After a little investigating I found that the main ingredient in our bleaching solution is peroxide. The peroxide is actually what bleaches the tooth enamel .  A dental office is currently the only place you can get a high percentage bleaching gel which typically run from 10% , 16 %  or 22 % . Something like white strips from the store generally only have maybe about a 6% or less amount of peroxide in them .

While bleaching strips may seem like a cheaper better alternative to coming into the office , if you really want to have better and faster results your best bet is to come into the office. You can always start with a consultation to let the Doctor know your what results you are looking for . This is also an extremely good idea if you are thinking about bleaching and may have any fillings, or crowns /veneers on your front teeth .

If you are interested in getting your brightest whitest smile give us a call to set up an appointment !!

When looking into Implants one of the first prerequisites are to have healthy gum’s . Something that can be achieved by making sure to get in to have your teeth cleaned and examined every 6 months , or three months if you have had a deep periodontal cleaning , or any kind of gum surgery . Healthy Gums are the key to having healthy teeth .

In our office after you talk to your doctor about implants we usually send you to our periodontist , Dr. Italo Lozada , For a consult . At this consultation he will examine the area where you would like to place your implant. After he goes over the treatment we will then schedule you to come back and start the procedure .

Your First Visit :

The implant is essentially an anchor that are put into your gum to replace the natural tooth roots you are missing . The implants are made using titanium and other materials that are well suited to the human body.This implant attaches to your bone and gum to become a stable base for the custom artificial dental crown the doctor will attach to the implant. The gum is then placed over the implant and will remained covered for about 3- 6 months so it can “osseointegrate”  or fuses with the bone.

The next step is to uncover the implant , during this procedure the doctor will then attach an extension  called a post to the implant . The gum tissue will then be allowed to heal around the post .

The last step of your implant is that the Doctor will make a crown that will fit onto your implant and will blend in with your surrounding teeth once the crown is completed .

The whole process in my opinion is pretty amazing. Instead of losing a tooth and resorting to a denture or a partial , you can have an implant that is almost like having your natural tooth back! If you are looking into having a a bridge or a partial done I think you should definitely look into having a consult about implants!

Dental sealants are usually put on the teeth of young children and teens when they have deep depressions or grooves in their teeth . This helps protect the chewing surfaces which is usually where decay occurs most often .

Sealants prevent this decay by bonding into the depressions and groves of a tooth essentially “sealing out ” plaque and food !

Sealants are easy to apply and only takes a few minutes to do them . The great part is that not only are they protecting the teeth but they last several years before they need to be reapplied! Good news in my opinion !

Sealants which are thought to be just for kids are not ! Adults can certainly  benefit from sealants as well . At your next visit ask your doctor if dental sealants could help your at home dental prevention program !

Teaching kids early  how to properly take care of their teeth is a lesson that will last a lifetime .

Even though babies may not have any teeth until they are between 6- 12 months old , you still should try and cleanse their gums and tissue inside of their mouths.  This aids in prevention of a treatable fungal infection called thrush. Thrush is caused from the constant sucking of a pacifier , bottle or breastfeeding which causes the tissue in the mouth to tear , if left untreated this can be very painful condition .  The best way to try and prevent this is to just wipe the babies gums with a soft damp cloth the best you can , at least once a day .

Once the babies teeth start to erupt , this is a perfect time to begin a regular brushing and flossing routine with your child . You will want to avoid using toothpaste with flouride until they are able to understand they should not swallow the toothpaste. It is also a good idea to help your child with brushing and flossing  his or her teeth until they are able to brush and floss their teeth correctly ( normally around age 6 ).

The recommended amount of time to brush is about 2 minutes.  After your child has finished his or her brushing  and flossing make sure to take a look to make sure they did not miss anything . Giving praise for a job well done is a great way to get kids excited about toothbrush time !

Brushing and flossing is not the only way to keep your teeth healthy – nutrition is big part of preventing cavities . Try to limit the amount of sugary snacks and encourage kids to have healthy fruits and vegetables .

Remember , just because baby teeth fall out , does not mean they should not be taken care of just as well as adult teeth. These baby teeth otherwise known as primary teeth are essential in the proper growth of the adult teeth underneath . Any dental caries or problems with the baby teeth that are left unresolved could effect the adult tooth growing beneath it , and cause your child unnecessary pain or sensitivity. Keeping up great oral hygiene and regular dental checkups are the best way to prevent these issues.