OC Dental Specialists

Periodontal disease and chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease, pregnancy complications and respiratory disease are strongly connected and this has been backed up by numerous research on mouth and body connection. If you gums are significantly inflamed this is a sure case of periodontal disease. Infection below the gum line means there is the presence of disease-causing bacteria in your mouth. Treating and stopping the progression of periodontal disease and maintaining a good standard of oral hygiene will reduce the risk of having gum disease and bone loss. Treatment and maintenance of good oral health will also reduce the chances of developing other serious illnesses. Health conditions connected to periodontal disease Diabetes Periodontal disease can increase blood sugar levels which make controlling the amount of glucose in the blood difficult. If you have diabetes, your blood vessels will thicken and your mouth will have a hard time of ridding itself of excess sugar. If you have excess sugar in your mouth and teeth, you will have more oral bacteria and this condition causes gum disease. Heart Disease There are many theories explaining the link between heart disease and periodontitis. One says that the oral bacteria that causes periodontal disease can attach themselves to the coronary arteries when they enter the bloodstream. This can contribute to both blood clot formation and the narrowing of the coronary arteries, possibly leading to a heart attack. A second study says that the inflammation caused by periodontal disease causes severe plaque build up. This can then lead to swelling of the arteries and worsening pre-existing heart conditions. Pregnancy Complications In general, it is the women who are more at risk of developing periodontal disease because of their hormone fluctuations during puberty, pregnancy and menopause. Pregnant women who have periodontal disease are more at risk of preeclampsia and delivering underweight, premature babies. Respiratory Disease Oral bacteria linked to gum disease can be drawn into the lower respiratory tract during the course of normal inhalation and cause bacterial infections. Inflammation in gum tissue can also lead to severe inflammation in the lining of the lungs, which worsens pneumonia. People who suffer from chronic or persistent respiratory issues generally have low immunity. This means that bacteria can readily settle beneath the gum line unchallenged by the body’s immune system. Do you have questions or concerns about periodontal disease and the mouth-body connection,? Ask trusted OC Dental Specialist dentist today. Call us at (949) 408-0372 to schedule an appointment and discover how much we care about your overall health and your smile!

Even though most adults experience oral surgery at least once in their lifetime, it can be unsettling when you don’t know what to expect. Whether you need wisdom teeth extracted, you’re receiving dental implants, or you need another type of oral surgery, you’re in good hands with the team from O.C. Dental Specialists. Oral surgeons, also called maxillofacial surgeons, have up to 10 years of post-secondary training before they work with patients. This includes four years of dental school and another four to six years of specialized training and supervised work experience in various dental practices. Common Oral Surgeries Although you could need oral surgery for a variety of reasons, below are the most common ones that we perform: • Wisdom teeth removal: Adults typically have 14 teeth on the top jaw and 14 teeth on the bottom jaw for a total of 28. Some people have one to four additional teeth that grow behind the furthest back tooth on each jaw. Because there is no space for them, these teeth become impacted and can cause pain and other oral health issues. An oral surgeon removes the teeth known as wisdom teeth under anesthesia as soon as possible. People who get wisdom teeth usually have them appear between 17 and 21 years of age. • Dental implants: When you no longer have some or all of your natural teeth, dental implants make an excellent replacement alternative. Our oral surgeon first implants small titanium rods into your jawbone that act as roots for your new teeth. Once your jaw has healed and the new roots have fused with the existing ones, it’s time to attach your replacement teeth. • Removal of oral tumors and cysts: Dentists and oral surgeons are uniquely qualified to diagnose and treat this type of cancer. Our staff will let you know the exact location of the tumor and what we must do to excise it. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have additional questions about oral surgery or the qualifications of our surgeons.

According to many, the most precious thing is their smile. It is a gift if you have a naturally white and even set of teeth. Unfortunately, not everyone is gifted with the perfect smile and sometimes the very same smile causes them embarrassment. And the most common reason is an uneven colored set of teeth. So if you suffer from discolored or stained teeth, an in-office teeth whitening process is a wonderful option that could give results in a short period of time. Get ready to boost your self- confidence! It is a fact that almost all people drink a lot of coffee and wine because we feel it’s just part of our life. However, many are still not aware that coffee stains our teeth over time. Also berries, soy sauce, cherries, vinegar and citrus. Poor oral habits such as smoking, drinking, chewing tobacco also causes stains. If you think you are ready to take on the many benefits of having a whiter and brighter set of teeth, go to your local dentist and inquire about professional teeth whitening services. There are in fact a lot of other options to choose from like whitening toothpastes, whitening strips and gels, but nothing will work better than the in-office teeth whitening services offered by a trusted dentist. The best methods used for whitening teeth are in-office dental whitening and prescription strength take home whitening because these are the most effective and time tested ways to cure stain related issues and discoloration of your teeth. Teeth whitening at a dental office usually involves applying a whitening gel on the affected area that accelerates with heat, light, laser or a combination of the methods. A teeth bleaching application produces even more remarkable results. Maintaining the white in your teeth all depends on the level of oral hygiene you are practicing. Remember that the cleaning and whitening of your teeth lightens their natural giving a glow without removing any of the surfaces of your teeth. So take care to follow the instructions of your dentist after having your teeth whitened. You can get these services performed at your home, but it depends on the oral hygiene level and a thorough assessment from your dentist.

The dreaded wisdom teeth! We all have heard the horror stories, but do not ignore them. There has been many back and forth discussions about the removal of wisdom teeth and whether it is necessary to remove them. Few circumstances it is certainly essential. These are some of the main reason we recommend to remove them; If the tooth is not erupting normally. (impacted/slanted) this can create a lot of problems in the future you can even develop cysts & in some rare occasions a tumor. Any sign of caries (cavities) this happens because they are so far in back which makes it almost impossible to keep them plaque free and if left that way it can start damaging the adjacent tooth. Sign of inflammation around the gum area. This can lead to major gum problems such as Periodontitis (gum disease) Constant pain and discomfort If you are unable to close your mouth, bite/chew your food comfortably. Speak to your dentist or an oral surgeon about the position and health of your wisdom teeth before you start experiencing any of the symptoms listed above. They will help you in determining the best option.

As experts in pediatric dentistry, O.C. Dental Specialists would like to stress that the baby teeth play a very important role in long-term oral health. Not only do they help young children chew food and create speech, each primary tooth forms a bud from which the adult tooth will grow. They also help to preserve and create space for each of the permanent teeth to come in several years later. Frequent brushing and flossing is just as important with the baby teeth as it is for permanent teeth. When to Start Bringing Your Child to the Dentist You don’t have to wait until your child is preschool age and has a full set of primary teeth before scheduling his or her first dental appointment. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that you make the first appointment when your baby is just 12 months old. Even the very first teeth can succumb to decay without adequate care. After this first visit, you should continue to bring your baby to the dentist once every six months. Establish Good Oral Healthcare Habits Early at Home You can begin an oral healthcare routine with your baby long before he or she has any teeth. Each time you feed your infant, take a minute to rub his or her gums with a damp cloth to prevent a build-up of bacteria in the mouth. After the first teeth erupt, brush your child’s teeth with a small toothbrush using only a pea-sized amount of toothpaste. Starting around age two, guide your child in brushing using the hand-over-hand method. Most children are ready to start brushing on their own before they start school, although they still require supervision. Be sure to set a good example by allowing your child to see you brush your own teeth and limiting sugary drinks and snacks. Please let us know if we can help in any other way.