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You may have had experiences where you struggled with your own dental health. These challenges can inspire you to make decisions that help your child take care of their own teeth early and often. With the help of a professional dentist in Mission Viejo, there are a few standards you can establish to give your kids a shining example and role model for a lifetime of happy, healthy smiles.

Put Your Dental Habits on Display

Instead of making verbal comments about how well you care for your teeth or how many times to brush per day, change up your routine to brush alongside your child. When they see the right example in front of them, it can help them make adjustments to improve their own brushing and cleaning routine. In addition, this improves bonding time with your kids and turn teeth cleaning into a fun family activity.

Set Up Scheduled Dental Visits

Even if you are anxious of making visits to the dentist yourself, think about how your kids will perceive dental offices if they see your hesitation. Set a good example early by scheduling regular dental cleanings and visits each year. Your kids can then see how important dental care is and associated visits to the dentist as a positive, valuable experience.

For additional information about dental care and to set up your next scheduled visit, contact the team and Mission Viejo dentist at Pro Health Dental today.

Whether you have been formally diagnosed with sleep bruxism (the scientific term for grinding or clenching your teeth while you sleep) or you believe you may have it, experts agree that wearing a protective night guard is one of the best things you can do. Of course, knowing that you should invest in a nightguard and actually doing so can be very different things. This article will explore every step of the process, from defining the symptoms associated with sleep bruxism to how to select a guard that suits your needs.

Sleep Bruxism Explained

Doctors aren’t sure why some people grind their teeth at night, but there are several potential risk factors. If you deal with stress or anxiety, you are more likely to clench your teeth at night than others. Individuals with abnormal bites caused by missing or crooked teeth also seem to grind more often than the general public. Similarly, certain sleep disorders are associated with sleep bruxism. A 2016 study in the Journal of the American Dental Association also revealed that consumers of alcohol and tobacco products are up to twice as likely to grind their teeth.

You could have sleep bruxism even if you don’t fit any of these high-risk criteria, so the best thing to do is consider your symptoms. If you regularly wake up with jaw discomfort, experience frequent morning headaches, or struggle with insomnia, you should consider the possibility that sleep bruxism is to blame. Likewise, you may have sleep bruxism if you wake up with unexplained dental or orthodontic damage. If your partner complains that you make loud grinding noises as you sleep, that can also be an indication that you need to do something.

What to Do About It

Unfortunately, there are no known cures for sleep bruxism. If you were hoping for a pill or surgical solution for your problems, you will be disappointed. Thankfully, many people find that simply wearing a retentive nightguard every night significantly mitigates or even eliminates their symptoms.

If you are familiar with why athletes wear mouthguards to protect themselves from oral injury, you already understand the basics of how night guards work. A night guard is really just a cushion that prevents your upper and lower jaws from physically touching each other, reducing the damage caused by nighttime teeth grinding.

Selecting the Right Night Guard

The most important thing to consider when selecting a nightguard is comfort. If your guard makes it difficult for you to breathe or compromises your ability to communicate with your significant other, you may not wear it when you’re supposed to. Obviously, even the best guard will do nothing if you’re not wearing it at night.

If you wear braces or other special dental equipment, it is best to look for a guard made specifically to accommodate them. For example, some boil-and-bites can be molded to your specific bite after every orthodontic adjustment, providing much more value to people with braces than guards that can only be molded once before their retentive properties diminish.

Price is also a vital consideration. Night guards are available at a variety of price points, ranging from a few backs for OTC (or over the counter) options to thousands of dollars to have a dentist custom-fit a guard to your mouth. Some OTC options are just as effective as their professional counterparts, so don’t assume that spending more money will automatically yield better results. That said, you should watch out for guards made out of inferior materials that you can grind straight through.

Dental insurance will generally pick up at least some of the tab for nightguards, especially if your smile has been visibly damaged by teeth clenching. Every policy differs though, so you should ask your provider what they would be willing to pay for.

Parting Thoughts

Sleep bruxism sounds scary, but you may find relief through the simple act of wearing a night guard when you go to bed. If you frequently wake up with a sore mouth, damaged braces, or unexplained headaches, adding a nightguard to your bedtime routine could help reduce the impact your symptoms have on your everyday life. You may be surprised by the difference it can make!

Calcium helps your teeth by strengthening tooth enamel. 

In previous times, a tooth extraction was necessary because it was decayed. Instead of managing a gap in your smile, you would fill in the space with dental implants. Following the surgery, however, there are several things that you are not recommended to do in order to optimize your recovery. Here are several things our Mission Viejo dentist recommends not doing after a dental implant procedure.

Smoking

Dental implants rely on a process known as osseointegration, which is how the jawbone develops and grows around the implants. Smoking or chewing tobacco can affect the mouth’s healing process, which is essential for recovery in the immediate months following dental implant placement. This is a major reason to quit smoking after you have had this procedure completed.

Excessive Rinsing

After receiving dental implants, it is recommended to avoid rinsing vigorously throughout the rest of the day as well as the following day. Excessive rinsing can disturb the implant site and cause bleeding. When you are cleaning your teeth, gently swish the mouthwash around your mouth. Instead of spitting out the mouthwash fluid, just let it flow out of your mouth over the sink.

Intense Exercise

Intense physical activity can increase blood flow and lead to bleeding around the dental implant area. For the following 2-3 days after surgery, simply avoid strenuous exercise and create more time to rest until you are cleared by your dentist.

Hard or Hot Foods

Following dental implant placement, it is better to maintain a soft food diet for the immediate few days after. Eating hot or spicy food can affect the healing process. In addition, any foods you do eat should be chewed on the opposite side of the mouth from your plant. This allows a few extra days for your implant site to heal without any interruptions.

Drinking with a Straw

When using a straw to drink, the suction created in the mouth can potentially dislodge the blood clot forming over the implant site. This can lead to pain and also create a condition known as dry socket. Make sure to avoid drinking carbonated beverages as that could irritate the gum tissue around the site.

Follow these instructions on what not to do after dental implant surgery, and you can have the best conditions for recovery.

Calcium helps your teeth by strengthening tooth enamel. 

Enamel is the hard outer surface of the teeth, which is the primary line of defense that protects your teeth from erosion and decay. 

Proper levels of calcium also promote the development of teeth and bones. This is important for children, as their body is producing these vital components. 

However, calcium is also important for the adult mouth, as teeth are anchored in bone tissue, and keeping that tissue healthy is essential to avoid tooth loss.

Where Can You Get Calcium?

Most foods like dairy products, seafood, vegetables, and fruits contain calcium including:

• Dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt
• Fortified tofu
• Seafood like sardines and salmon
• Vegetables like broccoli, kale, green beans, and collards
• Fruits like oranges
• Almonds

You might be surprised at the number of foods that contain calcium that are already part of your daily diet. 

Once you make it a point to receive the daily recommended amount of calcium, you can expect to enjoy a number of health benefits that research has linked to calcium consumption.

Is Calcium Really That Important?

Your mouth contains naturally occurring bacteria that use the foods and drinks we consume to produce harmful substances that slowly erode away at the durable outer layer of our teeth known as enamel. 

Over time, enamel becomes weakened and cracks begin to form that allow bacteria to reach the delicate interior of a tooth. Once inside, bacteria can lead to the development of tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease.

Calcium can help improve your oral health by better fortifying teeth against oral bacteria. Calcium acts as a remineralization agent for tooth enamel, meaning it helps to repair the damage caused by bacteria. 

So just like bones in the rest of your body, the more calcium you consume, the stronger and more resilient your teeth become.

What Happens When You Don’t Receive The Right Amount of Calcium

Not receiving the right amount of calcium can lead to deterioration and weakening of the bones and teeth which use most of the body’s calcium.

Low calcium can prevent children from reaching their full potential adult height. 

It lowers bone mass in adults that can lead to osteoporosis. It also increases the risk of gum disease, tooth decay, and jaw-joint problems.

Research found that those who take less calcium than what the body necessitates are 54 percent more likely to develop gum diseases. Additionally, teeth can weaken and become more susceptible to tooth decay.

Getting the right amount of calcium is especially important for infants and toddlers who are still developing their first set of teeth, called primary teeth.

Even though they eventually fall out, primary teeth are vital for the development of the permanent or adult teeth as they serve as a guide.

If children lose their primary teeth earlier than normal, they can suffer from spacing problems, as well as chewing and speaking issues.

If your teeth are developing cavities due to lack of calcium, visit Pro Health Dental for fillings. Getting enough calcium is a vital component of preventive dentistry, especially for kids.oint to receive the daily recommended amount of calcium, you can expect to enjoy a number of health benefits that research has linked to calcium consumption.

Read More About Cosmetic Dentistry:

• Whitening Systems that Can Help Make Teeth Shine
• The Long-term Benefits Whitening can Have On Your Smile
• Why You Should not Disregard Flossing

Families in Mission Viejo have the opportunity to take advantage of an incredible dental resource. It is very beneficial to have access to an office that specializes in cosmetic procedures like replacement tooth implants. Dr. Gruita grew up in a family of doctors and dentists. She took an interest in helping people improve their smiles at a very early age. She has been at the forefront of helping people achieve excellent oral health for more than twenty years. Implants are her specialty, and she wants future patients to understand how simple getting an implant can be.

Preparing for Dental Implants

Injuries, along with other life circumstances, can wreak havoc in a person’s mouth. Many people have noticeable gaps from missing teeth. Missing teeth can be a strong contributor to low self-esteem. Even if a gap is not noticeable, it can cause other mouth problems.

When a tooth is missing for a long time, a person’s jawbone density will suffer. Without the stimulation from chewing food, the bone at the point of the gap will decay. This will cause other teeth to move, and will radically affect bite patterns. It could also change the shape of a person’s face.

Before any implants are installed, a dentist must determine if something like bone grafting is needed. Adequate amounts of healthy bone are necessary to support an implant. Several months might be needed to build the right amount of bone.

An Expert Dentist Makes Implants Simple

When a person’s mouth is ready to receive an implant, they will be placed under a customized anesthesia regimen. The implantation process involves accessing deep points in the mouth, but patients will experience very little discomfort.

A dental team will access the bone in the tooth gap. This means incising the gums enough to insert a new tooth base that has a tiny titanium screw. The base is affixed to the bone just below the gum surface. At this point, time will be given for the bone to begin fusing to the base and screw. This action could take several weeks.

When a client returns for the final steps of their dental implant, the base will again be accessed. If the base is solidly in place, the cap portion of the implant will be installed. Restorative gum suturing could be needed, but at this point, the implant appears as a natural tooth.

The final step is to make a mold of your smile with the new tooth in its place. This allows for any necessary shaping that helps the implant fit well with your other teeth. After your implant is finished, you will be required to follow a very strict cleaning plan at home. You will also need regular dental checkups each year.

Dr. Gruita is always excited to work with new patients. She can perform dental implants for adults who have lived with tooth gaps for a very long time. She can also help children feel better about their appearance. If you need a dental implant in Mission Viejo, consult with Dr. Gruita and her team. Everyone deserves a full and brilliant smile.

It is rightly said, “A healthy smile always demands great dental care.” That alone defines how dental care has been the sole reason to keep you chewing and smiling. You may be thinking that you brush daily and that too twice a day, so no dental issue can bother you. But, in reality, there is much more than brushing that is needed, and i.e., flossing. It is the art of cleaning the particles stuck between your teeth. Many people overlook the need to floss, but this is what would keep your teeth last for a lifetime.

Read on, to get a fair idea as to why you should not skip flossing:

Where Brush Cannot Reach, Flossing Can

Not everyone realizes it, but there are a lot of tiny food particles and bacteria that stay stuck in-between the teeth. These are places where not even a bristles of a brush can reach. Eliminating the unwanted particles becomes all the more essential which, in turn, makes flossing indispensable.

According to the dentists, if you floss daily, one can do away with problems such as tooth decay, tartar buildup, and periodontal diseases. Flossing just takes a few minutes every day, and if you could take out this small fraction from your busy schedule, you could save your teeth and that happy smile.

A Much-Needed Protection Of The Gums

For a matter of fact, the importance of gums and jaws in maintaining teeth health can’t be overlooked. At the root of the teeth lie the jaw bones. The jaws are responsible for holding the roots of the teeth that gives them a firm structure and a foundation to grow. The gums are known to the coverings to the root of the teeth and the jaw bones.

Where the teeth and gums join, is where flossing is important. The tiny food particles and the plaque formed can lead to the formation of tartar. When that happens, you would be left with no choice other than visiting a dentist. If left unattended, you are likely to suffer from gingivitis, a condition related to swollen and reddened gums.

Financial Savings Worth The Hype

Health care expenditures have been increasing day by day. People have been facing a lot of health issues lately, owing to the lack of self-care and ignorance. If you could save some money on dental care needs, then why not? The key is to focus on dental care on a regular basis, by brushing and flossing regularly.

This is also known as preventative care, i.e., doing the needful on your behalf to reduce the dire consequences later. Even cosmetic dentists suggest to brush and floss daily to help avert the severe dental problems. Surprisingly, studies too suggest that dental emergency care costs ten times more than the regular checkups.

Looking at the three majorly important reasons why flossing should not be overlooked, you would know what is best for you. Remember, always combine brushing with flossing and make your teeth last longer than your imaginations. If looking for dental care clinics near you, rely on reputed dentists in Mission Viejo. Lastly, Better teeth are equal to better health!

Read More:

• Foods that Contribute to Chipped Teeth
• How Fastbraces Maximize the Teeth Straightening Experience
• Performing Maintenance on Veneers

You might have come to the dentist for a lot of different procedures that could range from regular cleanings to getting a filling. A cosmetic dentist can help you look your best. You should use their services when you have a lot of dental problems to deal with, and you can get everything from Invisalign to teeth whitening and veneers. Start reading to see what services a cosmetic dentist can provide.

Where Are You Going?

A dentist in Mission Viejo can help you look your best, with affordable services conducted in a clean, welcoming environment. You can have a great smile for an affordable price, all while conducting regular teeth cleanings to prevent any serious oral health issues.

Teeth Whitening

You can get your teeth whitened with strips or trays that are offered through the dentist’s office. Put on the tray every night, and your teeth are a little bit whiter in the morning. The strips are easier to use, since they can fit around your everyday activities. You can also undergo a more intensive teeth whitening session with machines in the office.

Invisalign

Invisalign consists of a series of clear plastic aligners that straighten your teeth. This form of orthodontics is a great substitute for traditional braces. The greatest advantage of Invisalign is that it is invisible, allowing you to receive orthodontic treatment without the hassle of brackets and wires. Invisalign is perfect for adults, teens, and kids: anyone who needs their teeth straightened.

Veneers

These are the simplest way for you to improve your smile. Veneers are like a protective covering for your teeth. They present a bright smile to the world, making you look like a movie star. In fact, a lot of movie stars have veneers because they are a lot faster and less painful than having a lot of dental work done. You spend a small amount of money on this service, and your teeth can turn out perfect.

Spend Less

The best way to keep you and your family’s teeth as clean as possible is to take the time to visit the office for your regular dental checkups. Our dentists look over your teeth and determine what treatments you need, if any. You could straighten your teeth, whiten your teeth, or do a combination of those things to look your best.

Conclusion

The best part of fixing your teeth is that you can choose any path that you want. It is very simple for any patient to come in and get a consultation, or look at a list of all the services that Pro Health Dental offers. You could straighten your teeth with orthodontics, or get veneers that make your smile shine like a movie star.

Ever wonder how so many Hollywood actors and actresses have perfect smiles? Do they all sleep with their retainer in? Is it just great genetics? While there are many paths towards a great smile, the billboard smiles that you’re used to seeing on TV and in movie theaters are often the result of veneers.

Veneers are a great way to a quick and gorgeous smile. But since the procedure is irreversible, getting veneers is a big decision. So the Mission Viejo dentist and the team at Pro Dental Health are here to help you learn about veneers and decide if they’re right for you.

What are veneers?

Veneers are porcelain pieces crafted to re-create the natural appearance and resilience of tooth enamel. Each is custom-made to fit the contours of your teeth and mouth, then stuck to your original tooth’s enamel.

Why get veneers?

Less intrusive and time-consuming than braces or crowns, veneers can close gaps, correct misalignments, brighten or whiten your teeth, and hide any chips or fractures that you might have.

How do you get veneers?

Getting veneers typically takes one to two appointments, depending on if the veneer is pre-fabricated or if it must be created in a lab. Below are the steps to getting your veneers placed.

1. Typically, placing veneers does not require local anesthesia, but for sensitive patients, it can be used if needed. Your dentist will clean your teeth and pick the correct shade for the veneer. Then they’ll shave down a small amount of tooth enamel to give you room for the veneer.
2. An impression of your tooth will be made and given to the laboratory so that they can place a temporary veneer on the tooth while you wait for a permanent veneer to be crafted.
3. After the lab delivers your new porcelain veneer, your dentist will remove your temporary veneer and clean your tooth with pumice and water. After the veneer is etched to fit your tooth, it is thoroughly washed and dried. An adhesive is applied to the veneer, and it is placed on your tooth.
4. The veneer is light-cured for about a minute on all sides of it so that it properly attaches to the tooth structure.
5. If necessary, your dentist may remove excess material from the veneer and polish its margins.

Veneers are a quick, safe, and easy way to get an amazing smile. If you would like more information on the procedure, please contact Pro Health Dental today.

Everyone wants straight teeth. It’s the process of getting those teeth straight that keeps people from doing it. Crooked teeth not only look unsightly but can cause health problems down the road if your teeth can’t be properly cleaned. But many people would rather risk that than worry about being self-conscious 24/7 with adult braces. But we at Pro Health Dental want you to know that Invisalign’s clear braces can straighten your smile and keep people from noticing while you do it.

Perks of Invisalign

• Appearance: The most obvious perk, and the reason for which the product was initially created, are Invisalign’s clear trays, which are next to invisible as they sit on top of your teeth. That means that the attention your teeth will get will be after they’re straightened, not during the process.
• Speed: Metal braces could take as long as five years to straighten your teeth. While Invisalign treatment times will vary by patient, most people only use Invisalign for 12 to 18 months before their teeth are perfectly straight.
• Comfort: Say goodbye to the stinging pain of braces tightening appointments with your orthodontist. With Invisalign, you get a progressive set of trays. Each tray gets straighter the longer you’re in treatment so that every time your tray fits perfectly without discomfort.
• Safety: Traditional metal braces often use protruding metal and wires that can scratch and puncture the inside of your mouth and gums. In contrast, Invisalign trays are smooth and fit snugly over your teeth, reducing the damage caused to your mouth.
• Food: When you are wearing metal braces, you have to avoid many foods. Anything that is particularly hard or chewy and could stick to or damage your braces or wiring must be avoided until treatment is complete. With Invisalign, you simply take the trays out of your mouth when you plan to eat or drink, then put them back in when you’re done. You’re free to eat whatever you want.
• Removable: While it’s true that you should keep your Invisalign trays in your mouth as much as you can to ensure the quickest treatment possible, as stated above, you can remove them when you need to. That means if you have a major event or occasion, you can pop your tray out and then put it back in when you’re finished.

You can get straight teeth without signaling the process to the world with braces. If you’d like more information on Invisalign, please contact us at Pro Health Dental and schedule an appointment today.

As “that time of year” creeps around the corner, Pro Health Dental thought we’d share some tips for taking care of your teeth during what many consider their oral health off season. Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas make up a tooth terror trifecta during a year’s fourth quarter, so it’s important to keep your brushing and flossing game consistently strong.

No matter how much you love Pro Health Dental, we probably don’t top the list of people you want to spend quality time with over the holidays. Follow these five tips to steer clear of emergency trips to the dentist’s office this season.

First, don’t crack nuts or open bottles with your teeth.

We know that lots of protein can be found in nuts. This helps keep muscles and bones strong, but it does a number on your teeth, putting stress on them. The hard surface of most nutshells and even the fruits (or nuts) of your labors (think almonds) will undoubtedly cause tooth and gum damage, which may even result in cracked teeth. Instead, opt for almond or cashew butter, or at the very least choose the sliced or chopped variety of your favorite nuts, because it takes all that undue stress away from your teeth.

Using proper tools to open packages and bottles will save your teeth as well. Gripping a package or stubborn bottle cap with your grill can do some serious damage, possibly so much that you’ll need a root canal or crown.

Second, say “nay” to chewy treats.

Holiday candy platters and having free reign over a Halloween bag can do much harm to your teeth. Sticky, sugar-loaded substances like caramel and taffy will cling to tooth enamel and promote tooth decay, in some cases yanking out fillings entirely. If you choose to eat these sweets, do so sparingly. Make sure to brush your teeth no sooner than 20 minutes after enjoying these treats.

Third, avoid chewing hard candy and ice cubes.

You’d be surprised how many patients we see who ignore this obvious rule. Save time and money by doing away with chewing hard foods and candies altogether. Get your sugar fix from dark chocolate, it’s healthier for you than other options. Otherwise, just be patient and let your candy and ice cubes dissolve naturally.

Fourth, quit with the nail biting.

We know that the holidays can be stressful, which is the exact opposite effect they’re meant to have. Spending time with sides of the family you’ve relinquished to desert islands of your mind can cause anxiety, at which point many find themselves succumbing to nervous tics. Anxious nail nibbling is bad for your cuticles and for your teeth. This dirty little habit is also linked to teeth grinding (bruxism), clenching, and jaw problems like TMJ. If you get a sudden urge to chew, try to distract yourself for a minute or two. See if the feeling goes away. If the urge persists, try using clear, horrible-tasting nail polish to deter you. If this still doesn’t work, it may be time to try a hypnotist!

Lastly, Visit Pro Health Dental Over the Holidays

Your best line of defense will always be your friendly neighborhood dental specialist in Mission Viejo, CA. Keep your bi-annual visits with us and we’ll be able to closely monitor your progress. We’ll custom tailor an aggressive oral health plan that no holiday grind can compromise. Call today to schedule your check-up or your consultation.