Phase 1 orthodontic treatment typically consists of traditional appliances and is recommended while children still have some of their temporary teeth. It acts as a pre-treatment to when all of their permanent teeth will emerge as teens, drastically shortening the time that they need to wear braces in middle and high school. In the past, metal brackets and wires were the only option, but today, your child will be able to choose between that or Invisalign First, which utilizes discreet clear aligners. Read on to learn more about how Invisalign First works and whether it would be a good option for your little one.   

Did you know tooth decay is the biggest threat to your little one’s smile? Although cavities are preventable, more than half of children over the age of 6 have had at least one. Decay is the most chronic condition in America. It’s even more common than childhood asthma. Good oral hygiene habits, a healthy diet, and regular dental care can keep dental caries at bay, but is there more you could do to safeguard their smile? Studies have found silver diamine fluoride (SDF) is just as effective as dental sealants when used to protect against decay. 

(more…)

As a parent, you want the best for your child’s health, and their dental health is no exception. However, with so much information out there, it can be difficult to distinguish fact from fiction. Unfortunately, there are many myths and misconceptions surrounding children’s dentistry that can lead to confusion, so keep reading as we bust four of the most common ones.

It seems like just about everyone is at least a little unhappy with the color of their smile, which is maybe why teeth whitening is such a popular cosmetic dental treatment. Within as little as a single appointment, your dentist can give you a smile up to eight shades whiter than the one you had before.

However, if you’re interested in getting teeth whitening, you need to treat cavities beforehand. If you want to know why that is, here’s a guide to how tooth decay can affect the process of getting teeth whitening.

Compared to other prosthetics, dental implants are pretty successful in the long term. In fact, their success rate ten years after placement is about 95%! Before you try them, though, you should consider the reasons for such high effectiveness. Doing so will help confirm whether treatment is right for you. Luckily, your local Long Beach dentist is here to explain things. Read on to learn three key factors that impact dental implant success.

At your last routine checkup, were you told that you need to start flossing more often? If so, you probably plan on flossing more in 2023. However, that can be easier said than done for some people. Maybe you think you don’t have enough time or it’s painful for you to clean between your teeth. Well, you shouldn’t let these excuses get in the way of a healthy smile. Flossing is crucial for optimal oral health, which is why it should be at top of your list of New Year’s resolutions. Read on to learn more about its importance and some tips to help you get started.

Does your little one have braces? Since peppermint bark, caramel popcorn, and other seasonal treats are a big no-no during orthodontic treatment, you naturally might be wondering, “What should I put in their stocking?” Good news: there are lots of braces-friendly stocking stuffers that your child and their orthodontist will approve of. Here are a few!

Thanksgiving is a time to count your blessings, and your smile should be high on the list. After all, without a full set of teeth, you wouldn’t be able to enjoy the big meal or have long talks with your visiting relatives! As part of showing how grateful you are for your teeth, you can take a few steps to make sure they stay extra safe around Thanksgiving time. Below are 4 holiday oral health tips from your dentist in Long Beach.

Did you know that approximately 77 million Americans have dental benefits? Most people have private coverage through an employer or group program. Since dental insurance doesn’t work the same way as a typical medical insurance plan, it can be confusing to navigate at first. To fully maximize your coverage, it pays to know a few things about your plan. Read on to learn about the most common types of dental insurance plans and what you can expect yours to cover.

As you take a bite of a cold popsicle, you feel a strong twinge of pain in your mouth. You quickly find a mirror and examine your teeth for a cavity. There’s no discoloration or obvious signs of damaged enamel—that you can see. But this doesn’t mean your smile is perfectly healthy. You could have a cavity between teeth that is hidden from view. In this post, you’ll learn about how to recognize that you may have tooth decay out of sight and how to prevent it from happening.