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.

Understanding Dental Implant Procedures: What You Need to Know

by Elizabeth Huynh | Apr 9, 2023 | Children's Oral Hygiene, Orthodontics, Restorative Dentistry

If you have a missing tooth, getting a dental implant may be the perfect solution. Whether you’ve already decided to undergo the procedure or are just exploring your options, you may have a lot of questions about dental implants. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about getting dental implant surgery.

What Are Dental Implants?
A dental implant is a fake tooth that is surgically inserted into the gums to replace a missing tooth. The implant is usually made out of titanium and must be placed by an oral surgeon. It is a screw-like piece that is inserted into the jawbone and closely resembles the root of a tooth. The dentist will later attach a crown to the implant so it resembles your other natural teeth.

How Long Will the Procedure Take?
The length of the procedure depends on your dental health, how many teeth are involved in the procedure, which teeth are being replaced, and if a tooth needs to be extracted first. For a single tooth, the implant surgery can take around one to two hours, from applying the anesthesia to the end of the procedure. Talk to your dentist for a better estimate of how long the procedure will take.

image of dental implant Now Dental Carmichael California Better Smiles

Tooth human implant (done in 3d graphics)

The Surgery
Before the surgery, your dentist may give you a list of pre-operative instructions, which you should follow closely. The full procedure needs to be completed in two phases, with the whole process taking between six and nine months.

It is during the first phase that the dentist will surgically place the implant in your mouth. Your mouth will be numbed using local anesthesia, so you will not be able to feel a thing. The dentist will then use a drill to create a hole in the bone for the implant. The implant will be inserted into the space and the gums will be closed over the implant.

Over the following months, the implant will become securely attached to the bone. During the second phase, the implant is re-exposed using a small incision. Then, the dentist will make impressions of your mouth in order to craft the new implant crown. Once the crown is made, the dentist will place it in your mouth and, voila, the procedure is finished.

Post-Surgery Discomfort, Complications, and Care
It is completely normal to experience some discomfort following your dental implant surgery. You may experience some light bruising and swelling in the gums and soft tissues. Discomfort is typically treated with an ordinary painkiller like ibuprofen or codeine. There are some complications that you should be watchful for. Potential complications include:

Bone loss around the implant
Infection of the surrounding gums and bone
The implant failing to adhere to the bone
Your body rejecting the implant

Following the procedure, your new tooth must be cared for and checked often, just like your other teeth. Follow your dentist’s post-surgery suggestions. Continue to brush and floss every day and visit your dentist for a checkup every six months, or more often if your dentist recommends it.

For more information about dental implants or to schedule an appointment, contact us at Now Dental. Now Dental is you full service dentist in Carmichael, CA, ready to help you before you need implants and we are there for you if you do!

Three Common Causes of Child Tooth Decay

by Elizabeth Huynh | Oct 17, 2022 | Children's Oral Hygiene

Cavities can happen in children of any age!

It is important that you pay attention to the health of even your child’s first set of teeth!
Tooth decay affects people of all ages, from seniors to children. Even toddlers can experience decay in their baby teeth, which is often a shocking discovery for their parents. Though the signs of deterioration should be a cause for concern, they can be prevented if you know what to look for and instill good oral health habits early on.

Keep reading to discover the three factors a parent can control, that can lead to tooth decay in children.

It is important for parents to pay attention to a child’s teeth as soon as they break through the gums! While there are many factors beyond a parent’s control that can affect a child’s teeth, early detection of any issues can prevent pain and other issues.

Sugary Drinks
Sugar (and more specifically, sugary beverages) is one of the biggest leading causes of tooth decay in people of all ages. However, sugary drinks pose an especially troubling problem for toddlers because of bottles and sippy cups. Though these cups may be convenient, many parents leave them with their children nearly all the time. And while this may seem like an excellent method of pacifying an active toddler, it also opens them to harmful sugar for long periods. Mouths dry out while sleeping, which means anything your child ingests before bedtime will be more likely to stick to their teeth, and their chances of developing decay increase. This phenomenon is also known as bottle rot. To avoid overexposing your child’s teeth to sugar, fill their bottles and sippy cups with water or milk. Also, try not to give them a bottle when putting them down to sleep. If you do need to provide them with a bottle before a nap or bedtime, make sure it is full of water, not juice.

Sharing Saliva
Eating and drinking sugar isn’t the only way tooth decay can form. The bacteria that initiates tooth decay can also be passed along through saliva. If you or anyone who comes in contact with your child has these bacteria, they can easily be transmitted to your baby. This can happen by sharing utensils, drinking from the same cup, or using your mouth to clean off a baby’s pacifier. To avoid spreading bacteria, refrain from doing the activities mentioned above or anything else that involves passing saliva from your mouth to theirs. Additionally, try to stop your child from sucking on or putting objects that are not designed for teething purposes in their mouth. You never know where those items have been or if any other children have gotten their saliva on them recently.

Improper Oral Health Care
The best way to avoid tooth decay is by instilling good oral health habits early on in life. Implement a regular cleaning routine starting at a young age. Even before their first tooth grows in, clean the infant’s gums with a washcloth after they eat. Once their first tooth appears, you can begin gently brushing their teeth with a baby toothbrush and water. You should also schedule their first appointment for family dental care in Carmichael, CA, within six months of their first tooth appearing. Once your toddler turns two years old, you can start brushing their teeth twice daily using fluoride toothpaste. By instilling oral health values early, you can create habits that they will carry with them for the rest of their lives.

If you believe your child is showing the signs of tooth decay or you want to schedule a dental appointment, contact us at Now Dental today!

Keys to Avoiding Tooth Loss

by Elizabeth Huynh | May 11, 2022 | Dental How To

Teeth well-cared for last a lifetime

Tips on how to prevent tooth loss, save money and reduce chances for dental pain!

Your teeth are important to you, both now and in the future. People value how they look, and a toothless smile could relegate you to the “B” team at work and in social circles. Worse, losing teeth may affect your health as you get older. Many of the elderly may face poor nutrition because of pain caused by dentures and trouble eating. Keeping your teeth is probably among your priorities, even if you never really thought about it. Here are the keys to avoiding tooth loss.

Brush and floss properly regularly

It’s no secret that you should brush twice a day and floss once a day. Doing so keeps your smile beautiful by limiting stains, and allows you to keep your teeth. Brushing removes bacteria and plaque. Flossing keeps tartar from forming, so there’s no place for bacteria to hide. Use a fluoride toothpaste and make sure you’re putting in a full two minutes.

Regular dental checkups can prevent pain and expensive treatment

Going to see the dentist for a tooth cleaning once every six months keeps your teeth and gums healthy. It also gives you the opportunity to consult an expert if you notice that your teeth or gums are bleeding. Since gum disease is a leading cause of tooth loss, visiting a dentist is your best bet to find it and stop it before it becomes too much to handle. A dentist can also tell if you grind your teeth and take care of the problem by providing you with the right prevention tool or technique.

Stop Smoking and cut out all tobacco products

Smoking is bad for your health. Chewing tobacco is bad for your health. Cut out the tobacco products, you’ll smell better, your breath will smell better, and you’ll be more likely to keep your teeth instead of losing them to cancer or an increase in bacteria buildup.

Mind the Gap – The sooner you deal with missing teeth, the better

If you already have missing teeth, they could lead to more problems. Teeth move to fill in the gaps; this movement is detrimental to your oral health. Make sure you find a dentist to deal with the problem, so that you can have a healthier smile.

Don’t ignore tooth or jaw pain! Your getting a message!

Too many people ignore tooth pain. While sometimes the pain may be due to sensitivity that’s normal as people age, other times, it’s tooth decay, and waiting to take care of it only causes more problems. Teeth don’t heal on their own, so the longer you wait to take care of a hurting tooth, the more likely you are to face some sort of surgical procedure. Whether extraction or a root canal, going to the dentist to take care of it sooner will make the procedure easier to deal with, and in the long run, less expensive and less painful for you.

Choose and stick with the right dentist for you and your family!

Going to the dentist shouldn’t cause you concern or anxiety. If it does, you may need to find another dental office that can help you feel more comfortable. The more you enjoy going to the dentist, the less likely you are to put off routine checkups or taking care of tooth pain. If you’re looking for family dentistry in Carmichael, CA, contact Now Dental and schedule an appointment for your oral health needs.

Contact Now Dental, a family dental practice in Carmichael, CA, today! We can help you keep your teeth health!

Now Dental is conveniently located at 6500 Coyle Ave #6, Carmichael, CA 95608, just across from Mercy San Juan Medical Center.
Cross Street: Dewey Dr.