Author: adv-admin

Good oral health means more than just brushing your teeth every day. There are steps everyone can be following to ensure premium oral health and less problems down the road. Here are some tips and tricks on some of those steps:

1. Understand Your Personal Oral Health: be sure to mention any key medical conditions or needs you have to your dentist/hygienist so they can take the best care of you possible. Mentioning things like braces/retainers/etc. can help the dentist ensure they cater to your needs when cleaning your teeth. Other serious health problems like tooth decay or past issues with periodontitis or bacterial infections may also require additional dental treatment, so be sure to mention those things. This ensures you get the best care and cleaning possible to keep your smile healthy and happy.
2. Develop a Daily Health Routine: any special conditions that you have such as pregnancies or diabetes or other bacterial infections that may be require extra care should be incorporated into your daily routine. Develop a routine that is easy to follow and stick doing it each day. Discuss the conditions you may have with your dentist to come up with the best plan that’s right for you.
3. Use Fluoride. The fluoride treatments at the dentist can help children and adults alike keep their teeth strong and healthy. Check with your local water company to see if the fluoride levels in the water are adequate, and if not contact your dentist about fluoride treatments. Also, be sure to use toothpastes and mouthwashes fortified with fluoride for the best results.
4. Brush, Floss, & Rinse Daily: Develop a daily routine that includes brushing 2-3x (more if your dentist instructs you to do so), flossing every evening, and rinsing your mouth with at least water after meals. This helps avoid buildup of plaque and tartar around the teeth and gums from leftover food that sits in the mouth between meals or overnight. Also, it helps keep the enamel protected from foods that can eat through it and cause cavities or decay. Also, using antibacterial mouth wash can help keep the food from growing plaque and tartar in your mouth as well.
5. Eat A Balanced, Healthy Diet & Limit Snacking When Possible. Avoid snacks that are high in sugars and carbohydrates often as possible. Limit snacking on foods like cookies, cake, candies, desert breads, and other foods that cause more acidic enzymes to be produced in the mouth and when you do eat those foods either brush your teeth or chew sugarless gum to remove the excess food afterwards.
6. Quit Using Tobacco Products. If you smoke, use cigars, or chew smokeless tobacco quit now. Tobacco is harmful to your teeth and gums and can cause added or speedier decay and corrosion of otherwise healthy teeth and gums.
7. Know Your Own Mouth. Know how your own mouth looks and feels. If you experience gashes, cuts, lesions, growths, or pain in your mouth call your dentist immediately for examination. This can help catch any problems, and stem them before they become serious and long-lasting.
8. Visit Your Dentist At Least 2x Per Year. Avoid any extra problems by visiting your dentist regularly and ensuring your teeth are not compromised, and if any problems arise you catch them before they get out of hand.

If you have questions regarding this article contact us or call 909-465-1016.

The Ramona Dentistry Team

“Where Family Comes First”

Paralyzing fear is a common reason why millions of people don’t go to the dentist office on a regular basis like they should. This can cause many problems that were otherwise preventable, had they made their semi-annual visits to their dentist. These fears stem from anything from a bad experience to a downright dread of medical procedures in the first place. However, this can lead to massive problems such as toothaches, infections, gum disease, and in extreme cases even rotten/decaying teeth. These problems can get very serious when periodontitis gets into the gum line and possible even into the blood stream which can spread the infection to the rest of the body. The illnesses caused by this can include things like heart disease, stroke, and diabetes to name a few.

About to 5% to 8% of all Americans avoid the dentists’ office at all costs out of fear of what may happen during a visit. About 20% of Americans will only go when it’s absolutely vital and necessary. These reasons for them being this way can vary from bad past experiences at the dentists to other problems or disorders. These other disorders can include things like general fears/phobias of the dentists to anxiety disorders, being victims of PTSD, veterans who have experienced traumatic events, and/or people who have been victims of physical/sexual abuse in the past. The good news, however, is that there are special dental offices that cater just to these types of needs for people who have experienced these traumas in the past.

Many dentists don’t possess the patients or desire to work with patients who are nervous or even outright scared or terrified. Many others just want to get the work done and turn through patients quickly as possible. These are not the dentists to use if you have fears of phobias of the dentist, or have experienced past traumas in the dental chair. Seek a kinder, more carking dentist to help with your needs. The good news is, that there are plenty out there.

Look for a dentist that is willing to work with you, and that is willing to create an environment where you are comfortable. Many dentists are now moving towards having atmospheres that are not “dental like” in feeling, but rather the patient feels like the are in nature or another soothing place rather than a medical office. Many dentists have turned away from scrubs to business causal or suits/ties to get rid of that “doctor-y” feeling. Dentists who work with patients who have fears and phobias also are willing to accommodate the patient’s needs in simple “extra” ways. Oftentimes, speaking to a patient in their office is the best way to go about preparing them for what to expect before moving to the dental exam room. Frequently asking for permission to continue the procedure allows the patient to feel in control of what is being done to them, and how long it will last. Sometimes scheduling multiple appointments and doing things in smaller phases helps. For example, cleaning the top teeth one week and the bottom ones the next to lessen the length of the stay in the dental chair. Allow the patient to have a cue if they need the dentist to stop treatment, and allow them time to relax and breathe. Also, allow the patient many breaks as they need throughout a treatment to feel comfortable continuing the procedure.

Patients often find that after the procedure is done it was not nearly as painful as they imagined it would be. People realize that the fear was mostly a mental condition, but getting over that initial hurdle can be a challenge for many people. For those who have the most fear taking something to distract yourself while in the chair can help. New music to listen to. A relative to sit with and comfort you (preferably one who has no fear of dentists). A TV provided in the room to watch a show/sitcom/news network/etc. Something to take your mind off the procedure tends to work best.

Also, always seek a dentist you feel comfortable with. There are many dentists who claim to cater to the terrified populations who need dental work, but some are better at it than others. Once you find someone you are comfortable with it becomes much easier to get treatment. Stick with that dentist, and appreciate their willingness to help you stay healthy and happy.

If you have a fear of going to the dentist, give us the chance to help you with that.  Please contact us or call us at 909-465-1016.

The Ramona Dentistry Team

“Where Family Comes First”

Self-esteem is a hugely important issue for everyone. Self-esteem is what makes you feel like you are worthy, accepted, and cared about. A simple way to make others self-esteem rise is to simply smile at the them when you see them. A warm, genuine smile lets the person know that you think they are likeable, pleasing, and safe to be around. It lets them know that you approve of their behavior, demeanor, and presence. It shows a need that you genuinely care for them, and want them to be there with you.

Smiles are powerful enough to start friendships, spark marital relationships, and let people you work with know that you care about them and are open to hearing about their personal lives as well as what they need to do the best job they can at work. Smiling ignites positive attitudes wherever you go, and lets people know you are a people person and that you care about them as individuals.

Smiling lets those around you know that you are pleasant, caring, kind, and approachable. It tells them that you are on their side, and that you genuinely care about them not only as workers or peers, but as a person as well. On the other hand, acting down, glum, and negative can have the opposite impact on people. It can leave people thinking, “What did I do that made that person upset?” or “How did I displease them?” even if they really did nothing wrong. Our moods and emotions rub off on people in many different ways, and oftentimes it starts with just a simple smile (or frown) that can set the tone for how we relate to those people around us.

Ultimately, smiling at others is the best way to go. It not only makes others feel you are approachable and that you are “on their side”, but it also can raise your own personal self-esteem as well. It makes you feel better, it brightens your mood, and it lets others know you care about them. So, the next time you see someone out in public smile and let them know that you are open, friendly, polite, and caring. That will lead to more people coming to you when they need something knowing you are there to help!

If you have any questions regarding this article contact us or call 909-465-1016.

The Ramona Dentistry Team

“Where Family Comes First”