How to Treat Tooth Sensitivity

There are many individuals who suffer from tooth sensitivity, and chances are that they don’t know the source of their pain or how to remedy their situation. I often see patients who have experienced sensitivity for some time in order to help them relieve their discomfort and prevent further complications. The two most common reasons for tooth sensitivity are loss of the enamel layer and recession of the gums. This exposes the dentin, which is the part of the tooth that covers the nerve.

During an examination, the teeth and gums are thoroughly examined in order to determine the best treatment plan. Cavities causing the sensitivity can be treated with restoration. If the gums are receding and causing pain, a deep cleaning is performed to remove build-up and prevent further damage to the teeth and gums. However, when the dentin is exposed, we can try various treatments, which may be in-office and at-home techniques. A fluoride varnish, gel, or foam can be used to help strengthen the exposed areas. Bonding material can also be applied to the exposed areas to provide a barrier to the dentin. At-home treatments may include using a very soft bristle tooth brush, low abrasive toothpaste, brushing correctly, and incorporating a tooth paste with a high concentration of fluoride.

Please feel free to schedule an appointment at my practice to further discuss your options for treatment. In addition, I am a Beverly Hills orthodontist who is ready to help you achieve a more beautiful smile.

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Poor Oral Health Passed on to Children

Our children’s oral health is of utmost importance, which is why they should see a dentist by their first birthday in order to ensure that their teeth are coming in strong and healthy. However, there is now proof that children inherit their parent’s oral health. The mother’s oral health during pregnancy can be a determiner in how the child’s own oral health will develop. It was discovered that children born to mothers with bad oral health also experienced similar traits.

In order to ensure your children’s dental health, it is important to make sure that your teeth are in top shape, which means sticking with routine visits to your dentist. At my Beverly Hills practice, I encourage patients to come in for a cleaning at least once a year, and twice for optimal health. This helps me better monitor their oral health and dental structure in order to prevent serious problems and/or diseases. Proper treatment for any dental/oral issue can greatly improve the overall health of your teeth and gums, as well as help prevent further problems. Some of the dental procedures performed at my practice near Los Angeles include routine cleaning, dental implants, and porcelain veneers. It is my goal to help every patient achieve a healthier, brighter smile.

I encourage all individuals to visit my website to learn more regarding their oral health. In addition, mothers-to-be should take further precautions and make sure that their teeth and gums are in their best shape.

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Taking Care of Your Teeth

It is most people’s goal to achieve and maintain a healthy, beautiful-looking smile; however, what many individual fail to take into consideration is that their basic oral hygiene habits are typically engrained during childhood. This is why I strongly urge my patients to be good role models for their children and show them how to brush, floss, and rinse at least twice a day on a daily basis.

As mentioned, brushing, flossing, and rinsing regularly are the first steps to a healthy smile. This prevents plaque buildup, which can lead to infections and gum disease. Additionally, avoiding sugary foods and beverages can help reduce your risk of cavities and tooth decay. You may also prevent staining and yellowing of the teeth by avoiding smoking, drinking wine, coffee, and dark sodas. You should also avoid eating staining foods such as berries. Should you be experiencing yellowing or stains, a tooth whitening procedure may be ideal.

It is also important that you keep routine dental check-ups with your dentist in order to diagnose any issues before they become critical. Your oral healthcare provider can also recommend any corrective treatments if the teeth are misaligned, such as orthodontics. Based on your particular situation, traditional braces, porcelain veneers, or Invisalign may be of great benefit.

Braces can help those who have severely crooked teeth over a period of a few months to a couple of years, based on the patient’s needs. When only a few teeth are in need of correction, veneers may be the best option. If you have had traditional braces in the past or only have minimal misalignment, Invisalign clear trays can be used to gradually move the teeth to a straighter position.

If you would like further information regarding your dental needs, please feel free to browse my website. Those in search of a Beverly Hills orthodontist often visit my practice to achieve the smile of their dreams.

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Mouth and Body Connection

Not only can a beautiful smile help brighten your face; it can also be a sign of overall good health. When you brush and floss on a daily basis, as well as keep your regular check-ups with your dentist, you are helping to prevent multiple issues from arising. The following are some of the ways that healthy teeth are linked to your body’s general health.

Boost in Self-Confidence: Poor oral hygiene can lead to bad breath, which can be embarrassing and lower an individual’s self-esteem. Proper care to clean the teeth, gums, and tongue can reduce the occurrence of bad breath and increase confidence.

Possible Lowered Risk of Heart Disease: There are some studies showing that gum disease may be linked to heart disease, blockages of blood vessels, and strokes. Proper flossing can help reduce gum disease.

Helps Keep Blood Sugar Stable in Diabetics: Those who suffer from diabetes are more likely to develop gum disease as they aren’t able to fight off infection easily. Therefore, maintaining healthy gums is essential in preventing further oral health issues.

It is highly encouraged that you visit your dentist on a regular basis in order to keep your teeth, gums, and body healthy. Further information is available on my website, where you may also schedule an appointment at my practice. Those in search of a Los Angeles cosmetic dentist often turn to my practice for their dental needs.

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Straightening Crooked Teeth

It’s safe to say that no one has a naturally perfect smile, which is why so many individuals visit my Beverly Hills practice. One of the most common complaints is that their teeth are misaligned, which can often cause other dental problems, such as gum disease. However, because traditional orthodontics are often undesirable for adults, many may choose to not have their teeth treated. Therefore, in order to help these patients get the smile they desire, I offer Invisalign.

These clear, orthodontic trays can gradually shift the teeth to a more aligned position without the noticeable metal wires and brackets. They are a great alternative to traditional braces and can provide you with similar results. Invisalign trays are ideal for those who need minimal correction to their teeth, especially for individuals who have had traditional braces in the past but have experienced additional changes in the alignment of their teeth. The best way to determine if you are eligible for Invisalign trays is to schedule an initial consultation. During this time I can examine your dental structure and recommend the most appropriate treatment plan. You may be interested in other cosmetic dentistry procedures in addition to Invisalign, such as teeth whitening.

If you would like to learn more regarding your options with Invisalign and are in the Los Angeles area, please feel free to contact my practice for an appointment. I am dedicated to providing every patient with the smile of their dreams.

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Why Having Straight Teeth is Important

We all know that a bright, straight smile is a sign of beauty. But did you know that it can also mean you have good oral health? Brushing, flossing, and rinsing daily are an important step to maintaining a healthy-looking smile; however, when you have misaligned, crooked teeth, this can still lead to certain oral care problems.

When the teeth are properly aligned the gums can better hug the teeth and protect them from disease. It can also make brushing and flossing more effective when the teeth are straight. Furthermore, chewing with misaligned teeth can put extra pressure on certain areas, which can then lead to premature deterioration and thus putting the entire dental structure at risk for issues to arise. Additionally, there are many individuals who have permanent lisps due to a misaligned dental structure.

In order to correct crooked teeth and attain a healthier smile, you may need orthodontics. I understand that it can be bothersome and/or embarrassing to wear braces in adulthood, which is why I offer Invisalign. These are clear, orthodontic trays that are worn in two-week increments until the teeth have been straightened. With Invisalign, you can correct your bite and help prevent serious dental/oral problems.

Feel free to visit my Beverly Hills practice to learn more regarding Invisalign and how it can be of benefit to you.

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Smoking Causes More than Bad Breath

It is well known that smoking is bad for your health. Not only can smoking cause bad breath, but also increase your risk of oral cancer. The various chemicals and ingredients that make up a cigarette can cause damage to the teeth, throat, tongue, and other areas of the mouth. Fortunately, there are several ways to help a person quit.

The best way to lower your risk of cancer is to quit as soon as possible. However, we know that this is easer said than done. There are numerous methods to help individuals quit smoking, including nicotine patches, gum, prescribed medications, and even “e-cigarettes” (to wean a person off of actual cigarettes). Oftentimes, it isn’t until a patient complains of a toothache, red or dark patches inside the mouth, difficulty chewing, swallowing or moving the jaw, or feeling that something is stuck in the throat that he/she seeks treatment. As a cosmetic dentist dedicated to patient health, I am sure to thoroughly examine the patient’s oral health in order to catch any early signs of cancer.

If you think you may be experiencing signs of oral cancer, please seek medical attention as soon as possible. I encourage you to schedule an appointment at my Beverly Hills practice to learn more regarding ways to prevent oral cancer. Those in the Los Angeles area in search of a cosmetic dentist have often turned to my practice for their dental needs.

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Causes of Tooth Cavities

Children and adults are susceptible to getting a cavity or two throughout their lives. But what exactly is a cavity? When there is an acid attack on the teeth it causes a hole to form (cavity), which generally starts in the enamel, but can spread to the softer inner layer of the tooth. A cavity is caused by decay that occurs when carbohydrate foods become trapped between teeth, and are not properly removed with brushing and flossing. Bacteria living in the mouth digest these foods, which generate acidic byproducts that eat away at the enamel.

In order to prevent cavities from forming it is best to refrain from eating or drinking anything with a lot of carbohydrates. Sweets and sugary beverages can cause excess build-up of plaque and other cavity-causing particles. Fluoride is also a good way to prevent cavities, which can be found in some water, mouth rinses, and toothpastes. Additionally, it is ideal for you to brush and floss your teeth at least twice a day. This can help remove damaging elements from the teeth and prevent decay.

If you would like to learn more about how to prevent cavities, please feel free to schedule an appointment at my Beverly Hills practice. Those looking for a Los Angeles cosmetic dentist may find the procedures offered at my office to be of great benefit.

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Proper Way To Brush Your Teeth

One of the important things I tell my patients to do is to brush their teeth at least two times a day. It can help prevent plaque build-up and cavities from forming by removing food particles and sugar residue. However, there are several individuals who ask about the proper way to brush their teeth. The following tips may be of great benefit if you also have concerns about brushing techniques.

• Brush at a 45-degree angle in short half-tooth-wide strokes against the gum line, on the outer and inner surfaces.
• Hold the brush flat, and brush back and forth on chewing surfaces
• Tilt the brush vertically and use gentle up and down strokes with the toe of brush on inside surfaces of front teeth,
• To remove food particles and freshen your mouth, brush the tongue in a back-to-front sweeping motion

It is also important to floss daily in order to remove food particles from in between the teeth. By following a regular brushing routine you may be able to avoid getting any fillings. Although this is not a guarantee, it is definitely a step to better oral health.

Please feel free to contact my Beverly Hills practice if you are looking for a cosmetic dentist near Los Angeles. I look forward to helping you achieve a smile you are proud to show off.

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Why You Should Consider Dental Implants

It wasn’t too long ago when a missing tooth meant that you would need to wear a removable bridge or denture. Many patients have struggled with these in the past and in some circumstances, caused further damage to the surrounding teeth. The advances in cosmetic dental techniques and technologies have introduced dental implants – a permanent tooth replacement.

The most common complaint from denture and bridge wearers is the instability, which is something that you would no longer have to worry about with dental implants. These can be used when the area in which the tooth is missing is healthy enough to sustain the artificial root and tooth. First, a titanium cylinder must be screwed into the jawbone and allowed to heal over a period of three to six months. Once the new “root” has been integrated into the jaw, the artificial tooth can be permanently bonded to achieve a natural-looking smile. The new tooth will look and act like your natural tooth and should be cared for just as you would the rest of your teeth. Now that the removable bridge/denture is no longer disturbing the surrounding teeth, there is a reduced risk of damage to the teeth and gums.

If you are ready to throw out your dentures and/or bridge, schedule an appointment to learn about your options with dental implants. Los Angeles and Beverly Hills patients can achieve a more beautiful and natural-looking smile with the help of cosmetic dentistry.

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