Rotten teeth?

Fresh Ways to Combat Rotten Teeth

Rotten teeth affect millions of men, women and children the world over. People become susceptible to the factors causing rotting teeth virtually the moment that their first baby teeth appear. And while the primary cause of rotting teeth is as complex as it is pervasive, one thing is clear: left untreated, a rotting tooth is destined to become a dead tooth.

 

Rotten teeth are the result of the demineralization of tooth enamel by the acid-producing bacteria that normally grow the human mouth. The erosive power of this chemical process is why cavities and rotting teeth appear discolored and translucent. In so-called "best-case" scenarios, the acid responsible for rotting teeth will create a small dental cavity. In worst-case scenarios, the acid will eat through the enamel and dentin into the pulp of the tooth producing first a toothache and then a dead tooth.

 

The Sugar Connection

 

Research shows the consumption of sugar and starchy foods creates the perfect environment for the growth of the acid-producing bacteria responsible for rotting teeth. This partially explains the alarming number of children who experience decayed or rotten teeth. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 6 out of 10 children in the U.S. will have a least one cavity filled by age 5. Studies link this alarming statistic to three things: 1) the omnipresence of sugary snacks; 2) giving little ones pacifying bottles of juice, milk, or formula to drink during the day or overnight; and 3) inconsistent oral hygiene.

 

Preventing rotten teeth takes a little common sense and a lot of dedication. The key to avoiding rotting teeth is reducing the amount of cavity-causing bacteria and dental plaque in your mouth. This requires a real commitment to good oral hygiene, including

 

·        Brushing your teeth 2-3 times a day

·        Using tartar-control toothpaste with fluoride 

·        Flossing daily

·        Rinsing with a fluoride mouthwash

·        Cutting back on starchy and sugary foods

·        Increasing saliva flow by chewing xylitol gum

·        Regular dental cleanings by a dentist DDS, DMD or dental hygienist

Tooth Picks

Be Careful With Toothpicks

Most dentists agree that toothpicks should be used sparingly as a method of teeth cleaning and should never be considered a substitute for brushing teeth and flossing. Fact is they should be used only when a toothbrush or floss is not available, for example, when you are in a restaurant and have food trapped between teeth.

Toothpicks that are used overzealously can damage tooth enamel, lacerate gums, and even cause a broken tooth in severe cases. People who have bonding or veneers can chip or break them if they aren't careful. Overly aggressive use of toothpicks can severely wear the roots of teeth, especially in cases where gums have pulled away from the teeth and leave teeth with root surfaces exposed, notably in the elderly.

Toothpicks date back to 3,500 BC when the earliest known oral hygiene kit featuring a toothbrush was found at the Ningal Temple in Ur. In China, a curved pendant, made of cast bronze was worn around the neck and used as a toothpick. In 536 BC, the Chinese mandated a law that required the use of the toothpick because their armies suffered from bad breath. In the Old Testament, it is written that "one may take a splinter from the wood lying near him to clean his teeth."

Today, most toothpicks in the United States come from "toothpick trees" in Maine. The tree is a white birch which has its trunk cut into thin sheets that are cut again to the thickness and length of toothpicks.

Dentists can tell when they have a habitual toothpick user in their dental chair. There are the tell-tale signs of toothpick marks. So use them if you have too, but don't make it a habit. Brush and floss instead. Make sure you come in and see our hygienist and Doctor Vasquez every 6 months for your cleaning and exam. 

Are your kids brushing their teeth?

5 Clues Your Child Is not Brushing

1. The toothbrush is dry.

It's tough to keep the toothbrush dry if you're actually brushing! Make sure to check your child’s toothbrush every day (and night ) – before it has time to dry.

2. You can still see food particles.

After your child has brushed, ask for a smile. If you can still see bits of food on or in between your child's teeth, send your child back to the bathroom for a do-over.

3. Teeth don’t pass the “squeak test.”

Have your child wet his or her finger and rub it quickly across the outside and inside of his or her teeth. If the teeth are clean, you will hear a squeaking sound.

4. Breath is everything but fresh.

If your child is brushing and flossing regularly, his or her breath should be fresh. The foul odor associated with bad breath is most often caused by food particles -- either food left in between teeth or food trapped in the grooves on the tongue.

5. Your child has a toothache.

Even if you can't tell if your child is brushing well, a toothache is a red flag. Make sure your child sees the dentist right away – a filling or other treatment may be in order.

Remember, brushing is just one part of your child’s total oral health regimen. In order to remove stubborn plaque and tartar buildup and prevent other dental problems, regular exams and cleanings are a must. Plus, your dentist can help reinforce the importance of good oral hygiene with your child.

Medications and you Dental health

How Medications Affect Your Dental Health                                                 If you're taking medications for certain health conditions, it may not have crossed your mind that they can also impact your oral health. After all, medications are supposed to bring equilibrium back to your system, not stir things up, right? Truth is a variety of prescribed medications can affect your teeth. Antihistamines may cause dry mouth syndrome, which can lead to sore gums, making the mouth more prone to infection. Contraceptives and blood pressure medications may cause mouth sores, gum inflammation and discoloration. Blood thinners can interfere with your ability to form blood clots or cause heavy bleeding after a tooth extraction. Anti-seizure medications can cause an overgrowth of gum tissue (gingival hyperplasia) and make it difficult to practice good oral hygiene. When you're taking medications and start taking other medications — whether prescribed, over-the-counter or illegal - it can change the effects of both the original and the new medications. Simply put, when certain drugs interact, they may increase or decrease the effects or produce another, unintended effect. This is why it's so important to keep Dr. Vasquez informed about all the medications you take; any teeth medications you are prescribed will take this into consideration.  

Wisdom Teeth

The Impact of an Impacted Tooth

A tooth is considered impacted when it only partially grows through the gums. This can happen because another tooth blocks it, or it grows in crookedly. The third molar typically erupts from age 17 to 21 and is the last tooth to appear, which is why it’s the most likely tooth to become impacted – there’s usually no room left for it.

 

Although an impacted tooth does not always lead to pain or discomfort, the impaction can cause other problems. A partially erupted tooth can create an opening in the gum where food and other particles can accumulate, leading to gum infection. Impacted teeth can also develop tooth decay, and they can also push on adjacent teeth, causing all your teeth to shift.

 

For these reasons, it’s usually recommended to have wisdom teeth extracted before the age of 21. The younger you are the better (and faster) the surrounding tissue and bone will heal. That doesn’t mean you should ignore the symptoms if you’re over 21, though.

 

No matter what age you are, if an impacted tooth is causing you pain, soreness, sensitivity or inflammation, come in for a visit. Better to get treatment than unnecessarily endure pain and discomfort!

 

Persistent pain or an infection usually means the tooth will need to be removed. Make an appointment with us today! Dr. Vasquez has the most significant technology, the 3-D Cone Beam allows him to see more then the usual panoramic x-ray. Very few Dentist have this technology in their office which makes it convenient for patients to have it taken in the office instead of having to go out for referrals.

Make your appointment today!

Dental Emergency

Dental Emergency

A dental emergency can strike anytime, anywhere, and without warning.  many kinds of activities could lead to a dental emergency from misplaced fly balls to popcorn seeds causing a painful bout of inflammation, there are many kinds of dental emergencies.

Here are some of the most common reasons for Dental Emergency visits.

A chipped tooth is the most common dental emergency. Small chips can be caused by food (seeds and nuts have sent many people to see the dentist); however, it's usually some sort of accident or injury that more often causes a chip. While you might be embarrassed to walk around with a gaping chip in your front tooth, it is easily fixed with a bond, crown, or veneer.

It might sound funny, but getting a piece of food lodged in the wrong place can result in a dental emergency. If something gets stuck deep in a crevice, it can cause pain and inflammation.

The loss of a filling happens more often than you think. When you lose a filling, you need to take care of it immediately. If you don’t, you may risk further damage to your tooth usually leading to more extensive and costly treatments.

Somehow you've managed to knock out a tooth. Whether it's the result of decay or because a result of a sports injury, when you lose a tooth, you need emergency dental care. If the tooth is salvageable, then it can be re-implanted into the socket, but this needs to be done within a very short period of time.

A broken tooth is more severe than a chipped tooth. When a tooth breaks, it might be due to a small or hidden chip. However, chances are the pain and discomfort will be more severe.

When you injure your teeth or mouth, you need to seek emergency care as soon as possible. In the event of a dental emergency, don't wait. Contact us immediately www.vasquezdds.com or 760-712-4128

Same Day Dentistry

                        My sister has RA (an autoimmune disease that attacks your joints) and she is taking strong immunosuppressant drugs to keep the RA at bay.  She has one day per month to get dental work done. With Doctor Vasquez Same day dentistry, makes getting dental work done convenient for those patients who have medical limitations.

- Tera Dean RDH

"Back Office Staff" (BOS)

The "BOS" of the office!

Being the "BOS" of the office at Dr. Vasquez is a great privilege of mine. No it is not a typo missing an S; I am the BOS meaning “Back Office Staff.”

I consider myself very lucky to be a part of this office and the staff. Dr. Vasquez has taken the time to train me into a great assistant. It takes a lot of patience for a doctor to train someone that doesn't know a lot besides what they have learned in school. I am so lucky to be able to train with such an experienced doctor with such advanced technology. Not every assistant out there can say they are experiencing what I am experiencing working in my office. The way I see myself here is developing from a caterpillar to a butterfly, going through such a phase is great to go through with such an amazing team.

This office is my second family and all of our goals are to make all patients feel like they are a part of it as well. 

The Best Dental Experience!

Hello I'm Ruby, the office Manager at Dr. Vasquez office the BEST Dentist in Oceanside!

Recently I had a family reunion; I was very excited and nervous to go.  Excited because it is always fun to spend quality time with my family and make memories especially for the younger kids, nervous because I haven’t seen some of my family members in a long time but when we arrived we were greeted as if the years have never gone by.  I always look forward to our family reunions; you are always welcomed with open arms and a warmth atmosphere, that’s how I feel when I come to work every day.  We are a family that provides our patients the same warmth atmosphere and make them feel right at home in our office, every patient is treated like family, and every visit to our practice is always a pleasant one.  All the staff works together as a team to assure each patient has the best dental experience; that is our commitment to you.

Daniel Vasquez DDS Staff Blogger: At our office seeing our patients again is like a ...

Daniel Vasquez DDS Staff Blogger: At our office seeing our patients again is like a ...

At our office seeing our patients again is like a family reunion!

Daniel Vasquez DDS Staff Blogger: In our dental office we provide our patients an ex...

Daniel Vasquez DDS Staff Blogger: In our dental office we provide our patients an ex...

In our dental office we provide our patients an excellent experience.