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Posted on 7/4/2017 by Olivia Ortega |
| Traveling and Oral Health – Tips for the Holidays We don’t have to tell you: the winter holidays mark one of the busiest seasons of the year. With shopping, parties and vacations jam-packed on the calendar, it’s no wonder that many people take shortcuts when it comes to oral health maintenance during this time. If you are traveling during the holiday season and you want to avoid a January surprise cavity (or worse), here are some simple tooth travel tips to help you keep your smile intact. Don’t leave home with a toothache! If you suspect you have any lurking problems in your mouth, schedule an appointment prior to your travel date so that you don’t end up with a tooth emergency while out of town. Research emergency dental clinics in your destination city and have those numbers handy to ensure that your time off is as relaxing as possible. No one ever regrets buying travel-sized gear. Keeping a travel toothbrush, floss and toothpaste on hand in addition to trial sizes of your favorite toiletries reduces your packing time, and not just during the holidays. Splurge on probiotics! Diseases and germs run rampant in buses, airports and other communal places that you might encounter during your trip. Researchers believe that probiotics are not only good for the gut; they may help maintain optimal oral health too! Toothbrushes don’t last forever! Generally, dentists recommend that you buy a new toothbrush every two to three months when at home. However if you are traveling, your toothbrush is exposed to even more bacteria. It’s best to toss it when you return home and swap it for a fresh brush, even if it hasn’t hit the three-month mark yet. Chewing gum is a limitless oral-health-on-the-go tip! Bringing sugar-free gum with you has multiple benefits; not only does it taste good and make your breath smell fresh, but the gum can help remove food that may be stuck in your teeth as well, acting as a secondary toothbrush. Posted by beckley925 on Nov 19th, 2014 8:00 am Posted in Blog | Comments Off on Traveling and Oral Health – Tips for the Holidays Tags: dental care, dental health, holiday, oral health, oral surgeon, tips, travel Could Diamonds Be an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon’s Best Friend We routinely replace missing teeth with dental implants here in our office. Dental implants are artificial tooth “roots” made of titanium, used to anchor dental prostheses, including crowns, and implant supported bridges and dentures. One of the largest factors in successful dental implant placement is adequate, healthy bone density to anchor the post. Unfortunately, not all patients have the proper bone in their jaw to support a dental implant. Some patients suffer from Osteonecrosis, a disease caused by reduced blood flow to bones. When there is not enough blood flow, bone can start to die and break down. This makes dental implants for these patients particularly susceptible to becoming loose or failing. Osteonecrosis can be a side effect of chemotherapy. Scientists from the UCLA School of Dentistry have discovered that nanodiamonds could be used for stronger dental treatments. Nanodiamonds are much smaller than those traditionally used in jewelry. Currently, standard bone repair operations include inserting a sponge surgically to administer proteins that promote bone growth. This new study, led by Dr. Dean Ho, may have uncovered an easier way to deliver these proteins. Nanodiamonds, which are invisible to the human eye, bind rapidly to the materials needed for bone growth. This process can be done through injection or an oral rinse, rather than surgery. “This discovery serves as a foundation for the future of nanotechnology in dentistry, orthopedics and other domains in medicine,” said No-Hee Park, dean of the School of Dentistry. “Dr. Ho and his team have demonstrated the enormous potential of the nanodiamonds toward improving patient care. He is a pioneer in his field.” Results from the study will most likely pave the way for more study. Either way, stay tuned to find out how diamonds are playing a role in oral health care. Posted by beckley925 on Nov 5th, 2014 8:00 am Posted in Blog | Comments Off on Could Diamonds Be an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon’s Best Friend Tags: Dr. Beckley, Dr. Liu, oral and facial surgery, oral and maxillofacial surgery Can My Dental Implants Get Cavities? And Other Common Questions… In my practice, I hear dozens of questions every day about dental implants from concerned (or simply curious) patients. Every one of those questions is a good question and I always try to provide an equally good answer. To help you better understand an upcoming dental implant procedure, we’ve compiled a top-five list of the most common questions about dental implants that we field in our office every day: Can dental implants get cavities? No. Because the implant-restored crown is an artificial (not natural) material, it cannot grow cavities, phew! However, you still need to have regular gum care and cleanings around the implant site just like you would for a natural tooth. Can implants slip or fall out like dentures? No. The artificial tooth (crown) is attached to the permanent titanium post that is set in the jaw. They will not slip around or fall out like you may have experienced with dentures. Can I sleep with my dental implants in? Yes! They are practically “permanent”, unlike dentures. You do not need to remove and soak them overnight. Aren’t dental implants more expensive than bridges and dentures? It depends. If you are talking about just a few teeth, implants may be cheaper over time than bridges because they last longer. However, if you need a whole row of teeth replaced, dentures may be a less expensive option for you. Each case is unique, however, so be sure to call us for a proper consultation. We are here to help you understand your costs and benefits so that you can make an informed decision. How long will my dental implants last? If implanted and cared for properly, dental implants can last for many decades or possibly even a lifetime. Some implants have been in patients for over forty years! Don’t see your question on our list? Contact us today for quick answers! Posted by beckley925 on Oct 22nd, 2014 8:00 am Posted in Blog, Dental Implants | Comments Off on Can My Dental Implants Get Cavities? And Other Common Questions… Tags: Dental Implants, dentures, Dr. Beckley, Dr. Liu, Livermore, oral and maxillofacial surgery, Pleasanton, safety, Tracy 3 Reasons to Have Corrective Jaw Surgery Jaw Surgery might sound intimidating, frightening, or both. It isn’t easy to process the fact that your jaw needs to be realigned. Ultimately, overcoming the surgical aspects of orthognathic surgery is well worth the years of having a symmetric, visually appealing jawline. Here are the top reasons why more and more patients are considering jaw surgery: 1: Improvement in Chewing and Biting Foods: Have you ever been unable to enjoy food due to a physical complication? Those who have had their wisdom teeth out can understand this, as well as those who have once had severe cuts on the inside of their mouths. However, there are food lovers out there who regularly cannot enjoy the full satisfaction of eating food due to their jaw’s misalignment. A world where one has to proceed with caution before chowing down lunch is a world that needs to be fixed – with jaw surgery. 2: Reduce of Chronic Headaches: Oral Surgeons notice that when patients have TMJ disorder, they tend to grind their teeth at night. Most of these teeth-grinders do so unconsciously, which results in morning headaches. Most people with chronic headaches simply take their pain relievers and move on without receiving any significant treatment. Corrective jaw surgery will cease the teeth-grinding, which will ultimately reduce daily headaches. 3: Improving Overall Facial Appearance: Having an underbite or an overbite is unfortunate, but fixable. Even if one’s bite needs to be fixed by just a millimeter; this millimeter can go a long way toward improving one’s appearance. If one’s mandible projects outward, he/she has an underbite. This gives the appearance of an oversized jaw, which can harm the beauty of his/her smile. By contrast, an overbite makes one look as if their jaw isn’t fully developed. The jaw bone is surgically moved forward or backward accordingly. The process of getting Jaw Surgery is seemingly a long one, but well worth it in the end. Patients who have had jaw surgery are thrilled about their new and improved smile and overall confidence. Improving appearance, preventing headaches, and being able to thoroughly enjoy food are three worthy reasons to consider an orthognathic treatment. |
Board certified in Oral & Maxillofacial surgery The surgical specialty of oral and maxillofacial surgery requires up to six additional years of hospital based surgical and anesthesia training beyond dental school. |
Contact Pacific Oral and Facial Surgery Center Today! The first step to a healthier, happier you.Hours:
Monday-Thursday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Friday 7:00 am - 1:00 pm Livermore 1133 E. Stanley Blvd. #215 • Livermore, CA 94550Phone: 925-290-7727 Fax: 925-294-8800 Email: info@pacificofs.com Tracy 2160 W. Grant Line Road #160 • Tracy, CA 95377Phone: 209-835-4600 • Fax: 209-835-8833 Email: info@pacificofs.com |
Livermore: 925-290-7727
