Dr. Sarah Po - Family & Cosmetic Dentistry

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Denture Overview

Wednesday, July 14th, 2010

If you have lost all of your natural teeth, whether from periodontal disease, tooth decay or injury, complete dentures can replace your missing teeth and your smile. Replacing missing teeth will benefit your appearance and your health. Without support from the denture, facial muscles sag, making a person look older. You’ll be able to eat and speak—things that people often take for granted until their natural teeth are lost.

There are various types of complete dentures. A conventional full denture is made and placed in the patient’s mouth after the remaining teeth are removed and tissues have healed which may take several months. An immediate complete denture is inserted as soon as the remaining teeth are removed. The dentist takes measurements and makes models of the patient’s jaws during a preliminary visit. With immediate dentures, the denture wearer does not have to be without teeth during the healing period.

Even if you wear full dentures, you still must take good care of your mouth. Brush your gums, tongue and palate every morning with a soft-bristled brush before you insert your dentures to stimulate circulation in your tissues and help remove plaque.

Thank you for reading. I encourage you to leave comments or questions below. To learn more about my practice, click on the link www.elitesacramentodentist.com

Your friendly dentist,
Dr. Sarah Po
July 14, 2010

Source:  http://www.ada.org/2996.aspx?currentTab=1

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Proper Brushing Technique

Tuesday, June 1st, 2010

The best way to remove decay-causing plaque is by brushing and cleaning between your teeth every day. Brushing removes plaque from the tooth surfaces.

Brush your teeth twice a day, with a soft or extra-soft bristled toothbrush. The size and shape of your brush should fit your mouth, allowing you to reach all areas easily. Use a toothpaste that contains fluoride, which helps protect your teeth from decay.

By taking care of your teeth, eating a balanced diet and visiting your dentist regularly, you can have healthy teeth and an attractive smile your entire life. Follow these brushing tips to keep your teeth and mouth clean:

  • Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle against the gums.
  • Move the brush back and forth gently in short (tooth-wide) strokes.
  • Brush the outer tooth surfaces, the inner tooth surfaces, and the chewing surfaces of the teeth.
  • Use the “toe” of the brush to clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, using a gentle up-and-down stroke.
  • Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and freshen your breath.

Later this week I will discuss proper flossing techniques.  Until then, have a great week!

Thank you for reading.  I encourage you to leave questions or comments below.  To learn more about my practice, please visit www.elitesacramentodentist.com

Your friendly dentist,
Dr. Sarah Po
June 1, 2010

Source:  http://www.ada.org/3072.aspx?currentTab=1

Categories : Healthy Teeth
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Do Mouthwashes Really Work?

Thursday, April 15th, 2010

It depends.

Are you using it to mask bad breath?  In that case, yes – mouthwashes like Listerine can mask bad breath temporarily.

Does using mouthwash mean you don’t need to brush and floss?  No.

Some mouthwashes contain anti-bacterial components which help to control bacteria responsible for unpleasant odors and plaque.  However, mouthwashes are not a substitute for mechanical removal of bacteria through brushing and flossing, where is the main way of preventing tooth decay and gum disease.  Also, keep in mind that many mouthwashes contain alcohol.  Mouthwashes that contain alcohol should be kept out of children’s reach.

Some mouth rinses like Act Mouthrinse may contain fluoride to help make teeth more resistant to acids that cause cavities.  Other types like Peridex, which contains Chlorhexidine, can help with gum infections and are recommended for use after a deep cleaning or extraction.  Both of these would be recommended by your dentist as needed.

The bottom line?  Continue to brush, floss and see your dentist regularly for checkups and professional cleanings.  And if you’d like, use mouthwashes to help freshen your breath.

Thank you for reading.  I encourage you to leave comments or questions below.  For more information about my practice, please visit www.elitesacramentodentist.com.

Your friendly dentist,
Dr. Sarah Po
April 15, 2010

Categories : Dentistry
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Choosing a Toothbrush: Why Extra Soft is Best

Wednesday, January 27th, 2010

The goal of brushing is to remove plaque.  Plaque is a soft yellow or white deposit that contains bacteria and builds up everyday on teeth.  It is found mostly around the gumline and between teeth.  Bacteria in the plaque will feed on the foods you eat and break them down into acid.  This acid attacks teeth and gums, causing decay and gum disease

Plaque buildup that does not get removed within 24 to 48 hours will mineralize and turn into tartar.  Tartar is the yellowish-white or yellowish-brown hard deposit that cannot be removed with brushing.  The only way to remove tartar is with sharp dental scalers that your dentist or hygienist uses when you go in for your dental cleaning.

Since the main purpose of brushing is to remove the soft plaque deposits, a soft toothbrush is all you need.  A medium or hard bristle toothbrush will NOT be more effective at removing plaque.  In fact, scrubbing away with a hard or medium bristle will only strip away enamel, root surface, and gum tissue, causing toothbrush abrasion and sensitivity, and gum recession.  In contrast, an extra soft toothbrush will be gentle on the teeth and gums and remove plaque effectively with the proper brushing technique.

The next time you visit your dentist, ask for a demonstration of proper brushing technique.  I always recommend angling the toothbrush at a 45 degree angle toward the gumline, and using short strokes back and forth.  The best extra-soft toothbrush that I have found on the market is from Nimbus dental, and no, they did not pay me to say that.  You can order directly from the company at www.nimbusdental.com.  However, many other companies make very good extra-soft toothbrushes as well.

It is important to note that no matter how well you brush, there will be certain areas that no toothbrush can reach, and that is why it is important to floss.  And that is a topic that requires a separate discussion of its own, so look out for that blog in the near future…

Your friendly dentist,
Dr. Sarah Po
www.elitesacramentodentist.com
January 26, 2010

Categories : Latest News
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