San Jose Family Dentist Blog

Secondhand Smoke and Periodontal Disease

sanjose_family_dentist — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 01:49:22 +0000

“Exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke for a few hours each day can double a person’s risk of severe periodontal disease.”
Study links secondhand smoke and periodontal disease – American Dental Association – ADA.org
www.ada.org
It’s been clear for years that smokers have a higher risk of periodontal disease but there’s also research showing secondhand smoke can also increase the risk.

Shocking Proposition: Selecting the Best (and Safest) Dental Products

sanjose_family_dentist — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:09:50 +0000

An Israeli company says it has created a device that will protect teeth from cavities for 5 whole years. The catch? You start by slathering a special gel inside a form-fitting mouth tray tethered to an electrical outlet, inserting it over your teeth, and then zapping it with electricity. (Yikes!) Sounds a bit dangerous, doesn’t it?

When it comes to dental care, or anything else related to your health or well-being, it’s best to stick with science that’s been used and tested for years. Getting caught up in new fads may not only be disappointing, but downright dangerous. Here are some tips for selecting dental products that are guaranteed safe and effective.

Selecting a Toothbrush

When it comes to basic dental care, nothing tops brushing. If you choose to use a manual toothbrush, be sure that it is small enough to reach your entire mouth easily. Also, bristles that are too firm can cause your gums to bleed. Those who prefer something a bit more convenient and comfortable might consider an electric toothbrush. Be sure the head is soft and the bristles move in a back-and-forth motion.

Picking a Dental Floss

It’s amazing how much variety you can find in dental floss. From regular dental floss or ribbon to dental flossers, it’s easy to find something that works well for you. All types remove cavity-causing plaque and food debris from between your teeth. Here are a few of your choices:

Dental Flossers: Often regarded as being easier to manage than conventional floss, flossers are a popular choice. There’s no need to wrap any excess thread around your fingers, which some find uncomfortable.
Conventional Floss: There’s nothing wrong with sticking with traditional types of floss. Just tear off a piece at least 18 inches long and wind it around your index fingers. If you find traditional thread-like floss is uncomfortable for your gums, try dental ribbon, its smoother counterpart.
Floss Threaders: If you have a fixed bridge in your mouth, it doesn’t mean you get out of flossing. Nifty little floss threaders allow you to thread (gasp!) the floss between your teeth, under the bridge work.

Finding the Perfect Toothpaste

From whitening to ultra-sensitive, there are a multitude of toothpastes available on today’s market. How do you choose? Start by selecting one with fluoride, which will prevent cavities. Other things to consider are flavor, whitening potential, tartar control and price. Often the biggest difference between two brands is packaging, so don’t get hung up on the finer details. Consider selecting fun flavored toothpaste for children, as it will encourage them to brush regularly (though don’t let them swallow!). Very young children require a fluoride-free variety for safety.

Picking a Mouthwash

Mouthwash can not only freshen your breath, but kill germs and bacteria that lead to cavities. Try to select a formula with fluoride. Many contain alcohol, which dries up the protective saliva in your mouth, so it’s best avoided. While mouthwash a wonderful dental product, however, please remember that it cannot replace regular flossing and brushing.

Remember, your health is our first concern. Please do not hesitate to call our office at (408)377-5833 or email us at andrewfongdds@yahoo.com with your dental care questions, or to schedule a check-up!

Keep Chronic Inflammation Under Control

sanjose_family_dentist — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 19:50:03 +0000

Inflammation is the fire your body builds to burn out attackers like bacteria, viruses or parasites. If you’ve ever gotten a scratch that grows swollen and hot to the touch you’ve encountered acute, or temporary, inflammation. Then the healing begins.

Far more serious is chronic inflammation (CI). It’s like a fire inside your body that never goes out and increasingly researchers are recognizing it as a significant factor contributing to heart disease.

A simple blood test for chronic inflammation focuses on C-reactive protein (CRP), which the liver produces when inflammation is present. But your mouth can present more obvious and immediate evidence of CI — if you have sore or bleeding gums. That is periodontal disease (gum disease), and it needs to be treated as soon as it is detected to reduce the risk.

That’s why routine dental checkups are so critical — not just for your teeth but for your overall health. Don’t permit a destructive fire to rage unchecked inside your body. Arrange for a dental appointment at our office at your earliest convenience! And don’t forget to floss.

Trick or Treating is a Fun and Healthy Event!

sanjose_family_dentist — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 04:17:52 +0000

The Candy Buy-Back Program was a great success and put smiles on many children’s faces as they received a $1 per pound of candy that they turned in at the San Jose 95124 dental office of Dr. Andrew Fong.

The event was initiated by Andrew B. Fong, DDS and his team to raise awareness that too much sugar not only damages a child’s teeth, adds unwanted body weight and increases the possibility of making a child hyperactive. This fun event rewarded children by letting them enjoy the experience and fun of Trick or Treating. The Halloween Candy Buy-Back Program enables children to exchange their excess candies for dental hygiene and health rewards as well as benefiting their piggy banks.

Containers filled with treats from our first year candy trade-off will be donated to Operation: Care and Comfort.
This volunteer organization provides support and comfort to “adopted” units of deployed U.S. military service members, serving in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other conflict regions. Donations that they receive will be included in care packages that they send to the adopted units every month until they return home.

Our San Jose-Cambrian area dental office will continue to initiate activities to support our community.

San Jose Dentist Hosts a Halloween Candy Buy Back

sanjose_family_dentist — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 21:39:42 +0000

Halloween is usually a time where kids and parents could have some family fun by dressing up in costumes, getting creative in pumpkin carving and going trick or treating.
However, parents often complained to me that the biggest headache had been trying to prevent their children from consuming too many candies afterwards.
As we all know, there are many drawbacks to eating candy besides the fact that one does not know what is in the bag. Too much sugar can and will make a child hyperactive and restless. All the excess sugar can hurt the child’s teeth and put on body weight as well.
Thus my staff and I will be doing a Halloween Candy Buy-Back event.

We will buy back the candies from the child and thus reward the “good child”, who would not eat all the candy anyway, by letting him or her turn trick or treating into a profitable and fun event!

To learn the details of the program, go to www.DentistInSanJoseCA.com

Note: If you do not have a child that could participate in this program, please pass this link to someone that could benefit or announce it through social media networks like Facebook, Twitter, etc.

Have fun and stay healthy!

First aid for knocked out tooth in San Jose

sanjose_family_dentist — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 16:14:57 +0000

Accidental Tooth Loss by Injury

It can happen in the blink of an eye: an accident that leaves a tooth hanging by a thread or lying on the ground. Kids, athletes, soccer hooligans – it can happen to just about anyone. Ouch! But if it does happen, it’s important to know the proper first aid:

If the tooth is loose (even extremely so!) but is still attached in any way, leave it in place. Do not remove it!
If it is out of its socket completely and unattached, but still in the victim’s mouth, it is best to have the person hold the tooth in their mouth, if possible, until a dentist can attempt re-implantation.
If the tooth is out of the mouth, do not let it dry out. Handle it as little as possible. Do not attempt to disinfect the tooth, or scrub it, or remove any tissue attached to it.
If the tooth is recovered from the ground or other soiled area, rinse it off in lukewarm water. Preserve it in milk until a dentist is available. If milk is not available, lukewarm water will suffice.

Time out of the socket is critical in the long-term success of re-implantation. After 30 minutes, the success potential begins to decline. However, re-implantation is still possible after several hours, so the attempt can still be made even if the tooth has been out for a long period.

Remember, even if re-implantation fails, you have a variety of other options. For more information on emergency dental care or tooth replacement, please don’t hesitate to call us at (408)377-5833 or email us at newsletter@drandrewfong.com today.

If you have any friends or family members who you feel could use our services, please don’t hesitate to have them call us. We’ll be sure to take good care of them. Our 95124 dentist office is located in the Cambrian Park area of San Jose.

Dealing with Sensitive Teeth

sanjose_family_dentist — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 04:41:51 +0000

Are Your Teeth Temperamental?

San Jose Dentist 95124 Deals with Sensitive Smiles

Are you overly sensitive? Relax, I don’t mean crying during life insurance commercials; I’m talking about your smile. Millions of adults struggle with hypersensitive teeth, meaning they are sensitive to hot and cold temperatures, very sugary or acidic foods and drinks and vigorous tooth brushing. This kind of sensitivity is often called “dentin hypersensitivity.”

Dentin is the tissue that makes up the core of each tooth. Above the gum line, dentin is protected with a coating of enamel. Unfortunately, as enamel is worn away or decayed, dentin becomes exposed and receptive to sensations that cause painful nerve responses. This can also occur as the result of receding gums, a common symptom of gum disease.

So, what causes sensitive teeth? A number of things may be to blame. Over-zealous brushing with a firm bristled tooth brush or abrasive toothpaste can lead to dentin hypersensitivity, as can gum disease, which is the result of poor brushing and flossing habits. Your diet may also play a role, as frequent consumption of acidic foods and drinks can chemically dissolve tooth enamel. Finally, abnormal wear on tooth surfaces from chronic clenching or grinding of teeth, nail biting and chewing on hard objects can lead to sensitive teeth.

If you’re already suffering from overly sensitive teeth, there are products that can help. Toothpaste designed for those with sensitive teeth can reduce the pain associated with the condition after only a few days of use. Also, be sure to stick with a soft-bristled toothbrush – hard toothbrushes will only exacerbate the problem. Brush and floss daily to maintain healthy gums and protect dentin from exposure.

Your continued good health is always our primary concern, so please contact my office at (408)377-5833 or newsletter@drandrewfong.com if you’re suffering from hypersensitive teeth, another dental ailment, or are just due for your regular check-up. We’ll take great care of you!

P.S. If you have any friends or family members who you feel could use our services, please don’t hesitate to have them call us. We’ll be sure to take good care of them.

Some Dental Problems Are Easy to See!

sanjose_family_dentist — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 15:51:04 +0000

Greetings from Dr. Andrew B. Fong, a San Jose Dentist.

One of the easiest dental problems to spot is a buildup of plaque. Plaque is the soft, sticky layer of bacteria that is constantly forming on the teeth. It is usually invisible to the naked eye. However, when a person is not brushing adequately, enough plaque can build up to appear as a thick, whitish coating on the teeth at the gum line. If not removed, it can lead to gum disease.

Another dental problem that is easy to spot is missing teeth. Many patients assume that if they are still able to eat, their teeth are fine. But often losing just one tooth can have a cascading effect on a patient’s dental health. Losing one tooth can cause a loss of support; teeth may begin to drift into the empty space, causing a change in the bite. It also forces the remaining teeth to carry an additional load, sometimes past their ability to adapt. In most cases, when even one tooth is lost, the remaining teeth suffer and are more likely to be lost as well.

Our focus is in the treatment of problems such as these. For the care you need, please call our office at (408)377-5833 or email us at newsletter@drandrewfong.com today.

Visit our website at www.sanjosefamilydentist.com

P.S. If you have any friends or family members who you feel could use our services, please don’t hesitate to have them call us. We’ll be sure to take good care of them.

San Jose Dentist offers Snap-On Smiles

sanjose_family_dentist — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 06:09:37 +0000

Dr. Andrew Fong, a San Jose cosmetic dentist, is now offering a new service that can improve your existing smile. Snap-On Smile is an appealing treatment option that can easily update your current smile and can also replace missing teeth. This patented, revolutionary dental appliance requires two visits with no drilling, no shots, and no change in tooth structure.

It is an excellent choice for:

Gaps, crooked, stained or missing teeth
Anyone who would like a more appealing smile without the discomfort of complex dental procedures
Anyone who has an old-fashioned removable partial denture and wants another comfortable alternative

Snap on Smile is an affordable and non-invasive customized dental appliance that is thin and strong with the look of natural teeth. You can eat and drink with your Snap-On Smile. It is easy to care for and it can be a temporary or permanent solution for upper and lower teeth. It simply snaps into place over your existing teeth for an easy solution to restore your smile.

Please call our San Jose Family Dentist office today for a complimentary exam at (408) 377-5833.
It’s Easy. It’s Painless. You can start now !!
~Just choose your style and shade of your new teeth.
~We will make an impression of your teeth.
~You return in about three weeks for a final fitting and you wear your Snap-On Smile home!

Visit our Smile Gallery on our website at http://www.sanjosefamilydentist.com/san-jose-dentist-fong-gallery

Happy New Year!

sanjose_family_dentist — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 06:19:18 +0000

From the San Jose family dentist office of Dr. Andrew Fong, we would like to wish our valued patients and all the residents in Campbell, Los Gatos, San Jose, Saratoga, and Santa Clara a Happy 2011 New Year. Thank you for your confidence and giving us the privilege to care for your dental needs. See you soon. Cheers!