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562-860-6626

13017 Artesia Blvd, Suite D120, Cerritos, CA 90703

Dentist Cerritos

Jesmine Boghawala DDS

10929 South St #110B

Cerritos, CA 90703

 (562) 860-6626

How Often Should I Get My Teeth Whitened?

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Keeping your teeth white is more of a challenge than you may think. In a country where coffee, tea, and red wine are central to many aspects of culture, it can be nearly impossible to keep your teeth pearly white. The only people who stand a chance are those who have a strict oral hygiene routine and go to their dentist in Cerritos like clockwork. So how often should you get your teeth whitened?

How Often Should I Get My Teeth Whitened?

In order to get similar results or make up for past mistakes, you will need to be diligent with your own dental hygiene, and you will need regular teeth whitening appointments. For the average person, one in-office whitening appointment per year is enough to give your smile that extra sparkle. However, do you regularly smoke or drink staining fluids without brushing afterwards? Then you may have to make two visits a year.

When to Go to Your Dentist

For people who haven’t been to the dentist in a while, a little anxiety is perfectly normal, but there’s no time like the present to get back on track. Before you start your whitening journey, you will want to go in for an old-fashioned cleaning and check-up. Once you’ve had a physical examination and some x-rays, your dentist will have a much better view of your oral health.

At this point, you can discuss the resolutions for any issues that have cropped up since you were last seen at the dentist. You will definitely want to take of any cavities and address possible gingivitis before moving onto a cosmetic procedure. With a clean bill of health from your dentist, you can discuss teeth whitening. You’ll be surprised at how easy and effective the whole process is.

In-Office Teeth Whitening

A lot of patients make the mistake of thinking that drugstore teeth whitening products and an in-office treatment are comparable. It is true that they contain many of the same ingredients. But over-the-counter teeth whitening kits contain heavily diluted amounts of those same ingredients. This is due to the fact that the stronger products used by your dentist require professional training if they’re to be used safely.

In-office whitening treatments have stronger formula and your dentist’s own skills. So they will have much more dramatic effects. If you’re someone who regularly smokes or drinks staining liquids without rinsing your mouth and brushing your teeth, then your teeth may need a bit of a pick-me-up between sessions. At-home whitening products are great maintaining a good base until you’re due for your next appointment.

When Whitening Isn’t Enough

Whitening works for most patients, but not all. If your teeth are severely stained or if your enamel is too badly damaged, then whitening may not be an option. Fortunately, there are other cosmetic procedures that can help. Dental bonding is an affordable and easy procedure that can be used to hide misshapen teeth and small spots of noticeable discoloration. It’s a great solution for addressing issues affecting a couple of teeth.

For patients looking to re-invent their smile entirely, there are veneers. A veneer is an ultra-thin porcelain sheet that is secured to the front of an existing tooth. The porcelain can be precisely colored to create the exact shade of smile you want. This gives you the appearance of perfectly straight pearly whites. They’re the perfect option for a patient who isn’t responding well to whitening treatments and has additional damage to their teeth.

Choosing a Path Forward

Now you know how often you can get your teeth whitened. Whitening is far simple and can be performed in about an hour. Your dentist will let you know if they have concerns about using a whitening treatment on your teeth. However, if there’s a reasonable chance that the treatment will work. So it’s best to start with the simplest option that will provide good results. If it doesn’t end up giving you the level of smile you want, then you can always discuss other options.

Do Implants Last Forever?

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A dental implant is a sophisticated tooth replacement option. Dental bridges and partial dentures are other common options, but there are considerable disadvantages. All three are capable of helping you to chew, talk, and smile normally. However, a dental implant is secured by drilling directly into the jawbone. This anchor gives the implant unmatched stability and gives your jaw the stimulation it needs to stay healthy. But do dental implants last forever?

Do Implants Last Forever?

Dental implants are also the best long-term option. But do implants last forever? The different components may require some work over the years, but dental implants are generally considered to be a life-long solution. There’s no stress on the surrounding teeth, and there’s no need for regular re-fitting. A dental implant is the closest thing to a natural tooth available, which is why your restorative dentist is more likely to suggest this option if you’re eligible for it.

How Does a Dental Implant Work?

A dental implant is made up of three parts. The implant itself is the anchor of the dental implant. To place it, your dentist will drill into your jaw. Afterward, the jaw will be allowed to heal for several months. During the healing process, the jawbone will grow around the implant, giving your dental implant a very strong foundation. From there, your dentist can place the abutment, which is used to attach the crown. The crown is the part that mimics the look of your natural teeth.

Are Dental Implants Right for Everyone?

Although dental implants are a great tooth replacement choice, they aren’t always the right choice. If you’re in poor health or have already lost a substantial amount of bone in your jaw, then your dentist will likely recommend a different tooth replacement option. A moderate amount of bone loss can be rectified by using a bone graft. It does draw out the overall process, but it may be necessary in some cases.

If you have a condition that slows healing or causes bone loss, then you will want to have a candid conversation with your dentist to find the option that is best for you. Both partial dentures and dental bridges can offer more than satisfactory results for patients who aren’t good candidates for dental implants.

How Do You Maintain a Dental Implant?

As with your natural teeth, it is important to take care of your dental implant(s). By brushing after meals and flossing regularly, you’ll significantly increase the longevity of the crown at the top of your implant. The only real difference is that you should use a soft-bristled brush. Dental crowns are often made of porcelain and other similar materials, which are a bit more sensitive to abrasion than your natural teeth. By using a soft-bristled brush, you’ll avoid wearing the crown down inadvertently.

Unfortunately, crowns do not last forever. With appropriate care, they can easily last more than ten years, but you will have to get the crown replaced about once a decade. However, that is the only part of the dental implant that is likely to require professional maintenance and replacement. Both the abutment and implant post will typically last a lifetime as long as you take care of your oral health.

Discussing Options with Your Dentist

If you’re considering dental implants in Cerritos, then take the time to discuss the pros and cons with your restorative dentist. We look at your current:

  • Oral health
  • Age
  • General health
  • And personal preferences

Then we can help you to determine the best tooth-replacement option for you. Whether it’s dental implants, dental bridges, or partial dentures you can be sure that Jesmine Boghawala DDS will get you the care you need.

How to Floss with Braces?

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Flossing with braces can be a bit of a chore, but it is absolutely necessary to maintaining your oral health. Luckily, a number of tools can be used to help make flossing with braces much easier. Floss threaders and waterpiks are chief among them. With the help of these handy little tools, you’ll keep yourself and your orthodontist smiling the entire time you’re in braces. Let’s look at how to floss with braces.

The Importance of Flossing

Flossing is vital to maintaining the health of your teeth as well as your gums. It’s great for removing food that might be stuck between teeth in those hard-to-reach places, but the most important part of flossing has to do with gum health. If you’re flossing properly, then your floss should follow the curve of your gum as you guide it in between each set of teeth. This helps the floss gently remove food and bacteria underneath the gum without harming the sensitive tissue. As a result, flossing helps to prevent your gums from becoming infected.

How to Floss with Braces?

Obviously, brackets and wires really get in the way of traditional floss. Experts estimate that it might take a person between 10-15 minutes to floss their teeth if they’re struggling to thread a bit of floss in between all of those wires. Fortunately, there are a couple of tools that you can use to give yourself a hand and significantly reduce the time commitment required to protect your teeth and gums.

Floss Threaders:

Floss threaders are ideal for people with braces or permanent retainers, as they give you a more stable way of guiding the floss over and under your wires. Basically, it’s a super-thin, over-sized plastic needle. You can usually get these disposable tools at your orthodontist’s office or your local drug store. When you go to floss, all you have to do is take about 24 inches of floss and thread it through the collapsible eye of the floss threader. Then use the threader to pull your floss around the wires, allowing you to floss normally.

Waterpiks:

A Waterpik uses pressurized water to clean between your teeth and around your gums. To use a Waterpik, all you have to do is fill the reservoir with fresh water. Put the water delivery apparatus in your mouth, and close your lips almost all the way while still holding the water delivery apparatus. Bend over your sink, and turn the Waterpik on. You’ll receive short-rapid bursts of water that you will need to gently guide along your gumline as you let the used water flow out of the corner of your mouth.

Dental Tape:

If you haven’t always had great oral hygiene habits, then you may have difficulty using traditional floss or a floss threader due to how swollen your gums are. If that is the case, then using an alternative like a Waterpik or dental tape is a good way to go. Dental tape is simply ultra-thin floss that is gentler on swollen gums. As long as you stick to a normal oral hygiene routine, that sensitivity and swelling will gradually subside, and it will be easier for you to floss normally.

Asking for Help from the Top Cerritos Dentist

If you are struggling to floss and aren’t sure how to improve your experience, then feel free to ask your dentist for advice. At Jesmine Boghawala DDS their dedicated dentists, orthodontists, and staff want to make sure you get the most out of your experience. That includes making sure that you have a healthy, beautiful smile when you finally complete the journey for straighter teeth.

How Often Should My Child Have a Dental Cleaning?

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Children aren’t always the best at brushing and flossing their teeth. Regardless of how well you teach them, they’re bound to miss those hard-to-reach spots on occasion. But how often should your child have a dental cleaning? Our advice: it is so important to take your children in for a dental cleaning at least once every six months.

This interval ensures that your dentist can catch potential problems before they become serious. It also allows your dentist to monitor the development of your child’s teeth as they age. By visiting your dentist at least twice a year, you’re giving your family the best opportunity for a lifetime of strong, beautiful teeth. Visiting a top children’s dentist will keep their smile bright.

When Should Visits Begin?

Knowing how often should your child have a dental cleaning is vital. But when should they start? Children usually get their first teeth at around six months old. It’s a key stage in their development, so it is important to take special care of their baby teeth. As the teeth come in, you can start cleaning them after feedings with a wet cloth or very soft brush. Be gentle, and keep in mind that toothpaste should not be used on children under the age of two.

The emergence of your child’s first teeth is the perfect time to find the right pediatric dentist for your family. You can ask them for advice if you’re unsure of how to clean your child’s teeth, and it those early conversations will give you the chance to start building the relationship that will continue through your baby’s childhood. Once you’ve had a couple of interactions with your pediatric dentist and decided they’re right for you, then you should schedule your baby’s first dentist visit. This appointment should occur about six months after the emergence of your baby’s first tooth.

What to Expect During Your First Visit

At about a year old, your child is too young for a complete dental cleaning. However, the appointment is still crucial. It is important because that first appointment gives your Cerritos dentist the chance to evaluate your baby’s current development. In fact, your first couple appointments are primarily designated for making sure that your baby’s teeth are growing in normally. Without these regular evaluations, you may not catch complications that could affect your baby’s health and comfort.

Getting Your Child Used to the Dentist

The first few dental appointments your child has will set the stage for how they relate to their dentist in the future. Therefore, it is really important that you choose a pediatric dentist who helps you to feel comfortable during the process. If you’re calm, then there is a much greater chance that your child will also remain calm.

You should also remember that the dentist can be a scary place for children. There are so many new people, smells, and sounds. The whole process can be quite overwhelming. Therefore, it is always a good idea to take your child to the dentist’s office a few times when they don’t have an appointment if you’re able.

Desensitizing Your Child to the Dentist’s Office

Desensitization is just a fancy way of saying that you’re getting your child used to the dentist’s office by going there when nothing scary is happening. All you have to do is walk through the door at Jesmine Boghawala DDS, greet the receptionist, and sit down with your child for a few minutes before leaving. You may take these few minutes to engage them in play or some other positive activity.

If your child is a bit bolder, you may even encourage them to interact with the front desk staff if the office isn’t too busy. Even a little bit of exposure and positive association can make a huge difference in the way your child reacts to the dentist’s office, setting them up for a future where they feel comfortable going to the dentist as needed.

How You Should Really Brush Your Teeth

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Brushing your teeth is a relatively simple task, but the honest truth is that millions of people aren’t brushing correctly. You may not have been directly taught. It may have been a few decades since you were taught, or perhaps you’re just in a bit of a rush when you go to brush your teeth. Regardless of the reason, we could all do with a quick refresher course on how to brush our teeth correctly. Luckily, the process is pretty simple once you know to pay attention.

How You Should Really Brush Your Teeth

The best dentist in Cerritos has a complete guide for dental hygeine for you below.

Brush At Least Twice a Day

In a perfect world, you would brush your teeth after every meal and snack. Of course, that is practically impossible in our fast-paced world. Dentists agree that the best balance between your oral health and the average American’s lifestyle is to brush after breakfast and dinner. Just remember to rinse with a basic solution like water or milk if you’ve had anything acidic. Alternatively, you can also wait 20-30 minutes before brushing your teeth to avoid harming your temporarily softened enamel.

Remember that Different Surfaces Require Different Motions

A straight back and forth motion is perfectly fine for the chewing surfaces of your teeth. That pattern allows the bristles of your toothbrush to remove plaque and debris from the divots present there. However, when it comes to the front and back of your teeth, small circular motions are more ideal. Altogether you should take about two minutes brushing your teeth, so be gentle and take your time.

Use the Correct Angle

A lot of people place their toothbrush directly perpendicular to their teeth, especially when brushing the forward-facing surfaces. However, you really should be placing the brush at a 45-degree angle in relation to your teeth with the bristles facing towards the gum line. Using this angle requires you to be gentle, as your gums are sensitive. However, it also allows you to remove plaque and debris from underneath the gumline where it likes to hide and develop into gum disease.

Don’t Overdo it on the Toothpaste

We tend to put about four times as much toothpaste as we need on our toothbrushes. It isn’t necessarily harmful, but it is wasteful, especially if you’re using a specialized toothpaste. According to the experts, you really only need a pea-sized amount on your toothbrush to get all the cleaning power and fluoride you need.

Spit and Skip the Rinse

After brushing, you certainly don’t want to swallow all of the bacteria you’ve just removed from your mouth. You’ll want to spit out the extra saliva and toothpaste you’ve accumulated while brushing, and this should take the vast majority of the removed bacteria along with it. Afterward, many of us tend to rinse out our mouths, but that may not actually be the best policy. If you spit and skip the rinse, then you leave a thin layer of toothpaste on your teeth, which provides extended protection against bacteria and the acids they produce.

Transforming Knowledge into Practice

It can be challenging to change lifelong habits. You have to actively think about actions that you would normally perform automatically. Fortunately, the rewards are well worth the effort. By brushing at least twice a day, using the correct techniques, and flossing at least once per day, you can prevent serious issues and an inevitable trip to visit your emergency dentist in Cerritos. If you have any other questions regarding the appropriate way to brush and floss your teeth, then feel free to ask your dentist at Jesmine Boghawala DDS for more information during your next dental examination.

 

562-860-6626

13017 Artesia Blvd, Suite D120
Cerritos, CA 90703


Office Hours
Monday: 9AM-6PM
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 9AM-6PM
Thursday: 9AM-6PM
Friday: 9AM-6PM
Saturday: By Appointment
Sunday: Closed

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Jesmine Boghawala DDS
10929 South St #110B
Cerritos, CA 90703
Phone: 562.860.6626
Mon, Tue, Thur, Fri - 10:00AM - 7:00PM
Sat by Appt.