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.

How to Brush your Teeth

Everyone knows that brushing your teeth is important. The American Dental Association and your Dentist in Fountain Valley recommends brushing twice a day for at least two minutes with fluoride toothpaste to help prevent cavities and gum disease. Periodontal disease is the number one reason people lose their teeth. Recent studies also indicate that advanced gum disease to could to strokes and heart attacks.

Most people believe that a hard bristled toothbrush is better for teeth, but Hagen Dental will tell you that isn’t the case. Hard bristled toothbrushes can actually hurt your gums. Use a soft bristled tooth, which is much gentler. Make sure that your toothbrush is comfortable when holding and that the head is small enough to reach all of your teeth.

Before you begin, brushing wet your toothbrush first. Squeeze a small amount of fluoride toothpaste, about the size of a pea, onto your toothbrush. Putting too much tooth gel or paste on your toothbrush will cause it to over suds, which could tempt you to finish too soon.

Your Dentist in the OC recommends that you set the bristles on your toothbrush just at your gum line or a 45-degree angle. Instead of brushing across your teeth, brush in a circular motion.

According to your Fountain Valley Dentist, it is important that you spend about 15 seconds in each spot and brush two or three teeth at a time while working around your mouth making sure that you brush every tooth. It may help to divide your brushing into quadrants. Bottom right, bottom left, top right and top left. By dividing into quadrants, you will be able brush for 30 seconds on each quadrant getting your two minutes worth of brushing time.

Make sure that you brush your molars by positioning your toothbrush so that your bristles rest on the top of your molars on the bottom. Work in and out and move from the back to the front. Repeat on the opposite side. Once you have cleaned your bottom molars flip over your toothbrush and repeat on the top.

Dr. Hagen cannot stress enough how important it is to brush the insides of your teeth, as it is the most commonly skipped. Tip your toothbrush with the head pointed towards the gum line brushing each tooth on both your upper and lower teeth.

After you have finished brushing your teeth, use your toothbrush to brush your tongue being careful not to damage your tissue by brushing too hard. Brushing your tongue helps with bad breath.

Rinsing after you brush is optional as is mouthwash as there are conflicting debates. Some studies show rinsing has no impact on fluoride toothpaste, while others say it reduces the fluoride treatment of the toothpaste.

By following these simple instructions twice a day, flossing once a day and seeing your Orange County Dentist on a regular basis, you can help prevent tooth decay and gum disease. 

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. 

Sugary Foods to Avoid With the Help of Your Fountain Valley Dentist

Dr. Peter Hagen has been helping people all over Orange County, and although Dr. Hagen and Hagen Dental can provide you with the most comprehensive dental care on the planet, there are some things that you can do to prevent cavities.

According to Men’s Health Magazine, the average American will consume about 140 pounds of sugars and sweeteners. Life is sweet, but it can cause real problems for your teeth.

Even if you don’t think you have a sweet tooth, you could be eating the equivalent to nearly 6,050 Reese’s chocolaty peanut butter cups over the coming year. It may sound ludicrous to you, but Dr. Hagen and his Orange County Dentists office will tell you that there are dozens of foods loaded with hidden sugars.

According to the bestselling book, Eat This, Not That, some of the most sugar packed foods in the US are ones that you would never suspect. You may love visiting with Dr. Hagen and his Fountain Valley Dentist office, but if you want to spend less time in the chair with a drill in your mouth, it’s best to avoid the following sugary foods.

The Baskin-Robbins Oreo Layered Sundae is the most sugar packed menu item in the US and has 146 grams of sugar and a whopping 1,330 calories. Skip the Sundae and try a couple of scoops of vanilla ice cream instead. 

Everyone loves Dr. Hagen and his dental practice in the OC, but if you would rather stop by for a friendly visit than a couple of fillings, Hagen Dental recommends that you avoid Starbucks Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate. The Venti size with whipped cream and low fat milk is loaded with 81 grams of sugar, and 19 grams of fat. Instead of drinking 560 calories, opt for a Vanilla Bean Crème Frappuccino with non-fat milk.

Smoothies are supposed to be healthy, but if you think you are helping your teeth with a Jamba Juice Banana Berry Smoothie think again. Packed with 82 grams of sugar and 1.5 grams of fat you would be better off ordering a Berry Fulfilling Smoothie. With only 230 calories, it is a much better option than the Banana Berry Smoothie with 400 calories.

Granola can be good for you, but if you are trying to avoid a trip to the dentists office in the OC, skip the Quaker Oats Natural Granola with Honey and Raisins. With 420 calories, 10 grams of fat and 26 grams of sugar it’s like eating a sugary dessert for breakfast. Go for a bowl of Post Shredded wheat instead as it has 0 grams of sugar and 160 calories.

Of course, there are many sugary foods to avoid. Stay tuned and we’ll fill you in on the rest of the list next time with the help of the best Fountain Valley Dentist in Orange County Dr. Peter Hagen and the team from Hagen Dental.

Remember to smile, because you never know who's falling in love with your smile.

Feel free to call HagenDental with any dental questions or concerns you may have.  Our entire team looks forward to meeting you.

Contact our Fountain Valley Dental office with any questions.

http://www.peterhagendds.com/ (714) 965-5255

With over 27 years of serving Orange County, our new, state-of-the-art facility offers both the very latest in dental technology, combined with the comfortable feeling of the Hawaiian Islands. Relax as our experienced team of doctors provide the very best in today's dental techniques while you enjoy your own private television, complete with headphones if needed. Wireless internet service is available so you can keep your busy schedule on track, and our commitment to same-day dentistry using the very latest in CAD-CAM dentistry gets you back to your daily life without the need for temporary crowns or return visits!

HagenDental

18426 Brookhurst St Ste.101

Valley Garden (Coco's) Shopping Center

Fountain Valley, CA 92708

Phone: (714) 965-5255

http://www.hagen-dental.com