Do you avoid seeing your dentist because you fear the cleanings and check ups? Is it unbearable to sit in your dentist’s chair for lengthy periods of time while they work on your teeth? We understand, and we’re here to help. Patients who have anxiety surrounding the dentist often have to break up their longer appointments into multiple short appointments spread out over a period of time. When you have a dental problem, this raises many concerns for your oral health because it could take two or three times the amount of time to fix than it regularly would. Seeing your dentist multiple times for one procedure isn’t cheap either, so let’s talk about how to help your dental anxiety. (more…)
Patients Guide To Preparing For Oral Surgery
The word “surgery” paired with anything can be intimidating and scary. It’s never any dentists first choice treatment option because there are many less-invasive procedures that have become so advanced that they’re able to do much more without surgery than they used to. But, if you have a dental problem that requires surgery – severe cases of TMJ disorder, sleep apnea, periodontitis, etc. – don’t worry just yet! There are many things you can do to prepare yourself for the “big day.” Plus, your dentist will use a form of sedation so you shouldn’t feel uncomfortable! (more…)
5 Surprising Dental Implant Benefits
If you’ve ever lost teeth, you know how difficult normal, daily tasks can become. You’re probably also familiar with the dangers of leaving a gap between your other teeth. However, if you’re not – your other teeth can begin to shift if you leave a gap where your tooth used to be, misaligning your entire bite and potentially causing other painful conditions like bruxism (teeth grinding) or TMJ disorder. Your jaw bone can even be affected. Without a tooth root continuously stimulating your jaw bone, you can begin to lose bone density in your jaw. Dental implants are one of the leading restoration options giving you an extensive list of benefits. (more…)
Top 3 Events Around Cerritos, CA
Isn’t this winter weather just gorgeous in Cerritos this year? Especially this upcoming week, it looks like we’re guaranteed some sun every day! If you haven’t made plans around the city for this weekend, you’ll want to keep reading for the top 3 events around Cerritos, California. Even if you wanted the kiddos to tag along, there are definitely family-friendly activities! If you take a short drive over to Long Beach, there’s a ton to do – something for everyone! (more…)
How To Avoid Sleep Apnea
Snoring and sleep apnea are sleep disorders that disrupt your quality of sleep throughout the night. There are two types of sleep apnea; obstructive and central. Both forms of the sleep disorder cause you to lose oxygen flow throughout your body while you’re asleep. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when your throat muscles relax, physically blocking your airway. While central sleep apnea is when your brain does not communicate with your muscles to tell them to breathe. Because the disorder occurs while you’re asleep, it can be difficult to diagnose. Often times, your dentist will recommend undergoing a sleep study to help better understand what is happening during your sleep cycle. (more…)
What Can An Oral Biopsy Tell Us?
A big part of preventive dentistry is how often you visit your dentist. Throughout these visits, your dentist will look for any visible signs of oral cancer, disease, or damage in your mouth. Periodically, they’ll recommend an x-ray scan that will help them to see anything they’re unable to with their naked eye. If your dentist sees anything that looks suspicious, or like it could be oral cancer, chances are they’ll suggest taking an oral biopsy in order to learn more about what’s going on inside your mouth. What can an oral biopsy tell us? (more…)
Are Your Gums Bleeding?
Often times, when blood is drawn from your gum line when you brush your teeth, it can be a sign of a larger problem. Your gums shouldn’t be bleeding just from the act of you brushing or flossing your teeth. Many patients ignore this first warning sign and wait too long before they have their dentist look at their soft tissue. Are your gums bleeding? This could probably mean that you have gingivitis (the early stages of gum disease) or periodontitis itself. Don’t worry too much, yet, your dentist may be able to help clean out the bacteria that is causing the infection. (more…)
How Are Sleep Disorders Diagnosed?
Sleep disorders like sleep apnea or sleep bruxism can be difficult to diagnose because the patient is usually unaware of the condition. There are signs that issues throughout the sleep cycle may be occurring, however, but they vary depending on the condition. How are sleep disorders diagnosed? If you believe you’re having trouble throughout the night, your dentist may recommend undergoing a sleep study to determine if you have a disorder. Throughout the study, your body will be attached to machines that are monitoring things like the oxygen levels in your blood and your heart rate. (more…)
How Do You Check For Oral Cancer?
Visiting your dentist throughout the year is crucial to your oral health – and not just because they professionally clean your teeth. When your dentist looks inside your mouth, they’re looking for things like infections or signs of oral cancer. How do you check for oral cancer? The exam your dentist performs is easy and quick – you won’t feel any pain. Besides visually examining your mouth, your dentist will feel your neck, jaw, and floor of your mouth with their hands to feel for any lumps or sensitivities. (more…)
What Causes Gum Disease?
Gum disease (also known as periodontitis) can negatively affect your oral health if left untreated. As with many other illnesses, the earlier you can catch the disease, the easier it will be to treat. Your dentist may recommend several different treatments depending on the severity of your condition. What causes gum disease? Bacteria, known as plaque, becomes a hard substance (tartar) if left on your tooth for too long. Tartar can only be professionally removed, it’s too tough for toothbrushes or floss that you would use at home. Unfortunately, the tartar attacks your gum tissue, teeth, and bone density, causing gum disease. (more…)
