Why Regular Visits to Your Redwood City Dentist Matters

While not having your teeth cared for can lead to a variety of future problems, many people still do not grasp the importance of regular trips to your Redwood City dentist. A dentist can help you lead a long, healthy life, free of many ailments.

The list below is just a short snippet of what regularly visiting your dentist can do for you.

Early Detection of Cavities

Early detection of cavities is one of the main reasons it is important to visit the dentist on a regular basis. When you visit every six months, your dentist will be able to spot potential dental problems before they become dangerous. Early detection will help your treatment become less expensive and less intensive

Prevention of Cavities

The prevention of cavities is much easier when you have a knowledgeable dentist on your side. If you are “cavity prone,” a dentist can work with you to determine the best regimen for preventing cavities. When you visit a dentist, you'll learn how to care for your teeth by flossing and brushing. If you are still cavity prone after proper dental hygiene is implemented,  you may even be prescribed toothpaste with additional fluoride in it to help protect your teeth.

Detection of Medical Conditions

A dentist can discover some medical conditions or diseases, like cancer, by symptoms that appear in your mouth. Whenever you visit the dentist, your mouth will be checked for sores, lesions, and swollen areas that can lead to discovery and treatment. People can prevent the risk of mouth cancer and ease the treatment process by catching the symptoms at a dentist early on.

Gum Disease Prevention

Periodontal disease, better known as gum disease, is an infection of the gums and tissues that support your teeth. Gum disease starts as a milder form called gingivitis. When plaque builds up, it hardens and becomes tartar. Tartar buildup will inflame and infect your gums. If they are not immediately treated it could lead to severe gum disease. You will know you have gum disease by bleeding and swollen gums, persistent bad breath, and tenderness. Untreated gum disease can lead to the loss of teeth, gum recession, and the weakening of your jaw bone and dental structure. Visiting your dentist on a regular basis will help prevent gum disease, and if you are developing gum disease already, you can receive treatment sooner to prevent long term problems.

Confidence Improvement

Much of a person's confidence is based on how comfortable they are with their smile. If you have excellent teeth, you will be inclined to smile more often, and you will most likely be happier overall. A quality dentist can help keep your teeth white, strong, healthy, and beautiful. A dentist can also recommend a reliable orthodontist if you need to have your teeth straightened, and they can keep your teeth clean and healthy throughout orthodontic treatment.
There are even more reasons to visit the dentist in addition to these. For the best smile and the healthiest lifestyle, make regular dentist visits a priority in your life.

Family Dentist  >  Redwood City Dentist

3 Reasons to Have Dental Surgery to Replace Missing Teeth

Our Redwood City office can perform dental surgery to give you back the full functionality and appearance of your smile after tooth loss. Replacing missing teeth is a critical process for improving the outward appearance, bone health, speech, ability to eat, and self-confidence. Whether or not to replace teeth is not an option. The main option that you will want to consider is how you want to replace them. With standard options like dentures and dental bridges, many people instantly gravitate toward what they know. However, there is a third option that is far more durable and better for your health: dental implants. Surgically placing them in the jaw, dental implants are worth learning more about.

Here are the top three reasons our patients replace their teeth using dental surgery to acquire dental implants:

#1 - They want a new tooth that does not go anywhere.

Dentures may look like natural teeth, but they are designed to be removed on a nightly basis. That means your teeth can move out of place or become loose at any time. If you are trying to enjoy a nice big steak, that can be incredibly inconvenient. If you are running a marathon, it can be embarrassing. If you want teeth that stay in place no matter what, you need implants.

#2 - Implants stop resorption.

Within the first year of losing a tooth, you will start to experience resorption — at a rate of 25 percent in a single year. Resorption is when the body begins to leach calcium from your jawbone because it believes that your jaw is no longer doing its job of supporting your teeth. The more calcium your jaw loses, the less dense it will be. Resorption puts your remaining teeth at risk and can cause your face to have a sunken appearance, making you look far older than you are. Dental implants provide your jaw with the stimulation it needs to stop the resorption process. During the dental surgery, the surgeon attaches the implant to the jawbone so osseointegration can take place.

#3 - They're looking for a solution that looks natural.

Dental implants are the most natural-looking way to replace teeth because a dental lab creates the tooth portion to your exact specifications and measurements. The lab can even match the shade of white necessary to blend in with your surrounding teeth. Since the tooth is secured to your implant, it is not connected to your other teeth in any way. There are no visible wires or hooks like with dentures and no dental crowns to worry about, like with a dental bridge.

Dental Surgery Is Your Best Option

When it comes down to convenience, appearance, health, and durability, nothing compares with the benefits that come from dental implants. When you use implants to replace your teeth, you can eat all your favorite foods, maintain a healthy lifestyle without worrying about your teeth, exercise, laugh out loud, and do anything you would with a full set of natural teeth. There are no restrictions beyond taking care of your smile. To learn more about the many benefits, call and schedule a consultation with our Redwood City office.

Dental Implants  >  Cosmetic Dentistry