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Thursday, February 25, 2016

Taking Care of Your Infant’s Teeth

After weeks of listening to your baby cry from discomfort, you finally spot that first little tooth bud. Our doctors at Alta Loma Dental Care want you to know that baby teeth may be small, but they’re important because they act as placeholders for adult teeth. Without a healthy set of baby teeth, your child will have trouble chewing and speaking clearly. To avoid that, we have suggestions for taking care of your infant's teeth.


It’s critical to take care of baby’s gums right away. But at first, you will not be using a toothbrush or toothpaste. Instead, you should grab a soft, moistened washcloth or piece of gauze and gently wipe down your baby’s gums at least twice a day. Especially wipe your baby’s gums after feedings and before bedtime to avoid baby bottle decay. The reason being that the sugary liquids pool around the teeth for long periods of time as your baby sleeps, leading to cavities that first develop in the upper and lower front teeth. 


If you have further questions regarding your child’s oral hygiene habits, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.altalomadentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Alta Loma Dental Care in Alta Loma, CA, call 909-987-6268.

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

What is Xylitol?

Xylitol is a natural sweetener derived from the fibrous part of plants. It does not break down like sugar and can help keep a neutral pH level in the mouth. Perhaps you’ve seen the name on a label of American Dental Association (ADA) chewing gum or chewing gum that is simply, “sugar-free.” This is because xylitol protects the teeth from decay, and consuming it is highly recommended by our dentists at Alta Loma Dental Care.


Tooth decay happens when bacteria in your mouth consume the sugars we eat. When you eat food containing ordinary sugar, it gives bacteria on your teeth energy, allowing them to multiply and start producing acids that can attack your tooth enamel. Due to the dental benefits of xylitol, the acid attack that would otherwise last for over a half an hour is stopped in its tracks. Research has also shown that the use of xylitol also helps repair damage to the enamel. So next time you’re strolling through the candy aisle at a convenience store, you may want to look for a label that mentions this sugar substitute.


If you have further questions regarding xylitol, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.altalomadentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Alta Loma Dental Care in Alta Loma, CA, call 909-987-6268.

Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Reasons You May Need a Tooth Extraction

Although permanent teeth can last a lifetime, teeth that have become damaged or decayed may need to be removed or extracted. The most common reason for tooth extractions are typically the removal of wisdom teeth, because with them, the patient is at risk of infection. Before one of our doctors at Alta Loma Dental Care considers extraction, every effort will be made to repair and restore your tooth first. However, sometimes tooth extractions are unavoidable.


Other reasons for tooth extraction include:



  • Some people have extra teeth that block other teeth from coming in.

  • Sometimes baby teeth don’t fall out in time to allow permanent teeth to come in.

  • People getting braces may need teeth extracted to create room for teeth that are being moved into place.

  • Some teeth may need to be extracted if they have the potential of becoming infected.


If you have a tooth that is causing you pain, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.altalomadentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Alta Loma Dental Care in Alta Loma, CA, call 909-987-6268.

Thursday, February 4, 2016

How Do Teeth Become Discolored?

Yellow teeth can be mild or severe, but either way, a white smile is what everyone desires. At Alta Loma Dental Care of Alta Loma, CA, we want our patients to be aware of how teeth turn yellow, so they can avoid staining and feel proud to flash their smile!


 When teeth have surface stains, these stains can eventually penetrate the enamel and reach the dentin of the tooth. The dentin is the dental pulp of the tooth in the center. It contains a soft tissue that can turn dark if stains reach it. When the dentin becomes discolored, it tends to turn the whole tooth a darker or yellowish color. Professional whitening services are able to reach past the enamel, not only lifting surface stains but lifting stains from the dentin, as well.


This penetration is why a good oral hygiene routine is important. Surface stains cannot hang around for long if a brush is continually working to polish them away. Plus, when you remove plaque, that limits the amount of time stain-causing food or drinks can sit on the teeth.


If you are looking to whiten your smile, it helps to know just how stains are caused in the first place. To learn about our whitening procedure here at Alta Loma Dental Care in Alta Loma, CA, call our office at (909) 987-6268 or visit our website, www.altalomadentalcare.com