Diet is Important to Good Oral Hygiene

At Alta Loma Dental Care, we advise our patients to eat as healthy as possible. To prevent cavities and maintain good oral health, it is important to understand how certain foods can damage your teeth.

When possible, we encourage our patients to avoid eating foods that are high in carbohydrates and sugar. Bacteria in your mouth turns sugars and carbohydrates into acids that break down your tooth enamel and cause tooth decay.

Foods that are healthy for your body and your teeth include lean meats, cheese, nuts, fruits, and green vegetables. The calcium and phosphorus in these foods help to protect your tooth enamel and gives your teeth minerals that are removed by acidic foods.

Along with following a healthy diet, we encourage you to floss and brush your teeth twice a day to prevent tooth decay. Don’t forget to make an appointment with us for cleaning and a check-up twice a year.

To learn more about all of the services we provide at our practice, visit www.altalomadental.comfor more information. To schedule in our Alta Loma, CA office, call Alta Loma Dental Care at 909-987-6268. 

Do You Know Your Dental Instruments?

The instruments at a dental office are hopefully a familiar sight to you, but you may not know their names. At Alta Loma Dental Care, we’re always happy to answer patients’ questions, but often, people may struggle with what to ask if they don’t feel equipped for a discussion. We thought it would be a good idea to let patients know a little more about our instruments and how we use them.

We’re providers of 6-month braces, but most of our patients come in for cleanings and fillings. During cleanings, our hygienists will rely heavily on the handheld mirror and hooked instruments called probes or explorers. Probes have a hook that forms a ninety-degree angle with the handle and are used to test the cleanliness of gum pockets. Explorers are used to break apart calculus, the mineral and bacterial build-up on teeth, and to test the hardness of enamel. One of the things that sets our office apart is that we also use lasers to remove bacterial build-up. While breaking apart calculus, we occasionally have the patient close their lips around an evacuator, which is the tube that vacuums out debris.

Larger evacuators are needed for drilling away tooth decay. Before drilling begins, patients are numbed with an anesthetic delivered through a syringe. The drill sprays water to prevent overheating. Following the decay’s removal, we apply the filling in layers using a blunt instrument called a burnisher. We can also use a laser to desensitize tooth roots and then apply sealants to them.

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.

 

Avoiding Tooth Decay during the Holidays

It’s the time of year for feasting, toasting, and sugary treats, so oral hygiene is especially important. We at Alta Loma Dental Care want our patients to be able to enjoy the holidays without getting a toothache later, so we thought it would be a good idea to point out some common sources of decay and how better choices can make for a better holiday season.

Oral bacteria produces acid was a waste product, which is what causes tooth decay. But tooth decay rates are more closely correlated with the amount of time sugar is left on teeth than the amount or type of sugar in food. When people snack on starchy foods such as crackers during family visits, the debris gets lodged in indentations or between teeth and it’s often several hours until they brush it away. The same is true of drinks such as apple cider, hot chocolate, lattes, and spirits, which leave a sugary residue on the teeth and are often drunk slowly. Sugary drinks such as sodas also dry out the mouth, preventing saliva from washing residue away.

People produce the most saliva when they are eating meals, so it’s best to limit sugar to those times. It’s also a good idea to carry sugar-free gum, which can dislodge some food debris in between meals, and to stick to hard candies that have been flavored with xylitol. If you’re traveling somewhere without fluoridated water, try taking some bottles with you. In between sipping sugary drinks, you can also take sips of water, which will rinse a little sugar away.

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.

 

Why Do White Spots Form on My Teeth?

As a provider of the Six Month Smiles orthodontic treatment, we at Alta Loma Dental Care are particularly interested in our patients’ oral hygiene. Many patients understand that wearing braces presents new challenges to brushing and flossing, but they may not be aware of the specifics of an incipient, or white spot, lesion.

White spots are the first sign of tooth decay. When teeth are exposed to acid, they take on an unnaturally white, glazed appearance as the enamel begins losing minerals. The acid is secreted by bacteria when they metabolize food debris. It gets stuck in tartar, particularly in areas that patients often skip over while brushing, such as near the gum line and around orthodontic brackets.

Removing the bacteria’s food source by brushing more thoroughly usually is enough to prevent white spots from becoming permanent, but they can form in as few as thirty days. During monthly orthodontic appointments, we’ll assess whether patients are experiencing decay. Should the worst happen and a white spot becomes permanent, it can be covered with a veneer once the infection is killed. But we would rather patients ask to be shown how to improve their brushing technique before it’s too late.

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.

 

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.

 

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.

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.

 

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.

Facts on Fluoride

Fluoride is a natural mineral found throughout the earth’s crust and widely distributed in nature and is often added to water to help reduce tooth decay. Research has shown that fluoride not only reduces cavities in children and adults, but it also helps repair the early stages of tooth decay, even before the decay is visible. Here at Alta Loma Dental Care, our doctors can discuss professional fluoride treatments with you to see if you are a prime candidate.

When fluoride reaches your teeth, it is absorbed into the enamel. Fluoride helps to repair the enamel by replenishing the lost calcium and phosphorus to keep your teeth hard through a process called remineralization. When fluoride is present during this process, the minerals deposited into the tooth enamel help strengthen your teeth and prevent dissolution during the next demineralization phase. The results are stronger tooth enamel and a cavity-free grin.

If you think you may benefit from fluoride treatment, please give us a call. To learn more 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.

Dental Crowns in Alta Loma, CA

From the acid erosion caused by the food you eat to the constant biting, crunching and grinding you do when eating or stressed, daily activities weaken your teeth and make them more susceptible to decay, cracks, discoloration and more. If any of your teeth reach a point where they become so weak or decayed that the tooth structure becomes compromised, a crown can be used to protect and reinforce it. By covering a weak or broken tooth and restoring it to its original size and shape, a crown reduces pain and saves the tooth from needing to be extracted, and in Alta Loma, CA, Dr. Michael Kim can determine if a crown is needed to save your smile.

Made from porcelain, gold or porcelain fused to metal, crowns are used to repair teeth when fillings or bonding are not enough. When you have a crown placed, Dr. Kim will first prepare your tooth by removing any existing decay and insulating the tooth nerve with core buildup. Besides providing insulation, the core buildup also serves as a surface for the crown to bond to. Once the tooth is prepared, an impression is taken so that the crown can be created to fit perfectly. Then at your next appointment, the custom crown is cemented onto the current tooth to prevent further decay and fracture.

Schedule an appointment with Alta Loma Dental Care by calling (909) 987-6268. For more information, please visit www.altalomadentalcare.com. 

Alta Loma Dental Care Performs Teeth Extractions

If decay has reached too deeply into one of your teeth or if an infection has damaged too much of the supporting bone or tissue, you will be in need of a tooth extraction. You may also need one if one of your teeth does not enough room in the mouth. When teeth are impacted, it can cause damage to the roots of nearby teeth, so they must be removed before damage is done. At Alta Loma Dental Care, Dr. Michael Kim can help you restore your oral health by performing tooth extractions.

Before the procedure is performed, a local anesthetic is used to numb the area around the extraction site. During a simple extraction, the tooth is loosened with an elevator and then extracted with forceps. Once removed, Dr. Kim may choose to smooth and contour the underlying bone. Then the gums are sutured.

After the extraction, it is critical to keep the area clean to prevent infection. A dry, sterile gauze will be placed over the gums to limit bleeding. You must make sure to keep it in place for 30 to 45 minutes while the blood clots. During the 24 hours after the procedure, you should not smoke, rinse your mouth vigorously or clean the teeth immediately adjacent to the extraction site. Strenuous activity, hot liquids and straw drinking should also be avoided. A certain amount of pain and discomfort accompanies an extraction, so a painkiller may be prescribed.

If you are suffering pain from decay, infection or impaction, Dr. Kim can determine if a tooth extraction is required to save your smile. Schedule an appointment at our practice in Alta Loma, CA by calling (909) 987-6268. For more information, visit www.altalomadentalcare.com.

What You Need to Know About Dental Crowns in Rancho Cucamonga, CA

What You Need to Know About Dental Crowns in Rancho Cucamonga, CA

Dental crowns help protect and strengthen teeth that have become badly decayed or fractured. Covering your tooth and restoring it to its original shape and size, crowns (also called caps) can help reduce pain, save your tooth from needing to be removed and keep your smile beautiful and functional. At Alta Loma Dental Care, we can see if a crown is necessary to save your smile.

 

Crowns are usually only necessary if decay has reached the point where the existing tooth structure is compromised. When a dental crown is installed, the decay is removed from the tooth and a core build-up is used to insulate the nerve and create a surface to bond the crown to. Then an impression of this surface is made so that the new gold or porcelain crown can constructed to fit perfectly. After the crown is fabricated, a process that can take around two weeks, it is cemented onto the current tooth.

 

Dental crowns are made incredibly strong to protect the remaining tooth structure, and the custom fit ensures that the seam between tooth and crown is minute, which protects it from further decay.

If you’re experiencing decay and pain in one of your teeth, stop by our office to see if a crown can save your smile. Schedule an appointment with Alta Loma Dental Care in Rancho Cucamonga, CA by calling (909) 296-7920. For more information, visit www.AltaLomaDentalCare.com.