Smiles By Sands - Valley Village Dentistry Blog: December 2009

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Holiday Wishes

Wishing everyone a very happy, healthy holiday season filled with lots of smiles, from all of us at Smiles By Sands!

posted by Judith M. at 4:01 PM 0 comments

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Early Childhood Caries

A child can have tooth decay as young as six months of age if they have teeth. This condition is called early childhood caries or baby bottle tooth decay.

Baby bottle tooth decay is a preventable condition simply by making sure after every bottle-feeding the infants' teeth and gums are wiped clean with a soft cloth to prevent the growth of the bacteria responsible for the decay.

Early childhood caries occur when sweetened liquids like milk, formulas and fruit juices are left clinging to the infants' teeth and gums for long periods of time such as during a nap or through the night. The bacteria in the mouth use these sweetened liquids to flourish and produce acids that then attack the teeth.

Your baby's first teeth play a very important role in the future development of their permanent teeth and need to be protected and cared for as if they were permanent teeth. Regular dental check-ups for your child should start by their first birthday or sooner if a problem develops. The dentists and staff at Smiles By Sands Cosmetic and Family Dentistry have a great deal of experience in the care and treatment of early childhood dental problems and prevention.

If you are concerned about early childhood tooth decay and want to do all you can to prevent this problem from affecting your child, please contact Dr. Jamie Sands and Dr. Jason Sands of Smiles By Sands Cosmetic and Family Dentistry in Valley Village, California for assistance.

posted by Tiffany at 3:49 PM 1 comments

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Taking Time To Help

As the year comes to an end and the holidays approach it’s good to take time to think of those in need and help out when possible. Reflecting on the year behind us, we are reminded of an opportunity we had to help others. Dr. Jamie Sands along with a team of other dentists and their support workers volunteered with RAM (Remote Area Medical) this past August in one of their many expeditions to help those in need of medical care.

RAM is a non-profit organization with dedicated volunteers that provide free health care, dental care, eye care, veterinary services and educational guidance to people in remote areas of the United States and around the world. RAM was founded in 1985 and is a publicly supported, all-volunteer, charitable program that helps thousands each year. Dentists as well as medical doctors, nurses and many others, volunteer time and expertise to assist people all over the world. Medical supplies, medications, vehicles and facilities are all donated for these special events.

Patients that take part in these events, often come in with serious dental issues that affect their overall health. Many of these problems can be improved with just one visit. RAM has an amazing group of dedicated volunteer dentists that work hard under extreme conditions to make sure that each expedition is successful. In the beginning, RAM was only able to offer emergency extractions to patients. Today they are able to offer many more services, including, restorations, cleanings and fluoride treatments. Dr. Jamie is very pleased to be a part of this process that offers so much help to those in need.

posted by Judith M. at 12:38 PM 0 comments

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Children and Oral Hygiene

Oral hygiene for children is very important to establish at an early age. Dr. Jamie Sands and Dr. Jason Sands help parents create a great at home dental car routine for their children. Both dentists see children starting at the first signs of teeth. It is important to bring a child into our fun dental office when the first teeth show for an evaluation. The first visit will help the child feel comfortable visiting the dentist and to establish a great dental care routine.

Cavities can start very early on. This is why it is important for children and adults to limit the amount of sugar they eat. Our dentists recommend that a healthy, balanced diet be the starting point for great oral health. A good diet will boost the immune system and help prevent periodontal disease. We offer information and instruction on dental hygiene. Please contact our office with any questions you have. We are more than happy to help.

Dental treatments start at age three, but visiting the dentist early on will help your child build healthy oral hygiene habits that will last throughout his or her life.

Please contact our family dentistry office for more information about oral hygiene for your child.

posted by Tiffany at 3:47 PM 1 comments

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Pregnancy and Dental Health

During pregnancy, it's very important to maintain good dental hygiene. Your body undergoes many changes which can affect your oral health during this time. Changes in hormone levels can cause pregnancy gingivitis which creates sore, swollen, bleeding gums. Also, damage can be caused to the surface of the teeth by stomach acids in the mouth due to morning sickness.

It is so important to keep up good oral hygiene through your home care and visiting your dentist during your pregnancy. The 2nd trimester is usually the best time to schedule a cleaning appointment. There is a connection between mothers with gum disease and pre-term, low birth weight babies. Periodontal infection provides a pathway for bacteria to enter the bloodstream. Oral microbes that cross the placental barrier can expose the fetus to infection. Women with advanced gum disease are more likely to give birth to an underweight or pre-term baby. Having healthy gums and teeth through bushing a flossing at home, as well as having your teeth professionally cleaned will reduce the risks.

posted by Judith M. at 10:49 AM 1 comments

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Valley Village, Studio City, Burbank, and North Hollywood, California