A Comprehensive Guide to Maintaining Good Oral Health

Good oral health is imperative to living a healthy life. Not only does it improve your looks, but it also helps in preventing several diseases. There are many factors that can wreak havoc on your oral health, such as poor diet, lack of proper hygiene, smoking, and substance abuse. Oral hygiene refers to the practice of keeping one’s teeth clean and healthy. It encompasses brushing and flossing the teeth, as well as visiting a dentist for professional cleanings at least twice a year. Not only does good oral health prevent gum disease and tooth decay, but it also helps the person look and feel their best. BRUSHING AND FLOSSING YOUR TEETH Brushing your teeth removes food, plaque, and bacteria from the surfaces of your teeth. Though brushing and flossing are important for maintaining good oral health, it is also important that you are brushing correctly. If you fail to brush or floss regularly enough, you could develop gum disease and other serious health problems. CHANGE TOOTHBRUSH FROM TIME TO TIME You should change your toothbrush at least every three months or as soon as the bristles start to wear down. Look for a soft-bristled toothbrush. Medium- and hard-bristled toothbrushes can damage the gums and wear away at the enamel of your teeth. If you’re prone to cavities, choose a toothbrush with the ADA Seal of Acceptance. These brushes have been tested by the ADA for effectiveness and safety. Consider an electronic toothbrush for better cleaning. An electric toothbrush can clean hard-to-reach places and keep your gums healthy. EATING NUTRITIOUSLY Consuming a healthy diet is an important part of maintaining a healthy smile. To ensure that you maintain healthy teeth, avoid snacking in between meals whenever possible. Instead, consume snacks that are high in calcium and phosphorous such as cheese, yogurt, or almonds. It’s also important to avoid sugary foods that stick to teeth and cause decay over time. If you do eat or drink something that contains sugar, brush your teeth as soon as possible to prevent damage. QUIT SMOKING One of the greatest ways to improve your oral health is to quit smoking. Smoking can stain your teeth, increase your risk for gum disease and oral cancer, and cause bad breath. If you are a smoker and want to improve your oral health, the best thing you can do is quit. Ask your dentist for help developing a plan to quit. REGULAR DENTAL CHECKUPS Professional cleanings remove bacteria and plaque that accumulates on the teeth and under the gums, helping to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. Scheduling regular appointments with your dentist for your oral health care is also a great way to prevent serious oral health problems from occurring in the first place.  To learn more about oral health, contact Smiles by Design at 2165 Fourth St. Ste B, Livermore, CA 94550, or call (925) 443-4182.

Common Dental Problems and Their Treatments

Tooth decay, or cavities, is caused by plaque. Plaque is a sticky biofilm that builds up on your teeth and contains bacteria. When you don't brush your teeth, plaque can form on your teeth. Plaque contains acid that eats away at your teeth. This acid can weaken the outer protective layer of your tooth, called the enamel. WHAT IS TOOTH DECAY? Tooth decay is caused by oral bacteria that feed on sugar and other carbohydrates in foods and drinks to create acids that can erode the enamel on a tooth's surface. Over time, this acid can break down the tooth's structure and create deep cavities or holes in the affected teeth. While brushing and flossing are the most effective ways to prevent tooth decay, practicing these habits is not always enough. That's because it can be difficult to completely remove all of the plaque and tartar from your teeth with daily oral hygiene alone. This is why visiting the dentist every six months is so important. Your dentist is able to remove the buildup from the surfaces of your teeth as well as track the health of your gums and look for signs of early tooth decay that may be hard to spot with the naked eye. If you're experiencing symptoms of tooth decay, such as toothaches or sensitivity when eating hot or cold foods, then it's important to seek treatment as soon as possible. This can help you avoid more serious complications in the future.  WHAT IS GUM DISEASE? Gum disease happens when bacteria multiply in your mouth. This plaque buildup causes gums to bleed and swell as the bacteria destroy the tissue that keeps your teeth and gums healthy. If left untreated, gum disease can cause your teeth to loosen and even fall out. Gum disease can also cause you to develop more cavities due to the bacteria's effects on your enamel. Plus, people with gum disease are more likely to have heart disease and other serious health issues. That's why it's so important to visit our dentist at the first sign of problems. Brushing twice a day is a great way to reduce your risk for gum disease. Flossing once a day is also essential to remove food particles from between teeth that your toothbrush can't reach. Talk to your dentist about how often you should brush and floss for the best dental health. If you've already developed gum disease, don't worry! The earlier the condition is treated, the better the outcome will be. During an appointment at our dental office, we'll check for signs of periodontal disease and recommend the best way to treat it.  WHAT CAUSES TOOTHACHES? If you experience tooth pain, it's possible that tooth decay or gum disease is to blame. Both problems are caused by plaque buildup on the teeth. If left untreated, they can cause severe damage to the teeth and gums, as well as tooth loss.  HOW TO PREVENT TOOTH DECAY AND GUM DISEASE? The best way to prevent both tooth decay and gum disease is to brush twice a day for two minutes each time. Make sure to use a soft-bristled toothbrush and toothpaste that contains fluoride. Flossing once a day will help remove plaque that can build up between teeth and prevent the formation of new cavities. You should also limit your consumption of sugary foods and beverages, such as candy, soda, juice, and sports drinks. Additionally, you should visit your dentist at least once every six months for a professional cleaning and checkup. They will assess the health of your teeth and provide treatment if needed. To learn more, contact Smiles by Design at 2165 Fourth St. Ste B, Livermore, CA 94550, or call (925) 443-4182.

Transforming Your Smile With Cosmetic Dentistry

For patients, cosmetic dentistry can help them love their smile again. Whether it’s due to trauma, neglect, or even genetics, cosmetic smile flaws can turn a person away from smiling or engaging in social interactions with others. A beautiful smile is so important when it comes to enjoying time with friends and family, as well as making a great first impression on new people. Every treatment our dentists offer is designed to give your smile a fresh start so you can find the confidence and renewed happiness you deserve. Some of our treatments include: TOOTH-COLORED FILLINGS Tooth-colored fillings made from composite resin are the perfect option for cavities. Composite resin makes a great match for the natural appearance of your teeth while also providing durable protection that lasts for years at a time. DENTAL CROWNS & BRIDGES Dental crowns cover a tooth to restore its health and appearance. A bridge is used to replace one or more missing teeth in a row using dental crowns on surrounding healthy teeth for support. Both restorations help you regain full oral function while improving the look of your smile. TEETH WHITENING Professional teeth whitening is one of our most popular cosmetic services at our dental office. People love the convenience of this in-office treatment and how it can transform smiles with just a single visit. Of course, at-home whitening systems are also effective, but professional whitening is the fastest way to see dramatic results. Most patients experience tooth sensitivity for a few days after treatment, but this usually resolves on its own within a few days. Results should last for around a year if you follow good oral hygiene habits and avoid stain-causing foods and beverages. VENEERS Dental veneers are ultra-thin shells made of porcelain that bond to the front of your teeth. They are custom-made for every patient so that they fit their individual needs and preferences. The process for creating custom veneers requires two appointments with your dentist. At your first appointment, the dentist will take impressions of your teeth so that your veneers will be custom-made to match your smile. The dentist will remove a small amount of enamel from the teeth receiving veneers to make room for the veneer’s thickness. On your next visit, the dentist will check to make sure that the veneers fit well and will permanently bond to your teeth. Once they are bonded in place, you will be able to care for your new smile just as you did with your natural teeth. Because veneers are stain resistant, they do not require as much maintenance as natural teeth.  DENTAL BONDING Bonding is a cosmetic procedure in which a material called composite resin has adhered to your teeth to improve the appearance of your smile. The teeth may be stained or chipped, and the composite material will be shaped and polished to create a beautiful new surface. The procedure is non-invasive and comfortable; patients can typically return to work the same day.  A review of cosmetic dentistry costs will help you determine a plan that fits your budget. Many dental insurance plans cover some amount of the procedure cost, making it even more affordable and convenient to whiten the smile.  To learn more, contact Smiles by Design at 2165 Fourth St. Ste B, Livermore, CA 94550, or call (925) 443-4182.

Dental Care for Children

Children's teeth are just as important as your own. Careful dental care is necessary from the moment your child begins teething. Many parents wonder how often they should schedule their child's first dental appointment. The short answer is as early as your child's first birthday. CONSIDERATIONS FOR DENTAL CARE FOR CHILDREN If your child is an infant, be sure to carefully clean their gums after feedings and before they go to sleep every night with a soft cloth or gauze and water. Once your child reaches toddlerhood, you can start to incorporate an age-appropriate toothbrush into their nightly routine (you can ask your dentist if they have any recommendations on which kind to use). Your child will want to start brushing on their own as soon as they're able to do so – this usually happens around the age of three. However, you should continue to remind them to brush their teeth until they are able to do it correctly by themselves. Once you see that your child is consistently brushing their own teeth twice a day, you can switch out helping them with brushing their teeth for supervising them. This is usually around the age of seven; however, every child is different. In addition to regular at-home care, be sure to bring your child in for a cleaning every six months as well. This will help to ensure that their teeth stay clean and healthy between visits. ORAL CARE FOR CHILDREN When children reach the age of three, they should start brushing their teeth with toothpaste that does not contain fluoride unless directed by a dentist. Parents should teach their children how to hold a toothbrush and how to move it back and forth across the front of their teeth in a circular motion. They should then help their child brush the chewing surfaces of each of their back teeth as well. Children should continue doing this twice a day until they have developed the skill of doing it properly on their own. Once your child has reached this age, they should practice the proper flossing technique daily by wrapping a piece of floss around their middle fingers and gently sliding it between each pair of teeth. They should use a clean section of floss for each tooth to avoid introducing bacteria and food particles into areas that have already been cleaned. Parents should also supervise their young children's flossing to ensure that it is done properly and that no teeth are neglected in the process. In addition to regular brushing and flossing, a healthy diet can also go a long way toward maintaining your child's oral health. This includes limiting between-meal snacks and eating sugary treats in moderation. You can also give your child plain water to drink rather than sweetened beverages like juice and soda. Acidic drinks should be avoided because they erode tooth enamel and cause cavities. EARLY VISITS TO THE DENTIST The American Dental Association recommends taking your child to visit the dentist by their first birthday or six months after the first tooth erupts. This early visit will help get your child used to visiting the dentist's office and provide a baseline for future visits so that any problems can be caught early on in their development. Your child's first teeth will eventually fall out and be replaced by permanent teeth. However, their wisdom teeth often come in later as teenagers or adults. These teeth can cause crowding and pain if they are impacted, so it's important to have your dentist keep an eye on their development while they are still coming in and forming inside the gums. Your dentist may recommend monitoring the eruption of these teeth with X-rays. If the teeth are impacted or not coming in correctly, your dentist can discuss treatment options with you to help you make an informed decision about how to proceed. It can be difficult for you and your child to get used to the idea of seeing a dentist at such a young age, but regular cleanings and exams can help prevent cavities and other oral health problems from developing. Although it may feel like your young child is too young to understand how dental care works, most dentists are trained to help children feel comfortable at their appointments. To learn more, contact Smiles by Design at 2165 Fourth St. Ste B, Livermore, CA 94550, or call (925) 443-4182.