Most individuals know that they can go to their dentist for toothaches, cleanings, and bleeding gums (not to mention cosmetic dentistry procedures such as a smile makeover), but there are some lesser-known oral concerns that your dentist can help you with. At Turlock Dental Care, we offer comprehensive dental solutions.
Dry mouth treatment
Dry mouth, technically called xerostomia, is caused by a lack of saliva and can be quite uncomfortable. It also predisposes dental patients to a host of dilemmas such as cavities and gum disease. A lot of individuals experience dry mouth because of medications or medical conditions. Make sure you bring a list of current medications with you to your appointment.
Bad breath treatment
Bad breath is usually a result of bacteria build-up in the mouth, and regular trips to your dentist can help you keep your mouth clean and the bacteria count within a sweet-smelling range. Do you have good oral hygiene and still have bad breath? Then your dentist can help you discover the source of your halitosis.
Jaw issues
Jaw clicking and jaw discomfort are symptoms you should have checked immediately. They can be the result of a serious jaw condition.
Treatment for snoring
Did you know that some dentists can help with chronic snoring? Oral appliances can treat some forms of sleep apnea.
Oral cancer checks
Dentists also perform oral cancer checks when they examine a patient. Oral cancer is much harder to treat if it is not detected early.
Teeth grinding treatment
Your dentist may also be able to help you with teeth grinding. Tooth grinding while sleeping can wreak havoc on your teeth as well as cause severe headaches. If you suspect that you grind your teeth at night—make an appointment for an examination.
Your dentist may also create custom sports mouthguards. If you or your child participates in a contact sport, a protective mouthguard.
Your dentist does a whole lot more than fill cavities. Dental professionals are essential members of your healthcare team.
Did you know that enamel is the hardest substance in the body? It’s true! This substance, found on the outer surface of your teeth, truly should last a lifetime. But just because it’s super strong doesn’t mean you don’t have to work to take care of it.
Here are some useful tips from Turlock Dental Care for keeping enamel healthy.
1. Pick the right foods for enamel health. It’s no secret that soft drinks damage your teeth, and don’t think that diet sodas are harmless – the artificial sweeteners can also erode enamel over time. There are also other culinary culprits that can do a lot of harm. Sticky, chewy candies should be avoided. Chewing ice is a no-no. And don’t use your teeth as tools. Take a minute to grab some scissors before you rip open that package with your incisors.
On the flip side, foods with calcium can neutralize acid in your mouth and protect your enamel. So, enjoy your dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt!
2. Avoid vigorous brushing and use a soft brush. Also, it’s best to brush about an hour after eating, because foods, especially acidic ones, can soften the enamel, thus making it more prone to weakening from brushing. If your teeth are discolored or yellowish, you may feel you need to brush harder. Instead, consider teeth whitening and speak with your dentist.
3. Keep stomach acids in check. If you have a problem with severe heartburn, the stomach acid could be traveling up your esophagus and into your mouth. This acid can erode enamel, so it is important to meet with your Turlock doctor about treatment.
4. Talk to your dentist about dry mouth and tooth grinding. Lack of saliva is a major issue for tooth enamel, and it’s no surprise that teeth grinding can also wear it down. Make sure your dentist is aware if you notice either of these issues.
Hi, my name is Doctor Robert McCulla. I want my patients to have the best oral health possible, and enamel health is an essential component. I also love helping my patients achieve the beautiful smile they want with cosmetic dentistry procedures such as dental bonding, veneers, invisible braces, tooth-colored fillings, and dental implants.
My practice, Turlock Dental Care, is currently accepting new patients. Give us a call at 209-667-7889 to make an appointment!
The following website was used as source material for this blog:
https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/healthy-teeth-2/tooth-enamel-damage, accessed on September 18, 2013
The powerful, precise, highly-concentrated beam of light initially known as Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation (LASER) is so ubiquitous that the acronym has now been relegated to lowercase. At Turlock Dental Care, we utilize advanced dental technology to provide the finest dental services.
Innovative Laser Technology
Lasers are used in everything from weapons to barcode scanners. They have increased efficiency and advanced technology in numerous industries such as communications, manufacturing, and practically every branch of science. Today’s post focuses on how lasers have influenced dentistry.
Lasers Have Changed the Face of Modern Dentistry
Lasers are now used in many state-of-the-art California dental practices for a broad range of services. Lasers allow dentists to be extremely precise when working on both tooth and gum tissue.
Dentists use lasers to:
Remove decay while preserving more intact tooth material
Firmly attach bonding material to a tooth
Remove oral lesions or obtain tissue for biopsies
Reshape receded gums
Eliminate bacteria while performing root canals
Increase the effectiveness of tooth-whitening agents
Dental patients benefit with:
Fewer stitches – some surgical procedures require no sutures when a laser is used
Faster healing
Lower risk of infection
Decreased damage to surrounding tissue/bone
Less pain–eliminates the need for anesthesia in many procedures
Dr. Robert McCulla employs advanced dental technology with a seasoned ability to serve our valued patients. At Turlock Dental Care, we believe that every man, woman, and child deserves a beautiful smile and a lifetime of oral health.
For questions about laser dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, clear aligners, or sedation dentistry, call 209-667-7889 today to schedule a consultation at Turlock Dental Care in Turlock.
For those of you in the San Jose area who feel pain when you sip your morning coffee or who cringe each time you brush or floss, Turlock Dental Care is here for you.
The first line of defense against tooth sensitivity is proper oral hygiene. Incorrect brushing and over-brushing can result in receding gums, which leads to the exposure of microscopic tubules in the dentin. When these tubules are exposed, acidic, hot, cold, and sticky foods can then reach the nerve cells in the teeth causing discomfort.
Here in our Turlock dentistry practice, our trustworthy staff can determine if your brushing style is contributing to your tooth sensitivity problems and get you on your way to proper oral care habits.
Robert McCulla usually recommends an over-the-counter desensitizing toothpaste that helps alleviate tooth pain after several applications. Most San Jose area drugstores carry it. However, some Turlock patients may need in-office procedures such as fluoride gel treatments available at Turlock Dental Care.
Don’t worry if you have sensitive teeth in Turlock and want to have your teeth whitened. Here at Turlock Dental Care, doctor McCulla can determine which professional tooth whitening or at-home whitening procedures will work for you.
Call our Turlock cosmetic dental office today for speedy relief for your sensitive teeth.
Veneers have many applications in Turlock cosmetic dentistry. With veneers from Turlock Dental Care, you can transform your smile without significant restorative dental work.
Is your tooth enamel worn and thin? Tooth-colored porcelain veneers have the brilliance and translucency of healthy tooth enamel. Many San Jose dental patients have received veneers to cover worn enamel. Some believe they look twenty years younger!
Have your teeth developed uneven edges? Tooth grinding, natural wear, and other factors can roughen tooth edges. Veneers are a minimally invasive correction for uneven tooth edges.
Do you have chips or cracks in your teeth? If your teeth are otherwise healthy, veneers provide a flawless tooth surface. Are your teeth yellow or gray? Veneers can fix that, too. Veneers can be fabricated in any shade to perk up your smile while still blending naturally with your other teeth and skin tones.
Porcelain veneers are paper-thin, tooth-shaped covers that are affixed to the front of teeth. Traditional veneers required the removal of a thin layer of tooth structure. Prepless veneers are applied to unaltered teeth.
Veneers are strong, natural-looking, and one of the most affordable cosmetic dentistry procedures in Patterson and Oakdale. Of course, a tooth with extensive damage may need a dental crown.
At Turlock Dental Care, we would be happy to show you what veneers can do for you. Turlock Dental Care is located at 990 Delbon Ave in Turlock. We provide premium dental care for many of your friends and neighbors in the greater San Jose area. Our phone number is 209-667-7889.
Reach out for information about our trustworthy team and the types of services we provide.
These days San Jose residents are more conscious of their health than ever. Many of us are trying to stay active, eat a balanced diet, and better manage stress. When you feel healthy, attractive, and happy, you smile more often. You want your smile to compliment and enhance your physical and mental condition. Here at Turlock Dental Care, we want to make sure that those in the Modesto, Patterson, and Oakdale areas have healthy, attractive teeth.
Eating right is a great step toward optimal oral health in the 95382 zip code area. A balanced diet that is low in sugar and high in nutrients will support dental health at every age. And, of course, water is always the beverage of choice for those who want healthy teeth.
Daily brushing and flossing are essential healthy habits for your mouth. Also, regular check-ups and cleanings with your San Jose dentist are a must.
Another way to get those teeth looking beautiful is by undergoing some routine cosmetic dentistry procedures. If you want to close spaces between the teeth, improve your gumline, or repair chips or cracks in the teeth, then dental bonding, gum recontouring, crowns, or porcelain veneers might be what you’re looking for.
I’m Doctor Robert McCulla, a trustworthy Turlock dentist. I have been taking excellent care of San Jose area smiles since 1986.
Brushing your teeth on a regular basis is one of the best things you can do for your smile. Healthy teeth make a beautiful smile. Brushing can also help with gum health and even keep your breath smelling sweet.
For some of us, brushing can be a loathsome chore that gets in the way of a good time. Hopefully, you don’t think of brushing in such dire terms, but I know it happens.
The best way to build brushing into your routine is to make it a habit. A habit is an automated practice that becomes hard to give up. Some habits can be bad, of course. Brushing can be a good habit.
Here are some tips from Turlock Dental Care about how you can create a habit that you can teach to your kids. These tips will also work on teens. And they work on adults, too:
Keep It Simple
One of the best ways to create a habit is to keep the requirements simple. Brushing teeth is already a simple task, but we can focus on the simplicity to help it stick as a habit.
Don’t complicate the instructions for your kids. Keep it as simple as possible at the start. A small amount of toothpaste on your toothbrush, brush for about two minutes, and rinse with clear water. Simple.
Regular Timing
One of the cornerstones of a habit is routine. Routine is rooted in consistent timing. Choose at least two, or three regular times to brush your teeth. Set a timer if you have to, but it’s best to create a habit around other regular activities. “First thing in the morning” or “after breakfast” are good times. After dinner or just before getting into bed are also good times.
Regardless of when you choose, make sure it is a daily activity, and that it is tied to another routine or habit as a reminder. In this way you are actually appending an existing habit or routine, and that makes it easier.
Stick To It
Research indicates it takes about two weeks to create a habit. You have to do a task for at least two weeks in a row before your brain will turn it over to auto-pilot and make it into a habit. Your brain tries to do this with routine things so you don’t have to keep the task in your short-term memory.
If you can stick with a task for two weeks, you’ll be well on your way to creating a good habit. If you can hold on for 30 days, you’ll imprint your new habit as a reflexive routine. You may never have to think about it again!
Improve It
Finally, any good habit needs constant improvement. You can improve your habit of brushing your teeth by working on proper form, or by adding a little bit of time. Work toward the two-minute mark; any longer and it may start to cause damage. You can also make sure you are using a soft or medium brush, and that you are using fluoride toothpaste to keep your teeth healthy.
Start Today
There’s no time like right now to get started on creating healthy habits for your teeth. If you are having trouble with brushing, make a commitment to work on it starting now. If you are caring for a child, or working with a teenager, help reinforce good habits with reminders, positive support, and a leading example.
Once you have created a healthy habit around brushing your teeth, you’ll have plenty of reason to smile. I look forward to seeing it!
According to the CDC, over 34 million Americans have diabetes. Perhaps you are one of them. Let’s talk about oral health for diabetics. Many Turlock men and women with diabetes have dental dilemmas. However, gingivitis (gum disease), and decay are not unavoidable for those affected by diabetes.
Blood Sugar and Oral Health
Blood sugar is a complicating factor for oral health. San Jose diabetics who control their blood sugar have lower rates of dental distress. In fact, many dentists have noticed no increased risk of dental disease among diabetics who maintain healthy blood sugar levels.
When blood sugar levels rise, the amount of sugars and starches increase in your mouth. These substances combine with the bacteria naturally present to create enamel-eroding plaque. Untreated plaque can lead to decay.
Diabetes Affects Gum Tissue
In addition to cavities, San Jose dental patients with diabetes need to be cautious about gum health. Because diabetes can make it harder to control the growth of bacteria, the amount of plaque in your mouth can multiply quickly. Plaque not only causes cavities, but it also inflames and weakens gum tissue and eventually the bone surrounding teeth.
Don’t Let Gum Disease Progress
Untreated gum disease progresses to periodontitis, a more severe infection. Because San Jose diabetics have a lower resistance to infection, it can be difficult to reverse periodontitis in people with diabetes. To make matters even worse, the presence of infection can make it harder to maintain a healthy blood sugar level.
Bottom line?
Brush and floss regularly to prevent plaque build-up.
See your dentist for twice-yearly cleanings to remove any plaque and tartar that has accumulated under the gumline.
Doctor McCulla of Turlock Dental Care is accepting new patients in the Turlock, Modesto Patterson, and Oakdale areas. We can help diabetic dental patients keep their smile beautiful.
Has Diabetes Already Affected Your Dental Health?
If you are in need of cosmetic dentistry because of diabetes-related decay or gingivitis (gum disease), we can restore your beautiful smile with the latest tooth restoration options. Ask us about crowns, dental implants, implant-anchored dentures, porcelain veneers, inlays/onlays, and same-day restorations. We provide the full spectrum of dental services.
Turlock Dental Care is located at 990 Delbon Ave in Turlock. Call us at 209-667-7889 to schedule a consultation. Thanks for visiting the Turlock Dental Care blog!
In today’s Turlock Dental Care post, we share some fun facts about dentistry. Enjoy!
Many dental patients are aware that before there was formal dental training and licensing, barbers often performed dental procedures. But did you know that blacksmiths also moonlighted as dentists?1 How would you like your dental visit to involve tools used to hammer hot metal?
The Mayans were accomplished cosmetic dentists. One smile style in Mayan culture was bejeweled teeth – a procedure that involved the drilling of holes to embed precious gems. That’s a grill with major bling! 1
The average human produces 25,000 quarts of saliva in a lifetime. That is enough to fill up two swimming pools.2 (Not a very pleasant image, right?)
Nylon toothbrush bristles weren’t introduced until 1938. Prior to that, pig hair was a common bristle material.3 (“Mom, my toothbrush smells like bacon!”)
A popular toothache treatment in medieval Germany was to kiss a donkey.3 There is no evidence that it actually worked and it is unknown if the same remedy was used by donkeys.
Every person’s tongue is unique – just like a fingerprint.4
In medieval Japan, black teeth were considered appealing. Style-conscious women used roots to stain their teeth.3
At Turlock Dental Care, you won’t find pig hair, donkeys, or anvils. You will find quality dental care and our trustworthy team of dental professionals. Our menu of services includes cosmetic dentistry, clear aligners, and sedation dentistry. Contact Turlock Dental Care today at 209-667-7889 to schedule an informative consultation.
1Gregory Myers,”10 Weird Facts About Teeth,” ListVerse, January 27, 2014, https://listverse.com/2014/01/27/10-weird-facts-about-teeth/, accessed on November 14, 2014 2“Mouth Matters,” Visual.ly, August 28, 2012, https://visual.ly/your-mouth-matters-fun-dental-facts, accessed on November 14, 2014 3“Chew on This, Fun Tooth Facts for a Healthy Mouth,” Delta Dental, https://www.deltadentalnc.org/MediaLibraries/Global/documents/Delta-Dental-Tooth-Tips-BF.pdf, accessed on November 12, 2014 4“New oral features can be considered unique as a fingerprint,” DentistryiQ, https://www.dentistryiq.com/articles/2014/01/new-oral-features-can-be-considered-unique-as-a-fingerprint.html, accessed on November 14, 2014
Have you ever been told that your smile is beyond repair? That may not be true. At Turlock Dental Care we perform dental miracles every day. Here are some tough dental problems we routinely solve:
Tough Problem 1: Insufficient Bone for Dental Implant Solution: Bone Grafting
As a replacement for a missing tooth, a dental implant has many advantages over a dental bridge. However, there must be enough bone to support the titanium post (screw) that is surgically implanted.
Many implant patients require some level of bone grafting and the procedure has a high success rate. Disinfected, processed donor bone is inserted at the implant location where the bone needs structural augmentation. The grafting material is in granular form and can be packed into contours. It generates growth, and eventually the patient’s newly-produced bone replaces the donor bone material.
If you have had another dentist tell you that you don’t have enough bone to place an implant post, talk to Doctor McCulla. The team at Turlock Dental Care has completed many bone grafting procedures for dental implant placement.
Tough Problem 2: Severe Tooth Loss Solution: Full Mouth Restoration
If it feels like your dental problems are beyond repair because you have few or no teeth left, take heart. Regardless of the cause—chemotherapy, recreational drug use, eating disorder, severe mouth injury, disability, inadequate oral hygiene, or simply poor overall health—there is hope.
Full mouth reconstruction can restore your previously healthy, nice smile or give you the stunning smile you never had. Patients who undergo full mouth reconstruction regain their confidence to smile, eat, and speak normally.
Full mouth restoration is comprised of a combination of dental procedures as necessary according to the patient’s particular situation. These can include dental implants, implant-supported bridges, orthodontia, crowns, inlays/onlays, dental bonding, gum contouring, soft tissue grafts, and teeth whitening.
By listening carefully, asking the right questions, communicating clearly, and counseling you, Doctor McCulla can fully analyze your seemingly impossible dental dilemma and furnish a solution.
Professional, knowledgeable dental staff. Front office is courteous and friendly. Highly recommended for general dentistry and Clear Aligner treatment.
Michael W.
Today was my daughter’s last day of wearing the aligners. She is a very pleased with her new smile and the fast results thank you so much to Dr McCulla and the staff for making this a very easy experience 😁
Crystal C.
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.
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.
New Patient Online Offer
FREE Cosmetic or Dental Implant Consultation (including necessary x-rays)
~ OR ~
FREE Second Opinion
($199 value)
Call 858-201-4542 today to schedule.
Veneers have many applications in 
