Dentist in 90039

Even a healthy mouth is lined with bacteria. Normally, your daily oral hygiene routine helps prevent oral health complications. However, it is possible to develop an excess of bacteria and fungi, which can lead to additional problems. Here’s what our 90039 dentist says you should know about oral thrush and what you can do to prevent it.

What is it?

Oral thrush is caused by a collection of the fungus Candida in your mouth. Bacteria and fungi occur naturally in your mouth, but it is important that they are not permitted to build up. Thrush can appear as white, thick scrapes on your tongue or inner cheek. It may also look like patchy, white sores. 

Who does it affect?

Young children, infants, and the elderly are at a higher risk of developing oral thrush. If you have a weakened immune system or diabetes, it is even more important that you stay active to keep your mouth healthy and prevent issues like oral thrush. Smokers also tend to develop oral thrush more than other patients. 

What can it do?

Oral thrush can lead to trouble swallowing and tasting. As it develops, it can become painful. Oral thrush can make affected areas feel like they are burning, and slight bleeding can occur if you are scraping your tongue or cheeks. Some describe the feeling as having cotton in their mouth.

Thrush can spread. If you have a weakened immune system, it is possible that thrush moves into your lungs, digestive tract, and even your heart.

How can I prevent It?

Our best recommendation for preventing oral thrush is a vigilant daily oral hygiene routine that includes a thorough brushing and flossing of your teeth, and includes your tongue. We sometimes recommend a patient use a tongue scraper to clean your tongue. Just like brushing your teeth, your tongue depends on daily cleaning to stay healthy and free of germs and bacteria. 

The American Dental Association recommends that for some patients it might be helpful to consider an antimicrobial toothpaste or mouthwash. Check with our doctor to see which solutions might be best for you.

We cannot overstate the importance of regularly scheduled dental exams and dental cleanings. If you are a diabetic, it is even more important that you schedule regular visits to our office. By having your mouth checked by our staff, we can work with you to prevent oral health issues like thrush. 

For more tips on keeping your mouth healthy or to schedule your next visit, please contact our Silver Lake Los Angeles, CA dental office.

Silverlake Dental Group
Phone: (323) 922-6016
2390 Glendale Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90039
90039 Dentist

Your smile is one of the first things a person will notice when you meet.  If you would like to improve your smile with a simple procedure, teeth whitening may be a great option for you, especially if you have stained, dull or discolored teeth. Our dental office is providing teeth whitening services to new and existing patients.

Regardless of how well you care for your teeth, over time, discoloration will occur.  The main causes of stained teeth are genetics, antibiotics, tobacco and certain foods. As we age, our teeth darken as well. While preventing tooth discoloration is nearly impossible, our experienced team can help reverse the effects of discoloration by helping to create a whiter and brighter smile.

Whether it’s an in-office treatment or at-home treatment, the principles of teeth whitening are the same.  A special whitening agent is applied to the teeth in order to bleach stains and brighten your smile. Our expert dentist in 90039 will discuss your whitening needs and goals with you to determine which option is best for you.

In-office teeth whitening is the quickest method to a brighter, whiter smile.  With the supervision of an experienced dental professional, a stronger bleaching solution can be used than with at-home kits. Optimal results are achieved much faster with the professional whitening treatment, and in many ways the results are much better given the nature of the bleaching agents that are used. On average, patients find they appear up to ten years younger just by restoring the bright, white smile of their youth.

During a professional teeth whitening treatment, we will first clean the teeth.  They will apply a whitening agent to your teeth, carefully avoiding your gums and soft tissue.  Once applied, a laser light will be directed at the teeth to expedite the process.  For maximum results, the process may be repeated more than once.

If a visit to our office for professional whitening isn’t an option for you, at-home treatment may provide the whitening you need. While you will find a vast variety of at-home teeth whitening products on the market, including whitening toothpastes, over-the-counter gels, rinses, strips, trays and more, we can fit you with custom-made whitening trays that will more accurately fit to your teeth for a more even whitening result.

At-home teeth whitening results are less dramatic compared to those achieved at the dentist. While at-home teeth whitening is easy to use, it is not recommended if your teeth or gums are sensitive.  If you are looking to brighten your smile and look ten years younger, contact our dental office in Los Angeles, CA for more information or to schedule a consultation today.

Silverlake Dental Group
Phone: (323) 922-6016
2390 Glendale Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90039
Dentist Silver Lake Los Angeles CA

As a parent, the best way to help ensure your child has a lifetime of healthy teeth is to help them establish great dental hygiene habits as they grow.

Here are some useful tips from our dentist in 90039 for keeping your child engaged by making dental hygiene fun:

Pick out a special toothbrush.

One great way to keep your child excited about brushing is to allow him or her to choose their own toothbrush in a favorite color or branded with a favorite cartoon character. Child-size soft-bristled brushes come in a wide variety of options designed to make your child like their toothbrush.

Choose children’s toothpaste.

Another great option is to use a toothpaste that is designed for kids. While adults generally prefer the fresh mouth taste of a minty toothpaste, many children find mint to be too powerful a flavor. This can make brushing unpleasant or even painful to sensitive taste buds. Instead, let your child choose a children’s toothpaste. There are many options available in a variety of soft mint, fruity, and bubble gum flavors. It is much easier to keep your child brushing for a full two minutes when their toothpaste tastes good.

Use a timer.

Two minutes can seem like a long time to a child. It can be very difficult for your child to try to estimate or count how long to brush without some kind of visual aid. You can help your child stay more engaged and ensure a full two minutes of brushing by using a timer. Choices range from a small sand timer your child can flip over, to a manual stopwatch with buttons to press, or even an app on a phone or tablet to time digitally (if your child is old enough). By letting your child take control of the timer, they can be more confident and more engaged in their brushing.

Brush together.

A parent is the first and strongest role model for their child. Brushing together can help your child model your great brushing technique, which will improve their own. Additionally, brushing together emphasizes to your child that brushing is important. When your child sees that you take dental hygiene seriously, they are likely to follow suit.

For more tips on making dental hygiene fun for your child, contact our dental office in Los Angeles, CA.

Silverlake Dental Group
Phone: (323) 922-6016
2390 Glendale Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90039
90039 Dentist

By now, you have likely seen news reports questioning whether flossing is necessary for your oral health.Our expert dentist wants to remind patients that our office offers thorough oral cancer screening as part of our comprehensive dental health services. Like with every form of cancer, early diagnosis can have a profound impact on the success of your treatment. Regular screenings are your first line of defense against oral cancer and our doctor is here to help.

In your oral cancer screening, our doctor will check your lips, tongue, gums, mouth, and throat for any abnormalities that could be or become cancerous. We will give careful consideration to any symptoms you may be experiencing. If you have experienced any oral cancer symptoms for more than a week without improvement, schedule an appointment and tell your dentist in 90039 immediately. Symptoms that could indicate oral cancer include:

  • Ear pain
  • Unexplained mouth bleeding
  • Mouth sores that don’t heal
  • White or red patches in your mouth
  • Dramatic weight loss
  • Lumps or swellings in or around your mouth
  • Sore throat without other sinus symptoms
  • Sensation of something caught in the back of your throat
  • Pain or difficulty in swallowing, speaking, or moving your jaw or tongue

One adult American dies of oral cancer every hour. Though anyone can develop oral cancer, some factors can increase your risks. Some of the most common risk factors include: genetic predisposition, prolonged sun exposure, unhealthy diet, and excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages. Oral cancer is more common in men than women. Patients with gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) are at increased risk. Users of tobacco in any form are six times more likely to develop oral cancer than non-users.

Whatever the cause, the success of treatment depends on the size, type, and stage of the cancer. Early detection can play a critical role in your successful recovery. When found in early stages, oral cancers have an 80 – 90% survival rate. The primary reason for this is that early detection leads to earlier treatment. Oral cancers that are found in early or precancerous stages can often be removed and require less invasive procedures to treat. Later stages of cancer are likely to be larger and more complex and often have spread far beyond your mouth.

We are accepting new patients. If you would like more information about oral cancer and oral cancer screening, contact our dental office in Los Angeles, CA for a consultation.

Silverlake Dental Group
Phone: (323) 922-6016
2390 Glendale Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90039
Dentist 90039

You can choose cosmetic dental treatments to enhance your facial aesthetics. For severe jaw bone, neck, and facial damage, you need to visit an oral and maxillofacial surgeon! Are you dealing with a dental imperfection? Well, you are not alone! If you are dealing with broken, chipped, or stained teeth, you can opt for various forms of cosmetic dental surgeries. You have a right to smile wide and impress the world with your confidence, but what if you fall victim to severe dental irregularities or skeletal damage in your face, neck, or jaw after a dreadful accident?

Well, this is where oral and maxillofacial surgeons come in! These are dental experts that go through extensive training after their four years of dental college. A dentist becomes an oral and maxillofacial surgeon after completion of eight-year-long education and training!

Dentist 90039

If you are one of those unfortunate individuals who have lost their confidence after a severe injury to your mouth after a terrible incident? A lot of dentists might have recommended you to see an OMS, but is it worth it?

Understanding Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

The individuals that have training in both medicine and dentistry are oral and maxillofacial surgeons. They possess expertise in diagnosis as well as treatment of diseases and injuries in the facial complex and skeleton. Whether you have oral cancer, congenital facial or jaw disproportion, cysts and tumors in your jaw, impacted teeth, or facial trauma, an OMS is who can help you regain the confidence in your life!

Restoring the Lost Smile with Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery

Life is unpredictable, and you never know when you come face-to-face, challenging situations. Falling victim to dental injury or disease is one of those challenging situations people have to deal with! Pondering over the fact whether to opt for maxillofacial surgery to restore your lost smile? Maxillofacial surgery can help you regain your lost self-esteem by bestowing you with a beautiful smile. Not only does this surgery helps in relieving you from jaw pain, realigning your jaws to improve chewing capability, correcting the quality of speech, but also improving the overall facial experience. It is a surgery that can fix your bite, and even a millimeter of correction can considerably improve your facial appearance. By moving the jaw bone backward or forward surgically, according to the situation, can help you enjoy the perks of a gorgeous smile. You can easily get rid of underbite and overbite, which will bestow you with a radiant smile, a smile that can light up anyone’s day!