Diamons

Patient Education

Photography by Dr. Padval

Tobacco Use & Your Oral Health

Does Smoking & Using Tobacco Cause Oral Problems? Learn about the adverse effects. You probably know that smoking cigarettes and using tobacco is detrimental to your health. But the problems are not limited to lung disease and secondhand smoke. On the contrary, the use of this harmful carcinogen can also have adverse effects on your oral health. Nicotine, the psychoactive ingredient in tobacco, is highly addictive. Though much progress has been made in educating the public on the dangers, millions still become addicted each [...]

By |2022-09-13T08:00:51-07:00September 13, 2022|Patient Education|

Bacteria That Cause Cavities

Which Bacteria Causes Cavities? Looking Inside Your Mouth You probably know that bacteria in your mouth cause cavities, plaque, and tooth decay. And you also probably know that proper at-home care such as brushing and flossing is the best way to prevent cavities and more serious problems. (Combine with regular dental check-ups and professional cleanings for best results!) However, most species of bacteria are relatively harmless to our oral health; just one or two strains cause cavities and tooth decay. They are called Streptococcus [...]

By |2022-09-06T08:00:37-07:00September 6, 2022|Patient Education|

Do You Have Diabetes?

Diabetes and Dentistry What is diabetes? Diabetes is a condition in which the body is unable to regulate blood sugar levels. Specifically, this is due to the lack of the hormone insulin, which helps the body cells absorb glucose (sugar). There are two variations of the disease. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition preventing the production of insulin. It has a sudden onset, and patients are usually in the normal range of BMI. Type 2 diabetes is a chronic progressive condition where insulin [...]

By |2022-08-16T08:00:06-07:00August 16, 2022|Patient Education|

Bad Breath, A Bad Sign

Do You Have Bad Breath? Get treatment and see a dentist in Sacramento, CA. We all know that bad breath can be embarrassing socially, but it could be a symptom of more serious dental problems. It may be tempting to mask the issue with cover-ups such as chewing gum, breath mints, mouthwash, or other temporary fixes. However, if bad breath (AKA halitosis) is a continuing problem in your life, we highly recommend an evaluation to determine if an oral health issue is an underlying [...]

By |2022-07-26T08:00:45-07:00July 26, 2022|Patient Education|

Sterilization, For Your Safety

Now More Than Ever... Sterilization has always been one of the top priorities in our practice. However, now more than ever, it's at the forefront of everyone's minds, and the importance could not be more apparent. With the ongoing threat over coronavirus (aka COVID-19), terms like disease transmission, airborne particles, contact tracing, and PPE (personal protective equipment) have all become part of the public consciousness. So it's clear that maintaining a clean treatment environment is more than just keeping up appearances; it is about [...]

By |2022-06-28T08:00:56-07:00June 28, 2022|Patient Education|

Wisdom Teeth Extractions

Why Wisdom Teeth Need to Go Wisdom teeth are the largest teeth in your mouth, and the very last to come in. When they do, they can cause problems for the surrounding teeth, a condition we call impacted. Back in the day, before modern dentistry, people didn't take good care of their teeth. It was fairly common for people to lose one or more, even before early adulthood. When that was the case, it made sense that we had an extra set of molars. [...]

By |2022-06-21T08:00:46-07:00June 21, 2022|Patient Education|

Cleaning Your Tongue

Tongue, Brushing, Scraping, Etc. Cleaning Your tongue to prevent bad breath & improve oral health. One of the best ways to make sure your breath is fresh and clean is to make sure that your tongue is healthy and clean as well. The tongue may seem like a smooth surface, but nothing could be further from the truth. Upon closer examination, you'll see the tongue has many tiny bumps and divots. This textured surface is perfect for bacteria to grow and thrive. That's why [...]

By |2022-06-07T08:00:04-07:00June 7, 2022|Patient Education|

What’s In Saliva?

Why Do We Have Saliva? And why is it important to teeth? Saliva plays a critical role in the digestive process. While the jaw and teeth do the hard work of chewing, saliva is there to provide moisture, lubrication, and help break down food. Then, of course, it also makes swallowing the food a whole lot easier. Saliva is consists of about 98% of water. The rest is a particular combination of ingredients to help carry out its functions. These include mucus for lubrication [...]

By |2022-04-26T08:00:42-07:00April 26, 2022|Patient Education|

Health History Update

Why Is Health History So Important? When you visit the dentist, whether it's your first visit or you're a returning patient, it's essential to provide a full account of your health history. Why are we so insistent? There are some excellent reasons for this policy. We are here to help your teeth and oral health, but we are also concerned with your overall well-being. By learning about what you are going through, we can get a clearer picture of possible issues that will affect [...]

By |2022-01-18T08:00:48-08:00January 18, 2022|Patient Education|

Dental Calculus

We're Not Talking About Math! Dental Calculus Is Damaging To Teeth. Dental calculus is simply another name for tartar—a solid, harmful substance that builds up on teeth. Without removing this hardened plaque, teeth become more susceptible to cavities and tooth decay. Additionally, calculus along the gum line will contribute to periodontal disease, which in turn causes gum recession and eventually, tooth loss. How Does It Form? Our mouths are full of bacteria. All the foods we eat, the bacteria eat as well, and they [...]

By |2021-11-16T08:00:30-08:00November 16, 2021|Patient Education|