Diamons

Preventative Dentistry

Photography by Dr. Padval

How Often Do I Need a Checkup?

Make time for your T.L.C. That's Tender Loving Checkup! Routine, regular examinations let us catch tooth decay and periodontal disease before they cause major damage to your teeth... and saves you the added expense and discomfort of more complex dental treatment. For most of our patients, we recommend a checkup every six months, but there's nothing "magic" about that interval. Some need cleanings more frequently while others may not need to come in so often. Some mouths build up more tartar than others while [...]

By |2019-09-24T08:00:37-07:00September 24, 2019|Preventative 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|

Fluoride Levels and The Goldilocks Rule

The best rule for fluoride is not too much. Not too little. Ever since the first American city began to manage fluoride levels in its water supply, there's been plenty of misinformation floating around regarding the potential benefits and dangers of this substance. In a nutshell, fluoride has been shown to help protect against tooth decay. It also exists naturally in most water supplies. When communities fluoridated their water, they weren't necessarily adding it; they were adjusting the dose to the best level. That's [...]

By |2019-07-23T08:00:42-07:00July 23, 2019|Preventative Dentistry|

Let’s Think About Prevention…

Prevention is the Best Way to Avoid Costly Dental Emergencies We understand that not all emergencies can be avoided, sometimes accidents happen. But skipping check-ups and avoiding the dentist is never a good way to save money. It will only result in more costly treatment needed down the road. Instead, we like to emphasize the value of maintaining your oral health. Just imagine that every time you brush, floss, or have a cleaning, it's as if the cost of a future dental problem becomes [...]

By |2019-07-16T08:00:07-07:00July 16, 2019|Preventative Dentistry|

Don’t Forget to Clean Your Tongue!

Brushing Your Tongue Helps Freshen Breath With all the mints, mouthwash, chewing gum and other cover-ups available, there are many ways to freshen your breath. But, if you consistently suffer from halitosis, you might be forgetting an easy way to combat odor-causing bacteria... cleaning your tongue! It makes perfect sense if you think about it, the tongue is one of the largest structures in the mouth, and its textured surface provides the perfect environment for bacteria to grow. Furthermore, since this vital organ makes [...]

By |2019-04-23T08:00:52-07:00April 23, 2019|Preventative Dentistry|

Choosing the Right Toothpaste

Overwhelmed by your choices? Here's how to choose the right toothpaste for you. While your toothbrush does most of the plaque removal, abrasive agents in toothpaste will scour food particles and plaque from your teeth. Fluoride is the best-known ingredient, added to make the outer tooth structure more decay-resistant. Fluorides work best when teamed with surfactants (detergents), which help in remineralization. Lauryl sulfates, the most common surfactants, can dissolve plaque and fight bacteria. They also provide a foam that helps to carry away debris. [...]

By |2019-03-12T08:00:44-07:00March 12, 2019|Preventative Dentistry|

Prevention: A Renewed Commitment

With new materials and procedures, dentistry has evolved from "if it hurts, yank it," to true preventive medicine. We can thank fluorides for the terrific rate of cavity-free children, and new anesthetics have made dentistry more comfortable than ever. Sealants, safer X-rays, and space-age plastics have all become commonplace in the course of comprehensive care and aggressive prevention. Our Goal Our goal is to be your partner in dental health. We're convinced you can keep your teeth intact for your entire life. To that [...]

By |2018-12-18T08:00:46-08:00December 18, 2018|Preventative Dentistry|

Get your Smile Check-Up!

Barring injury, your sturdy white teeth should remain healthy and intact for the rest of your life. But just like your car's engine, which needs its regular oil & lube to keep purring smoothly, your mouth needs a thorough once-over as well. We'll review your dental history, clean your teeth, evaluate gum tissue, and screen for oral cancer. This will ensure that teeth and gum problems are discovered early and nipped in the bud. Some people naturally create more plaque and develop more cavities [...]

By |2018-11-27T08:00:55-08:00November 27, 2018|Preventative Dentistry|

The Plus Sides of Fluoride

As a direct result of fluoridation, dental health in our part of the world turned around dramatically. The improvement is evident in our children, fluoride in our water reduces tooth decay in children by 50 percent. Why then, are some put off by the idea of fluoride? It's true that excessive levels of fluoride can actually damage tooth enamel—too much of any good thing is too much. But continuing research, down to the molecular level, proves the bottom line: fluoride is good for us. [...]

By |2018-10-23T00:00:35-07:00October 23, 2018|Preventative Dentistry|

Subliminal Stuff: Bruxism

Are You Subconsciously Grinding? Sensitivity to heat and cold. Loosened teeth, fractures, and debilitating headaches. All this can occur while you sleep—from grinding your teeth. Dentistry calls it bruxism. Talk about shell shock. Dentists see evidence of life in the fast lane everyday. As many as 90 percent of us grind our teeth each night, on the average of five episodes per evening. The bite force is so powerful—over 200 pounds per square inch—and the noise so fearful, you cannot physically duplicate this phenomenon [...]

By |2018-07-10T00:00:25-07:00July 10, 2018|Preventative Dentistry|