Steps for a Healthy, Pleasant and Flawless Smile

   

Glendora Dentist

Smiling is one of the nicest gestures you can do when meeting people.  Your smile is one of the first few things people notice about you.   Your smile sometimes tells people some things about you:  self-confidence, self-esteem, oral hygiene and possibly somethings about your general health.   Dr. Anna Lee, the Glendora cosmetic dentist wants to help you to achieve a healthy, pleasant and flawless smile.

There are some simple tips to achieving a healthy, pleasant and flawless smile:

1.     

Dental Hygiene:  Brushing and flossing are important oral health habits.  Dr. Anna Lee, the Glendora cosmetic dentist recommends brushing twice a day and flossing daily.

·       brushing should be a minimum of 2 minutes.  Brushing removes plaque, surface stain and food scraps.

·       flossing prevents the plaque buildup in hard to reach areas.  Plaque that is missed by brushing and flossing can calcify into calculus (tartar) and may lead to tooth decay and gum disease. 

2.     Eat a well-balanced diet: watch what you eat and drink.  Heart disease and diabetes are linked to gum disease.  In heart disease, one theory is that periodontal disease can cause bacteria to enter the bloodstream where they attach to the fatty deposits in the heart blood vessels.  This condition can cause blood clots and may lead to heart attacks or other heart problems.

·       dairy foods: milk, cheese and yogurt are great foods to eat.  They are low in sugar and high in protein and calcium, which help build and strengthen teeth.  Cheese boosts saliva production and lowers the risk of tooth decay.

·       fruits & vegetables: citrus fruits help to bolster the health of the gums.  Apples and carrots are natural cleansing agents that also stimulate saliva production.

·       protein-rich foods:  turkey, fish and eggs are phosphorous and protein rich.  They help to strengthen the teeth and protect, rebuild and strengthen tooth enamel.

·       drink water: water helps to rinse the mouth and balance out the pH after eating.  Drink at least 64 ounces of water (8 eight-ounce glasses) of water daily.

·       stay away from sticky and sugary foods that get trapped in the crevices of the teeth.  The bacteria feed on the sugar and break it down into acids and cause tooth decay.

3

            Avoid/minimize eating foods and drinking beverages that STAIN your teeth:

·       drinks: coffee, red wine, tea, dark juices/sodas

·       foods: berries (blueberries), pasta/tomato sauce, curry, beets

Dr. Anna Lee, the Glendora cosmetic dentist recommends that eating foods and drinking beverages that stain your teeth can be consumed in moderation.  Also, rinsing and brushing your teeth after consumption helps to remove some of the stains.

4

      Visit your dentist regularly: The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends regular dental checkups and dental cleanings at least twice per year. 

·       Dr. Anna Lee, the Glendora cosmetic dentist performs comprehensive examination to screen for early signs of periodontal diseases and oral cancer.

·       Dr. Lee assesses your overall oral health and checks for any tooth decay during checkups. 

·       dental cleanings involve with the removal of calculus (tartar) and plaque buildups. Evaluation of gum tissues, brushing & flossing instructions and application of fluoride treatment if needed.

A healthy, pleasant and flawless smile is contagious.  When you smile, people respond with a smile back. It is a good and wonderful feeling when you can smile with confidence.                                                  

Visit your Glendora cosmetic dentist and find out how you can improve and get the SMILE that you want. Contact Dr. Anna Lee, the Glendora cosmetic dentist for a consultation at 626-335-5114 or email: drannalee1@gmail.com

Healthy Eating & Oral Care for Babies/Toddlers

Your baby's teeth are precious and require special attention. It is important to take care of their teeth in order to protect them from problems, such as decay. Dr. Anna Lee recommends following these four steps in order to keep your child’s smile healthy.  Early healthy habits can allow your child to have healthy habits for a lifetime. 

•       Do not allow babies/toddlers go to sleep with a bottle of milk, soft drink or fruit juice.  Give them a dummy or a bottle of water.

•       Gently wipe down the baby’s gums or teeth with a clean, moistened cloth after each feeding and before putting them to bed.

•       Do not give the babies/toddlers frequent snacks.

•       Clean the baby’s teeth and gums morning and night.

For more information contact Dr. Anna Lee & her team.

Toothbrushes

Daily tooth brushing is important for good oral hygiene. Tooth brushing removes food and plaque after eating and drinking and keeps the teeth and gums healthy. Dr. Anna Lee says, "there are two types of toothbrushes:  manual and powered."  The ADA recommends toothbrushes that display the ADA Seal of Acceptance.

 

Manual Toothbrushes

It is important to select a toothbrush head size that easily fits in the mouth and allows easy access to all surfaces of the teeth.  If the toothbrush head is too big or too small, it will not be able to clean the teeth well. Toothbrushes have different types of nylon bristles: soft, medium and hard. Many patients express that the hard bristles do a better job cleaning the teeth.  That is not true.  A soft bristled toothbrush is the most comfortable and safest choice for the teeth and gums. Many people brush vigorously with a hard bristled toothbrush and it can damage the gums, root surface, and tooth enamel.

The recommendation is to replace a manual toothbrush every 3 months.

X-Ray Radiation

We are exposed to radiation everyday from various sources, such as airplane travel, walking in the sun, minerals in the soil and appliances in our homes. According to the American Dental Association's calculation of radiation exposure, patients are not getting too much radiation from check up x-rays once a year and a set of full mouth X-ray every three to five years.

Dr. Anna Lee

Over-The-Counter Tooth Whitening Products

Some Over-The-Counter whitening products, whitening strips and toothpastes contain polishing or chemical agents to improve tooth appearance by removing surface stains.

The American Dental Association cautions patients to use accepted whitening products under professional supervision for safety and better results.


Anna Lee, DDS