Does Diabetes Affect Orthodontic Treatment?

People with diabetes have unique dental challenges, and at Alta Loma Dental Care, we’re here to help them get the care they need. Among the many services we offer are orthodontic corrections, including Six Month Smiles and Invisalign. Many of our diabetic patients are interested in fixing misaligned teeth, which is why we want to explain how diabetes interacts with orthodontic therapy.

People with diabetes are at increased risk for gingivitis and periodontal disease. Those who have experienced problems with these in the past and suffered tooth migration may especially desire orthodontic treatment, but braces make oral hygiene even more important and difficult. If the patient’s diabetes were to become uncontrolled again and cause a gum infection, the braces might have to be removed. However, Invisalign does not prevent this issue. The aligners are removed when the patient brushes their teeth as normal, and the pressure they put on the teeth is not as extreme is that caused by regular braces. If a patient’s diabetes is under control, they may be a good candidate for Six Month Smiles cosmetic braces. These are also a low-force treatment and the monthly tightening appointments will give us an opportunity to ensure the patient’s teeth and gums are still healthy.

Alta Loma Dental Care is at 7283 Carnelian St, Alta Loma, California, 91701. To schedule an appointment, call 909-987-6268 or visit AltaLomaDentalCare.com and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Diet and Oral Health

If you wish to keep your permanent teeth for a lifetime, then you better start paying attention to the foods that touch your plate. Sugary beverages and foods that contain added sugar of any kind will have a detrimental effect on your teeth as sugar provides no nutritional value for them. To maintain a healthy smile, our doctors at Alta Loma Dental Care encourage patients to reach for foods from every food group and don’t forget to brush and floss on a daily basis.

Dairy products such as cheese, plain yogurt, and milk contain calcium and protein that protect teeth from developing cavities and help strengthen tooth enamel. Leafy greens such as kale and spinach are also high in calcium and prevent gum disease. Fruits that have high water content, such as apples, celery, and carrots increase saliva flow which protects teeth from developing decay. Your diet has an impact on oral health, so if you continue to eat healthy foods, your oral health status will improve.

If you have questions or concerns about dental health, please give us a call. To learn about services we provide at our practice, visit www.altalomadentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment in our Alta Loma, CA office, call Alta Loma Dental Care at 909-987-6268.

Replace Missing Teeth with Implants

Millions of Americans suffer from tooth loss, whether it is due to decay, dental trauma, or any other reason. A dental implant is a titanium post that is surgically positioned into a patient’s jawbone beneath the gum line. Once the implant is placed, replacement teeth and/or a dental bridge are mounted to restore a smile. If you are considering dental implants for your missing teeth, schedule a consultation with one of our doctors at Alta Loma Dental Care.

Leaving empty spaces in the mouth after losing teeth can make a face appear sagged and sunken. Missing teeth can also affect the way a person eats and speaks. Dental implants are a strong and stable way to restore tooth function and because they look and feel like a natural tooth, they can increase a person’s self-esteem and protect the surrounding teeth from further damage.

If you have questions or concerns about tooth restoration or dental implants, please give us a call. To learn about services we provide at our practice, visit www.altalomadentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment in our Alta Loma, CA office, call Alta Loma Dental Care at 909-987-6268.

Will Fillings Make My Teeth Sensitive?

When people are suffering from toothaches they can find relief at Alta Loma Dental Care. But some people have questions about whether removing decayed material and filling it in will cause additional discomfort, which is why we want to assure them treatment is in their interest.

It is true that a tooth may be sensitive immediately after the decayed material is drilled away, but this will only last for about two days, at most. However, at no point should the filling prevent the patient from fully closing their teeth together. If it does, it is too high and needs to be re-contoured, which is an easy fix but should be done quickly.

It is very unlikely that a filling will be too high, but fillings are not permanent. They have about a ten-year lifespan before the bonding holding them in starts to crack. At that point, the filling will have to be replaced with one that is given new bonding because bacteria will colonize the cracks in the old restoration and produce more acid. If the patient keeps regular appointments, we will be able to remove old fillings before decay causes more pain or does greater damage to the tooth.

Alta Loma Dental Care is at 7283 Carnelian St, Alta Loma, California, 91701. To schedule an appointment, call 909-987-6268 or visit AltaLomaDentalCare.com and fill out a contact sheet.