Rancho Mirage Dentist Dr. Szutz On Proper Care of Dentures

Are you a new denture wearer?  Rancho Mirage Dentist Dr. Szutz of County Club Dentistry wants you to know about the importance of proper denture care. 

Dentures, sometimes called false teeth, replace teeth you have lost, or teeth that have been extracted.   Here are some tips to help keep your dentures in top condition.

Handle With Care

Dentures are quite delicate and can break if squeezed too hard or dropped even a few inches.  A great way to reduce risk of breakage is to always handle and clean them over a full basin of water, or a folded towel to cushion them should they fall.

Brushing

Dentures must be brushed daily for proper oral hygiene and care and to prevent staining.  Brushing dentures requires soft bristle toothbrush that's specifically designed for cleaning dentures, along with a denture cleaner.

Avoid using bleach or toothpaste to clean dentures, as these are too harsh and can damage dentures.  It's especially important to stay away from whitening toothpastes, which are extremely abrasive, so you don't wear out the denture.

Always use a light touch, as aggressive scrubbing can bend or damage parts of your denture.

Rinsing

To keep dentures free of debris, make a habit of removing dentures and rinsing them off after eating.  Also rinse before inserting dentures if they were just soaking in a chemical solution.

Overnight Storing

Dentures can warp if they dry out, so when you're not wearing your dentures, they should be placed in warm water, never hot.  Dentures will loose their shape in hot water.  You can also soak dentures in a mild denture solution overnight as well.  You'll want to store dentures in a container with a fitted container that is the appropriate size for your denture, making sure your denture is completely submersed in the solution or water.

Alternatives to dentures include dental implants.

Remember, regular dentist examinations are still important for the denture wearer who no longer has natural teeth.  Consult the Country Club Dentistry office should you experience any oral discomfort when using your dentures, or if you have a problem with the fit of your denture. You can always talk to our friendly staff about your dental concerns at (760) 341-2599.

Rancho Mirage Dentist Dr. Szutz On Tooth Decay

Rancho Mirage Dentist Dr. Szutz stresses that although tooth decay is extremely common in both children and adults, it is largely preventable. 

What is tooth decay?

Tooth decay, also known as cavities or caries, is the destruction of the tooth material.

When food particles are left on the surface of the tooth, they leave behind bacteria.  This bacteria feeds on sugars in the food and produce acids, which combine with the sugars to form plaque.  The acid inside the plaque can dissolve the minerals in the outer surface of your teeth (enamel) and cause tiny holes to appear.  With time, these holes become bigger and form one large hole, or cavity.

If a cavity is left untreated, it can get larger and affect deeper layers of the tooth like the dentin.  Ultimately, this can lead to toothaches, infection and even tooth loss.

For teeth with a small amount of decay, you may consider a composite filling, or an inlay.  If the decay is considerable, it can be repaired by your dentist with an onlay or crown.

Fortunately, there are ways to prevent tooth decay. 

Preventing Tooth Decay

Brushing your teeth regularly is an essential part of your oral health care routine.  It's recommended that you brush at least twice a day, and it's especially important to brush after each meal, as well as before bedtime. 

Flossing is also an essential part of preventing tooth decay.  For optimal health, and to help remove plaque in between teeth, The American Dental Association recommends flossing at least once a day.

It's also recommended to avoid sipping sugary drinks, as well as frequent snacking of foods like candy, pretzels and chips, which can remain on the surface of your teeth.

For children and teenagers between 6 and 16 years old who are susceptible to cavities, Dr. Szutz may recommend a sealant - a thin, plastic coating applied to the deep grooves of the molars and premolars.  This is also a wonderful option for an adult who has deep depressions or grooves on tooth surfaces.

Of course, visiting your dentist regularly to removing plaque will go a long way to prevent tooth decay. Contact the Country Club Dentistry Office in Rancho Mirage for your next appointment to help prevent tooth decay by calling (760) 836-0808.

Rancho Mirage Dentist Dr. Szutz Discusses Porcelain Veneers

If you are looking to improve your smile, Cosmetic and Restorative Dentist Dr. Szutz of Country Club Dentistry can correct a range of dental problems with porcelain veneers.  Porcelain dental veneers can be an excellent way of addressing common dental conditions such as gaps between teeth, and teeth that are worn down, discolored, crooked or misshaped.

What exactly are porcelain veneers?

Porcelain veneers are wafer-thin shells of ceramic that bond directly to the front and top surfaces of the teeth to change the shape, size or general appearance of teeth.  

Veneers are becoming increasingly popular due to their simplicity and versatility. Dr. Szutz  individually crafts veneers for each patient using a unique combination of science and artistry and advanced technology.  The result is so natural looking, it is nearly impossible to tell the difference between a veneer and a natural tooth. 

Unlike natural teeth, custom-made veneers are highly resistant to stains from coffee and tea, and even cigarette smoke.  Veneers are quite durable as well. Generally, veneers last between 5 to 10 years.  With proper care and maintenance, veneers can have you smiling an improved smile for well over a decade.

The procedure of getting veneers at Country Club Dentistry in Rancho Mirage, CA can be done quickly over a period of three appointments:

Diagnosis and treatment planning

At this stage, Dr. Szutz will conduct a personal consultation with you at his office on Frank Sinatra Drive in Rancho Mirage, CA to discuss your dental concerns and help you design your new smile.  Dr. Szutz values and encourages doctor-patient communication.  In his opinion, an informed and involved patient is most likely to achieve the highest level of healthcare.

Preparation

To prepare teeth for the veneer, Dr. Szutz will remove approximately 1/2 millimeter of enamel from the tooth surface with buffing.  This is essential to allow for the added thickness of the veneer, and can be done with a local anesthetic.  Next, a dental impression is made and sent to a laboratory to make the veneers. The custom veneers should be ready in approximately three weeks.

Bonding

In this visit (generally lasting between one to two hours) Dr. Szutz will temporarily place the veneer on your teeth to check their fit and color. The exact color shade can be adjusted for the best match to your natural teeth.  Next, the tooth is cleansed with specific chemicals to achieve a bond. A special cement is placed between the teeth and the veneer and a light is used to harden the cement, in order for it to bond.

Veneers can be a great solution for gaps, stains, crooked teeth or fractured teeth.  However, it is important to be informed of the disadvantages of veneers.

Getting veneers is an irreversible process.  After 5-10 years, the veneers will need to be replaced.  Also, since some enamel is removed in order to bond the veneers, some patients may experience more sensitive teeth.  Dr. Szutz is available to further discuss the pro's and con's of porcelain veneers and help you decide if veneers are the best option for you and your smile. 

Country Club Dentistry is open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.  

Randall W. Szutz, DDS specializes in Cosmetic and Restorative Dentistry and offers a variety of different services to enhance your smile such as bonding, bridges, crowns and more. For a complimentary consultation, call 760-341-2599 or send Dr. Szutz an email.