Author: Dental Express

What foods and drinks can damage your teeth. It’s no secret that what you eat and drink affects your dental health. At Dental Express in San Diego, CA, we offer healthy eating tips to our patients to help them protect their teeth and gums. During a dental exam with our San Diego dentist, we can discuss what foods damage the teeth and offer tooth-healthy food suggestions. When you consume food or beverages that contain a lot of sugar or acid, this sugar reacts with the bacteria in your plaque to produce acid. This will cause erosion, which leads to damaged tooth enamel and tooth sensitivity. Ultimately, a balanced diet helps prevent tooth decay and gum disease, which is the leading cause of tooth loss for our patients.

What foods are good for your teeth?

Tooth decay damages the teeth and will require a filling. In severe cases, an extraction may be necessary. This decay occurs when sugar reacts with the bacteria found in plaque, which forms an acid that attacks the teeth and destroys your tooth enamel. When this occurs, your enamel breaks down, and a cavity forms. This decay process happens quickly, which makes it important to have regular dental exams and dental cleanings to detect problems early on. Processed food and foods high in sugar are most prone to damage your enamel.

Foods that damage teeth

Foods that are sticky and full of sugar are the most damaging to your teeth. This is because when they are sticky, they are harder to remove, which allows bacteria to remain on the tooth and for tooth decay to begin. Some foods that damage teeth in San Diego, CA include:

• Popcorn: This gets stuck between the teeth easily and promotes bacteria growth, leading to tooth decay. It can also cause sensitive gums.

• Hard candy: Because of its texture, hard candy can cause teeth to crack. These candies are full of sugar and linger in the mouth for a while, which leads to damage.

• Citrus: Anything that is high in acid can cause tooth decay. If you do eat citrus, rinse your mouth with water after eating to remove as much acid as possible.

• Coffee or tea: Not only can it lead to stains on your teeth, but when you add sugar to these beverages, they can make the teeth feel sticky.

• Soda: Sugary beverages, such as soda, are bad for the teeth as they contain a lot of sugar (which causes tooth decay), and they are acidic (which causes tooth erosion).

What is erosion?

Acidic food and beverages lead to erosion, the gradual dissolving of tooth enamel. A product that is high acid has a lower pH. Orange or grapefruit juice, milk, red wine, and soda are all erosive beverages. During a dental exam, our San Diego dentist can determine if you consume too much acid.

What foods are good for your teeth?

Our professional dental team recommends an anti-inflammatory diet, which has been proven to promote more healthy teeth and gums. Foods that are high in fat or refined sugars lead to inflammation. Healthy fats, such as olive oil, avocado, or fatty fish, all are good foods for teeth and gums.

A healthy snack is an alkaline food that is low in acid. Some healthy snacks include:

• Raw vegetables

• Low-fat cheese

• Nuts (portion control)

• Crackers

• Yogurt (low or no-sugar varieties)

Learn how your oral health and your teeth are related

During regular dental exams and routine dental cleanings at Dental Express, our professional dental team can discuss your diet with you to determine if it’s causing oral health problems. We offer you helpful tips on food and dental health that can improve your oral health in San Diego, CA. To schedule a dental examination or routine dental cleaning, call our professional team today.

How Does Teeth Whitening Work?

How your smile looks is a major concern for many of our patients at Dental Express in San Diego, CA. Our dental practice offers professional at home and in office teeth whitening to help brighten your teeth up to several shades and help you achieve your dream smile. Our team uses professional-strength gel that reaches beneath the surface of your teeth to remove deep stains. When you’re looking for cosmetic dentistry procedures, like teeth whitening work, to improve your smile’s appearance, schedule a consultation to learn more about teeth whitening in San Diego.

Types of teeth whitening

Based on your smile goals, you can choose to have teeth whitening in our dental office or use at-home natural teeth whitening. Dental Express offers two popular brands of teeth whitening to our patients:

1. Speed Teeth Whitening: This at home teeth whitening kit includes four gel applications, trays, and an LED light. After just 20 minutes, you will see a noticeably whiter smile. Some patients may need multiple kits to see their full results. This is because the results are more subtle, so this is recommended for those with minor stains or yellowing.

2. Boost Teeth Whitening: Our in office teeth whitening whitens teeth with a gel that is applied to the surface of the teeth, which is activated with the help of an LED light. Your teeth will be whiter and brighter in just one hour. Our cosmetic dentist can help you choose the best shade for your teeth and smile goals. This option is recommended for patients with darker stains.

Does teeth whitening hurt?

No, it doesn’t. We apply a barrier to protect your gums from being irritated by the products used during teeth whitening. The only reported pain or discomfort you may feel is after your session with tooth sensitivity, which should stop in a few days.

How long will my teeth whitening results last?

Ultimately, routine dental exams and cleanings are important to maintaining your results. An exam at Dental Express will look for any tooth damage, decay, or signs of gum disease. Any dental issue detected during this exam must be resolved before teeth whitening treatment can commence. Follow-up sessions are recommended every few months to maintain your pearly whites. Refraining from stain-causing foods or beverages, such as berries, red wine, or coffee can also help ensure your teeth stay white.

Will insurance cover teeth whitening near me?

Because teeth whitening is considered cosmetic and not medically necessary, it isn’t usually covered by insurance. We offer low-interest financing and monthly payment plans to help make the cost of this cosmetic dental implants procedure affordable for all of our patients in San Diego, CA.

Learn if you’re a candidate for professional teeth whitening

Teeth whitening can offer fast and dramatic improvements to your smile. When you’re interested in learning more about the teeth whitening types we offer at Dental Express in San Diego, CA, call our office to schedule a consultation. We can evaluate your oral health to determine if you’re a candidate for this procedure.

When you have tooth decay in San Diego, CA, our professional dental team may suggest a crown. This crown is used when so much decay exists in a tooth that there isn’t enough natural tooth remaining to function properly. It can also be used after root canal therapy or when a dental implant is surgically inserted into the jawbone to finalize the process. Whatever the reason for needing Cosmetic Dental Crowns, taking care of it like a natural tooth ensures that it lasts the longest. However, there are some instances where a crown may come off. Knowing what to do if a dental crown falls out helps your oral health remain at its best. At Dental Express, we offer dental crown repair services.

How do dental crowns work?

Installing a dental crown usually takes two visits to our San Diego, CA dental office. During your first visit, we take X-rays and examine the tooth and the surrounding teeth to make sure you have enough bone around your tooth to hold the crown in place properly. If there is a lot of tooth decay, we may suggest a root canal first. After this exam, we take an impression of your tooth, so a crown can be custom-made to fit your mouth. A temporary crown is made and placed until your next appointment at Dental Express. During your next visit, we remove your temporary crown, clean your tooth well, and fit your new crown. Your appointment is completed with an X-ray to verify that your crown fits right.

How long do crowns last?

Unfortunately, dental crowns aren’t meant to last forever. However, with proper oral hygiene, they can last a long time, sometimes up to 20 years. For your crown to last long, it’s important that it fits properly. This is why we finish off your visit with that important X-ray. An efficient at-home oral hygiene routine of regular brushing and flossing, consistent dental exams, and routine dental cleanings can help your crown last the longest.

What if my crown falls out?

If your dental crown comes out, this is a serious dental emergency. The underlying tooth is unprotected, and can feel sensitive and even painful. To avoid further complications, it’s important to get crown repair services as quickly as possible. When your crown has fallen out, follow these steps:

1. Recover and rinse off the crown: If it is in good shape, we can reattach it. This saves you time and money as compared to having your crown replaced. If it is dirty, rinse it off with warm water and place it in a bag or container to bring with you to Dental Express for reattachment.

2. Protect your tooth: You should try to get emergency dental care the same day that your crown falls out; however, sometimes this isn’t possible. Temporary dental cement can protect your tooth until you can get into our emergency dental center.

3. Visit our dental office: If your crown and tooth are in good shape, we can easily reattach your crown. However, if it is damaged, we may need to make you a new crown. Whatever the case, it’s important to not delay emergency dental care.

Learn about crown repair services in San Diego, CA

At Dental Express in San Diego, CA, our professional dental team can help patients who have had their crown come off. We offer crown repair, and if the tooth and crown are in good shape, we can reattach it easily. To schedule an appointment for emergency dental care, call our dental office as soon as possible. During your visit, we can discuss with you when it’s time to replace your crown.

When you have severe tooth pain, severe bleeding in the gums, or a loose or dislodged tooth, you need to seek emergency dental care. At Dental Express in San Diego, CA, we treat patients with different dental emergencies regularly. We can help you resolve your pain or discomfort quickly at our dental office. There is no need to visit the emergency rooms, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our emergency dentist in San Diego, CA can safely and efficiently remedy your dental issue.

When should I seek emergency dental care?

At Dental Express in San Diego, CA, we specialize in treating emergencies and restoring our patients’ oral health. Gum injuries, loose or dislodged teeth, and lost fillings or crowns are all considered dental emergencies. Depending on your particular emergency, our emergency dentist can offer immediate treatment or prescribe antibiotics to help you resolve an infection.

What is considered a dental emergency?

It can be hard to know when something is severe enough to need help from an emergency dentist. An untreated dental issue can impact your entire health, which is why it’s important to contact our professional team when you are experiencing dental emergency symptoms.

Some signs you’re experiencing a dental emergency include:

1. Tooth damage: Cracks or teeth chips can usually wait until regular hours. However, if you have a large break in your tooth, this is a dental emergency. A severe break can lead to damage inside your tooth, which increases your risk of needing a root canal pain treatment.

2. Severe tooth pain: If your tooth pain or sensitivity keeps worsening, it could signal that you have an infection. When your toothache doesn’t go away, contact our emergency dentist for treatment. If left untreated, an infection in the tooth can get in your bloodstream and lead to more serious health issues.

3. Lost tooth: If you lost a tooth, place it in milk or saliva to preserve it until our emergency dentist can assist you. The faster you can get your tooth back into its socket, the better the chances are that it will function normally again.

4. Abscess: An abscessed tooth means there is an infection at the root. This requires a surgical procedure where we drain the tooth thoroughly to remove the infection.

Emergency toothache relief treatment

The type of treatment that we use at Dental Express depends on the cause of your tooth pain. After a dental exam and X-rays, we can recommend the best tooth pain solution at our San Diego, CA office. These X-rays allow us to see potential dental issues that cannot be seen with the naked eye, including cavities, cysts, or impacted teeth.

Some treatments used to treat tooth pain during emergency dental care include:

• Antibiotics

• Tooth Colored Fillings Front Teeth

• Crowns

• Root canal

Learn more about emergency dental care in San Diego, CA

To avoid serious health problems, you must always know what is going on inside your mouth. Any changes can signal a problem. When you have tooth pain or other emergency symptoms, Dental Express can help. We help our patients experiencing a dental emergency 24/7 at our San Diego, CA office. Our emergency dentist can help restore your oral health and alleviate any tooth pain you are experiencing.

How does fluoride help fight cavities: fluoride is important for improving oral health in patients of all ages in San Diego, CA. It has been proven to reduce one’s risk of developing tooth decay or gum disease. It is a natural mineral that helps strengthen tooth enamel and other bones. Professional dental fluoride treatments at Dental Express helps both younger patients with growing teeth and older patients with damaged enamel improve their oral health.

Who is the best candidate for fluoride treatment?

Our fluoride treatment dentist will examine each patient to determine who is the proper candidate for this procedure, which can be used on patients of all ages. It usually is given to kids whose teeth are still developing or who don’t have good oral hygiene routines. We also recommend fluoride treatment to older patients who may not have fluoridated drinking water, which makes them more susceptible to developing tooth decay. Dental Express can thoroughly explain what fluoride is used for during an initial consultation. For patients with a dry mouth, neutral sodium fluoride may be used, while phosphate fluoride may be recommended for those with dentures, dental crown and bridges. We also offer a variety of flavors to make the treatments more enjoyable at our San Diego, CA office.

How does fluoride prevent cavities?

Tooth enamel is the outer covering of your teeth. Saliva contains a high amount of phosphate, and when it thoroughly covers your teeth, it protects them by helping to keep them strong. When you eat diets high in carbohydrates, sugar, or acid, your teeth can be affected. All of these diets lead to the stripping of your tooth enamel, which leaves you more likely to develop gum disease or cavities. Fluoride is used to create a barrier on your enamel to reduce the chances you develop tooth decay.

What does fluoride do for your teeth?

Fluoride helps rebuild weakened tooth enamel, reverse early signs of tooth decay, slow down mineral loss from tooth enamel, and prevent the growth of harmful oral bacteria that can lead to gingivitis and periodontal disease. Weakened tooth enamel leaves the teeth vulnerable to bacteria that cause cavities.

How is fluoride treatment performed?

Fluoride treatments are performed every six months after a dental cleaning. We ask our patients to select a flavor and then we prepare the treatment as a varnish, foam, or gel. The fluoride will be left on your teeth for several minutes to allow it to penetrate the enamel. Our dental hygienist will use suction to remove any excess fluoride at the end of your treatment. Do not rinse, eat, or drink for at least 30 minutes after fluoride treatment in San Diego, CA.

What to expect after fluoride treatment

Nausea and vomiting can occur in patients that consume fluoride. This is why it’s important you follow the 30-minute rule after treatment. While fluoride strengthens the teeth, you will still need to follow a daily oral hygiene routine at home of brushing the teeth with fluoride toothpaste twice a day and flossing at least once daily. You also should schedule regular dental exams and routine dental cleanings at Dental Express to ensure your oral health stays at its best.

Is fluoride treatment covered by insurance?

Many insurance companies do cover fluoride treatment for patients who are of a certain age. However, adults typically aren’t covered. Our team can discuss your financial obligations before you start treatment. We offer a variety of payment methods and low-interest or no-interesting financing options to our patients.

Learn what fluoride does for your teeth

Make sure that you and your family have strong and healthy teeth with a fluoride treatment. At Dental Express in San Diego, CA we recommend fluoride treatment to our younger patients with developing teeth. To schedule a consultation to learn more about fluoride treatment and how it prevents cavities, call our dental office today. We can discuss healthy oral hygiene habits that help protect your enamel, even without the use of fluoride treatment.

How SmileCorrect Aligners Saves Time and Money: When you’re considering ways to achieve straight teeth, SmileCorrect™ teeth aligners from Dental Express in San Diego, CA are a great option. With Smile Correct, the bite is improved by wearing clear teeth aligners that are custom made to fit each patient comfortably. They will apply constant, but gentle, pressure to get your teeth to where they belong. These aligners can be removed to eat and drink, and to brush and floss the teeth. During a smile makeover consultation, our professional dental team can help decide if you’re a viable candidate for this orthodontic treatment.

How do clear aligners work?

When you choose to have SmileCorrect, our dentists at Dental Express will take digital x-rays of your jaw and teeth. These images are used to create custom teeth aligners. You can need from six to 48 aligners, depending on your existing oral health. Once you receive your aligners, you will be scheduled for a fitting. You will be required to wear your set of aligners for a week or two until you progress to the next set. Follow-up appointments allow us to track progress for your orthodontic treatment. Most of our patients wear these aligners from six to 18 months.

Who are the best candidates for SmileCorrect aligners?

SmileCorrect is ideal for patients who have:

· Crowded or crooked teeth

· Misaligned or poor bites

· Excess gaps

· Rotated teeth

While there are many orthodontic treatments that can help to improve a bite, alignment, or spacing, SmileCorrect has been one of the most successful. These clear teeth aligners make it hard to tell that you’re wearing them. Compared to Invisalign®, SmileCorrect is less costly. It is great for a patient who doesn’t want to undergo a long orthodontic treatment and who wants to straighten their teeth discreetly. It also makes it easier for you to make sure your teeth and gums are cleaned regularly, unlike metal braces, which can make it more difficult to keep the teeth and gums clean. During a consultation in San Diego, CA we can go through your options for straightening your teeth and help you to make the most informed decision for your oral health.

How long does it take for aligners to work?

To check for progress and to make regular adjustments, we will schedule follow-up appointments every few weeks for your orthodontic treatment. It’s normal to experience tenderness or mild discomfort when you’re adjusting to the feel of your aligners. The soreness should subside after a few days.

During your treatment, it’s important that you take care of your teeth and gums, so you don’t develop tooth decay. Brushing, flossing, and rinsing with anti-cavity mouthwash is important for good at-home oral hygiene. You should always make sure that you clean or rinse your aligners before putting them back into your mouth.

After completing your SmileCorrect treatment, you will have to wear a retainer to keep your teeth from shifting. Ultimately, regular dental exams at Dental Express in San Diego, CA helps our dentists to monitor your bite, alignments, and oral health.

Will my insurance cover SmileCorrect?

This depends on your oral health. If we can prove that SmileCorrect treatment will improve your oral health, we may be able to get your insurance company to cover your orthodontic treatment. However, if you choose to have this treatment for cosmetic reasons, you likely will have to pay for the treatment without any insurance coverage. Our dental team can help advise you on all costs associated with this or any other treatment. Typically, SmileCorrect can cost $2,500 – $3,500.

Learn more on how to straighten your teeth with SmileCorrect teeth aligners

To learn more about SmileCorrect and other orthodontic treatments to straighten your teeth to achieve your dream smile, schedule an appointment with our dentists at Dental Express in San Diego, CA. Having straight teeth makes your smile look great and improves your oral health at the same time.