Think about the last time you treated a minor burn or a skinned knee. If you’re like most people, you headed immediately to your home first aid kit. Gauze, antibiotic ointment, bandages – you’ve got it covered. Now, think about what you would do if you or a family member breaks or chips a tooth. Is your first aid kit fully stocked, or will you end up scrambling for the necessary supplies. Your Cerritos, CA emergency dentist Dr. Shawn Hofkes shares his list of must-have items for your dental first aid kit. (more…)
Brushing Your Teeth With Bacon Toothpaste and Other Funky Flavors
If you were to walk into your bathroom right now, what oral care products would you find? Toothpaste and a toothbrush, perhaps dental floss and mouthwash. And it wouldn’t be much of a stretch to assume that whatever you use, it tastes like mint: fresh mint, peppermint, spearmint, or any one of several variations on the traditional flavor. What’s wrong with this picture?
How about the fact that the average person devotes an estimated 38.5 days to brushing their teeth? And that doesn’t even take into account the time spent flossing and using mouthwash. That’s 38.5 days spent on mint. Since when is oral hygiene excluded from the “variety is the spice of life” rule? We can’t say, but we do know that the average person also spends much less time brushing their teeth each time: less than 30 seconds, despite the ADA’s recommendation that each brushing session should last at least two minutes. Following these guidelines protects your teeth and gums against tooth decay, a common oral health concern that could be addressed by tooth-colored fillings. (more…)
Lipstick, Lip Gloss, and…Is Your Beauty Regimen Missing Something?
From neon eyeliner to contouring, makeup and beauty trends are forever changing. Even so, a healthy, attractive smile has timeless appeal. Dr. Shawn Hofkes, whose expertise has made him invaluable to anyone who has a desire for a more appealing smile, explains that porcelain veneers in Cerritos, CA are a must-have for any beauty routine. Veneers don’t just address problems created by stained, chipped, or crooked teeth; they also light up your face with a translucence much like that of your own tooth enamel. In the meantime, here are a few tips for playing up your smile.
Choose Your Lip Color Carefully
Even your choice of lip color can affect the appearance of your natural tooth enamel. Use it to your advantage! A slick of gloss with a violet or blue base will instantly make teeth appear brighter. Although coral and apricot shades are popular during the summer months, these shades tend to make yellow, stained teeth more noticeable. Many of our patients are reluctant to even wear lipstick or gloss, believing that a pop of color might draw attention to cosmetic flaws in their teeth. Such is the beauty of porcelain veneers: You can safely experiment to find your best look.
Keep Lipstick on Lips, Not on Teeth
Lipstick stains on teeth are a classic beauty faux pas. Perhaps you’ve heard the beauty pageant trade secret of slathering your teeth in petroleum jelly. How unpleasant! A more effective technique comes from star makeup artist Pat McGrath, whose handiwork can be found on runways and red carpets across the world:
- Using a lipstick brush if possible, apply lip color to the outermost area of your lips; the skin here is somewhat rougher. Expose the inner lip by puckering up as you would for a kiss.
- Using a lint-less tissue, carefully blot excess product from your inner lip area. For a more bold look, McGrath recommends layering your color, then repeating this step as necessary to build up the depth of color you desire.
- Beware habits that could smudge your lipstick or stain your tooth enamel. This means no gnawing your fingernails, biting your lip, or using your finger to dislodge food from between teeth.
By the way, adds Dr. Hofkes, stain resistance is one of the most beloved benefits associated with high-quality dental porcelain.
Who Else Loves Porcelain Veneers?
Another huge advantage of porcelain veneers? You don’t have to re-apply them as you would makeup, nor do your teeth require frequent touch-ups as with teeth whitening. With proper care, your veneers could last anywhere from 5 to 10 years. How nice would it be to feel totally at ease flashing your smile? Selfies, family portraits, and the occasional Instagram enthusiast no longer capture images of your tight-lipped smile — let it shine! If you’re worried that veneers might look unnatural, fear not. For evidence of the transforming power of porcelain veneers, you need only glance at a fashion magazine or red carpet event. It’s safe to say that nearly half of Hollywood sports luminous, healthy-looking cosmetic dental work.
Questions about porcelain veneers in Cerritos, CA? To learn more about our services, or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Shawn Hofkes, contact us at 562-584-4082. We welcome patients living in and around Cerritos, Long Beach, Buena Park, Fullerton, and the nearby areas.
What You Need to Know About Sugar, Sweets, and Silver Fillings
Sugar. It’s everywhere you look, not to mention half of the places you wouldn’t even think to look. It’s become a huge part of what Americans eat and drink, which means it’s also become a major determinant of our oral health. With the Yelp! Simply Sweet event gearing up in nearby Los Angeles on August 11th, what better time to remind you of the effects of sugar on your teeth and gums? Dr. Shawn Hofkes, who offers white fillings in Cerritos, CA, offers a dentist’s perspective on sweets.
But First, a Look at Fillings
In the past, the combination of sweets and poor oral hygiene would inevitably have led to cavities and the need for dental fillings. The problem? Silver and gold, the most popular materials for fillings, also happen to be the most conspicuous. So even though it’s estimated that more than three-fourths of Americans will have at least one cavity before their 18th birthday, there was no hiding the fact; a tell-tale glint of metal could be seen in the mouth of someone eating, speaking, or even yawning. The good news? You now have more subtle, aesthetically pleasing options for treating cavities. If you already have amalgam fillings, Dr. Hofkes may recommend replacing them with white fillings, which are made of composite instead of metal. Unlike metal, composite fillings can be tinted to match virtually any tooth color, restoring function to your tooth without compromising durability or beauty.
Sneakiest, Most Sugary Substances
Some sources of sugar are more obvious than others; think soda cakes, and cookies. Even so, it’s easy to overlook sugar, even if you scan the ingredient list of your favorite food or beverage. Did you know that carbohydrates, such as those found in bread, pasta, and cereal, also break down into sugar? This transformation happens almost the moment food comes into contact with your saliva, which contains enzymes that aid in digestion. So while sugar isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when snacking on potato chips, that doesn’t mean it isn’t a threat. Sugar can also be found in abundance in energy drinks and sports drinks.
Tips for Protecting Teeth
The longer sugary residue remains within your mouth, the more damage your teeth will likely sustain. Bacteria feed off this sugar, producing acids that eat away at your tooth enamel. Without the protective benefits of tooth enamel, your teeth are more susceptible to decay, staining, and infection. Here are a few ways to limit the damaging effects of sugar on your teeth:
- If you consume beverages that contain sugar, sip through a straw
- Avoid “grazing” or making your drink last as long as possible; each sip puts your teeth in harm’s way
- If you can’t brush or use mouthwash after eating a sugary treat, rinse your mouth with plain water
- Chew sugar-free gum; look for products made with Xylitol
Questions about white fillings? To learn more about restorative dentistry in Cerritos, CA, or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Shawn Hofkes, contact us. Dr. Hofkes, a graduate of the University of California Ostrow School of Dentistry, welcomes patients living in and around Cerritos, Long Beach, Lakewood, Fullerton, and Buena Park.
Flashback to the 1800s: Oral Hygiene Then and Now
It’s always fascinating to see how far we’ve come over the past hundred years or so. Other than fashion, nowhere are these changes more obvious than in matters of health and hygiene. Modern dental technology and improved access to professional dentistry have made it easier than ever to maintain a higher quality of oral health, so much that it makes us wonder how we ever got along without it! Dr. Shawn Hofkes, who offers oral surgery in Cerritos, CA, takes a closer look at Rules of Etiquette and Home Culture, published in 1889, for insight into the evolution of home dental care.
What They Got Right
Surprisingly, many of the pointers given in Rules of Etiquette still hold true today. The authors advise readers of the importance of oral health as it relates to overall health, also noting that healthy teeth are beautiful teeth. Readers are told that they should visit their dentist once every six months, a rule of thumb that holds true for most patients today. However, more frequent visits may be recommended for some patients, such as those who have periodontal disease. The book also touches on the potential damage to teeth and gums caused by using tobacco products, not least of which is oral cancer.
What They Didn’t
Several practices outlined in Rules of Etiquette wouldn’t hold water today. For example, readers are encouraged to use a toothbrush with stiff bristles while avoiding “injurious” tooth washes. Bad idea, says Dr. Hofkes. The American Dental Association recommends soft-bristled toothbrushes only; anything stiffer could damage the tooth enamel and hurt sensitive gum tissue.
Readers are also advised that rinsing the mouth with vinegar is a safe and effective means of removing tartar from the teeth. Vinegar is highly acidic. Technically, bathing your teeth in vinegar could remove a small amount of buildup from the surface of your teeth. Unfortunately, it could also remove a small amount of enamel.
Questions about oral hygiene? To learn more about extractions or dental implants, or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Shawn Hofkes, contact our Cerritos dentist office. We welcome patients living in Cerritos, Fullerton, Long Beach, Lakewood, and the surrounding areas.
Become The Wiser On When To Remove Wisdom Teeth
Although your third molars are called wisdom teeth, they don’t hold any magic solution to creating a more aware human being. What they can do is cause difficulties in maintaining a solid arch of teeth. The most common cause of wisdom teeth removal is due to a condition called an impacted third molar. This condition relates to the third molar not being able to erupt properly, which can cause pressure on your other teeth. Dr. Hofkes answers some FAQs on wisdom teeth. (more…)
A Battle Between The Sexes During Men’s Health Month
June marks Men’s Health Month, a 30 day awareness extravaganza, nation wide, focusing on the wellness of boys and men alike. Shifting the focus onto the male population in June from the women in May raises quite a few questions for everyone. Who has better health awareness? Which are the healthiest? Who keeps up with their oral health more consistently? Well, the numbers are in. Women, on average, schedule, attend, and keep up with their oral health over men two-fold, according to a study completed by the American Dental Association. (more…)
Do you Take Bisphosphonate Drugs?
Many women are concerned with bone loss as they get older. Over the years, general physicians have started prescribing a certain class of drugs called bisphosphonates which are proven to combat bone density conditions such as osteoporosis. Intravenous bisphosphonates are prescribed for patients with certain types of cancer likely to lead to bone loss. In high potency forms, bisphosphonates have even stopped malignant cells from growing in some patients. Unfortunately, powerful and affective drugs often come with side effects. In the case of bone density drugs, this could prove disastrous to your dental health.
Bisphosphonate Drugs
Bisphosphonates adhere to the surfaces of bones directly beneath you bone cells (osteoclasts). This class of drugs bind with the osteoclasts which halts the process of bone degeneration. Bone density is then improved, which eliminates the high risk for bone breaks and fractures that are so often a concern as we age. The benefits seen from bisphosphonate medications have been seen in patients sometimes several years after the drug has last been ingested. Cancer patients or women with osteoporosis often have weakened bones and poor bone density. Bisphosphonate treatments allow patients to go about life without worrying about easily fractured bones.
BRONJ
Bisphosphonate Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (BRONJ) is an unfortunate side effect of certain bone density medications. The death of a portion of jawbone is the result of this highly unpleasant reaction. Symptoms such as localized pain, swelling of gingival tissues, loose teeth, and exposed bone are all signs that you should get to the dentist immediately. If you notice these symptoms in conjunction with taking bisphosphonate drugs, take fast action. BRONJ isn’t a common occurrence, but it does happen, and the faster it is treated, the better prognosis.
About Shawn Hofkes, DDS
With advanced training in oral and maxillofacial surgery and certification in oral and IV sedation, Shawn Hofkes, DDS is qualified to provide comfortable, advanced dental care from our state-of-the-art dentist office in Cerritos, CA. To schedule your appointment or consultation with Dr. Hofkes, contact us today. We proudly serve patients of all ages from Cerritos, Lakewood, Long Beach, Buena Park, and all surrounding communities.
Tooth Extraction Is Not Extinct
Tooth extraction may seem like a thing of the past with modern dental technology. The numerous dental procedures for saving teeth seem to no longer warrant tooth removal. Add to that, the philosophy of minimally invasive dentistry–the belief that saving as much natural dentition is optimal for the patient’s future dental health. Tooth removal, however, is still a treatment dentists offer. Therefore, you wonder what would cause a dentist to remove a tooth. There are circumstances when removing a tooth is the healthier option, particularly for people with chronic health issues. Your Cerritos, CA oral surgeon, Dr. Shawn Hofkes, can educate you on the reasons tooth removal might be the right treatment for you.
Roots Canals, Implants, Crowns, Oh My…
There are so many types of dentistry and dental procedures today–cosmetic dentistry, preventative dentistry, general dentistry, restorative dentistry–all offering a myriad of different treatments. Then there is oral pathology and oral surgery. Have you ever wondered what it all means? What is oral surgery? What is oral pathology? Your Cerritos, CA oral surgeon, Dr. Shawn Hofkes, received advanced training in oral surgery, and in today’s blog, he will give a brief overview of both.
