Diamons

brushing

Photography by Dr. Padval

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|

Do You Have Old Fillings?

If you have old fillings, that will be one of the things we check on whenever you come in for an appointment. We'll examine your teeth to ensure that the damage or decay has not progressed any further. A filling is a tried-and-true method for fixing a cavity and preventing further damage to the tooth. When you have a small cavity, you probably won't even notice the difference initially. But, without treatment, the cavity will become bigger and bigger over time. Especially since it's [...]

By |2023-06-20T08:00:35-07:00June 20, 2023|Restorative Dentistry|

Do You Have Gum Recession?

What is Gum Recession? Gum recession is a condition in which gum tissue shrinks/retracts/disappears over time. The result is that teeth appear longer and exposed. Superficially, this might look unsightly, but it can also cause sensitivity, discomfort, and other problems. If left untreated, recession can lead to cavities and, eventually, tooth loss. It may be easy to take steps to prevent gum recession. But, because it happens slowly over time, those at risk are often unaware of the problem until significant recession has already [...]

By |2023-04-11T08:00:20-07:00April 11, 2023|Periodontal Dentistry|

Dental Sealants: Are They Worth It?

What are dental sealants? Dental sealants are a thin, liquid coating that hardens onto teeth to cover their high-risk, vulnerable areas. Commonly used as prevention in children and adolescents, the sealants are applied to the chewing surfaces of teeth. (Particularly the large, rear teeth called molars.) The sealant itself is a composite resin. We apply a thin layer to the treatment area and then use a special light to "cure" the material. This process hardens the sealants, securely fixing them into place. Are sealants [...]

By |2023-02-21T08:00:01-08:00February 21, 2023|Children's Dentistry|

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|

Dental Care For Seniors

Why Oral Health Is So Important To Seniors As we age, proper oral health is just as important as ever. And, there are additional concerns to take into account. Seniors living on a fixed income may have limited access to care, as well as health issues such as age-related memory loss. If you are a senior, it's essential to continue taking care of yourself. If you have an aging parent or other loved ones, help them maintain their highest quality of life with proper [...]

By |2022-09-27T08:00:45-07:00September 27, 2022|Preventative Dentistry|

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|

Children’s Oral Health: Developing Positive Habits

Why Children's Oral Health Is So Important We all want the best for our children in all aspects of life. And that applies to their teeth as well! One of the best gifts you can provide for your little loved ones is to teach them proper dental hygiene—right from the very beginning. Developing children's oral health habits early in life will make them more likely to carry it on through adolescence and into adulthood. As a young baby, before the first teeth begin to [...]

By |2022-05-24T08:00:26-07:00May 24, 2022|Children's Dentistry|

What’s in Toothpaste?

And Why Is Using It Important? Toothpaste is the first line of defense for your teeth and overall oral health. A proper oral hygiene regimen means you should be brushing twice a day—once before bedtime and once in the morning. That's because, during the night, saliva flow lessens and bacteria growth is at its highest, so it's important to brush before and after this period, when your teeth are at their most vulnerable. Brushing is the best way to prevent the buildup of plaque, [...]

By |2022-03-22T08:00:24-07:00March 22, 2022|Preventative Dentistry|