Sunday, January 6, 2019

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Springtime means the birds are singing and the bees are buzzing, and life often starts to get-up-and-go for many people! If you’re wondering how to keep up on your oral health this spring, Dr. Praj and Dr. Ruhi, your Berkeley Transcendentists, suggest these tips and tricks for optimum oral health:
Brushing: Clean the entire surface of every tooth! Ensure you’re brushing for at least two minutes, and be mindful of the intensity with with you brush – don’t press too hard! Replace your toothbrush about every three months, and be sure to use a brush with soft bristles so that you don’t damage your gums.
Staining Substances: Be wary of food and drink that can be damaging to your teeth! Enamel-destroying bacteria feeds on sugar, so limit consumption and brush teeth thoroughly afterwards. Acidic foods also contribute to the deterioration of enamel, and after enough breakdown, a lack of enamel will leave your teeth exposed and sensitive. Drinks like soda, coffee, and tea all lead to stains on your teeth and smoking contributes to some of the worst stains of all!

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Failure to brush and floss regularly, or a disregard for oral safety practices like wearing an athletic guard while playing sports, are both examples of neglect that can be dangerous for your oral health. While failure to brush and floss regularly can leave your mouth exposed to internal problems like oral disease, external dangers from unprotected athletic activity can result in traumatic injuries.
Remember, upkeep of your oral health is one way you can strive to be your healthiest every day!

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Using your teeth as tools, biting your nails, chewing ice, or grinding your teeth, are all not only often painful, but also cause excessive wear and erosion on your teeth. This excessive strain can lead to unsightly chipping and cracked teeth, leaving your teeth exposed and sensitive.

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Food and drinks full of sugar create a bacteria breeding haven in your mouth! That bacteria can then cause cavities and tooth decay, often leading to gum disease. Acidic foods break down tooth enamel and often start to dissolve tooth structure, inevitably causing cavities. To make matters worse, dehydration and a dry mouth allows for bacteria to multiply even more quickly, and that bacteria can then prevent saliva from protecting your teeth from the acid in your mouth!

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Taking care of your teeth if one of the easiest and most aesthetically pleasing ways to live a healthy and happy life! Improving your oral health care is the first step towards improving your overall wellbeing, and it’s important to be aware of the little things you can avoid in your daily life to ensure your teeth are at their healthiest!


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So exactly how important is replacing a missing tooth? Those who aren’t missing any of their natural teeth might not understand the sense of identity surrounding your smile, or understand the emotional stress that can come with being uncomfortable with your natural smile. For those who do have missing teeth, you might feel a sense of insecurity upon first impressions or after some goodbyes – you recognize how uncomfortable it can be to doubt your appearance.
Dental implants are an easy solution to keeping your smile in healthy and happy condition, so you won’t be able to help but to show it off to everyone you meet. Beyond replacing missing teeth for the benefits of the aesthetics, replacing missing teeth is also important to keep the balance and structure of your natural teeth in order. As soon as a tooth is lost, natural teeth may begin to shift; this can lead to complicated and expensive dental problems in the future
It’s also much more comfortable to live life with a full set of teeth! Many people with missing teeth suffer after giving up some of their favorite foods, because they can’t bare the discomfort of food touching their exposed dental root. You don’t have to live like this! By replacing missing teeth with dental implants, you are then free to live the life you’ve always loved.
Don’t be held back by missing teeth! Dental implants for replacing missing teeth are a safe and effective way to carry out life with the smile you deserve, and the quality of life worth living.

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If you break a tooth, rinse your mouth with warm water to wash away any smaller fragments that could be lingering. If you’re bleeding, hold a piece of gauze on the area until bleeding stops. You can use a cold compress to relieve some of the pain and swelling, and you should come in to see Berkeley dentists Dr. Praj and Dr. Ruhi as soon as possible.

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If you knock out a tooth, save it! Speed matters if you’re trying to save your lost tooth – quickly reinsert (without forcing!) the tooth into its socket, or save the tooth in a cup of milk. Get to your Berkeley Transcendentists Dr. Praj and Dr. Ruhi immediately for best odds of saving your tooth.

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Dental emergencies can be scary, especially if you feel underprepared for how to respond in the situation. Ignoring dental emergencies can lead to painful and costly issues in the future, so being prepared to handle issues that arise upfront can be the best solution to save you time, money, and pain!

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As always, brushing and flossing your teeth on a regular, daily schedule are essential to keeping your teeth shining bright!Your gums might be sensitive after your orthodontic procedures, so a warm salt water rinse might help relieve some of your discomfort. It’s also important to consider that once your teeth are fully exposed and free from the Invisalign trays, they might be more sensitive than you’re accustomed to; you might try a sensitivity toothpaste to help transition your teeth into their full exposure, and your Berkeley Transcendentists can give you personal recommendations on a toothpaste that will work best for your needs.

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Many patients use retainers after Invisalign treatments to keep teeth from shifting back to their original position. This, of course, will vary from patient to patient, but you should be mindful of Dr. Praj and Dr. Ruhi’s personal recommendations for your oral care plan, and should always wear your retainer on the schedule set out for you in order to maintain your perfect smile.

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Congratulations on all your hard work and dedication to your smile! You’ve gone through Invisalign treatments to get the smile you’ve always wanted, and you’ve cared for your teeth with an oral routine that has worked for you; you might already suspect that your work doesn’t end here – let’s talk about what caring for your smile after Invisalign looks like.

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Would you believe that veneers have been around since the 1920s?! They debuted in Hollywood, no surprise, but porcelain veneers have come a long way from the red carpet and are surprisingly more common and more natural looking today than you might suspect.
Between the 1920s and the 1950s regular people outside of Hollywood started getting veneers to help improve the look of their smile. The veneers we think of today came about sometime around the 1980s, as veneers became more affordable and easier to place with bonding agents that allowed dentists to make them more permanent and even more attractive.
Today’s options for dental veneers include traditional and no-preparation veneers. If you select the traditional route, your Berkeley Transcendentists will shave off enamel from the tooth or teeth receiving the veneer, then take an impression of your slightly shaved tooth so the veneer can be crafted to fit your tooth exactly. Though it will take around three weeks for your veneer to be ready once Dr. Praj and Dr. Ruhi send out the impression, there are temporary veneer options you can wear in the meantime, so you don’t have to worry about an unsightly, “shaved” smile while you wait for your custom veneer. No-prep veneers are fitted directly over your existing smile, and do not require any shaving of your natural teeth.

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October means Halloween, right? Inevitably, you’ll be chewing on some extra candy this month, but if it’s not possible to brush your teeth soon after, chew a piece of sugarless gum instead. The gum will help you salivate more, and your saliva will then work to neutralize the acids in your mouth that develop after you eat or drink.

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Maybe rinsing your mouth with mouthwash seems a little excessive after brushing and flossing, but with the right product, you could save yourself (and your loved ones) from suffering through your mid-day bad breath. Rinsing your mouth can help protect you against excess plaque build-up, and reduce your risk of developing gingivitis. Look for a mouthwash with the ADA seal of approval for best results.

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How often do you tell your Transcendentists you’ve been flossing regularly, when in fact you’re not even sure where to find dental floss in your home? Flossing is absolutely as important as brushing your teeth! If you brush alone without flossing, you’re only cleaning about 65% of your teeth. Plaque and bacteria can build up between your teeth and along your gum line, leading to dental decay and gum disease. Floss floss floss!

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According to the American Dental Association (ADA), not only should you be brushing your teeth every day, but rather you should be brushing at least twice a day, for two minutes at a time! You should use a soft bristled toothbrush, and should brush in circular movements rather than back and forth. Don’t scrub too hard! You can damage your gums, or even start to wear away at your tooth enamel if you’re using too much elbow grease when brushing your teeth.

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Did you know that October is National Dental Hygiene Month? Most people think of tricks and treats this Halloween season, but here are a few other things to keep in mind while you’re costume prepping this year:

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There are so many things to look forward to with the change of the season, but the effects of the cold weather on your teeth aren’t usually included in that list! Here’s a little overview of how your teeth can react to changes in the weather, as well as your Transcendentists’ top tips for protecting your teeth this holiday season.
Weather sensitivity can occur no matter the condition of your teeth, but it’s always important to practice good oral health care so ensure your teeth are maintaining their best defense against hot and cold elements. Weather-sensitive teeth could be the result of tooth decay or periodontal (gum) disease. These come from the wearing of your tooth enamel, leaving the soft, nervy middles of your teeth, called the dentin, exposed. Brushing your teeth too vigorously, exposing your teeth to acidic foods and beverages, and even clenching or grinding your teeth throughout the day or night, can all contribute to the wearing and exposure of your teeth.
For the best protection against tooth sensitivity, and in order to keep your oral health in top condition, it’s best to visit Dr. Praj and Dr. Ruhi regularly for dental check-ups. A solution for those who are frequently clenching or grinding their teeth might be a custom mouth guard. Extreme cases might call for a root canal treatment.
In your daily life, remember that being proactive about your oral health by brushing and flossing your teeth every day is one of the best ways to keep your teeth protected from the elements and avoid temperature sensitivity. Limit the amount of acid foods and drinks you consume, and check in if you suspect a problem with your oral wellness.