Does your mouth seem uncomfortably dry? Or have you actually been diagnosed with dry mouth (as a side effect of certain types of medication or radiation therapy for cancer)? Either way, here's what you need to know about your condition: A dry mouth is not only uncomfortable, it's a cavity-prone environment. Normal saliva flow is the body's natural way of flushing plaque between brushings. Dry mouth can result from normal [...]
Every tooth fracture needs prompt treatment. No chip or crack is insignificant. Unfortunately, some cracks are too small to be seen, even by a trained eye. Sometimes the culprit is a hairline crack in what looks like a healthy tooth. You may not be aware of the damage until pain fills your mouth. You may not even be sure which tooth is causing you trouble. Chips and cracks cannot be [...]
We are Growing Older... As the population ages—more gracefully than ever, of course— we're keeping more teeth. Along with wisdom and experience, however, come different health problems. Among them, cavities on the surface of the tooth root, what we call root caries. Growing up, most decay is found on the surface of teeth, usually the crown. But gum tissue has a way of receding as the years go by, and [...]
A healthy flow of saliva is critical for chewing and digestion, bathing gums, and bacterial control. And we owe it all to salivary glands, three pairs of organs in the cheek and floor of the mouth. Each gland secretes saliva into the mouth via a tube, and this is where trouble can begin. Sialolithiasis—whew—names the condition that results from a small calcified stone blocking the salivary duct. Clearly, a kink [...]
Where Bad Breath Comes From Most, but not all, bad breath comes from bacterial plaque and food accumulated mainly towards the back of the tongue. The problem is, there are all sorts of not-likely-but-possible other reasons for halitosis: upset stomach, anxiety, inflamed gums, saliva deficiency, infections and removable dentures are among them. What Not To Do Because nobody—but nobody!— wants bad breath, a billion-dollar industry has sprung up hawking a variety [...]
Once teeth are missing from the jawbone—whether one or many; whether from accident or disease—something very important is missing as well. That's tooth stability. Any denture wearer will tell you there's nothing more upsetting than a slipping lower denture and the anxious uncertainty it brings. That's because once one or more teeth are removed, the jawbone that previously anchored the roots begins to dissolve. Dental researchers worked for years to [...]
Lose a tooth? We can help you choose the right replacement option. CROWN & BRIDGE is a collective phrase for several methods of restoring teeth. When a tooth has been damaged but is healthy enough to save, we place a crown that covers it and binds it together for strength. Crowns can be fashioned from gold or alloys, porcelain, or a combination of materials. A bridge can span a single [...]
Dentures are one of those subjects where so much information is passed around and so little is really understood. Popular wisdom has it that only the first set of dentures fit properly. That’s only partially true. They tend to feel best because the gum ridges have not yet receded. But we can now re-fit new dentures that look and feel just as good as the original. Denture fit depends largely [...]
If you have had one or more missing teeth replaced with a dental bridge restoration (also sometimes called a fixed partial denture), then be sure to keep up the good work by properly caring for it. Just following these helpful tips will have you well on your way to a strong and healthy bridge for year to come. Some reminders on maintaining your dental bridge: Maintain healthy neighboring teeth by [...]
And wondered, what if... What if your teeth were less prominent, or just a bit more even, or maybe that missing chip was back in its place? Cosmetic dentistry isn't “just for movie stars” or “just for women.” Typically it’s very conservative treatment that returns huge dividends in personal self-confidence. Today we have new materials and techniques that can put a super smile within everyone’s reach. For example, porcelain onlays [...]
Dental Care For A Healthy Life.
Antelope Dental Associates is a full-service, family-friendly practice for general & cosmetic dentistry in Antelope, California
We're open 5 days a week:
Monday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
