Skipping One Night of Brushing Won't Hurt, Right?

It's been a long day. You've brushed the kids teeth, read them stories and tucked them in. You are ready to just close your eyes and then you remember, "I didn't brush my teeth." You think to yourself, "one night of not brushing won't hurt. I'll brush extra long in the morning. It's not that big of a deal, right?"

The reality is that not brushing your teeth before bed is bad news. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends brushing your beautiful smile twice a day.  Skip a session, and you're on your way to encouraging the growth of bacterial buildup in the form of plaque, which can lead to cavities and even gum disease.

Chances are that you've felt plaque on your teeth throughout your day and haven't even realized it.  When you brush it disrupts that bacteria, so it doesn't stay on your teeth and your gums.  The problem is that when it is left in place it begins to attack your teeth.  The longer plaque remains on your teeth the more likely it is to become tarter, which leads to inflammation and bleeding of your gums.  The longer it remains untreated the more likely you are to loose a tooth.

By not brushing once you run the risk of skipping this nightly habit again and again. So, stick to the habit.  Follow the simple and easy guidelines of the ADA:  brush for two minutes, twice a day and floss at least once a day.  Regular dental visits will also help to protect your pearly whites.

Mai-Ly Ramirez, DDS & Your Fountains Dental Excellence Team

Is Eating Fruit Bad for Your Teeth?

Eating fruit is healthy right? While eating fruit is definitely better than snacking on sweet treats, snacking on fruits and drinking fruit juices can contributes to tooth decay, plaque build-up and enamel erosion.

Fruit is definitely an important part of a healthy diet, but fruit juice may be problematic. Whole fruits have fiber and are a less concentrated source of sugar (and sometimes acids). In addition, juices sometimes have sugar added to them, which can be even more damaging to your teeth. It is best to skip the fruit juices and choose the whole fruit instead

What about acidic fruits? Should you avoid lemons, citrus fruits and other acidic foods? While it is fine to eat these kinds of foods, it is important that you don’t suck on them or keep them in your mouth for a long period of time. The acidic juice in these foods can erode the enamel of your teeth. Citrus fruits and foods with tomatoes (including pizza, soup and pasta sauce), pickles, honey and wine can all be damaging to your teeth if they are consumed too often or held in the mouth for too long.

While it is important to eat all foods in moderation it is also important to brush twice a day and floss. While you may not be in a position to brush your teeth after every meal drinking a class of water will help to flush bacteria and food buildup from your teeth. In addition this will lessen your risk of gum disease, fewer cavities and fresher breath.

Mai-Ly Ramirez, DDS & Your Fountains Dental Excellence Team

Summertime Foods and Beverages…and Your Smile

Summertime Foods and Beverages…and Your Smile

During the summer, you’re probably going to attend a lot of parties, and with parties come a variety of beverages and snacks. Summertime drinks include soda, sports drinks, wine, beer, and lemonade.  As you know, these drinks are loaded with sugar. A simple tip for counteracting the effects of these beverages, however, is to rinse your mouth with water regularly throughout the party. But don’t brush your teeth too soon after consuming acidic beverages. These drinks can soften enamel, and brushing while the enamel is soft can do more damage. Wait at least an hour before you brush!

Party foods can be dark in color and full of sugar as well. Dark foods contribute to stained teeth, and we all know what happens when you eat too much sugar! Cavities! But by rinsing your mouth after eating these dark and sugary foods, you can avoid staining and cavities — and a trip to the dentist during your summer for teeth whitening and a checkup can give your smile a boost!

It’s pretty simple to keep your smile healthy during these summer months. Brushing, flossing, rinsing after food or drink, and regular trips to the dentist can help keep you looking and feeling your best. 

Mai-Ly Ramirez, DDS & Your Fountains Dental Excellence Team

Are You Missing Teeth?

Do you suffer from the embarrassment and inconvenience of missing teeth. In addition to full and partial dentures, we offer dental implants.

What are dental implants?

Dental implants look, feel and function just like your own “natural” teeth. They are a vast improvement over full or partial dentures, as they are permanently affixed in the mouth, just like your natural teeth. You continue to brush and floss, just like you do with your natural teeth. Because the dental implants are integrated into the jaw, they help prevent gum recession and bone loss, a problem that routinely occurs with full and partial dentures. 

How are dental implants inserted?

There are several steps to implant dentistry. First, the dentist will surgically insert a titanium screw or post into the jaw. The patient returns to the dental office after the gums have healed, at which time a replacement tooth is attached, providing both the beauty and functionality of natural teeth.

If you are missing one or more teeth due to injury, illness, aging or periodontal disease (gum disease), call us for an appointment to learn about dental implants, 916-780-3000.

Mai-Ly Ramirez, DDS & Your Fountains Dental Excellence Team

Summer is Fast Approaching...Time to Start Your Teens Invisalign Treatment

Summer is fast approaching, so what is on your teens to do list?  Sleep, vacation, volunteer, spend time with friends, work, straighten their teeth?  Wait, what was that last one??  While straightening their teeth might not be something you've thought of, it may be something your teen has considered.

Starting your teens Invisalign treatment at the beginning of summer is a great time to begin as it will help your teen develop their Invisalign treatment routine and get them excited about going back to school knowing they are working towards the smile they deserve.

Here are some commonly asked questions and answers about Invisalign teen, that will help you to learn more about this treatment option and to help you determine if you'd like to see if Invisalign Teen is right for your teen.

1. WHAT IS INVISALIGN TEEN?

Invisalign Teen is the virtually invisible way to straighten your teen’s teeth without the restrictions that come with metal braces. Rather than wires and brackets, Invisalign® uses a series of clear, removable aligners that have been custom-made for your teen’s teeth. Your teen simply wears them over their teeth and changes them out for a new set of aligners every two weeks. Little by little, your teen’s teeth gradually shift into place, achieving that confident smile.

2.  IS INVISALIGN AS EFFECTIVE AS TRADITIONAL BRACES?

Yes. When worn according to the recommendations of an experienced Invisalign-trained orthodontist, Invisalign Teen can be as effective as traditional braces for the most common teeth-straightening issues. Invisalign can effectively treat mild to severe cases, including underbite, overbite, overcrowding and gaps between teeth. The chances are very high your teen will be a great candidate for Invisalign.

3. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE PRACTICAL ADVANTAGES OF INVISALIGN TEEN OVER TRADITIONAL BRACES?

If you’ve had braces yourself, you already know the issues associated with metal wires and brackets. With Invisalign, the aligners are removable, so your teen can play sports without the worry of being hit in the mouth by a ball, which can cause real damage in braces. They can also continue playing musical instruments properly, without braces getting in the way. With braces, there is a long list of foods your teen shouldn’t eat, from popcorn to apples and raw carrots. With Invisalign, there are no such restrictions. The removable aligners make it easy to brush and floss normally to maintain proper oral hygiene.

4. ARE THERE ANY EMOTIONAL CONCERNS TO CONSIDER?

Research¹ shows that moms underestimate the extent to which teens feel self-conscious about crooked teeth, and using braces as a solution can often make

this lack of confidence even worse. But with Invisalign Teen, no one needs to know your teen is straightening their teeth, removing a potential source of real anxiety for them and giving them the confidence to be themselves in front of everyone.

5. WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR INVISALIGN TEEN?  

Invisalign can be used for teens who have erupting or erupted permanent dentition—this includes most teenagers. A trained Invisalign orthodontist or dentist should evaluate your teen’s specific dental issues to determine candidacy. If the orthodontist rejects your teen as a candidate, it is advisable to seek a second opinion, as each provider has a different level of experience treating with Invisalign.

6. HOW LONG DOES INVISALIGN TEEN TREATMENT TAKE?

The average treatment time is about the same as with traditional braces, but the actual length of your teen’s treatment depends on the severity of their condition and can only be determined by your orthodontic professional.

Our office is currently hosting an Invisalign Special Event. Mai-Ly Ramirez, DDS will be providing FREE consultations to answer your questions about Invisalign treatment, the clear way to straighten teeth. For patients who participate, you will receive:

• $500 off Treatment
• Complimentary Whitening with Treatment
• Financing options available

If you have wondered if Invisalign treatment is right for your teen, make an appointment for this special event and relax knowing that your treatment is being diagnosed and carried out by an Invisalign-trained dentist.  Space is limited to the first 25 patients.  Call (916) 780-3000 to schedule your complimentary consultation.  This special offer will end April 30th, so please don't delay!

Mai-Ly Ramirez, DDS & Your Fountains Dental Excellence Team

This information has been provided by Invisalign Teen

¹Source: Hall & Partners Quant Survey, April 2008

Having Properly Aligned Teeth Actually Provides Health Benefits

You may be surprised to know that the benefits of having properly aligned teeth extend far beyond a confident smile. According to the American Dental Association, straightening your teeth can actually significantly affect your overall dental health. Think about it — a smile can hardly be perfect if it's not a healthy one. Fortunately, with Invisalign®, having a confident smile and reducing your risk for tooth decay and gum disease go hand in hand.

This is why for the month of April Fountains Dental Excellence is hosting an Invisalign Special Event. Mai-Ly Ramirez, DDS will be providing FREE consultations to answer your questions about Invisalign treatment, the clear way to straighten teeth. For patients who participate, you will receive:

• $500 off Treatment
• Complimentary Whitening with Treatment
• Financing options available

Invisalign braces provide an undetectable way to get straight teeth without metal braces or wires. Invisalign is a series of clear, molded removable braces that gradually achieve straight teeth. 

Common dental issues corrected by Invisalign:    

• Overly crowded teeth        
• Widely spaced teeth
• Crossbite (bottom teeth are shifted forward or backward)
• Overbite (top teeth over-project)
• Underbite (bottom teeth project over top teeth)

How does Invisalign work?

Invisalign’s clear removable aligners straighten your teeth over time, as you repeatedly switch the “old” aligner for a new one.  They are essentially invisible.
Invisalign braces are removable when eating, brushing & flossing.  There is no metal that to irritate teeth or gums.

If Invisalign is right for you, we’ll take an impression of your teeth during your office visit. This impression is sent to Invisalign where, with advanced 3-D technology, they produce a series of clear removable aligners. (The number of aligners necessary for treatment is based upon your treatment plan.)

We will instruct you about your Invisalign aligners and make sure they fit properly.  You’ll wear each set of aligners continuously, except when you eat, drink, brush and floss, for approximately two weeks.  When you have worn the entire series of aligners your treatment is finished! During the treatment period, office visits will be scheduled to ensure your correction is progressing properly.

Throughout your treatment period we will schedule for check-up appointments approximately every six weeks to make sure that treatment is progressing as predicted. As treatment nears completion, we will design a retention plan to help you maintain your new smile.

Finally, after completing your treatment, you can enjoy the beautiful smile you've always wanted.

If you have wondered if Invisalign treatment is right for you, make an appointment for this special event and relax knowing that your treatment is being diagnosed and carried out by an Invisalign-trained dentist.  Space is limited to the first 25 patients.  Call (916) 780-3000 to schedule your complimentary consultation.  This special offer will end April 30th, so please don't delay!

Mai-Ly Ramirez, DDS & Your Fountains Dental Excellence Team

Spring Cleaning Tips for a Healthy Mouth

It's that time of year again, time for Spring cleaning. You've got your checklist: have the carpets cleaned, dust the ceiling fans, clean the patio furniture, take an inventory of your dental cleaning routine... Wait, what was that last one??

Yes, annual spring cleaning rituals should also include taking inventory of teeth cleaning routines, according to experts at the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD). The following are a few simple habits dentists, including myself, recommend that adults do each day to keep oral hygiene in top shape.

1. Use an Electric Toothbrush

At more than 30,000 strokes per minute compared to the average of 100 strokes per minute with a manual toothbrush, electric toothbrushes work harder by pushing fluid between teeth and around the gum line, which provides a more effective cleaning.

Dr. Kellee Kattleman Stanton, a Minnesota cosmetic dentist and Sustaining Member of the AACD says, “Regardless of whether or not you have cavities, using an electric toothbrush over time prevents gum inflammation, gingivitis and periodontal disease.”


2. Floss at Night

The CDC reports that nearly 65 million Americans—one out every two adults ages 30 and older—have gum disease. Therefore, flossing once a day is crucial to avoid plaque and tartar, a hard mineral deposit that can cause gums to become swollen and inflamed, leading to gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease.

“My recommendation is to floss at night,” says Ronald M. Goodlin, DDS, past president, AACD. “During sleep cycles, less saliva is produced to naturally clean teeth and gums, so oral bacteria are free to do more damage. Therefore, it’s important to brush, floss and scrape your tongue every night to get rid of bacteria and go to bed with your mouth as clean as possible.”

3. Select the Right Toothpaste

Dr. Jack Ringer, immediate past president of AACD who practices cosmetic dentistry in Anaheim, Calif., cautions his patients to be skeptical of any toothpaste that promises to "whiten" teeth. The reality is that removal of surface stains by a toothpaste will make the tooth "look" lighter but not change its inherent color. To lighten or "bleach" teeth, schedule a professional in-office whitening treatment or use over-the-counter name brand bleaching products that work on the internal aspect of the tooth, not just the external aspect as a toothpaste does.


4. Eat Foods Good for Healthy Teeth 

Research studies show that certain foods naturally cleanse your teeth while you eat them. The AACD developed nine nutritious recipes from breakfast to dinner using these key ingredients:  

• Fruits like strawberries and pineapple are high in fiber and vitamin C. The citric acid in pineapple also provides an all-natural bacteria-fighting mouthwash.

• Veggies like Kale and broccoli are high in minerals that strengthen tooth
structure and prevent 

enamel erosion (or yellowing).

• Onions and wasabi, a type of Japanese horse radish, both contain compounds that reduce oral bacteria.

• Quinoa has minerals including Calcium, Magnesium and Phosphorus to strengthen teeth.

Your Fountains Dental Excellence Team would like to wish you all a wonderful and mouth healthy Spring.  Enjoy the season and all that is has to offer.

Mai-Ly Ramirez, DDS & Your Fountains Dental Excellence Team