Good news! now you won’t have to burden yourself to call us to make a dental appointment at work. you don’t have to dictate all your private information in public, either.
please click on Application to make an initial appointment and if you’re our existing patient please click on Appointment Book to make your next appointment.
For those happy moms that are pregnant, you may be hoping that you can ditch those dental appointments, but you may want to think twice about skipping those appointments. Pregnancy is actually the time to take extra special care of your teeth and gums. During pregnancy, increased hormone levels can make your teeth and gums extra sensitive to bacteria, which could increase your risk of developing certain dental infections. So call up your dentist and make that appointment!
Pregnancy can be a wonderful time, filled with joy and excitement. Unfortunately, it can also be quite a frustrating time, especially if you are experiencing dental problems throughout your pregnancy. Pregnant women are actually more prone to dental complications and it is important to get these complications treated effectively. If left untreated, some of them can actually put you at an increased risk for pregnancy complications.
There are a variety of dental problems that women are more prone to experience during pregnancy. These issues include periodontal disease, pregnancy tumors, and pregnancy gingivitis.
Pregnancy Gingivitis
Pregnancy gingivitis is the most common dental concern during pregnancy, affecting almost 50% of all pregnant women. Pregnancy gingivitis causes your gums to become red, puffy, and inflamed. It can also trigger bleeding gums when you are brushing and flossing.
Pregnancy gingivitis is caused by bacteria that form between your teeth and gums. When you eat, tiny particles of food get stuck between your gums and teeth. These particles soon attract bacteria, resulting in inflamed gums. Anyone can be affected by gingivitis but pregnant women are at greater risk. This is because amplified levels of progesterone and estrogen lead to increased blood flow throughout the body, especially to the gums.
Periodontal Disease
If left untreated, gingivitis can progress into periodontal disease. Also known as gum disease, this is a severe gum infection, which destroys the bones and fibers that help to keep your teeth in place.
Periodontal gum disease can cause some very unpleasant side effects, including bleeding from the gums, tooth loss, and infection. Periodontal disease is of particular concern during pregnancy. An increased risk for both preterm labor and having a low birthweight baby is associated with periodontal disease.
Pregnancy Tumors
Pregnancy tumors can form if you are suffering from pregnancy gingivitis or periodontal disease. Also known as pyogenic granulomas, these tumors are growths that form on your gums. They can sometimes make it hard to speak, eat, and swallow, and may cause pain or discomfort. These tumors can be removed by your dentist if necessary.
It is important to get proper dental care during pregnancy. Regular dental checkups and good hygiene practices at home can keep your teeth and gums free of tartar and plaque, and help to prevent or reduce the effects of pregnancy gingivitis and periodontal disease. However, there are some things to keep in mind when you visit your dentist in order to ensure that you and your baby stay healthy throughout your pregnancy.
Regular Cleanings
You should visit your dentist at least once during your pregnancy, to have a regular cleaning and routine dental checkup. Dental appointments are typically made during the second trimester, after your baby has formed his vital organs. Though regular cleanings aren’t harmful during the first or third trimesters, having your cleanings during the second trimester can reduce any possible risks to your baby. If you are suffering from gingivitis or gum disease, your dentist can provide you with gum disease treatment during your regular checkups.
Infections
If you are experiencing any toothaches, or if you are noticing blood or pus around your gum line, you should also visit with your dentist. These are signs of infection, which can be quite dangerous during pregnancy. Gum or other mouth infections can spread throughout your body, increasing the risks of pregnancy complications, like miscarriage.
Dental Emergencies
Other dental emergencies, like a broken tooth or cavity, should also be seen by your dentist. However, treatment will usually be put off until after you have given birth, in order to avoid any possible complications. If you are in a lot of pain, or if the problem can be solved quickly and easily, your dentist may choose to give you treatment during your pregnancy. Be sure to speak with your prenatal health care provider before you undergo any treatments though.
Treatments to Avoid at the Dentist
Certain treatments should be left until after you have given birth to your baby. Teeth whitening and other cosmetic procedures should be held off until after your baby is born. If you require a root canal or other extensive dental procedure this can also wait until after your baby is born, unless you are in severe pain.
Exposure to x-rays should also be avoided during your pregnancy, unless absolutely necessary. Though dental x-rays give off minimal radiation, it is safer to avoid unnecessary dental x-rays until the postpartum period. Any procedure that requires you to sit for long periods of time should also be avoided. Sitting in the dentist’s chair can put pressure on the inferior vena cava, a major blood vessel in your body that supplies your lower extremities. This can cause fainting and loss of consciousness.
Dental Care At Home
The best way to ensure healthy teeth and gums is to follow a daily dental regimen at home. Here are some tips on how to keep those pearly whites healthy and happy!
quoted from www.pregnancy-info.net
Full Mouth Rehab.
Front Crowns
I have to confess that a big part of my works is done with cooperation with my wonderful dental lab technicians. we’re so fortunate to have them around and make use of their excellent skills to restore the teeth to the fullest function and beauty.
11/12/2009
By: Reuters Health
NEW YORK (Reuters Health), Nov. 12 - A new study hints that good oral care - regular brushing and flossing and trips to the dentist — may help aging adults keep their thinking skills intact.
In a study, researchers found that adults aged 60 and older with the highest versus the lowest levels of the gum disease-causing pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis were three times more likely to have trouble recalling a three-word sequence after a period of time.
Dr. James M. Noble of Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City and colleagues also found that adults with the highest levels of this pathogen were two times more likely to fail three-digit reverse subtraction tests.
The findings, reported in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry this month, are based on more than 2300 men and women who were tested for periodontitis and completed numerous thinking skills tests as part of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III conducted between 1991 and 1994. Overall 5.7 percent of the adults had trouble completing certain memory tasks and 6.5 percent failed reverse subtraction tests. Participants with the highest (greater than 119 units) versus the lowest (57 units or lower) pathogen levels were most likely to do poorly in these tests.
Research has already established a strong association between poor oral health and heart disease, stroke and diabetes, as well as Alzheimer’s disease. Gum disease could influence brain function through several mechanisms, the researchers note; for example, gum disease can cause inflammation throughout the body, a risk factor for loss of mental function.
In a related commentary, Dr. Robert Stewart, of King’s College in London, United Kingdom, says this study adds to a “quietly accumulating” body of evidence tying oral and dental health with brain function.
Copyright © 2009 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. Reuters and the Reuters sphere logo are registered trademarks and trademarks of the Reuters group of companies around the world.
The above case is one of the most recent ones. Patient came from work injury, he broke the middle front tooth and has lost the vitality on the tooth next to it possibly due to trauma. two teeth are root canaled and restored with Procera crowns with zirconia copings. all the copy rights belong to Seung H Baek, DDS and drbaek.com the image can’t be copied or reproduced without permission.
the following article is taken from agd.org and I thought many will find it intriguing. I agree on that females are more sensitive to health issues and they tend to come when problems are still in early stage compared to males that put up/ man up and seek professional help at the last minute although there’s a personal difference of course. I have a number of patients who had low self esteem or confidence due to unattractive smiles they had before they got some work done and once they get a nice smile, I see their entire life changes which in fact is priceless reward to myself as well.
An online poll of 289 general dentists and consumers confirms the traditional stereotype that men are less likely to visit the dentist than their female counterparts, according to the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), an organization of general dentists dedicated to continuing dental education.
Why? Nearly 45 percent of respondents felt that men don’t see a need to go to the dentist, and about 30 percent of those polled reported that men may not visit the dentist because they are afraid or embarrassed to go. Almost 18 percent revealed that men just don’t have the time for a dental visit, and about 5 percent felt that men don’t even have a regular dentist.
This long-standing trend and excuse, however, may be disappearing as more men are climbing back into the dental chair – for a surprising reason.
“In my practice, more men are coming in and requesting bleaching, veneers and bonding,” says AGD spokesperson J. Nick Russo, Sr., DDS, FAGD. “Many have noticed the positive effects from a colleague’s improved smile and realize that a great smile has a lot of value in the business world.”
Dr. Russo also points to the fact that not long ago, most men worked for one or two employers throughout a lifetime and many did not think about the way their overall appearance affected their professional life.
“That’s not the reality today, with lay-offs and company closings across the board,” says Dr. Russo. “Today middle-aged men are competing for jobs with younger men, making appearance a heightened factor in their lives.”
Taking a back seat to new cosmetic concerns for men is the increased awareness of the overall health benefits of seeing a dentist biannually.
“As a dentist, I want men to come see me because they’re concerned about their health, however I’m glad to see them for whatever reason they come in,” says Dr. Russo. “Many times after men come back to the dentist they realize that proper maintenance and biannual checkups are the key to improving the way one looks and feels.”
Updated: February 2007
My small philosophy as a dentist is ‘minimum dentistry is the best dentistry’. And to achieve the minimum dentistry, prevention is a must. I find people come to see me at the last minute, pain is the strongest driving force making them come. but it is not smartest choice. not only because it is more damaging financially, but you need more dental/ surgical intervention accompanied with more suffering during/ after the procedure. for example, if you come every 6 month for check up, chances are I may be able to detect small cavaties in a very early stage and depending on the severity, It would be restored before it becomes onlay, crown, or even a root canal treatment.
Most PPO insurances provide full coverage for regular check ups and regular cleanings. if you don’t use the insurance benefit this year you may end up losing yearly benefit as most of them don’t roll over. I can’t believe the year end is just around the corner again. call your dentist today and make a preventive appointment before you get bigger problems. our number is 714-736-0100. tell Tom you found us online.
one of the most frequent questions that I get from my patients since I became a dentist is if they have to stop smoking. and my answer is always YES. there are many reasons why you should stop smoking than not. the followings are just a few of those.
The ADA recommends the following for good oral hygiene:
Brush your teeth twice a day with an ADA-accepted fluoride toothpaste. Clean between teeth daily with floss or an interdental cleaner. Decay–causing bacteria still linger between teeth where toothbrush bristles can’t reach. Flossing removes plaque and food particles from between the teeth and under the gum line. Eat a balanced diet and limit between-meal snacks. Visit your dentist regularly for professional cleanings and oral exams.
Replace your toothbrush every three or four months , or sooner if the bristles become frayed. A worn toothbrush will not do a good job of cleaning your teeth. Children’s toothbrushes often need replacing more frequently than adults because they can wear out sooner.
How do I brush my teeth?
How do I floss my teeth?
Buena Park is a city located in northwestern Orange County, California. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 78,282. The city is located adjacent to the city of Anaheim and is located 12 miles (20 km) northwest of downtown Santa Ana. The Current OMB metropolitan designation for Buena Park and the Orange County Area is “Santa Ana-Anaheim-Irvine, CA.” Buena Park is home to several tourist attractions, most notably Knott’s Berry Farm (quoted from wikipedia.com) and to my knowledge, Buena Park is where James Jannard first started the famous Oakley, Inc.
An interview with our real patient, Sunny H. She is a mom of 3 month old daughter and she works full time at government agency.
1. How did you hear about the Zoom and what was your preconception about the Zoom?
I heard about the Zoom through my brother when he had it done before me. He recommended the Zoom treatment because it was fast and convenient. My preconception of this treatment was that I would have to endure considerable amount of pain, but it wasn’t that bad.
2. How do you like the result and what is the best and worst part of the result?
I really like the fact that my teeth are back to white and look really presentable to others. I can’t really find worst part of this procedure as of now.
3. How long was your procedure and did you have any pain or discomfort during the procedure? The procedure consisted of four fifteen minute sessions. First two sessions were painless. I felt a slight pain on my lower teeth during third and fourth sessions.
4. We provided massage on our dental chair and soothing music during the session, how did they help you or would it be better if you brought your own music? I really enjoyed the overall environment provided by the office. Music was great and the chair was awesome!! I slept like a baby during the first thirty minutes of the treatment.
5. Did people notice the difference in color of your teeth? What was people’s response? My husband really liked the new color of my teeth. He said it was beautiful. I also got lot of good comments from other people as well.
6. Would you like to recommend the Zoom to your family or friend? If you would, who would be the first person that you recommend the Zoom to? I would recommend the Zoom to other people because it was a good experience for me. I would especially recommend the Zoom to my husband because his teeth look like as if corns are stuck on it (joke about the husband part).
7. When you look at other people’s face, how important is the color of their teeth in terms of the impression? Really important because a smile with white teeth are pleasant to look at.
