Post-Operative Instructions

Once you complete an oral surgery procedure, the extraction site will require special care and attention over the next few days. You may experience numbness, bleeding, and will need to alter your diet to accommodate the healing process. Our doctors at Alta Loma Dental Care will provide you with step-by-step instructions to follow at the end of your appointment. In the meantime, if you are anticipating your surgery, here’s what to expect afterward.

Swelling around the mouth, cheeks, and sides of the face are not uncommon, so don’t be alarmed if you look a little puffy. A certain amount of bleeding is expected following surgery, so be sure to replace gauze when necessary and place pressure to stop the bleeding. If you feel pain, take your prescribed medication tablets as directed and gently apply ice packs to the affected area. Your diet should be restricted to soft foods and liquids, and you will need to avoid sucking through a straw so the sutures don’t come undone.

If you have questions or concerns about oral surgery or post-operative care, 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.

February is National Children's Dental Health Month

Alta Loma Dental Care is a family practice, and we’re proud to be observing National Children’s Dental Health Month. Each year, the American Dental Association sets aside this month to educate children on an important theme. This year’s focus is on how to properly use fluoride toothpaste.

Fluoride helps provide teeth with more protection against the acid caused by bacteria. It is commonly delivered through water and children’s teeth are treated with it during their check-ups. Although baby teeth are not permanent, it is still painful when they have decay. The pain may disrupt a child’s sleep, eating habits, and speech development, and cause them to perform poorly in school. Additionally, poor oral hygiene could become a habit, but if a child learns to brush properly, they will have taken their first step toward managing their own health.

When brushing, people should always use soft-bristled toothbrushes and brush for a full two-minute session. They should brush on every tooth surface and on their tongues. Fluoridated toothpaste should be spat out after use so that it doesn’t cause the teeth to develop white spots. It should also only be used on natural teeth, not on things like mouthguards.

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

 

Fixing a Cracked Tooth

Accidents happen, and sometimes a cracked tooth is the ultimate accident.  A tooth may crack after chewing on something too hard, or perhaps you didn’t bite down correctly. There may be little to no pain at the site of the cracked tooth, but it will need to be repaired and restored to prevent further damage. Fortunately, our doctors at Alta Loma Dental Care have plenty of aesthetic and restorative treatment options for patients to choose from.

When a crack in a tooth is minor, it will only eliminate the surface of enamel and may require dental bonding to fix. When a crack is deeper than the tooth enamel, treatment is necessary to prevent infection or a deeper fracture. Teeth grinding can cause fractures to the teeth in addition to hard foods. If you notice yourself grinding your teeth or if you notice frequent jaw pain, call us to discuss your treatment options.

If you have questions or concerns about the appearance of your smile or cosmetic dental options, 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.

Tooth Decay in Seniors

We of Alta Loma Dental Care want patients of all ages to be able to enjoy healthy, comfortable teeth. A study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control found that the rate of untreated tooth decay in adults is surprisingly high and that as many as one in five seniors have untreated caries.  We don’t want our patients to ever resign themselves to bad oral health, so we need to examine why caries in seniors are common.

The survey indicated that there’s a lot of tooth decay in general, but seniors face some particular challenges. Some of them change their diets to include food that is softer, but higher in sugar. Forgetfulness is a problem with oral hygiene, but so is limited dexterity.  Dry mouth, which is a common medication side effect, damages the body’s ability to fight off oral infections, allowing decay-causing bacteria to flourish. Compounding all of this is the fact that seniors often did not benefit from water fluoridation when their teeth were forming, which leaves them more vulnerable to decay.

Regular dental hygiene appointments are crucial opportunities to spot and treat decay in seniors. They’re also opportunities to identify problems and recommend products which can provide solutions. Some toothbrushes come with specialized grips that are easier for people with manual problems to use. There are also products which make flossing easier and moisturizers to combat dry mouth.

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