If you have ever lost a tooth, you might have more than just a gap between your teeth. If a lost tooth is not replaced, the bone in the jaw that supported the lost tooth starts to deteriorate. That’s because when you chew your food, there’s no more stimulation to the bone from the missing tooth’s chewing action. Over time, the gaps in your mouth change as the surrounding teeth shift into the empty space, causing your bite alignment to shift with it. When this happens, missing teeth can not only affect how you look but can cause problems when you chew and even when you speak.

What can you do to prevent this from happening to your smile? You want something to take that missing tooth’s place, and one of the best options available today is a dental implant. Acting like a tooth, implants stimulate your jawbone from the pressure they exert when you chew by acting as the base of a regular tooth. Because of this, they keep the jaw healthy and strong and your bite alignment intact. You can have a single implant done or multiple implants to replace as many teeth as you need.

The implant itself is a titanium post used to act like a tooth root. Once it is surgically placed into the jawbone under the gumline, it can hold a tooth replacement (or a dental bridge). Once the implant fuses to your jawbone it is sturdy and durable. It won’t shift in the mouth, so you can speak and chew without worry. A dental implant can be used to secure dentures, bridges, and crowns to replace your teeth to help them feel natural in the mouth.

To have an implant done for your missing teeth requires healthy gums and enough jawbone material to support the implant. You’re also going to need to keep up excellent daily oral hygiene, including routine dental visits to support the ongoing function of the implant. If you are considering dental implant placement, we are pleased to offer some insight into what you can expect from the procedure.

Many patients are concerned that the process will be painful, and while any surgical procedure has some degree of discomfort as the mouth heals, our team can provide a local anesthesia or another form of sedation to ensure you are comfortable during the implant placement process.

When it’s time to place your dental implant after you’ve been given the appropriate anesthesia, our team of professionals typically perform the following basic steps:

– Create an access point in the gum line to reach the underlying jawbone area.
– Create some space in the jawbone to create an anchor point for the dental implant to support a new tooth.
– Attach the titanium screw to the jawbone, which forms the base of the dental implant.
– Allow the jawbone time to grow around the metal base and fuse naturally with the implant, which can take a few months.
– Attach an abutment to the titanium screw after the bone has completed its regrowth process, which serves to keep the final dental crown or other tooth restoration in place.
– Allow your gums to heal and improve their health for a few weeks prior to placing the dental restoration.
– Create a detailed impression of your smile to serve as a guide for the creation of the restoration.
– Place it on the implant so that it looks natural and matches well with your surrounding teeth.

Depending on the number of teeth that need to be replaced, the overall process can take a few weeks or months to achieve final completion. To learn more about dental implants and how they can replace missing teeth, contact our team today for more information!

The post Dental Implant Placement Basics as a Step-by-Step Process first appeared on Vacaville Dental Studio.

When it comes to protecting your teeth, your first line of defense against tooth decay and cavities is tooth enamel, as it is the outermost covering that protects the more vulnerable dentin and tooth pulp below. Your enamel comes equipped for the job as the hardest substance in your body. However, because it doesn’t have living cells it can’t grow back once it is lost.

The number one enemy of tooth enamel is acid. It eats away at the enamel leaving it vulnerable to decay as it weakens. Because tooth enamel protects the lower layers from acids and plaque, protecting it is vital to your oral health. Be sure to limit these harmful items as much as possible, and be sure to clean your teeth at least twice a day. Here are some items to avoid:

– Soda
– Fruit juice
– Flavored water (has citric acid and other additives)
– Sugary snacks like cakes, cookies and candies
– Starchy snacks like chips, crackers, pretzels and bread
– Citrus fruit

Of course, it’s not just about what you leave out of your diet that protects tooth enamel. There are foods that can help strengthen tooth enamel, so let’s take a look at them.

– Probably the number one food choice for healthy teeth is rich in calcium which helps form strong teeth and bones. Cheese, which is high in calcium, also helps balance your oral pH which lowers the acids that attack the enamel. Besides cheese and other low-fat dairy items like yogurt, you can find calcium in fortified rice and soy milk, sardines and salmon in the can, almonds, and dark leafy greens like kale, broccoli and spinach.

– Foods rich in vitamin D help your body absorb calcium. Vitamin D is abundant in milk, salmon, margarine, as well as soy and rice beverages which are fortified.

– Your teeth also need phosphorus which you can find in eggs, meat and fish.

– Vitamin A, found in sweet potatoes, red peppers, mangoes and kale.

– Beta-carotene in fruits and vegetables which are orange.

– Magnesium rich foods like bananas, whole grains, and spinach.

For healthy tooth enamel, you also want to make sure are hydrated throughout the day. Water helps support saliva flow and keeps your mouth debris-free while helping all the bodily tissues.

Healthy eating habits, combined with daily tooth brushing and flossing and regular dental checkups and cleanings can help your teeth and gums stay strong for a lifetime of healthy smiles.

If you would like to have our team provide you with a thorough dental cleaning and exam, we invite you to call and schedule an appointment today. We look forward to providing you with the quality care you deserve.

The post Enamel-Friendly Foods for Your Teeth first appeared on Vacaville Dental Studio.

When you come in for dental exams and we have cleaned your teeth and gum line and removed any hardened plaque, our dentist can look at them for any signs of trouble, such as cavities, loose or broken teeth, damaged fillings, and evaluate your risk rate of certain diseases which might also take into account your family history. We will look for swelling in the gums or redness and bleeding and even measure the depth of gingival pockets signaling gum disease. We will evaluate your bite, determine if you have bruxism (a sign of teeth grinding), check the contact between teeth and examine the lower jaw joints for problems. We will also examine the soft tissues in your head, mouth and neck, including the lymph nodes, for any indications of cancer or infection. If problems are detected, you may require further diagnostics followed up with recommended treatment options.

As you can see, this is one of the biggest reasons why dental checkups are so important, because spotting problems early on is crucial for providing effective, minimally invasive, and economical treatment. Using x-rays and other diagnostic tools, we can detect problems early when you may not even be aware of them, especially since tooth decay isn’t usually obvious or painful in the early stages. By the time you do notice problems, the condition has often already advanced.

While most of the time you may need to see your dentist twice a year, there are circumstances that might require coming in more often, particularly since your oral health is directly related to your overall health and vice versa. For example, if you have a disease such as diabetes or heart disease you may be at greater risk of gum disease. If you have a weakened immune system, you will likely have a diminished ability to ward off infections and diseases. If you regularly use tobacco or are a heavy drinker, you are at greater risk of oral problems. Taking medications that result in dry mouth – a reduction in saliva production – puts you at higher risk of developing cavities. So be sure to let our dentist know what medications and supplements you are currently taking when you come in for your routine checkups. You can also let us know if you are noticing signs of tooth sensitivity, pain or an unusual lump. Again, the earlier a problem is addressed, the better the treatment success rate.

If you would like to have our dentist and team provide you with a thorough dental cleaning and exam, we invite you to call our office to schedule an appointment. Our goal is to help you create the healthiest oral environment for your teeth and gums and we look forward to providing you with the quality care you deserve.

The post How Routine Dental Checkups Help Your Smile in the Long Run first appeared on Vacaville Dental Studio.

The first thing we would like you to understand is that while you may feel alone, you’re not. It has been estimated that somewhere around 30 million Americans suffer from an eating disorder of some kind. It can be difficult to determine an exact number because many people suffer from these conditions silently.

Eating disorders can include anorexia nervosa, binge eating and bulimia, all of which can have harmful consequences on your mouth. If you suffer from anorexia, you may have such an extreme fear of gaining weight that you excessively limit your food intake and might be driven to purge. You may be severely underweight. Those who have bulimia may overeat uncontrollably several times a week, followed by self-induced purging. Similarly, binge eaters can overeat in short periods of time but unlike bulimics, they don’t purge out of the fear of gaining weight, but from the guilt they might feel from eating so excessively.

What can this mean for your mouth?
If you have any of these eating disorders, you may not be able to get the key nutrients that you need to maintain good oral health. Your salivary glands can become enlarged and tender, and you could have a dry mouth—which may lead to another host of dental problems. You might also have dry or cracked lips, and even sores on the mouth could be possible.

If you are frequently purging, your stomach acids can erode the enamel of your teeth, leaving them vulnerable to decay and damage. Despite what you might believe, you should not brush your teeth immediately after throwing up. The enamel of your teeth may be weakened, and brushing could do more harm than good at this point. Instead, Dr. Khashayar Khomejany suggests that you rinse your mouth with water and wait about half an hour before using a neutralizing paste like baking soda to brush away the remaining stomach acid in your mouth. You can also experience sensitive teeth.

For more information about eating disorders in Vacaville, California, please contact one of our friendly team members at Vacaville Dental Studio at 707-448-5339. We would love to help get you back on the road to better dental health.

The post Eating Disorders & Your Oral Health first appeared on Vacaville Dental Studio.

You probably don’t have $4200 to drop on a new toothbrush. But the good news is you don’t need a $4200 toothbrush to get a million-dollar smile. The toothbrushes that are available in the grocery, drug or box store are every bit as good as the one used by your average billionaire. And they don’t cost that much. You can pick one up for no more than three bucks, tops.

The toothbrush for the average person usually doesn’t come in designer colors. But they do come in plenty of different colors, and when you are buying one for your child, you can let her pick out one in his or her favorite color, or in the shape of a superhero or cartoon character. And of course, if you have a favorite color, chances are you can find a toothbrush in your favorite shade.

Aesthetic considerations aside, there isn’t much to think about when you are picking out your toothbrush, but since you can’t take one out for a test drive, here are some things you should look for. You want one that you can easily hold. You may want one that is angled, or has grip so you can hold it easily. The head should be small enough to reach every part of your mouth, and you should choose a toothbrush that has soft bristles.

You should get a new toothbrush every six months or as soon as the bristles start to show wear. Since children brush with a little more energy than the adults, they may need new toothbrushes more often than grownups.

If you have questions about what toothbrush is right for you, our dentist, Dr. Khashayar Khomejany will be happy to talk with you. If you would like to talk to them, call 707-448-5339 to make an appointment at Vacaville Dental Studio in Vacaville, California.

The post Would You Pay $4200 for a Toothbrush? first appeared on Vacaville Dental Studio.

Optimum oral health care in the face of risks in your diet includes making sure you’re making the right decisions. In regard to your diet, constantly snacking throughout the day increases your risk for several problems. Instead, limit your risk by avoiding snacking throughout the day and instead, eat large meals only. If you’re eating acidic foods, always make sure they’re part of large meals so you neutralize the effects. Similarly, never try to open products with your teeth as you can also cause dental damage in the form of chipped or cracked teeth.

It’s important to be aware of products in your diet that can be damaging your teeth and gums. Several products are known to contain heavy amounts of sugar which is a known hazard that can chew through your tooth enamel and cause cavities. Several products that are high in sugar include fruit juice, sports drinks, energy drink, protein shakes, candy and soda. It is important to avoid sugar because plaque in your mouth can convert the substance into harmful acids that will eat through your tooth enamel.

No matter the dietary improvement tips you are in need of, Dr. Khashayar Khomejany and our team at Vacaville Dental Studio are here to help you in every way we can. If you would like to set up a dietary risk hazard assessment exam at our dental office in Vacaville, California, please call us at 707-448-5339 to speak with a member of our team.

The post The Basics: Hazards in Your Diet first appeared on Vacaville Dental Studio.

Question: What are some of the types of mouthwash?
Answer: There are two main forms of mouthwash, known as cosmetic mouthwash and therapeutic mouthwash. Cosmetic mouthwash is meant to only cover up bad breath. Therapeutic mouthwash, on the other hand, can actually kill the bacteria responsible for bad breath while also providing several other benefits for your oral health.

Question: What are some of the benefits of mouthwash?
Answer: When choosing a mouthwash to provide benefits for your oral health, always go with therapeutic mouthwash, which can help prevent cavities, gingivitis, plaque buildup and bad breath.

Question: What is one of the best uses of mouthwash?
Answer: Mouthwash is most often used to help eliminate bad breath and any issues associated with foul odors emanating from your mouth.

Question: How can mouthwash help prevent further damage?
Answer: By using a mouthwash product, you can reduce or eliminate plaque buildup in your mouth. Plaque is typically known for causing dental erosion, tooth decay and cavities.

Our dentists and fantastic team are happy to help you achieve greater oral health and a more beautiful smile. If you would like to schedule an appointment at Vacaville Dental Studio, please call our dental office at 707-448-5339.

The post Enhancing Your Smile with Mouthwash first appeared on Vacaville Dental Studio.

-Gingivitis: Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease. It develops when you fail to remove plaque from your teeth and gumline each day. When you leave the plaque, it starts to irritate the gums. This makes the gums red, swollen and tender. It also makes the gums bleed often. Another symptom of gingivitis is consistent bad breath. The treatment available for gingivitis is a professional dental cleaning.

-Periodontitis: Periodontitis is the second stage of gum disease and it develops when the plaque turns into tartar and infects the gums and bones. As it bothers the gums, the gums move away from the teeth and create pockets of infection. Then, the tartar moves underneath the gums and starts deteriorating the jawbone, which causes loose and lost teeth. Treatments available for this stage include scaling and root planing, laser therapy, gum and bone grafts and more.

For more information and details about the stages of gum disease in Vacaville, California, please reach out to Vacaville Dental Studio today at 707-448-5339. Our dental team will be happy to give you the answers and help you need, so please don’t be afraid to contact our office! We look forward to hearing from you.

The post All You Need to Know About the Different Types of Gum Disease first appeared on Vacaville Dental Studio.

-Keep up on oral hygiene: This means you need to brush, floss and rinse regularly. In fact, you should brush twice a day, floss once a day and rinse daily. These things can help you maintain strong, healthy and clean teeth and gums.

-Visit your dentist: Your dental checkups will help you have the successful oral health you need, especially because the treatments involved help you keep gum disease at bay. So, make sure to keep up with your checkups every six months.

-Watch what you eat: Unfortunately, your smile can be very weak and fragile during cancer treatment, so it’s best to avoid foods and drinks that are harder on the teeth and gums, like spicy, crunchy and acidic foods as well as alcohol.

-Drink water often: This can help you frequently clean your mouth as well as help you to stay hydrated; and keep dental issues at bay.

Do you have questions about how to care for your smile while you are being treated for cancer? If so, our dental team in Vacaville, California, is more than happy to help you. When you reach out to Vacaville Dental Studio by dialing 707-448-5339, we will be happy to give you the answers and information you need.

The post How to Keep Your Oral Health in Tip-Top Shape During Cancer Treatment first appeared on Vacaville Dental Studio.

If you are unhappy with the look of your smile, we encourage you to consider porcelain dental veneers. These small porcelain shells are bonded to the front of your teeth to hide damage and stains and damage, as well as close gaps between teeth, so that you can have the smile you deserve.

We first clean your teeth and remove some tooth enamel from the teeth that are receiving veneers. Then, we send an impression of your teeth to a lab to custom craft the veneers before we place temporary dental veneers on your teeth. We want to ensure that your new veneers match the color of your natural teeth to blend in and look beautiful. When the permanent veneers are ready, our dentists lightly etch the tooth surface and uses dental cement to secure the dental veneers in place.

With proper care, dental veneers can last up to fifteen years, though they need to be brushed twice a day and flossed daily just like natural teeth. We encourage you to also see our dentists regularly for dental cleanings and exams. While veneers are strong, they can be damaged if you chew on your nails, ice or other hard objects that can crack or chip the porcelain material. Dark-colored food and drinks can also stain your veneers. Over time, the dental cement can wear away, causing your dental veneers to come loose and fall off. If you experience any problems with dental veneers, schedule an appointment with our dentists right away.

We invite you to contact Vacaville Dental Studio at 707-448-5339 today if you have any questions about receiving dental veneers in Vacaville, California, and would like to speak with Drs. Sean and Sepi.

The post Receive Porcelain Dental Veneers for a Peppy Smile first appeared on Vacaville Dental Studio.