Diamons

flossing

Photography by Dr. Padval

The Basics of Flossing

One of the simplest preventive hygiene exercises you can do for yourself is something you've heard of before. It bears repeating: floss. Every 24 hours, bacteria contribute to a new batch of plaque. Brushing, no matter how well or how long, won’t get all the “bugs,” especially between teeth and where your teeth meet gum tissue. Flossing before or after brushing should be a part of everyone’s home care program. The kind of floss—waxed, unwaxed or tape—doesn't matter. Just choose what you’re comfortable with [...]

By |2024-09-03T09:58:24-07:00October 1, 2024|Preventative Dentistry|

Tooth Watch: Early Detection

Why Early Detection is so Important Wouldn't you say that the best dental treatment is the one you never had to undergo in the first place—because it was caught and corrected in time? We sure would! We’re always on the lookout for a potential problem that can be avoided. That’s why during any checkup, we specialize in early detection to let you know about any problem areas we might see, and are of course happy to demonstrate proper brushing/flossing techniques anytime. Often, you can [...]

By |2024-09-02T14:51:23-07:00September 10, 2024|Preventative Dentistry|

Sense about Sensitivity

When teeth hurt, the sooner we reach the root of the problem, the sooner the pain disappears. What triggers tooth pain? Heat, cold, touch, air, sweet or sour foods. If you recently had a cavity filled, that area may be sensitive for awhile. Other causes of sensitivity are: Erosion of tooth enamel. Gum shrinkage down below the crown exposing the cementum beneath, an area sensitive to heat and cold. One or more teeth shifting into a position where they strike too hard against other [...]

By |2024-09-02T14:46:55-07:00July 9, 2024|Restorative Dentistry|

7 Everyday Tips for Whiter Teeth

Here are some simple, everyday tips that can improve your oral health and give you whiter teeth! Cut out the stain-causing food. Some of the biggest culprits for stained teeth are the foods we eat or drink. Typically, anything with a dark color will likely affect your teeth. These include things like coffee, red wine, and even dark sodas and juices. If you can't bear to do away with these things completely, be sure to brush immediately afterwards, and consider using an over-the-counter bleaching [...]

By |2024-09-02T14:23:26-07:00August 22, 2023|Patient Education|

Do You Have Old Fillings?

If you have old fillings, that will be one of the things we check on whenever you come in for an appointment. We'll examine your teeth to ensure that the damage or decay has not progressed any further. A filling is a tried-and-true method for fixing a cavity and preventing further damage to the tooth. When you have a small cavity, you probably won't even notice the difference initially. But, without treatment, the cavity will become bigger and bigger over time. Especially since it's [...]

By |2023-06-20T08:00:35-07:00June 20, 2023|Restorative Dentistry|

Dental Sealants: Are They Worth It?

What are dental sealants? Dental sealants are a thin, liquid coating that hardens onto teeth to cover their high-risk, vulnerable areas. Commonly used as prevention in children and adolescents, the sealants are applied to the chewing surfaces of teeth. (Particularly the large, rear teeth called molars.) The sealant itself is a composite resin. We apply a thin layer to the treatment area and then use a special light to "cure" the material. This process hardens the sealants, securely fixing them into place. Are sealants [...]

By |2023-02-21T08:00:01-08:00February 21, 2023|Children's Dentistry|

Wisdom Teeth: Should They Stay Or Go?

Why Get Rid of Wisdom Teeth? Wisdom teeth are the third set of molars at the very back of the mouth. They appear in late adolescence, at about ages 17 to 25, depending on the individual. The problem is that most people simply don't have enough room to accommodate these extra teeth. When wisdom teeth are "impacted," it means they are causing problems for neighboring teeth, possibly disrupting their alignment. They are also notorious for emerging in irregular positions, partially emerging, or failing to [...]

By |2023-01-24T08:00:51-08:00January 24, 2023|Patient Education|

Getting An Electric Toothbrush

Should I switch to an electric toothbrush? Or is my old toothbrush doing the job? For many people, making any change is a big decision. Maybe you make a list of pros and cons, carefully weighing benefits and potential drawbacks. Especially for significant changes that will affect your long-held daily habits, we understand that change may be hard. But sometimes it can be especially beneficial! One simple decision that can make a big impact toward improving your oral health is switching to an electric [...]

By |2023-01-03T08:00:50-08:00January 3, 2023|Patient Education|

Dental Care For Seniors

Why Oral Health Is So Important To Seniors As we age, proper oral health is just as important as ever. And, there are additional concerns to take into account. Seniors living on a fixed income may have limited access to care, as well as health issues such as age-related memory loss. If you are a senior, it's essential to continue taking care of yourself. If you have an aging parent or other loved ones, help them maintain their highest quality of life with proper [...]

By |2022-09-27T08:00:45-07:00September 27, 2022|Preventative Dentistry|

Bad Breath, A Bad Sign

Do You Have Bad Breath? Get treatment and see a dentist in Sacramento, CA. We all know that bad breath can be embarrassing socially, but it could be a symptom of more serious dental problems. It may be tempting to mask the issue with cover-ups such as chewing gum, breath mints, mouthwash, or other temporary fixes. However, if bad breath (AKA halitosis) is a continuing problem in your life, we highly recommend an evaluation to determine if an oral health issue is an underlying [...]

By |2022-07-26T08:00:45-07:00July 26, 2022|Patient Education|