The Dangers of Gum Pockets

Alta Loma Dental Care’s treatment options include a number of surgeries which can help patients struggling with the effects of periodontal disease. Most of these focus on restoring teeth, but we also have ways to limit the damage caused by bacteria before teeth need to be replaced. Gum pocket reductions are one of our most common procedures and can prevent the need for more extensive interventions later on.

As plaque accumulates below the gum line, acids stick to it, resulting in the decay of bone and gum tissue in contact with the plaque. The empty spaces the decayed tissues leave behind become a home for bacteria, exacerbating the decay process. These pockets can’t be reached with home hygiene products, which is why our hygienists need to do deep cleanings.

Ridding pockets of plaque and bacteria colonies won’t prevent them from coming back. That’s why our doctors will want to reduce the pockets or eliminate them entirely. This could be as simple as making an incision in a healthy part of the gum, stretching it, and fastening it in its new position with a suture, or it could require a full gum graft. Hopefully, patients will have an easier time maintaining oral hygiene after undergoing pocket reductions, and they may find that their teeth roots are less sensitive and visible.

Drs. Michael and Jessica Kim operate Alta Loma Dental Care 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.

Take Care of Your Toothbrush

Brushing your teeth plays an important everyday role for personal oral hygiene and effective plaque removal. You may not give much thought to cleaning your toothbrush; however appropriate toothbrush care and maintenance are important considerations for oral hygiene. At Alta Loma Dental Care, we want you to know how and when to replace, clean, and store your toothbrush.

The American Dental Association recommends replacing your toothbrush approximately every three to four months or sooner if bristles are frayed. However, toothbrushes will wear out more rapidly depending on factors unique to each patient. It is also important to never share a toothbrush because this practice could be a concern for people with compromised immune systems or existing infectious diseases. If your toothbrush comes in contact with another, thoroughly rinse the brush with warm tap water to remove any remaining toothbrush and debris. When you are done using the toothbrush, store it in an upright position and allow the toothbrush to air-dry until used again.

If you have further questions regarding toothbrush care, 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.

What Happens When Wisdom Teeth Have Cavities?

As we age, we acquire wisdom, and the same goes for wisdom teeth. Wisdom teeth appear between the ages of 17-21 and are known as the third set of molars. When they erupt correctly, healthy wisdom teeth can help you chomp your food a little faster.  However, if they start to cause you pain and discomfort, you may need to schedule a consultation with one of our doctors at Alta Loma Dental Care to discuss extraction.

If you bite on a piece of food that is too hard or you experience a mouth injury, wisdom teeth may become troublesome. They can also become cracked, broken, and decayed. Decay can form on any tooth surface, but when the decay begins to attack the wisdom teeth, depending on the position of the tooth it becomes difficult to clean. Depending on the individual case, one of our doctors may be able to fill the tooth, but even in cases where a filling could be successfully placed, if the wisdom tooth cannot be adequately maintained, recurrent decay can occur. Though many patients tend to procrastinate through the process, extraction is always best to avoid infection.

If your wisdom teeth are still intact and you have questions about removal, 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.

Night Guards for Grinding and Clenching

Grinding and clenching teeth at night is a common problem. Unfortunately, it can create serious dental issues like worn down teeth, sensitivity, and damage. At Alta Loma Dental Care in Alta Loma, CA, we offer night guards to protect our patients who grind and clench their teeth at night.

Grinding your teeth wears down your enamel, causing sensitivity and making teeth prone to cavities. It can also cause fillings to come loose and cause damage like fractures to teeth. The clenching can eventually lead to TMJ problems. In addition, the grinding can be awful for any sleeping partners to listen to at night.

In our Alta Loma, CA office, we create custom night guards for our patients. These are mouth guards that create a barrier between your upper and lower teeth. They stop damage from grinding and lessen the consequences of clenching. They may even stop your grinding and clenching altogether.

If you suspect you grind and clench your teeth at night, pay us a visit so we can examine your teeth. To set up an appointment with us and learn more about night guards, call Alta Loma Dental Care of Alta Loma, CA at (909) 987-6268 or visit our website, www.altalomadentalcare.com.

Professional Teeth Whitening

Many of us desire a smile we can be proud of. When dull or stained teeth make you want to hide your smile, something needs to be done! At Alta Loma Dental Care in Alta Loma, CA, we offer professional teeth whitening to bring back a smile you don’t want to cover up.
Professional teeth whitening is the best route to go when looking to whiten teeth. When you trust a dentist, you know you will get great results and it will be done safely. Store-bought whitening kits can be messy, difficult to apply, and they do not offer the results that our professional whitening system can. Plus, there is room for error, which means you can end up harming your teeth and causing sensitivity. Depending on the current shade of your teeth and what shade you desire, our system often produces results four to eight shades whiter.
At Alta Loma Dental Care, we offer take-home whitening trays. These care custom-made trays that you add our whitening solution to every day or night for a short period of time. They are convenient, custom, and offer great results.
Daily habits can over time dull the shine of our smile or cause a yellowish stain. To learn more about the teeth whitening we offer here at Alta Loma Dental Care in Alta Loma, CA, call our office at (909) 987-6268 or visit our website, www.altalomadentalcare.com.

How to Keep Tooth Enamel Strong

Tooth enamel is the hard outer surface layer of your teeth that serves to protect against tooth decay. In fact, tooth enamel is considered the hardest mineral substance in your body, even stronger than bone. At Alta Loma Dental Care your enamel to be as strong as the rest of the bones in your body and you can keep it that way by following these simple steps:

• Limit sugary foods and drinks – bacteria in your mouth feed on sugar from foods and drinks. They produce acids, which soften and wear away your enamel. Chewy candies that stick on your teeth can also cause damage.
• Eat foods that protect enamel – calcium in food counters acids in your mouth that cause decay. It also helps keep your bones and teeth strong. Milk, cheese, and other dairy products help protect and strengthen enamel. If you don’t eat dairy, look for foods with calcium added.
• Avoid over-brushing – You can actually wear down your enamel if you brush too fast and hard. Wait for up to an hour after eating sweets or citrus fruits before you brush your teeth.
• Use fluoride – Fluoride is nature’s cavity fighter because it strengthens your enamel and helps repair the early stages of tooth decay. Using a fluoride toothpaste or mouthwash can help prevent cavities and keep your enamel strong.

If you need assistance with your daily oral care routine, 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.

Diabetic Oral Care

People with poorly controlled diabetes are more prone to dental problems. They are more likely to develop infections of their gums and the bones that hold the teeth in place because diabetes can reduce the blood supply to the gums. If you have diabetes, please call our office to schedule a professional exam with our doctors at Alta Loma Dental Care to prevent further dental complications.

If you have diabetes, symptoms of dental problems include bleeding and sore gums, frequent infections, and bad breath. Whether you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, managing your blood sugar level is critical. The higher your blood sugar level, the higher your risk of tooth decay, gingivitis, and periodontitis. Additionally, high blood sugar may cause dry mouth and make gum disease worse. The decrease in saliva can cause an increase in tooth-decaying bacteria and plaque buildup. You can prevent these problems by maintaining good blood sugar control, brushing and flossing and least twice a day, and schedule a dental checkup every six months.

If you have questions about diabetic oral 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.