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Why Should You Schedule Regular Dental Checkups?

Posted on March 3, 2022 - 9:21 AM by admin

It is always a good idea to pay attention to your oral health and give it the care it deserves. And there’s no better way to start prioritizing your teeth than by scheduling an appointment with your local Palo Alto dentist!

Dental hygiene is an essential part of your overall health hygiene. With a dental exam and cleaning in Palo Alto, you can keep your pearly whites sparkling and prevent long-term infections or diseases. During a dental exam, your dentist can spot dental problems early on when solutions are simpler and more affordable. Regular dental checkups can also prevent problems from developing in the first place. Finally, a dentist would be able to spot symptoms of other systemic diseases that can appear in the mouth.

So, no matter how busy you are and how jam-packed your schedule is, you should always try to squeeze your annual dental cleaning appointment into your schedule. The benefits extend to a lot more than just maintaining a beautiful smile.

This article takes a deeper look at the reasons why dental cleanings are essential for your oral and overall health. But first, let us take a glance at what dental checkups and cleaning in Palo Alto entail.

What is Dental Cleaning?

Getting dental cleaning done on an annual or bi-annual basis is essential for optimum oral health. When you visit your dentist for your dental cleaning, they will initiate the cleaning process by first doing a dental exam to identify irregularities, cavities, inflammation, or any other potential concerns that might be present. Next, your dentist or a dental hygienist will remove any tartar or plaque on your teeth and gums with the use of metal hand instruments or ultrasonic scalers. After the scaling process is complete, your teeth will be polished to further remove any remaining plaques or stains. A fluoride treatment is then applied to your teeth, marking the end of your dental cleaning process. However, if your teeth and gum demand extra attention, your dentist might add a few other steps too, such as an x-ray and discuss treatment options with you!

Let’s now look at how dental checkups help you maintain good oral hygiene and health.

Identify Dental & Systemic Problems at an Early Stage

Getting dental exams on a regular basis is a critical part of preventive health care. While conducting the exam, your dentist will initiate the procedure by examining your teeth and gums to check for signs of gum diseases or cavities that might be present.

Next, your dentist will check your mouth, face and neck to see if there are any other abnormalities present that might be a risk to your oral or overall health. In addition to manually checking your face, neck, and mouth for abnormalities, your dentist may also schedule you for an X-ray, radiographs, or other diagnostic procedures to carry out a thorough examination. Getting these exams done regularly can help your dentist spot early symptoms and signs of systemic diseases, including cancer, lupus, diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Prevent Dental Problems from Occurring

While proper brushing and flossing form the cornerstone of good dental care, professional cleaning is essential to get rid of plaque and tartar. Plaque is a sticky coating that forms on your teeth from a buildup of bacteria. Plaques eventually hardens into tartar if not properly removed. Dentists spot and remove plaque and tartar with the use of professional equipment and techniques. Ignoring the problem itself can be risky for the long-term health of your gums and teeth as plaque contains bacteria that can lead to gum disease . Therefore visiting a dentist for plaque or tartar removal is highly advisable.

Maintain Good Periodontal Health

Periodontal disease, commonly known as gum disease, is a bacterial infection in your gums, when left untreated, can lead to destruction of the tissue surrounding your gums and can result in loss of tooth and other serious complications.

During your annual checkup and cleaning, if your dentist spots early onset of gum disease, they may perform deep cleaning to go below your gum line and clean away calcified tartar and plaque from around and below the affected teeth. If your gum disease has advanced to periodontitis, your dentist may recommend tissue and bone graft to treat the disease.

Certain groups, such as diabetics are more prone to periodontitis. Treating periodontitis may help manage your diabetes better. Conversely, periodontitis has been linked to the prevalence of multiple systemic diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, gastrointestinal and colorectal cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, respiratory tract infections, and adverse pregnancy outcomes.

So, we recommend that you opt for preventive dental services, and keep periodontitis and associated systemic diseases at bay.

Final Thoughts

Looking forward to a lifetime of beautiful smiles and oral health? Through regular teeth cleaning in Palo Alto, you can have both! One of the keys to a healthy and happy mouth that is free of any ailments or health risks is to get regular professional dental cleaning done. In addition to this, it is vital that you remember to take care of your teeth and gums through daily brushing and flossing.

Located in Palo Alto, California, Blue Turtle Dental is led by our highly qualified Palo Alto dentists Dr Alex Yen, Dr Munnazah Hussain, and Dr Jessica Sheu. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and find out how preventative dental care can help preserve your dental and overall health. You can direct any concerns you may have, and we will be happy to help you find a dental solution that suits your health & budgetary needs!

Article resources:
Information in this article has been gathered from multiple public health sources, including:
https://www.mouthhealthy.org/
https://www.ada.org/
https://www.cdc.gov/
https://www.aafp.org/
https://www.nih.gov/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/

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Why Do Dentists Recommend Regular Dental Check-ups For Adults?

Posted on October 29, 2021 - 10:47 AM by admin

You brush twice a day, floss regularly, and use a dental rinse as recommended. So, do you still have to keep up with your dental checkups and cleaning in Palo Alto?

The quick answer is yes. It all boils down to prevention.

The mouth, according to the American Dental Association, is considered the window to your overall health. Gum disease has been linked to other ailments such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, to name a few.

How frequently should you have dental checkups and cleaning in Palo Alto?

A visit every six months is the standard recommendation for the average dental patient. However, this is dependent on several factors, and your dentist will usually advise you on how frequently you should visit.

An annual visit may be adequate for low-risk persons who maintain a decent daily oral hygiene program. On the other hand, those with underlying medical issues may need to visit more frequently, especially if they wish to keep up with their preventive dental regimen.

Below are some conditions that may necessitate more regular dental checkups:

Diabetes
Pregnancy
Smoking
Periodontal (gum) disease

Also, anyone with a weakened immune system as a result of a chronic illness is advised by dentists to schedule frequent visits.

Benefits of regular dental check-ups and cleanings in Palo Alto

Frequent dental visits for examination and cleaning play a key role in oral healthcare, as we will see below:

Keep cavity, plaque, and tartar off your teeth

Frequent dental cleanings prevent tartar from damaging your teeth, which is how cavities are formed. Most of the time, cavities do not show any early symptoms as they develop. Most of the time, the only symptom you might experience is a minor ache when the tooth is already decayed.

Unfortunately, once that happens, you will need to visit the dentist to have the cavities filled. All of this can be avoided with frequent check-ups and cleanings that take care of cavities and tartar before they become destructive.

Gum disease check

Besides causing tooth decay, plaque and tartar also harm the mouth gum tissues. Usually, tartar buildup causes an infection on the gums. This form of infection is known as gingivitis, and as it spreads, the gums tissues break down and pull away from the tooth. At this point, you may notice some soreness, bleeding, and swelling in your mouth.

Even worse, gum disease causes deterioration of the bone that keeps the teeth in place. Here, it is not surprising to see your teeth loosening and falling out, necessitating the use of advanced treatment methods by the dentist.

As you might guess, this results in several appointments, which eventually cost you a lot of money. Your money and time can be saved through regular check-ups as suggested by your Palo Alto dentist.

Keeping bad dental habits in check

Some unhealthy habits can cause dental problems. We are talking about habits such as biting your nails, grinding your teeth, brushing your teeth too hard, smoking, chewing ice, clenching your jaw, and eating particularly sticky sweets. All these can be noticed during a dental check-up, and your dentist will advise you accordingly.

Oral cancer detection

During a periodical check-up, your dentist will examine the tongue, throat, neck, and mouth areas for any potential anomalies to ascertain whether you are a risk for oral cancer.

Data from the Oral Cancer Foundation shows that one person succumbs to oral cancer every hour of the day in America. Early detection through regular dental check-ups can go a long way for the 54,000 patients diagnosed every year.

Dentists can provide advice, specific to your needs

Usually, when people have medical-related issues, they turn to the internet, a platform that is full of helpful information but also half-truths. Fortunately, top dentists in Palo Alto are qualified in their profession; hence, they can provide guidance and advice you can trust.

By paying your dentist regular visits, you can build a beneficial relationship that will help them tailor support and advice, specific to your oral needs.

What to do between each dental visit

Be sure to look after your teeth between dental visits. Here are some helpful tips for maintaining good oral hygiene at home:

Drink fluoridated water and brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
Floss daily
Cut down on your sugar intake. Sugar increases bacteria growth in the mouth which eventually results in plaque.
Don’t use tobacco products
Limit alcoholic drinks

So are dental check-ups and cleaning in Palo Alto worth the effort?

During your regular dental check-ups and cleaning in Palo Alto, the dentists are concerned with more than just tooth repair, as some may think. They clean your teeth properly, examine for irregularities that could otherwise go missed and could be a symptom of broader health issues, and ensure that your gums and teeth are healthy.

Thus, you’ll be doing yourself a big favor in the long term if you stay up with regular dental cleanings and check-ups as advised by the dentist.

Article resources:
Information in this article has been gathered from multiple public health sources, including:
https://www.ada.org/
https://www.mayoclinic.org/
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/
https://oralcancerfoundation.org
https://www.cdc.gov/

Schedule Appointment for Dental Checkups and Cleaning in Palo Alto

Follow These Tips for a Great Back-to-School Dental Checkup

Posted on August 25, 2021 - 11:38 AM by admin

The back-to-school season is fraught with excitement and anxiety. Children and parents go through a flurry of emotions, and it is easy for them to lose sight of vital practices like booking a dental checkup.

We get it. So, let’s offer some advice on why and how you should go about preparing your kid for a back-to-school dental checkup in Palo Alto.

Why visiting a pediatric dentist before school begins is crucial.

Your kids may be ready for the looming school year in terms of clothes, school supplies, and sports equipment; however, do they have a healthy mouth or things needed to maintain it?

Scheduling a back-to-school dental checkup and cleaning in Palo Alto is vital for the following reasons:

Dental problems are one of the biggest reasons kids miss school, eventually leading to decreased academic performance. Therefore, scheduling a back-to-school checkup is essential in fighting cavities (the most common chronic disease found in school-going kids) and preventing school absences.
The best pediatric dentists in Palo Alto are able to detect problems early. Early detection helps avert pain and gum infections. It also means less costly treatments.
It can prevent tooth damage, loss, and other dental emergencies. Usually, dental injures are one of the major causes of tooth loss and damage. Your Palo Alto dentist can provide a personalized sports mouthguard that will offer greater protection for your kid’s pearly whites.
Poor dental health can affect your kid’s overall health. There is always a direct correlation between oral infection, obesity, and asthma. Thus, booking a back-to-school dental checkup is important for your little one’s well-being.
Some schools require a pediatric dentist’s signature verifying your kid has a clean bill of oral health.

Back-to-school dental checkup tips you should follow.

As mentioned above, early detection and prevention have always been the secret to avoiding dental problems. Therefore, as a parent, you have to strive for a great back-to-school dental checkup for your kid. Here are tips to achieve that:

Plan for dental checkups early enough

To have a seamless back-to-school dental checkup and cleaning in Palo Alto, ensure you plan early enough. Well, there is so much that goes on during the summer – camping, vacations, visiting friends and family, to name a few. But, always plan dental appointments in advance to avoid the last-minute rush.

Unfortunately, many parents visit dental offices a week before school opening. As a result, kids end up frustrated by the long queues and endless commotion. Some even miss the chance of seeing the dentist as this is usually one of the busiest seasons for the dental industry. You wouldn’t want that to happen to your kid, would you?

Teach your children to observe good dental habits

Whenever a pediatric dentist declares your kids free from dental issues, encourage them to do better. Remind them to brush and floss at least twice a day.

You can set a timer or download phone applications that encourage your kids to take oral health seriously. Some apps come with motivational tips and music that really help kids get into a great habit. For instance, Brush DJ is one such app and is freely available on iTunes.

Book your kid’s dental appointment at the right time of the day.

Pick a day where your kid is fully rested. You can choose morning appointments because this is the time your kid is most active. That said, try as much as possible not to disrupt your kid’s daily schedule.

For instance, do not book a dental consultation during their sleeping hours. Also, don’t book an appointment when they had a long, tedious day. Scheduling an appointment at the wrong time can make your kid grumpy.

Even important, ensure your kid is well fed on the appointment day. A hungry kid can be moody throughout the appointment. Thus, grab your child a snack at least an hour before the meeting. But avoid sugary snacks and remember to have them brush before seeing the dentist.

Keep calm and cheer your child on

Encourage your kid throughout the appointment so that they don’t become panicky. Don’t be nervous as your kid might notice and follow suit. Also, let your child ask the dentist any question they have concerning the appointment. Dentists know how to handle tense situations whenever they sense the kid is nervous.

Ask about sealants

While sealants are not a substitute for teeth brushing and flossing, they can be an ideal way to keep your kid from getting cavities. Administering sealants only take a few minutes and is totally a painless procedure. Besides, most insurance plans cover sealants at 100%!

In summary, there are various ways to ensure a successful back-to-school dental checkup and cleaning in Palo Alto. Taking specific measures in advance goes a long way in improving your kid’s dental health. Some of them, as you might have realized, include observing healthy oral practices. It is also advisable to take the contact details of your pediatric dentist. In the event of specific emergencies, the sports coaches and teachers will know who to call.

Article resources:
Information in this article has been gathered from multiple public health sources, including:
https://www.health.ny.gov/
https://www.cdc.gov/
https://www.ada.org/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/

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Is Professional Teeth Cleaning Really Necessary?

Posted on May 18, 2021 - 12:56 PM by admin

There is a common fallacy that flossing, rinsing with mouthwash, and brushing will suffice for dental health. The truth is an at-home oral hygiene routine can only do so much for your gums and teeth.

Professional cleaning, carried out by an experienced dentist, is crucial for oral health and aesthetic appeal. If you haven’t had any form of teeth cleaning in the past one year or six months, it is high time you scheduled a trip to a Palo Alto dental clinic near you.

Deep Teeth Cleaning Vs. Regular Cleaning: What’s the Difference?

Deep cleaning is not obligatory for every patient. Usually, it is a special kind of cleaning that focuses on getting rid of bacteria that cause gum disease. For instance, if you have gingivitis or a more severe case of gum infection, you will need deep teeth cleaning in Palo Alto.

Unlike a regular cleaning, this procedure takes two appointments. The dentist will do a partial cleaning of your mouth at each visit. But what actually happens during teeth cleaning?

First, the dentists conduct a physical exam. If they detect significant issues, they proceed to numb your mouth and then use special dental instruments to clean tartar and plaque in the gums and teeth. Additionally, the dentist will smoothen out the roots of your teeth to remove pockets of bacteria and get rid of gum disease.

Professional Dental Cleaning Is Necessary: Here Is Why.

Professional Teeth Cleaning Is Essential in Combating Gum Disease
According to a study published in the Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA), deep teeth cleanings is hugely beneficial to individuals with chronic gum disease.

Gum disease affects the tissues surrounding the teeth, causing halitosis (bad breath) and possible bone loss if left untreated. The gums progressively weaken as gum disease magnifies.

Professional teeth cleaning in Palo Alto provides you with the chance to locate gum disease early, reverse the impact, and treat the issue before it degenerates. Thus, failure to meet with your dentist for regular dental checkups and cleanings may leave your gums more vulnerable.

Professional Teeth Cleaning Is Necessary for Cavity Prevention

Plaque is one of the primary causes of cavities. Plaque slowly builds up on the teeth, leaving behind a film-like material that attacks dental enamel. Your teeth start to decay as the enamel dissipates. Usually, this decay spurs large cavities.

Professional teeth cleaning in Palo Alto is essential to get rid of plaque and clean all those confined areas in your mouth you may not be able to clean by yourself. In other words, it is the only practical way to eliminate all the cavity-causing plaque in the mouth.

Teeth Cleaning Help You Achieve a Beautiful Smile

Everyone wants a lovely smile, yet a beautiful smile cannot be achieved only with brushing, flossing, mouth rinsing, and use of over-the-counter products.

Opt for professional dental cleanings, and you will rest knowing the dentist will conduct the procedure much more safely than any DIY method. Add to the fact that professional cleaning will remove stains and buff up your teeth, so they look that much brighter and whiter.

How Often Should You Go for Dental Checkups and Cleaning in Palo Alto?‘

The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends regular dental visits depending on your specific case. If you are taking care of your teeth and having regular cleanings, a deep cleaning may not be essential. An annual regular dental cleaning may be enough. However, patients with a history of periodontitis or gum disease may have to visit more often for checkups and deep cleaning.

Do Teeth Cleanings Hurt?

There are some people for whom any dental visit can cause anxiety and apprehension. However, while teeth deep cleaning may cause some discomfort, your Palo Alto dentist will use anesthesia to numb the gums during the procedure.

You really shouldn’t feel pain during teeth cleaning. And in instances where your gums may feel a bit tender after the procedure, there are ways to ease that.

Teeth Cleaning Aftercare

After cleaning, your dentist will offer instructions on how to care for your teeth. Here are some common best practices for just about every teeth cleaning situation:

Don’t eat until the numbness has subsided entirely. Ensure you can feel every sensation in your gums before eating. That way, you won’t damage your gums or disrupt the healing process.

Avoid certain food. Though your gums are healing, there are some foods you shouldn’t eat. They may include challenging-to-eat foods like large burgers and steaks, acidic foods like citrus, and foods with small pieces that may get trapped in your gums, such as popcorn and nuts.

Rinse your mouth with saltwater. Your Palo Alto dentist may advise you to rinse your mouth a few times a day with salt water. This keeps the treated part clean and helps avoid infection.

Schedule a Dental Checkup and Cleaning in Palo Alto Today

Visiting your Palo Alto dentist for checkups and cleaning at least twice a year will ensure your mouth, gum, and teeth remain healthy at all times. All the best as you plan this important and necessary visit!

Article Resources:

Information in this article has been gathered from multiple public health sources, including:
https://www.webmd.com/
https://www.healthline.com/
https://www.health.harvard.edu
https://www.ada.org/en
https://jada.ada.org

Contact for Dental Checkups and Cleaning in Palo Alto

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