Preventive Dentistry in Fountain Valley

Preventive Dentistry is the first step towards healthy teeth and gums, and if you are not sure if you are doing the best that you can for your oral health, schedule an appointment with your dentist who can help you come up with a better plan for Preventive Dentistry.

Most people know that brushing twice and flossing once each day helps keep your teeth healthy, but according to the American Dental Association and your dentist, a well-balanced diet can also keep your teeth strong and white and your gums healthy. Stay away from starchy and sticky foods. Cookies, bread, crackers, and chips create less acid when you enjoy with the rest of a meal. Saliva is increased when you eat, which helps to neutralize the acids and wash away food particles.

Stick foods to avoid include granola bars, chewy fruit snacks, dried fruit, and sticky candy such as gummy bears.

Eat more cheese, nuts and onions for healthy teeth and enjoy tea as resent research has indicated that certain teas will slow the growth of the bacteria that causes tooth decay.

Your dentist also recommends that you brush with fluoride toothpaste. If you are unsure about the brand that you are using visit the ADA website where you will find a list of approved toothpastes, flosses, and mouthwashes.

Adults over the age of 35 lose their teeth because of gum disease, not cavities. In fact, three out of four adults will be affected by gingivitis or periodontal disease at some point.

Plaque is the colorless film that sticks to your teeth at your gum line. Although plaque is constantly forming on your teeth, daily brushing and flossing can help keep it at bay.

It is also important to schedule annual cleanings with your dentist. Professional cleaning removes plaque and tartar that you may have missed. Regular checkups and professional cleaning should be a part of your oral hygiene program.

For information regarding good oral hygiene, schedule an appointment with your dentist who can help you brush up your skills. 

Create the Smile of your Dreams

With the holidays come lots of party invitations, and if you would rather crawl in a hole than attend your work Christmas party or the annual Thanksgiving Day meal at your sister’s house because of your smile, schedule an appointment with your dentist.

According to the American Dental Association, a healthy smile can help increase your self-esteem and boost your confidence.

When you schedule an appointment with your dentist for a smile makeover, your teeth and gums will be checked to make sure that everything is as it should be. If you do have gum issues or cavities to deal with, your dentist will fill your teeth or schedule you for a scaling and planing procedure, or refer you to a periodontist before recommending any cosmetic dental procedures.

Your dentist offers several restorative dental procedures that can improve your smile and your outlook on life. Tooth Whitening, Dental Implants, Porcelain Veneers, Porcelain Crowns, or Porcelain Fixed Bridges may be recommended. If you have always been ashamed of your crooked teeth, your dentist can find out if you are a suitable candidate for invisible braces made by Invisalign.

If you are dealing with a gummy smile, talk to your dentist about dental lasers. The tissue laser used can easily recontour gumline or gum problems. This eliminates the need for scalpels, sutures, and return visits. Because the laser is much less invasive, it is gentler. This results in less postoperative discomfort.

One of the most amazing cosmetic dental procedures is only offered by a few dentists in Fountain Valley. Dr. Peter Hagen can give you a brand new smile in as little as one appointment using computerized dentistry and an amazing restorative technique known as CEREC.

This innovative technology available in Orange County can restore your smile back to its natural beauty and strength in as little as one dental appointment. With CEREC you can have your old fillings replaced, that chip in your tooth repaired or that gap filled between your front teeth.

Stop avoiding parties, social events and people, and schedule an appointment with your dentist in Orange County who can help you create the smile of your dreams. Call now. 

A New Smile in as Little as Six Months with Invisalign®

If you have never been happy with your smile, schedule an appointment with your dentist. These days you do not have to resort to traditional metal braces to straighten your teeth.

Invisalign® truly is the clear alternative when it comes to metal wires and brackets, and because the series of clear plastic aligners are custom-molded to your teeth, the only person who will know you are wearing plastic braces is your dentist.

Invisalign® consists of a series of clear plastic aligners that gradually reposition your teeth. Every two weeks you will replace one set with the next and so on. You can have an average of between 18 and 30 sets of aligner’s custom made. Straight teeth can be yours in as little as six months once you start wearing your Invisalign® aligners.

Unlike traditional metal braces, Invisalign® is removed when you eat, brush and floss, which helps prevent tooth decay. Unfortunately, your dentist will tell you that metal wires and brackets are permanent and difficult to brush. Your dentist will tell you that people who wear traditional dental appliances have a higher risk of cavities than people who wear Invisalign® clear plastic aligners.

Millions of people all over the world have a smile to be proud of thanks to Invisalign®. Invisalign® will not disrupt your lifestyle, is suitable for teens and adults, and is virtually unnoticeable.  

Thanks to dental technology and Invisalign®, you can see beforehand what your teeth will look like after your Invisalign® treatment.

During your appointment, your dentist will evaluate your teeth in order to make sure that you are a good candidate for Invisalign®. If you and Invisalign® are a good match, your dentist will take impressions and photos of your teeth. From the impressions and photo’s a Computed Tomography or CT scan will be made giving your dentist an accurate 3D digital model of your teeth. CAD or Computer Aided Design software will then be used to simulate how your teeth will move during your Invisalign® treatment. Once your dentist approves the treatment plan, your new Invisalign® aligners will be created.

If you would like more information regarding the clear alternative to braces, schedule an appointment with your dentist for a no obligation Invisalign® consultation. A new smile may just be around the corner.

The Real Dangers of Oral Piercing

If you or someone you love is considering oral piercings, there are some things that you should know before you or a family member or friend has tongue, cheek, or lip piercings.

Your dentist explains that oral piercings can cause all sorts of problems including infection, blood loss, and gum disease and jewelry aspiration.

The American Dental Association agrees with your dentist about the dangers of oral piercings. In fact, oral piercings could cause your tongue to swell so much that it blocks off the air passageways making breathing extremely difficult.

Infectious diseases are just one of the issues that could occur from oral piercings. The Herpes Simplex virus and hepatitis can happen if you have your tongue, lip, or cheek pierced.

Your mouth is home to millions of bacteria and if that bacteria enters your bloodstream after the piercing infection and swelling will occur. This could also cause excessive bleeding.

Because your mouth is moist and a breeding ground for bacteria, infection can happen, which could be life threatening. If that bacteria enters your bloodstream and you have undetected heart problems Endocarditis, or inflammation of the valves of the heart and the heart itself, could be a real issue.

Your dentist has seen permanent nerve damage thanks to oral piercings. Numbness is normal after you have your tongue, cheek, or lip pierced, but that numbness could be permanent. That injured nerve could affect how your mouth moves and your taste buds.

If you are sensitive to metals, oral piercings could cause allergic reactions once the jewelry is placed at the site of the piercing.

Crowns, fillings, and caps could also be damaged because people who have oral piercings tend to bite or play with the stud, ring, or barbell. Damage to gums could also occur which could lead to gum disease, gum recession and eventual tooth loss.

Oral piercings could increase your saliva production. This may cause excessive drooling that could be permanent.

Jewelry aspiration happens when part of the jewelry becomes loose. This could lead to choking if swallowed leading to lung or digestive track injury.  

If you would like more information regarding the dangers of oral piercing, schedule anappointment with your dentist who may be able to persuade you or someone you love against oral piercing. 

You May Need a Root Canal and Not Even Know It

Some people would rather have a tooth pulled than deal with a Root Canal, but thanks to the advances of modern dentistry, you can be in and out of the dentist’s chair in one, or two appointments without having the pain that is normally associated with Root Canal Therapy in Fountain Valley.

Root Canals are performed by dentists to remove the dead nerve in a badly decayed or broken tooth or a tooth that has had multiple fillings. Teeth that have experienced severe trauma may require Root Canal Therapy as well.

You may need Root Canal Therapy if you are sensitive to cold and hot, are experiencing a severe toothache, or notice an abscess, which looks similar to a pimple on your Gums. Root Canal Therapy may also be necessary if you notice swelling or tenderness in the area. Dr. Peter Hagen will thoroughly examine your teeth looking for any signs of pulp damage. If nerve and pulp damage are detected, your dentist may recommend a root canal.

According to Wikipedia, the pulp is located in the center of each tooth. The pulp is made up of cells, known as odontoblasts and connective tissue.  

The main function of dental pulp is the formation of dentin. Other functions include sensory, changes in temperature, trauma, pressure, and pain. Your dental pulp is an alarm system when it comes to tooth decay and will certainly let you know if a cavity is present. However, according to your dentist, once your tooth erupts, the nerve located in the middle of the tooth is not necessary.

Root Canals can involve one appointment or additional appointments depending on where the tooth is located and how much therapy is involved. During your Root Canal Therapy, your Orange County Dentist will numb the area before placing a sheet of rubber, also known as a rubber dam, around your tooth to keep it dry. Your dentist will make an opening at the top of your tooth placing root canal files into each root canal in order to remove the pulp and the nerve tissue along with the damaging bacteria. 

After your tooth has been cleaned, your dentist will seal the area with either a temporary or a permanent filling. After the Root Canal Therapy has been completed, your dentist will place a cap or crown over the top of the Root Canal restoring it back to its original function. Without a crown, Root Canals can break or become damaged requiring additional treatment.

If you would like more information regarding Root Canal Therapy, schedule an appointment with your Orange County Dentist who can determine if you need a filling of a Root Canal. 

Tooth Restoration in One Appointment with CEREC

Even as little as 35 years ago, restoring teeth could be a long and drawn out process, but now thanks to modern dentistry technology and your dentist in Orange County, you can have a beautiful smile in a single dental appointment with Dr. Peter Hagen.

Dr. Hagen truly is a pioneer when it comes to cosmetic dental techniques and was one of the first dentists in the OC to be trained using the CEREC System. As a member of the Academy of Computerized Dentistry in North America, Dr. Hagen can give you that toothy grin that you have always dreamed about using the CEREC system and the CAD-CAM computer.

These days you do not have to deal with temporary fillings or crowns while your new smile is sent to the lab. Thanks to 21^st century cosmetic dentistry and the CEREC System you can have your old fillings replaced, that crack in your front tooth repaired or that annoying cavity filled with long-lasting ceramic that is matched to your natural tooth or teeth.

The CEREC System allows your dentist to preserve more of your natural teeth, which in most cases eliminates the need for full crowns.

According to Wikipedia, W. Mormann and M. Brandestini from the University of Zurich developed the Chair side Economic Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics in 1980. The revolutionary process allowed dentists to produce, construct, and insert ceramic restoration chair side in one appointment. Carried out on test patients in 1985, the CEREC System quickly became the number one restorative technique on the planet.

If your dentist determines that you are a good candidate for the CEREC System, a digital impression will be made after your old fillings, cavities or cracks have been removed. After scanning has been completed, the CEREC System milling machine will create your solid ceramic restorations in about ten to fifteen minutes. Once created, the restorations are chemically bonded to the tooth or teeth restoring it to its original condition and strength.

For more information regarding the revolutionary CEREC System schedule an appointment with your OC Dentist who will be able to determine if you are a good candidate for the revolutionary CEREC System.

Finding a Dentist Doesn't Have to Cause a Migraine

Relocating to a new neighborhood is stressful enough for anyone, but especially families. Single folks may find it easy to choose a new dentist in the area, but what about moms and dads who need a good family dentist who can look after their four-year-old daughter’s new baby teeth one week and their teenage son’s wisdom teeth the next.

Asking your dentist before you move is the first step if you are moving house. Your dentist may refer you to a colleague or know of someone whom you can trust. Family and friends can also help you choose a dentist. Ask old neighbors if they know friends or friends in your new town, or get to know your new neighbors. Talk to the teachers at your kid’s new school and don’t forget to call the town or city council.

If you forgot to ask before you moved, go online. The World Wide Web can help you find a new dentist, but can sometimes be overwhelming. Any dentist can have a website, but with so many to choose from how can you narrow it down?

You can narrow your search by heading over to the ADA. The American Dental Association has a list of recommended practices. Whether you are looking for dentists in Fountain Valley or an Orange County Family Dentist that you can depend on to be available for family emergencies as well as regular checkups, the ADA can help.

Once you have cross-referenced the list that you found on the ADA to your list of dentists in your area dentist search on Google, choose five that you really like. Check out each dental practice website and fully research the office and its staff. Pay careful attention to the dentist’s qualifications and ongoing education. You want to make sure that the dentist you choose is up on the latest dental technology with classes, seminars, and product knowledge courses.

Most dental websites will have ongoing information with a news or blog page and fully detailed service pages that explain what to expect whether you are looking for a family dentist or in search of a Cosmetic Dentist for CEREC One Visit Restoration.

Call the offices of the dentists on your list and listen carefully to the person on the other end of the line. If the voice greets you with a welcoming hello and seems happy to hear your voice it is a good sign the rest of the office is run smoothly and efficiently. Ask questions. Find out the offices policy on financing and make sure that the hours are suitable for your needs. If you are satisfied, make your appointment and go with your instincts.

Going to a dentist for the first time doesn’t have to give you a migraine if you do your research. Dial the number, make an appointment and trust your instincts, chances are the dentist you choose will be the right one for you and your family. 

Beautiful Teeth in Weeks from Your OC Cosmetic Dentist

Thanks to the advances of Cosmetic Dentistry in Orange County, you can have that white smile that you thought you could never afford. These days you can have your teeth whitened giving you a million dollar smile that most people only dream of having.

Tooth bleaching is certainly not new, and is a non-invasive cosmetic dental procedure in Fountain Valley that will improve the look for your smile whether you have stained teeth because of medication, normal wear, or smoke. If you had excessive fluoride when your teeth were just developing you may have dark colored teeth that are drastically affecting your ability to smile.

Red wine, coffee, and tea can also stain your teeth, and if you have enjoyed a glass or cup more than you would like to admit, tooth whitening in Fountain Valley can help. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Peter Hagen who will be able to whiten your teeth enhancing the true beauty of your toothy grin.

Tooth whitening is the number one cosmetic dentistry procedure in Orange County and can whiten your teeth dramatically. However, tooth whitening will only work on natural tooth enamel. Cosmetic restorations in Fountain Valley such as bridges, old fillings, and crowns may need to be replaced in order to match your newly whitened teeth.

Tooth bleaching is not permanent, and if you continue to use tobacco, enjoy the occasional glass of red wine, coffee, or tea, or have recently been treated with tooth enamel damaging prescription drugs, a touch up every few months may be required.

The tooth whitening procedure performed by your Cosmetic Dentist in Orange County requires two appointments with molds or impressions made to fabricate your clear custom made bleaching trays.

During your second dental appointment with Dr. Peter Hagen, your OC Cosmetic Dentist will make sure that your new dental trays fit your teeth and make adjustments if necessary. Your Orange County Cosmetic Dentist will show you how to use your new whitening system giving you a special bleaching solution that you will use overnight, twice a day, or 30 minutes a day depending on how severe the staining is on your teeth.

A beautiful smile is waiting in just a few short weeks, and if you would like more information on tooth whitening, schedule a no obligation consultation with the Best Cosmetic Dentist in the OC today. Do not waste your money on over the counter whitening systems and make your appointment with Dr. Peter Hagen in the OC today. 

Zap That Gummy Smile Once and For All

If you can’t even look at yourself in the mirror because of your gummy smile, it is time to schedule an appointment with your dentist, Dr. Peter Hagen. These days you do not have to resort to painful surgical techniques to recontour your gumline thanks to dental lasers.

Schedule a no obligation consultation with your Fountain Valley Dentist if you want to clean up your gumline.

The, “Gummy Smile,” is characterized by extra gum tissue that sits along your teeth. That extra gum tissue makes your teeth look short and out of proportion with the rest of your mouth. A gummy smile can affect your entire appearance causing self-consciousness and a fear of smiling.

Thankfully, a good dentist has the advanced techniques needed to reshape your gums using dental laser surgery that will reshape and recontour your gums giving you the confidence to flash those pearly whites in public.

Your Orange County Dentist is certified and has the expertise to correct your gummy smile with dental lasers. The tissue laser used by Dr. Hagen or one of his associates recontours your gums without the use of scalpels or stitches. This amazing less invasive treatment is gentle resulting in very little postoperative pain.

Your experienced laser OC Dentist has the ability to transform your smile in as little as one visit, trimming the gums with laser technology. Because you usually only require one session there is less chance of infection and excessive bleeding.

During your laser gum lift procedure, your Fountain Valley Dentist will evaluate your teeth and gums in order to create a unique treatment plan for your particular case. If you are a good candidate for this type of procedure, your Dr. Hagen will use his state of the art laser gently guiding it along your gum line trimming away the excess tissue while reshaping your gums.

If you are tired of the way your smile looks, schedule a no obligation consultation with your OC Cosmetic Dentist. After all, wouldn’t it be nice to walk out of the dentist chair in an hour or less with a brand new smile?

Dental Implants Have Certainly Come a Long Way

Your Dentist in Fountain Valley, Dr. Peter Hagen, will tell you that today’s Dental Implants are a far cry from the Dental Implants used by your ancestors.

Dental Implants in Fountain Valley provide you with an alternative to complete or partial dentures, but Dental Implants have not always been so comfortable, in fact, you may be surprised to learn what people actually had to go through just to replace a missing tooth.

According to archaeologists, Dental Implants date back to the early Mayan Civilization around 600 A.D. Archaeological digs have uncovered ancient skulls whose teeth have been replaced with seashell fragments and semi-precious stones. Although these early attempts at DentalImplants seem crude and primitive, some of those Mayan Dental Implants did fuse to the jawbone. The most well known discovery happened in 1931 when an archaeologist uncovered a Mayan woman’s mandible bone. Thought to be in her mid 20’s the mandible held three seashells that were carved into the shape of a tooth before being hammered into the sockets of her teeth.

Your Dentist in Fountain Valley uses the most advanced Dental Implant technology available but also finds it curious that the ancient Mayans were not the only early civilization to use Dental Implants.

Egyptian mummies that have recently been unearthed have gold wires that have been implanted into the jawbone. A more recent discovery by an anthropologist shows iron being implanted into a Roman soldiers jawbone. Archaeologists in the Middle East have found skeletons that contain ivory Dental Implants.

These early Dental Implants have paved the way for modern Dental Implants, giving Dental Implants in the OC a success rate of 95 to 98 percent.

If you have been thinking about Dental Implants,schedule an appointment with your Orange County Dentist who will be able to determine if you are a good candidate for Dental Implants. If deemed suitable Hagen Dental can replace one or more teeth, restore your smile, enhance facial tissue, support a bridge or denture, and get rid of bite problems and joint pain once and for all.

Call your Fountain Valley Dentist for a no obligation Dental Implant consultation today.

It Really Is Impossible to Check Your Own Breath

If your breath is sending others running for the hills, it could be your teeth and gums. Chronic halitosis could be caused from physical ailments, but the majority of the time, poor oral hygiene is to blame. You will be the last one to know if it’s your breath that is turning people away as it’s impossible to smell. Regular checkups with your Dentist in Fountain Valley will alleviate your bad breath for the last time.

Unless you have diabetes, a chronic liver disease or suffer from kidney failure, bad breath is usually caused from not brushing, flossing, or seeing your Orange County Dentist regularly.

Bad diet could also be to blame for your chronic bad breath. Indulging in spicy foods that include lots of onions and garlic will cause more than indigestion. According to studies, onions will stay in your system up to three days after digestion. That bloomin’ onion that you enjoyed at your favorite restaurant could be absorbed by your stomach and lungs causing halitosis.

If you enjoy the occasional glass of wine with dinner, or consume alcohol on a regular basis, your teeth and gums could suffer for it. Not only will it stain your teeth, but it could also be a contributor to bad breath.

Your sleeping patterns could also be causing your chronic halitosis. If you sleep with your mouth open or snore, you probably suffer from dry mouth, another cause of bad breath.

When Dr. Peter Hagen checks your mouth for bad breath, he will thoroughly examine your teeth and gums looking for signs of gingivitis. Gingivitis and periodontal disease are more common than you think, and could be the reason that you are suffering from chronic halitosis.

Gingivitis is a disease of the gums that occurs when food particles are allowed to sit below the gum line and in between your teeth. If you do not brush twice and floss once a day, bacteria will form creating plaque and eventually tartar. Once tartar has developed below the gum line, you may have to schedule an appointment with your Dentist in Orange County for a deep cleaning, or scaling and planing treatment.

If you are tired of turning away from others when you speak, it is time to schedule an appointment with your OC Dentist, Dr. Peter Hagen.

Cross off Your New Years Resolution List with a Check Up in Fountain Valley

Your Fountain Valley Dentist Dr. Peter Hagen and his staff are just as guilty as you are of over-indulging during the holidays. Tighter fitting skirts and jeans that will not zip are just a couple signs that you may have had too much Christmas cheer. You may think that your New Year’s resolutions, which include weight loss and exercise, are complete, but if you are really trying to take a positive approach to your mind, body and spirit connection in 2014 you need to include oral health on your New Year’s resolution list as well.

  

Tooth decay can happen, even if you brush twice and floss once a day. Eating and drinking too much over the holidays has probably done some damage to your teeth and gums as well. The only way to be sure is to sit down with your OC Dentist for a complete check-up.

Dr. Hagen with examine your teeth and look for any signs of tooth decay. If cavities are present, your Dentist in Orange County will take care of the damage and look for any other restorations that need to be dealt with. Dr. Hagen may even recommend Cosmetic Dentistry treatments to improve your smile.

The best way to start the New Year is with a healthy grin. After your check-up, you and Dr. Hagen can discuss the next step towards a healthier smile, whether that means whitening, filling replacements, crowns, bridges, veneers or implants.

It’s January 1^st and that means the start of a new year. Pick up the phone or go online and make an appointment with your Dentist in Fountain Valley today for General Dentistry or Cosmetic Dental Procedures.