Our teeth have many critical functions. We need them to chew our food, talk, and smile. But have you ever considered their role in holding up your face? When we lose teeth, the bone around the site of the extraction begins to shrink. This, in turn, causes our facial muscles to sink in and collapse.
Bone Metabolism
We sometimes think of bone as a solid mass, unlike the softer tissues in our body. In reality, below the seemingly rock-hard surface, bone tissue is full of small holes – kind of like a sponge. In the interior bone tissue, the bone is continually regenerating itself. This important process is sometimes called “bone metabolism.” In the jaw bone, the movement of the teeth stimulate this process of rebuilding. When the tooth is gone, the bone starts to shrink as blood flow is reduced.
People with missing teeth not only have an unattractive gap in their smile, they begin to look older because of the bone recession and eventual facial sagging. It is not simply an issue of attractiveness – it poses serious health dangers. It may become difficult to chew food, making it harder to get adequate nutrition. Mental health can also be affected when a patient with missing teeth loses confidence in themself or withdraws from social situations because they are self-conscious about their smile.
Dental Implants Can Prevent Bone Recession
Modern dentistry to the rescue! Dental implant technology provides a tooth restoration solution that maintains healthy bone metabolism while providing near-normal tooth function. For patients missing many (or all) of their teeth, it may not be possible to replace every single tooth with an implant. In many of these cases, dental implants can be used to provide an anchor for a partial denture.
What if your bone has shrunken so much that there is not enough to support an implant? You may be a candidate for bone augmentation or bone grafting. This procedure is routinely performed with success.
If you are missing teeth, don’t resign yourself to dentures. Tooth implants can provide a stunning smile! Schedule a consultation with Doctor Robert McCulla by calling 209-667-7889.
In this blog post from Turlock Dental Care in Turlock CA we are going to talk about stomatitis. Stomatitis refers to non-specific irritations in the mouth. It is usually caused by cold sores, gum disease, or even from biting the inside of the mouth.
Most of us have probably suffered from stomatitis and donít think it is a big deal. That is generally the case because most of these irritations clear up on their own in less than two weeks.
However, there are cases where a bacterial or viral infection can occur in these areas of inflammation.
Because of this possibility, be sure to tell us if you have any of these issues. Even if there is no infection present, we can always help treat the symptoms.
At Turlock Dental Care in Turlock CA we want the best possible dental health for all of our valued patients. People from Modesto, Patterson, and Oakdale come to our office for general and restorative dentistry. Contact us today!
Regular check-ups and cleanings at Turlock Dental Care in Turlock CA are essential for good dental health. But some people tend to have gums that bleed after a thorough cleaning, causing them concern.
Is this a problem? Well, it depends. If your gums bleed for a couple days after your dental cleaning, don’t worry about it. But, if the bleeding and tenderness last longer, you should be checked for the possibility of gum disease.
Gum disease arises when plaque builds up along the gum line. You might also see bad breath, painful chewing, and loose teeth.
It is a progressive condition and a leading cause of tooth loss in adults. It is also treatable, but as with most conditions, the earlier it is diagnosed and the treatment begins, the better.
We treat gum disease at Turlock Dental Care in Turlock CA. Patients from throughout Modesto, Patterson, and Oakdale know they can trust us with their dental health. They also come to our practice for general and restorative dentistry. Contact us today!
While poor oral hygiene is the most prevalent cause of halitosis, many circumstances can contribute to or intensify the condition. One of these is the lack of saliva or xerostomia.
Saliva and Oral Health
Saliva moistens the teeth and gums and cleans away odiferous dead cells. Saliva also neutralizes the ever-present acids on the tongue, gums, and cheeks, and the minerals in saliva help to maintain enamel stability. Immunoproteins in saliva curb the overgrowth of microbes in the mouth, thereby safeguarding the gums from gingivitis. Saliva also functions as a disinfectant by cleansing the mouth of leftover food, bacteria, and fungi. This protects against cavities and infections.
Many individuals suffer from dry mouth infrequently; perhaps when they are perceiving anxiety or stress. Limiting caffeine, chewing sugar-free gum, using OTC saliva substitutes, and using a humidifier can add moisture to the mouth.
If you have infrequent periods of dry mouth, there is probably nothing to worry about. Constant dry mouth, however, can lead to additional oral and physical health problems.
I am Doctor McCulla of Turlock Dental Care. I have been treating xerostomia and bad breath since 1986. If you experience either condition, we recommend that you set up an exam and consultation with your dentist. Your dentist will help you discover the source and guide you on treatment.
Countless people see their stress levels rise as they anticipate an upcoming dental appointment. It’s so common there’s a term for it: dental anxiety. But a calm and comfortable atmosphere, as well as a focus on patient communication, can often be the best answer to this sort of stress. This is what we offer at Turlock Dental Care in Turlock CA can help even severe cases get the dental care they deserve.
Some people get so concerned at the thought of a dental checkup that they’ll put it off for months, even years. In severe cases, they’ll avoid the dentist completely, and trust to daily flossing and brushing to keep their teeth and gums in good shape. We’ll never discourage regular flossing and brushing, but skipping the dentist is never a good idea.
No matter how good a job you do with dental hygiene, even if it’s brushing after every meal and right before bed, it is no substitute for a dental checkup. But we understand how difficult it is, for whatever reason, for some people to get themselves to our office. Our unique, patient-centered approach has helped hundreds of people get through their appointments.
We pride ourselves in three calming, anxiety-reducing factors:
Patient Communication: Most fear stems from ignorance. With our direct approach, you’ll have all the information about your procedure communicated to you in simple terms. This way, you can choose which treatments you are comfortable.
Topical Anesthesia: Over the last few decades, local anesthetics have become incredibly effective at numbing pain. This, combined with a dental team that is ready to coach you through your treatment, means you are in safe, pain-free hands.
Patient Amenities: Whether you need a glass of water, a re-explanation of a procedure, or even calming music, we are at your service. We will strive to make this appointment as close to a spa experience as possible!
Never take the chance of compromising your dental health by skipping the dentist. Turlock Dental Care in Turlock CA can help you overcome your dental phobia. Patients from Modesto, Patterson, and Oakdale rely on us for general and restorative dentistry. Contact us today!
Cancer remains one of the scariest diagnoses anyone can get. Oral cancer is especially frightening because it generally has a higher mortality rate than other cancers. Please keep reading this post from Turlock Dental Care in Turlock CA, because we actually have some encouraging things to tell you.
The reason that the death rate for oral cancer tends to be higher than in other types is not because of the disease itself, or that it’s hard to diagnose. The reason is that it is often discovered late in its development. An oral cancer screening might just save your life or the life of someone you love.
The symptoms of oral cancer don’t always produce any pain or other obvious symptoms. That’s why it tends to be discovered in later stages. The goal of screenings is to detect any precancerous lesions that could develop into cancer. When oral cancer is found in its early stages, of course, the chances for successful treatment are at their highest.
If you have any concerns about the state of your oral health, be sure to talk to us about it at Turlock Dental Care in Turlock CA. Patients from Modesto, Patterson, and Oakdale come to our office for family and restorative dentistry. Contact us today!
Have you replaced your toothbrush lately? You don’t have to answer that. At Turlock Dental Care in Turlock CA we recommend replacing your toothbrush every three months.
Too many people wait too long to get a new toothbrush, which can be bad for their dental health. It’s one of the reasons why most dentists hand out free ones at every checkup.
Of course, you don’t need to mark your calendar or set up a reminder on your smartphone. How often you replace your toothbrush depends on how often you use it. We recommend, strongly, that you brush at least twice a day. If you’re brushing twice a day, picking up a new toothbrush at the store every three months is recommended.
Why So Often?
A toothbrush can become familiar, like a comfy pair of shoes. Sometimes the idea of tossing out the old one and replacing it isn’t very appealing. But after three months, the bristles are getting bent and frayed. There may be some gunk – dried toothpaste foam – starting to build up, too. So toss that old brush, and get a fresh one!
What kind of brush should you be using? There are so many choices. The most important thing is to choose a brush with soft bristles. They are gentle on the gums, but still effective in brushing away plaque.
Manual or Electric?
Should you use a manual toothbrush, or go electric? This boils down to personal preference. Provided you use them correctly, both do a good job cleaning your teeth. A manual toothbrush may take a little longer and requires you to be sure to brush up and down and in little circles. But they were a lot cheaper! At the end of the day, though, the choice is yours.
Electric toothbrushes are a tremendous benefit to those with issues like arthritis. There are two basic types: a regular electric toothbrush, and a sonic toothbrush. A sonic toothbrush is essentially a super-charged electric brush. They can give you up to thirty thousand brush strokes per minute!
To recap: for good dental health, Turlock Dental Care in Turlock CA recommends a new toothbrush every three months. People from Modesto, Patterson, and Oakdale come to our office for general and restorative dentistry. Contact us today!
A healthy, pleasing smile can have a positive impact on anyone’s life. It lets us convey confidence and friendliness in business and social settings. If dental problems have dulled your smile, cosmetic dentistry from Turlock Dental Care in Turlock CA can revive it.
It’s been said that cosmetic dentistry is part science and part art. That’s a good definition, but we would add that we use sound dental techniques to bring positive changes to the smiles of our patients.
Smile improvement with cosmetic dentistry can have positive changes in your life. There are many techniques we can use, depending on the state of your smile: we can correct teeth that are discolored, chipped, misshapen, and even missing.
Traditional dentistry addresses the health of your teeth and gums, and that certainly has its place in what we do. Cosmetic dentistry improves appearance, to complement the overall general and dental health of each patient.
Your teeth take a lot of wear and tear, but cosmetic dentistry from Turlock Dental Care in Turlock CA can restore your smile to its youthful appearance. People from Modesto, Patterson, and Oakdale also come to our practice for family and restorative dentistry. Contact us checkup!
Aging is an inescapable fact of life. While some of the challenges that come with it cannot be avoided, others can. At Canyon Rim Dental in Mesa AZ, we help patients of all ages with their dental health issues.
Many dental problems that are common with aging include missing teeth, gum recession, tooth damage, and yellowed enamel. In most cases, these issues can be remedied.
Some people think losing their teeth as they age is inevitable. It isn’t. With a proper dental health routine at home and regular cleanings and checkups in our office (just like you’ve always done, we hope) your teeth can last a lifetime.
Still, you should know that the mouth undergoes changes as we age. The nerves in teeth may get smaller, to the point where teeth are not as sensitive to cavities and other issues. That means you may not feel as much tooth pain from, for example, a cavity as you once did. Regular checkups become that much more important.
At Canyon Rim Dental in Mesa AZ, we see patients from San Tan Valley, Chandler Heights, and Gilbert for cleanings and checkups twice a year. Our services include general and cosmetic dentistry. Dental health is important at every stage of life! Contact us today!
Hello gum chewers! In this post from Turlock Dental Care in Turlock CA we’re going to talk about that sticky wad in your mouth. You know there can be benefits to gum chewing, but isn’t it a big risk for tooth decay?
It really depends on the type of gum. Chewing regular sucrose-based gum may be helpful in removing bits of food from the surface of teeth, but that benefit is negated by the stream of sugar washing over your teeth as you chew.
However, gum with some alternative sweeteners has an added benefit for your pearly whites. Xylitol is a sweetener which not only has fewer calories than traditional sugars, but it also has antimicrobial properties that lessen plaque build-up. This means that xylitol inhibits the growth of bacteria that causes decay.
So if you’re headed out to a restaurant, bring a pack of sugar-free gum with you and pop it in your mouth when your meal is done. Of course, brushing and flossing are the ideal practices for your oral health, but when you can’t brush, select a sugarless gum with xylitol.
This place is great! State of the art equipment. Friendly staff and they have cookies! ?? Fresh ones!
Vanessa P
I have finally found a dentist/hygienist that I feel comfortable with. I was there today and felt relaxed the entire time and am actually looking forward to going back for more dental work. Weird, but true.
Carol S
I came in and I felt so welcomed with the lady I met up front. The assistant and hygienist was so amazing and made me feel so comfortable. And then the dr he was awesome I will definitely make this my new home!
Anonymous
The staff here is always happy to help me with my questions and concerns.
Evan C.
Wow what a great place: treated like a queen Staff are friendly and genuine care about my health.
Noreen S.
What a warm and professional office. It really shows that they care a great deal for their patients. Dr.McCulla is wonderful and has an amazing chairside manner.
Charlene T
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Today’s post focuses on missing teeth and bone health.
