If you are like many folks this time of year, making resolutions is probably foremost on your mind. Those resolutions likely have something to do with promoting health and prosperity while giving up unhealthy habits. This year, our dental team highly recommends making some powerful changes to your dental health by implementing healthier dental goals!

Day-to-Day Actions

Remember, it’s important to implement changes and stick to them every day. New habits work as you consistently work them! View your new habits as a positive by changing how you feel about your day-to-day dental care. Instead of thinking of it as another chore, focus on the clean and fresh way your mouth will feel and look after brushing and flossing.

• Brush every day with a soft-bristled toothbrush so your enamel stays healthy and your gums stay strong. Brush gently; there’s no need to scour your pearly whites while brushing all of your tooth surfaces and around the gum line.
• Boost your brushing power with toothpaste tailored to your needs. Your toothpaste can prevent decay, fight plaque and gingivitis, whiten teeth, and even desensitize them by reducing tooth sensitivity.
• Floss once a day using your favorite flossing tool to make the job quick and easy. Check out flossing tapes, oral irrigators, interdental brushes, whatever makes it easy and fun for you.
• Swish your mouth with an antibacterial mouthwash afterward cleaning to boost your cavity-preventing efforts.

Prevent Dry Mouth

Healthy saliva flow is essential when it comes to creating an oral environment that helps teeth, gums and oral tissue to thrive. Saliva protects tooth enamel by coating it with minerals, rinsing away oral residue and food particles as well as neutralizing your pH levels (so there’s less acidity to weaken tooth enamel). Insufficient saliva levels lead to dry mouth, a condition called xerostomia.

Staying hydrated is good for your body as well as your mouth! Along with drinking plenty of water throughout your day, consider increasing dairy products as those also help. Chewing sugar-free gum is another way to keep your salivary glands active. If your mouth is constantly dry, you may also check with your doctor or dentist to see if your over-the-counter or prescription medications cause dry mouth as a side effect.

Say No to Tobacco

This time of year is a busy one for those wanting to give up their tobacco habit, including smoking or chewing it. Tobacco is bad for your lungs and oral tissues, throat, etc., and stains teeth and dries out the mouth. Fortunately, there are a variety of tobacco cessation programs that can help you quit.

Improve Your Diet

A healthy diet can fuel your body while keeping your mouth vibrant and healthy. Did you know that the food you eat can either feed the bad bacteria in your mouth or support your teeth and gums? You can get essential vitamins and minerals from fruits, vegetables, lean meat, and dairy. Commit to limiting your sugar intake as well as the acidic foods and drinks you indulge in (better choices are water and calcium-rich milk). Limit snacking and brush after meals and when you can’t brush after eating, rinse well with water until you can get to a toothbrush!

Get Necessary Dental Treatments

It’s not just your routine dental visits that maintain healthy teeth and gums. It’s about getting cavities treated with fillings to support your teeth, getting a root canal and or crown to save a tooth, and getting periodontal treatment if you have receding gums or gum pockets that can leave teeth loose. Remember, filling in gaps left behind from missing teeth is vital if you want to keep surrounding teeth from shifting and ruining your bite alignment. Whether you need restorative or cosmetic treatments, our dental team has what your smile needs for an amazing year ahead!

Thanksgiving will soon be here, and once again, we will be reminiscing about all the things we are grateful for. For our dental team, that means letting our patients know how thankful we are to get to care for you and your loved ones’ smiles all year round! We work hard to provide consistent, excellent dental care so you and your family’s smiles can thrive. Without you, we would not be here, helping people love and care for their smiles.

National Brush Day

November 1st is also National Brush Day, which was initially recognized in 2013 as a continuation of the Kids’ Healthy Mouths PSA campaign in August 2012. Being observed right after Halloween on October 31st, this day is designed to help parents remember to cultivate the proper brushing habits in their children for better overall dental and general health.

Remember, eating sweets is the number one contributor to cavities from tooth decay. Halloween is a time when we relax the rules and allow more sweets than normal. The same can be said for Thanksgiving pies and Christmas goodies. Most of our holidays are laden with some form of indulgence in everyone’s sweet tooth! National Brush Day is a great time to remind your children to brush and floss every day. Make it fun so their teeth can stay nice and healthy, and remind them brushing doesn’t have to be a chore. It just has two be done two minutes twice a day to get that healthy smile.

Make it fun by dancing along with a fun song while brushing. Make sure they brush around the gum line gently (their gums will thank you), and do not forget to brush in the back of their mouth. Two minutes is all it takes to make a positive difference in their oral health. You can make teeth brushing a family brushing contest, tracking results on a chart. The family member who finishes the competition with the most brushing days gets a prize!

Healthy Teeth, Healthy Body

Walt Disney may have said it best when he said, “I am rarely sick because I brush my teeth.” Indeed, daily, consistent tooth brushing removes harmful bacteria along with stray food particles from your mouth. This essential practice helps maintain healthier teeth and stronger bones, too! Tooth loss affects one in three adults over age 65, and if you have osteoporosis, you are at risk for tooth loss as the jawbone becomes less dense, resulting in tooth loss.

Eating a healthy diet with enough calcium and Vitamin D (along with taking good daily care of teeth and gums) supports strong teeth and bones. Brushing with a soft-bristle toothbrush twice a day and daily flossing is a winning combo in addition to seeing the dentist regularly during the year. This Thanksgiving, help your family be thankful for their smiles and remember that they are brushing (and flossing) their way to a healthier mouth! Better oral health means less time for children missing school and parents from missing work due to problems.

Thanksgiving Blessings

We love seeing our work reflected in your family’s oral health and helping their smiles stay healthy and strong for an even better quality of life. We are grateful to make a positive difference in the lives of our patients by providing quality dental care and giving you something to smile about! We are here for your family’s smiles and are thankful to you for allowing us to take care of your smiles and appreciate your confidence in our dental team! May you and your loved ones have a healthy, happy, and smile-filled Thanksgiving!

Did you know that August 6th heralds National Fresh Breath Day? Every year on this date, we take the opportunity to create awareness by celebrating the virtues of fresh breath! Falling on Friday this year, we want you to know that good breath is a sign of good oral health, and we are always down to promote that as you start the weekend on a fresh note.

To achieve your best breath means practicing good daily oral hygiene to reap its benefits. As dental professionals, we can vouch for fighting bad breath every day by establishing good daily oral habits and sticking to them. Your smile (and those around you) will thank you!

What Causes Bad Breath?

If you’ve ever had dental decay or gum disease, you will likely be familiar with the odor of bad breath. Conversely, a healthy mouth smells fresher! Of course, sometimes the strong-smelling foods we regularly enjoy (like garlic and onions) can interfere with good-smelling breath, even though your teeth and gums are healthy.

National Fresh Breath Day is a good day to think about ways you can keep your breath smelling fresh, clean and healthy. Here’s what you can do to ensure your best breath:

• Brush after eating
• Floss right before bed
• Regularly gargle and rinse with a minty mouthwash
• Keep your saliva at optimal healthy levels by chewing sugar-free gum to keep your mouth moist and drink plenty of water
• Visit your dentist routinely

Taming Oral Bacteria

Brushing at least twice a day with minty toothpaste and flossing once a day can keep dental plaque to a minimum. The bacteria in plaque is what causes your breath to smell, so take a few minutes every day to get rid of it. And don’t forget the bacteria coating your tongue! You can use a tongue scraper or toothbrush to clear away the bacteria once a day. First thing in the morning is a great time since bacteria thrive while you sleep! And don’t forget to rinse afterward with a good smelling mouthwash before starting your day.

Healthy Saliva Levels

You can also freshen up your breath by chewing some sugar-free gum during the day to stimulate saliva production. Dry mouth creates stinky breath, and chewing can keep the mouth moist and smelling fresher. It also means drinking plenty of water to hydrate the mouth (and body) so you feel better and your smile smells better. It is especially helpful if you suffer from post-nasal drip, which can cause bad breath. Hydrating dilutes oral secretions, and you’ll find yourself with better breath.

Dental Hygiene

Along with your daily oral care, you want to keep all scheduled dental cleanings and exams. Only your hygienist’s special instruments can remove hardened plaque, known as tartar or calculus, made for the task. Getting rid of this hard substance will bring you better breath! And if you still smoke or use tobacco, consider quitting. It’s hard to get good-smelling breath if your mouth is frequently exposed to tobacco and its chemicals. Also, smoking dries out the mouth, which only serves to allow bacteria to flourish. Alcohol consumption should be limited, as it, unfortunately, dries out the body.

If (despite all your best efforts) you still experience unpleasant breath, you might have a medical condition or even be reacting to certain medications. In that case, checking in with your general physician to see what is going on can help.

Spread the Word

This August 6th, consider giving a shout-out to your dental team for helping you achieve your best breath, and use the hashtag #NationalFreshBreathDay when you’re on social media to spread the word about better oral health and fresher breath. Please don’t hesitate to give us a call if you need help with your breath; we love helping your smile thrive!

Did you know that your smile is one of the first things people notice about you, leaving them with first impressions about your health, intelligence, societal status, and attractiveness? Making sure your smile looks its best is a quick way to boost your self-confidence and stand out from the crowd, whether interacting with others or smiling for close-up photos to post on social media. If you are getting ready to graduate or get married, now is the time to make your smile shine so you can dazzle on your big day while brightening your future!

Your Smile Makes a Big Difference

Having regular teeth cleanings is important to keep your smile healthy and bright, and after that, one of the easiest ways to improve your smile is with a teeth whitening treatment. Getting rid of unsightly tooth stains and discoloration go a long way in revitalizing your appearance. In fact, we would go so far as to say that your smile is the most important thing you can wear, as donning expensive clothes or even jewelry doesn’t impress people as much as flashing a stellar smile!

Graduates going off to college or entering the workforce benefit from a healthy-looking smile as much as brides and grooms do on their big day. Most cosmetic dentists can tell you that teeth whitening is easily one of the most popular treatments for someone celebrating a special occasion. Fortunately, there are a variety of ways to brighten your smile and, consequently, your life!

How Much Time Do You Have?

In-Office Teeth Whitening: One teeth whitening option is to go to a dentist for treatment. It is worth every cent because you are paying for expertise as well as product effectiveness with a peroxide gel and controlling the outcome. Professionally whitened teeth are the safest, quickest, and highest quality route to whiter teeth to brighten your special day after having your teeth scaled and polished. That is also a good time for the dentist to make sure your teeth are in good enough shape to handle a teeth whitening treatment.

At-Home Bleaching Kit: This is also a popular way to whiten teeth, and you can often purchase the gel over the counter or from a dentist. Depending on whether the gel and whitening trays came from a dentist or over-the-counter, the desired results can be achieved in one to four weeks. That’s because professional teeth whitening products are customized to your teeth as they have higher concentrations of the whitening gel. You’ll still want to clean your teeth every day and avoid enamel-damaging foods and drinks as they can affect shade and color.

At-Home Whitening Strips: You can find these affordable strips easily over the counter. They also use hydrogen peroxide to whiten stains by penetrating tooth pores, so you get the results in about a week or two.

Teeth Whitening Toothpaste: This process is the most affordable approach, but it can take up to a month for you to get the results you want. Because the bleaching concentrations only affect the tooth for a short time, you’ll want to be especially mindful of the foods and drinks you consume as well as brush and floss every day as staining can set you back.

Not everyone is a good candidate for having teeth whitening done, which is why seeing the dentist is a good way to find out. People suffering from cavities, receding gums, or are currently wearing braces can be affected by how well or if their teeth can be whitened.

Call Today!

Whether you are walking down the aisle with your significant other or walking across the stage with your fellow graduates, choosing to brighten your smile with the help of teeth whitening may be the ideal choice for you! If you have any questions or concerns about your oral health or want to schedule your next visit, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team at 307-875-3658. Our dentist, Dr. Leo Man and our Man Dental team in Chino Hills, California, believes your smile deserves the best possible care and treatment available!

Spring is officially here! Along with the shifting, warmer weather and blossoming trees and bushes (hello, allergies!), spring feels like a time of change, growth, and prosperity. Spring is a time when many of us are excited to clean out our closets, get rid of old clutter and cobwebs in the home, and start some fun projects around the house.

Do your teeth and gums need a spring cleaning?

Just like your home, your smile also benefits from making some improvement, especially after indulging in not always healthy comfort foods and beverages and celebrating Valentine’s and Easter holidays often throughout the month. Spring is a good time to get your smile in order, not just your home!

The first signs of spring mean it is time for some dental housekeeping. First, you need to replace old or fraying toothbrushes to give your teeth the cleaning and polish they deserve. Replacing your toothbrush (or toothbrush head if it is electric or battery-operated) can also help prevent bacterial or viral infections if you’ve been sick in the past few months. Check your mouthwash for the expiration date, and check out your flossing supplies if you use dental floss, tape, or floss picks. If you use a water flosser, this is a good time for a thorough cleaning.

The next item on your spring dental checklist is your routine biannual dental cleaning! The Academy of General Dentistry has confirmed that having a professional dental cleaning twice a year boosts the quality of your long-term oral health. Getting a deep dental cleaning and exam every six months keeps your teeth and gums cleaner and healthier. It can also get you ready for summer when you might be spending more time outdoors and enjoying the warmer weather, vacationing, and sharing more candid photos on your social media. The healthier your mouth, the more radiant and confident your smile!

What does your spring dental cleaning do for your smile?

Routine professional checkups and exams help us spot developing oral problems like tooth decay and gum disease in their early stages. It is the best time to treat problems because they are smaller and less costly to fix, and least invasive to treat when they are just developing. Comparing a small filling to a dental crown or root canal can make a big difference in your budget! Treating problems early also means less pain for you later, both with your mouth and your wallet.

What can you expect at your spring dental cleaning?

• Our dentist will check your teeth, gums and mouth to spot any potential problems as soon as possible.
• Your exam might include dental X-rays to see what’s going on inside your teeth and gums.
• Remove dental plaque and tartar (mineralized plaque) that has settled onto your teeth and around the gum line.
• Scale and polish your teeth with special tools, ultrasonic sound waves, and specialty toothpaste.
• Floss in between your pearly whites and gum line.
• Recommendations to help boost or restore your tooth enamel.

Coming in for your routine professional dental cleanings and exams is the perfect complement to your daily oral care. Alone, they can’t fully protect your smile, but together they fill in the missing pieces. Both are needed to keep harmful plaque and bacteria from taking over your smile! Our dentist and dental team are always happy to give you tips for your at-home dental routine, lifestyle habits, showing you how to brush and floss, and even recommending dental products tailored to your unique oral needs.

Spring is the perfect time to schedule your next dental cleaning. Treat your teeth to the care they deserve by taking time out for your teeth and smile. A healthier and brighter smile awaits you, and we welcome you to call us today!

March is the month for the dental community. Every year at this time, we honor National Dentist’s Day (March 6th) and Dental Assistants Recognition Week in the first full week in March (March 7-13, 2021). These days recognize and say thank you to our fellow dentists and dental assistants for helping people take great care of their teeth. Spring is also the perfect time to invite our patients to come in for their biannual checkup if they have been putting it off.

Dental History of National Dentist’s Day

• 5000 B.C. – The ancient Sumerians thought that tooth decay and cavities were a result of tooth worms.
• 2600 B.C. – One of the earliest dentists was Hesy-Ra from ancient Egypt.
• 1530 – The first dental book was written by Artzney Buchlein called “Little Medicinal Book for All Kinds of Diseases and Infirmities of the Teeth.”
• 1990 – Cosmetic dentistry became popular with the help of colorful braces, dental veneers, dental implants, and teeth bleaching.

As dentists, we are doctors for your smile! Our goal is to help you keep your mouth healthy for a lifetime of smiles because, with proper care, most people can keep their teeth throughout their lives. We work hard to help you prevent problems in their early stages by diagnosing and treating any developing oral conditions so your teeth and gums can remain healthy and strong for you. A healthy smile protects your overall health as well since the mouth and body are intrinsically connected.

How to Support National Dentist’s Day (and Your Smile):

• Take a few extra minutes to brush and floss your pearly whites today.
• Show our dentist how your smile is improving by brushing and flossing daily.
• Teach your child a fun song to help them brush longer.
• Schedule your family’s routine dental checkups and exams.
• Snap a photo of yourself with your dentist and post it on your social media platforms and add the #NationalDentistsDay hashtag.
• Drop off a thank you note to our dentist. We love to see your smiling face under your mask!

Dental Assistant Week

The American Dental Association (ADA) encourages us to recognize our dental assistants’ crucial role in keeping our patients smile and body healthy throughout the year. It all starts inside the mouth, where harmful oral bacteria can travel through the bloodstream to hurt our bodies. Good dental care is the first step of taking care of the rest of your body.

This year’s theme is ‘Dental Assistants — Our Heart Goes Into Every Smile.’ Our dental assistants are just as important as our dentists for the work that they do on behalf of patients. Before you even show up for your dental appointment, our dental assistant is preparing for your time in the chair, pulling your dental file, and sterilizing and setting out any instruments that will be needed for your treatment.

Our dental assistant also makes sure that you are comfortable and relaxed during your treatment and supporting our dentist by handing instruments over during your procedure. They also take patients’ dental X-rays, help out our office managers, and help bring a smile to everyone they come into contact with (you might not see that smile under a mask, but it is there somewhere!).

Right now, there are over 300,000 dental assistants around the country who are hard at work to create happy smiles. Overall, dental assistants are good at what they do because they genuinely care about their patients and the dental team. They want to make a difference in the lives of those around them no matter their age; children, adults, and senior citizens alike. Compassion is a trait you will generally see in great dental assistants. They are good listeners, quick thinkers and eager to solve problems. Without their daily efforts, dental offices like ours would not function as efficiently and effectively. We hope you take a moment to thank our dental assistant the next time you come in for your appointment!

Call Us Today!

As dentists and dental assistants, we love to help you put your best face forward so that whoever you see can appreciate your smile. We are here to help you keep your mouth and body healthier all year round. With proper dental care – daily brushing and flossing and twice-a-year dental cleanings and exams – we can help you keep cavities and gum disease away. This teamwork truly makes your smile dreams work!