Nobody gets excited to visit the dentist, especially kids, but here at Upland Dental Clinic we guarantee to make each experience better than the last for parents and their children. You can have peace of mind knowing that our professional, dedicated team of doctors take the necessary steps to make sure children get the care that they deserve.
After the first exam is completed, the parent of the child will meet with the doctor to talk about the condition of their child’s oral health. If there is any advanced work that needs to be done, the doctor will explain the options. In many cases, the necessary services can be completed the very same day.
The staff at the Upland Dental Clinic is skilled in using behavioral management techniques that are effective in creating an enjoyable experience for children and parents. Before beginning any procedure, the doctors carefully explain and illustrate what is going to happen.
If an operative procedure is needed, topical anesthesia will be applied to your child’s teeth and gums to numb them for pain prevention. If extensive treatment is needed, pediatric dental specialists are on hand to provide outpatient hospital care.
At the conclusion of the appointment, the parents will sit down with our coordinators to receive a full description of the completed procedure, after care directions, and prescriptions if necessary. The coordinators will also answer any questions that the parent has.
Does your jaw feel stiff or do your jaw muscles feel tired in the morning?
You may be grinding your teeth at night or you may be clenching your teeth.
People with nighttime grinding habits may wear away their tooth enamel ten times faster than those without abusive chewing habits. Eventually, your teeth may be worn down and destroyed.
We make custom fitted Comfort H/S Bite Splints, thermoformed under vacuum for an accurate fit. This has a hard outer and soft inner surface. It is easy to insert and remove.
Ask us if a Night Guard or HS Bite Splint can help to provide you with relief from grinding, bruxing or clenching.
HERE ARE SOME TIPS ON HOW TO BRUSH YOUR TEETH
What Is The Right Way To Brush?
First and foremost, good brushing always starts with the right toothbrush. Pick a brush with soft bristles and a small head. It is a misconception that a harder brush achieves a better result. A soft brush is strong enough to clean your teeth by gently removing plaque and not damaging the enamel on your teeth or your gums.
The next important step is picking the right toothpaste. Any toothpaste with fluoride is ideal for maintaining healthy teeth and gums. If you have special needs, your dentist will most likely make a suitable recommendation. Two brands that are quite effective for brushing are Crest Multicare and Colgate Total.
Using the right technique that works best for you can ensure that your entire mouth is cleaned thoroughly without leaving any spots. As a rule of thumb, it is a good practice to start at a particular location in your mouth and work your way all through the mouth, finally returning to the original location. Brushing your teeth should take at least two minutes and can last up to four minutes to provide optimal results.
While there are many effective methods for brushing your teeth, here is a popular technique that is highly recommended.
Start off by using a peanut sized amount of toothpaste on your brush. Your brush should be inclined at a 45-degree angle towards your teeth. Press gently against the gums ensuring that the bristles are cleansing the area between your teeth and gums. With repetitive lateral strokes, brush the plaque from the grooves between the teeth and gums. Repeat this process for about eight times before moving on to the adjacent area. Adjust the alignment of the brush to maximize cleaning in the hard to reach crevices. It is common for the foam to build up in your mouth. Do not stop brushing at this point. Spit it out and continue brushing until every area has been covered.
It is ideal to brush after every meal. If that is not possible, brush twice a day, after breakfast and before going to bed.
And finally, brushing alone is not enough – don’t forget to floss.
HERE ARE SOME OF THE TIPS ON KEEPING YOUR TEETH WHITE
A beautiful smile starts with great white teeth, and here are some teeth whitening (sometimes referred to as "teeth brightening," "teeth whitining," or "teeth whiteing") tips that are useful for people of all age groups. As soon as you see any signs of stains or discoloration of the teeth, you should consult your dentist to develop an action plan. Follow the dentist’s advice and brush your teeth twice everyday (in the morning and evening) as well as floss regularly if possible. Try to floss after every meal or at least those meals that you know will leave remains in between your teeth. Food remains in the teeth decay quickly forming cavities and thus, rotting your teeth; once you have your adult teeth and loose them the only option is to replace them with false ones as teeth don’t grow back or regenerate. In order to keep your teeth white, the best tip for everyday is to brush them using whitening toothpaste. Ask your dentist to recommend the most effective brand that is available in all drug and department stores in a large variety of flavors.
Besides brushing your teeth with teeth whitening toothpaste, which is one of the best daily cares you can practice you can also use the whitening strips that are applicable directly to the teeth; there are also whitening pens and brushes with which you can whiten your teeth by applying directly. However, it is very important you follow the teeth whitening tips on the box EXACTLY as these products contain peroxide, which can be harmful in large doses. Laser whitening by your dentist is another tip that is widely used. Laser teeth whitening procedures will last you for several years if you follow the above-mentioned teeth whitening tips of brushing your teeth twice a day with whitening toothpaste as well as flossing regularly.
Tips:
• Brush your teeth at least twice a day with whitening toothpaste to maintain your whitened teeth.
• Unlike the teeth whitening procedures, performed by a dentist that may whiten your teeth up to 15 shades, at-home bleaching products will only whiten your teeth from one to three shades, depending on the tooth’s discoloration.
• If your teeth are too dark or you experience too much discomfort during the treatments, consider porcelain veneers on specific discolored teeth.
• Baking soda can be used to whiten teeth at home but be very careful to use only a small amount of baking soda and brush your teeth with it thoroughly twice a week.
• Quit smoking in order to prevent future teeth discoloration.
• It is essential to maintain excellent oral hygiene to maximize the longevity of the whitening treatment.
• Many dentists advice to use a straw when drinking soft drinks, coffee, tea as it may increase the chance of staining.
• You may experience teeth sensitivity to hot or cold after the bleaching treatment but it will fade after a few days.
• The whitening gels, strips, toothpastes work only on natural teeth. Whitening toothpastes remove only surface stains and don’t contain bleach that may change your tooth’s structure.
• At-home whitening products contain a lower strength-bleaching agent from 1 to 10 percent carbamide peroxide.
• People with gum diseases or teeth with worn enamel shouldn’t use at-home whitening products.
• The most common side effects of at-home teeth whitening are increase in tooth sensitivity and mild irritation of the soft tissues of the mouth.
• When selecting a whitener always look for the ADA Seal of Acceptance.
• Avoid eating sweets and sugars to prevent teeth decay.
•Remember that general mouth hygiene is a must.·Get regular dental cleanings to remove food and tobacco stains
•Always consult a dentist to see which method of teeth whitening will be best for you
A chipped or broken tooth is more common than many people realize. If your tooth is damaged and there is no bleeding, it’s still important to schedule a dental visit as soon as possible. Early care can help prevent further damage and reduce the risk of complications.
For minor chips or cracks, your dentist may be able to restore the tooth by smoothing or reshaping the affected area. This can often improve both comfort and appearance without the need for extensive treatment.
If you experience pain while chewing or sensitivity to hot or cold foods and drinks, additional treatment may be needed. Your dentist will evaluate the tooth and recommend the most appropriate solution to restore strength, function, and comfort.
Prompt treatment is key when dealing with a chipped or broken tooth. Waiting too long can lead to increased pain, infection, or further damage to the tooth.
If you notice cracks, chips, or a broken tooth, contact Upland Dental Clinic to schedule an appointment. In non-emergency situations that do not involve bleeding or severe trauma, our team can help relieve discomfort and determine the best way to restore your tooth to its natural look and function.
HERE ARE SOME TIPS ON PREVENTING TOOTH WEAR
Overview : When the top coat (enamel) of a tooth is worn away, the tooth becomes more sensitive and is more easily damaged by decay. Advanced cases often require a procedure involving crowns to save the teeth.
Causes : There are several ways that tooth enamel may be worn away. The usual causes of the erosion of tooth enamel are one or more of the following:
Abrasion: Abrasion is the wearing away of tooth enamel by some form of foreign object. Common causes of abrasion are: Chewing on things obsessively like pens or pencils, brushing too hard or too long; Fingernail biting, holding things in between the teeth, etc; HERE ARE SOME TIPS ON PREVENTING TOOTH WEAROral jewelry - Patients with pierced lips and/or tongue often wear away the enamel on teeth around the piercing.
Erosion: Erosion is the chemical wearing away of tooth enamel. Typically this kind of wear is caused by an acid like Citric acid. Citrus fruit like lemons, limes, oranges and grapefruit contain citric acid, as do most soft drinks and juices like lemonade. Some candies also contain citric acid. Many soft drinks contain other additional harmful acids as do coffee and tea. Individuals who suffer from Bulimia (people who intentionally and repeatedly induce vomiting) expose their teeth to strong stomach acids. While exposure to dietary acids is rarely a problem, repeated exposure to high levels of these acids can cause premature wear. Some common habits to avoid are: Regularly sucking on lemons or limes; eating or sucking on candies, especially "sour" candies as they often contain sugar and citric acid. Drinking too many soft drinks daily, even "diet" and sugar-free soft drinks; Drinking too many glasses of lemonade daily; Drinking too many cups of coffee or glasses of tea daily; Even if you only occasionally eat or drink highly acidic foods, it's a good idea to at least rinse your mouth with fresh water when you are finished. This action will help to reduce the amount of time the acids have to work on your teeth.
Attrition: Wear, which is also sometimes referred to as “attrition” is the gradual loss of enamel through normal speaking and eating, however this typically doesn't produce excessive wear. More extreme cases of wear are typically caused by Bruxism, which is the medical term for the grinding of teeth against teeth. Bruxism usually occurs at night while the patient sleeps, and often the patient is unaware of the grinding or enamel loss.
Upland Dental Clinic provides expert care and correction of cases involving tooth wear. Contact our office to arrange a consultation.
Bleeding Gums Prevention from Upland Dental Clinic
In most instances, bleeding gums are a sign of gum disease. When plaque builds up at or under the gum line, the gums become sensitive and begin to bleed. After your teeth are cleaned, your dentist will show you how to properly brush and floss in order to keep plaque from building up. If you do not have this plaque removed, you can develop a hard buildup of tartar. Tartar left at or under the gum line can then lead to a disease known as gingivitis. If gingivitis is left untreated, it can lead to tooth decay, tissue decay, and eventual loss of teeth.
In rare instances, bleeding gums can be a sign of a more serious medical issue, like leukemia. However, there are many other causes of bleeding gums. Sometimes gums bleed as a side effect to certain medications or because you may have a vitamin C or vitamin K deficiency. Pregnant women often complain of bleeding gums due to fluctuating hormones. Gums may also bleed if you have dentures that are improperly fitted or simply because you are flossing too strenuously.
Flossing is necessary for proper oral hygiene, but some people find themselves shying away from flossing due to bleeding gums. Gums may also bleed during brushing, particularly when using a firm toothbrush. If you find yourself with bleeding gums, you should contact your dentist immediately and get a checkup. Call our conveniently located office at
(909) 949-4070 to make an appointment and see if you can prevent bleeding gums and stop further worsening of your oral condition.
WHAT ARE ANTIBIOTIC TREATMENTS?
It is important when preparing to undergo a dental procedure involving antimicrobial agents, otherwise known as antibiotics, to understand precisely how they work and what their specific uses are. While there has been an increasing amount of concern over the past few years as to the unmonitored effects of long-term prescribed medicine use, it’s important to understand that these treatments are one of the keys to destroying bacterial infections that develop in the mouth.
Antibiotics normally put their bacteria annihilating properties to use when combined with delicate dental operations, as their ability to effectively destroy bacteria is crucial in preventing abscesses or additional infections from developing in the teeth. In addition, these antibiotics work to clear the mouth of harmful bacteria before they can cause real damage through the bloodstream as a result of recent dental procedures.