Alta Loma Dental Care Helps Prevent Gum Disease

Caring for your teeth is an essential part of maintaining good oral health, but your gums also play an important role, and proper care is crucial. Gum disease can be a serious detriment to both your oral health and overall wellness, and Dr. Michael Kim provides the type of regular periodontal care and checkups you need to maintain peak health and prevent periodontal issues.

With periodontal disease responsible for 75 percent of all adult tooth loss cases in the United States, it is critical to check for and treat periodontal issues when they first arise. Periodontal disease is an infection of the gums that starts when a build-up of plaque on your teeth hardens, creating a suitable environment for bacteria to collect and attack the surrounding gums. In its early stages, this gum disease is gingivitis, but if it is left untreated, it becomes periodontis, which can destroy your gum tissue and lead to tooth loss. Periodontis can even result in a loss of bone mass in your jawbone. Heart disease, diabetes and stroke have also been linked to poor periodontal health.

The state of your gums affects the health of your entire body, so come to our office in Alta Loma, CA to receive periodontal cleanings and treatment. It is easier to prevent gum disease or treat it early on than to reverse the effects of periodontis. Call (909) 987-6268 to schedule an appointment at our practice. For more information about the dentist or Alta Loma Dental Care, visit www.altalomadentalcare.com.  

Dr. Michael Kim’s Tips for a Healthier Smile

Regular exams and cleanings with Dr. Michael Kim are only a small part of a good oral hygiene routine. Everyday oral care habits also play a vital role in a healthy smile, and if you want to improve your oral health, here are some simple changes you can make.

1.            Brush better. Good technique and proper duration are essential for effective brushing. To maximize your brushing, hold your toothbrush at a 45 degree angle and make sweeping circular motions away from the gums. You should brush for at least two minutes or for the length of a song.

2.            Floss. Dr. Kim has probably already told you how important this is. This is because flossing can actually do a better job of removing harmful plaque than brushing, and it only needs to be done once a day. So why aren’t you doing it already? It’s the key to healthier teeth and fresher breath.

3.            Chew sugarless gum. Sugarless gum is a great way to keep your smile fresh after a meal. Not only will it improve your breath, but chewing gum increases saliva production to help wash away the acids released by the bacteria in plaque. If the gum has xylitol, it even helps reduce decay-causing bacteria.

4.            Replace your toothbrush. How long have you been brushing with your toothbrush? As your toothbrush ages, the bristles will fray and lose their cleaning ability. Extremely frayed bristles can even hurt your gums. Bacteria can also build up in the bristles of toothbrushes, so make sure you are replacing yours ever three to four months.

5.            Switch to tap water. Tap water is treated with fluoride, which is a safe and effective technique for lowering tooth decay across the nation. Plus, it’s basically free.

For more ways to keep your smile healthy, turn to Alta Loma Dental Care in Alta Loma, CA. To schedule an appointment, call (909) 987-6268. For more information, please visit www.altalomadentalcare.com.

Treatment for TMJ Disorders at Alta Loma Dental Care

TMJ is an abbreviation for temporomandibular joint, which is the joint that connects your mandible (lower jaw) to your skull at the temporal bone. While many call disorders associated with this joint, TMJ, those disorders are more appropriately called TMD (temporomandibular disorder), and TMD can have symptoms that range from teeth grinding and headaches to trouble chewing and pain when opening and closing your mouth. TMD is not only an annoying disorder; it is also a destructive one and can cause serious damage to your teeth if left untreated. At our office in Alta Loma, CA, Dr. Michael Kim can determine if you suffer from TMD and offer ways to treat the disorder.

The TMJ controls an assortment of jaw functions, including chewing, so if you’re chewing muscles or the joint itself is in pain, it is possible that you have TMD. TMD is often caused by stress, which leads to unconscious clenching and teeth grinding while awake and asleep. The disorder’s symptoms include pain, trouble chewing, lock jaw, headaches or ear pain and a popping or clicking sound when opening your mouth. However, these symptoms may be indicative of other health problems as well, so it is important to see a medical professional for a diagnosis.

Grinding your teeth is an especially worrisome TMD-associated behavior since it can lead to further problems with your mouth. If your teeth grinding is left unaddressed, you will cause serious wear to the enamel of your teeth and expose the dentin, which will make your teeth more sensitive to heat and cold and more susceptible to decay. However, you can work with Dr. Kim to relieve symptoms with mouth guards or night guards.

If you think that you might be suffering from TMD or teeth grinding, schedule an appointment at Alta Loma Dental Care by calling (909) 987-6268. For more information, visit www.altalomadentalcare.com.

Straighten Your Teeth in Six Months in Alta Loma, CA

Straight teeth are an important part of creating a healthy and beautiful smile, and the orthodontic community would agree that braces are the most widely-used and effective method for correcting patients’ alignment or bite. However, traditional braces aren’t always a favorite of patients, which is why at our office in Alta Loma, CA, we offer Six Month Smiles.   

Six Month Smiles® is an innovative orthodontic treatment that has taken the best aspects of braces and modified them to give patients the cosmetic solution they want in a way that fits their lifestyles. With an average treatment time of only six months, Six Month Smiles® provides a conservative and predictable final result: a beautiful smile. Using Six Month Smiles Lucid-Lok® clear brackets and tooth-colored wires renders these braces barely visible while straightening your teeth. In addition, Six Month Smiles Patient Tray Kits™ ensure that all your appointments are quick and comfortable. Overall, low forces and short treatment times increase your comfort, safety and hygiene while correcting your teeth.

If you’re looking for an easy and quick solution to your crooked smile, Six Month Smiles® is the way to go. You can get a smile you will be happy to show off without the garish metal mouth of traditional braces.

Dr. Michael Kim of Alta Loma Dental Care offers Six Month Smiles® to give his patients the megawatt smiles they’ve always wanted. Call 909-987-6268 to schedule an appointment and see how these braces can transform your smile. For more information, please visit www.altalomadentalcare.com.