When shopping for dental insurance, some plans offer vision insurance with their plan or at a lower cost. Our website provides both vision and dental insurance plans stand-alone and together. Call our office if you like to know more about our dental and vision plans we have to offer at 310-534-3444 M-F 8 am-4 pm

When looking for a dental provider, you may want to find an office that is a multi-specialist family dental practice. Family dentist can are able to address many dental issues you may have. However, there are times when you may need to see a specialist. Going to a dental office with not only your family dentist but a specialist, you can see a specialist when needed and still go to the same location. It also makes it so you do not have to search out a specialist if the need arises

Your Child’s First Dental Appointment.

Your child’s first dental appointment can be exciting, but many parents are still determining what to expect. The dental office will gather information from you to choose your child’s dental needs. At that point, the dentist will do X-rays and a complete oral exam to determine what course of dental treatment may be required. The dentist will also go over the proper preventive dental care that is needed from home in order to maintain your child good oral health care.

You may have a deductible if you have an indemnity dental insurance plan or a PPO dental insurance plan. The deductible is what is changed by the insurance plan before they pay for claims. The dollar amount of the deductible can vary, but it usually is around $50 per person per year. Sometimes if there is no deductible, there is an office co-pay at each dental visit. Ensure you check with your dental plan to be fully aware of your coverage.

Before buying a dental insurance plan, it helps to know your dental care needs.

Some people do not receive dental insurance benefits from their employers. For them, they have to buy their dental insurance plan. Buying a dental insurance plan will often get put off until more significant dental issues need to be addressed.

When that happens, you are left to find a dental insurance plan that can help immediately, even though many plans may have waiting periods. Another area for improvement is whether or not the dental plan you buy will cover the dental care services you may need and to what extent. See a dentist for a consult and treatment plan before purchasing dental insurance. That way, you can shop for the best dental insurance plan that provides coverage for the dental care services suggested to you. Otherwise, try buying a dental insurance plan that fits what your feel is your current dental needs the best.

Avoid Plaque Build-up. 

Plaque Build-up is easy to avoid. One of the best is by brushing and flossing your teeth twice a day every day. Brushing your teeth helps to remove plaque from the tooth surfaces. Flossing will help remove plaque and food bits between your teeth and gums. Flossing is also essential to prevent gum disease. Doing one without the other only gets the job half done and does not protect your teeth as needed. You will also want to see a dentist regularly for dental checkups and cleanings.

What is Dental Plaque, and Why is it Bad?

Plaque is a sticky layer of material containing bacteria that accumulates on teeth. Many foods eaten can cause the bacteria in your mouth to produce acids. Sugary foods are primary sources of plaque.

However, other foods you might not realize can also cause plaque, such as Starches like bread, crackers, and cereal. Plaque produces substances that irritate the gums, making them red, sensitive, and susceptible to bleeding, which can lead to gum disease.

If the gums are not treated, the bone around the teeth can be destroyed, and teeth may become loose or have to be removed.

Heart disease claims at least 250000 lives each year. Many adults know that heart disease is the number one killer of Americans. However, according to a consumer survey by the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), 60 percent of the people surveyed did not know that a sore or painful jaw is one warning sign that may indicate an impending heart attack.

Stress can put Stress on your Teeth.

Many dentists routinely see the signs of Stress and its effects on the teeth. Stress can cause orofacial pain, cold sores, and temporomandibular disorders (TMD/TMJ). People who are stressed can tend to take it out on their teeth by clenching or grinding. The clenching or grinding of teeth can cause damage to the teeth. Talk to your dentist if you are stressed so they know the higher risk factors.

Tongue piercing can cause more than just Chipped Teeth Problems.

Typically people that get tongue piercing may know the risk of chipping their teeth if they are not careful. However, wearing tongue studs can also cause gums to be recessed, nerve damage, and a much more severe for developing a fate infection, such as Ludwig’s angina or endocarditis. (according to a report in the May/June 2004 issue of General Dentistry). Endocarditis occurs when bacteria enter the bloodstream by piercing and infecting the heart. Anyone with a history of heart defects is at risk for endocarditis.

Eating Disorders Can Affect Your Oral Health.

Eating disorders will impact your overall general health but can also damage your oral health. Eating disorders such as anorexia and Bulimia can rob your body of needed vitamins and minerals. Gums can lose their healthy pink color, become increasingly soft and tender, and bleed easily. With Bulimia, excessive vomiting can cause tooth discoloration and tooth enamel erosion. People who have eating disorders may also experience swollen salivary glands, dry mouth, and sensitive teeth. People with eating disorders should inform their dentist so that additional dental care can be provided.

Approximately 35000 new cases of oral cancer are reported annually in the United States. Oral cancer can be difficult to self-diagnose. Therefore seeing a dentist and having routine dental exams are highly recommended. A dentist will feel for lumps or irregular tissue changes in your neck, head, cheeks, and oral cavity and thoroughly examine the soft tissues in your mouth, specifically looking for any sores or discolored tissues. Some indicators of oral cancer can include Bleeding sores, Lumps, and Hard Spots, as well as changes in how your teeth fit together. You should see your dentist or doctor immediately if you notice any of these signs.

In the United States alone, more than 25 million people have diabetes. For people that do have diabetes, oral health care is very important to maintain. Diabetes reduces the body’s resistance to infection. Therefore gums are at a higher risk for gingivitis and gum disease, which can lead to tooth loss. Also, those with diabetes can experience high incidences of oral fungal infections and persistent bad breath.

FDA approved a mouthpiece that takes needles away from dental visits.

The FDA approved the first cryo-anesthetic dental mouthpiece. The new mouthpiece called gumEase makes dental visits much easier, eliminating the need for shots. It’s big news for millions who can’t or don’t wish to use conventional hypodermically delivered anesthesia.

The easy-to-use, disposable device is inserted into the gums for a few minutes. After removal, the anesthetic effect lasts up to twenty minutes and can be repeated. Patients can apply and reuse them post-operatively without the side effects, nausea, or impairment of conventional anesthesia. In tests, the new gumEase diminishes pain by 90% in just 2 to 3 minutes on average.

The Holidays are a time for giving. However, it is important to remember yourself. This holiday season, make sure to maintain good dental hygiene. During the holidays, people can become very busy and have increased stress levels. Sometimes due to that, oral hygiene can suffer. In addition, the holidays tend to lead people to consume more sugary treats and drinks than usual.

If you have extra treats during this time of year, try to drink water or chew on a piece of sugarless gum afterward. Doing so will boost saliva flow in the mouth and help wash away bacteria. Holiday anxiety or stress can cause some people to grind or clench their teeth. Clenching or grinding your teeth can cause jaw pain, headaches, and teeth damage. Try finding ways to relieve your stress, such as yoga, walking, relaxing, etc. If you are still grinding or clenching your teeth, talk to your dentist about getting a custom night guard.

Question: What should you know before choosing a Cosmetic Dentist?

Reply: Cosmetic dental care can be costly and is usually not covered under many dental insurance plans. When making the step to have cosmetic dental services choosing the right dentist is very important. You want to ensure the dentist you choose is skilled in cosmetic dentistry. The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry advises asking the dentist for the following:  

• Any before and after photos of other patients’ dental treatments done by the dentist.  
• Ask for references and ensure the dentist can provide proof of continuing education. 

Another helpful tip is to use review sites such as Yelp and Angie’s List. Google, Yahoo, and Facebook are ways to learn more about cosmetic dentistry.

Dental bonding is a tooth-colored material that can be used to fill in gaps or change the color of teeth. Dental bonding typically requires only a single office visit. Although dental bonding can last several years, it is more susceptible to staining or chipping than other forms of restoration. Bonding can also be used as a tooth-colored filling for small cavities. Additionally, it can be used to close spaces between teeth or cover the entire outside surface of a tooth to change its color and shape.

Under many dental insurance plans bleaching or teething whitening may not be covered since many dental insurance plans will not provide benefits for cosmetic services. Your dentist can perform bleaching or teeth whitening in their office or under dental supervision at home. Generally, your dentist will create a custom mouthpiece to ensure the correct amount of whitening solution is used and that your teeth are correctly exposed. Typically, whitening at home takes two to four weeks, depending on the desired shade you wish to achieve. Whitening in the office may call for one or more 45-minute to one-hour visits to your dentist’s office.

Flossing after each meal provides preventive dental care to maintain healthy teeth and gums. However, correctly flossing is essential to receive the maximum benefits.

Measure the floss at about arm’s length, or approximately 18 inches. Wind each end of the floss around your middle fingers. Grasp 1 to 2 inches of the floss with your index finger and thumb. Then gently glide the floss in between the teeth in a sawing motion. Angle the floss so it hugs the tooth in a c shape. Gently slide the floss up and down the tooth’s surface, ensuring it goes slightly below the gum line. When complete, angle the floss to hug the tooth in the opposite direction and repeat. As you move on to each set of teeth, you will want to unwind the floss from your fingers and rewind it so there is a clean section of floss to use. If unsure if you are flossing correctly, ask your dentist to show you.