Diamons

Patient Education

Photography by Dr. Padval

Expiring Insurance Benefits—Use Them or Lose Them!

What if someone gave you free money to spend on improving your smile? With one string attached: use it all by New Years’, or lose it. Well, for those fortunate enough to have insurance, there are several ways to take advantage of your plan's benefits before they expire at the end of the year. Many dental insurance policies provide a certain dollar amount of coverage to be provided over one calendar year (January through December). Benefit money not used by December 31 is not carried [...]

By |2024-09-02T14:30:33-07:00December 5, 2023|Patient Education|

Women’s Oral Health

Do women need to be more careful with their oral health? Women's oral health depends on their different stages of life. For many women, these changes are directly related to surges in sex hormone levels, such as in puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, lactation and menopause. Women are also more likely to be diagnosed with TMJ, Myofascial pain, eating disorders, and Sjogren’s Syndrome (dry mouth). What types of conditions will my dentist watch for? As a woman, you need to adhere to good oral hygiene. Make [...]

By |2024-09-02T14:26:02-07:00October 3, 2023|Patient Education|

7 Everyday Tips for Whiter Teeth

Here are some simple, everyday tips that can improve your oral health and give you whiter teeth! Cut out the stain-causing food. Some of the biggest culprits for stained teeth are the foods we eat or drink. Typically, anything with a dark color will likely affect your teeth. These include things like coffee, red wine, and even dark sodas and juices. If you can't bear to do away with these things completely, be sure to brush immediately afterwards, and consider using an over-the-counter bleaching [...]

By |2024-09-02T14:23:26-07:00August 22, 2023|Patient Education|

When Should You Brush Your Teeth?

Should you brush your teeth before or after breakfast? It's essential to brush your teeth at least twice a day. At night, you probably know that you should brush right before you go to bed. However, you may be wondering whether you should brush your teeth right when you wake up in the morning or after you eat breakfast. The answer is: You should brush your teeth first thing in the morning as soon as you wake up. The reason is that saliva production [...]

By |2023-06-27T08:00:31-07:00June 27, 2023|Patient Education|

Toothbrush Worn Out?

Replace Your Old Toothbrush We've all seen an old disgusting worn-out toothbrush before. And truth be told, we've probably all been guilty of letting an old toothbrush hang around far too long. Understandably, you may be questioning whether or not to get a new one, and sometimes it's hard to determine where exactly to draw the line. However, if you are even asking yourself the question, it probably means that it's far past time. Another good tip is to buy multiple toothbrushes at once. [...]

By |2023-06-06T08:00:29-07:00June 6, 2023|Patient Education|

Sensitivity Toothpaste

Does Sensitivity Toothpaste Work? If you were to take the commercial's word for it, you'd think sensitivity toothpaste was a magic cure-all! In reality, over-the-counter toothpaste may provide some relief from mild sensitivity, but addressing the underlying cause is the only way to truly solve the problem. Usually, teeth have a layer of super-hard enamel covering the entire visible portion of the tooth (known as the crown). Sensitivity occurs when the inner layer (called dentin) is exposed. This dentin is much more porous and [...]

By |2023-05-02T08:00:16-07:00May 2, 2023|Patient Education|

Wisdom Teeth At-Home Care

After Wisdom Teeth Extraction... After you've had your wisdom teeth removed, it's crucial to maintain proper at-home care during the recovery period. Always follow your dentist's specific instructions, and remember the general guidelines below. Post Wisdom Teeth Instructions Pain, Sensitivity, Swelling It's normal to experience mild to moderate pain following extraction. If discomfort occurs, use the prescribed pain medication as directed. You can use an ice pack to reduce swelling, which should also bring some measure of pain relief. If you experience unusual or [...]

By |2023-03-14T08:00:11-07:00March 14, 2023|Patient Education|

Wisdom Teeth: Should They Stay Or Go?

Why Get Rid of Wisdom Teeth? Wisdom teeth are the third set of molars at the very back of the mouth. They appear in late adolescence, at about ages 17 to 25, depending on the individual. The problem is that most people simply don't have enough room to accommodate these extra teeth. When wisdom teeth are "impacted," it means they are causing problems for neighboring teeth, possibly disrupting their alignment. They are also notorious for emerging in irregular positions, partially emerging, or failing to [...]

By |2023-01-24T08:00:51-08:00January 24, 2023|Patient Education|

Getting An Electric Toothbrush

Should I switch to an electric toothbrush? Or is my old toothbrush doing the job? For many people, making any change is a big decision. Maybe you make a list of pros and cons, carefully weighing benefits and potential drawbacks. Especially for significant changes that will affect your long-held daily habits, we understand that change may be hard. But sometimes it can be especially beneficial! One simple decision that can make a big impact toward improving your oral health is switching to an electric [...]

By |2023-01-03T08:00:50-08:00January 3, 2023|Patient Education|

Alcohol, Your Teeth, & Your Health

While some studies might find benefits in moderate drinking (such as antioxidants in red wine), you can surely obtain these supposed positives through other, more healthy options. In fact, alcohol consumption has mostly adverse effects on our well-being. Most people know this but still drink due to the cultural and social aspects. Of course, moderation is key. Taking it too far and drinking in excess can pose dangers to both your overall health and your teeth as well. Alcohol & Overall Health In the [...]

By |2022-12-20T08:00:47-08:00December 20, 2022|Patient Education|