Dental Hygienists – The First Line of Dental Defense

Preventive dental care involves regular flossing, brushing, healthy diet and visiting the dentist for routine cleanings and checkups. While at-home care is a vital part of establishing well-being, dental cleanings from a qualified dental hygienist are necessary for overall good oral health.  

Fighting Gum Disease and Tooth Decay

According to the American Dental Academy (ADA), over 47% of adults in the U.S. have some form of gum disease (ada.org). Preventive care can significantly reduce the presence of bacterial infection that can cause gum disease and tooth decay. Gum disease – otherwise known as periodontal disease – is highly common, yet wholly preventable. Gum disease is caused by the buildup of plaque and tartar, which gradually attacks the soft tissue, causing inflammation, bleeding, and even tooth loss. 

Cleanings and Treatments

The American Dental Academy recommends visiting the dentist at least once every six months – more if needed. This is because dental issues, including gum disease, are often difficult to identify during the early stages of development, and can only be diagnosed by a trained professional. Dental hygienists perform cleanings using special tools to remove tartar, plaque and mineral buildup from the surface of the teeth, and below the gum line. Other preventive dentaltreatments include dental sealants, and fluoride to strengthen and protect dental enamel from decay. 

Cost-Savings

Regular cleanings not only save patients from discomfort, infections and disease, they also save you money. Preventive care helps people avoid invasive and costly deep cleanings and dental treatments, which include tooth restorations and corrective periodontal surgery.

Education and Guidance

Regular dental visits offer dental hygienists the opportunity to pass along good advice to patients. Because they are able to identify potentially problematic areas, dental hygienists can offer customized guidance according to their patients’ needs and lifestyle. Knowledgeable hygienists can also provide information regarding at-home care, including how to select the right toothbrush and proper flossing techniques.

Preventive care is vital to our health and well-being. Arm yourself with one of the best weapons in the fight against gum disease and tooth decay, and visit your dental hygienist regularly for a professional cleaning and checkup. You'll be glad you did – now, and in the future.

Contactour Torrance dental office today to schedule your next appointment.

Invisalign – The Clear Path to a Healthy Smile

Many adults want to correct their smile without the bulky, unattractive wires and brackets associated with traditional brace wear. Invisalign® is a teeth-straightening system that uses a series of clear, removable, plastic trays to make incremental adjustments to teeth. The aligners address issues of crowding, spacing, and overbite in a more aesthetically pleasing orthodontic alternative for adults and teens. 

The Many Advantages of Invisalign®

Invisalign offers a more comfortable teeth-straightening experience. The system use a single set of impressions and detailed imaging to accurately project how teeth should be adjusted. Clear plastic aligners, or trays, are customized to gradually achieve the patient's desired smile.

The clear plastic aligners are far more comfortable than wire and metal and, as removable devices, they also offer a easier care routine than traditional braces. The appliance should be worn for a minimum of 23 hours each day; however, the patient can remove it for short periods of time during meals. They are able to eat and drink without diet restrictions, and brush and floss normally. 

Confidence in your Smile

With Invisalign, patients aren't encumbered with an uncomfortable corrective device. People who would otherwise feel self-conscious in social and professional settings can relax – the clear Invisalign trays are virtually undetectable.

Maintaining a Healthy Smile

Invisalign gives patients the opportunity to stay in control of their dental health. Traditional orthodontics can make it difficult to keep teeth clean and free of plaque buildup -- the metal brackets and wires make flossing extremely challenging. Invisalign makes it possible for patients to maintain a daily cleaning routine of thorough brushing and flossing. Because it is removable, the device itself can be cleaned to remove disease-causing bacteria.  

If you're thinking it's time for braces, talk to your Torrance dentist at Blue Sky Family Dental to see if Invisalign® is right for you. Dr. Robert Mondavi will help you achieve a healthy, beautiful and confident smile.

Contact us today!

Root Canal or Extraction?

Saving teeth is a dentist's primary concern – a tooth can be lost by periodontal (gum) disease and severe tooth decay. When conditions are left alone and are given time to move into the pulp and/or roots of a tooth, your dentist will have to determine if a root canal can save the tooth or if extraction is necessary.

In the past, a severe tooth problem would lead to extraction. Thanks to advancements in dental technology and procedures, dentists are able to focus on saving the tooth whenever possible.

Getting a Root Canal

A root canal involves removing the diseased pulp – the soft inner part of the tooth containing nerves, tissue and blood vessels – and eliminating infection, in order to save the tooth. It is used to treat inflammation, a dying tooth, or a necrotic (dead) tooth. After the pulp is removed, the chamber and root canals are filled and sealed with the rubber-like material, gutta-percha. The remaining tooth structure is then capped with a crown, in order to resume the natural function of the tooth. 

Extraction

Extraction is final -- it is the removal of the affected tooth/teeth. In cases of a single extraction, patients are given local anesthetic to numb the area – more complex situations, or multiple teeth may require general anesthetic to prevent wide-spread pain. When an infected or severely damaged tooth is removed, other options, such as dental implant-supported crowns and dentures are suggested as a solution to fill the gap. 

Which One is Better for You?

An experienced dental professional can offer in-depth information and advice on how best to proceed. However, when making your decision, it is worth keeping a few things in mind:

Cost – Every case is different, so it is important to find out fromyour dentist what your options are and how they may affect your long-term health. Simple extractions are affordable, but replacing the teeth will add to the price. A root canal is a one-time procedure that only takes 1-2 visits, and doesn't usually require follow-up appointments, other than routine checkups.

Oral health – Simply extracting the tooth leaves a space. If not filled, the gap can cause the surrounding teeth to shift. Shifting teeth cause more problems, such as jaw pain, and stress on other remaining, natural teeth. Crowns or caps will cover-up and protect the remaining original tooth after root canal therapy, protecting your bite..

Understanding your situation – It is best to talk to your dentist about your options. Dr. Mondavi wants you to be happy with your smile but will also have your best health interests in mind. Ultimately, you are the deciding factor in which treatment/procedure is done. Take the time to listen to the pros and cons and how they may affect your health and your budget.

If you are having continuous tooth pain, it is time to talk to your dentist. BlueSky Family Dental, your Torrance dentist office includes a trained staff to help you with questions, insurance claims and understanding the next step in restoring health into your smile. Contact our office today.