Town Square Dental Blog

At Town Square Dental in Pasadena, we believe prevention is the best dental treatment our patients can receive. For this reason, we offer a variety of preventative dental treatments and try our best to educate patients about at home dental care. Many patients we see with poor oral health have neglected their oral health by ignoring preventive dental care. They’ve skipped years of dental visits, forgotten to brush and floss; some had never even been to a dentist! If you want to ensure your mouth is the healthiest it can be, take a look at these preventative dental care tips:

At Home Preventative Dental Care

• Brush teeth at least twice a day.
• Floss teeth at least once a day.
• Replace your toothbrush every three months (earlier if it is worn).
• Avoid sugary foods/beverages.
• If you participate in sports, ask about our custom mouthguards.
• Schedule routine dental appointments at Town Square Dental.

Although at home dental care can help in the prevention of oral conditions, making sure to see your dentist regularly is very important. We can examine your mouth and check for any signs of decay, infection or disease and devise a treatment plan to get your oral health in check.

Preventative Dental Care at Town Square Dental

• Dental Examinations
• Dental Cleanings
• Oral Cancer Screenings
• Sealants
• Fluoride Treatments

Neglecting your oral health can have serious consequences, from cavities and tooth decay to root canals and missing teeth. As dental health issues become more serious, the cost of treatment and invasiveness increases. Many patients have to have teeth extracted and opt for bridges, dentures or even dental implants. Without implants to replace missing teeth, your teeth can begin to misalign, and you may even experience bone loss, altering your facial appearance.

Everyone has heard about how brushing twice daily, flossing and using mouthwash can help prevent decay, gum disease and other dental issues. But what a lot of patients don’t realize is how bad certain habits can be for your oral health as well. If you are guilty of any of these poor dental habits, making an effort to stop can greatly reduce your risk of dental issues down the road.

Biting Nails

One nervous habit that a lot of people seem to be affected by is nail biting, sadly chewing on your nails can have very negative effects on your teeth. When you chew on your nails you run the risk of chipping and cracking your teeth along with damage it can have on your jaw. There are nail polishes which can help deter nail biting, along with practicing stress reducing techniques.

Clenching/Grinding Teeth

If you often wake up with tooth pain, or a discomfort in your jaw you may grind your teeth in your sleep. Some patients even have issues with clenching their jaw during the day. For patients that suffer from teeth grinding, Town Square Dental offers mouthguards which can help prevent damage such as cracking and chipping from clenching. If you or a loved one suffers from teeth grinding/clenching, contact our Pasadena dental office for an appointment today!

Snacking Too Often

Most Americans brush their teeth once or twice a day, cleaning away debris and bacteria. But what exactly happens in between those brushings? Bacteria and plaque can begin to build up, this is especially the case for patients who snack frequently. The debris left over in your mouth after eating can feed bacteria, increasing growth. Sugary snacks and beverages can be worse than healthy snacks, if you must snack we recommend fresh vegetables or nuts. Always be sure to wash it down with some water after, this can help prevent plaque and bacteria buildup.

Are you tired of sleeping in your bed alone? Do you wake up feeling like you never even went to sleep? Sleep Apnea treatment from Town Square Dental can help! Sleep apnea affects millions of Americans every night, disrupting sleep and causing other related health issues. With our oral appliance therapy, you can have improved sleep and wake up feeling better each day.

Why Choose Oral Appliance Therapy?

Oral appliance therapy is a non-invasive treatment method for sleep apnea that is also highly effective. Most patients don’t mind the oral appliance therapy due to its comfort, convenience and durability. If your doctor has decided a dental appliance is a right choice for your sleep apnea, you should receive a prescription for the dental appliance. You can also request a referral to Town Square Dental.

How Can I Treat My Sleep Apnea at Town Square Dental?

First you must contact our office and schedule an appointment if you’ve received a referral let us know. At your first sleep apnea dental appointment we will discuss the various oral appliances available, the benefits of the treatment and the cost of oral appliance therapy. You will also have a dental examination, which will evaluate your airway, tongue, teeth and jaw. X-rays may be necessary to understand your exact sleep apnea situation. A mold will also be created to be sent to the lab which will custom make your sleep apnea device.

A second appointment will be necessary once your custom sleep apnea device has been made. We will test the comfort and fit of your device and make any adjustments necessary for comfort and treatment.

If you or a loved one suffers from snoring and lack of sleep due to sleep apnea, contact Town Square Dental today! We’d be happy to discuss sleep apnea treatment, cost and advantages.

Did you know roughly 20% of Americans never floss their teeth? Flossing properly removes plaque and food particles where a toothbrush cannot reach easily. Between your teeth and under your gum line are very hard to reach places; a buildup of plaque in those unreached areas can lead to gum disease and even tooth decay. Daily flossing is always recommended.

Although you would assume most adults know how to floss properly, this sadly is not the case. Many people either do it incorrectly or not at all. In order to get the most benefit out of your flossing, please follow these 4 simple steps:

• Get a piece of floss approximately 18 inches in length and wrap it around both middle fingers, with more on one finger than the other. Leave one to two inches of floss to utilize.
• Hold the dental floss tightly between your thumb and index finger, slide it between your teeth up-and-down gently.
• Glide the dental floss between your teeth using a zig-zag motion, making sure to go gently beneath the gum line. Do not use too much pressure, this could cause bleeding and damage to gums.
• Move from tooth to tooth, repeating the process and do not forget your very back teeth! They are susceptible to plaque, gum disease and tooth decay as well.

As times goes on, new methods of flossing have come to the market. Floss picks have grown in popularity, making flossing easier. The drawback is that the floss picks cannot reach all the same areas regular floss can. We recommend using regular floss every so often to ensure you are getting every spot. Dental water jets are another newer method to flossing; it utilizes a stream of pulsating water to remove plaque and food particles from your teeth.

We hope with these helpful tips that flossing becomes an easier, more routine process for you. Remember that a dental checkup is still necessary even if you practice at-home dental care, so contact the best dentist in Pasadena, today!

Having cracked, chipped, or severe teeth discoloration can take a toll on one’s self-esteem. It can make you feel unattractive and not want to smile. Luckily, you don’t have to live with a flawed smile. Porcelain veneers can correct your smile and restore your confidence. These thin tooth-colored shells can transform the appearance of your teeth, instantly. Custom-crafted for each patient, these innovative cosmetic dental solutions correct imperfections and mimic the appearance of natural tooth enamel.

How Can Dental Veneers Improve My Smile?

Dental veneers are usually the perfect treatment option for correcting cosmetic dental issues such as misshapen teeth, irregular contours, staining, gaps between teeth, and other bite-related issues. These restorative sheets are thin but they are strong, durable and just as effective for making minor, orthodontic corrections as they are for fixing cosmetic issues. If you have not achieved success with professional tooth whitening systems, ask your veneer dentist in Houston if you are a candidate for porcelain veneers.

How are Porcelain Veneers Applied?

Your veneer dentist will cement or insert the thin material into the desired area using a special bonding cement. A light is then used to harden and secure the bond. Once this simple process is completed, the newly applied veneers immediately provide a strong, durable covering that is also aesthetically pleasing.

When you have your first meeting, an impression will be made of your mouth and teeth. Your veneer dentist Houston will select the best shade for new dental veneers. At your second visit, your custom veneers will be in-office and ready to be cemented to your teeth.

Do Porcelain Veneers Require Special Maintenance?

To ensure the longevity of your porcelain veneers and to prevent tooth decay, proper dental care is vital. Luckily, you won’t need to do anything out of the ordinary. Simply practice good oral hygiene habits, brush and floss your teeth, and continue with routine professional dental cleanings. By taking care of your teeth, you will extend the life of your dental veneers.

A toothache caused by tooth sensitivity can be a real pain in the mouth. Hot, cold or sugary foods and drinks can aggravate sensitive teeth, making them sting or throb. In most cases, teeth sensitivity is the result of enamel that has worn away, exposing the dentin in the root, which is full of nerve endings.

Tooth Sensitivity Treatment

Luckily, there are basic steps you can take every day and some habits that may need to change, to help you overcome sensitive teeth pain:

1. Use a desensitizing toothpaste.

Currently, there are many options for tooth sensitivity treatment on the market. Teeth sensitivity toothpaste typically contains potassium nitrate. This active ingredient helps minimize pain by blocking the small tubules that get exposed in the dentin. However, this approach does not work effectively for all sufferers. It is important to keep using the products. Don’t use desensitizing toothpaste for a short time and expect to see lasting results. Success comes with continued usage.

2. Change the way you brush your teeth.

If you are now using a hard-bristled brush, switch to a soft toothbrush and be sure to scrub gently. Also, if you are not brushing for two minutes, you may not be thoroughly cleaning your teeth. If your bristles are too hard, or if you are brushing with too much force, you can damage teeth enamel, increasing teeth sensitivity. If you have receding gums, exposed roots or bone loss, you may be brushing too hard, scrubbing the protective cementum at the root. Gentle scrubbing with a soft brush can make all the difference.

3. Limit or avoid high-acid food and drinks.

Consistent exposure to acidic foods like carbonated soft drinks, red wine, fruit juices, and citric fruits slowly destroys your teeth enamel. If you are already experiencing teeth sensitivity, avoid these types of foods. If your teeth are not sensitive, limit acidic foods and brush your teeth 20 minutes after indulging in them. Do not brush any earlier—this will further damage your teeth enamel softened by acid exposure.

4. Ask your dentist about teeth sensitivity treatment.

If you haven’t achieved much relief using desensitizing toothpaste, your dentist may suggest a plastic resin or fluoride varnish. These barrier agents are painted on the exposed areas to help reduce pain and sensitivity. However, these methods are not permanent; they do wear off over time and will need to be reapplied to continue protection.

5. Stop nighttime teeth grinding.

If you grind your teeth at night, this damaging habit is destroying your enamel and causing teeth sensitivity. Chances are, you aren’t even aware you are doing it. Bruxism typically occurs during sleep, but the symptoms are clear: frequent headaches and jaw pain for no recognizable reason. If you suffer from bruxism, wear a nightguard to protect your teeth, or try changing your position. If you feel that you clench your jaw throughout the day, remember to relax and keep your top and bottom jaw slightly separated.

6. Seek treatment for gum recession.

In a healthy mouth, teeth roots are buried under gum tissue. But if damage has been done, and roots are exposed due to aggressive brushing or gum disease, cementum may be depleted. Your dentist may refer you to a specialist who can rebuild your worn down gum line with such treatment as a tissue graft.

A bright, pearly smile is not only a thing of beauty, it’s a sign of a healthy mouth. By not practicing good oral hygiene and keeping up with routine teeth cleanings and checkups, you put both your dental health and overall health at risk.

Tips for Healthy Teeth

Here is a list of easy dental tips to promote better oral health and overall health:

• Proper teeth brushing. Brushing your teeth twice a day is one of the easiest ways to prevent damaging buildup. Be sure to place the bristles at a 45-degree angle at the gum line. Both the enamel and the gum should be touching the brush bristles. Use a back and forth, and up and down, motion across the outer surface. Use light pressure and brush gently to avoid damaging the enamel and gums. Don’t forget to brush your tongue and the surface of your mouth. Bacteria builds in these areas, causing bad breath.
• Floss once a day. Although flossing is often avoided or neglected, it serves an important function when it comes to mouth health. Floss gets into areas between teeth and beneath the gums, that a toothbrush cannot reach. It removes food particles, bacteria, and debris that can reap havoc on your teeth and gums.
• Avoid tobacco use. Besides being hazardous to your health, tobacco use can lead to periodontal disease and oral cancer. It stains and yellows teeth enamel causes bad breath and enhances the damage caused by other substances.
• Make water your drink of choice. Limit consumption of alcohol, soda, and coffee. Stay away from anything acidic, staining, and sugary. Beverages full of dyes and additives can make teeth appear discolored or dull. Drink milk to boost nutrition and strengthen enamel. Don’t forget this dental tip, water is great for swishing and swallowing when brushing is not possible. It also hydrates better than any other beverage and doesn’t damage teeth.

Have you ever been embarrassed because of your bad breath? Good breath always boosts confidence levels. Regular dentist visits and proper oral health care are critical for a healthy mouth. There are many home remedies to fix the issue of bad breath (Halitosis), but regular dental care is also vital. Adopt these simple but effective habits to cure bad breath:

Brush & Floss

Practicing daily tooth brushing and flossing are the most important measures to deflect bad breath. According to the American Dental Association, if you neglect tooth brushing and flossing, the food particles linger between the teeth and can further damage your teeth. So, it is recommended to brush and floss twice a day, and replace your toothbrush every two to three months.

Use Tongue Scrapers

Using a tongue scraper can effectively decrease halitosis-causing compounds and can eliminate the bad odor stuck to your tongue. A research study says that the formulated compounds on the tongue and in the mouth due to the combination of amino acids and bacteria emit unpleasant sulfur-like odors. And it is vital to clean these compounds to maintain good breath.

Use a Mouthwash

Use a mouth rinse after every meal, every day. It helps to reduce plaque and the effect of gingivitis. It also freshens up your breath, leaving you with refreshing breath.

Hydrate

Hydrating yourself frequently is essential. It is one of the simplest ways to curb bad breath. In the absence of the required moisture to produce saliva, the mouth can develop bacteria, causing bad breath. Staying hydrated is important in any condition. Make sure you start your day by rinsing your mouth with water followed by drinking a glass of tepid water as it helps your body quicken up the metabolism and also cleans your mouth.

Eat Healthy

Along with all the other practices, healthy eating is also equally important. Eat fresh food and increase your intake of salads, fruits and protein-rich food items in your diet, as it can improve your metabolism as well as help you curb bad breath. Avoid junk food, carbonated drinks, coffee, alcohol, and tobacco substances to improve oral health.

Traditional Remedies

Chew a fresh sprig of fennel leaves, parsley, mint, basil, or cilantro every day. The presence of chlorophyll in these green plants neutralizes odors.

These DIY or home remedies will help you curb bad breath and are easy to practice in your daily life at home. Fresh and good breath is a sign of a healthy mouth, and healthy mouth is a sign of a healthy and happy body.

Pediatric dentistry is all about dental care for kids. It involves procedures and techniques adapted from general dentistry to suit the unique needs of children. A pediatric dentist is trained to treat a wide range of oral diseases that affect infants, kids, and adolescents. They also treat children with special health care concerns, take extra time to make their patients feel at ease, and provide oral health and preventive care information for patients and their families.

Pediatric dentists are qualified to care for the mouth, gums, and teeth of patients through the various stages of childhood. They are dedicated to promoting oral health in children from the infant years through the teens.

Kids get their primary teeth within the first six months of life. By age seven they begin to lose that first set which eventually gets replaced by permanent teeth. Without routine dental care and proper oral hygiene, children may face a lifetime of tooth decay and disease resulting in a lot of pain and suffering. Currently, dental caries in early childhood is five times more common than bronchial asthma and seen seven times more frequently than hay fever. Dental caries is now a recognized infectious disease.

What training is required of pediatric dentists?

Pediatric dentists need to complete at least the following:

• Four years of dental school
• An additional two years of residency training focused on the dentistry needs of infants, children, teens, and special needs children

What treatments and procedures do pediatric dentists provide?

Pediatric dentists offer comprehensive oral care including:

• Oral health exams for infants, and dental caries risk assessment for both mother and child
• Preventive dental care which includes teeth cleaning, fluoride treatments and nutrition counseling
• Early assessment, diagnosis, and treatment for orthodontic issues
• Cavity repair
• Diagnosis of mouth conditions associated with other bodily diseases such as diabetes, heart defects, asthma, attention and hyperactivity disorders
• Treatment of gum diseases and other conditions
• Repair for such dental injuries as a fractured tooth or one that has been knocked out

Pediatric Dentists Provide the Best Oral Care for Kids

Children are not simply little adults, they operate differently. They can’t always sit still, wait patiently or cooperate well during an exam. Pediatric dentists are trained to work specifically with children. They know how to make them feel comfortable during an exam. In addition, offices are typically decorated and arranged in a kid-friendly way, and equipment is designed specifically for children.

Your teeth are important to your daily life; from speaking to eating your favorite foods, your teeth help you communicate and break down foods to help your body absorb important vitamins and minerals. Because your teeth play a vital role in your everyday life, it’s important that you take care of them! One of the ways you can better manage your dental health is through what you eat; besides, your teeth make direct contact with the foods you choose to consume, so what you eat can play a huge factor in their health. Here are some of the best foods to eat for healthier teeth:

1. Water

Water benefits your teeth in so many ways! For one, water contains fluoride, a naturally occurring mineral that can help protect and strengthen your outer tooth enamel from decay. In addition, water serves as a way to help rinse the mouth of small particles and sugars that would otherwise attract plaque.

2. Fruits and Vegetables

Fruits and vegetables aren’t just healthy for your body; they’re good for your teeth too! Both fruits and vegetables alike contain a high amount of fiber and water, which helps balance the amounts of sugars they contain all while cleaning your teeth! How? While the water helps rinse the mouth of these sugars, the fiber—when chewed—aids in the production of saliva, which is your mouth’s natural way of rinsing itself of harmful acids and food particles.

3. Dairy Products

You’ve probably already heard that calcium is great for building strong bones and teeth. It’s true; foods like milk, cheese, plain yogurt, and other calcium-packed foods such as leafy greens and almonds promote healthy teeth by strengthening the enamel.

4. Protein-Packed Foods

Foods packed with protein are also healthy for your teeth. Meats such as chicken, turkey, or fish in addition to eggs are rich in phosphorus, a mineral that aids in the protection and rebuilding of weakened enamel.

By simply including more of these foods into your regular diet with balanced meals, you can make both your body and your smile happy!