Acid reflux is caused when the esophageal sphincter, which separates the stomach from the esophagus, allows acid to seep. Often, this acid can cause heartburn, but not always. In the absence of heartburn symptoms, one of the first indications that a person may have acid reflux is the erosion of the enamel on their molars or the backside of their teeth. Since your stomach acid can eat away at the enamel on your teeth, your dentist may be the first to notice the symptoms of acid reflux when they detect tooth enamel loss. If detected, your dentist may refer you to a specialist who may prescribe treatment or recommend lifestyle changes specifically for acid reflux treatment, such as avoiding acidic foods.

As you age, you become more vulnerable to developing chronic diseases such as diabetes, osteoporosis, and heart disease. According to current studies, symptoms of these diseases can manifest themselves in the mouth, making dentists key in diagnosing the diseases. Your dentist may be the first health professional to notice a problem. In addition, it is essential to visit your dentist regularly because some oral problems, for instance, root decay, can only be detected in its early stages by x-ray examination.

Your dentist can diagnose and treat dental health problems before they become more prominent, more serious dental issues. However, they can only do that when you are making and keeping your regular dental appointments. New research suggests that your mouth’s health mirrors your body’s condition as a whole. When your mouth is healthy, chances are your overall health is good. On the other hand, if you have poor oral health, you may have other health problems. So, seeing a dentist helps keep your mouth in shape and allows your dentist to watch for developments that may point to other health issues.

Health Benefits of Flossing. Flossing is a significant part of your daily dental care habits for your teeth and gums. People only sometimes realize how important it is to care for their gums and teeth. Gum disease is an infection of the gum tissue and bone that support the teeth and is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. In addition, according to recent studies, it has been shown that the health of your gums may be connected to some chronic diseases. Gum disease has been linked to and may be a risk factor in developing Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease, and diabetes. Experts are studying how inflammation in the mouth caused by gum disease may influence other areas of the body, such as the brain, heart, and pancreas. Although the exact connection between gum disease and some other chronic diseases is unknown, this connection between medical and dental conditions highlights the importance of maintaining good oral health to achieve good overall health.

Regardless of age, brushing your teeth is crucial. Brushing your teeth helps to remove the thin film of bacteria that builds up on your teeth each day and contributes to tooth decay and gum disease. It is suggested that you brush your teeth for at least two to three minutes with fluoridated toothpaste; if possible, brush your teeth after every meal or at least twice a day. However, you will want to pay special attention to your dental care habits as you age. Although tooth decay can occur in any area of the tooth, as you age, decay is more likely to develop around an old filling or the root of the tooth that can become exposed by receding gums. Therefore, make sure to visit your dentist regularly so that they can keep an eye on these factors.

The leading cause of tooth loss in adults is not the aging process but gum disease. It is essential to understand that gum disease can happen at any age. However, with good oral health habits and a healthy lifestyle, you help keep your gums and teeth healthy for a lifetime.

Tooth decay is damage when germs (bacteria) in your mouth make acids that eat away at a tooth, which can lead to a hole called a cavity. If not treated, tooth decay can cause pain, infection, and tooth loss. One of the best ways to avoid tooth decay is having proper dental care habits at home. Such as brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing daily, and using a mouthwash that kills the germs that cause bad breath and gingivitis

Question: I don’t particularly like having to go to the dentist. There is an old saying that an apple a day helps keep the doctor away, so is there anything that works for a dentist?

Answer: Even if you eat an apple, you still need to see a doctor for no other reason than your annual check and exam. The same goes for visiting a dentist. See your dentist regularly for dental checkups; basic cleanings are essential. If you have excellent at-home oral habits (important in maintaining good dental and oral health), you should not avoid seeing a dentist for your checkups. 

Cavities can still happen. By seeing your dentist, they can spot a small cavity and fix it before it becomes a much larger cavity with more extensive dental care needs. But that is only some of what a dentist does at your checkup. They look for signs of gum disease/gingivitis and oral cancer. Seeing a dentist is vital to having and maintaining good oral health.

Question: I must have four teeth pulled before I can have braces. I never had my teeth pulled out or any significant dental treatment. Does it hurt?

Answer: Pain depends on the person. However, if you are not under anesthesia during the dental process of pulling your teeth, the dentist will typically numb out your mouth enough so you do not feel any pain. If you feel any pain, you only need to let the dentist know so they can numb that area more. You may have some pain after the process is done. The dentist may prescribe something for the pain if necessary, or you can generally take an over-the-counter product such as Advil or Alive.

When brushing your teeth, you will want to use fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride toothpaste helps to prevent tooth decay. Ask your dentist if you need a mouthwash that contains fluoride or one with ingredients that fight plaque. Also, look for toothpastes that the American Dental Association has approved.

Why is having good dental hygiene habits so important? We talked about having good oral hygiene habits throughout many posts. However, what are the benefits of having good oral hygiene habits? The Benefits of Good Oral Hygiene:

1) Taking care of your teeth and gums helps prevent tooth decay.
2) Good at-home dental habits help prevent gum disease, which can damage gum tissue and the bone that supports teeth, leading to the loss of teeth.
3) Good at-home dental habits help to shorten your time at the dentist and make going to the dentist more pleasant.
4) What to save money? Having good dental habits helps to save you money, too. You can reduce the need for fillings and other costly dental procedures by preventing tooth decay and gum disease.
5) You do not want to have bad breath. Brushing and flossing helps rid your mouth of the bacteria that cause bad breath.
6) You like having white teeth. Good dental habits help keep teeth white by preventing staining from food, drinks, and tobacco.
7) Teeth are meant to last a lifetime, and by having good at-home dental habits, you help ensure you have a pretty smile and one that lasts.
8) Lastly, remember that having good at-home dental hygiene habits does not negate having to see a dentist regularly. Make sure to make and keep your dental checkups.

Research confirms that good oral health is integral to good general health. Studies have found that this link is even more critical for anyone with diabetes. That is why it is vital to practice good dental care habits. Basic dental care involves brushing and flossing your teeth regularly, seeing your dentist for regular checkups and cleanings, and eating a mouth-healthy diet, which means foods high in whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and dairy products.

No matter how great your dental habits are at home, visiting the dentist for regular dental checkups would be best. It is critical to have someone who knows teeth keep tabs on yours. See your dentist regularly so they can look for signs of disease. And remember, how often you need to go will depend on how well you care for your teeth. Most people have to visit only twice a year.

Yellowish-looking baby teeth. My baby daughter’s teeth are just coming in, but they look a yellowish color, and this is starting to concern me. My daughter has six teeth, and I have started brushing her teeth every day, but the yellow does not seem to be going away. Should I be taking her in to see a dentist about her teeth color?

Reply: I suggest seeing your child’s dentist whenever you have concerns about her teeth. Only your dentist can really address your dental care issues. However, you may want to know that teeth are not white. Being a little yellowish should not be an issue in general speaking terms. 

California Dental cleaning, Do not want to go to the dentist.

I have to go to the dentist this week for my checkup and cleaning. My mom is making me go, and I do not want to. I hate going to the dentist. That way, I brush my teeth three to four times a day, and I am always flossing once in the morning. Is this enough?

Reply: By you having such good at-home dental care habits it will help you maintain good oral health. But sometimes, even with good dental care at home, you can still have dental care issues that only a dentist can address. It is important to have the twice a year checkups cause only the dentist will be able to spot and treat small issues like cavity before it becomes larger dental care need like a root canal. Many people do not like seeing a dentist, but if you maintain your good at-home dental habits and see the dentist twice a year, hopefully, you will only ever need your twice-a-year checkup. 

Dental Insurance and Teeth Night Guards. My current dental insurance denied coverage for me to have night guards. I grind my teeth when I sleep, and the dentist advised me to wear one. However, their cost for night guards without my insurance help is $400.00. I see teeth night guards online for around $25.00 – $50.00. I know they are not custom fitted but will they work just the same? I am not going to spend $400.00 since that is just too much for me right now. 

Reply: There are over-the-counter night guards you can buy that do work and are fit to your teeth if you follow the directions provided. However, talk to your dentist. Let your dentist know that cost is a factor and what counter product could he or she suggest for you to try.

What are my options for dental insurance in California? I am 20 with a newborn. I am not getting much help with the care of my son, and my son’s dad does not have any benefits that he can add to our son too. I work from home and go into the office when needed; though I do get medical for my son and me, I do not have benefits for dental either. Having to get dental insurance is new to me since I did not give it much thought until my son was born. He is not teething yet, but I like to get something in place for him and me both to use. What are my dental insurance options? Trying to keep the cost low so please advise. 

Reply: The lower-cost insurance option would be a dental HMO insurance plan. HMO insurance plan for a couple (you and your son) can range around $13.00 – $30.00. However, with HMO plans, you have to choose a plan provider. Therefore it is important to call the providers to make sure they provide dental care for children under five, as some dental offices do not. Another option we provide is a dental PPO. PPO plans are good in that you can choose your own provider, but they are a more costly insurance option. You may want to look at the PPO plans that have a low yearly max limitation, such as $1000.00 per person. Hopefully, you will not need larger dental care services if you take your son in for regular checkups. 

I am looking for Dental Insurance Plans for Families that offer Immediate Coverage. My family and I live in Florida, and I am looking for dental insurance that offers Immediate coverage. Cost is a factor since I need more money to afford a higher-cost plan. I do not want to wait out long-term waiting periods before my kids can even start having dental care. 

Reply: In California, we have a few dental insurance plan options that do not have waiting periods. You can review our HMO insurance plan options, which have a lower monthly cost ranging from $16.00 – $40.00 a month for a family, and all our HMO plans have no waiting periods. However, if you prefer a PPO insurance plan without waiting periods, we also have two plan PPO options that do not have waiting periods ranging from $155.00 – $200.00 and up (depending on your zip code) for a family plan. As you can see, PPO plans are more costly, and ones that do not have waiting periods are also higher in cost. They let you stay with your own dental provider’s office if that is a factor for you. If you have any questions about our dental insurance plan options, please call our member service line at 310-534-3444 M-F 8 am-4 pm. 

Eating potato chips can harm your dental health. The starch in the chips can get stuck in your teeth, providing a breeding ground for bacteria that can cause cavities. Additionally, the high salt and acid levels in the chips can erode tooth enamel over time, leading to sensitivity and decay.

Limiting your consumption and adopting a good oral hygiene routine is best to avoid the negative consequences of indulging in potato chips. After eating chips, it is advisable to rinse your mouth with water or chew sugar-free gum to help remove any leftover particles. It would help to brush your teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, floss regularly to remove plaque and debris, and visit your dentist for regular check-ups and cleanings. These preventive measures help you maintain your dental health and enjoy your favorite snacks without compromising your smile.

I am looking for an affordable Dental Insurance plan for my three-year-old son and me. I have seen dental plans are too costly, with long-term waiting periods. I can afford to wait, but I do not want my son to put off dental care if needed.  

Reply: There are PPO plans that do not have waiting periods. We offer Delta dental insurance PPO with no waiting periods in most states. We also provide many HMO insurance plan options that do not have waiting periods. Give our office a call at 310-534-3444, as we are happy to go over our dental insurance plan options.