Don’t Let Periodontal Disease Happen to You

If you have sore, red and bleeding gums it’s time to schedule an appointment with your dentist who can determine how far along your gum disease has progressed.

According to theAmerican Dental Association, bleeding gums is a sure sign of gingivitis or the more serious periodontal disease. If left untreated your gum disease can cause chronic halitosis or loose teeth. Your gum disease can even cause your teeth to fall out.

Gingivitis

The mildest type of gum disease, gingivitis will make your gums swollen and red. If you have gingivitis, your gums will also bleed. During this stage of gum disease, there is very little if any discomfort. Gingivitis is usually caused by poor oral hygiene habits and is reversible.

If you have any signs of gingivitis, it is imperative that you schedule an appointment with your dentist and follow up with adequate oral health care at home.

Other factors that could contribute to gingivitis include: 

• Smoking
• Diabetes
• Poor nutrition
• Aging
• Systemic diseases
• Systemic conditions
• Genetic predisposition
• Pregnancy
• Hormonal fluctuations
• HIV
• Substance abuse
• Certain types of medication 

Periodontal Disease

Also referred to as Periodontitis, periodontal disease is a condition that advances from gingivitis. Over time, the plaque will spread below your gum line irritating your gums. The toxins that are produced by the plaque and bacteria will cause your body to turn on itself. The bone and tissue that supports your teeth will break down and eventually become destroyed. Periodontal disease also causes deep pockets to form between your teeth and gums. If left untreated your teeth will become loose and eventually fall out. You may or may not experience any pain with periodontal disease.

If you have bleeding gums, it is imperative that you schedule an appointment with your dentist who can start a treatment plan to help you and your mouth get healthy again.

Don’t let gum disease destroy your smile. Call or click and schedule an appointment with your dentist today. 

Over Bleaching Can Cause Serious Problems

Everyone likes a beautiful smile, but unfortunately, a new disorder, known in the industry as, “Bleachorexia,” is happening all over the world and could have disastrous results

Over bleaching teeth with over the counter bleaching products can cause serious problems for your teeth and gums. Bleaching more than is recommended can make you sensitive to hot and cold and even make your teeth appear transparent. Your dentist explains that over bleaching can also ruin the enamel on your teeth.

Tooth whitening is big business with Americans spending over a billion dollars each year with both over the counter tooth whitening products such as gels, pastes and whitening strips, and professional in office tooth whitening and custom made tooth bleaching trays. In fact, in a recent study conducted by the American Dental Association tooth whitening toothpaste is more popular than fluoride or tartar control toothpaste.

Although more research is needed, there is evidence that when tooth-bleaching products are used as directed no permanent damage will occur.

Studies indicate that it is quite safe to bleach for two weeks if you are using an over the counter bleaching product or a custom-made whitening kit from your dentist. It is also safe to schedule one or two in office chair side bleaching session each year. However, your dentist will tell you that it is unsafe to include bleaching as part of your daily routine.

Other side effects, besides the tooth sensitivity, that could occur from over whitening include blue colored enamel, gum irritation, and uneven tooth whiteness. If the chemicals seep into an unfilled cavity or a cracked tooth, the internal damage will not only be painful, but could also result in a root canal. With the exception of the internal damage, all of the symptoms will clear up after a couple of weeks as long as you stop using the tooth bleaching products.

However, some people will not stop and become, “Bleachorexics.” A decade ago most people were not even aware of tooth whitening, but these days, most dentists will tell you that they have had to cut off more than one patient because of, “Bleachorexia.”  

One of the main reasons people can’t stop is because once they do, teeth will return to the color that they were before bleaching. Very few people are content with their tooth color after it begins to regress. This starts the cycle all over again, which eventually leads to over bleaching.

If you think you could be suffering from, “Bleachorexia,” schedule an appointment with your dentist who can help you kick the habit with a more permanent solution such as dental veneers or dental bonding. 

Dental Restorations Need to Be Checked by Your Dentist

If you have been ignoring that pain that seems to be coming from an existing filling, you need to schedule an appointment with your dentist.

Most people have no idea that old and new tooth colored resin fillings and silver amalgam fillings will not last forever, and if you are continually bragging about your 15-year-old fillings, you could be asking for trouble.

According to the American Dental Associations Mouth Healthy website, tooth colored fillings, or composite fillings are resistant to breaks and fractures, but are not as strong as silver amalgam fillings. Composite fillings are also more expensive than silver amalgam fillings and are sometimes not covered by your dental insurance plan. Recent studies indicate that composite or tooth colored resin fillings are less durable than amalgam fillings and will need to be replaced more frequently.

Of course, the only way to tell if you have decay under your existing fillings, crowns or other dental restorations is to schedule an appointment with your dentist. Unfortunately, not all tooth decay is painful, and you could be dealing with additional cavities under or around your fillings. If you do not take care of the issue, other problems could occur including infection and the need for root canal therapy.

If you have tooth colored fillings that are visible when you smile, you may need to have them replaced because of cosmetic reasons as tooth colored fillings can become stained or discolored.

When you age, your teeth could change. If this happens, you may need to replace your dental restorations in order to save your natural teeth or improve your bite. The old amalgam or tooth colored filling may be past its use by date. If this occurs, you are putting the rest of the tooth in danger.

Your dentist explains that a dental filling, whether it is an amalgam or composite filling, is not used to cure the tooth decay. Fillings are only placed to remove the damage caused by acid attack.

Old fillings are certainly nothing to boast about, and should be checked out twice a year by your dentist, even more so if you suspect a problem with a filling or dental crown.

Schedule an appointment with your dentist today and have those fillings checked out. Doing so may mean the difference between a simple filling replacement and a costly dental restoration.

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. 

A New Smile in Just One Appointment

These days you do not have to spend months at the Dentist in Fountain Valley if you have chipped, discolored, or misshaped teeth. Thanks to the best Orange County Dentist, Dr. Peter Hagen, you can show off your smile in as little as one appointment with CEREC Veneers.

Traditionally, it would take two or more appointments for Porcelain Veneers, but not anymore. With CEREC, there is no need to come back to the office to have your temporary veneer removed before attaching a permanent veneer.

Thanks to 21^st century technology, your Fountain Valley Dentist can work on your porcelain veneer in the office while you wait saving time and money. With the new process, there is no need to bother with the cost of a temporary veneer. Because CEREC’s design is made with the help of a computer, you will get an exact fit eliminating additional appointments and a bad fit.

Not all Orange County Dentists have CEREC training or equipment, and that is where Hagen Dental can help.

CEREC literally is futuristic dental technology.

Chair side: CEREC is used while you are in the chair

Economical: CEREC is much more affordable for you and your Dentist in Fountain Valley

Restorations: CEREC will restore your tooth back to its original natural beauty, strength, and function

Esthetic: CEREC restorations are made to match the color of your teeth and free from metal

Ceramic: CEREC is made from high-strength ceramics that are almost identical to the natural structure of your tooth.

CEREC technology is the most advanced restorative system available and allows your Fountain Valley Dentist to restore your decayed teeth, remove silver amalgam fillings, place crowns, or fit you with veneers in one single appointment.

If you are tired of your closed mouth smile, schedule a consultation with the Best Dentist in the OC, Dr. Peter Hagen. With just one appointment, you can flash your new pearly whites thanks to Hagen Dental and CEREC technology. 

Your Fountain Valley Dentist Can Remove your Amalgam Fillings

For more than 150 years, dentists have been using silver amalgam fillings unbeknownst to them that these same fillings could be wrecking havoc with their patient’s health.

Back in the 1980’s, the American Dental Association claimed that the mercury that was used in silver amalgam fillings was perfectly safe and could never leak, but new research has shown that that is not entirely true. A recent episode of the Dr. Oz show featured experts on the subject who say that mercury can leak out of your silver amalgam fillings causing health problems such as excessive tiredness, anxiety, mood swings, migraine headaches, and even autoimmune disorders. Some dental experts claim that silver amalgam fillings can lead to Alzheimer’s disease, cancer and even multiple sclerosis.

Other issues that can happen with silver amalgam fillings include tooth structure weakening. Over the years, your silver amalgam fillings can wear down and actually break causing your entire tooth to become weak making it a breeding ground for tooth decay.

According to your Dentist in Fountain Valley, every silver filling in your mouth contains 50 percent mercury. Silver amalgam fillings are made out of silver, other metals, and of course mercury. Why mercury? Because it actually binds the metals together.

There are certainly some who would debate the topic claiming that silver amalgam fillings are perfectly safe. The American Dental Association continues to support the belief that silver amalgam fillings do not cause health issues, but if you are having second thoughts about your silver amalgam fillings and suffer from any of the issues listed above, you may want to schedule an appointment with your Orange County Dentist who will be able to assess your situation.

Of course, even if you don’t believe the hype about silver amalgam fillings, there is still the issue of cosmetics. Silver fillings will turn gray and sometimes black over the years, and if you want to maintain a white and healthy looking smile, schedule an appointment with Dr. Peter Hagen who can replace your old silver amalgam fillings with tooth colored restorations.

Periodontal Disease Could Lead To Dementia

Everyone, including your Fountain Valley Dentist, knows that gum disease can cause serious problems, but recent research is proving that there may be a direct link between Alzheimer’s disease and poor dental health.

A recent study conducted by the University of Central Lancashire in the United Kingdom has discovered that people who have gum disease and poor oral health could be at a much higher risk when it comes to Alzheimer’s disease. When the brains of patients who suffered from Alzheimer’s disease and dementia were examined, they discovered Porphyromonas gingivalis, which is a bacteria or bug that has long been associated with people who suffer from periodontal disease.

The study took 10 brain samples from dementia patients and 10 samples from people who did not suffer from the disease. The Porphyromonas gingivalis was only present in the brains of the patients who had been afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease.

Your Orange County Dentist is well aware that the bacteria lurking inside your oral cavities will eventually enter your bloodstream from eating, chewing, brushing, and flossing. Every time the Porphyromonas gingivalis enters the brain, it could actually release excess chemicals that could kill your brains neurons. Once that happens it could cause Alzheimer’s symptoms like memory loss and confusion according to the study.

Brushing twice and flossing once a day is essential for healthy teeth and gums as is regularly scheduled appointments with your Dentist in the OC.

During your check-up with Hagen Dental, you will be given a thorough dental exam. The comprehensive exam will include x-rays, oral cancer screening and gum disease evaluation. Your Fountain Valley Dentist will also look for tooth decay and make sure that your restorations are still doing their job.

After your x-rays, your OC Dentist will diagnose your radiographs looking for bone loss, cysts, tumors, and tooth decay. The x-rays will also help your Hagen Dental determine your root and tooth positioning.  

If your Fountain Valley Dentist detects gingivitis or periodontal disease, Dr. Hagen will schedule a professional deep cleaning or scaling and planing.

Gingivitis and Periodontal disease can be hard to detect, especially without a professional examination. If you are experiencing red or swollen gums, persistent bad breath, or bleeding gums after brushing and flossing it is time to schedule a thorough dental exam with Hagen Dental. Research is still being conducted and no one knows for sure if poor oral health causes dementia, but are you willing to take that chance? 

Other Foods to Avoid According to Your Fountain Valley Dentist

In the last blog, your Fountain Valley Dentist Peter Hagen from Hagen Dental told you about the dangers of sugary foods. Dr. Hagen also mentioned that there were plenty of other foods that could cause damage to your teeth and gums, but it is not just sugary foods that can wreck havoc with your smile. Other foods that you may not know about could also turn your frown upside down.

According to Readers Digest foods like ketchup and even fruit flavored yogurt are loaded with hidden sugars. If you ever see high fructose corn syrup on an ingredients list do yourself and your family a favor and put it back on the shelf.

Sports and energy drinks may put a zing in your step, but the thick and acidic liquids can stick to your teeth for hours. Energy and sports drinks are just as bad as soda. For a healthier grin, stick to plain old water.  

If you enjoy sucking on a ripe juicy lemon, your OC Dentist says that you could be ruining the enamel on your teeth. Because lemons are so acidic, sucking or chewing on them for long period of time could cause irreversible damage to your teeth.

Starchy foods like soft breads, potato chips, French fries, crackers and pretzels are not just bad for your waistline. Your Fountain Valley Dentist will tell you that starchy foods will get trapped in-between your teeth and if you are not constantly brushing, could lead to plaque build-up.

Dried fruit and raisins are extremely high in sugar, but according to your Dentist in Orange County, raisins and other dried fruits like apricots and prunes can be stuck in your teeth and stay for hours leading to decay. Dried fruits can also cause stress on fillings.

For healthy teeth and gums, your favorite Fountain Valley Dentist recommends eating sugary foods with a meal. Because your mouth produces saliva during mealtime, it can help neutralize the acid production in your mouth rising away food particles.

Dr. Hagen also advises that you limit your snacks. If you must have something to eat, opt for a nutritious snack like a piece of cheese or a handful of nuts. Try to rinse your mouth out after your snack, or chew a stick of sugarless gum.

Drink more water as fluoridated water can help with tooth decay. If you are drinking bottled water, be sure and check your labels for fluoride.

Finally your OC Dentist recommends that you brush your teeth twice a day and floss once a day to keep your teeth and gums healthy and don’t forget to schedule an appointment for a check-up with Hagen Dental if you haven’t seen your Dentist in Orange County for a few months.