Each year, your dental insurance benefits “expire” and reset to the next calendar year. For most insurance plans, that’s December 31st/January 1st. For some carriers, the date is a different time in the year, but most are January to December.
Amalgam dental fillings have been used successfully for generations. However, options like composite (white) fillings are becoming more popular. Which one is better?
Considering our Encino dental implants? Concerned about the cost? If you’re in the early stages of considering dental implant therapy, here are some important things to know.
Planning to have a tooth taken out? Did you lose a tooth due to an injury? Here are some of the consequences of tooth loss and what can happen if you don’t replace it quickly enough.
Dental implants are an amazing way to replace missing teeth. Their strength, predictability, and non-invasive design makes them one of the best options for restoring your smile!
A broken, cracked, or decaying tooth can impact your diet and self-confidence. But with so many types of restorative options — especially dental fillings and crowns — how can you know which treatment is best for your needs?
Here are five other signs of cavities that our Encino dentist warns you should be on the lookout for.
If you’re considering Invisalign braces, here are four added benefits of investing in your smile.
Did you know that people with healthy teeth and gums need to schedule their checkups at least twice per year?
The oral-systemic connection is a strong link between your oral health and the overall wellness of your body. Studies continually show us that active infections like periodontal (gum) disease increase your risk of more severe medical issues.
A brighter smile may be all your teeth need to look their best. Safely whitening the color of your teeth can help them look healthier and younger. That way you can feel confident smiling in photos, meeting new people, or looking your best at that next job
Do you have missing teeth? Dental implants are one of the most effective ways to restore your smile back to the highest level of health and function.
Does your tooth hurt? You might be tempted to just shrug it off and pop some pain relievers to see if it goes away. What you need to do is have the source of the infection treated before it gets worse.
Oral cancer is a serious — and very deadly — disease. The worst part about it is that most people never realize there’s something wrong until the cancer has reached an aggressive stage.
“Diastema”. That’s the word we use to describe a gap between the two front teeth. Diastemas come in all sizes. If you’re considering “fixing” a gap between your two front teeth, there are three different treatment methods to consider.
There’s research that suggests people with active periodontal disease are at a higher risk of requiring respirators if they’re hospitalized with COVID-19. Since gum disease is already associated with respiratory illnesses and pneumonia.
When you’re in pain from a broken or infected tooth, you usually need to see a dentist immediately. Dental emergencies don’t wait. That’s why Encino Dental Studio provides emergency treatment as well as evening and Saturday hours to accommodate this.
Obstructive sleep apnea is a common type of sleeping disorder. Unfortunately, many people overlook the warning signs. Left untreated, sleep apnea can increase your risk of a heart attack or other cardiovascular problem.
Because of their location in the back of the jaw, wisdom teeth have a higher likelihood of secondary problems. And when that happens, they can also jeopardize the health of the teeth next to them.
If you’re thinking about enhancing your smile or getting a second opinion, you’ll be thrilled to know that Encino Dental Studio offers complementary consultations for certain types of services.
40% OF KIDS WILL develop at least one cavity by the time they reach sixth grade, which means that childhood caries is the most common disease among children. Fortunately, it’s also a highly preventable disease.
PEOPLE USED TO THINK that gum recession was an inevitability of getting older, but that’s not necessarily true. Gum recession can start as early as childhood. In many cases, it can also be prevented
A LITTLE BIT OF PREP work makes a huge difference when an emergency happens, including a dental emergency such as an oral injury. What exactly can we do to prepare for something like an unexpected injury? It depends on the specific situation.
Enamel is strong but is still fairly brittle and very vulnerable to acid erosion, and there are plenty of daily habits we might have that can put it at risk.
WE ALL KNOW that medications can have side effects. We bring it up because those side effects often include oral health problems.
42% OF CHILDREN will have at least one cavity by age eleven. The main reasons are too many sugary snacks and drinks and poor oral hygiene. There’s something that can protect our kids’ teeth from cavities, and that’s dental sealants.
There’s a long and fascinating history that got false teeth to where they are today. False teeth have been a solution for tooth loss since at least 2500 B.C. The oldest examples we know of were discovered in Mexico and made of wolf teeth.
The harmful bacteria in our mouths love to eat sugar, then excrete acid onto our teeth as a waste product. That leads to enamel erosion, tooth decay, and gum disease. This is why we encourage our patients to cut back on sugar intake.
HALLOWEEN IS A TON OF fun every year but we’re a little wary of all that candy. Sugar isn’t just tasty to us; the harmful bacteria in our mouths love it. Here’s a handy breakdown of how different types of treats and candies rank in terms of promoting good
AN IMPORTANT PART of keeping your teeth and gums healthy is your toothbrush. That might seem so obvious that it’s not worth saying, but you’d be surprised how many basic mistakes people make when it comes to their toothbrushes.
We recommend not waiting until an urgent dental health emergency pops up before finding a dentist that fits your needs. Here are five important factors to keep in mind when searching for the best dentist for you.
Sucking on things is a natural reflex for babies. It feels soothing and comforting to them, which makes using a pacifier or sucking on their thumb a good way to keep them feeling safe and happy until they're not.
FEW THINGS ARE WORSE at a first date or a job interview than the sudden awareness that bad breath might have ruined your first impressions. How can we stop bad breath from ruining those big moments? What causes bad breath anyway?
IF YOU’RE AN AVID swimmer, maybe you’ve noticed that your teeth feel a little more sensitive after you get out of the pool. It’ll take more than one swim to do it, but this is a real thing called “swimmer’s calculus.”
WE ALL WANT white, straight, beautiful teeth so that we can dazzle everyone with our smiles. Unfortunately, sometimes stains can get in the way of this goal, and they come in several different types.
ONE OF THE MAIN things people overlook about a daily oral hygiene routine is cleaning their tongues. The rough surface of the tongue makes it the perfect place for all kinds of bacteria to hide and build up.
Not everyone gets all four wisdom teeth. Plenty of people don’t get any at all! In rare cases, a person could end up with extra teeth beyond the 32, or they could have fewer than 28!
WE ALL KNOW how important daily brushing and flossing are to a growing child’s smile. But what about the vitamins and minerals that help build those healthy smiles in the first place? Let’s take a look at some of those.
Tooth decay, accidents, and injuries that once would have left someone with a gap in their smile that they could never fill can now be treated so that everything works. For one, dental implants are effective ways to fill in the gaps.
HUMAN TEETH ARE awesome. We wouldn’t have dedicated our professional lives to working with them if we didn’t think so. Unfortunately, a lot of people try to put their teeth to other uses they weren’t designed for, which can lead to serious problems.
We feel that the more our patients know about the structure and anatomy of teeth, the better they will understand how to take good care of them and how important that is.
When you’re searching for the best dentist in Encino, the list may seem overwhelming. Here are some easy and effective ways to narrow down your choices.
IS THERE ANYTHING better than the smile of a happy child? To a parent, not much comes close. An important part of keeping those smiles healthy and bright is regular visits to the dentist.
WHEN LIFE GETS stressful or frustrating, a pretty common physical response is teeth-grinding. Unfortunately, it can do a lot of damage if it becomes a habit, and it can even happen while we’re asleep. Chronic teeth grinding is called bruxism.
For a lot of people, rushing off to their Encino dentist’s office isn’t their favorite thing to do. Especially if they’ve been told they need dental work. And if their tooth doesn’t hurt, why bother rushing to get the dental treatment scheduled?
Compared to a lot of medical issues, your dental health isn’t based on how your teeth actually feel. In reality, small issues can be completely asymptomatic (pain free) but turn into even bigger problems the longer you wait to address them.
By scheduling regular checkups and exams every six months, you’ll keep your teeth and gums on track for success. But skip a few visits or avoid treating that new cavity, and you’re back to playing catch up when it comes to your overall dental costs.
WHAT WE EAT and drink obviously plays a big role in our overall health, but in a way, it affects our oral health twice. Food and drink affect teeth and gums directly while we’re consuming them, and then again indirectly after they’ve been digested.
MOST OF US learn a little about the pH scale in our science classes as teenagers, but what does that have to do with oral health? A lot, actually, which is why we’re going to take this opportunity to give our patients a quick refresher on the basics of pH.
THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY estimates that over 53,000 people will get oral cavity or oropharyngeal cancer in 2020.
MENTAL WELL-BEING or lack thereof can often have an impact on physical health. Among those impacts are the ways that oral health can be affected by stress, and we want to make sure our patients are aware of the connection so they have can fight back.
JUST ABOUT ANYONE who’s been to the dentist has had dental X-rays taken, but how much do you know about the role they play in dental care? Let’s take a quick look at the different types of dental X-rays and what we use them for.
HOW MUCH DO you know about your mouth? Prepare to know a lot more, because we’re about to share a bunch of strange and fascinating mouth trivia. Let’s get started
WHEN WE THINK of being healthy, how much are we thinking about oral health? Just because we go to our dentists for oral health concerns and physicians for overall health concerns, it doesn’t mean there’s no connection between the two.
Some of the most obvious signs of a dental abscess are tooth pain, combined with temperature and pressure sensitivity. However, some symptoms aren’t as easy to pinpoint and can make you think something else is going on.
Using traditional flossing string to clean between your teeth is a very simple, yet highly effective method that works. A water flosser from our Encino, California dentist, is an oral irrigation system that flushes debris out from between your teeth.
Are you unhappy with the appearance of your smile? Have you been considering cosmetic dentistry in Encino, California? If so, it’s likely that you know about the significant difference that porcelain veneers can make.
Right now is a great time to safely see the dentist. Plus, your dental insurance covers most preventative care services at 100%. By taking advantage of your included benefits, you can schedule your exam and cleaning to intercept common dental issues early.
Obstructive sleep apnea or OSA is a condition in which excess tissue in the back of your throat blocks your airway during sleep, causing you to stop breathing. This condition has many side-effects.
AS PEDIATRIC DENTAL care experts, our top priority is good dental health in our young patients. Today, we want to focus on protecting kids’ teeth from something called “bottle rot.”
Did you know that summer is one of the most common times of the year to see dental emergencies in Encino? Not only is it because kids are officially out of school, but people of all ages are more likely to get involved in outdoor activities and sports.
Canker sores might not be very dangerous, but they can make it pretty hard to have a good day. Luckily, there’s a lot we can do to avoid getting them and help them heal faster when we do.
WHAT WE DRINK can have a big impact on our oral health, sometimes in ways that seem counterintuitive. We want to take a look at some of the best and worst drinks for our teeth.
A smile makeover can give you the confidence of looking and feeling your best. When you’re proud of the way your teeth look in the mirror, you’ll be more apt to smiling in groups, laughing around friends, or putting your best face forward in the workplace.
ASIDE FROM THE OBVIOUS, there are all kinds of changes the body goes through during pregnancy. Some of them can even impact teeth and gums, from morning sickness to changing hormone levels that increase the risk of several oral health problems.
Just as a car engine can’t function for long without oil, our mouths need saliva for chewing, swallowing, and even tasting our food, as well as speaking clearly and defending against a variety of oral health problems.
HAVING HEALTHY SMILES isn’t just about brushing twice a day. It’s also about flossing, and the best time to build a lifelong daily flossing habit is in childhood.
One of the ways men and women are different is their oral health, which is why we’re giving guys some tips for how to keep those handsome smiles clean and healthy.
Your toothache can have several different causes. When you come to our Encino, California dentist to determine the reason for your toothache.
If you snore, you’re not the only one to do so in Encino, California. In fact, about half of Americans snore. Luckily, there are several treatments that can help you quit snoring and get a quieter night’s rest.
While many of us dream about having that bright, white Hollywood smile, most of us can’t afford it. Luckily, there’s an alternative cosmetic treatment available from our Encino, California dentist that can give you similar results at one-third of the cost.
Everyone in Encino, California is guilty of grinding their teeth from time to time. However, when doing so becomes a habit, a lot of side effects occur.
OUR BODIES NEED a wide array of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients in order to function effectively, all the way to the cellular level. Eating disorder is not just harmful to overall health; it can also damage teeth and gums.
BEING “TONGUE-TIED” is a common expression in the English language, but it’s also a real medical condition. Being lip-tied is another, and both are caused by thin pieces of tissue called frenula.
IN JUST THE UNITED STATES, sleep apnea affects over 18 million adults and up to 20 percent of children who habitually snore. Sleep apnea is a disorder involving brief, repeated interruptions to normal breathing during sleep.
Due to COVID-19 closures, most people are hesitant to so much as step foot inside of a medical office, hospital, or urgent care center. So, what happens if you’re in excruciating pain because of a dental emergency? You call our Encino dentist office!
Cracked teeth are something that we commonly see in our Encino, California dental practice. When deciding which treatment option is best for your tooth, the size of the crack and its location is very important.
Getting professional teeth whitening in the comfort of your own home is easy and only takes the following simple steps.
Sedation dentistry has been safely used in Encino, California for many years and provided a countless number of people the ability to undergo dental treatments that may have otherwise not been possible for them to get through.
A dental emergency can come about at any time, usually, the worst time, like when you’re right in the middle of an important meeting in Encino or on your wedding day.
IF YOU CAN’T REALLY enjoy ice cream because every bite sends a nasty jolt through your teeth, then you know what it’s like to deal with tooth sensitivity.
These are some of the questions we hear most often, and we’re sure that more people haven’t spoken up but don’t know the answers either.
WHEN YOU THINK of the differences between men and women, oral health concerns probably don’t appear high on the list. Women have a few advantages that men don’t while struggling with being more at risk for certain issues.
If you’ve been wanting to enhance the way your teeth look, you might be wondering if Encino cosmetic dentistry will fit your budget. At Encino Dental Studio, we’re here to tell you that there’s a smile makeover option for every budget!
As a busy parent or caregiver, you know that there’s a lot you have to do to help your child stay healthy. Here are some important steps that Encino families should be following to help their children enjoy healthy teeth.
Today’s dental implants are one of the best ways to replace your missing teeth. Here’s why we recommend them for people who qualify for the procedure.
BLEEDING GUMS ARE the most common symptom of gum disease, but that’s not the only thing that can cause this problem. Let’s take a closer look at bleeding gums, the various causes, and what we can do about it.
IF YOU LOOK AT ANY tube of toothpaste with the American Dental Association’s Seal of Acceptance, you’ll see fluoride listed as the active ingredient. But what is fluoride and how does it work?
BEING A PARENT can be incredibly hectic. It can be hard to keep track of all the things growing kids need, which is why we’re giving our patients a list of five simple tips for staying on top of their children’s dental health — and their own!
FROM CLOTHING TO HAIRSTYLE to cosmetics to accessories, our personal style is how we portray who we are, and this can include piercings. Oral piercings, specifically, pose several risks to healthy teeth and gums.
For some people, the very thought of visiting the dentist fills them with anxiety, and it could even be a full-blown phobia. That’s why we’d like to put our focus on helping our patients overcome their dental anxieties and fears.
With flu and cold season starting up, we thought this was a good time to share some tips for maintaining good oral health through one of these common illnesses.
TOOTHACHES CAN HAPPEN for a number of reasons. It’s important to know what to do about them, because they don’t always happen when the dentist’s office is open. Do you have a plan for how to deal with an after-hours toothache?
Why are dental health professionals like us wary of sugar? Simple. The harmful bacteria on our teeth and gums like to eat sugar as much as we do.
You’ll often hear the terms “crown” and “veneer” used together, or even interchangeably in the same conversation because they are very similar to each other in the way they’re designed and placed. But the two are actually quite different.
If you have a dry socket, then you know by now how painful it feels. Luckily, there are a few things that our Encino dentist can do to give you some quick relief.
A dental abscess occurs when a tooth’s nerve is infected. The condition can start out mild and progress into a potentially life-threatening problem.
Are you like some of the other dentures wearers in Encino, California and have noticed that over time your appliance has gotten looser than it used to be? Here are some things that you can do to help improve the fit of your denture.
Getting an implant requires a lot of patience on your part. Here is an outline of what you can expect throughout the implant process.
Caring for your teeth and your aligners is crucial to ensuring the success of your treatment. Here are some oral hygiene tips that you should follow as long as you have Invisalign braces.
