Baywood Dental Group: Valencia, CA

July 1, 2011

What is a Waterpik?

Filed under: Uncategorized — amyreid @ 9:27 am

Cleaning your teeth is important in the maintenance of good health. Brushing and flossing your teeth on a regular basis is important but there are other tools that can aide in the fight against gingivitis, like a Waterpik. Harmful bacteria like to reside in between teeth and by using a Waterpik you can help dislodge the bacteria and food particles from those tough to reach areas.

Our dental team at Baywood Dental Group recommends the use of a Waterpik for most of our patients. A Waterpik is a type of oral irrigation device that not only cleans the teeth and gums, but the entire mouth by using water with a forced jet spray. The advantage of the Waterpik is that it is designed to get into tight spaces.

The Waterpik is especially useful in people with braces. It will remove the unwanted particles with less ease and time. There are other Waterpik devices used for dental implants, crown, veneers and tongue cleaning.

Using a Waterpik, in addition to brushing and flossing, will help fight plaque build up in your mouth leading to a healthier mouth and better check ups at the dental office!

May 6, 2011

Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , — admin @ 2:43 pm

Have you ever woken up with a sore jaw or headache?  Chances are you may be grinding your teeth while you sleep. In some cases, it may be a minor issue that does not require treatment. However, if your teeth are worn or are suffering some pain, it could be more serious.

As a precaution, it is always wise to talk to your dentist about any issues you may have.  Whether it is a minor or serious problem, your dentist will be able to suggest medical or home remedies to help with the condition.  This can include:

  • Stress management that includes relaxation techniques.
  • Mouth guard that can be custom-made or purchased over the counter.
  • Splints that can be made to go over your teeth.
  • Correction of misaligned teeth using overlays or crowns.
  • Behavior therapy by practicing proper jaw and mouth position.
  • Medications that can relax the muscles.

Again, make sure to consult with your dentist if you are experiencing symptoms. Proper care and regular dental check-ups can help deter more serious problems from occurring.

April 28, 2011

How to Keep Your Teeth White

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , — admin @ 2:56 pm

Many of us have had this problem. We may have noticed our smiles just aren’t as bright and white as they used to be, but we want to know what causes the staining on our teeth and how we can improve their color. Visiting your dentist and undergoing a whitening procedure is one way of improving the color of your teeth and so is purchasing one of the many whitening products from your local store like whitening toothpastes or do-it-yourself whitening kits. There’s also a few, simple ways to keep your smile bright, white and healthy by just changing some of your daily habits.

For instance, many of the beverages we drink largely contribute to the staining of our teeth and although it helps us wake up and stay caffeinated in the morning, coffee is notorious for this. This isn’t to say we should stay away from coffee, but we should realize the impact it can have on our teeth and try to brush after we have our daily cup. Additionally, dark juices like grape or cranberry can discolor our teeth so, as with coffee, try to brush after having a glass or simply give your mouth a rinse.

Cigarettes are about as common as coffee when one thinks of things that hurt the color of our teeth. Cigarettes aren’t good for oral hygiene in general and they make things worse by making our smiles less appealing. Even though giving up cigarettes is no easy task, it’s worth it in the long run for much healthier smiles and much better oral health.

No matter what you decide to do to whiten your teeth, remember that regularly brushing and flossing is almost as important as everything else in maintaining the best oral health and keeping your teeth from staining in the long run.

March 29, 2011

Choosing the Right Toothbrush

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , — admin @ 9:57 am

Considering we brush our teeth each day (And hopefully at least twice a day!), it’s important to be using the right toothbrush that ensures the most comfort and the best oral hygiene. We at Baywood Dental Group believe that with all the time we spend brushing our teeth, it makes a lot of sense to invest in a good toothbrush, especially one that takes care of our own dental needs and preferences.

Take sensitivity for example. Many people experience increased sensitivity in their teeth and/or gums for a variety of reasons. Sometimes this sensitivity is also experienced when one brushes their teeth. To make the brushing experience more comfortable in this case, it’s a good idea to use soft bristle toothbrushes that ease the pressure on your teeth and gums.

Choosing a toothbrush also involves choosing between manual or electric brushes. Go down the dental aisle of your local store and you’ll find plenty of varieties of both. Choosing between one or the other tends to be a matter of personal preference and comfort for a lot of people, but regardless of the type, don’t forget that one brush doesn’t last forever! Remember to change your toothbrush (or brush head if you’re using electric) when you start seeing the bristles becoming worn out or approximately every three months.

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