Healthy Smiles, Healthy Families

Good oral health is important at every age. Healthy teeth and gums signify more than an attractive smile—it often reflects good general health, confidence and a personal sense of well-being. Proper oral hygiene starting at home can help protect your family’s teeth from cavities and prevent gum disease.

The following tips can help your family reach optimal oral health to promote a lifetime of healthy smiles:

1. Practice Good Oral Hygiene

The health of your smile is a reflection of how well you take care of your teeth and gums. It should go without saying that you and your family should brush your teeth at least twice a day, and floss daily to remove plaque build up from the large surfaces of the teeth and under the gums.  Most of us learn these habits as children, and that’s why it’s important for parents to play an active role in helping kids learn the proper techniques for brushing and flossing.

2. Snacking & Tooth Decay

Frequent snacking can be your mouth’s biggest enemy.  That’s because when sugars or starches in your mouth come in contact with plaque, the acids produced can attack teeth for several minutes after you finish eating. Repeated attacks can break down the enamel on the surface of teeth, fueling tooth decay. To prevent cavities, consume sugary foods and drinks with meals rather than in between. If you must snack throughout the day, then brush immediately after to cleanse the mouth of food.

Along with limiting how frequently you eat, you should also pay attention to the types of foods and drinks your family is consuming. Limit your intake of sugary, starchy foods, and replace them with healthy choices, such as raw vegetables, fresh fruits and whole grains.

3. Fluoride

Teeth are attacked by plaque daily. The acids produced by plaque weaken the enamel, which eventually leads to decay. That’s why it is important to make sure you are getting enough fluoride. Fluoride is absorbed into the enamel, helping to repair and prevent cavities. Some children may benefit from fluoride supplements. Ask Dental Dimensions about the best fluoride treatment plan for your family at your next visit.

4. Check ups

Regular visits to your San Jose dentist are a very important part of maintaining good dental health. The American Dental Association recommends scheduling dental appointments twice a year.  A professional dentist can detect problems in their earliest stages, and will make sure your kids’ teeth are developing properly as they grow.  Dental Dimensions can clean the areas of your teeth that regular brushing can’t, helping you avoid unnecessary cavities and dental treatment.

If you neglect the care of your teeth at home and fail to go to the dentist regularly, accumulated plaque could potentially lead to the development of tooth decay, gum disease and even tooth loss. The good news is that being diligent about your dental health care at home and by seeing your dentist on a regular basis, you and your family will be more likely to keep your teeth and gums healthy for a lifetime.

How to Avoid Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

• Wipe your baby’s gums with a clean, damp cloth after every feeding to remove plaque and leftover foods.
• Never coat the baby’s pacifier in sweeteners, such as honey or jam.
• When your child’s first tooth erupts, brush it gently with a child-sized toothbrush and water. Check with Dental Dimensions before using any type of fluoride treatment.
• Only serve juice and other sugary drinks at mealtime.
• Infants should always finish their bottle prior to napping or going to bed.
• Introduce training cups for drinking by 12 months of age.
• Promote a healthy, well-balanced diet, and limit foods that contain sugars, which contribute to decay.
• Schedule your child’s first appointment with your [location] dentist by his or her first birthday.

How to Restore Your Natural Smile

What is Dental Restoration?

Fillings

Dental Implants

Dentures

Dental Crowns

Bridges

Prevent Stained Teeth

• Keep teeth clean: Brush and floss every day—and immediately after eating or drinking—to remove plaque and other stain-causing debris that accumulates on the teeth.

• Choose foods and drinks wisely: Limit how often you drink tea, coffee and other dark foods and beverages. If you must indulge, do so in one sitting rather than sipping or snacking throughout the day.  When drinking, use a straw to reduce your teeth’s exposure and minimize staining.

• Quit smoking: While easier said than done, smoking is a major cause of stained teeth. Stop now and you’ll not only save your teeth from turning yellow, but you will be doing your overall health a favor.

• Brush with whitening toothpaste: Whitening toothpaste won’t actually change the overall color of your teeth, but can be very effective at removing minor stains.

• Visit Dental Dimensions: Remember to schedule appointments with your dentist for a professional cleaning and check-up every six months to keep your smile looking and feeling its very best.

Professional Whitening from Dental Dimensions

The Filthy Truth About Your Toothbrush

• Every 3-4 months- The American Dental Association recommends replacing your old toothbrush about every three months, or sooner if the bristles start to bend or fray.
• Following illness- If you’ve had a cold or flu, you may also want to buy a new toothbrush. Germs and bacteria can hide out in the bristles, which may lead to reinfection.
• Avoid sharing toothbrushes- Because microorganisms can be passed between users, sharing a toothbrush should be avoided to prevent the risk of cross-contamination.
• Don’t cover toothbrush- Moist environments are breeding grounds for bacteria. Store your toothbrush upright in the open air instead.

Am I a Candidate for Orthodontic Braces?

Who can benefit from braces?

• Overcrowded or crooked teeth
• Crossbite
• Underbite
• Irregular spacing
• Overbite
• Jaw misalignment problems

More comfort, better results.

Listening to your body’s warning signs can mean the difference between a lifetime of good health and years of chronic conditions. This is especially true for toothaches and oral pain. When you experience these pain types, your body is often trying to tell you something – and that often means you may need to make a trip to our South San Jose dentist’s office.

Tooth pain can come from multiple sources, but is generally considered a sign that a nerve or nerves are irritated in your mouth. You may notice this pain when chewing your food. The pain may accompany bleeding, temperature sensitivity, fever or swelling.

Common causes of a toothache can include dental cavities, infection, impacted wisdom tooth or injury to your mouth. Rarely, a toothache is not actually due to a tooth-related pain at all. Conditions such as sinusitis or temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) can cause tooth pain as well.

You can relieve or lessen some tooth pain through at-home care, such as rinsing your mouth with warm water. You also can apply a cold compress to your cheek to relieve oral pain or take an over-the-counter pain reliever. Some “don’ts” when caring for your teeth are to refrain from applying aspirin or a painkiller directly to the gum. This can burn your gum tissue.

If you experience oral pain or a toothache that does not go away after two days or does not feel better, even after taking over-the-counter pain relievers, call our dentist’s office in South San Jose. These are all signs that you need professional dental attention.

Waiting longer or trying to ignore tooth pain or oral pain is not only uncomfortable, it also can worsen your condition. If you are experiencing a tooth infection, the bacteria responsible for the infection can spread.

If you have tooth pain, don’t delay – call The Dental Dimensions, a dentist practice in South San Jose at (408) 225-6815.

Have you ever seen someone’s dental crown and the color and size just don’t match the rest of his or her teeth? It takes so much away from the overall esthetics of that smile, doesn’t it?

At Dental Dimensions, Dr. Deepak Shetty and Dr. Kavita Bhatia insist on dental restorations such as porcelain veneers and dental crowns that match surrounding teeth perfectly, looking natural in color, contours, and size. That’s why they use technologically-advanced computer matching for all their restorative and cosmetic work.

No More Human Error

Let’s face it. Human beings aren’t perfect, and when it comes to color matching restorations, past efforts have fallen short of the aesthetic ideal. The result is patients who live with a crown, veneers, inlays or onlays that make them self-conscious about their smile, particular if the problem is on a front tooth.

In response, cosmetic dentists have developed a computerized system which virtually eliminates human error. The dentists at The Dental Dimensions in South San Jose, California use a hand-held, digital scanner to accurately record the color of teeth surrounding the site of restoration and then translate that color into porcelain.

How Color-Matching Works

The color-matching software takes images from the scanner and translates them into the right formula of porcelain powders to produce materials that are perfect in:

• chroma or color
• hue or subtle gradations of color
• intensity of shade and translucency

This amazing software also helps the technician translate the color, hue and intensity to real-life 3 dimensions. With the help of a digital shade guide, the technician can more precisely adjust the resulting look of the porcelain or composite resin material as it will appear in different lighting situations. He or she then creates the restoration according to the dentist’s treatment plan, assured that the final product will blend in with the rest of the patient’s smile.

Long-lasting, Healthy and Dazzling Smiles

Doctors Shetty and Bhatia, their associate dentist, Dr. May Yoneyama, combine the precise skills of modern restorative, cosmetic and preventative dentistry for a dental practice that is second to none in patient care. They offer a wide range of services, including:

• cleanings, x-rays and examinations
• tooth-colored fillings
• root canal therapy
• dental crowns and implants
• periodontal treatments
• comprehensive care for children through senior adults
• sedation
• orthodontics

Call The Dental Dimensions in South San Jose, California

Would you like to know more about color-matched restorations and how they can improve your smile? Contact the friendly staff today for a consultation:(408) 225-6815.

Chewing gum, which originated in ancient societies, is popular for more than just its minty freshness. Whether you use gum to quell anxiety, freshen your breath or simply out of boredom, you may wonder about the effects that chewing gum has on your teeth. These effects have been debated for years, but your San Jose dentist is here to set the record straight.

Is sugar free gum different than sugar-containing gum? 
You should avoid chewing sugar-containing gum. Chewing gum can increase the flow of saliva in the mouth, having a positive effect on plaque acids. While sugar-containing gum has this effect on saliva flow, the sugar itself can cause decay, just like the sugar in a cookie or cola. Sugar-free gum is sweetened with non-sugar sweeteners, which are not known to cause decay.

Are some sugar-free gums better than others? 
The American Dental Association actually gives its seal of approval to some chewing gums. ADA-approved gums, however, only include the sugar-free variety. These gums are sweetened with, for example, xylitol, sorbitol or maltitol, which studies show do not cause tooth decay.

When should chewing gum be avoided? 
You should avoid chewing gum if you have certain dental appliances such as traditional braces, bridges or crowns, as they can become loosened or dislodged, or gum can get stuck in or under them. You should also avoid chewing gum if you suffer from jaw-related conditions like TMJ, as it could make the condition even worse.

Is chewing sugar free gum good for my smile? 
While there are mild benefits to chewing gum, it is certainly not vital to the upkeep of your teeth. It can stimulate saliva flow, helping your mouth to naturally wash away plaque acid, but statistics show that chewing gum does not produce significant results. Just because chewing gum has a few beneficial effects, it should never replace brushing or flossing. The best way to keep your smile healthy and happy is with a committed dental hygiene routine and regular dental appointments and cleanings to catch and treat problems and plaque buildup early.

Whether you have questions about chewing gum, your teeth or scheduling a routine dental checkup, The Dental Dimensions in San Jose, CA is here to help. Call (408) 225-6815 to schedule an appointment today!