Preventive Dentistry for you and Your Family

Preventive Dentistry is something that yourdentist can help you with, especially if you have kids and want to teach them proper oral hygiene.

Unfortunately, there are hundreds of thousands of people in the United States who have bad teeth and gums. Accordingto Web MD, most of these folks are dealing with gum disease, cavities, and other dental problems because they were not taught Preventive Dentistry.

Your dentist explains that natural teeth and your teeth that have been restored do best in an oral environment that is clean and healthy. The Preventive Dentistry program from your dentist has been designed specifically to keep cavities and gum disease at bay. The Preventive Dentistry Program helps to preserve your dental restorations, control, and manage gum disease.

During your Preventive Dentistry appointment, your dentist will discuss oral hygiene and suggest ways that you can improve your oral health habits.

Your dentist recommends that you brush twice each day with fluoride toothpaste recommended by the American Dental Association. There is actually a list of ADA approved toothpastes, flosses and mouthwashes listed on the American Dental Association website. Brush using a soft bristle toothbrush and in a circular motion aimed towards your gums.

Flossing is just as important as brushing as flossing helps clean between your teeth and reach areas that your toothbrush can’t get to. Floss up and down while keeping your floss against the tooth in a U-shape.

Your dentist also encourages patients to eat a healthy well balanced diet. Eat plenty of cheese, which helps clean your teeth and avoid sugary snacks and drinks. Your dentist can help you with a complete menu plan that will keep your teeth and gums healthy.

Try using fluoride or antiseptic rinses as directed by your dentist. Fluoride helps prevent cavities and keeps the enamel on your teeth strong and healthy.

When it comes to healthy teeth and gums, Preventive Dentistry really is the way to go. Schedule an appointment with your dentist today who can help you improve your oral hygiene routine. 

A New Smile Just in Time for the Holidays

The holidays are just around the corner, and if you do not like what you see in the mirror, schedule an appointment with your dentist for cosmetic dental solutions.

Your dentist can advise you on the best dental restorations to give you a smile that you will be proud to show off. Having a smile makeover is the best gift that anyone can give themselves. According to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, a healthy smile can boost self-confidence and increase self-esteem.

When you visit your dentist for a smile makeover consultation your teeth and gums will be checked to make sure you mouth is healthy enough for Dental Veneers, Onlays or Inlays, Dental Bonding, Whitening for Life, Crowns, Bridges, or Dental Implants. If you are dealing with gum disease such as gingivitis or periodontal disease, your dentist will recommend a plan to make your teeth and gums healthy enough for cosmetic dental treatments.

If your gum disease has progressed, your dentist may refer you to a Periodontist to help treat your periodontal disease. Your dentist and Periodontist will work together in order to provide you with the best treatment for your particular situation.

Once your teeth and gums are healthy again, your dentist will recommend cosmetic dental solutions to repair that chipped tooth or fill the gap between your front teeth. Your dentist may also recommend Dental Implants if you have a missing tooth.

If you are dealing with stained teeth, your dentist may advise Dental Veneers or Tooth Whitening. If you have had previous dental restorations, Dental Veneers may be the better choice as Tooth Whitening will not alter the color of tooth colored fillings, Dental Bonding or Inlays and Onlays. Dental Whitening can correct mottled tooth staining, brown or yellow teeth. Dental Whitening works on young and old people alike, and can brighten your dull smile restoring it back to its original brightness.

If you would like more information about a smile makeover before the holidays, schedule an appointment with your dentist today. 

The Perfect Smile with Dental Crowns

Dental Crowns have certainly changed over the years, and thanks to modern dentistry, you can have your existing crowns replaced or new crowns placed with dental restorations that look and feel just like your own natural teeth.  

According to the American Dental Association, porcelain jacket crowns were made in the early 1900’s, but unfortunately were not very efficient. During the 1950’s, dental crowns were a real possibility as porcelain was fused to metal. These days, crowns are made out of a high-grade porcelain or porcelain that is bonded to gold. Most dentists recommend higher strength materials for more serious dental problems such as lost teeth, excessive wear, and old filling breakdown.

Dental Crowns are used to replace missing teeth and offer support to broken or misshaped teeth. Dental Crowns look and feel natural and can fix a smile while taking care of chewing problems.

If you are experiencing pain in your back teeth, you may have a hairline crack. Your dentist may decide to place Dental Crowns on the teeth in order to relieve the pain. Crowns on your molars will also allow you to return to full dental function.

Porcelain Crowns and Bridges are used in the front teeth to replace older fillings that might be chipped or stained. Porcelain Crowns are also used where Porcelain Veneers are unsuitable.

Your dentist may also recommend a Dental Crown over Root Canals to prevent breakage.

If the damage to your tooth or teeth is extreme, your dentist may use Porcelain or Porcelain fused to gold Dental Crowns. Your dentist explains that Dental Crowns can last for twenty to thirty years if you practice good oral hygiene.

Dental Crown fitting takes two or more dental appointments. During your first visit, your dentist will remove the tooth decay before shaping the tooth and fitting it with a temporary Dental Crown made from metal or plastic.

During your next visit, your dentist will take out the temporary crown before fitting and adjusting your new permanent Dental Crown. The final step in the process is cementing your new Dental Crown in place.

If you would like more information regarding Dental Crowns, schedule an appointment with your dentist today. A beautiful smile really is just a phone call away. 

Are You Prepared for the Risks when it Comes to Oral Piercing?

Tongue, lip and cheek piercing is quite popular, but if you or someone you know is considering oral piercings your dentist will tell you that there are some dangers that everyone should be aware of.

According to Web MD, oral piercings can cause excessive bleeding, gum disease, infection and disease. In fact, oral piercings can also cause eventual tooth loss.

Infections are a common side effect with oral piercings thanks to the millions of bacteria that already live in your mouth. Once jewelry is introduced and has been handled by less than clean hands, your risk of infections is increased ten-fold.

The Herpes Simplex Virus and Hepatitis B and C can be transmitted after oral piercings. Make sure that if you do decide to have your lip, tongue, or cheek pierced that you do so with a reputable oral piercing establishment and schedule an appointment with your dentist.

People who have undiagnosed heart problems could have serious problems, especially if a bacterium enters the blood stream. Endocarditis is a real issue that causes inflammation of the heart valves and the heart itself.

Nobody likes to drool, but if you have oral piercing, it could become a permanent problem as could nerve damage.

It is normal to experience a numb mouth or tongue after oral piercings, but unfortunately, that loss of taste and sensation could become a permanent issue, especially if your nerves were pierced when you had the procedure.

If the blood vessels are accidentally punctured during your oral piercing, you could have prolonged bleeding that could result in excessive blood loss.

Tongue swelling is normal after an oral piercing, but your dentist has seen cases where the swelling was so severe that it cut off the airways making breathing almost impossible.

Gum disease is seen more frequently in people who have had oral piercings and those who wear long stem jewelry, such as barbells could cause injury to the gums. If this occurs, you are setting yourself up for gum recession and eventual tooth loss.

Jewelry aspiration happens if the stud, ring, or barbell becomes loose. You could accidentally swallow the jewelry. Injury to the lungs or digestive track is a real possibility if you wear mouth jewelry.

Of course, many other problems could occur with oral piercings including daily oral function, tooth damage and an allergic reaction to the metal.

For more information about the dangers of oral piercing, schedule an appointment with your dentist who just may be able to change you, a friend, or a family members mind.

How Smoking Affects Oral Health

Kicking that nasty cigarette or cigar habit will not only do wonders for that nagging cough, but will also help your teeth and gums.

According to Web MD, Smoking and smokeless tobacco products can cause serious damage to your teeth and gums. If you use tobacco, and that includes the popular Hookah Pipe, your teeth will eventually become discolored and you will have bad breath. 

Smoking also causes inflammation on the roof of your mouth where some of your salivary gland openings are located, and tartar and plaque on your teeth and gums. If that isn’t reason enough to kick the habit, smoking, and smokeless tobacco products can lead to increased jawbone loss and an increased risk for oral cancer. Smoking and smokeless tobacco products can also delay healing after dental treatments such as tooth extraction, oral surgery, and periodontal treatment. Smokers and people who use smokeless tobacco products have a lower success rate when it comes to Dental Implants and have more chance of developing periodontal disease than people who do not smoke.

Bad oral hygiene isn’t the only thing that causes gingivitis and periodontal disease. According to recent studies and your dentist in Rancho Mirage, smoking actually interferes with normal gum tissue cell function making smokers and those who use smokeless tobacco products more susceptible to gum disease. Smoking also impairs the flow of blood to your gums, which could affect your ability to heal quickly.

Cigars and pipes lead to just as many oral health issues as cigarettes. In fact, cigar smokers suffer from jawbone loss just as much as cigarette smokers do. Although pipe and cigar smokers do not inhale, all are still at risk when it comes to throat and oral cancer as well as stained teeth and bad breath.

Dr. Randall Szutz explains that smokeless tobacco isn’t any better. Chewing tobacco and snuff contain more than 28 harmful chemicals that will increase your risk of esophageal, throat and oral cancer. Have a single snuff, and you are giving your body more nicotine than 60 cigarettes. Chewing tobacco also irritates your gums making them pull away or recede leading to tooth loss. Once your roots are exposed, you will become more sensitive to temperature changes making eating uncomfortable. If that isn’t reason enough to throw out that can of snuff. 

The Journal of the American Dental Association discovered that people who use smokeless tobacco products were more than four times more likely to develop dental caries as snuff has added sugar in order to enhance its flavor.

If you are having trouble kissing your smokes goodbye, schedule an appointment with your dentist who may be able to help you understand how dangerous smoking is for your body and your teeth and gums.

Dental Sealants Can Prevent Tooth Decay

Thanks to the wonders of modern dental technology and the help of your dentist Dr. Randall Szutz in Rancho Mirage, you can now prevent tooth decay with a special acrylic coating known as Dental Sealants.

Unfortunately, no matter how much you brush and floss, it can sometimes be impossible to get into the nooks and crannies in your back teeth. Pits and fissures prevent your toothbrush from reaching areas that are susceptible to tooth decay, and that is where Dental Sealants come in.

According to Wikipedia, Dental Sealants are not new. In fact, one of the very first attempts occurred when dentistry pioneer, Dr. Willoughby D. Miller applied silver nitrate to teeth in 1905. Researcher T.P Hyatt in 1921 and dentist C.F Bodecker carried out further attempts at Dental Sealants in 1929. Silver nitrate was also used in the 1940’s in order to prevent dental carries on the back molars.

Studies conducted by Dr. M.G. Buonocore in 1955 proved that etching the enamel on patients teeth with phosphoric acid and resin provided a bonding system that would eventually lead to today’s dental bonding procedures.

Your dentist understands that Dental Sealants can help children, teens and adults prevent tooth decay on the biting surfaces of the teeth. Applied to the grooves and fissures on the molars, the tooth-colored acrylic coating is actually painted on to the surface providing a barrier against dental carries.

Dental Sealants actually act as a protective barrier and help prevent acid and plaque from penetrating the enamel on your teeth.

When you schedule an appointment with your dentist for Dental Sealants, Dr. Szutz will determine if you are a good candidate. Children and teens are usually deemed suitable for Dental Sealants, as are adults who have not had previous restorative work done on their back teeth.

Dental Sealants take just a few minutes for each tooth and can last for years without the need for reapplication. Dental sealants hold up well to normal chewing and can help prevent tooth decay.

For more information regarding Dental Sealants, schedule an appointment with your dentist today.

Dental Implants For A New Lease on Life

Dental Implants are nothing new; in fact, Dental Implants have been helping people replace missing teeth for thousands of years.

According to Wikipedia, Archaeologists are responsible for unearthing ancient Mayan skulls from 600 A.D. These skulls were filled with semi-precious stones such as lapis, jade, crystal quartz, and turquoise. Other civilizations hammered seashells into their gums to resemble their lost teeth. Those early Cosmetic Dentists helped modern dentists create Dental Implants based on those early procedures. Just like today, some of those implants actually fused to the bone.

Modern Dental Implants can replace an entire mouthful of teeth or your missing front tooth. Dental Implants are quickly becoming the chosen method when it comes to deciding between dentures and Dental Implants.

Dental Implants provide a solid foundation for natural looking replacement teeth. After your Dental Implant procedure, you can eat and drink like the old days without having to worry about loose dentures or a broken bridge. With Dental Implants, you can smile knowing that your new teeth have given you a reason to flash those pearly whites again.

When you schedule a no obligationconsultation with your Dentist for Dental Implants the two of you will discuss your health history and your dentist will examine your teeth and gums in order to determine your candidacy for Dental Implants. If you have any problems such as gingivitis or periodontal disease, those issues will be addressed before any Dental Implant procedures begin.

If your Dental Implant Surgery is given the green light, your dentist will place tiny posts, usually made from titanium, into your jawbone to replace your missing teeth. Because the posts fuse to the jawbone, a strong foundation is created for your natural looking artificial teeth. Dental Implants take a few months to complete depending on your particular situation, but it is well worth the time. Dental implants not only preserve facial structure, but can also be used to stop bone deterioration that occurs when you are missing a tooth.

Schedule an appointment with your Dentist for Dental Implants. Not only will you have more self-confidence, but you will also be able to talk, laugh, eat, and enjoy life more than you have in years.

Contact your Dentist in Rancho Mirage if you Have Bad Breath

If those party invitations are becoming few and far between, it may have something to do with your breath. Chronic halitosis is a big turnoff, especially if you are on the receiving end. Unfortunately, sometimes even your closest friends will not utter those four little words, “You have bad breath.”

Thankfully, there is something you can do about your halitosis. If you do not use tobacco, and have ruled out chronic infections, kidney or liver ailments, dry mouth, diabetes, odorous foods, or systemic diseases, it most probably has something to do with your oral hygiene, and that is where your Dentist in Rancho Mirage can help.

Poor dental habits are the number one cause of chronic halitosis. In fact, more than 60 million adults in America suffer from it.

You really are what you eat, and if you are not brushing twice, flossing once a day and seeing your Rancho Mirage Dentist regularly you are inviting gingivitis and its worse relative, periodontal disease into your teeth and gums.

According to Web MD, the foods that you eat are broken down by the acids in your mouth and will be absorbed in your lungs and eventually carried to your support system, your lungs. Garlic, onions, and those spicy ethnic meals that you love could be the culprit when it comes to your bad breath.

Brushing, flossing and mouthwash are only masking the odor as these types of foods will never go away completely until they have passed through your entire body, which can take more than 72 hours after you have digested them. If you love to eat spicy tacos, curry laden with garlic or deep-fried onion rings, you may want to enjoy when you are on your own, or with someone who could care less about your bad breath.

By far the worst thing you can do is not brush or floss. Brushing and flossing will get rid of the food particles and bacteria that cause chronic halitosis in the first place. Be sure and take care around your gums and do not forget to brush your tongue, as this is where bacteria will truly thrive.

Other causes of chronic halitosis include poorly fitting dentures and chronic dieting. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Randall W. Szutz in Rancho Mirage who will be able to determine the root cause of your chronic bad breath.

You Can Smile Again Thanks to Dental Veneers

Tooth restoration has really changed over the last few years, and if you have been considering Cosmetic Dentistry have a chat with your Dentist in Rancho Mirage, Dr. Randall Szutz.

Your dentist has the skills to correct what used to be known as permanent dental problems including chipped, cracked, or worn teeth, and crowded or crooked teeth. Schedule an appointment with your Dentist in Rancho Mirage who can also replace missing teeth, fix gaps between your teeth, and help with general bite dysfunction. If your teeth are discolored or stained, Dr. Szutz can help.

Ten years ago, the only people who could afford dental veneers were people who made six figures. Celebrities and those in the public eye would visit a cosmetic dentist to improve their smile. These days nearly everyone can have beautiful teeth with affordable dental veneers .

Porcelain veneers are bonded directly to the top and front of your tooth’s surface and are the perfect way to improve your smile. Schedule an appointment with your Rancho Mirage Dentist who will be able to determine if you are a good candidate for porcelain veneers. With porcelain veneers you can close those gaps that you have always disliked between your front teeth, repair that crooked or misshaped tooth or cover those unsightly stains that occurred after you finished your round of tetracycline.

According to your Dentist in Rancho Mirage, dental veneers are thin porcelain veneers that Dr. Szutz will bond to your teeth, and best of all, no one will know they are there except for you and your Rancho Mirage Dentist. Because the dental veneers are so thin, they look incredibly natural, especially when light shines right through them.

Dental veneers are the answer to your dental restoration problems. Schedule an appointment with your Dentist in Rancho Mirage today and start smiling again. Beautiful teeth really do make a difference to your overall well-being. Call for an appointment today. 

What You Probably Don’t Know About the Humble Toothbrush

The next time you pick up that dental floss, take a moment to think about how your ancestors brushed and flossed their teeth, and you will quickly realize just how lucky you are.

According to your Dentist in Rancho Mirage, ancient civilizations have always taken care of their teeth and gums, but the methods that they resorted to were often disgusting, and downright painful.

The first tooth whitening methods can be attributed to the Ancient Egyptians who used wine vinegar mixed with a paste to polish and whiten teeth. This method was not as bad as the Ancient Romans who were thoroughly convinced that using their own urine, which contains ammonia, was the only way to brighten teeth.

Early toothbrushes were actually branches that had cleansing and antiseptic properties. These twigs were frayed at the end and used to brush teeth. Known as chew sticks these ancient tools have been discovered in the tombs of ancient Egyptians and are still used by some civilizations today. These twigs, or chew sticks, were probably much more hygienic than the early animal hair toothbrushes that were invented by the Chinese in the 1400’s.

The first toothbrushes were made from boar hair that was pounded into a piece of wood. Although more stylized than the first crude boar hairbrushes, this same concept was used up until DuPont invented the first nylon toothbrush in 1938.

Dental Floss does not have the colorful past that the toothbrush has. Dental floss is probably the world’s oldest product as toothpick remnants and dental floss has been discovered by archaeologists while exploring ancient tombs.

A dentist in New Orleans by the name of Levi Spear Parmly invented modern Dental floss. Dr. Parmly believed that people would have better results if silk floss were used to clean teeth. Before 1882, dental floss was only available at the dentist’s office becoming available to the public after Johnson and Johnson applied for the patent in 1898.

According to a recent survey, people would rather go without their television set or the internet instead of dumping their trusty toothbrush, and your Rancho Mirage Dentist is pretty happy about that. These days you can buy toothbrushes in different sizes and shapes, but the basic concept remains just as it did when it made its first appearance thousands of years ago.

If all this talk about toothbrushes has made you think about your own oral hygiene, perhaps it is time to schedule an appointment with your Dentist in Rancho Mirage, Dr. Randall Szutz.

White Teeth for Life with your Rancho Mirage Dentist

Wouldn’t it be great if you could whiten your Teeth for Life? Well, now you can thanks to modern technology and the cosmetic dental expertise from your Dentist in Rancho Mirage.

Those whitening strips, tooth whitening pastes and mouthwashes may work for a while, but these types of over the counter whitening products are only temporary. If you want to keep that beautiful smile, you will have to use them for as long as you want white teeth.

Dr. Randall Szutz focuses on restorative and cosmetic dentistry and continually advances his education with training courses. Dr. Szutz can provide you with a quick, safe, and affordable teeth-whitening treatment that will help rid your smile of stains, dark spots, aging, and staining. Your dentist uses a 21^st century tooth whitening procedure that can lighten your upper and lower teeth. All you have to do is commit to an hour each day for a white, brighter smile.

Without altering the structure of your tooth, your dentist will fit you with special custom bleach splints that will be ready for you within a couple of days of your appointment.   

Unlike other bleaching agents, you decide how bright you want your smile. Once your teeth have reached the desired color, you will only need an occasional treatment for smile maintenance.

Teeth become stained for a variety of reasons including food, drink, prescription drugs, and simple aging. With Dr. Szutz safe and effective tooth whitening treatment, you can have the brilliant and beautiful smile that you never thought possible.

Of course, there are some extreme cases where your dentist will not be able to whiten some of your teeth that have been previously restored.

Your dentist recommends tooth whitening if you have mottled, yellow or brown teeth regardless of your age. Tooth whitening is an almost perfect and permanent solution for that dull smile that you want to cover up at every opportunity.

When it comes to a whiter, brighter smile, you can count on your Rancho Mirage Dentist to provide you with the latest products and services giving you the confidence to show everyone your famous grin. 

Make Your New Year’s Resolution Count

If you indulged in too much red wine or any other food over the holidays, it might be more than your waistline that is suffering from all of your good-hearted excess. According to your Dentist in Rancho Mirage, tooth decay is one of the biggest issues he confronts when seeing patients after the New Year.

Most people are too busy to schedule an appointment with a their dentist before the holidays, and if that sounds like you, it is imperative that you go online or pick up the phone and call your dentist.

That toothache that you had just before Christmas may have been helped with a bit of clove oil, but that doesn’t mean that you don’t have a cavity. Sometimes patients have no idea that tooth decay has invaded their teeth until after a visit with their dentist.

Ignoring a toothache can be downright dangerous, especially if an infection is present. Once an infection advances to the abscess stage, you need to make a beeline to your dentist. Untreated abscesses can travel through your bloodstream into the brain and that could be deadly. Problems with your teeth and gums should never be ignored and that includes bleeding gums.

Gingivitis and the more advanced periodontal disease can result in tooth loss if ignored. Those little pockets that sit between your teeth and gums can become loaded with food particles that form bacteria eventually turning to plaque and tartar. Make an appointment with Dr.Randall Szutz who can access your gum situation by measuring the pockets, or sulcus, in-between your teeth and gums.

Your Dentist in Rancho Mirage is the only one who will be able to determine if your gums are healthy. If Dr. Szutz believes that gingivitis is to blame for your bleeding gums he may recommend a deep cleaning, otherwise known as scaling and planing.

This year add, “Dental checkup,” to your New Year’s resolution list and make an appointment today.