Ouch! Do I Have Sensitive Teeth?

February 28, 2021 by Downey Dental Center

Have you ever winced with sudden pain after gulping an icy beverage or slurping a spoonful of hot soup? If so, you're likely one of the 40 million Americans the Academy of General Dentistry estimates experience tooth sensitivity each year. What causes tooth sensitivity? Tooth sensitivity (i.e., dentin hypersensitivity) occurs when tooth enamel wears away, leaving the dentin exposed. This soft, inner part of your tooth houses thousands of microscopic channels that, when ...

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How Often Should I Brush My Teeth

January 29, 2021 by Downey Dental Center

In an ideal world, we would all have a travel-sized toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss ready for use after every meal, snack, and coffee break. Realistically, however, this level of oral hygiene adherence rarely (if ever) occurs. So, what does that mean for those of us who generally go all day without so much as a swish of mouthwash? Are we really doing more harm than we know? And, what about those people who forget to ...

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5 Tips to Maintain Healthy Teeth During the Holidays

December 31, 2020 by Downey Dental Center

The holidays are here and with them come all the joys of the season – lights and decorations, time with friends and family, and those special treats we only get this time of year. Unfortunately, the special treats we love so much can lead to damaged teeth and an unwanted trip to the dentist, which will definitely not have you feeling holly and jolly.  We don’t want you to miss out on all the fun ...

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Mouthwash: Is It for You?

November 30, 2020 by Downey Dental Center

Almost 200 million Americans use mouthwash or dental rinse. Are you one of them? If you aren’t, should you be? As mouthwash usage has increased, so has the number of options. While there are certain cases where mouthwash use should be avoided (such as those with recurring oral lesions and children under the age of six), the decision to rinse – or not - often comes down to personal preference. To help you decide, we’ve ...

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Tongue Brushing, Really?

November 3, 2020 by Downey Dental Center

You know brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing are staples of good oral hygiene, but is brushing your tongue really necessary? In short, yes. Why is my tongue important? Though the tongue often plays second fiddle to your pearly whites, it’s actually a critical body part. Without a tongue we wouldn’t be able to speak, chew, taste, or swallow food. Your tongue is an organ made up of a group of ...

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Why Do My Gums Hurt When I Brush My Teeth?

September 29, 2020 by Downey Dental Center

From lifestyle to bristle type, there are a number of reasons why your gums might feel sore or swollen while brushing your teeth. Common causes include: Brushing Incorrectly As dental professionals, we encourage brushing twice a day, but to reap the benefits of good oral hygiene it needs to be done correctly. This means using a toothbrush with soft, nylon bristles and brushing gently with circular motions, instead of back-and-forth. Gum Disease Swollen, red, or ...

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Why Replacing Lost Teeth is Important

August 25, 2020 by Downey Dental Center

For those individuals that have lost their teeth or have been suffering from missing teeth, it is important to understand how critical it is to address the issue. The reality is that nobody would like to live their life with missing teeth.  In addition to it looking very awkward, it also affects your self-confidence because it hinders you from being able to smile openly. Other than aesthetics, there are several other reasons why you should ...

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Do You Need Bone Grafting for Dental Implants?

July 23, 2020 by Downey Dental Center

The chances are good that you've heard the phrase “dental implants” thrown around a few times, even if you've never had one. However, not many people have heard about bone grafting. Ironically, dental implants and bone grafting often go “hand-in-hand” in the dental industry. What is Bone Grafting? In technical terms, a bone graft is a surgical procedure to repair or rebuild bones through the transplantation of bone tissue. By transplanting healthy bone ...

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Why A Smile Makeover Can Dramatically Change Your life

June 19, 2020 by Downey Dental Center

What is the most powerful and profound facial expression of all time? The one expression that transcends all cultures while simultaneously bringing positivity to yourself and those around you. It's the humble Smile! Even though there are drastic differences between the many cultures around the world, psychologists have discovered that the smile transcends them all. When we smile, it signals friendliness, openness to engaging, and an interest in people. 3 Facts About Having a ...

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5 Dental Myths

May 20, 2020 by Downey Dental Center

Even though our dental team enjoys working with teeth on a daily basis and looks forward to taking care of our patient's oral health, most people don’t rank going to the dentist at the top of the fun list. However, sometimes the reasons people don't come in for check-ups are due to preconceived dental myths. Let's examine five of the most common myths. Myth 1: My Teeth Feel Fine, So Why ...

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