How Medications Affect Your Teeth

Most people are going to take some form of prescription medication at some point in their life. Whether it is painkillers immediately following a surgery or injury or pills that are designed to regulate one’s blood pressure, these types of treatments are exceedingly common throughout the country. Due to the fact that they are prescribed by medical professionals, many patients may not realize that these medications may be taking a toll on one’s oral health. This is why our dentist in East Los Angeles believes that all patients should understand some of the side effects that their medication may be having on their teeth and gums.

TMJ Disorders

Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is a relatively common condition that affects the jaws, bones, and joints of an individual’s mouth. The Temporomandibular joint is one of the most complex joints in the body, and when an individual begins to suffer from trauma or damage to this area, they may experience problems with all actions involving their mouth, including speaking and eating. Here is a look at the basics of this disorder and some of the treatments that our East Los Angeles dentist may suggest to treat it.

Connection between Stress and Oral Health

Stress is something that almost every human being is going to experience at some point in their life. Whether it is over relationships or finances, overwhelming amounts of stress are eventually going to take a physical toll on one’s body, including their oral health. The mouth is often highly susceptible to changes in hormones, anxiety, depression, and stress. If you are looking for ways to avoid serious health complications due to stress, our dentist in East Los Angeles is ready to assist you.

Differences between White Fillings and Silver Fillings

One of the most common oral treatments in the world is the dental filling. Within the United States alone, millions of cavities are filled in order to restore the integrity of a tooth. For many years, patients had limited options when it came to fillings. With recent advances and cutting edge new composites, an individual’s next trip to our East Los Angeles cosmetic dentist may now require them to choose between metal and tooth colored fillings. In order to make a more informed decision, here is a look at the pros and cons of these two types of fillings.

Various Methods of Teeth Whitening

One of the most commonly requested cosmetic treatments in the world is teeth whitening. No longer exclusively reserved for the rich and famous, various teeth whitening methods have become accessible for anyone that would like a brighter and healthier looking smile. Here is a look at a few methods in which patients can have the whitest smile of their life.

Importance of Having Regular Dental Checkups

An inspection of the mouth reveals quite a bit about the human body.  Not only does oral health directly tie to one’s overall well-being, small changes to the mouth may be indicators that something much more serious is taking place in another part of the body.

People with Diabetes and Oral Care

With nearly 21 million Americans dealing with diabetes every single day, oral care may be just one more issue that they need to be considering.  Ongoing studies have begun to show startling links between diabetes and oral care, but many are asking which one is leading to the other?  Our East Los Angeles dentist believes that all diabetics should understand some of the risks that they should be made aware of in regards to their oral health.

Wisdom Teeth and When to Remove Them

Many people have their wisdom teeth removed, and some question when it is appropriate to have this oral surgery. Of course, wisdom teeth are not removed simply for fun; there should be a valid medical reason to perform this surgery.

Tooth Sensitivity and Its Treatments

If you have a problem with tooth sensitivity, you already know that it can be painful and even embarrassing. Eating becomes a problem; you may not be able to enjoy your favorite foods. Our cosmetic dentist in East Los Angeles has treatments for tooth sensitivity which will allow you to enjoy your favorite foods without pain.

Foods that can Stain the Teeth

Did you know that some foods you eat can permanently stain your teeth? Over time, many common foods can cause permanent stains to your teeth, dulling your beautiful smile. Our East Los Angeles dentist wants you to have the facts about foods which stain teeth and how to treat these staining problems.

Treatments for Tooth Grinding

Tooth grinding, or bruxism, is the act of grinding or clenching the teeth. While tooth grinding can happen throughout the day, it mainly occurs during sleep. Therefore, a person may not be aware that they are even doing it, until they develop symptoms like a sore jaw, sensitive teeth, cheek irritation or perpetual headaches. In some situations, your sleep partner may also hear you grinding your teeth at night.

Causes of Dry Mouth

Everyone experiences a dry mouth once in a while, which causes them to have problems speaking, swallowing or chewing. However, some people have chronic dry mouth that, if left untreated, can create more serious health problems such as dental decay, oral infections and diminishing taste sensations.

Causes of Bad Breath

Everyone has experienced an occasional case of bad breath after consuming particularly potent foods or select drinks. To remedy the situation, you brush your teeth. It is important to brush after every meal, if possible. Otherwise, be sure to brush at least twice each day. When brushing, make sure to scrap the tongue, because it is a breeding ground for bad breath. Flossing and rinsing with anti-microbial mouth rinses may also help.

Routine Oral Care

To keep your teeth clean and healthy, it is vital to make brushing and flossing part of your routine oral care. In addition, you need to visit Dr. Elyson, dentist in East Los Angeles, or Dr. Assili for regular check-ups and in-depth cleanings. Otherwise, you are at risk for a variety of problems such as plaque build-up and tooth or gum decay. These can lead to the need for extractions or a root canal. Routine oral care is also the foundation for success with cosmetic procedures like teeth whitening.

Benefits of Fluoridation

A great majority of the public's drinking water supplies in the United States are treated with fluoride in order to prevent tooth decay. Without fluoridation, the public is susceptible to hazardous bacteria, which can cause cavities and tooth decay. Left untreated, these dental issues can lead to serious problems, some of which may require that a patient undergo extractions or even a root canal.

Advantages of Dental Fillings

If you have a cavity and need to discuss treatment, our East Los Angeles dentist is ready to help you.

If you are concerned about the appearance of metal amalgam fillings, you could opt for tooth-colored fillings. These fillings are made from strong plastics, glass, and other materials which give durability, but match your teeth in color and contour, so that they are virtually invisible.

Treatment of Tooth Decay

Tooth decay is the name of the process in which teeth are damaged by harmful bacteria. Bacteria live in the mouth at all times, and are required to begin the job of breaking down certain components in foods. However, when bacteria which thrive in the sugars present in certain foods produce acid by-products, tooth enamel can be damaged and cavities can form. If left untreated, bacterial decay can lead to lost teeth and to gum disease. Our East Los Angeles dentist can educate you about tooth decay and how to prevent it.