you need to improve your oral health and relieve sensitivity right here.

Myth: Sensitive teeth are only a problem for old people.

Fact: Age has nothing to do with sensitivity. In fact, the age group most commonly affected is 25 to 30 year olds.

Myth: Sensitivity means you have a cavity.

Fact: While some instances of tooth pain are indeed caused by cavities, if many or all of your teeth are sensitive it is far more…

Learn why you should resist the temptation of using mouthwash to cover up dental problems.

Mouthwash can be a helpful tool in at-home dental care, but it should not be the only or even the primary tool you rely on to keep your mouth clean and your breath fresh.

Here’s why.

First of all, depending on the type of mouthwash you are using, it may not have any real benefit for your oral hygiene beyond temporarily putting a nice minty smell on your breath. In other words, swishing your mouth out with one of these cosmetic mouthwashes will not actually make your mouth cleaner. Using a therapeutic mouthwash that…