Preventative Dentistry Archives | Page 5 of 7 | Diamond Dental of Sacramento

Should You Use Mouthwash?
Should You Use Mouthwash?

Preventative Dentistry

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 Diamond Dental of Sacramento|2020-06-23T08:00:15-07:00June 23, 2020|Preventative Dentistry|

Are You Grinding Your Teeth?
Are You Grinding Your Teeth?

Preventative Dentistry

Are You Grinding Your Teeth?

What is Bruxism? Bruxism is the clenching or grinding of teeth. It's a fairly common habit with about 1 in 3 exhibiting the behavior, yet most don't even realize they're affected. That's partly because bruxism can occur while sleeping at night, but also because the habit develops subconsciously, usually due to stress or anxiety. Recognizing the problem is the first step, and many patients can make great improvements by simply learning to position teeth, tongue, and lips properly. Some people mistakenly believe that teeth [...]

By Diamond Dental of Sacramento|2020-01-21T08:00:07-08:00January 21, 2020|Preventative Dentistry|

Oral Exams: Checking out the Tongue
Oral Exams: Checking out the Tongue

Preventative Dentistry

Oral Exams: Checking out the Tongue

Have you ever wondered why doctors and dentists ask you to open wide and say, "Ahhhh?" It's true that dentists are looking for cavities and tooth-related problems, but the tongue and other soft tissues can also be an important indicator of a patient's overall health. Diseases such as diabetes, AIDS, scarlet fever, and different vitamin deficiencies can all manifest symptoms via the tongue. Patients can also do their part by performing self-examinations at home. Whenever you find yourself brushing your teeth (usually in front [...]

By Diamond Dental of Sacramento|2019-12-03T08:00:03-08:00December 3, 2019|Preventative Dentistry|

Look for Changes in Your Mouth
Look for Changes in Your Mouth

Preventative Dentistry

Look for Changes in Your Mouth

Whenever you find yourself brushing or flossing in front of a mirror, take the opportunity to really look inside your mouth. Self-Examination is the first line of defense in detecting potential problems... and the earlier, the better! Open wide and look at all the soft tissues, watching for any unusual changes such as unexplained white or red patches, pain, swelling, or oral lesions. Most of the time, these are simply an injury from biting your lip, a burn from hot food, or an irritation [...]

By Diamond Dental of Sacramento|2019-11-12T08:00:33-08:00November 12, 2019|Preventative Dentistry|

How Often Do I Need a Checkup?
How Often Do I Need a Checkup?

Preventative Dentistry

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 Diamond Dental of Sacramento|2019-09-24T08:00:37-07:00September 24, 2019|Preventative Dentistry|

Do You Use Chewable Vitamin C?
Do You Use Chewable Vitamin C?

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 Diamond Dental of Sacramento|2019-08-27T08:00:47-07:00August 27, 2019|Preventative Dentistry|

Fluoride Levels and The Goldilocks Rule
Fluoride Levels and The Goldilocks Rule

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 Diamond Dental of Sacramento|2019-07-23T08:00:42-07:00July 23, 2019|Preventative Dentistry|

Let’s Think About Prevention…
Let’s Think About Prevention…

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 Diamond Dental of Sacramento|2019-07-16T08:00:07-07:00July 16, 2019|Preventative Dentistry|

Don’t Forget to Clean Your Tongue!
Don’t Forget to Clean Your Tongue!

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 Diamond Dental of Sacramento|2019-04-23T08:00:52-07:00April 23, 2019|Preventative Dentistry|

Choosing the Right Toothpaste
Choosing the Right Toothpaste

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 Diamond Dental of Sacramento|2019-03-12T08:00:44-07:00March 12, 2019|Preventative Dentistry|

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