Get Halitosis under Control

It is one thing to have bad breath after eating a meal that is heavy on the onions, but it’s a problem when the odor becomes persistent and won’t go away. Halitosis is defined as chronic bad breath that won’t go away after constant brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash. Halitosis can be embarrassing and can leave a person feeling self-conscious, which is why our doctors at Alta Loma Dental Care encourage patients to visit us twice a year for oral exams and professional cleanings.

Halitosis begins inside the mouth. If you aren’t brushing at least twice a day for two minutes, at least three times a day, and flossing at least once a day, it’s time to reevaluate your oral care habits. Underlying dental conditions such as cavities, periodontal disease, and cracked fillings are also halitosis culprits. For fresher breath, you’ll need to improve your oral care routine and visit us to get the situation under control.

If you have questions or concerns about halitosis, 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.

How Do You Know If You Have Periodontitis?

If you’ve been diagnosed with gingivitis, our doctors at Alta Loma Dental Care hope that you are doing everything you can to treat the problem. This includes brushing your teeth at least twice a day, flossing at least once a day and visiting us at least twice a year for routine dental exams. If left untreated, gingivitis will advance to periodontitis which is treatable, but not reversible like gingivitis is.

Periodontitis is a very common condition, but it is preventable. When periodontitis invades the gum tissue, the supporting structures of the teeth will begin to deteriorate. Periodontitis begins with plaque, which is why it’s important to keep your teeth as clean as possible at all times. Periodontitis can lead to loose teeth and eventual tooth loss if you do not address the problem. Healthy gums are a firm, pale, pink. If you notice gums that are reddish/purple, sensitive to the touch, or experience pain when chewing, give us a call to discuss your treatment options.

If you have questions or concerns about periodontal disease, 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.

Reduce the Bacteria in Your Mouth with Laser Therapy

Periodontal disease is an infection of the gums that starts out as plaque – an opaque film on the teeth that hardens to form calculus or tartar. As tartar accumulates, it harbors bacteria which attack the soft tissue around the gums. This early stage of gum disease is called Gingivitis. Here at Alta Loma Dental Care, Dr. Kim can address the underlying infection that causes it with a procedure called Laser Bacterial Reduction (LBR).

With laser treatment there are many reported benefits such as, a reduced need for local anesthesia, minimal bleeding, and swelling is controlled with minimal discomfort. Laser light energy is used to vaporize the bacteria and infected tissue in the deepened gum pocket. This procedure is painless, takes less than 10 minutes and reduces the bacteria around your gums from billions to hundreds. Dr. Kim recommends that all of our patients have their teeth decontaminated prior to cleaning appointments.

If you suffer from mouth pain this may be due to periodontal disease, give us a call so we can help. To learn more about our Laser Bacterial Reduction procedure and other services we offer visit www.altalomadentalcare.com for more information. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Kim at Alta Loma Dental Care in Alta Loma, CA, call 909-987-6268.

Straight Teeth are Healthy Teeth

Benefits of having properly aligned teeth extend far beyond a confident smile. According to the American Dental Association, straightening your teeth can significantly affect your overall dental health. Straightening your smile could hardly be perfect if it’s not a healthy one and here at Alta Loma Dental Care we provide Six Month Smiles and Invisalign options to help get you started.

Swollen red gums can often be the result of having teeth that are crowded or too widely spaced. Unfortunately, these are also signs of periodontal disease. When teeth are properly aligned, it helps the gums fit more securely around the teeth, allowing for the strongest and healthiest defense against periodontal problems. When teeth are crooked, extra pressure is placed on just a few teeth when the forces of chewing should be equally distributed between all of the teeth. In addition, smiles can be misaligned to the degree where individual teeth may be completely out of place behind or in front of other teeth, which can cause daily cleaning problems. Plaque left behind after brushing and flossing begins to turn into tartar within 24 hours and this tartar cannot be removed with a toothbrush.

If you desire straighter teeth, and a confident smile, give us a call to discuss your options. To learn more about our orthodontic services visit www.altalomadentalcare.com for more information. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Kim at Alta Loma Dental Care in Alta Loma, CA, call 909-987-6268.

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.  

Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease (gum disease) is a very serious ailment that affects many Americans. This disease has many repercussions, from tooth loss all the way to heart health; periodontal disease can cause patients a lot of harm in many different ways. At Alta Loma Dental Care, we believe that educating you about conditions like this so you can avoid them at all costs. So with that in mind, we would like to provide you with some information about this disease.  

 

Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in the United States. There are many different forms of periodontal disease but all of them can cause serious damage to the mouth. The mildest form of periodontal disease is gingivitis. Gingivitis causes the gums to become red, swollen and bleed easily. The biggest cause of gingivitis is lack of a regular oral hygiene regimen. Preventative measures, such as regular brushing and flossing, go a long way when it comes to preventing periodontal disease. Gingivitis is reversible with professional treatment and good oral health practices at home.

 

Untreated gingivitis can lead to periodontitis. At this stage, plaque will spread and grow below the gum line. Toxins produced by the bacteria will irritate the gums, causing an inflammatory response. This inflammation leads to the breakdown of tissues and bone that support the teeth. Periodontitis also causes the gums to separate from the teeth, forming pockets that become infected. As the disease progresses, the pockets deepen and more gum tissue and bone are destroyed. Eventually the teeth become loose and have to be removed.

 

If you feel that you might be exhibiting any symptoms of periodontal disease, remember that they are reversible. Call us at 909-296-7920 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Michael Kim at Alta Loma Dental Care in Alta Loma, CA. 

Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease is a severe condition that affects nearly 10% of the population.  What starts with minor infection and inflammation of soft tissue as the earliest stages of gum disease, can escalate into tooth loss, hard tissue damage and spread of severe infection.
 
Recovering from advanced periodontal disease is quite costly and the odds of totally eliminating it aren’t great.  That’s why it’s extremely important to catch any signs of periodontal disease early and get the proper care.  Effective treatment of periodontal disease requires diligent maintenance on your part and professional dental intervention.

If you notice any of the following signs of periodontal disease, it’s of the utmost importance that you see us for care.

• Your gums bleed during or after your brushing and flossing.
• Your gums appear red, swollen and tender, frequently feel sore, and appear to be receding from your teeth.
• You experience bad breath or a foul taste in the mouth even if you’ve just brushed a short while ago.
• Your teeth feel loose or can be physically moved in the gum bed.
• You notice any changes in your bite alignment or the stability of any restorative or prosthetic dental work.

Source:

http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/DataStatistics/FindDataByTopic/GumDisease/PeriodontaldiseaseAdults20to64