Category Archive for ‘Family Dentistry’

Crowns & Bridges
February 15, 2019

How does Pregnancy affect your Oral Health?

by admin / Posted in Dental Care, Family Dentistry, General Dentistry
Pregnancy comes with a whole host of changes to a woman’s body, ranging from hormonal changes to physical ones. Unlike the obvious changes, like the development of a baby bump, pregnancy can cause changes to your body that may go unnoticed. Some of those changes can have a dramatic impact on your oral health. Hormonal changes in the body can have a direct impact on its normal behavior. This is why it is important for women to take excellent care of their teeth while pregnant. The hormonal changes increase the risk of developing gum disease because it makes your gums more sensitive, which makes it easier for gingivitis to develop, and that can have a big impact on the health of the unborn baby. It is not uncommon for pregnant women to experience pregnancy gingivitis, which can be identified by swelling, bleeding, redness or softness of the gum tissue. Periodontal disease, a more advanced oral health condition can also affect the health of your baby. Research has shown that an expectant mother who suffers from periodontal disease may deliver a premature, low birth weight baby. These mothers are actually seven times more likely to have a baby that is born earlier and smaller than the usual baby, which increases the risk of future health problems and disabilities. There is hope, however, if you are diagnosed with periodontal disease and you are pregnant, our expert dentists will recommend a very common, non-surgical procedure called scaling and root planning. This simple procedure cleans the root of the teeth and the teeth themselves to remove plaque, tartar, and bacterial toxins. This can reduce the risk of having a premature or low weight birth. Additionally, this can reduce many of the symptoms of pregnancy gingivitis. Follow these tips for optimal oral health during pregnancy:
  • Avoid sweets, as sweets provide a excellent food source for harmful bacteria.
  • As a precaution, avoid dental treatments during the first trimester and the second half of the third trimester. Let your dentist know you are pregnant.
  • Eat a healthy, balanced diet. Your baby’s teeth develop in the third month of pregnancy, so you want to be sure to be eating plenty of good nutrients to feed the growing baby.
  • Pay special attention to your gums, and if you see any changes call your dentist at Golden Smiles Dental (909) 481-8990 right away.
  • Maintain good oral hygiene, brushing at least twice a day, and flossing at least once a day.
  • Try a softer toothbrush if you cannot stand brushing your teeth due to morning sickness.
Finally, never skip routine dental checkups, as these are vital to keeping track of your dental health. Taking care of yourself is the beginning of good health for your baby. Call Golden Smiles Dental today to schedule your appointment: (909) 481-8990.
Wisdom Teeth
February 5, 2019

When should I get my Wisdom Teeth Removed?

by admin / Posted in Dental Care, Family Dentistry, General Dentistry
Many young adults go through a routine procedure to get their wisdom teeth removed, with an estimated 10 million wisdom teeth removed from 5 million people a year. Sometimes, though, surgery is not necessary. You can trust Golden Smiles Dental in Rancho Cucamonga, CA to be able to provide you with the expertise and the care to help you decide if getting your wisdom teeth removed is the next best step for you and your oral care.

What makes Wisdom Teeth Wise?

Wisdom teeth are your third and final set of molars that typically emerge in the late teens and early twenties. If they can be properly aligned and healthy, these teeth can be a valuable addition to your mouth. However, it is more common for these teeth to not be aligned, and this can have disastrous effects for the rest of your mouth. They can come in horizontally, angled inward or outward, or tilted toward or away from your second molars. Any misalignment can cause crowding and even damage to adjacent teeth, your jawbone, or your nerves. Additionally, there stems another potential issue from when the wisdom teeth come in impacted or enclosed within the jawbone or the soft tissue in a way that only partially breaks through the gum line. This partial eruption creates a perfect venue for infectious bacteria to enter your teeth and grow, causing an infection. Because these partially-erupted teeth are hard to reach and hard to clean, they become the perfect avenue for future tooth decay to take hold.

Why should you get your wisdom teeth removed?

Dentists will make the decision to remove wisdom teeth when they begin to impact teeth around them, causing problems, or when an X-ray shows that there may be problems down the line. They will also consider other factors, such as age, position of the teeth, and shape of your mouth to project any potential issues. Many dentists will remove teeth that appear healthy now but may pose a threat to your oral health in the future. The longer you wait, the more difficult it becomes to remove a tooth. Despite current pain, consult with your dentist to see if removing your wisdom teeth is the right move for you. Other symptoms that could indicate the need to remove your wisdom teeth include:
  • Damage to the jaw. Cysts can form around the new wisdom teeth, and if left untreated for too long, can cause damage to the surrounding nerves and hollow out your jaw.
  • Inflammation of the Gums. The gum tissue surrounding the wisdom teeth can become sensitive and swell, which can to pain and a more difficult mouth to clean.
  • Sinus issues. Sinus pain, pressure and congestion can all arise as a result of the inflammation in the gums.
  • The real danger of unremoved wisdom teeth. The swelling caused by inflammation can create pockets in which bacteria can hide and create cavities.
Regular check ups can keep you one step ahead of tooth decay, and your dentist will be able to tell you if you need wisdom teeth removed. Make sure you keep to your schedule of routine check ups. Call (909) 481-8990 today to arrange your appointment at Golden Smiles Dental, in Rancho Cucamonga.
Flossing Teeth
January 24, 2019

Five Reasons Why Flossing is Fundamental

by admin / Posted in Dental Care, Family Dentistry, General Dentistry
Flossing may have a bad reputation, but its benefits are numerous and its role in your oral health is key. Simply brushing your teeth leaves two sides completely untouched, but flossing allows you to reach those sides and keep plaque build up from happening in some of the hardest to reach places.

Flossing Keeps Plaque Out

Flossing is the best way to prevent plaque build-up from happening between your teeth. Plaque is a kind of residue created by bacteria in your mouth after they consume bits of food and drink that are left behind after you eat. It is a soft film that builds up on your teeth, that is home to many harmful bacteria. The plaque will eventually harden into tartar if left to sit on the teeth. Plaque can be removed by daily brushing and flossing but if it is left to harden into tartar it can only be removed by a dental professional, costing you time and money and a trip to the dentist’s office. The plaque is especially harmful as it is acidic and will eat away at the surface of your teeth, causing cavities to form. When left untreated for a long period of time, the cavities can worsen, resulting in major tooth pain and may even necessitate the tooth be removed!

Flossing Covers Where Your Toothbrush Can’t

Toothbrushes are fantastic at removing plaque from three of the five sides of your tooth, the front, back, and chewing surface. That leaves two surfaces that are yet to be cleaned – this is where floss comes in. Flossing should become a major part of your daily routine. Flossing often seems tedious and time-consuming, but with tools like a dental floss holder or even a dental pick, the process becomes incredibly easy. You no longer have to figure out how much dental floss or dental tape to use, just pick up and go! These tools allow you to simply begin flossing, going through your entire mouth start to finish without worrying about the floss slipping or how to get in weird angles.

Not flossing can cost you big time

If you leave the plaque hidden between your teeth it is only a matter of time before it sinks below the gums. Gingivitis is a form of gum disease that creates inflammation and redness in your gums right around the teeth. Gingivitis, thankfully, is easily prevented simply by maintaining good oral hygiene. Brush at least twice a day, and floss daily. This can help you prevent, and with your dentist‘s help, maybe even reverse gingivitis. When left untreated, gingivitis evolves into a more serious form of gum disease: periodontal disease. This disease is often referred to as gum disease. It causes the inner layer of the gums and bone to pull away from the teeth and form pockets. These small pockets can get small bits of food stuck in them, and become infected with bacteria. The bacteria and the toxins the bacteria produce can enter your bloodstream causing all kinds of havoc throughout your body. It can also destabilize the jaw bone and you can actually lose a tooth all because of not flossing! According to the ADA (American Dental Association), gingivitis and periodontal disease are the leading causes of tooth loss in adults. Flossing each day will not only save you your teeth but save you money too!

Flossing helps you look younger!

Gum disease and the associated bone loss and potential tooth loss associated with it, will change how your face is shaped and give you an older appearance. Keeping your teeth clean and healthy will give you a youthful smile and face shape. Floss at least once a day and you will not only look younger but you will be able to keep your smile for a long time. Flossing should be a fundamental part of your daily routine. The benefits of flossing once a day are well worth the few minutes it takes to clean your teeth. Flossing helps you fight against plaque build up and keeps your teeth and mouth healthy and happy. For more information or for tips on how to floss, speak with your dentist at your next visit and they will be happy to show you proper flossing and brushing technique.
Family Brushing Teeth
September 10, 2018

What is Family Dentistry?

by admin / Posted in Family Dentistry
A busy family needs to have a dentist that works with their lives. Where a pediatric dentist specializes in child dental health, a family dentist provides dental care for all stages of life. This means your children can have the same dentist throughout their life, and you and your child’s dental needs can be met at the same office. A family dentist is a perfect fit for busy families that value being able to meet all the various needs of their family without having to go to multiple offices. In this article, we’ll explore what advantages a family dentist offers, and what to consider when looking for the right family dentist.

The Difference between Family Care and Traditional Care

Traditional care with a general dentist is one of the most common dental practices in America. General dentists can treat your whole family and can be your primary care dentist. They often have training in specialized areas, such as root canal therapy or orthodontics. But, a family dentist practice often has multiple specialists in house, offering a convenient all-in-one solution to your family’s dental needs. Whether you need new braces for your teen, or a pediatric dentist for your child, or an endodontist to treat root and pulp, family dentist practices offer all of these services in house. The all-in-one nature of a family dentist also means you can schedule appointments together, reducing the need to stagger appointments or to wait multiple days to get everyone seen. Each practice has their own method of scheduling, and it’s a good idea to ask when looking for a family dental group.

The Benefits of a Family Dentist

A family dentist offers a lot of the benefits of a general dentists, but with some differences. Family dentists accept patients of all ages, whereas a general dentist might have age restrictions. These restrictions could be in place because the dentist might not have extensive training in pediatric dentistry. Children’s teeth require specialists to ensure that they are well cared for and their permanent teeth come in healthy. A family dentist is able to provide your family with the care they need no matter their ages. It makes it much more convenient than having to schedule your own appointments at one dentists and then your child’s appointments at a pediatric dentist clear across town. Often times a family dental group will have many in-house specialists that will provide specialized services such as teeth whitening, crowns, dentures, and more. Having all your dental needs taken care of in the same place keeps the whole family more comfortable. Instead of having to switch dentists when your child starts to need braces, you can keep going to the same family dentist. Many children are afraid of going to the dentist, and keeping everything the same as they grow up can help make them feel comfortable and safe. A family dentist is also able to reduce the time you spend at the dentist office waiting for your whole family to be seen. With a number of in house specialists, the likelihood of everyone getting an appointment together goes way up!

How to Find a Family Dentist

The first thing most people research when finding a new dentist is their location. To be sure, having a dentist conveniently located is important, but there are other factors you should consider when looking for a good dentist. Consider what needs your family has while you look. If you have children, making sure the family dentist has a great pediatric dentistry practice is very important. You’ll also want to consider what services they will provide for your own dental care. Keep in mind any existing oral health issues, and be sure there is a specialist in house to provide care for those issues. It is also good to lay out some criteria for your search. Many people consider the education, price and atmosphere of the office. It is important to be sure the dentists are keeping abreast of the latest developments and have the specialized training that you will need. Today, most dental groups offer advanced procedures and technology to help care for your dental needs. For example, digital x-rays use less radiation and are safer than traditional x-rays. Generally, advanced technology used in the office is less invasive, making a better visit for patients and children that may be uneasy or frightened of going to the dentist. It is important to make sure there is a pediatric dentist on site to manage your children’s dental health. A pediatric dentist is the branch of dentistry that specializes in caring for children’s oral health from birth through adolescence. They can also serve as educational resources to help teach your children how to maintain good dental health throughout their lives. Like adults, visits should occur every six months after the presence of the first tooth, or by a child’s first birthday. It is also important to check with your insurance carrier and to research treatment plans ahead of time. If you expect to have to have a costly procedure done, be sure to ask about payment plans, or what insurance will cover when you visit the dentist. Many dental practices will advertise that they offer treatment for the whole family, but you will need to determine if they are a general practice or a family group. Just because they use “family” in their practice tile doesn’t mean they are a family dentist. Use the resources offered by the American Dental Association to help you in your search. These organizations can help you narrow your search by what specialists you would need, distance from your home, and things like insurance terms and more. Once you have a list of potential dental groups, schedule consultations to visit the office to see if it matches your needs. Is the office clean and does the atmosphere make you feel safe? Are the staff friendly and helpful? Do they offer all the services that you will need? These are all important questions to answer as you find your family their perfect family dentist.