FAQs

Yes, the health of your teeth and gums affects more than just your appearance! Your mouth is the gateway to the rest of your body. Many systemic diseases that affect the rest of the body can be detected early through regular checkups and preventative care from your dentist’s office.

Specifically, the health of your mouth can reveal signs of the following health issues:

• Diabetes (poorly controlled blood sugar causes an increased risk of gum disease)
• Cardiovascular disease (untreated inflammation of your gums can increase the risk of blood clotting that could lead to heart attacks and strokes)
• Osteoporosis (bone loss often occurs around the roots of teeth with bone loss, which has been linked to osteoporosis)
• Risk factor for low birth weight or premature birth (pregnancy gingivitis can affect the health of the baby)
• It’s important to take care of your oral health to reduce your risk and maintain overall well-being. Regular checkups with your dentist will help keep your teeth healthy during every stage of your life.

The symptoms of gum disease are often subtle at first, and you may not pay much attention to them. Early symptoms may include red, sensitive gums that bleed easily when you brush or floss your teeth. You may also notice bad breath. As the disease progresses, you may notice pockets forming between your gums and teeth. These pockets are places where plaque and bacteria can collect and cause further irritation to your gums. Advanced stages of gum disease lead to loose teeth and, eventually, tooth loss. It’s hard to reverse the damage of advanced gum disease once it has progressed this far, so it is important that you talk to your dentist as soon as you notice the signs of gum disease to prevent further damage.

No, it’s not possible to catch gum disease from someone else. However, if you already have it and aren’t practicing good oral hygiene, the infection can spread to other parts of your body and make you more susceptible to illness. This is why it’s so important to brush twice a day, floss daily, and schedule regular checkups with your dentist in San Jose, CA.

Brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing at least once a day can help prevent gum disease. You should also visit your dentist regularly for checkups and professional cleanings. These appointments allow your dentist to look for signs of early gum disease, like mild gum inflammation or gingivitis. Early treatment will help you avoid advanced gum disease and prevent more serious complications from occurring in the future.

If you notice any warning signs of gum disease, you should schedule an appointment with your dentist right away. The earlier gum disease is caught and treated, the simpler the treatment will be. Your dentist may recommend more frequent professional cleanings if you have more advanced periodontal disease.

The best way to prevent tooth decay and loss are to maintain proper oral hygiene habits at home, such as brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing daily. If one of your teeth is loose or vulnerable, avoid eating hard foods that could break the tooth. If you are subject to dry mouth, speak with your dentist about the possibility of using artificial saliva to help moisten your mouth throughout the day.

You should also visit your dentist regularly for checkups and cleanings to keep your oral health in good shape. Your dentist will assess your oral tissues and look for signs of gum disease, cavities, and other concerns that could lead to tooth loss. They will also clean your teeth and gums to remove any plaque buildup from areas of your mouth that your toothbrush cannot reach. Regular cleanings and exams can go a long way toward preventing tooth loss.

Gum disease is caused by bacteria that build up in the mouth. This buildup then causes inflammation in the gums, leading to bleeding, swelling, and—eventually—tooth loss.

Tooth decay is also caused by bacteria. However, the bacteria that cause this can also lead to gum inflammation. The oral bacteria also attack the tooth enamel, causing holes to form on the surface of the tooth. This is why regular brushing and flossing are so important for both oral health and healthy teeth!

Keep in mind that while we often think of these two conditions as being connected, they do affect different parts of the body. This is because cavities occur in a tooth’s enamel layer, while the periodontal pockets that form with periodontal disease occur between the teeth and gums.

Before administering any sedative agents, your dentist will review your health history to ensure you are a good candidate for treatment. Once you’ve received your medication, you will sit back in one of our comfortable chairs and have a pillow to rest your head on if you need it. You will not be able to drive yourself home or operate machinery for at least a few hours after your appointment, so you’ll need to arrange for a ride to and from our office.

Yes! You need to wear your aligners for a minimum of 22 hours a day to ensure successful results. The only time aligners should be removed are during meals and when brushing and flossing.

No, chewing gum should be avoided at all times. You should remove your aligners before eating or drinking anything other than water. Many teens enjoy chewing on their aligners as a subconscious way to stall treatment, but doing so can result in delays in progress or even cause permanent damage to the teeth and gums.

Here are some reasons to visit your general dentist regularly:

• Prevent gum disease and tooth decay with regular teeth cleanings.
• Keep cavities at bay with fluoride treatments that strengthen enamel.
• Manage chronic bad breath or dry mouth with targeted therapies like prescription medication.
• Treat other common issues like tooth sensitivity, TMJ disorder, and sleep apnea.



With regular visits, you can enjoy better oral health! Don’t hesitate to contact our practice today for more information.

A full mouth rehabilitation is ideal for people who are missing several teeth or who have many failing or missing teeth that cannot be saved and need to be replaced with restorations such as dental implants, bridges, or dentures. Most people are candidates for full mouth rehabilitation if they are in good general health and have healthy gums. If your jawbone is healthy enough to hold an implant, you may also be a candidate for full mouth rehabilitation. However, your candidacy for implants depends on the health and strength of your jawbones. Your dentist will help you determine whether you are a good candidate for a full-mouth reconstruction.

Most people can expect their porcelain veneers to last for five to ten years, if not longer. However, this depends on the patient’s oral health habits and how the patient treats the veneered teeth. Veneers can be chipped or broken if they suffer trauma to the mouth. Patients should wear a custom-fitted night guard to protect their smile from nighttime teeth grinding. When patients take good care of their veneers with regular dental checkups and professional cleanings, they can expect them to last for years.