Diamons

enamel

Photography by Dr. Padval

Need a New Year’s Resolution?

Give Those Teeth More T.L.C.! Here are some New Year’s resolutions you’ll find easy to make. Just keep all five in mind and, chances are, you’ll enjoy a year free of avoidable tooth emergencies! Let those teeth do the job they were meant for—chewing food. Too many people use their teeth to cut thread or fishing line, crack nuts, pull staples, and tear open packages. It’s not nice… to make teeth crush ice! Exposing teeth to the hard, cold surface of an ice cube [...]

By |2023-09-12T08:00:54-07:00September 12, 2023|Preventative Dentistry|

Sensitivity Toothpaste

Does Sensitivity Toothpaste Work? If you were to take the commercial's word for it, you'd think sensitivity toothpaste was a magic cure-all! In reality, over-the-counter toothpaste may provide some relief from mild sensitivity, but addressing the underlying cause is the only way to truly solve the problem. Usually, teeth have a layer of super-hard enamel covering the entire visible portion of the tooth (known as the crown). Sensitivity occurs when the inner layer (called dentin) is exposed. This dentin is much more porous and [...]

By |2023-05-02T08:00:16-07:00May 2, 2023|Patient Education|

Vitamin C For Your Mouth

Vitamin C is Crucial for Oral Health Find out how to get enough in your diet. Vitamin C has long been known to be beneficial to oral health. In the 1800s, British sailors used to receive daily rations of lime juice aboard long sea voyages to ensure the health of their crews—thus preventing the dreaded disease known as scurvy. Though they didn't understand the mechanism for the improvement, we now understand that it's because of Vitamin C. Where can I get Vitamin C? It's [...]

By |2022-03-15T08:00:56-07:00March 15, 2022|Nutrition|

Sensitivity: Causes and Treatment for Teeth

When teeth hurt, you know something is not right. It may be a minor cavity or infection, but one of the common varieties of dental pain is tooth sensitivity. And anyone who experiences it knows it isn't fun. Sensitivity may occur when drinking or eating hot or cold liquids or foods, or whenever pressure is applied when chewing. This recurring pain may be a minor annoyance or a major distraction. Whatever level of pain you are experiencing, don't let tooth sensitivity keep you from [...]

By |2021-12-07T08:00:49-08:00December 7, 2021|Restorative Dentistry|

9 Worst Foods For Teeth

Some of the Worst Foods Aren't What You Expect If you're like many Americans, you're more concerned than ever about trying to eat healthily. As well as eating nutritious foods that are good for your overall health, be sure to avoid the foods that are the worst for your teeth. At the very least, make yourself aware of their potential drawbacks so you can minimize your exposure, as well as brush and floss after indulging! In no particular order, here are the 9 Worst [...]

By |2021-08-17T08:00:21-07:00August 17, 2021|Nutrition|

Know Your Teeth, Inside and Out!

Learn Your Tooth Anatomy, Shape, and Function Teeth differ in shape depending on their function & position in the mouth. On the inside, however, they all share the same basic anatomy. Parts of a Tooth Crown: the visible, chewing portion of the tooth. Root: the portion of the tooth hidden by the gums, it anchors the tooth into the jawbone. (The root makes up about two-thirds of the total length of the tooth.) Enamel: the hard outer covering of the crown of the tooth, [...]

By |2021-01-19T08:00:04-08:00January 19, 2021|Patient Education|

Getting Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain Veneers to Enhance Your Teeth Repair minor imperfections or completely transform your smile! Porcelain veneers are one of the ways cosmetic dentistry can make your teeth look great! We can use a single veneer to fix minor imperfections, or completely transform your smile with veneers on all your prominent visible teeth. Nobody (but your dentist) knows the shape of teeth underneath. Or their irregularities. Or their stains. For a consultation on porcelain veneers, contact our office at (916) 483-5900. How it Works: Super-thin, [...]

By |2020-12-15T08:00:47-08:00December 15, 2020|Cosmetic Dentistry|

Do You Use Chewable Vitamin C?

Less is More Where would we be without our vitamin C? Everyone agrees it's a crucial nutrient that provides many health benefits. And in dentistry, it plays an important role in the healing process, especially in soft tissue such as gums. But vitamin C, being acidic, can actually do damage if consumed in chewable form. Too many chews and tooth enamel literally dissolves. A single chewable tablet won't hurt, but if you need higher levels of vitamin C, switch to another form or consider [...]

By |2019-08-27T08:00:47-07:00August 27, 2019|Preventative Dentistry|

Coping with Cracked Tooth Syndrome

If there's anything good to be said about a broken tooth, it's that the cause of the problem is pretty obvious. The same can't always be said when a tooth develops a crack, which are sometimes too small to even be seen with the naked eye. In fact, researchers have compiled case histories to develop a "cracked tooth syndrome" profile. Who? The potential for crack rises with age. Past 40, enamel tends to grow brittle partly due to reduced moisture. The tooth itself is [...]

By |2019-06-25T08:00:01-07:00June 25, 2019|Restorative Dentistry|

Vending Machines: Cavity Dispensers

Vending machines put out all kinds of stuff. But vending machines at work or school can dispense cavities right along with the candy and soda pop that we love so much in afternoon pick-me-ups. So-called soft drinks don't do teeth any favors. Not even diet soda. That's because sugar isn't the real culprit. It's carbonic acid—the stuff that gives soft drinks their fizzy bubbles can be deadly to tooth enamel. A sugary uncarbonated drink like Kool-Aid is actually easier on teeth than, say, Diet [...]

By |2017-07-11T00:00:33-07:00July 11, 2017|Patient Education|