A Reason to Smile – Our resident experts share their top advice for a healthy, gleaming smile

Drs. Allen & Kelly Smudde
Santa Clarita Advanced Dentistry

Q:  I’m getting married, and my fiancé and I need some dental TLC.
How do we get camera-ready smiles?

A: Depending on your needs, you can make an appointment with your dentist as early as a year in advance of your wedding date or just a few weeks in advance.  Some brides want full smile makeovers – veneers, Invisalign, implants – which could take anywhere from several months to a year, while other brides want routine esthetic maintenance – cleanings, fillings, whitening – which could be done in a few weeks.
On a regular basis, receive dental cleanings as often as you can, at least every six months, to make sure toxic bacteria are removed from areas impossible to reach with your toothbrush or floss.  On a daily, brush and floss, as well as use fluoride and a water pik.  Whitening is a great option for brides because your teeth will look very natural in your wedding photos when they match the whites of your eyes.  If you want fast results, you could do in-office whitening, which typically takes two hours.
For more information, please contact Drs. Allen & Kelly Smudde, D.D.S., at Santa Clarita Advanced Dentistry by calling 661-200-0677, or visit www.yourvalenciadentist.com.

Dr. Lang
Heritage Oral Surgery and
Implant Center

Q:  Is age a factor when considering dental implants?

A:  When considering the replacement of missing teeth with dental implants, oral surgeons take into consideration numerous factors such as the quality and quantity of bone.  Beyond this, a patient’s age and overall health are important to the success of a dental implant.
In younger patients who are either congenitally missing teeth (missing from birth) or who may have lost a tooth from trauma, we must be sure their jaw is fully developed.  This generally means the patient must be at least 17 or 18 years old.  An oral surgeon can determine if a younger patient is ready for an implant by evaluation of wrist x-rays.
Nearly half of Americans over the age of 65 have one or more missing teeth. There are no upper age restrictions for the placement of dental implants.  Dental implants are successful in patients well into their 80s and 90s.
For more information, please contact Heritage Oral Surgery and Implant Center by calling 661-253-3500, or visit heritageoralsurgery.com.

Dr. Mehran Abbassian
Mehran Abbassian, DDS, Inc.

Q: When I brush, I always want to walk away with that clean, tingly feeling, but I have been told by other dentists that I brush too hard – to the point that I’m brushing away my enamel.  I’ve switched to a soft-bristled toothbrush and I’ve recently brushed off three of my lower bondings.  Is it me, my previous dentists or my teeth?

A: Without having examined you, I am limited as to what to recommend.  However, there are various reasons for the bondings to come off.  Sure, if you are an aggressive brusher, you could abrade the bondings.  So make sure, along with soft bristles, use a light touch.  Also clenching and grinding your teeth can cause the bondings to detach from your teeth.
I hope these suggestions help.  In the meantime, it may be best to discuss this matter with further with a dentist.  We operate at the cutting edge of dental technology and our Digital Radiography will help you to better understand your dental conditions.
For more information, please contact Dr. Mehran Abbassian by calling 661-259-9100, or visit www.scvdentist.com. 

Comments