Category: Healthcare
Patients often ask which is better, the interdental brush or dental floss. The answer to this question is more nuanced than simply ranking one tool over the other. Both methods of cleaning between the teeth have their advantages.
Invisalign uses clear aligners to correct imperfect teeth and arches. Although treatment usually provides great benefits to sleep apnea patients, what happens if they are already wearing an oral appliance to improve their breathing? Here we answer patient questions by describing how this problem is resolved.
If a patient breaks or loses a metal filling, what should they do with the broken amalgam? Herein we discuss why mercury amalgam should be disposed of properly at a dental office and how to bring the amalgam to your dentist.
A morning cup of coffee is routine for many Americans, but what constitutes a "cup of coffee" anymore? Do the coffee drinks of today have much in common with the phrase "one lump or two," and how does that affect the oral health?
Interproximal reduction, or IPR, is a dental technique used to create space between the teeth. Since it involves removing some of the enamel, many patients worry about its consequences. How much is removed? What does that represent? Why is it typically done?
Dental amalgam may contain mercury, but it is still considered safe by both the American Dental Association and the Food and Drug Administration. Nevertheless, there are patients that the Sacramento Dentistry Group does not consider good candidates for use of dental amalgam.
Products from the neem tree are traditionally used in its indigenous country of India for oral hygiene. Now its observed anti-inflammatory properties are being touted for pain treatment, including that caused by TMJ syndrome. What is indicated by the scientific literature and have any reputable human studies been performed?
Many people drink decaffeinated beverages for various reasons — to avoid insomnia, to lower their blood pressure, and simply to avoid caffeine. Will such steps also help to keep their teeth whiter? The answers lie in understanding the ingredients that cause tooth stains.
The Sacramento Dentistry Group recently purchased the Ceramill Motion 2. This countertop milling machine can form all sorts of dental appliances using digital technology. Keeping the system in-house guarantees superior delivery for our patients.
Intraoral scanning has changed the way dentists take images of the teeth and gums. Before, sticky dental molds captured an impression of teeth as the patient bit down on a tray of plaster. Today, you can take better images with the iTero digital scanner and the newest system available is the Element.
Patients with dentures worry about various types of delicious foods, including cherries, staining their false teeth. Unfortunately, this fear has a solid basis in fact! Nevertheless, patients can still enjoy healthy foods and white dentures. This article explains what causes such staining from cherries and how to handle it.
Polyphenols provided by cranberries are believed to have benefits for oral health and studies also appear to back up this claim. What are some potential consequences of a high cranberry diet in the United States?
Pains or aches in the mouth can unfortunately be caused by many different problems, each with its own solution. It takes an experienced dentist to diagnose the cause of mouth pain. Any type of mouth pain warrants a trip to the dentist to determine its source.
Lip piercings are a common form of jewelry, but they come with side effects. Can one of these side effects be bad breath? The Sacramento Dentistry Group uses its history with patient visitations and research to answer this question.
Mouthguards regularly prevent sports injuries around the world. Their necessity is seldom questioned, but is a customized mouthguard really essential? Why mouthguards are needed and why customizing is effective are discussed in this article.
Tori or tori mandibulares represent a subject of increasing interest on the Internet. What are they? What causes them? And do people need to worry about them? This article answers these questions.
Patients ask if there is such a thing as brushing too much. The truth is that even a good thing can be done to excess. Various factors are involved in deciding how much is too much, and these are discussed in this article.
Many dental patients are unaware of the high acid content of many common beverages, such as sodas, fruit juices, sweet teas and sport drinks. This press release presents the average numbers for the most common classes of drinks and provides solutions to prevent damage to tooth enamel.
Dental extractions today are far different from the teeth pulling of the past. With modern anesthetics and sedation techniques, the patient does not even have to feel any pain or be awake during the procedure. This article explains the tools used to extract teeth and what is done to replace them afterwards.
Many people spend significant money and time on over-the-counter tooth whitening products. They're in mouthwash, dental floss, toothpaste and kits. Are these whiteners worth the time and price?
Many people are curious about whether UV light lives up to expectations as a sanitizer. A related question, however, is how does ultraviolet kill microbes? The answer involves a fascinating look at DNA and the damage caused by ultraviolet light.
A client recently asked the question of whether tap water was safe for use when brushing their teeth. This article addresses this question and points out the benefits of tap water for both drinking and oral hygiene.
Patients occasionally note that their teeth feel loose while they undergo an orthodontic procedure with Invisalign. Is this normal? Is it simply part of the orthodontic process? Why don't their friends with braces feel the same way? This article answers these questions.
Every month, patients ask the dentists at the Sacramento Dentistry Group if dental x-rays are dangerous. In this press release, we discuss the answer to the question and reveal dangers that are far greater and much more common than any complications due to the small amounts of dental x-ray radiation.
What does a healthy tongue look like? What are signs of disease in the tongue? What can I do to keep my tongue healthy? All of these questions are considered in this article about the characteristics of a healthy tongue.
Invisalign is a clear plastic form of orthodontics, preferred by many for its invisibility and comfort. Can this treatment method cause oral cysts to form? An examination of the medical literature reveals the answer.
An FSA or HSA are health care accounts used to save on taxes while paying for health care. Many patients with crooked teeth wonder if orthodontic treatment, such as Invisalign, is included in the permissible expenses.
It is now fairly common practice for dentists to take x-rays and digital photographs of their patients' teeth. Why do dentists need surface level pictures when they already have sub-surface pictures via x-rays? This article explains the value of digital photography to modern dentists and their patients.
Oral piercings represent a health risk for the teeth and gums. Nevertheless, the dentists at the Sacramento Dentistry Group still want to see patients who wear piercings. Continued dental care is critical for monitoring the complications that often result from piercings.
Arch width is often a factor in various dental and health problems. Crowded teeth are connected with arch width. A higher risk of bruxism and sleep apnea are also found in people with narrow arches. So what is an average size dental arch and what is considered narrow?
A recent study from Sweden links poor oral health with a reduced risk of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Does this mean that people should not care for their teeth? What are the negative consequences of poor oral hygiene. The Sacramento Dentistry Group discusses the implications of this study.
Eating is made more difficult when teeth go missing. Dental implants replace teeth by securing a solid post to the jawbone and then attaching a replacement tooth to the post. This is an ideal technology, but some cannot use it and others cannot afford it. Are there compromises available that preserving customary eating habits? The Sacramento Dentistry Group answers this question.
Some people worry that getting orthodontic treatment, especially with clear plastic aligners like Invisalign, leads to loose teeth and tooth loss. For an explanation regarding this fear, the dentists of the Sacramento Dentistry Group provide an explanation of how orthodontic forces affect the teeth.
The Associated Press recently attacked the value of dental floss. The Sacramento Dentistry Group weighs in.
To ease anxiety, many dentists recommend that patients visit the dental clinic before their first appointment. The Sacramento Dentistry Group makes this possible via the Internet with a virtual tour that appears on their home page.
While dentures may be "false teeth," they still need daily cleaning to keep them white and sanitary. In this article, the dentists of the Sacramento Dentistry Group present information on how you can safely and effectively clean your dentures and make sure they stay in their best possible condition.
Although dentures are artificial teeth, they still stain much like real teeth. Although it is easiest to simply avoid staining foods, there are also methods of avoiding the stains by combining other foods into the meal. This article discusses three primary stain agents and how their effect can be limited.
While narrow arches are often implicated in sleep apnea problems, breathing problems may be the cause of narrow arches in the first place. Sacramento Dentistry Group examines the factors linked to mouth breathing that are cited as causing improper arch development when people are youngsters. Narrow arches can be corrected by orthodontics.
Toothaches cause considerable pain, and medical professionals place them in the top 3 for excruciating situations. What happens if you ignor
Porcelain veneers are now available in ultra-thin models that do not require the dentist to permanently alter the shape of the patient's teeth. With this advantage, many more people want to use veneers to solve unsightly stains, chips and minor cracks in their teeth.
IPR or Interproximal Reduction is a common procedure used during Invisalign orthodontic treatment. IPR is often necessary when patients have crowded teeth. This article explains what IPR is, how it works and why patients should not fear IPR.
Many people dread the thought of using dentures if they lose their teeth. Modern implant-mounted dentures eliminate many of the problems and complications that come with ordinary dentures. Easy to use and to install, implant dentures are the best option for most denture patients.
Dr. Will Koett has joined the Sacramento Dentistry Group as another one of its fine dentists. Dr. Koett looks forward to providing patient services for root canals, dental implants and many other comprehensive dental procedures. Contact information for Dr. Koett is provided.
The excellent service provided by the Sacramento Dentistry Group is complemented by the care given at its affiliate offices in Placerville and Yuba City. Here we introduce the dentists and procedures found at all three practices, including the Placerville Dental Group and the Yuba City Dentistry Group.
Perio Protect is a novel method of fighting gum disease. Convenient and custom-fit trays hold medicine in place so it can't be washed away by oral fluids. The Sacramento Dentistry Group offers Perio Protect to fight gingivitis and periodontitis.
Many patients find it impossible to visit the dentist due to deep-seated fears, a strong gag reflex, an intolerance for pain or the simple inability to sit still. Various forms of sedatives make it possible for these clients to visit the dentist and successfully receive care without any bad experiences.
Periodontitis is the most severe form of gum disease. Severe inflammation and gum recession often leads to tooth loss for patients with this problem. The latest recommendation from the American Dental Association suggests root planing and scaling as the first line of treatment.
What are some ways to reduce the risk of contracting oral cancer and how do these Sacramento dentists improve their chances of an early diagnosis with VELscope screening are topics discussed in this article.