Preventative Dentistry

Night Guards for Teeth Grinding

Protective Dental Night Guards in San Rafael, CA Custom-fitted night guards to protect teeth from nighttime grinding (bruxism). Bruxism is the clenching or grinding of teeth. It's a fairly common habit with about 1 in 3 exhibiting the behavior, yet most don't even realize they're affected. Many times it occurs while sleeping at night, usually [...]

Night Guards for Teeth Grinding2020-12-31T21:35:43+00:00

The Good News About a Root Canal

Root Canal Therapy Halts Pain Many patients associate "root canal" with pain. In fact, this procedure is about pain relief. Toothache/tooth pain is commonly due to the buildup of pressure inside an infected tooth. When the nerve is damaged, conventional fillings won't stop the pain. The answer is to remove the nerve within the tooth [...]

The Good News About a Root Canal2020-12-28T23:23:05+00:00

Grow Older with Your Teeth

As we grow older, it's natural for changes in our mouths, gums, and jawbone to occur. However (thanks to preventive dentistry) people nowadays are keeping their natural teeth longer and longer. Prevent Tooth Loss as you Grow Older Neglect is the main cause of tooth loss, and most problems can be prevented with a simple [...]

Grow Older with Your Teeth2020-12-28T23:14:43+00:00

Should You Use Mouthwash?

The Answer is... Maybe! Mouthwash, or mouth rinses, are primarily used to remove food debris after brushing and flossing. They provide a pleasant taste, freshen the breath, and (depending on the active ingredient) can also protect against plaque & bacteria, periodontal disease, and/or cavities. So should everyone use mouthwash? Not exactly. Some people who use [...]

Should You Use Mouthwash?2020-11-29T21:29:22+00:00

Are You Grinding Your Teeth?

What is Bruxism? Bruxism is the clenching or grinding of teeth. It's a fairly common habit with about 1 in 3 exhibiting the behavior, yet most don't even realize they're affected. That's partly because bruxism can occur while sleeping at night, but also because the habit develops subconsciously, usually due to stress or anxiety. Recognizing [...]

Are You Grinding Your Teeth?2020-04-21T19:08:08+00:00

Oral Exams: Checking out the Tongue

Have you ever wondered why doctors and dentists ask you to open wide and say, "Ahhhh?" It's true that dentists are looking for cavities and tooth-related problems, but the tongue and other soft tissues can also be an important indicator of a patient's overall health. Diseases such as diabetes, AIDS, scarlet fever, and different vitamin [...]

Oral Exams: Checking out the Tongue2020-03-26T17:10:18+00:00

Look for Changes in Your Mouth

Whenever you find yourself brushing or flossing in front of a mirror, take the opportunity to really look inside your mouth. Self-Examination is the first line of defense in detecting potential problems... and the earlier, the better! Open wide and look at all the soft tissues, watching for any unusual changes such as unexplained white [...]

Look for Changes in Your Mouth2020-02-08T19:12:15+00:00

How Often Do I Need a Checkup?

Make time for your T.L.C. That's Tender Loving Checkup! Routine, regular examinations let us catch tooth decay and periodontal disease before they cause major damage to your teeth... and saves you the added expense and discomfort of more complex dental treatment. For most of our patients, we recommend a checkup every six months, but there's [...]

How Often Do I Need a Checkup?2020-01-29T22:45:25+00:00

Do You Use Chewable Vitamin C?

Less is More Where would we be without our vitamin C? Everyone agrees it's a crucial nutrient that provides many health benefits. And in dentistry, it plays an important role in the healing process, especially in soft tissue such as gums. But vitamin C, being acidic, can actually do damage if consumed in a chewable [...]

Do You Use Chewable Vitamin C?2019-12-08T23:38:18+00:00

Fluoride Levels and The Goldilocks Rule

The best rule for fluoride is Not too much. Not too little. Ever since the first American city began to manage fluoride levels in its water supply, there's been plenty of misinformation floating around regarding the potential benefits and dangers of this substance. In a nutshell, fluoride has been shown to help protect against tooth [...]

Fluoride Levels and The Goldilocks Rule2019-11-17T03:50:53+00:00