Dental Insurance Plans: Get Covered Now!

Worried about how much do you need to pay out of your pocket? Choose from a variety of dental insurance coverage that suits your need and consult a Newport Beach dentist like Dr. F. Anthony Rich. DDS to help you maintain that great smile! Read more: http://www.dentist-newport-beach.com/dental-insurance-plans-get-covered-now/

Help Kids Deal With Juvenile Arthritis

Be aware of the symptoms of Juvenile Arthritis in children. Help your kids maintain a good hygiene and assist them to combat Juvenile Arthritis at an early age. Newport Beach dentist F. Anthony Rich DDS recommends a regular dental visit at least every six months to check or monitor them for signs of any inflammation or gum issues. Read more here: http://www.dentist-newport-beach.com/help-kids-deal-juvenile-juvenile-arthritis/

Causes of Bleeding Gums and What to do About It

The blood on your toothbrush bristles and in your sink after your thorough cleaning of your teeth is something you should not ignore! Bleeding gums can happen for reasons.

Here are the reasons why your gums are bleeding and what to do about it:

Smoking. If you smoke, then you are at a higher risk of experiencing bleeding gums. Smoking tends to cause periodontal disease. The unhealthy substance especially nicotine in cigarettes cause plaque formation that when untreated could eventually lead to periodontitis.

Poor Nutrition. When you don’t eat enough vegetables and fruits and other nutritious food, you could be setting your gums up for inflammation. You don’t have to ban sweets totally off your diet; you just need to commit to keeping your sugar intake to a minimum. Thus a balanced diet is not only good for the body, but it also keeps your gums healthy and prevents oral diseases as well.

Improper brushing and flossing.  Your dentist recommends soft bristles for a toothbrush and to avoid pressing the floss against your teeth too hard to prevent irritating your gums. It is recommended that people brush their teeth with a fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day – morning and bedtime and floss daily to prevent plaque formation.

Hormonal Imbalance. If you’re a female, hormonal changes during menstruation and pregnancy can also increase the chances of having bleeding gums.  Women may experience natural hormonal gingivitis that is correlated with a monthly cycle or a hormonal change during pregnancy.

Read more here: http://www.dentist-newport-beach.com/causes-of-bleeding-gums-and-what-to-do-about-it/

Are Dental Sealants For You?

Even an individual with a fastidious dental hygiene routine can be at risk for cavities and prone to dental caries. But there is another way to help keep the teeth clean – it’s called a sealant.

Even thorough brushing and flossing may not reach all the way into the depressions and grooves of the teeth to extract all food and plaque. Sealants help remove food particles and plaque from the smooth surfaces of the teeth and add extra protection for the grooved and pitted areas.

What are Sealants?

These are thin, protective coating made from plastic or other dental materials that adhere to the chewing surface of your back teeth.They have been shown to reduce the risk of decay by nearly 80% in molars which are especially important for the children’s dental health.

How Do Sealants Work?  

They are considered as raincoats of your teeth and is usually placed on the chewing surfaces as these are the areas where you have deep fissures.  Sealing these teeth as soon as they come through can keep them cavity-free from the start and saves you time and money.

A quick and painless process performed by your dentist, sealants will clean and dry your mouth before putting on an acidic gel on your teeth and roughs up the tooth surface. It is bright, white and has a slight tint depending on the dental sealant used.  It can protect teeth from decay up to 10 years! However, you need to have your dentist check it for chipping or wearing during regular dental check-ups.

Read more here: http://www.dentist-newport-beach.com/are-dental-sealants-for-you/

What You Need to Know About Dental X-Ray

Dental x-rays are also called radiographs. Your age, health, individual needs, and risk factors all affect how often dental x-rays are taken. Your Newport Beach dentist may require dental x-rays if:

1. You’re a new patient or if you haven’t seen him in a while.

2. You are required to have a dental x-ray if you are on a follow-up visit after a particular dental treatment.

3. To show the condition of your teeth, their roots, your facial bones, and your jaw placement.

4. To help the dentist see if you have the periodontal (gum) disease and how bad it is.

5. Dental x-rays also reveal cavities, abscesses, and abnormal growths like cysts and tumors.

6. It can save you time, money and pain. If you have a hidden dental disease, it may help save your life!

Different Types of Dental X-Rays

1. The most common type of dental X-ray is called Bitewing X-ray.  It can determine if there is decay between the teeth which is one of the most common areas where decay-causing bacteria live. This x-ray also will also show bone loss when severe gum disease or a dental infection is present.

2. Periapical x-ray is another type of  Dental X-ray which gives an image to the dentist of the entire teeth to help them evaluate the root structures as well as the bone levels, cysts or abscesses.

Read more here: http://www.dentist-newport-beach.com/what-you-need-to-know-about-dental-x-ray/

Pros and Cons of Electric Toothbrush

While choosing from a vast array of available toothbrush options can be confusing, the addition of electric toothbrushes have also proven to be a headache.

But are electric toothbrushes better than the traditional ones? Let us discover the pros and cons of the electric toothbrush as presented by your Newport Beach dentist:

Pros

• The distinct advantage of an electric toothbrush is that it’s fun to use especially for children.

• Electric toothbrushes can be a  time saver as this provide a cleaning job of delivering 6,000 and 30,000 strokes per minute.

• For those who do not have the ability or grip to operate a manual toothbrush, an electric toothbrush is a great option. It is comfortable to hold and takes care of the rotating action for you.

• Powered toothbrushes are far superior to manual brushes when it comes to plaque and stain removal.

• Because the brushing motions are controlled, there is less likely for you to get dental abrasions caused by too much force exerted during brushing.

• Other features of electric brushes that make it superior to manual toothbrushes are built-in timers, pressure sensors, and even UV sterilizers.

Cons

• On the other hand, even a cheap electric toothbrush can cost more than a manual toothbrush.  That means that these can be pricey,  as the heads should be replaced just as frequently as a manual toothbrush should be depending on the toothbrush model type.

Read more here: http://www.dentist-newport-beach.com/pros-cons-electric-toothbrush/

Causes and Treatment of Sensitive Teeth

Are you trying to avoid eating cold food or drinking hot beverages because your teeth are sensitive? It may be time to get to the bottom of this painful condition and get recommendations from your dentist on how to resolve this!

A common dental health concern that causes teeth sensitivity is the exposure of the dentin on your teeth due to receding gum tissues. When hard enamel does not cover your teeth and its roots, sensations will go straight to the nerve in the center of the tooth resulting in dental sensitivity. According to studies, various factors can cause teeth sensitivity.

1. Use of a hard brush and aggressive teeth cleaning.
2. Tooth erosion caused by foods and beverages with high acid content.
3. Receding gums that leaves root surface exposed
4. Teeth grinding at night and cracks or decay in the teeth.
4. Post dental treatment sensitivity like procedures of crowns, filing, and tooth bleaching.

Having a dental treatment with your Newport Beach dentist is always the initial step in finding relief from your discomfort.

Read more here: http://www.dentist-newport-beach.com/causes-and-treatment-of-sensitive-teeth