Dental care

Visiting the dentist is something that you should do at least once every six months. With good dental care, you are less likely to deal with dental issues that will require treatment. To ensure that your teeth are in good condition, you should do regular visits to a dentist to check if there is an issue that requires attention. A regular dental checkup is essential because it ensures that your gum and teeth are healthy.

In a regular dental visit, two things are done, which are examination/check-up and cleaning. Your dentist will check for cavities, tartar, and gum diseases, among other dental issues at the clinic. The examination involves the use of a unique tool to detect them. Necessary actions will be taken if your dentist finds that you have something that is of concern.

During the checkup, cleaning will also be done. It is done to ensure no tartar in your teeth that may cause decay or cavities. After the cleaning, your teeth will be polished using a gritty paste. The purpose of polishing is to remove any stain that may have been left out during the cleaning.

If you find yourself with a dental condition that requires a dentist in Northridge, California, you should visit a dental clinic like Northridge Dental for treatment and check-ups.

Hygiene Tips that Will Protect Your Teeth

It is important to protect your teeth to make them strong. Maintaining your teeth hygiene also makes them healthy. Some of the essential techniques to protect your teeth are:

• Frequent Brushing

Dental care starts with regular brushing of your teeth. There is no limitation to the number of times that you should brush your teeth. Brushing your teeth is essential because it removes food particles from your teeth hence protecting them. It strengthens your teeth by providing the minerals that are required. Brushing also reduces the risk of gum diseases and tooth decay, which is a major cause of tooth loss.

When brushing your teeth, it is important that you brush the entire mouth. Bacteria can also attach the reason being gums and other structures that support the teeth. There are different brushing techniques that you can use. It is crucial that you consult your dentist on the right approach to brushing to ensure the bacteria are kept away.

It is important to use toothpaste that contains fluoride when brushing. It would help if you also used a toothbrush that has soft bristles. You should replace the toothbrush every three months. Some of the simple steps that our dentist will advise for brushing your teeth are:

1. Start brushing your teeth from the outside and the inner surface. It would be best if you placed your toothbrush at an angle of 45 degrees to enable you to brush even the back teeth.
2. Brush the chewing surfaces while placing your brush flat, and move it back and forth.
3. To brush the inside surface of your tooth, you should tilt your brush vertically and gently move it up and down. It would be best to use your brush’s tip to clean the inside part of your teeth.
4. Do a gentle brushing along the gum line.
5. Finally, brush the surface of your tongue back and forth to remove any particles of food that may have been left. Brushing your teeth also removes the foul odor from your mouth.

• Use of Mouthwash and Flossing

Flossing and using mouthwash is essential because it protects the parts that are not accessed when brushing. Flossing should be done after every meal to ensure proper protection of your teeth at all times. There is an appropriate flossing technique that your dentist will recommend.

You should use about 18 inches of floss. Therefore, it means that you should use a clean piece of floss for each tooth’s cleaning process.  The floss is then curved so that it easily slides up and down the sides of each tooth.  It will help if you floss both sides of the teeth: the front and back on the upper and the lower jaw.

• Use of Fluoride Treatment

Fluoride is an essential mineral because it protects the enamel from bacterial attack. It helps in supporting the minerals that are found in the enamel. The most efficient way to use fluoride is when brushing. It would be best if you used fluoride-based toothpaste to keep away the bacteria. If you are using a mouthwash, you should use fluoride for better health of your teeth. There are some instances where your teeth may be eroded due to much fluoride. If that happens, it is advisable to speak to a dentist about its use.

• Avoid Harmful Drinks and Foods

A low diet can contribute to tooth damage or decay. For example, foods with lots of sugar and harmful carbohydrates can lead to your teeth decay. Therefore, you should avoid foods that will allow a build-up of bacteria in your teeth that may cause decay.

Void drinks such as coffee and red wine because they can cause discoloration of your teeth.

• Visit Your Dentist Regularly

Regular visits to a dentist are essential because it ensures good hygiene. Good hygiene, on the other hand, will reduce the chances of bacteria build-up and enamel erosion.

Why Should You Get Regular Dental Check-ups?

Some of the Importance of Dental Checkups is:

• To Prevent Tartar, Plague, Tooth Decay, and Cavities.

There are hard-to-reach places when you are brushing your teeth. An example is the molar teeth that are usually hard to clean. That is one of the reasons why you should do regular visits to dentists. The dentist examines your teeth to determine whether there are any signs of tooth decay. In case there are small cavities, the dentist will reverse the decay by putting you under fluoride treatment. If the holes are large, then the dentist will advise you to fill them. The dentist will then do professional teeth cleaning to remove tartar or plaque from the gum and teeth. The deep cleaning protects your teeth from attacks by bacteria, which usually make their home in tartar and plague.

• To Keep Gum Disease at Bay

Gum diseases do not have symptoms at an early stage. You are, therefore, likely to suffer gum disease and fail to notice. Fortunately, dentists can easily recognize it after the examination because they are well trained. During your dental checkups, your dentist will ensure that your gum is firm. The dentist will check for any deep gum pocket, receding gum, and swelling.

If they find any of the conditions, they will take the necessary action to prevent further damage. Since early gum diseases go away with proper dental care, your dentist will advise you on how to take care of your gum.

• Checking for Oral Cancer

Checking for oral cancer is another reason that should make you visit your dentist regularly. Your dentist will look for any signs of cancer in your mouth. Checkup for oral health is essential because, if it goes undetected, oral cancer can lead to an illness that can be life-threatening. Your dentist will use a special light to see any dead tissues resulting from tumors to detect oral cancer.

The process of checking for oral cancer is painless, and you should not be worried or afraid of visiting your dentist. If you do regular visits to your dentist, you will have fewer chances of developing oral health.

• Detecting Systemic Health Issues

The neck and head exam is another important aspect of a dental checkup. Your dentist will check your neck for swelling, lumps, deformities, lymph nodes, and any other illness symptom. If the dentist finds any sign of the illness, you will be referred to a specialist to examine and treat you accordingly.

What to Do Between Dental Visits

Dental visits are supposed to be done once every six months. Between the six months, you are likely to find tartar or plaque in your teeth. They are, though managed by proper brushing, to brush even the hard-to-reach corners. Some of the oral care you should do between the dental visits is:

• Use your mouthwash to control tartar and plaque. The mouthwash will also help I keeping your breath fresh all through
• It would be best if you flossed daily
• It would be best if you brushed your teeth daily. When brushing, ensure you use a toothpaste containing fluoride.

Some of the dental care procedures are:

Dental Cleaning

Dental cleaning plays a vital role in fighting tooth loss and gum disease. Our Northridge Dentist has experience in routine and dental cleaning techniques. The technique will help you enjoy oral health at every age of your life.

Types of Dental Cleaning

The cleaning to be used to clean your teeth will depend on the specific care that you need. Some of the cleaning procedures are:

• Prophylaxis Cleaning

This is a type of cleaning that is meant to provide the overall health of the mouth. Prophylaxis cleaning performs maintenance like removal of tartar and plague on the gum, between teeth, and on the surface of the teeth. If you often visit your dentist, then prophylaxis cleaning is recommended because there is no given time that there will be a build-up of plaque and tartar.

• Scaling and Root Planing

It is a more invasive type of cleaning. It involves cleaning of the gum line, gum, and other structures that support the teeth. Scaling and root planing is recommended if you suffer gum diseases such as periodontitis. It is aimed at removing plaque and tartar from the surface of the teeth. It is a continuous procedure that is not done once, but it is done when you visit your dentist.

• Periodontal Maintenance

It is a routine procedure that is by those people who suffer from serious dental issues like periodontitis and gingivitis. Periodontal maintenance involves cleaning the entire mouth. It is usually done frequently until the dental issue is appropriately handled.

• Gross Debridement

It is a form of deeper cleaning done, especially to people who do not regularly visit their dentists. There is an accumulation of a lot of plaque and tartar caused by inferior brushing methods.

Before gross debridement is performed, the dentist will do a thorough check-up to determine the cleaning suited for your teeth. Gross debridement is only performed if prophylaxis cleaning is not sufficient.

Benefits of Dental Cleaning

Dental cleaning helps remove any buildup of tartar or plaque, where bacteria that cause gum-diseases to hide and grow. Even if you brush your teeth according to your dentist’s requirement, deep cleaning is necessary once in a while. Gum diseases cause infections around your teeth, making your teeth weak and may eventually fall out.

Deep cleaning involves the use of a unique technique called scaling and root planing. The method removes bacteria around the gum and tooth root. Deep cleaning is a painless process, but if your teeth are sensitive, your dentist will administer anesthesia to make the process a bit comfortable.

Teeth Whitening

The color of your teeth can make you feel shy and uncomfortable about your appearance and personal impression. For this reason, teeth whitening is necessary to abstain from any awkward feeling in your daily activities.

Yellow or stained teeth are a problem that is common to a large number of the population in California. Some have managed to live with the condition while others are still looking for alternatives to have their teeth whitened and afford a great smile.  Some natural homemade remedies can be used to whiten your teeth. The natural homemade remedies do not provide a long-lasting solution to your teeth.

 At Northridge Dentistry, a permanent solution to your yellow teeth is provided. Bleaching solutions are used to whiten your teeth. The solution is durable as opposed to homemade remedies.  If you are one of the people who want to have their teeth whitened, you should visit the Northridge dentistry. The dentists are qualified and have your problem solved without causing any harm to your teeth.

Facts about Teeth Whitening

There are many solutions that you may consider for teeth whitenings, such as using toothpaste and bleaching. It would be best if you were not tempted to buy bleaching solutions over the counter because it may be hard to determine its composition. You may end up damaging your teeth and the enamel permanently to the extent that you will require a specialist to treat you.

Before thinking of teeth whitening, you should consult your dentist to learn more about the expected results and inefficiency. After teeth whitening, the results can last up to three years, depending on the care you give to your teeth and the treatment's efficiency.

There are some instances where you will have a temporary sensitivity to touch, temperature, and pressure on your teeth after teeth whitening. You may also feel irritation on your gum after the whitening. It is essential to let your dentist know about it so that any necessary measures can be taken.

Reasons for Tooth Staining

Many reasons can turn the color of your teeth. The significant reasons are:

• Most cigarette smokers use tobacco, which causes teeth staining. If you are a cigarette smoker, you have high chances of having your teeth stained.
• Beverages like coffee and tea contain chemicals that can turn the color of your teeth when frequently used.
• Red wine. The type of grapes used to produce red wine can turn your teeth' color to the extent that you will require teeth whitening.

Side Effects for Teeth Whitening

Many people do not know about the side effects of tooth whitening.  Some of the side effects include:

• Soft Tissue Irritation

The side effects are commonly known as a chemical burn. Soft tissue irritation occurs if the tissues of your teeth are exposed to the whitening solutions. Your soft tissues will feel irritated after the whitening has been completed, but the irritation goes away after some time.

• Absence of the Desired Results

As a dental patient, there are some results you expect from teeth whitening. For example, you want to have the same feeling you had before the whitening, or you will feel irritations on your gum contrary to your expectations. It is therefore wise if you consult your dentist before deciding on your stained teeth.

• Teeth Sensitivity

After the teeth whitening process, your teeth may be sensitive to hot and cold foods and touch. The sensitivity is expected because the dentine is usually exposed to the whitening solution in the process of whitening.

The choice of your teeth whitening solution will depend on the extent to which your teeth are discolored. It will also depend on the costs involved. It would be best if you, therefore, chose one that meets your financial needs.

Managing Bad Breath

Bad breath is caused by different factors. They include dental cavities, yeast infection, and having poorly fitted appliances in your teeth. Bad breath is a condition that can make you feel embarrassed and shy to talk in front of people. It is, therefore, a reason enough to visit your dentist regularly. The dentist will detect any dental issue that may be causing the bad breath and guide you on the best way to manage it.

Regular visits to your dentists will help maintain good oral health and eliminate any periodontal disease. If the cause of bad breath is due to a build-up of plaque or tartar, then your doctor will advise you on the best mouthwash or toothpaste to use.

How to Prevent Bad Breath

• You should quit smoking
• You should use mouthwash regularly
• You should visit a dentist regularly
• You should use you a toothbrush to clean your teeth
• You should eat healthily
• You should clean your dentures

Dental Filling

Any time your teeth undergo decay or damage, you should ensure that you seek treatment to stop further erosion, which may lead to your teed being permanently damaged. A dental filling is a common type of treatment for tooth damage and decay. Filling involves removing the infected portion of your teeth by a qualified dentist and filling it with fillings to prevent more decay or damage. 

A dental filling can also be used on your teeth if they have a crack. It is also done in case your teeth have worn out due to grinding and chewing activities. To maintain the good shape of your teeth and a good structure is vital to support them with a dental filling. At Northridge dentistry, filing is done by specialists with vast experience in general dental care.

Inlay and On lay as Forms of Dental Care

It is a procedure that is meant to repair existing teeth damage. As opposed to other types of dental treatment, inlay and on lay gives a durable result where your teeth are firmly bound after the treatment. It is a treatment that your dentist will recommend at most times in case your teeth have extensive decay and damages.

Tooth Extraction as a Form of Dental Care

Tooth extraction is done to protect and save the remaining teeth. If your tooth has decay, it is likely to affect the rest of the teeth, which will require an intervention in the form of treatment. A tooth extraction will, therefore, make the natural teeth healthy and strong.

Find a Northridge Dentist Near Me

Teeth are a necessity and very precious to us because we have them and will stay with them until the end. Thus, it is essential to take much care of them to ensure that they do not suffer. Some of the ways your teeth may suffer are tooth decay, infection, and tooth damage. Therefore, it would help if you observed strict routine care for your teeth to avoid such dental issues.

If you find yourself in a situation with dental complications, visit the Northridge Dentist to get the services that you need. Our dentists use various dental care and treatments for a variety of dental issues. Before you think of any treatment or any other type of dental care you think is right for you, seek advice from our dentists. Contact us at 818-875-0216 to ensure proper care of your teeth.