San Diego Dental Info

Porcelain Veneers- How to care for them

noreply@blogger.com (David S. Eshom, DDS) — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 19:37:00 +0000

A recent picture of Lindsay Lohan reminded me of what happens when someone is not taking care of their porcelain dental veneers. It is important to be careful what and how you eat. You do not want to bite into anything hard directly on the veneers. They won't break instantly but it is better long term if you chew things to the side. Also, beware of grinding your teeth at night. This breaks down the cement more readily and will ruin your porcelain veneer. Here in San Diego, their are a lot of great smiles that are porcelain veneers so take care of your veneers and your veneers will take care of you!! For great pictures of porcelain veneers click on this link:http://eshomdds.com/services/porcelain_v.php

5 Reasons to Straighten Your Teeth

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 18:29:00 +0000

Most people associate braces and straightening your teeth as something to be accomplished during your adolescent years, but with more awareness and emphasis being placed on the benefits of regular dental visits and healthy teeth the question of how old is too old for straight teeth has surfaced. So, let’s say this now, you are never too old for straight teeth and this article will address 5 reasons why straight teeth contribute to a healthy, happier you.

Reason #1:

Straight teeth help us correctly bite and chew. Is it surprising to hear that when our teeth are properly aligned we can bite and chew our food more effectively? Our teeth are just like a pair of pinking shears, or scissors that cut in a zigzag pattern. Using this analogy imagine using a pair of saw tooth scissors that don’t perfectly align when you cut a piece of cloth. You will notice that it is increasingly difficult for the scissors to effectively do their job. The same is the case with our teeth. Straight teeth perfectly fit in their natural grooves, and the sharp edges of our teeth more effectively bite and chew food.

Reason #2:

Straight teeth promote healthy gums and teeth. We all know that brushing and flossing twice a day along with regular cleanings is the best regimen for good oral hygiene, but people with crooked teeth have an even harder time keeping their teeth clean. Overlapping teeth create plenty of hard to clean pockets where plaque-building bacteria multiply. Extra diligence is required to make sure these areas are thoroughly cleaned which takes time and sometimes expert maneuvering with a toothbrush and floss. Straight teeth, however, eliminate these hard to reach bacterial havens giving you clear access to every part of your mouth.

Reason #3:

Straight teeth can help prevent jaw and muscle strain. Some alignment issues can lead to more physical manifestations such as pain in the jaw or muscles of the mouth from the effort your teeth have to make during daily movements. Straightening your teeth reduces the amount of strain on your jaw and muscles because they are now sitting in their proper position and your mouth doesn’t have to work as hard to accomplish the same movements.

Reason #4:

Straight teeth are attractive. Depending on where you are from, straight teeth are seen as physically attractive. Yes, some of this is due to social and cultural standards, but in the light of the first three reasons, straightening your teeth for good looks is the least of our concerns and rather an extra benefit.

Reason #5:

Looking and feeling good, promotes confidence. Whether it is eating a balanced diet for life long health, skipping out on that burger and fries to lower your cholesterol, or maintaining good oral hygiene these interventions go a long way to improving how we feel about ourselves and the world around us. If you feel good about yourself, it will show with every smile.

Dental Products

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 21:28:00 +0000

Confused about which dental products to buy? You’re not alone! With so many dental products on the market today, it’s hard to choose which toothbrush, mouthwash, or toothpaste to buy. Dental companies are constantly competing with one another, updating their products with the latest technology. But don’t worry, we’re here to help you with what is truthfully needed when it comes to your oral health.

Toothbrushes

Most dentists will recommend you buy a soft-bristled toothbrush. Although it may feel as if the harder bristles will clean the plaque off your teeth better, the truth is that they may brush away your enamel (your tooth’s protective coating that is hard to gain back). By properly applying the correct brushing techniques with a soft-bristled toothbrush, you will attain perfectly clean teeth. Just make sure to place your brush where your teeth and gum meet and brush in circular motions, remembering to reach your back teeth.

As for the size of the toothbrush, it doesn’t matter too much, just as long as the brush fits your mouth. But a medium-sized brush will work for most people. A good measurement for the toothbrush size is whether you can fit the toothbrush head easily in the back of your mouth to brush your back teeth.

Although some toothbrushes are now equipped with a color indicator to remind you of its replacement, all you need to do is check the bristles. If they are bent, it’s time to buy a toothbrush. Typically, it’s good to generally replace toothbrushes every 3 months.

How about those fancy electronic toothbrushes? It all depends on your needs! If the timer will help you remember to brush longer, most dentists are all for it!

Toothpaste

Before picking up the toothpaste with the shiniest box, check if it’s fluoridated!! Exposing your teeth to fluoride even for just a short amount of time will strengthen your teeth.

If you’re all about the whitening toothpaste, just know that the amount of peroxide is too small to bleach your teeth significantly, but it can remove some surface stains. To do deep bleaching, it’s best to use a whitener (in-office or over the counter).

Floss

Since floss is often neglected, dentists will be happy knowing you use any type of floss! However, dentists do usually recommend buying lightly-waxed or non-waxed floss. When you floss, try to listen for the “squeaky clean” noise!

Mouthwash

Contrary to common belief, mouthwash will not kill all plaque-causing bacteria and does not replace brushing or flossing. But using a rinse with essential oils after brushing for the indicated amount of time on the label does help slow the formation of plaque throughout the day. Since a new crop of germ develops every 24 hours, every little bit of mouthwash does help. Don’t overuse it though because the rinse can start to produce sloughy, stinky tissue!

Happy Thanksgiving and don’t forget to floss!

Peace, love, and dental floss,

Dr. David Eshom DDS
8899 University Center Lane, Suite 245
San Diego, CA 92122
858.455.9151

Another Celebrity Smile Edition!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 19:17:00 +0000

Lately at the office, Ali Fedotowky’s smile has caught our attention in a number of magazines…

Who is she?

Ali was one of the many contestants on The Bachelor’s 14^th season. After leaving The Bachelor due to a work-related conflict, she later went on to star in her very own show: The Bachelorette. According to the season finale, she has found her true love and now is engaged to Roberto Martinez.

Her smile…

She is such an adorable girl, but unfortunately her smile is not up to par with her beautiful face. If you carefully examine the pictures above, there are a number of things we would treat if she came into our office.

1.) Tooth size and narrow smile

Initially, we noticed that her lower lip covers the tips of her teeth; masking the size of her teeth and making her teeth look even smaller. However, if you look at the next picture, her teeth are in fact, too small for her face and are actually a little worn. Your tooth size is a very important factor to the “fullness” of your smile. Too small and your smile is too narrow, and too big can you look cartoony and unrealistic. Also, there are spaces in the corners of her smile where teeth should be. This could have happened if Ali had braces when she was younger and perhaps could have had some teeth extracted to create more room for her other teeth. If you remember the last celebrity blog with Carrie Underwood and Halle Berry, their smiles had no gaps in the corners, just showed all teeth.

2.) Too Gummy

Many people (including myself, too!) have this issue. What we mean by a “gummy” smile is that there is too much gum showing when a person smiles (the tooth to gum ratio is not proportional). This could happen for a number of reasons: overgrowth of gum tissue, too short teeth, or a bad bite. In Ali’s case, it looks like her short teeth is a major contributor to her gummy smile.

The Solution?

To fix the narrowness of her smile, Dr. Eshom would place molar veneers to fill out her smile more. Veneers wouldn’t necessarily be needed on her front teeth, unless she really wanted to change the shape and size. Since Dr. Eshom practices minimally invasive dentistry, her first option would be to re-contour her gums to create larger-looking teeth and a less gummy smile.

So what do you think about Ali’s smile? I wish nothing but the best for her and her future husband! Have a great week everyone and don’t forget to floss!

Peace, love, and dental floss,

How Teeth Change With Age

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 18:25:00 +0000

via nydailynews.com

Here's a great comprehensive article about understanding your teeth as they age. Our society is so obsessed about keeping our bodies looking young, but what about our teeth? Other than whitening them, we tend to forget that our teeth can carry age as well. Click here to keep your chompers in tip-top condition--no matter what your real age is!

Peace, love, and dental floss,
-B

Dr. David Eshom, DDS
8899 University Center Lane, Suite 245
San Diego, CA 92122
858.455.9151
http://www.eshomdds.com/

Contest + Our New and Improved Facebook Page!

noreply@blogger.com (David S. Eshom, DDS) — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 16:35:00 +0000

Happy Friday to everyone!

We'd like to invite you to become a fan of the new and improved Facebook page of David Eshom, DDS: Dental Health and Beauty! This new page features key information about Dr Eshom's office including directions, a biography, awards/accreditations, and weekly updates of our dental blog.

By becoming a new fan, you will be automatically entered to win a $50 American Express gift card! You can also gain extra entries by referring your friends to also become a fan of our new page. Just have your friend leave a comment on our wall or send us a message stating: "Referred by: ______" and we'll give you an entry for every friend you referred.

Act fast because we will be closing our current Facebook page very soon and our contest ends on October 31, 2010! Official rules are stated below.

We look forward to seeing you all on Facebook! Good luck, everyone!!

Thanks,
The office of Dr. David Eshom

Official Rules:

It's easy to enter, here's how:

Become a fan of our new Facebook page: David Eshom, DDS: Dental Health and Beauty.
You can refer as MANY friends to gain extra entries into our raffle by asking them to become a fan. After they become a fan, just have him/her leave me a comment or a message with your name and I'll give you an entry for every friend you referred. (Ex: Referred by: Jane Doe)
Contest starts August 24, 2010 and ends October 31, 2010.
Winners will be chosen by random draw.
Thanks and good luck!

Our Top Celebrity Smiles

noreply@blogger.com (David S. Eshom, DDS) — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 15:38:00 +0000

By working at a dental office, creating beautiful smiles is our passion. So naturally, when each of us looks through a magazine we can’t help but notice when we see a gorgeous smile. After careful consideration, Halle Berry and Carrie Underwood tops our best smiles list.

Although beauty is in the “eye of the beholder” and varies according to cultural influences, studies show that proportion and symmetry subconsciously influence who/what we think is attractive. When designing and restoring smiles, many orthodontists and cosmetic dentists keep in mind the “Golden Ratio.” I don’t want to get too technical, but this is a concept which basically explains that objects that are naturally appealing tend to follow the golden ratio’s proportions. As you can see in each picture above, there is a distinct line of symmetry to their face and smile. In addition to their white smile, their four upper teeth are symmetrical and their smile lines follow the shape of her lower lip (a convex shape going downwards). Their smiles are also very full, showing mostly teeth when they smile and they both have little gum display.

These are some things we notice when we look at smiles, but how about you? Who are some celebrity smiles you admire? I’d love to hear your feedback! Have a good weekend and don’t forget to floss!

Peace, love, and dental floss,

-B

Dr. David Eshom DDS
8899 University Center Lane, Suite 245
San Diego, CA 92122
858.455.9151
http://www.eshomdds.com/services/home.php

Got a free afternoon?

noreply@blogger.com (David S. Eshom, DDS) — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 18:58:00 +0000

Get A Complete Smile Makeover

For anyone who has missing teeth, getting dental implants are a great solution. Taking anywhere from two to four hours (depending on the amount of teeth missing), you can have a new set of teeth at the end of your appointment.

During your first appointment, Dr. Eshom will analyze your gum tissue and bone structure to make sure it can support dental implants, and from there, you will be referred to a periodontist (a gum specialist) or an oral surgeon for the insertion of the implants. After about eight weeks, when your bone has bonded to the implants, Dr. Eshom can now screw in your brand new set of teeth according to your color and aesthetic preferences in just one afternoon.

Here’s a recap just in case you are thinking about getting implants:
-Make an appointment with Dr. Eshom so he can fully evaluate your teeth and assess where the implants or metal stint will be placed.
-You will be referred to an oral surgeon or periodontist where they will also evaluate your bone and place the implants.
-Wait 2-6 months, depending on the case, for the bone to bind properly to the implant.
-In the mean time, wear temporaries and choose your shape and color of your new teeth with Dr. Eshom in San Diego.
-Then, after 2-6 months, your new teeth will be cemented in only ONE AFTERNOON!

Hope these past blog series have been useful to you. Remember that it doesn’t take long to get your dream smile, so please don’t hesitate to leave a comment or call our office! Have a good week and check the blog soon!

Peace, love, and dental floss,
-B

Dr. David Eshom DDS
8899 University Center Lane, Suite 245
San Diego, CA 92122
858.455.9151
http://www.eshomdds.com/services/home.php

It only takes ONE hour!

noreply@blogger.com (David S. Eshom, DDS) — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 17:29:00 +0000

Hope everyone had a wonderful July 4th weekend! To continue last week's makeover smile blog, this entry is about what you can get done at Dr. Eshom's office in only 60 minutes . In just one short hour, you can get that celebrity smile that everyone will envy!

Whiten your smile up to 10 shades!
One of the benefits of bleaching your teeth is that it creates an even shade throughout your smile. This even shade allows people to notice your blazing white smile, not your imperfections, while yellower teeth cause blemishes or imperfections to standout more to others.
So, in only one hour, you can brighten your smile up to 10 shades! The process begins by the application of a peroxide-based bleaching gel on your teeth, your gums shielded with a rubber dam, and your eyes covered with protective goggles. Next, a heat lamp or laser is used to deeply penetrate and bleach the inside of your teeth. This type of bleaching allows you to get extremely whiter teeth in just one visit without having to come back.

Fix your chipped or gapped teeth.
Bonding a tooth colored material can fix chips or gaps easily with no anesthesia or recovery--giving you a straighter smile and speeding up your makeover even more. For example, if your teeth are too short or uneven, Dr. Eshom can elongate your teeth in one procedure without the need for veneers. Bonding can also fix the emptiness between the edges of your teeth, thus creating an even, broader smile. With proper care, these results can last you forever!

So what are you waiting for!? Call us and make that appointment that could change your life forever. Come visit next week to find out what you can get done in only ONE afternoon. Have a great week everyone and don't forget to floss!

Peace, love, and dental floss,
-B

Dr. David Eshom DDS
8899 University Center Lane, Suite 245
San Diego, CA 92122
858.455.9151

http://www.eshomdds.com/services/home.php

Do you have 30 minutes?

noreply@blogger.com (David S. Eshom, DDS) — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 18:56:00 +0000

If you're looking for a celebrity-worthy smile, look no further! It may seem like celebrities get hours and hours of help from dentists to get their perfect smiles, but the truth is, there are new, less invasive, faster procedures that can easily be done during your downtime. These procedures will give you immediate and dramatic results in practically no time!!

Reshape your teeth
By using a file, Dr. Eshom can slightly reshape edges of your teeth. For example, we can shorten long teeth, even overlapping edges, and round off square edges of teeth making women’s smiles more elegant and feminine. Don’t worry, this procedure is usually pain-free.

Fix crooked teeth

To a certain extent, reshaping your teeth can also fix mild crowding and crookedness without the need for braces or Invisalign--saving you time and money!

Stay tuned for the next installment...what you can get done in 60 minutes! Have a good 4th of July, everyone!

Peace, love, and dental floss,
-B

Dr. David Eshom DDS
8899 University Center Lane, Suite 245
San Diego, CA 92122
858.455.9151

Relax and pamper yourself…while getting your teeth done!

noreply@blogger.com (David S. Eshom, DDS) — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 19:30:00 +0000

After a long day at work, I love to relax. Whether it’s watching a favorite TV show, eating my favorite foods, or hanging out with the people I love—I’m not picky. I’ll take it all! And if I get to relax and be productive—even better! So, if you love being pampered and still need to go to the dentist, Dr. Eshom’s dental office is the perfect place to go! Here are some tips to relax before your appointment.

Be on time.

Although parking is easy to find here, planning ahead and keeping traffic in mind can help reduce stress before arriving at your appointment. Arriving late, stressed, and irritable can keep you from controlling your anxiety (if any) at the office.

Think positive.

Instead of thinking the worst and what’s going to happen, think happy thoughts! Maybe thinking of things other than being in a dental office can help reduce stress (imagining a walk on the beach or how beautiful your teeth are going to look?). Fortunately, with today’s dental technology, the procedures are less painful, quicker, and more efficient!

Speak up.

Today’s dentists are more understanding and in tune with a patient’s needs and wants, so if there’s something you’re uncomfortable with, let your doctor know. Remember, you’re the boss!

Pamper yourself.

Take advantage of your doctor’s services at the office. At Dr. Eshom’s office in La Jolla, we offer a complimentary paraffin wax treatment, aromatherapy neck wrap, and a warm blanket while you get your treatment to help you unwind.

Watch TV or listen to music.

Watching your favorite TV show and listening to your favorite songs can help you relax and distract you from the sound of the procedure. At the office, we provide an iPod for your listening pleasure and we let you be the one in control what to watch on TV.

So how do YOU relax at the dentist’s office? Leave a comment to share some tips to fellow patients who are scared of going to the dentist. Let’s make it a good week and don’t forget to floss!

Peace, love, and dental floss,

-B

Dr. David Eshom DDS
8899 University Center Lane, Suite 245
San Diego, CA 92122
858.455.9151

Always keep your smile. That's how I explain my long life. --Jeanne Calment

noreply@blogger.com (David S. Eshom, DDS) — Mon, 24 May 2010 17:05:00 +0000

Good Morning Everyone!

Thought I’d like to share with you an interesting article today that I read about life longevity and smiling. Researchers at Wayne State University studied 230 photographs of professional baseball players from the 1950s. Each player was examined by reviewers and placed into categories whether they were fully smiling, partially smiling, or not smiling at all. It was found that on average, players who were smiling lived an average of 79.9 years, while the non-smilers lived an average of 72.9 years. They also found that their smile intensity dated back to their childhood, college career, and was linked to their marriage stability and life satisfaction. Other studies have also shown that smiling can relieve stress and even boost your immune system.

Who knew that something as little as smiling, could really prolong your life? It’s really true what the say: the best things in life are free. :) So this week’s lesson is to smile, everyone! Let’s make it a good week and don’t forget to floss!

Peace, love, and dental floss,
-B

P.S. Please leave a comment! I'd love to hear your feedback. To do so, click on the title to get to the full post, and you'll see a comment box below.

Dr. David Eshom DDS
8899 University Center Lane, Suite 245
San Diego, CA 92122
858.455.9151

A Big Hello and Introduction!

noreply@blogger.com (David S. Eshom, DDS) — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 19:02:00 +0000

Hello fellow readers…

I come into the world of blogging, devoted to give you my personal perspective at Dr. Eshom’s cosmetic dental office in La Jolla. I grew up genuinely interested in dentistry, but don’t mistake me for an expert—I am a patient myself. I spent most of my geeky childhood wearing a neck-gear (an ugly large contraption that fixed my over-bite, which at the time I thought was the coolest!), and wore braces for a total of 7 years! I know what kind of physical pain is involved being in that dental chair, I know how it feels to be wondering, “When will all this be over!?” and most importantly, I know what kind of emotional pain involves not having “socially accepted teeth.” So…why do you ask, am I still fascinated in the dental industry after what I have endured? Well, the reason is simple: dentistry has given me more than healthy teeth and a beautiful smile—it gave me my self-esteem.
With that being said, I’m here to give you my point of view with no jargon, no fancy words, only in plain English! Hopefully my experiences will give you enough knowledge about what really happens in a dental office from a patient’s perspective, and perhaps show you how multi-facetted dentistry really is. So, please visit often to hear about my latest venture in Dr. Eshom’s office in San Diego, and please visit soon!

Peace, love, and dental floss,
-B

Dr. David Eshom DDS
8899 University Center Lane, Suite 245
San Diego, CA 92122
858.455.9151

Invisalign and Cosmetic Dentistry

noreply@blogger.com (David S. Eshom, DDS) — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 17:50:00 +0000

I am on several dental boards and recently attended the AACD PEC meeting in Chicago and a week later an Invisalign meeting. I was astounded by how cosmetic dentistry can be changed by a product like Invisalign clear removable braces. I have always used minimally invasive techniques with cosmetic dentistry procedures like veneers to preserve natural tooth structure. With Invisalign clear removable aligners I can move the teeth to where they look and function best without having to do veneers/crowns as in the past. What a great way to practice conservative cosmetic dentistry. All my patients are giving several options for improving their health and smile but not Invisalign is another tooth saving option.