Dr. Tomazin and his Team offer you a wealth of combined experience. We take pride in our ability to communicate and deliver the highest level of dentistry to our patients.
Do you clench or grind your teeth at night? Many people do, and often without knowing it. Your dentist will know as soon as they examine your teeth and may recommend that you wear a night guard. This blog discusses the benefits of wearing a night guard and why you should get one that is custom-fitted by your dentist.
3 Min Read:
What Is a Night Guard?
Protecting your teeth is vital, especially from damage that happens when you aren’t aware of it. Approximately one in ten people suffer from bruxism, or involuntary teeth grinding and clenching. This often occurs when sleeping or napping, so many people don’t realize they do it until they experience recurring jaw pain or a chipped tooth.
If you struggle with bruxism, your dentist can prescribe a night guard. A night guard is a dental device that acts as a barrier between your lower and upper teeth. It is designed to be worn every night while you sleep to protect your teeth.
How Do I Know if I Need a Night Guard?
There are some symptoms of bruxism that serve as clues to this involuntary behavior, including:
Tooth chipping or fracture
Facial or tooth pain
Tooth sensitivity to hot and cold
Excessive wear on the teeth or enamel loss
Lesions on the inner cheeks
Jaw pain
Fatigue
Your dentist can help determine if a night guard is right for you.
What Are the Benefits of Wearing a Night Guard?
As simple as this dental device may seem, using one is a smart decision with many benefits.
Reduces Tooth Damage: Tooth grinding can cause damage to the enamel, tooth colored fillings, and crowns, or result in chipped or cracked teeth. Wearing a night guard prevents contact between the upper and lower rows of teeth and protects against damage.
Prevents Pain: A night guard can fend off pain associated with clenching teeth, including headaches and jaw pain.
Improves Sleep: Using a night guard can reduce snoring and alleviate jaw stress, improving sleep quality so you can get the restorative rest you need.
Saves You Money: Damage caused by clenching and grinding teeth can require expensive dental work and harm the work you already have. A night guard is a wise investment in your physical and financial well-being.
If you’re waking up with pain and discomfort in your jaw, Dr. Tomazin and his caring team can help you find relief.
Are Custom Mouth Guards Better?
The short answer is yes. Over-the-counter night guards are often one-size-fits-all. This can irritate the gums, can be uncomfortable, and may lead to an unstable TMJ and bite imbalance. We recommend a custom-fitted night guard for the most comfortable fit and precise protection.
During your appointment, an impression of your teeth will be taken. This impression will then be used to create a night guard that perfectly matches your unique bite and alignment.
How Long Does a Night Guard Last?
A night guard can last for years if you take good care of it. Caring for your night guard involves:
Rinse it with warm water as soon as you remove it from your mouth
Brush with a toothbrush (but no toothpaste) and a gentle soap
Allow your night guard to dry completely
Store it in a protective case, as steam from the bathroom can cause the night guard to warp
Keep out of reach of pets. (Pets love to chew on them, especially our dogs)
Taking care of your night guard is easy and ensures your custom-fitted device will protect your teeth for years.
Interested in Learning More About Dental Night Guards and Teeth Grinding in Riverside, CA?
We’re here to help! Fill out our online contact form or call (951) 686-3666. We look forward to assisting you on your journey toward dental and holistic health.
Nearly 80% of people will have some form of gum disease in their life, ranging from mild to severe. But with the proper care and preventative treatments, you can prevent gum disease and its effect on your health. This blog explores the Hygiene and Ozone Periodontal Therapy Programs Dr. Tomazin offers to help keep your smile healthy.
4 Min Read:
Your smile can indicate not only your confidence and state of mind, but also your overall health. According to the National Institutes of Health, nearly half of people aged 30 and over have some form of periodontal disease. That number increases to 70% in people ages 65 and older. Gum disease ranges from mild to severe, but you can prevent gum disease with the proper care and preventative treatments. Below, we discuss the Hygiene and Ozone Periodontal Therapy Programs Dr. Tomazin offers and the treatments available to keep your smile healthy.
What Is Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal disease, also known as periodontitis and gum disease, is a condition that affects your gums, bones, and eventually your teeth. It usually starts with plaque and harmful bacteria, which most people tend to have. Brushing twice daily and flossing regularly helps eliminate plaque, as do regular dental cleanings. However, if plaque is left on your teeth, it hardens into tartar, which can only be eliminated by professional dental cleanings. Plaque and tartar buildup cause gingivitis, which is the beginning of gum disease.
Left untreated, the swelling in your gums caused by gingivitis can form pockets between your teeth and gums. These pockets become filled with plaque, tartar, and bacteria, which leads to further inflammation and infection. If your gum disease continues to go unaddressed, it worsens and results in more severe problems like tooth loss, infections, and even a compromised immune system.
Dental Hygiene Programs In Riverside
So, what can you do to stop gum disease before it starts? Besides following your daily dental hygiene routine at home and seeing your dentist at least twice yearly for checkups and cleanings, Dr. Tomazin offers specialized hygiene programs. Your dental hygiene program will be tailored to your specific needs, but some of the benefits include:
Gum and Periodontal Evaluation
Using bacterial DNA testing, your hygienist evaluates the types of bacteria found in your saliva and the amount of those bacteria. They will also assess your gums and the soft tissues in your mouth and use the information gathered to create a plan for achieving optimal dental hygiene.
Gum measurements will also play a part in assessing the progress of periodontal disease. Your overall gum health will be assessed for pocket depth around teeth, as well as bacterial decay.
Once you’ve been evaluated, Dr. Tomazin and his team can tailor a dental hygiene program for you. This program may include periodontal deep cleaning, enamel treatments, or, in more severe cases of gum disease, ozone periodontal therapy programs.
What Is Ozone Periodontal Therapy?
When many people think of ozone, they probably think of the ozone layer that protects the Earth from the sun’s harmful UV rays. However, this molecule, made up of three oxygen atoms, has been discovered to have antibacterial and wound-healing abilities.
Ozone disrupts the formation of harmful bacteria, especially those that collect around the gums. It is a gentle yet highly effective form of intervention that can, as part of a regular therapeutic treatment, halt the progression of periodontal disease. In addition, ozone assists the body’s natural defense to assist in the healing process when treatments irritate gums and cause bleeding or other minor oral injuries.
When used to treat gum disease, ozone is typically applied to your gums in the form of a gas. The ozone absorbs into your gums, and the activated oxygen destroys the disease-causing bacteria by rupturing the cell walls. Ozone treatment for periodontal disease effectively disinfects your gums and helps prevent further infection. When used in an Ozone Periodontal Therapy program, ozone is applied over multiple visits and monitored regularly for effectiveness.
Want to Learn More About Hygiene and Ozone Periodontal Therapy Programs in Riverside?
Dr. Chad Tomazin and his staff of highly trained and experienced hygienists offer a wide range of dental care options, from biological dentistry to cosmetic dentistry, to ensure you have the healthiest teeth and the whitest smile. If you’re ready to explore the benefits of the Hygiene and Ozone Periodontal Therapy Programs offered by Dr. Tomazin, call us today at (951) 686-3666 or complete our online contact form.
Feeling self-conscious about the look of your teeth can significantly affect your confidence and how you interact with others. Everyone deserves a smile they can be proud of–-and it is possible for you with a smile makeover.
4 Min Read:
What Is a Smile Makeover?
A smile makeover is a dental procedure or combination of procedures that aim to fix cosmetic and functional problems of the teeth for a uniform, aesthetically pleasing smile. There are many different options and treatments that can work to create a smile that shines.
The first step to creating a custom smile makeover is to schedule an appointment with your dentist. Dr. Chad Tomazin is a master of curating unique smile makeovers to give his patients healthy, beautiful teeth to increase function and comfort. Dr. Tomazin will listen to your concerns and examine your teeth before providing options for your own custom smile makeover.
What Options Do I Have for a Smile Makeover?
When considering a smile makeover, patients generally have three main concerns about their smiles: crooked, discolored, and/or missing teeth. Through varying treatments and procedures, these can all be addressed during the makeover, and some can be completed in one visit.
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are an excellent way to create a uniform, stunning smile. They restore the appearance of crooked, damaged, missing, or discolored teeth. Porcelain veneers are a permanent covering bonded to the natural tooth to restore function and appearance. Veneers are ideal for moderate corrections and can be applied to multiple teeth and the entire mouth.
Dental Bonding
Your dentist will use a composite resin material and bond it to your natural teeth to repair chips, cracks, or gaps. Dental bonding is ideal for minor imperfections and can be applied to one or multiple teeth for a seamless appearance.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are a permanent solution to missing teeth. This procedure is not only cosmetic but also essential to overall oral health. When a tooth is missing for too long, the underlying jawbone begins to resorb and decrease in size, which can result in a hollow or misshapen appearance to the face. A dental implant maintains the bone strength while mimicking the look and function of a natural tooth, making it the ideal solution for missing teeth.
Placing a dental implant is a multi-step procedure. Your dentist will insert the implant through the gumline into the jawbone as a supportive anchor. Once the implant is healed in the bone, your dentist will place a crown on top that looks and feels like a natural tooth. Before the crown is set, your dentist can professionally whiten your natural teeth and match the crown to your new smile for a cohesive look.
Teeth Whitening
Professional teeth whitening is far superior to over-the-counter alternatives. The solution used is much stronger and more effective, and you will be in a safe environment as a professional administers it. White, shiny teeth are the perfect way to complete your smile makeover, and teeth whitening can be used in conjunction with other services, such as dental implants.
How Can I Care for My Teeth After a Smile Makeover?
Each of these treatments, including implants, veneers, and bonding, all support the structure and aesthetics of your natural teeth. Implants and crowns function like regular teeth, so your smile makeover does not mean you must follow any special maintenance.
You must practice diligent oral care to maintain the results of your smile makeover. Brushing and flossing twice daily are crucial, and an oral mouthwash between meals can help keep your mouth clean.
If you have had your teeth whitened, you may want to avoid food and drink that stain them. Beverages such as red wine, coffee, and tea can cause teeth to become dingy again.
Lastly, continue seeing your dentist for regular checkups to monitor your teeth’ overall health and keep your smile makeover looking radiant.
Interested in a Smile Makeover in Riverside, CA?
Dr. Chad Tomazin offers a wide range of general and cosmetic dentistry services, including creating customized smile makeovers for his patients. With an eye for facial balance and a commitment to patient safety, Dr. Tomazin provides stunning results. Call us today at (951) 686-3666 to schedule a consultation for your smile makeover.
Biological dentistry is a philosophy of care that considers the patient’s holistic health, avoids toxic materials, and works to remove previous dental materials that contain harmful materials.
4 Min Read:
Many people know the benefits of healthy living: eating whole, organic foods, working out, and limiting exposure to harmful substances. Why not carry this focus to their dental care?
Biological dentistry is nothing new, yet it’s only recently begun to get traction as a holistic philosophy of care. Biological dentistry considers the impact of oral health on overall health: keep reading to see what it can do for you.
What Is Biological Dentistry?
It may sound a bit complicated, but biological dentistry involves considering a person’s overall health when it comes to dental care. Rather than considering oral care as a separate facet that concerns only the mouth, teeth, and gums, biological dentistry considers other aspects of a patient’s physical makeup and how that plays a role in their dental care.
Each body process is interconnected. A biological dentist essentially operates under this type of thinking. Suboptimal oral care can (and does) have negative implications for the rest of the body.
Your biological dentist will care for your teeth just like a traditional dentist, only with more consideration for how dental care affects your health, how procedures and dental materials play a role in the body, and how to approach dental concerns more conservatively.
With biological dentistry, you can expect the following.
Holistic Care
The term “holistic” often has connotations of non-traditional medications and techniques, but it really means consideration for the whole. A biological dentist will take a holistic approach, looking at the patient’s whole health profile and will consider the implications of each treatment they perform.
For example, a biological dentist will care for your teeth and oral hygiene while considering your immune system, gut health, and the impact oral health has on other body systems. More people are starting to realize that dental issues affect overall body health significantly, and a biological dentist can keep you informed as to exactly how this happens and how best to intervene to reach the goal of optimal health.
Additionally, holistic or biological dentistry rethinks the use of common dental materials and whether they are truly safe for the patient, especially for certain patients who are predisposed to developing sensitivities to these materials.
Non-toxic Materials
One of the primary aims of biological dentistry is to ensure that all medications, procedures, and dental materials are non-toxic, least reactive, and safe for patients. From anesthesia to dental implants, your biological dentist has a commitment to providing exemplary care that also utilizes entirely safe and non-toxic materials.
Removal of Incompatible Material
Aside from their commitment to avoiding toxic materials in their patients’ oral care, biological dentists are trained to remove materials that are considered toxic. One of the most common materials that has been used in traditional dentistry is mercury in the form of amalgam fillings.
Although widely used in dentistry, mercury is classified as a neurotoxin. While the ADA still claims that the small amount of the material in amalgam fillings suggests little risk to dental patients, biological dentistry follows the guideline that there are no safe levels of mercury exposure. Your biological dentist will not use it in their practice.
This goes beyond generally not placing new amalgam fillings: your biological dentist is trained to follow strict protocols to remove amalgam fillings safely. A biological dentist certified by the International Academy of Oral Medicine & Technology (IAOMT) takes extra precautions to protect their patient, staff, and the environment from mercury exposure while removing amalgam fillings.
Interested in Biological Dentistry in Riverside, CA?
Dr. Chad Tomazin, DDS., is a member of the IAOMT, incorporating safe, non-toxic practices for all his dental patients. Dr. Tomazin offers various biological dental treatments, including safe amalgam filling removal, fluoride treatment alternatives, activated oxygen-ozone treatments, and VELscope® imaging.
Schedule an appointment today at (951) 381-8872 and see how biological dentistry can give you more comprehensive oral and health care.
White, gleaming teeth can significantly improve the overall look of your smile; healthy teeth and gums are crucial, but radiant teeth can take your aesthetic and, consequently, your self-assurance to the next level.
What Are My Teeth Whitening Options?
Choosing a teeth whitening system that is right for you is critical so that you get the results you want and you can be as comfortable as possible. Each of the following options brightens your smile, but the way they achieve this and the type of application differ.
Bleaching
Bleaching is an excellent option for those who want a brighter smile with a more gentle treatment. Targeting stains on the enamel of the teeth (the hard, outer coating), bleaching treatments use hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide to break down the stains and gradually make them less apparent. This method is generally regarded as the safer, less expensive option.
At-home Whitening
We’re not talking about bleach strips you can buy at the drugstore; at-home whitening in this context combines the comfort of whitening at home, except your whitening trays are custom-made at your dentist’s office. With customized trays, you can be assured that your teeth are getting the full force of the whitening treatment (no more bleach strips slipping off your teeth!).
In-office Whitening with Venus White® Max Whitening System
This two-hour treatment is the most powerful of the group, which can show improvements 2-4 shades whiter. After your treatment, you will be sent home with six additional syringes of the whitening gel to continue your stellar whitening process.
How To Maintain Your White Teeth
Be Careful What You Eat and Drink
No matter the choice in treatment, you most likely will want to keep those teeth white. We’re all susceptible to stains on our enamel, but it all starts with what we eat and drink. Certain foods and drinks increase the chance of staining, such as:
Coffee
Tea
Red wine
Dark chocolate
It’s best to avoid these foods to protect your teeth from staining. Alternatively, you can use a straw for certain beverages or be diligent about brushing your teeth after you eat or drink.
Avoid Tobacco Products
We all know the overall health risks of tobacco, but it can also wreak havoc on your oral health as well. Nicotine from cigarettes and certain tobacco products can severely stain your teeth, so for aesthetics (and health), it’s best to kick the habit.
Brush and Floss Daily
Proper oral hygiene is essential for maintaining a healthy–and white!–smile. Plaque build-up is a primary culprit of a dingy smile, and it can create more significant oral hygiene issues down the road. Brushing and flossing at least twice daily keeps the plaque to a minimum and clears out stain-creating food and bacteria.
Simple Whitening Maintenance
You can also supplement your whitening routine with a gentle whitening toothpaste used a few days a week. This can help maintain your whiter smile without damaging your enamel.
See Your Dentist Regularly
Last but not least, always keep up with your regular dental visits. Not only will this help keep your teeth healthy, but your dentist can keep an eye on your enamel health. Over-whitening can weaken the enamel, but your dentist can advise you on how often it’s safe to whiten your teeth.
Your Riverside and Inland Empire Dental Experts
Dr. Chad Tomazin, DDS, is committed to providing comprehensive dental care marked by kindness and honesty and has proudly served the Inland Empire community for years. If you want to learn more about our teeth whitening options or would like to schedule a consultation with Dr. Tomazin, call us today at (951) 686-3666.
Dr. Tomazin and his Team offer you a wealth of combined experience. We take pride in our ability to communicate and deliver the highest level of dentistry.
