Why Flossing is Important

Ever heard of the phrase, brushing alone is not enough?

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The statement serves true, as there are places your toothbrush cannot reach. In these places, bacteria builds up, causing plaque and tooth decay.

The American Dental Association recommends brushing at least twice daily. For sure you have been doing this. However, have you also been up to flossing at least once a day, as the ADA recommended?

Your toothbrush can clean the top and outer surface of your teeth. But, what about the tight spaces and between your chompers and mini holes in between your teeth and gums? Sure a mouthwash can help eradicate the bacteria; but it doesn’t remove the dogged tartar. Floss functions as an interdental clinic, to help you clean these spaces.  Flossing plays a major role in removing food debris, making your pearly whites look brighter.

Apart from retaining that great smile, flossing also helps keep you maintain healthygums and teeth. We do know that a clean mouth can help prevent teeth diseases, and other illnesses such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and more.

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How to floss:

Some say flossing is hard, however with practice, you can floss perfectly.

Wrap the floss in your fingers, and as you guide the string of floss in your mouth, do it in a push and pull motion. Repeat with your other teeth.

Make flossing a habit. So, the next time you visit the dental clinic, you can beam proudly that yes you have been flossing.

Dr. Cecilia Lontoc DMD is one of the best dentists. For more information or to schedule your dental checkup, please call (310) 782-6155  or visit our website at www.cecilialontocdmd.com

The Truth about Tooth Decay

One of the most common problems, tooth decay happens when germs make acids that plague your tooth.

Difference from cavity

Cavity occurs when a tooth decay creates a hole. Cavity is often also called tooth decay.

Causes:

·         Eating foods high in sugar and carbohydrate, as this sustain the bacteria.

·         Sparse fluoride nutrient, as fluoride makes teeth tough against acids.

·         Minimal saliva discharge, saliva rinses sugar and other food debris.

·         Diabetes

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Symptoms:

·         Tooth ache

·         Bad breathe or bad taste in the mouth

·         Spots on your tooth

Treatments:

A filling may be needed when you have tooth decay. If the cavity is severe, a crown may suffice, if it is infected you may need root canal.

Don’t get your tooth spoiled to the root as this may call for tooth extraction.

Prevention:

·         Brush your teeth twice daily.

·         Visit the dental office for checkups, do this at least twice a year

·         Avoid snacks before you sleep, food left in your mouth during the night will cause tooth decay.

·         Avoid too much sugar

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       Dr. Cecilia Lontoc DMD is one of the best dentists. For more information or to schedule your dental checkup, please call (310) 782-6155  or visit our website at www.cecilialontocdmd.com

5 Different Fillings

If you have a cavity, your dentist will remove the rotting portion.  This is when you will need to fill in that part of your tooth. Here are the different types of fillings to choose from.

Amalgam Filling

Mixture of: silver, copper, tin, zinc, and mercury

Durability:  Seven years or longer

Amalgam is great for filling in the back teeth, as this does not match the color of the teeth.  This can be completed with just one visit to the dental clinic. Beware, however, as unaffected areas of your teeth may be removed to ensure that the space is big enough. Since amalgam filling does not bond with the tooth, this can decay or tarnish over time.

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Cast Gold

Mixture of: Gold and other metals

Durability: Seven years or longer

                Since gold does not corrode, this type of filling is tough to endure your chews. If next to an amalgam filling, you may experience galvanic shock. This is when the two metals and your saliva produce an electric current.

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Ceramics

Mixture of: Porcelain

Durability: five to seven years

                Ceramic filling matched the color of your teeth.  When compared to composite resin, they are more resistant yet more brittle. There may be times that the health part of your teeth may be cut to make more room.

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Composite filing

Mixture of: plastic and glass particles

Durability: at least five years

                There are two types of composite filling:  the direct filling which is placed by the dentist using a dental equipment that lets out blue light and the indirect filling which fits your tooth for a laboratory to make the filling. These are great for the front of your teeth as they are of the same color.  Composite fillings can be used for small or large fillings as they bond directly to your teeth.

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Glass Ionomer

Mixture of: glass component and acrylic

Durability: Five years or more

                Glass fillings are usually used for cementation for inlay. They are also used for the front teeth as it is tooth-colored.  What more, glass ionomer discharges fluoride. It is ideal for children, as there is no need to drill the teeth.

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Dr. Cecilia Lontoc DMD is one of the best dentists. For more information or to schedule your dental checkup, please call (310) 782-6155  or visit our website at www.cecilialontocdmd.com

Four things to tell your children about cavities

One of the unwelcome words in dental offices is cavity. 

Most often than not, cavities often occur to children rather than adults. This is why parents need to promote good dental hygiene with their kids.

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Germs drill up your tooth. Cavities are holes caused by tooth decay, which in turn was caused by plaque, which is made up of germs. To put it more simply, cavities are caused by germs that thrive on your mouth due to bad brushing habits. The bacteria in the mouth creates acid when plaque hangs on your tooth. The acids then can chomp off the external layer of your tooth.

Dentists are cavities worst enemies. A visit to dental offices can end your child’s woes. Prep them first, as they may need to take an x-ray. Dentists can fix your child’s tooth by removing the rotted part , afterwards seal it with a filling.

No more tooth. Skipping the dental office can lead to bigger dental problems. The more they put off a visit to the dental clinic, the worse the pain will be. The acids can cause toothache and even reach the inside of the tooth making it rot.

Brushing works. You can help prevent cavities by brushing your kid’s teeth after every meal or at least twice a day. Make sure to gently brush in up and down or in a circular motion. Encourage flossing teeth at least once a day. 

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For zero cavities, set an appointment with your dentist at least twice a year. These may be for check-up and regular cleaning.

Dr. Cecilia Lontoc DMD is one of the best dentists. For more information or to schedule your dental checkup, please call (310) 782-6155  or visit our website at www.cecilialontocdmd.com

Snippets of Wisdom about your Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom comes with age, and with age you gain your wisdom teeth. These are the third and last set of molars which appear during teenage years to early twenties.

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On its importance. Your wisdom teeth are a valuable asset to your mouth and jaw as it will help with chewing and speech.

On where they are. Wisdom teeth grow in the back of your mouth.  Few times, however, when one’s third molar are healthy and aligned.

On x-rays. Often, there is no room in your mouth for these late bloomers, thus causing problems. The dental clinic will give you an x-ray so that the dentist may know the position of your tooth.

On impacted teeth.  There are instance when they partially materialize on your gum line or even remain hidden. This is when your teeth become impacted.

On Extraction.  Dentists recommends the removal of your wisdom teeth if they have not fully grown, developing near a nerve, or cannot be cleaned as part of daily oral hygiene. 

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According to the American Dental Association, you should have your third molar removed when there is:

·         pain

·         infection

·         cysts

·         tumors

·         damage to adjacent teeth

·         gum disease

·         Extensive tooth decay

 Dr. Cecilia Lontoc DMD is one of the best dentists in Torrance. For more information or to schedule your dental checkup, please call (310) 782-6155  or visit our website at www.cecilialontocdmd.com

TEETH GRINDING

It seems to be something regular, teeth grinding shows off when one is anxious or stressed. However, did you know that teeth grinding or bruxism is bad for your chompers

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How can you now if you do clench your teeth?

Since most people rasp their teeth at night, most do not know that they are doing so. Tell-tale signs that you have this nocturnal habit are if you wake up with a sore jaw or a headache. Worse, if your grinding is that loud that it wakes up your partner.

Teeth grinding is common in children, but goes away when they are in their teenage years.

Why is teeth grinding harmful?

 There is no treatment needed for bruxism. However frequent teeth grinding may lead to jaw problems and headaches. These jaw problems may change the way your face looks, give you facial pain, and cause hearing loss.

They may also lead to crooked or fractured tooth, that in the future may need some root canals or implants.

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What can you do to kick the habit?

If you’re a night teeth grinder, ask your dentist for a mouth guard.

If your teeth grinding is caused by stress, talk to your dentist or doctor on how you can reduce your stress levels. You can also avoid drinks with caffeine and avoid chewing on pencils and pens.

What should you before you visit the dental clinic?

Ask your dentist if there is anything you need to do prior to the appointment. List down symptoms and stresses that you might be experiencing.

Dr. Cecilia Lontoc DMD is one of the best dentists in Torrance. For more information or to schedule your dental checkup, please call (310) 782-6155  or visit our website at www.cecilialontocdmd.com

Common Dental Procedures for your Kids

Often pediatric dentistry is different from general dentistry as your tykes need more dental needs than you do. Kids have baby tooth that will be replaced by permanent adult teeth. Plus, their jaws are still developing. Before you visit, prep your children with procedures of general dentistry for kids, so that he may know what will happen.

General Cleaning or Prophylaxis. Before your child sits on the dental chair, talk to a dental assistant about your little one’s overall health. Afterwards, your child’s mouth will be thoroughly cleansed removing the plaque and tartar.

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Xray. Children require more x-rays than adults as their mouth is still developing. An x-ray can display drawbacks in the tooth structure that is not visible to the naked eye.

Fillings and crowns. When your kid’s tooth suffers tooth decay, fillings and crowns are used to recondition your child’s front and back teeth.

Extractions. Do note that tooth removal should be done as the last resort to a severed tooth decay. If your child’s primary molar is taken off, a space maintainer should replace it.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that your child visits the dental clinic at least twice a year.

Once you walk in the Dr. Lontoc’s dental clinic, it isn’t just the friendly staff or the laid back ambiance you will notice. It is also the comfortable air that sets this dental office apart, making it child friendly. You can trust that Dr. Lontoc will handle your child’s oral health. 

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Dr. Cecilia Lontoc DMD is one of the best dentists in Torrance. For more information or to schedule your dental checkup, please call (310) 782-6155  or visit our website at www.cecilialontocdmd.com