Smiles By Sands - Valley Village Dentistry Blog

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Canker Sores

Sodium Laurel Sulfate - SLS - is an ingredient in many cleaning products, hygiene products and toiletries we use daily. It is a foaming agent found in most toothpaste and mouthwash formulations. SLS has a drying effect on the protective surface of oral tissues. Acidic foods can irritate the tissue underneath once the protective layer has been compromised. Canker sores are a very common occurrence for people that have a sesitivity to SLS or have experienced a breakdown in the tissue due to it's over drying effects. Canker sores or aphthous ulcers can range from a simple annoyance to intensely painful lesions. Several studies have reported that participants who used toothpaste free of SLS experienced a large reduction in the number of mouth sores that occurred. So, it's best to eliminate Sodium Laurel Sulfate to avoid and prevent future canker sore outbreaks.

posted by Judith M. at 2:23 PM 0 comments

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Kissing and Halitosis

Gum disease is no joke. This Valentine’s Day make sure you’re not kissing a mouth full of bacteria. Bacteria and therefore, gum disease can be transferred through saliva. Someone who doesn’t maintain good oral hygiene or is dealing with periodontal disease has unhealthy bacteria living in the tissues in their mouth. This kind of bacteria can cause bad breath, bleeding, pain, discomfort, tooth loss and even systemic damage.

So, if your loved one has halitosis, it’s always better to tell them even though it may be hard. They might not even be aware that they have bad breath. It’s really in their best interest, as well as yours to mention it. It may save both of you a lot of pain, heartache and money, later on.

Make sure to see your dental professional regularly to screen for periodontal disease and maintain healthy gums and teeth. Then you can enjoy Valentine’s Day that much more when your sweetheart kisses you! Happy Valentine’s Day from all of us at Smiles By Sands.

posted by Judith M. at 11:24 AM 1 comments

Monday, February 1, 2010

Helping Hand

Dr. Jamie Sands is going to be volunteering this month with the San Fernando Dental Society to screen and treat children during their Give Kids A Smile month. Last year the program saw just over 300 kids and this year the program will see over 3000 children.

posted by Judith M. at 2:33 PM 0 comments

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Vitamins and Your Dental Health

The proper amount of vitamins in a person's system is vital to the maintenance of good oral health. When a person has a vitamin deficiency it can affect the mouth and teeth. People tend to have vitamin deficiencies due to problems absorbing the nutrients from their food. This can be caused by illness, age or diet. It is important to make sure that you are getting all your nutrient rich foods in your daily meals.

A vitamin B deficiency increases your risk of getting canker sores, mucosal candidiasis which is a fungal infection and angular cheilitis, which is a painful inflammation in the mouth. If you have a vitamin C deficiency, your gums can bleed more easily, it can also cause fatigue and easy bruising. Collagen is an important building block of several tissues and vitamin C helps in the synthesis of collagen. Vitamin A helps skin cells grow, a lack of this vitamin will cause delayed healing in your mouth. Vitamin D works with calcium to maintain bone density and strength. A vitamin D deficiency could increase the risk of getting jaw fractures and gum disease. Vitamin K aids in blood clotting and if deficient, you may heal slower than usual. A lack of this vitamin can cause excessive bleeding after a tooth extraction and even sometimes after a normal teeth cleaning.

So, if you suspect you may be having any of these symptoms due to a lack of vitamins, be sure to discuss it with Dr. Sands when you come in for your next visit.

posted by Judith M. at 2:36 PM 1 comments

Monday, January 18, 2010

Options Available to Fix Broken/Chipped Teeth

Broken or chipped teeth ruin your smile and even undermine the strength of your teeth which can lead to greater damage. Even a minor chip leaves your tooth susceptible to further damage. Broken or chipped teeth can be restored by a variety of techniques such as dental bonding, dental veneers and dental crowns.

Dental bonding is a technique used in the case of a relatively small defect that produces dramatic results. Dental bonding is performed directly on the chipped or broken tooth and requires a dentist with expertise and experience to ensure the tooth is sculpted, shaded and polished to perfection to achieve the desired result.

Porcelain dental veneers are another option for broken and chipped teeth that is a ceramic shell sculpted specifically for your tooth. Advances in dental technologies have made it possible for porcelain dental veneers to appear totally natural and undetectable from your own teeth.

A third option is a dental crown restoration that encases the defective tooth and is often referred to as a cap. A dental crown also strengthens a broken or chipped tooth while improving the appearance and functionality as well.

Please contact Dr. Jamie Sands or Dr. Jason Sands at Smiles By Sands Cosmetic and Family Dentistry today in Valley Village, California to learn what options are available to repair your broken or chipped tooth and restore your smile.

posted by Tiffany at 3:32 PM 1 comments

Friday, January 8, 2010

Babies and Oral Hygiene

You may wonder how you can help your baby's oral hygiene. The answer is very simple. You can start your baby on the path to healthy teeth and good oral hygiene habits well before the first teeth begin to show.

You can begin with gently wiping your baby's gums with a lukewarm, wet washcloth after each meal. This simple act will remove dental decay causing bacteria from the gums and help your baby become used to having his or her teeth brushed. Massaging the gums will also feel very soothing when the teeth begin to develop. Itchy, irritated gums always accompany growing teeth and a gentle massage will help your baby feel comfortable.

Once your baby's teeth begin to show, you can use a soft, rounded bristle toothbrush to gently brush the teeth. A soft, rounded bristle toothbrush will help to ensure that your baby's gums will not be scraped or scratched. Use only water when brushing your baby's teeth since a baby does not know or understand how to spit out toothpaste.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our family dentists for a consultation. Dr. Jamie Sands and Dr. Jason Sands will be happy to answer any of your questions about your baby's oral hygiene.

posted by Tiffany at 3:29 PM 1 comments

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

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