Maintaining proper oral hygiene is one of the most important things that you can do for your teeth and gums. Having a healthy mouth not only makes you look and feel good, it makes it possible for you to eat and speak properly. You will also gain more confidence every time you speak when you have healthy teeth.
Whether it’s a fleeting case of morning breath or a lingering bout with halitosis, everyone has bad breath sometimes. Scientists suspect that some bacteria, particularly bacteria located on the top of your tongue closest to your throat, actually protect against foul-smelling breath. Other types of bacteria, however, produce a pungent odor as they multiply. What does this research mean for you? The type of bacteria most prevalent on your tongue could mean the difference between good and bad breath.
So why is morning breath so awful? When you sleep, you produce less saliva than when you’re awake. Saliva contains oxygen, and oxygen deters the growth of bacteria. To keep your saliva flowing throughout the day, stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. And if you are one of those middle of the night restroom break sleepers, drink a glass of water on your way back to bed.
And if you can’t give up your morning latte, you can still freshen your breath by doing one simple thing: Rinse your mouth with plain water after drinking it. This will help rebalance your mouth’s pH levels. Rinsing with water also works after meals. Swishing the water around may help remove some of the food particles left in the mouth after a meal and prevent bad breath from setting in.
Do you know another great way to help in your commitment to good oral hygiene? Whiten your teeth! Dental professionals have noticed that the patients who’ve had their teeth whitened tend to increase their oral health care routine. Pleased with their smile and experiencing all the advantages of whiter teeth often leads people to take better care when brushing, flossing, and seeing their dentist for professional cleanings. Since good oral health can improve your overall health and prevent many diseases, this is by far the most important reason to consider teeth whitening.
Of course, there are the esthetic benefits too. A recent American study revealed that teeth are the number one facial feature that people would change. This study showed that 75 percent of adults think that a nice smile supports career success and 84 percent think that an attractive smile aids in meeting mister or miss right. The poll explored the importance of smiles in relation to business and careers, dating and marriage, the social arena and the connection between smiles and self-esteem.
Overall, good oral hygiene and a pleasing esthetic look can not only enhance your health inside, but it can also make you feel great on the outside too. So don’t delay, call your dentist today to schedule your next checkup. And if you don’t currently have a dentist, check out our “Ask the Medical Professional” feature on this page to find the right dental professional for you.
Lawrence Fealy, D.D.S.
25880 Tournament Road, Suite 101, Valencia • www.FealyDentistry.com •661-253-0812
What is laser therapy and
what are the benefits of it?
Laser therapy in dentistry provides patients with a more comfortable dental treatment experience. Using laser dentistry, your dentist is able to deliver a precise treatment that is more comfortable, quicker, and provides more stunning results.
There are several benefits to receiving a laser therapy dental treatment.
Many laser treatments do not require anesthesia, and the recovery time is much quicker than with traditional treatment methods. Another benefit is that treatments are more comfortable, and there is potentially less of a chance of bacterial infection because laser treatments are so precise.
There are two different types of laser dentistry: hard tissue and soft tissue. Hard tissue includes treatments such as cavity detection, dental fillings, and tooth sensitivity improvements. Soft tissue treatments include gum reshaping, gum surgery, and muscle attachment improvements.
Procedures such as removing benign oral tumors, regenerating nerves, overcoming sleep apnea, whitening teeth, and treating TMD are also considered laser dentistry treatments.
To learn more about laser dentistry and how you may benefit from a laser treatment, please contact Fealy dentistry to schedule an appointment. -Lawrence Fealy, D.D.S
 Go Dental
27560 Newhall Ranch Road, Suite 309, Valencia • www.TheDentist.com • 661-257-0880
How do my oral health habits affect the rest
of my body, in addition to my gums and teeth?
Many people are surprised to learn that taking poor care of your teeth can cause diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. Poor brushing and no flossing leads to a bacterial build up on your teeth causing gum inflammation. From there, inflamed gums release chemicals that eat away at gums and the bone that surround your teeth. This is known as periodontal disease.
High levels of bacteria in your gums due to periodontal disease is known to weaken the body’s ability to control blood sugar leading to diabetes. There is also strong evidence that shows that periodontal disease has a direct role in heart disease as well. Pregnancy complications and osteoporosis may have a connection to periodontal disease as well.
As a consumer and a patient, you should be aware that some dental practices will take advantage the your fears regarding periodontal disease recommending unnecessary treatment. It is properly diagnosed by having gum pockets that bleed and typically have depths of 4 mm or more. Xrays will typically demonstrate generalized bone loss around teeth. If diagnosed, treatment will consist of quadrant scalings with local anesthesia done over 2 to 4 appointments (in addition to your first teeth cleaning). If in doubt, never hesitate to ask for a second opinion. That is your right as a patient.
So remember, every time you want to cut your brushing session short or are too tired to floss, you are increasing your risk of periodontal disease. And see your dentist for regular dental cleanings!
– Dr. Lawrence, Dr. Go, and Dr. Monti
 Promenade Dentistry
27011 McBean Parkway, Suite 109, Valencia • www.PromenadeDentistry.com • 661-200-0529
What is sedation dentistry and how can it help?
National health studies estimate that up to 57 percent of people in the U.S. don’t see a dentist regularly. What is the cost of untreated dental disease—and how can it be fixed? At Promenade Dentistry we are now offering a solution: oral sedation dentistry.
Sedation dentistry will allow you to receive dental treatment without all the discomforts. Sedation dentistry is also a safe way to reduce the fatigue of extended dental treatment requiring long visits. Complex dental treatments often require multiple appointments, but can be done in as little as one setting at Promenade Dentistry, and all while you relax. Just take a small pill prior to treatment. There is no need for intravenous tubes or needles.
DOCS Education-trained, we, at Promenade Dentistry, have made adult oral sedation dentistry treatment available to help treat the estimated 30 percent of the population who avoids dental care due to fear. Many of these people can be safely and effectively treated with the assistance of oral sedatives. Patients who were once anxious and fearful—and put off having their dental work completed—can receive their dental care while they are totally relaxed and comfortable.
Oral sedation dentistry enables patients to overcome their dental fear and allows them to receive care in the most comfortable and efficient way possible. Additionally, oral sedation enables us to perform more dentistry in a single visit, meaning that their patients don’t have to return as many times to complete their treatment, saving both time and money!
-Shawn Javid, D.D.S. and Ben Javid D.D.S.
 Kimberly Rosen D.D.S.
27420 Tourney Road, Suite 270, Valencia • www.KimRosenDDS.com • 661-255-2545
How do you prevent tooth decay?
My favorite subject! I would much rather prevent than remove decay. The obvious way to prevent tooth decay is to brush a minimum of twice per day and floss every night before bed. Also see your dentist twice per year for early decay detection and regular cleaning appointments.
Many factors can decrease your decay risk. Straight teeth are significantly easier to keep clean, so if yours aren’t straight, Orthodontics with standard braces or Invisalign are a great option with a beautiful smile as a nice benefit. Pharmaceuticals are very helpful to this generation. CariFree mouth rinse is one of my favorite new products! It has a pH of 9 that helps lower your mouths bacterial count and neutralizes the acidity. It also has Xylitol, which is the only chemical presently known to break the bond between the bacteria and your teeth and low dose fluoride. These ingredients help create a cavity fighting environment that isn’t beneficial to cavity causing bacteria.
Your general health and diet can also help prevent decay. Diseases like high blood pressure, diabetes and cancer can create an environment that promotes acidity and bacteria, thus raising your decay risk. Eating healthy and getting some exercise to keep your body strong can improve your resistance to more damaging types of bacteria that cause tooth decay. Call our office at 661-255-2545 if you would like to discuss this further.
-Dr. Kimberly Rosen
 Smuddle Family Dental
27450 Tourney Road, Suite 250, Valencia • www.YourValenciaDentist.com • 661-259-4474
What is a dental sealant?
Sealants are the power behind prevention in dentistry!
Sealants prevent cavities from occurring on the chewing surfaces of the back molars of teeth. Teeth anatomically have large pits and crevices on the biting surfaces that trap decay. The decay is microscopic, so it is difficult to see until the bacteria burrows deep into the tooth and eats away a large surface area of tooth structure. By the time the decay is found, the healthy tooth is permanently disfigured by the bacteria. Once bacteria attacks a tooth, the tooth will never be whole again.
The only way to keep teeth truly healthy is through prevention. Sealants are a soft, clear plastic shield that prevents decay from entering the top surfaces of the teeth. Applying sealants is a simple process that only requires five to 10 minutes. A clear plastic resin is gently painted on top of the molars, and allowed to set. Sealants will last several years and can be re-applied as needed. Brushing and flossing is key to maintaining the five tooth surfaces above the gums, and with the addition of sealants the top surface is covered too.
Contact Drs. Allen and Kelly Smudde today to find out more about preventive and cosmetic dentistry.
-Drs. Allen and Kelly Smudde |
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