For many people, a general dentist is someone who fixes cavities. Everyone from a young age has had them and learned they can be quite painful if brushing and flossing has been inadequate. Cavities remain the second-most-common disease, next only to the more common cold.

GENERAL DENTISTRY IS ALL-ENCOMPASSING

But “general dentistry” at Wilshire Smile Studio can mean a much wider range of services than most practices, since we have not only specialists, but general dentists with extensive experience in many fields, as well as advanced digital technology.

The most important role a dental practice should play is helping patients prevent every kind of oral illness, which would enable them to avoid both pain and bills to heal problems that develop. The American Dental Association strongly recommends having a  full dental exam twice a year, so that we can look for early signs of cavities and check the health of your gums to avoid periodontal disease (which will eventually result in teeth falling out). Your dentist will also check for growths that might be oral cancer and need to be biopsied.

EARLY TREATMENT IS IMPORTANT

If your dentist sees symptoms of advanced gum infection, such as loose teeth, a digital-X-ray or a CT Scan may be advised to get a better look at the health of the roots and the jawbone. Without doing this, a patient can suffer significant bone loss that would require a bone graft to be able to do a dental implant, the best way to replace missing teeth or those that need to be extracted.

Your dental hygienist plays a vital role in helping you keep your gums and teeth free of plaque (the sticky bacterial film that forms around food particles that have not been adequately cleaned off). If neglected, it can harden into tartar, which only a hygienist can remove with special tools and techniques, especially for reaching areas most difficult for an individual to clean at home. If you are uncertain about exactly how to brush and floss properly, ask her to show you (few of us learned this growing up and both are challenging). She may recommend that you add an electric toothbrush, a small bristle brush to clean tight areas, a Waterpik, or a dentist-grade oral rinse.

General dentistry can also include many other issues, such as:

• Addressing gum recession due to infection.
• Invisalign oral trays to straighten teeth without traditional braces.
• Dental bonding for cavities that are larger than fillings can cover and other cosmetic purposes. 
• Repair of the surfaces of teeth damaged by grinding during sleep.
• Whitening that enables removing up to eight layers of shading in one hour.
• Dental veneers that can cover chipped teeth, misshapen ones, and those that are severely discolored.
• TMJD (temporomandibular joint disorder) which can making it difficult to open and close the mouth.
• Sleep apnea, a disorder of unconscious blocking of the airway, for which your dentist can customize an oral appliance to keep it open.

Whatever you believe your dental needs are, if you have not had a full exam in the past six months, call today to set an appointment and start on your journey of better oral health.

About 14% of women and 7% of men hesitate to fully smile or laugh heartily because they know that when they do, they will show an unusual amount of gum compared with the average person. This is known as having a “gummy smile,” not one that is considered beautiful by most people, and self-confidence depends a lot on having a smile you can be proud of.

THERE ARE MANY REASONS FOR GUMMY SMILES

This can occur for a number of reasons including having short or inactive upper lip muscles, which lift the lips higher than normal, or an unusually large upper jawbone that pushes lips down, more than average gum growth, or permanent teeth that did not emerge fully. 

The ideal position for the upper lip when you smile is generally considered to just rest level where your gums meet your two front teeth. There are several ways that Wilshire Smile Studio can help, sometimes by combining multiple procedures.

CROWN LENGTHENING CAN HELP

One way to create a smile that is less gummy is to surgically remove some of the gums, known as crown lengthening, especially when the teeth are especially short. A gummy smile can also be reduced by suturing the lip to the gums, limiting movement. Either of these procedures is usually minor and done with local anesthesia by either our periodontist or oral surgeon.

A WHITENING CAN BE VALUABLE AS WELL

In many cases, your new smile may just need to be whitened with one of several options. Others may require porcelain veneers to be affixed to the front of teeth to cover severely discolored ones, hide chips or cracks, improve shape, or cover gaps. Invisalign orthodontic trays are helpful to straighten crooked teeth.

 To find out your best options for achieving your perfect smile, call Wilshire Smile Studio  today to set an appointment for a full dental examination.

The emergency dental team at Wilshire Smile Studio offers services and advice in the event of an injury to your mouth. Be sure to know these tips before there is a need for urgent care, in order to avoid unnecessary panic or doing the wrong thing in response.

IN CASE A TOOTH IS KNOCKED OR FALLS OUT

Hold the tooth by the top, not the roots, wash it and the affected area in lukewarm water, and put it back in the socket and keep it there, if possible. If you are unable to do this, hold the tooth between your cheek and gums until treated, or put it in milk or in a tooth preservation product in your first aid kit (which has the American Dental Association Seal of Acceptance). Then call Wilshire Smile Studio if it is during office hours (Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m.-6 p.m.) to set up an emergency appointment. Outside of those hours, go to an urgent care or emergency room for immediate care and call our office when it reopens to set up an exam. In the event a child loses a baby tooth, just wash out his or her mouth with warm saltwater and schedule a non-emergency appointment.

IF A TOOTH IS CRACKED OR CHIPPED

A fractured tooth may cause pain, but doesn’t generally require emergency treatment and an over-the-counter pain medication should be adequate. Put a cold compress on that area of the face to keep down swelling. If you can find any pieces that have broken off, bring them to the exam to help determine the best repair program.

IF THERE IS CONTINUED BLEEDING AFTER A TOOTH EXTRACTION

If you had a decayed tooth removed, the instructions for home care should stop bleeding, reduce swelling, and minimize pain. This includes biting firmly on gauze pads, applying an ice bag, not rinsing or spitting forcefully and relaxing for 24 hours, as well as limiting activating for another day or two. If, however, bleeding continues, you have fever or chills, nausea, excessive discharge from the affected area, a cough, or chest pain, call for an emergency appointment during office hours or have an ER doctor examine you before then.

IF YOU HAVE A TOOTHACHE OR PAINFUL GUMS

Rinse the mouth with warm water and use floss to clean out any particles of food that might be stuck between the teeth. Do not put aspirin on a tooth or area of the gums where you think the pain is, but do take aspirin or ibuprofen while waiting for your appointment. If that is not sufficient, call the office to have one of our doctors order a prescription medication and perhaps an antibiotic, and set up an appointment (outside of normal practice hours, you can call our doctors’ exchange and leave a message, including your phone number and the number of the pharmacy where you will pick up the prescription).

IF A TOOTH IS PUSHED OUT OF ALIGNMENT

If an accident causes a tooth to be pushed even slightly out of its normal position, but isn’t out of the socket, do not try to realign it yourself. Take over-the-counter pain medication and call for an emergency appointment.

IF A DENTAL CROWN OR BRIDGE POPS OUT

This is not a serious emergency, so just put a little petroleum jelly (like Vaseline) or a denture adhesive gel inside the crown and put it back over the tooth, then gently bite down on it. Likewise, you can temporarily reattach a bridge. But be careful how you chew until you come in for an examination. 

IF A FILLING FALLS OUT

Keep the area clean with saltwater and schedule a non-emergency appointment. Only save a filling if it is gold or ceramic. 

PREVENTING DENTAL EMERGENCIES

• Floss twice daily and brush for two minutes each time. Come in twice a year to have one of our dentists give you a thorough exam. Cavities and gum disease in their initial stages may not cause any pain and being treated early will prevent them from developing into painful and costly emergencies.
• Avoid chewing ice, popcorn kernels, and hard candy, which can crack teeth.
• Do not use your teeth to cut anything.
• Wear a mouthguard when participating in sports or activities that could result in injury to the mouth, such as gymnastics and skateboarding (your dentist can make a customized one).

Call Wilshire Smile Studio for a free consultation on your dental health: 323-DENTIST (336-8478).

Teeth whitening has become the number one dental cosmetic therapy. Beautiful teeth that appear naturally white can make a great first impression at a job interview, put clients in a good mood, make you look younger, be as important as a new dress at a wedding, or help make new friends.

Professional whitening is essential to combat the many influences that cause discoloration. Your teeth may appear more yellow or gray than you had previously or in comparison to other people for many reasons:

• Genetics.
• Smoking tobacco or cannabis.
• A side-effect of some prescription drugs.
• Staining by blueberries, wine, tea, coffee, cola, and other foods and beverages.

Are you frustrated by over-the-counter whitening strips, brush-on gels, and toothpastes that don’t seem to make much difference despite promises, even after months? No need to despair.

ZOOM WHITENING SYSTEM

Wilshire Smile Studio has experts in the most advanced, fast, and affordable Zoom Teeth Whitening System. We use a professional-grade, hydrogen peroxide whitening gel that is activated by a special high-intensity light that helps it penetrate dentin and enamel to lighten the teeth. The process is repeated for an hour as you relax in the dental chair watching TV or listening to music until up to eight layers of discoloration are removed to provide a natural look. If you want a celebrity-level, even more gleaming smile, further time can take off up to 15 shades.

TREATING AND PREVENTING STAINS

Touch-ups are recommended once or twice a year, since staining will continue, depending on your lifestyle. We can also provide take-home prescription-strength whitening gel that is placed into a customized and comfortable mouth guard for 1-3 hours a day for 3-14 days (even while you sleep) until you achieve that sparkling smile.

Candidates for professional whitening need to be examined by one of our dentists, especially if you have sensitive teeth, decay, weak jawbone support for teeth, infected gums, or a bridge, crown, or other dental work that would need to be considered in a whitening plan. 

Call Wilshire Smile Studio to set up a consultation on the options for teeth whitening for your lifestyle and career: 323-DENTIST (336-8478).

Everyone knows they should be brushing twice a day for two minutes and flossing at night.

We have also been told to eat a balanced diet for our overall health: plenty of vegetables and fruits, some seeds and whole grains, adequate protein, and lean fats. Oh, and minimize white sugar and high fructose corn syrup.

DENTAL HABITS AND DIET ARE AN IMPORTANT COMBO

But then we are tempted: to cut the brushing to one minute and skip the flossing until the next morning, thinking that as long as we brush more or less regularly, how bad could one piece of candy really be?

Because there are endless excuses at the moment to justify eating something sweet and because sugar is a preservative found even in canned vegetables, the average American ends up eating nearly 100 pounds a year. 

TYPE 2 DIABETES AFFECTS MANY AMERICANS

It’s no wonder that while diabetes type 1 is genetic, the most common form is type 2, which afflicts 29 million Americans, while another 84 million have pre-diabetes, according to WebMD: https://www.webmd.com/diabetes/type-2-diabetes. The increased consumption of sugar has powered a plague of child obesity and being obese at any age is a major risk factor for type 2.

Other risk factors for having type 2 include high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, getting little exercise, smoking, and stress. 

The good news is that it is not that hard to improve your diet, oral health, dental hygiene, and lifestyle to achieve and maintain much better health.

ALTERNATIVES TO SUGAR

Today, there are many alternatives to sugar to satisfy your sweet tooth without the dangers these bring. Dentists are particularly enthusiastic about Xylitol, which actually fights oral bacteria that feast on sugar and other “simple” carbohydrates. You can find it in sugarless gum and by the bag or packet for other uses. Stevia, monk fruit, agave, allulose, and erythritol (extracted from lichens and algae) are also widely available, so read your labels and enjoy your healthier snacks.

It is important to know that simple carbs refers to not only sugar, but refined foods like white pasta, bread, and pizza crust that have had the fiber and other benefits removed (fiber stimulates saliva production, which cleanses the teeth and gums of oral bacteria that would otherwise stick to the teeth and gums, causing cavities and gum disease). From the body’s standpoint, if you drink a sugary beverage, eat a cookie, or a sandwich made of white bread it all is quickly turned into a rush of sugar that gives you a high for an hour or two, but then you crash and need another hit. 

Complex carbs are whole grains, seeds, nuts, beans, and legumes (peas) that take a long time to digest, giving the body energy over many hours so you don’t crash or feel hungry. They also don’t break down quickly or stick to teeth like simple carbs. Having good oral health lowers for risk for many diseases.

If you have not had a full dental exam in the past six months, call us today to set one up to understand your oral health status and have your teeth professionally cleaned as part of your path to improved overall health.

Porcelain Crowns Have Many Advantages Over Other Materials
 

• They are the most easy to match to your exact natural teeth so no one can tell the difference.
• Less material needs to be drilled to place the crown.
• The fit is better, sealing the underlying tooth and gum so that food is less likely to become trapped, allowing bacteria to grow and cause periodontal disease and loss of the tooth.
• Being metal-free, they don’t cause a negative reaction by those with allergies.
• They are resistant to chipping and less likely to cause wear and tear on the adjacent teeth.
• They can last over 10 years.

E-MAX PORCELAIN DENTAL CROWNS

Our Los Angeles dentist  and his team prefer using E-Max porcelain dental crowns. First, they take a mold of the tooth that will receive the final crown to make a temporary one. After administering local sedation, our expert will then remove any decay or reshape the tooth, if necessary.

LAB-DESIGNED PERSONALIZED CROWNS

A second impression will be taken of the area where the crown will be placed, to be sent to a dental lab specialist with detailed instructions to craft a personalized crown (this results in a far superior crown than can be made by a dental practice on their own equipment, though many try to do this to eliminate the need for a second visit).

During the next appointment, the Wilshire Smile experts will remove the temporary and place the permanent crown. We will take a digital x-ray to make sure the fit is perfect and then cement it. 

Your case is unique, so call the friendly experts at Wilshire Smile Studio now for a free consultation (323) 937-5773. 

Many Americans mistakenly believe that protective mouthguards are just for professional players and mainly for so-called “contact sports.” The National Federation of State High School Associations only mandates them for football, ice and field hockey, and lacrosse. Despite  the National Football League requirement that its players wear mouthguards, only 25% of those playing football in high school do.

MANY DENTAL INJURIES OCCUR EACH YEAR

As the American Dental Association notes, there are 15 million dental injuries from sports each year, including five million teeth that are lost. According to the National Youth Sports Federation, there is a 45% lifetime risk of amateur athletes suffering a facial or dental injury. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that all young people participating in any organized sports wear a mouthguard.

MOUTHGUARDS ARE USED AMONG THE MOST PROMINENT ATHLETES

Basketball actually has the highest rate of facial injury, but Steph Curry of the National Basketball Association’s Golden State Warriors has helped popularize mouthguards because he always protects himself. His influence on both professional athletes and amateurs is enormous as one of the sport’s greatest players of all time, with four championships, a regular season NBA Most Valuable Player twice, an eight-time All-Star selection, and Finals MVP Award.

MANY SPORTS INJURIES ARE TREATED

Wilshire Smile Studio treats many sports injuries each year, which can also come from biking, baseball, gymnastics, boxing, or skateboarding. Mouthguards can absorb the shock of a blow and protect the soft tissues of the mouth, preventing injuries such as fracture, head trauma, and jaw dislocation. Dental work is also less likely to be damaged.

But not all mouthguards are alike. Over-the-counter ones, even those which are supposedly customized by putting them in hot water, do not fit properly, are not comfortable, and can result in damage to teeth and dental work. Wilshire Smile Studio’s personalized sports mouthguards provide all the protection athletes of any age in any sport need. 

If you, a family member, or friend play any kind of sport, call 323-DENTIST to set an appointment for a full dental exam to find out if a customized mouthguard will provide the needed protection….before it is too late.

The initial stage of periodontal disease is known as gingivitis and it causes no pain, but you will notice that even when you use a soft brush your gums often bleed. So what to do?

HOW TO PREVENT GUM DISEASE

But no matter how skilled you are, it is important to have a professional cleaning done at least twice a year from your dental hygienist. She has the tools and techniques to clean off plaque much better than any patient can do for themselves, especially in the hard-to-reach areas. If the plaque has hardened into tartar, that is especially difficult even for her to remove. In cases where she feels an antibacterial solution is needed, she will irrigate it directly into the gums or place a pellet in the infected areas that will release it slowly.

HOW A PERIODONTIST CAN HELP

If you have bleeding gums, make an appointment right away with your dental hygienist for a cleaning and the initial assessment of your oral health.

Fortunately, there are many options to do so, including veneers. Not only can you get veneers while having enamel hypoplasia, it is one of our recommended treatments.

WHAT IS ENAMEL HYPOPLASIA?

Enamel hypoplasia occurs as a child is developing in the womb. From the start, not enough enamel is generated, so the child’s teeth are thin and prone to decay from birth. A number of factors can influence the development of this condition, including genetics. It is often inherited, and about 1 in 14,000 people in the United States are estimated to be affected by it. Other factors can include maternal vitamin D deficiencies, weight gain, smoking, and drug use.

The condition can be spotted by the presence of pits, grooves, and fissures on the teeth, as well as yellowish-brown stains where the layer of dentin is exposed. Teeth affected by enamel hypoplasia can also be sensitive to heat and cold, and bear increased risk of tooth decay and cavities.

TREATING ENAMEL HYPOPLASIA WITH VENEERS

Along with composite fillings and crowns, veneers cover up the underlying damage to the teeth, preventing further damage and presenting a sparkling, polished appearance. Veneers are among the most complete solutions for enamel hypoplasia, since they cover the entire front surface of the teeth. Either full or partial veneers can be installed, depending on the patient’s needs.

If you or your child is affected by enamel hypoplasia, consider veneers as a treatment option. They can be easily installed and make a world of difference to appearance and oral health.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF DENTAL VENEERS?

ARE THERE DIFFERENCES IN THE TYPES OF VENEERS?

HOW MANY VENEERS DO I NEED TO HAVE AND HOW MUCH DO THEY COST?