Learning the Importance of Regular Dental Cleanings At Now Dental

by Elizabeth Huynh | May 5, 2023 | Carmichael CA Dental Office, Dental How To

Regular dental cleanings at Now Dental will save you money and improve your overall health!
You’ve heard it before: you need to schedule a checkup with your dentist every six months. But have you ever wondered why this is? Getting regular dental screenings and cleanings is about more than just protecting your teeth (though this is still a big part of it). Preventative dental care can help to protect your whole body against future health problems and limit your chances of needing costly, extensive work in the future. Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of getting your teeth professionally cleaned on a regular basis.

Remove Plaque
Even if you’re the best tooth-brusher in the world, there’s still a chance that some plaque could remain on your teeth. If it’s allowed to stay on your teeth for 24 to 72 hours, plaque can turn into tartar, which can only be removed by a professional. Tartar also makes plaque harder to get rid of and acts as a shield to protect bacteria in your mouth. Plaque buildup is the leading cause of tooth decay and, according to Crest, more than half of adults have tartar. Though these two are impossible to avoid, you can treat them easily with regular cleanings at Now Dental, your family friendly dentist in Carmichael, CA.

Avert Gum Disease
When you do not properly take care of your teeth and mouth, gingivitis and periodontal disease become all too common. Gum disease causes space to form between the teeth and the gums. In this area, bacteria flourishes, which can cause the gums to become swollen and tender. They may also bleed after you brush your teeth. Over time, these spaces can also result in painful abscesses. However, with regular dental cleanings, you can avoid gum disease and ensure your gums and teeth remain healthy.

Decrease the Risk for Diabetes
Having high blood sugar can take a toll on your oral health. In general, those with diabetes tend to experience dental problems more often than those without it. People with diabetes have a higher rate of dental infections, more cases of cavities, decay, and gum disease, and their mouth sores require more time to heal fully. When you get regular checkups, your dentist can determine which oral health problems, if any, are related to high blood sugar and recommend treatment, so your diabetes and oral health conditions do not worsen.

Early Detection of Cavities
During the cleaning, your oral health professional will also be on the lookout for signs of cavities, even when they are in their earliest stages. When cavities are caught early enough, they can be treated without the use of a drill. If you do not visit your dentist every six months, you may miss the early warning signs of a cavity. It will only get worse, requiring more invasive treatments, costing more money, and potentially leading to other long-term problems.

Identify Oral Cancer
Your dentist will also be looking out for any abnormalities in your mouth while they are performing the cleaning. These signs include white or red spots in the mouth and wounds that do not heal, which can indicate oral cancer. If your dentist suspects this condition, they can administer tests to be sure. Like any other type of cancer, early detection is key and gives you a better chance for a full recovery. That’s why regular cleanings are so crucial.

What to Know About Dental Fillings

by Elizabeth Huynh | Mar 24, 2023 | Dental How To

Filling you in about fillings!

If tooth pain has got you down, it’s time to take a trip to Now Dental, your friendly dental practice in Carmichael, CA. Depending on your diagnosis, we may recommend fillings. Fillings re the most common approach to restore a tooth where decay has damaged a tooth. A dentist grinds or drills away decay and then fills the cavity with a composite known as a filling. While fillings can halt the growth of decay in a specific area, they aren’t a cure-all. In fact, there are a few things that your dental provider wants you to know about fillings.

Fillings Aren’t Permanent
It’s better to think of fillings as a semi-permanent solution to tooth decay. Typically, the average filling has a lifespan of 12 years. Some may not last that long. The amount that you use your teeth will greatly impact the longevity of your fillings. Depending on where they are located, they could last as little as a few years.

Fillings Have Problems Too
Your dentist always tries to get your filling just right. They mold it to your teeth and do their best to remove all decay before sealing it. But, sometimes things go wrong. If you notice an issue with your filling, it’s important that you contact your dentist as soon as possible. Sensitivity, unusual texture, and pain are indications that something is wrong. Your filling may have cracked or lifted, exposing a sensitive portion of your tooth. The longer you wait to have this issue examined, the more likely it is to become more problematic. Save yourself the pain and future issues by scheduling an appointment at the first sign of trouble.

Filling TLC
Did you know that your fillings require additional care? While brushing and flossing will keep them clean and polished, there’s more that you can do to prevent the breakdown of your fillings. For example, consuming large amounts of acidic or hard food can cause the composite of your fillings to break down. Pay special attention to your diet and avoid chewing exceptionally hard food with those teeth that have fillings. It’s also a good idea to use toothpaste with fluoride and have your dentist check your fillings during your biannual appointment.

Don’t Depend on Fillings
Many people avoid caring for their natural teeth simply because they know that they can have fillings placed at the first sign of decay. While fillings can help, they shouldn’t be something you depend on. Fillings can’t provide the same sort of strength that your natural teeth do. While they do help, they aren’t perfect. Instead, take care of the teeth that you do have in an effort to avoid having to have fillings placed.

If a filling is inevitable, Now Dental has experience and knowledge you can count on for the best result. Now Dental provides premium dental care to patients of all ages. Whether you need an X-ray or a filling, schedule an appointment with our friendly team today!

Tips to Prepare Kids for Their First Dental Visit

by Elizabeth Huynh | Feb 18, 2023 | Carmichael CA Dental Office, Children's Oral Hygiene, Dental How To

Tips that help you help your child understand the importance of dental hygiene!

By teaching your kids about the importance of oral health and hygiene from a young age, you’ll set them up for a lifetime of success and good health. Preparing a child for their first dental office visit is critical for setting a good tone. Now Dental is a child-friendly dentist, but a lot of how a visit to the dentist is received by a child depends on parental preparation!

Your Child’s First Dental Appointment
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that your child makes their first trip to the dentist no later than their first birthday. This not only sets up healthy habits for life, but it also ensures that a professional is keeping an eye on your child’s oral health. While it may not seem like those incoming baby teeth are a big deal, there are situations which may call for earlier intervention by a dentist!

Cultivate A Positive Attidue In Your Child Towards Dental Care
One of the biggest factors in whether or not your child has a positive experience with the dentist depends on your own attitude and example. If you act anxious, express negative feelings towards dental visits, or let your child see your own fears about the visit, it may cause your child to feel more afraid of the process. Instead, if you can bring a positive attitude and chat about the dentist in a positive light, you’ll set the tone that a visit to the dentist is a good thing.

For young kids, having too much time to think about a new, unknown experience can lead to stress, so don’t tell your kids about their upcoming dental visits until the day of the appointment. This will prevent unnecessary worrying on their part. The morning of the visit, tell them they’re going to have a fun visit with the nice tooth doctor, and answer their questions without going into too much detail.

Videos, Games, and Books
For many kids, being a little more prepared for the experience can help to set expectations and remove fear of the unknown. Age-appropriate books, YouTube videos, and games can help familiarize them with the dental setting. Playing “dentist” with your child is an excellent way to get started. Have them recline in a chair, count their teeth, brush their teeth, and talk about the importance of taking care of their teeth. Then, switch roles, allowing them to play the dentist.

Smart Scheduling
Scheduling a dentist appointment during naptime or mealtime is setting your child up for failure. Instead, be smart with your scheduling, choosing a time of day when your child is most likely to be content and in a good mood.

Positive Reinforcement
No matter if your dental visit goes off without a hitch or if your child struggles with the process, take some time after the appointment to focus on what went well. The more you reinforce the positive aspects, the more your child will focus on those good parts.

Choose the Right Dentist
Of course, choosing the right dentist for your family makes all the difference in your kids’ experience. Tips to prepare kids for their first dental visit are just guidelines that can help your child tolerate time at the dentist’s office. To set up an appointment for your child for family dental care near Carmichael, CA, reach out to the pros at Now Dental today!

Ten Questions to Ask Your Dentist

by Elizabeth Huynh | Jan 17, 2023 | Dental How To

Ten Questions We Encourage Your To Ask Now Dental

Now Dental is just about the friendliest dental practice serving the Carmichael, and the surrounding communities within Sacramento County. Yet we know that people tend to be apprehensive when it comes to all things related to dentistry. Well part of our friendly attitude towards your dental hygiene is our willingness to educate you on how to improve and maintain your teeth! Asking our staff questions is encouraged! Everyone that works at Now Dental can answer a broad range of questions related to dentistry.

1. What can I do to improve my smile?

– Sometimes the answer might be simple, sometimes Now Dental may suggest creating a dental plan with the specific goal of improving your smile!

2. What is the best kind of toothbrush and floss for my teeth and gums?

– Not everyone should be using the same kind of toothbrush or floss. Now Dental can make specific recommendations based on the structure of your teeth and gums.

3. How often should I have a dental exam and cleaning?

– This varies depending on oral health, dental appliances, and issues that your dentist or hygienist detect.

4. What kind of products should I use or avoid to keep my teeth whiter?

– Every year there is a new product promising whiter teeth. Your dentist and hygienist can help you pick the right product or regime!

Why do I have dry mouth and how does it affect my teeth?

-Dry mouth can be caused by numerous things. Medications and Cancer treatment being the most common ones. Dry mouth tends to not only be uncomfortable but increases the rate of decay. Over The Counter products can help some. Ask your dental professional for some recommendations and samples.

6. What can I do to prevent cavities?

– Cavities lead to a lot of problems and potential expenses. In many cases, Now Dental can suggest a regime that can help prevent the things most people fear when it comes to dentistry, the drill, pain, and big bills!

7. Can you tell if I am grinding or damaging my teeth, crowns, or fillings?

– Grinding of teeth happens! Sometimes it is a subconscious thing, sometimes it happens while you sleep. Best to be aware because a dentist can design appliances that can help protect your teeth!

8. I see blood when I floss, is there anything I can do to reduce or prevent bleeding gums?

– Bleeding gums can be a sign of many things you don’t want happening in your mouth! Your dentist will likely be advised of bleeding by the hygienist, but be prepared to ask how you can deal with bleeding between dental checkups!

9. What are the insurance, self-pay, financing, and billing of your dental practice?

– Regardless if you have the best dental insurance or paying out of pocket, it is always good to know what to expect when the bill comes!

10. Should I change my diet in any way?

– On top of impacting many aspects of health, one’s diet can directly affect the condition of teeth and oral health!

These are a few questions to the staff at Now Dental at your next dental appointment. Not only will you come away smarter about taking care of your smile, but it will help you build a more informative relationship with your dentist, hygienist, and even the dental practice receptionist! Taking care of your teeth is a cooperative effort! The staff at Now Dental is ready to answer all questions related to your dental hygiene and care!

Dental Checkups Save You Money and Save Your Teeth!

by Elizabeth Huynh | Dec 16, 2022 | Dental How To

Regular dental checkups are your first line of oral health defense!

The three most important things you can do to prevent small dental issues from becoming, painful, expensive ones are having regular dental checkups and cleanings, brush your and floss your teeth at least several times a day. These three activities can go a long way to maintaining optimum dental health and oral hygiene! While you can brush and floss after every meal, a visit with your dentist begins with making an appointment! Of course if your don’t have a regular dentist, NOW Dental in Carmichael, is a family-friendly dentist focused on helping you maintain a healthy smile!

What happens during a typical dental checkup and cleaning?

Depending on your dentist, the first thing that happens is you are given a mouth rinse to swish around. Then the dental checkup and cleaning begins with an x-ray which gives your dentist an detailed view of your teeth and the jaw bone surrounding the roots of your teeth. This x-ray is really important because it is often the first warning of small cavities and abscesses that are not either creating pain or visible due to location. While dentists and dental hygienists are experts at spotting cavities and decay, an x-ray leaves no doubt. An x-ray can identify cavities under crowns or bridges. Yes, you can get a cavity on a tooth that has a crown or is supporting a bridge! Also, where there is an old cavity, there could be an issue with the root of the tooth, including an abscess! One thing for sure, it is better to identify and make a plan to deal with an abscess. Short of childbirth, it is said a “mad” tooth abscess is one of the more painful experiences a person can experience.

After a series of x-rays has been taken, your teeth get a deep cleaning. A dentist, or more likely, their dental hygienist, will start by measuring pockets in the gums around your teeth. Measuring pockets around your teeth and x-rays set (or reset), baselines that your dentist will use to create dental plans to maximize your oral hygiene. Periodontal pockets generally start due to plaque build-up, but there are other factors that can contribute to their development. Ideally periodontal pockets should be in the range of 1 to 3 mm. Periodontal pockets 4mm or deeper are a call to action since your teeth depend on healthy gums!

After all the probing of your gums, the cleaning begins! There may be a bunch of scraping to remove plaque. High powered jets of water and sharp implements scrape the teeth clean. Once the teeth have been scraped clean of plaque, they will be polished and then flossed. All the time, your mouth is getting rinsed and that water is being suctioned out. In most cases, the last thing that happens during the dental cleaning is a final rinse.

A chat with your dentist after a cleaning…

After your teeth are cleaned, dentist will come in and poke around in your mouth for a few minutes. Then he or she will sit down and discuss what needs to be done help maintain or remedy any issues detected by x-rays or during the cleaning. Typically you can expect to hear two things! “Brush your teeth and floss more often!” Heed your dentists advice because while a dental checkup and cleaning can help maintain your teeth and identify issues, brushing and flossing are inexpensive things you can do to prevent many dental issues!

If you do not have a dentist and live in Sacramento, Carmichael, Citrus Heights, Fair Oaks, Orangevale, or even Roseville or Folsom, call Now Dental! Not only are we family-friendly, but we are passionate dental care providers. It is important to us that small dental issues do not become expensive and painful ones. If you have dental insurance, we can help you make the best use of your plan. If you don’t have dental insurance, we can help you apply for specialized credit financing specifically designed for dental care. If you are paying for dental care out of pocket, call us, we will work with you honestly and transparently.

Call Now Dental at 1-916-966-2009

Cavity Prevention And Care – What You Need To Know about Cavities

by Elizabeth Huynh | Sep 26, 2022 | Dental How To

Cavities can lead to other health issues!

Poor oral hygiene can lead to infections and even cancer

Flossing, brushing after every meal and regular checkups can help prevent cavities!
Cavities are one of the most common health problems around the world. Untreated cavities can lead to other health issues, not typically associated with oral care. From abscesses to oral cancers, the implications of not dealing with dental cavities left untreated can lead to extreme pain and other serious health complications!

Before your appointment, it’s helpful to learn more about cavities, their causes, and how they are treated. Use the guide below to learn everything that you need to know.

What Is a Cavity?
Cavities are holes that develop in your teeth, starting out small and becoming larger over time (if they’re not treated). Cavities are the result of tooth decay. Anyone, including infants, can develop tooth decay, even if they believe they have a good oral hygiene routine. Since they do not usually cause pain when they first appear, many people do not realize that they have a problem until it becomes much worse. Getting regular check-ups at Now Dental, a Carmichael, California family dentistry practice can help to detect and resolve issues early.

Symptoms
There are a few common symptoms that can arise when you have a cavity. These indications may include:

Tooth pain
A noticeable hole in a tooth
Tooth sensitivity
White or black staining on your teeth

Tooth Decay Sources
Plaque causes tooth cavities to form. Plaque is a sticky substance made of saliva, bacteria, acid, and food that sticks to the teeth. Every mouth is home to bacteria. When you eat or drink something with sugar in it, the bacteria turn the sugar into acid, which becomes plaque. Plaque begins to form as soon as your drink or eat sugary foods. It sticks to your teeth and, over time, will cause the tooth enamel to erode. The enamel is the coating on your teeth that guards them against decay. When the enamel erodes and becomes weaker, you are more likely to develop cavities.

Risk Factors
If you have teeth, you are at risk of developing cavities. However, some people have a higher risk than others. This includes those with poor oral health habits, people who consume a lot of sugary or acidic foods and drinks, and those who don’t get enough fluoride. Other risk factors include dry mouth, acid reflux disease, and eating disorders like bulimia and anorexia.

Treatment Options
There are a few different methods that dentists use to treat and repair cavities. During your next appointment, be sure to mention any symptoms you are experiencing like pain or tooth sensitivity. The dentist will then perform an oral exam and X-rays to determine if you are experiencing tooth decay. The recommended treatment option will depend on the severity of the cavity. Treatment options include early-stage fluoride treatment, tooth fillings, crowns, and root canals.

Prevention Tips
When it comes to cavities, prevention is always better than expensive dental treatments. You can work to prevent tooth decay from occurring by brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing once a day, and visiting your dentist twice a year for regular cleanings.

When it comes to flossing, your dentist may suggest you floss after each meal, especially if you experience bleeding gums.

You should also limit snacking between meals and cut down your intake of sugary and acidic foods like candy, soda, juice, and refined carbs. Some foods can also combat tooth decay. These include calcium-rich foods, fruits and veggies that are full of fiber, water with fluoride, unsweetened black or green tea, and xylitol sugarless chewing gum.

If you believe you have a cavity or you just want to be schedule a check-up, contact us at Now Dental today!

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