How often should I visit the dentist for checkups?
Ideally, we like to see our patients a minimum of twice a year to check their teeth, gums, and soft tissue inside their mouth to ensure there aren't any cavities or oral cancer. At the same time, we also like to make sure their teeth are clean, so we usually want to clean our patient's teeth during these visits.
Why do I need dental x-rays and are they safe?
Dental x-rays are very safe. Often, patients ask why they need them, and the simple answer is that we want to check as much as possible around your gums and teeth to ensure everything is healthy and nothing like an infection or broken teeth is present. While visual exams and pictures help, there are portions of your mouth that we can't see, especially below the gums. X-rays allow us a glimpse into what's happening underneath. Sometimes, things might look okay on the surface but could have underlying issues detectable only through x-rays. Digital x-rays are much safer as the sensors used are more sensitive and require less radiation. Each dental x-ray produces about 2% of the daily radiation dose you'd get from the sun, so it's a very small amount and, in my opinion, worth ensuring your mouth is healthy.
How can I protect my teeth from decay?
One of the most important aspects to keep your teeth cavity and decay-free is to maintain a good diet, avoiding excessive sugar and consuming healthy foods rich in calcium, protein, and necessary vitamins and minerals. Additionally, brushing at least twice a day for two minutes each time and flossing at least once a day are vital practices to keep your teeth healthy.
What about fluoride treatments? Do those help protect my teeth?
Fluoride is beneficial for protecting teeth. Here in Natomas, we are fortunate to have fluoridated water, which contains fluoride that strengthens our teeth, made up of calcium, fluorine, and phosphorus. Fluoride helps rebuild teeth and prevent cavities by countering the acid produced by bacteria in our mouths that consume sugars from foods and drinks. The more minerals like calcium and fluorides we provide our teeth, the better chance they have to remain strong and healthy.
What causes gum disease and how can I prevent it?
A variety of bacteria in our mouths can cause gum disease. These bacteria live both above and below the gums. Regular and thorough brushing and flossing can prevent these bacteria from flourishing. If not cleaned out, the bacteria can multiply under the gums and damage the bone that holds our teeth. This is gum disease. Different types of bacteria cause cavities and gum disease; the latter attacks the bone supporting the teeth. Keeping teeth, bones, and soft tissues like cheeks, tongue, and gums healthy ensures a healthy mouth.
Everything You Need at One Dental Office
Everyone’s dental care should begin with comprehensive care and a focus on disease prevention. Dr. Chan implements several steps into our general and preventive care services to improve the oral health of his patients as well as reduce complications from other conditions. From healthy mouths to patients experiencing chronic gum disease, we’ll be by your side with a care plan that is tailored to improve the health of you as a whole person.
Comprehensive Dental Exams
Sacramento
We assess many areas of our patients’ mouths including: their bite, screening for decay, and function of their oral structures. Dr. Chan uses an intraoral camera to show patients his findings. This technology allows them to participate in the diagnosis process and decisions on any treatment they may need.
Oral Cancer Screening Treatment
Sacramento & Natomas
Screening for oral cancer is an important step we take at every preventive care appointment. Oral cancer is greatly on the rise among younger adults; not only due to alcohol or tobacco use, but also to risk factors like HPV. Early diagnosis improves the rate of successful care.
Digital Dental X-Rays Services
Sacramento & Natomas
Digital radiographs allow patients to experience less radiation, shorter appointment times, and the ability to view their images on-screen during their visit. This improves the communication process related to discussing oral care needs with our patients.
CEREC Services
Sacramento & Natomas
CEREC is a computer-designed restorative technique that allows treatments such as crowns, inlays, or onlays to be completed in just a single appointment. There’s no need to make two separate treatment visits or wear temporary restorations. This 3D imaging and on-site milling technology takes a virtual impression of the prepared tooth and creates a permanent crown during the very same visit. We feature the use of the CEREC Omnicam for the most advanced 3D scanning in your own natural color shades. This lets us fix a dental emergency, or something about your smile that may have bothered you for years, in a single appointment.
Dental Hygiene Treatment
Natomas & Sacramento
Gentle, thorough cleanings allow our hygienists to remove calcified bacteria from the surface of the teeth, reducing gum disease and bone loss. Our hygienists use sonic Cavitron instruments to vibrate buildup and plaque biofilm away from the teeth quickly and easily.
Gum & Periodontal Disease Treatment
Sacramento & Natomas
Gum disease causes more cases of adult tooth loss than tooth decay. Our periodontal treatment program uses sonic instruments to conduct deep cleanings that eliminate the harmful bacteria that causes bone loss. Treatments can be completed without the use of injections, thanks to Oraqix, which is a new form of topically-applied anesthetic that results in partial to full numbness for most patients. If localized areas of severe infection persist, a site-specific antibiotic capsule will be used to eradicate bacteria.
Fluoride Treatment
Sacramento & Natomas
Topical fluoride helps restore necessary nutrients into tooth enamel and prevent the likelihood of developing decay. It can also be used to treat or prevent chronic tooth sensitivity. We offer fluoride varnish to all children up to the age of 14, and is available to all adults at their preventive care appointments.
Dental Nightguards Treatment
Sacramento & Natomas
Is chronic grinding or clenching causing headaches or even severe tooth wear? Grinding may be irritating to you or your spouse, but it can be avoided. Our custom nightguards prevent grinding and place the mouth in a resting position that eliminates muscle pain commonly found in people with bruxism (grinding).
Dental Emergency Care
Sacramento & Natomas
Our goal is to see patients as soon as possible should they be experiencing a dental emergency; definitely no later than 48 hours after the problem has occurred. We invite our patients to call us any time and let us know what concerns they have. Messages will be returned in a timely manner.