Patient Education Archives | Page 13 of 15 | Diamond Dental of Sacramento

When Prescriptions and Dentistry Don’t Mix
When Prescriptions and Dentistry Don’t Mix

Patient Education

When Prescriptions and Dentistry Don’t Mix

Some prescribed drugs and dental surgery may not be a good mix. You might not think that what your MD prescribes—and what your dentist does for your mouth's well-being—are closely related. But both are significant. If you are contemplating upcoming dentistry like a tooth extraction or an implant, it may be helpful to review which prescribed drugs you are taking for other problems. Two red flags, here: prescription drugs for osteoporosis and certain drugs used in association with chemotherapy against cancers. The big word [...]

By Diamond Dental of Sacramento|2016-08-16T00:00:47-07:00August 16, 2016|Patient Education|

Dead Toothbrushes
Dead Toothbrushes

Patient Education

Dead Toothbrushes

A really dead toothbrush—one badly worn and frayed, not necessarily just old—is like having no toothbrush at all. In fact, you're probably doing more harm than good if your brush has seen better days. All dead toothbrushes should be given a decent burial. If you have doubts about the life left in your toothbrush, bring it in at your next appointment, and we can assess the damage. We've seen a lot of sorry-looking brushes, but maybe yours will take the prize. Why they should [...]

By Diamond Dental of Sacramento|2016-08-02T00:00:12-07:00August 2, 2016|Patient Education|

The War on Germs: Are We Winning? Should we be?
The War on Germs: Are We Winning? Should we be?

Patient Education

The War on Germs: Are We Winning? Should we be?

Homicide: bad word. It means killing another human being. Germicide? For many, good word. It promises to kill what are hated and feared most in this super-sanitary era: germs. Germ is sort of a catchall that refers to any microorganism we can't actually see. That's sort of like referring to every non-human living thing as an animal: elephants, mosquitoes, salmon, vultures. Fact is, there are only a few bad actors in the world of microorganisms, and we pretty much know who they are. Take [...]

By Diamond Dental of Sacramento|2016-07-26T00:00:33-07:00July 26, 2016|Patient Education|

Watch Your Mouth
Watch Your Mouth

Patient Education

Watch Your Mouth

Self Examinations can Spot Signs of Trouble Through the day, you check the mirror—your hair, your collar, your hem. Ever open your mouth to see what's inside? You should, and not just when you feel pain or find blood on your toothbrush. You should routinely examine your oral orifice for any changes. Watch for red or white spots or other discolorations and small sores or swellings. Most of these oral lesions, as we call them, are harmless and easily explained. A tortilla chip or [...]

By Diamond Dental of Sacramento|2016-07-12T00:00:36-07:00July 12, 2016|Patient Education|

Dealing with a Dental Phobia
Dealing with a Dental Phobia

Patient Education

Dealing with a Dental Phobia

The bad thing about dental phobia is that it prevents people from seeking the care they need—when they need it. The good thing about it is that, today, we can treat fear as successfully as we treat tooth decay or crooked teeth. Over six million people experience some degree of anxiety when they visit the dentist. Two million dental patients are just plain scared, so scared that they suffer shaking, confusion, heart palpitations and changes in speech and blood pressure just thinking about dental [...]

By Diamond Dental of Sacramento|2016-07-05T00:00:26-07:00July 5, 2016|Patient Education|

OUCH! Pizza Burns
OUCH! Pizza Burns

Patient Education

OUCH! Pizza Burns

Do you enjoy eating fresh, hot pizza? If so, you may have experienced a common mouth injury—"pizza burn." Dentists use this term for a minor burn of the gums and the roof of the mouth (palate). The most frequent cause is biting into hot food such as pizza. The telltale sign of a pizza burn is a blister or ulcer on the small, raised area of gum behind the front teeth (incisive papilla) or near the upper first molar. This injury is not usually [...]

By Diamond Dental of Sacramento|2016-06-28T00:00:32-07:00June 28, 2016|Patient Education|

Fever Blisters, Cold Sores, Canker Sores
Fever Blisters, Cold Sores, Canker Sores

Patient Education

Fever Blisters, Cold Sores, Canker Sores

Some are caused by a virus, some hurt, and all are unpleasant socially. What exactly is that nasty thing on my mouth? And how do I get rid of it before Friday night? Cold Sores Cold sores and fever blisters are one and the same—small skin blisters on the mouth caused by Herpes simplex virus. When the virus acts up, the lips may become tender and blisters follow. Within a few days, blisters drain and dry, and the virus retreats to the nerve. Treatments [...]

By Diamond Dental of Sacramento|2016-06-14T00:00:32-07:00June 14, 2016|Patient Education|

Let the Sunshine in!
Let the Sunshine in!

Patient Education

Let the Sunshine in!

Are you one of the millions of Americans who spends most of their working and free time indoors? If so, you may be missing out on the important benefits of sunshine, which not only lifts the spirit, but also helps the body create an essential nutrient—vitamin D. Early in this century doctors discovered that too little vitamin D led to childhood diseases in which bones failed to develop. We now know that vitamin D deficiency can lead to brittle bones in adults (osteoporosis). Hips, [...]

By Diamond Dental of Sacramento|2016-06-07T00:00:16-07:00June 7, 2016|Patient Education|

Our Infection Control Program
Our Infection Control Program

Patient Education

Our Infection Control Program

Visitors to our practice have probably noticed the efforts we put into making the office open and comfortable. Well, it's not just cosmetic. We're doing something about protecting your health. We consulted with experts in the field of asepsis—sterilization. Our aim was to find the best that technology has to offer to keep the practice safe for our patients. And we did. Today we meet—and exceed—the infection control standards of the American Dental Association and Center for Disease Control. Often these rigid protocols are [...]

By Diamond Dental of Sacramento|2016-05-10T00:00:20-07:00May 10, 2016|Patient Education|

Test Your Toothbrush I.Q.
Test Your Toothbrush I.Q.

Patient Education

Test Your Toothbrush I.Q.

Did you know the toothbrush was invented by the Chinese in the 15th century? These first toothbrushes were made of hog bristles. Today, most toothbrushes are made from nylon monofilaments which dry quickly and resist breakage. Did you know a worn-out toothbrush is dangerous? Bent bristles can injure soft tissues. Worn, frayed bristles won’t be effective plaque fighters, either. Did you know soft bristles are generally preferred to hard bristles? Soft bristles bend easily and clean better below the gum line. Hard bristles can [...]

By Diamond Dental of Sacramento|2016-04-26T00:00:02-07:00April 26, 2016|Patient Education|

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