Diamons

cavities

Photography by Dr. Padval

Amalgam & Silver Filling Removal

Metal-Free, Tooth-Colored Fillings in Sacramento, California Fix cavities or replace old mercury amalgams with tooth-colored fillings. Chewing puts incredible stresses on teeth. That's why, in the past, filling cavities and restoring damaged teeth usually involved metals such as gold, silver, or an amalgam. (A mixture of metals, including mercury.) Today, you have a choice of metal-free restoration options. Tooth-colored fillings are made of a composite-resin mixture that provides strength as well as a natural appearance. We can now use these composites virtually everywhere, from [...]

By |2020-11-17T08:00:17-08:00November 17, 2020|Cosmetic Dentistry|

Adult Fluoride Treatments

Topical Fluoride Treatments in Sacramento, CA No matter your age, fluoride helps prevent cavities, tooth decay, and periodontal disease. Fluoride helps create healthy teeth, and it's not just for kids—adults need fluoride too! Every day, acidic foods and drinks threaten to erode tooth enamel. Bacteria as well, can produce acid and dissolve the enamel on a microscopic level. (A process that is known as Demineralization.) Fortunately, our body fights back by constantly rebuilding enamel with the help of minerals like calcium and fluoride. Fluoride [...]

By |2020-11-03T08:00:04-08:00November 3, 2020|Patient Education|

Should You Use Mouthwash?

The Answer is... Maybe! Mouthwash, or mouth rinses, are primarily used to remove food debris after brushing and flossing. They provide a pleasant taste, freshen the breath, and (depending on the active ingredient) can also protect against plaque & bacteria, periodontal disease, and/or cavities. So should everyone use mouthwash? Not exactly. Some people who use it will see only marginal benefits over brushing and flossing alone. Furthermore, repeated use of alcohol-based mouthwash can irritate soft tissue, damage the mucous membrane, and contribute to dry [...]

By |2020-06-23T08:00:15-07:00June 23, 2020|Preventative Dentistry|

Developing Good Habits

To Protect Children's Teeth Food & Drink Eating and drinking habits are the biggest factors in preventing childhood cavities. But, just as important as what children eat, is when they eat it. To encourage positive eating habits and prevent cavities, limit eating time to 4 or 5 periods during the day (rather than continuous snacking). By reducing the amount of time that food directly contacts teeth, you help reduce the formation of bacteria and plaque. Additionally, avoid meals and snacks that have a large [...]

By |2020-06-02T08:00:39-07:00June 2, 2020|Children's Dentistry|

Seal the Deal…

...With Dental Sealants! Prevent Cavities & Tooth Decay Molars and premolars have large chewing surfaces where crevices naturally form. Here, bacteria thrive, and cavities occur. Dental sealant is a clear composite resin that is "painted" on back teeth to act as a physical barrier to decay-causing bacteria. For children and adolescents (who may not always practice proper oral hygiene) this helps prevent cavities and preserve dental health during these formative years. Applying this composite resin coating is simple, quick, painless, and yes, inexpensive. And, [...]

By |2020-05-12T08:00:57-07:00May 12, 2020|Children's Dentistry|

Choosing Breakfast

For Better Nutrition and Dental Health! It's often said that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and there's a lot of truth behind it. Though the links between eating, blood sugar levels, and performance aren't fully understood, the evidence suggests that eating breakfast boosts energy and attention span in the morning hours. But the benefits depend on the menu. From the standpoint of nutrition and dental health, the day's first meal can present a dilemma. You probably know that many cereals [...]

By |2020-04-21T08:00:56-07:00April 21, 2020|Nutrition|

“Is it a Cavity?”

Or something else... While most people think a toothache automatically means a cavity (or the need for a root canal), several other conditions can also cause temperature sensitivity, pain during chewing, and other symptoms typically associated with a toothache. Here are some of those causes: Gum Recession. When patients experience gum recession (which can be caused by periodontal disease, genetics, or neglect) the root surfaces of teeth are exposed. This part of the tooth can be very sensitive to hot and cold temperatures, similar [...]

By |2020-04-07T08:00:37-07:00April 7, 2020|Restorative Dentistry|

Tooth Health: Cut out the Carbonation

Soda, Coke, Soft Drinks, Energy Drinks—whatever you call them, they're bad for teeth. You probably know that soft drinks aren't good for you. They are high in sugar and provide little nutrition other than some "empty calories." Even if you enjoy the diet/zero calorie versions, the acid content can be a problem. That's because the carbonation that provides the fizz and bubbles also contains carbonic acid, which can raise the ph balance of the mouth and weaken tooth enamel. Additionally, most soft drinks use [...]

By |2020-01-14T08:00:23-08:00January 14, 2020|Patient Education|

About Sugar

We Eat More Than We Think! The only thing good about sugar is...it tastes good! After that, it's all downhill... it's high in calories, provides only a brief increase in energy, and greatly increases the growth of bacteria and tooth decay potential. When Eskimos lived a sugar-free diet, their teeth were perfect. No cavities! Once whalers and traders introduced them to a Western diet, tooth decay skyrocketed. So, while you may not think that you're eating too much in your diet, beware of hidden [...]

By |2019-10-15T08:00:03-07:00October 15, 2019|Nutrition|

Cavities without Pain?

If It Ain't Broke, Why Fix It? Patients are sometimes surprised when they have a cavity or two and wonder, "How can I need a filling when I haven't been in any pain?" Unfortunately, this is common because cavities often don't give any warning signs at all. Teeth can become extremely broken down and even abscess due to decay and still never hurt. So while it may not be causing you any discomfort at the moment, our experience has shown that catching problems early [...]

By |2019-09-17T08:00:09-07:00September 17, 2019|Restorative Dentistry|