Cosmetic Dentist Walnut Creek

Provider of Metal Free Fillings in Walnut Creek with Blogs

Your Walnut Creek cosmetic dentist feels that taking care of your smile at home every day is as important as us taking care of it in office. We believe education and knowledge goes a long way, and ultimately can play into your preservation of a great smile.
 
Monthly we compose blogs about home tooth care, rising technologies and other dental related subjects for your consideration.
 
Here are our selections for the year 2014:
March 2014
Welcome
Welcome to the official blog of Dental Care of Walnut Creek! With this introduction we would like to tell you a little bit about our practice, and talk about some of the blog topics you can expect to see in the future.
 
At Dental Care of Walnut Creek, we want our patients to experience dentistry in a setting that does not feel like a traditional, white-walled dentist office. We do this by providing a low-light ambience, and old town European décor, making you feel as relaxed and comfortable as possible. We would love to have you come take a tour of our office or set up a free second opinion consultation.
 
While our main focus is cosmetic dentistry, other services include dental implants, root canals, crowns, veneers, composite white resin fillings, and many others. With our revolutionary techniques, we can help you improve the color, shape, or alignment of your teeth. You will also find that we have some of the best dentists around, and you can learn more about them here.
 
Some topics you can expect to see in the future will be information about cosmetic dentistry, including tips on how to have whiter teeth and how to improve your smile. We will also share information about general dentistry and news related to celebrities and whiter teeth. In addition, we will be sure to keep you updated with all the latest news and happenings here at Dental Care of Walnut Creek.
Benefits of Dental Veneers
Dental veneers, also known as porcelain veneers, are wafer-thin, custom-made shells of tooth-colored materials designed to cover the front surface of your teeth to improve your appearance. There are several benefits to choosing dental veneers.
 
One benefit to veneers is that, unlike orthopedic braces, they are able to fill in gaps without waiting for your teeth to move. When it comes to braces, waiting for teeth to move can take weeks, or even months. Veneers leave you with a brand new smile in as little as 2 – 3 visits. Additionally, fractures, chips and discolorations can be remedied immediately, and in a precise manner. The quick and predictable results of veneers give the appearance of “instant orthodontics,” or a complete smile makeover.
 
If you are looking for a brighter smile, this is something veneers can also help with. When it comes to replacing an entire smile line, all of your veneers will be matched to a bright, natural color. Each veneer has a translucent quality that allows light to pass through and reflect off your natural teeth. This will give your smile a lustrous aesthetic depth. Veneers have a non-porous surface that helps protect against future stains, maintaining the beauty of your smile for many years to come.
 
While veneers can greatly improve the size, shape, color and position of your teeth, they are also a great option for correcting stained, chipped, decayed, or crooked teeth. If you would like to see some before and after pictures please click here. For more information on dental veneers please call our office at (925) 937-9017.
April 2014
Benefits of Teeth Whitening
If you have an important event coming up and you want to make a great first impression, or even if you just want to feel better about the appearance of your smile, having your teeth whitened is the way to go. The popularity of teeth whitening is steadily increasing, and it is becoming one of the most popular forms of cosmetic dentistry today.
 
There are several benefits that come with having your teeth whitened. Often times, a person’s personal appearance will have an influence their level of self-confidence. Having your teeth whitened will give you a beautiful smile, and help improve your self-confidence. A whiter smile also tends to minimize the appearance of facial wrinkles, giving you a more youthful appearance. When you are having a conversation with someone, a whiter smile gives them a place to focus on, and also gives you a friendlier appearance. Having a clean, straight smile that you can feel confident about can also enhance your career opportunities.
 
Another reason why having your teeth whitened is becoming so popular is because it is a very simple, in-office procedure. When you visit the professionals here at Dental Care of Walnut Creek, you will have a noticeably brighter smile in about 45 minutes. Most patients see about a 5-10 shade difference after their 45 minute Zoom session. In order to prepare you for your Zoom session, we will examine your teeth and gums to make sure they are healthy, and then we will match your starting color with a shade color. After your in-office treatment is complete, we will give you a take-home whitening kit so that you are able to maintain your new, beautiful smile.
 
Having your teeth whitened is a great way to impress those around you, and is also good for your self-confidence. If you would like to schedule a complimentary smile design consultation with our cosmetic specialists, please click here and fill out and submit the form. We can help improve the color, shape, or alignment of your teeth.
June 2014
The Importance of Dental Checkups
When was the last time you paid a visit to the dentist? If you have a hard time answering this, it’s time to schedule an appointment. There are numerous health benefits to visiting the dentist on a regular basis. It is also important to practice good oral hygiene in between visits.
 
Dental Checkups
 
Maintaining regular dental checkups will help prevent potential dental issues that can turn into painful, expensive, medical issues in the future. During your check-up, your dentist will evaluate the general hygiene of your teeth and gums. They will also let you know if you are properly caring for your teeth at home. Many dentists will also pay close attention to plaque and tarter. The reason for this is that plaque and tarter can build up in a very short period of time if good oral hygiene isn’t practiced between visits. If plaque is not properly removed, it can harden on the teeth and irritate the gum tissue. When plaque is not treated, it can lead to gum disease. It is recommended that you visit the dentist once every six months, provided there are no other issues during that time.
 
Importance of good oral hygiene
 
Practicing good oral hygiene not only helps us look our best, it also helps prevent oral and general health problems. For example, if gum disease is left untreated, it can lead to serious problems such as heart disease, infections and loss of bone mass. Gingivitis is another periodontal disease that can result from not taking care of your teeth. This disease causes the gums to redden, swell, and bleed. With a combination of professional treatment and proper oral health care at home, gingivitis is completely treatable. Good oral hygiene also helps prevent cavities, stained or yellow teeth, as well as bad breath.
 
In general, having a healthy mouth that’s free of cavities and gum disease will improve your quality of life. You will be able to eat properly, sleep better, and perform your normal daily activities without having to worry about aching teeth or mouth infections.
July 2014
Tips to Avoid Common Dental Problems
Are you worried about bad breath, or perhaps even tooth decay?  Do your gums bleed when you brush your teeth?  By following the tips below, you can help prevent common dental problems.
 
Bad Breath
 
Bad breath (also known as halitosis or malodor) can be quite embarrassing.  One way to prevent this condition is to clean your tongue while brushing your teeth.  Your tongue contains many bacterial colonies, which are the major cause of bad breath.  It is also important to floss and use mouth wash after brushing.  There are also certain foods that you can eat to make your breath smell good.  An example of this would be fruits that are high in vitamin C.  Foods that are packed with vitamin C include melons, berries and citrus fruits such as oranges.
 
Tooth Decay
 
Tooth decay is the destruction of your tooth enamel, which is the hard, outer layer of your teeth.  When you eat or drink foods that contain sugar, the bacteria in plaque produce acids that attack tooth enamel.  To avoid tooth decay, brush your teeth at least twice a day, and use toothpaste that contains fluoride.  You’ll also want to clean between your teeth daily with floss or interdental cleaners.  Lastly, limit exposure to sugary foods and beverages, and mainly stick with nutritious food.
 
Gum Disease
 
Periodontitis (gum) disease is inflammation and infection of the ligaments and bones that support the teeth.  You can help prevent this condition by brushing your teeth twice a day to remove bacteria from near your gums.  Be sure to use an antiseptic mouthwash, preferably one with anti-plaque.  If you start to notice the symptoms of gingivitis, which is the beginning stage of gum disease, see a dentist right away.  This could include bleeding gums, pain, swelling, and other symptoms as well.  It is very important to catch gum disease early on, while it can still be treated.
 
Mouth Sores
 
Mouth sores, also known as mouth lesions, make it very painful to talk and eat.  One way oral soreness can be prevented is by avoiding stressful situations.  Diet plays a very important role as well.  Eat less spicy food and pack on a nutritious diet that includes fresh fruits, leafy vegetables and cereals.  You should also avoid any trauma to the mouth, and use a cool mouth wash.
 
Regular dental appointments and good oral hygiene are key to preventing serious health problems. Don’t wait until you start experiencing pain in your mouth to starting taking care of your teeth.
October 2014
Good Oral Hygiene is Important to Overall Health
Visiting your dentist regularly has more benefits than you may realize.  In addition to keeping your teeth healthy and your smile attractive, dentists can also tell you a lot about your overall health.  There is new research that suggests that the health of your mouth directly reflects the health of your body as a whole.  If your mouth is healthy, chances are your overall health is good as well.  However, if you have poor oral health, you may also have other health problems.  The good news is that it is also possible to prevent certain diseases from occurring by having good oral health.
 
According to research from the Academy of General Dentistry, gum disease can lead to other health issues such as a stroke or heart disease.   Other theories suggest that over 90% of all systemic diseases have a direct correlation to poor oral health.  This can include mouth ulcers, consistent gum problems, and mouth ulcers.  These oral issues are said to be related to diabetes, leukemia, pancreatic cancer, kidney stones, and heart disease.  One advantage of going to the dentist is that they may be the first to detect a health problem in the early stages.
 
Neglecting your teeth and gums can lead to other health problems as well.  Any type of oral and facial pain is usually a result of infection of the gums that support the teeth.  This can also lead to loss of teeth.  Digestion problems can also occur as a result of poor oral health. Digestion begins in the mouth, and any oral problems can cause intestinal failure, irritable bowel syndrome, and other digestive issues.
 
The easiest way to prevent oral and health issues is by going to your dentist for regular checkups.  Your dentist can let you know of any oral problems that could lead to health issues in the future.  When going in for a checkup, be sure to bring your complete medical history, and let him or her know of any recent health issues.
 
While at home you’ll want to brush for two to three minutes twice a day, with fluoridated toothpaste.  Flossing on a regular basis helps to remove plaque from areas that your toothbrush can’t reach.  Having a healthy diet is also important to preventing gum disease.  You’ll want to make sure to take in a proper amount of vitamins A and C.  Practicing good oral hygiene on a daily basis is crucial in helping to prevent other health problems.
 
Visiting your dentist on a regular basis not only helps to keep your teeth healthy, but improves your overall health in general.  Your dentist can often be the first person to detect any health issues you may have while in their early stages.