Stages of Gum Disease

If you don’t practice a proper oral hygiene routine on a daily basis, you’re already headed down the road toward gum disease. Gum disease is an inflammation of the gums that can progress to affect the bone that surrounds and supports your teeth and there are three that you need to be aware of. You should always schedule professional cleanings and oral exams with our doctors at Alta Loma Dental Care twice a year to avoid them.  

• Gingivitis – This is the earliest stage of gum disease, an inflammation of the gums caused by plaque buildup at the gum line. If daily brushing and flossing do not remove the plaque, it produces toxins that can irritate the gum tissue, causing gingivitis. This is when you’ll notice blood in the sink after you complete your brushing routine. However, at this early stage, damage can be reversed, since the bone and connective tissue that hold the teeth in place are not yet affected.


• Periodontitis – This is the second stage of gum disease. By this point, the supporting bone and fibers that hold your teeth in place are irreversibly damaged. Your gums may even begin to form a pocket below the gum line, which traps food and plaque.


• Advanced Periodontitis – This is the final stage of gum disease, and the fibers and bone supporting your teeth are officially destroyed. In this case, your teeth may begin to shift or loosen and your bite may also be affected. If aggressive treatment can’t save them, the teeth will need to be extracted.

If you suspect you have gum disease, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. 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.

Tender Teeth Habits

If you avoid eating cold foods or drinking hot beverages because your teeth are a little tender, it may be time to get to the root of this problem. Sometimes the solution is simply breaking bad habits. If you catch yourself performing any of the following habits, our doctors at Alta Loma Dental Care recommend doing your best to break them.

• You’re brushing too hard – over time, if you brush with too much force, you can wear down the protective layers of your teeth and expose the microscopic hollow tubes or canals that lead to your dental nerves. When these tubules are exposed, tooth sensitivity is a result.


• You’re eating too many acidic foods – If the pathways to your nerves are exposed, acidic foods will leave you in pain.


• You have tooth decay – If you have tooth decay, it’s easy for bacteria to accumulate in these tiny crevices, which causes acid build-up and enamel breakdown.


• You’re a tooth grinder – Grinding your teeth can wear down your enamel. This exposes the dentin and causes sensitive teeth.

If you have sensitive teeth, 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.

Foods to Avoid with TMJ Dysfunction

When dealing with TMJ, it can be frustrating at first. It helps to know what can trigger or prolong pain. At Alta Loma Dental Care in Alta Loma, CA, we want our patients suffering with TMJ to know what foods to avoid.

Crunchy foods like chips and popcorn can be very aggravating to the TMJs. Hard foods like raw vegetables can also irritate the TMJs because of how much force the jaw uses to bite through them. However, since veggies are an important part of your diet, try cooking them so they become softer and easier to chew.

Chewy foods are another type of food that should be avoided when you have TMJ dysfunction. The constant chewing motion and the amount of pressure needed to chew through these foods can cause inflammation. Avoid chewing gum, sticky candies, and tougher cuts of meats and seafood. If you want seafood, choose a more tender option like fish. Meats should also be tender.

Cutting your food into smaller pieces will also help, as overextending the jaw sometimes triggers TMJ pain. To schedule an appointment at Alta Loma Dental Care in Alta Loma, CA, call our office at (909) 987-6268 or visit our website, www.altalomadentalcare.com.