Maintaining Your New Dental Implants | Rancho Santa Margarita Dentist

You never thought it could happen, but accidents happen. And now you need dental implants. But what exactly does that entail? A dental implant is an artificial tooth root similar to a screw that is placed in your jaw to hold a replacement tooth or bridge. It will take a few procedures but once it’s done, it’ll be like you never had a missing tooth. 

But what now? You have a basic grasp of daily oral care, but implants can’t possibly be the same to maintain as normal teeth, right? Does this mean you will need to retrain yourself a new dental care routine in order to look after them? Not exactly, but you will definitely have some things to alter a bit. The following are just a few things to keep in mind as you are going forward with your brand-new teeth:

You will be able to eat normally, speak without issue and no one will notice, feel free to smile just as you did before losing the tooth. While implants are designed to withstand quite a bit, don’t go neglecting their care. You may not be able to get cavities like your originals, but you can get inflamed gums and infections, or periodontal disease, just like before. Dental implants are generally meant to last for decades to come, but they are still breakable. Handle them with care. Make sure you are careful when you are cleaning or caring for them. Your new restorations will require periodic checking by your dentist to ensure that everything is working properly, and the surrounding gums and bone are being maintained and remain healthy.

If you would like more information on dental implants, call Dr. Herd in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA at 949-858-5147 or visit www.gregherddds.com.

Dr. Greg J. Herd proudly serves Rancho Santa Margarita and all surrounding areas.

What You Need to Know About Pediatric Dental Care | Rancho Santa Margarita Dentist

Many parents believe that the best time to establish good dental hygiene habits is right when their child’s first tooth appears. In actuality, the best time to start taking care of your child’s teeth is the moment that your child is born. Because even without teeth, bacteria can build up on the mouth’s surfaces. To prevent this from happening, wipe your baby’s gums with a soft damp cloth after every feeding. Once your child’s teeth develop and break through the gums, it’s time to start brushing just like you would, but with a few tweaks. Use a soft children’s toothbrush and minimal to no non-fluoride toothpaste. As they reach preschool-age, feel free to start using fluoride toothpaste. You may also want to increase the amount of toothpaste to about the size of a pea. Little humans have a tendency to swallow the toothpaste, instead of spitting it out, leaving permanent stains on the teeth.

Cavities are the resulting holes formed by the acid from the bacteria or germs in your mouth when they’ve consumed too much sugar from your food. Keep sugar to small, regulated treats. But that’s not all; there are other circumstances, like being born with low birth weight or premature, ongoing treatment for any special health care needs, brown areas and white spots on the teeth and infrequent trips to the dentist can all lead to the development of cavities.

To stop this from happening, start teaching your family good dental hygiene habits. Everyone needs to be involved in order to get the habit to stick. Other family members can pass on cavity-causing bacteria to both children and babies, so every family member has to make an effort to take care of their teeth properly.

If you would like more information on pediatric dental care, call Dr. Herd in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA at 949-858-5147 or visit www.gregherddds.com.

Dr. Greg J. Herd proudly serves Rancho Santa Margarita and all surrounding areas.

Keeping Bad Breath out of Your Mouth | Rancho Santa Margarita Dentist

Nobody wants to hear, “You have bad breath.” Sure, we all know that eating stinky foods like garlic or onions, but there are also some medications or lifestyle habits that can also be causing your dragon breath. If you find that bad breath is commonplace, you may want to consult a dental professional.

Because saliva is a major player in keeping your mouth clean and halitosis at bay, it is important to keep your saliva production going at all times. It isn’t difficult; keeping a nice glass of water close is helpful. Many of our favorite beverages actually dehydrate our systems due to the sugars.

So, what do we do to maintain fresh breath throughout the day? Below are five easy ways to keep your breath fresh all day:

Stay hydrated. If you can’t brush your teeth after a meal, drinking a lot of water can help speed up the process of cleaning harmful bacteria and debris from between your teeth. Drinking milk can even help deodorize some offensive breath odors. Avoid sugary drinks!

Don’t drink too much coffee. It may be tasty, but coffee is a tough smell to get off the back of your tongue.

Avoid smoking or other tobacco products. Cigarettes, pipes, and snuff can foul your breath. Smoking gives people horrible breath!

Cut back on alcohol. Alcohol can lead to a dry mouth. Too much beer, wine, and hard liquor can make your breath reek for up to eight to 10 hours after you finish drinking.

Chew sugarless gum. Doing so 20 minutes after a meal can help with saliva flow. Gum that’s 100% xylitol-sweetened can help reduce cavities

If you would like more information on bad breath, call Dr. Herd in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA at 949-858-5147 or visit www.gregherddds.com.

Dr. Greg J. Herd proudly serves Rancho Santa Margarita and all surrounding areas.

Dental Implants Could Save Your Smile | Rancho Santa Margarita Dentist

As far as missing teeth go, you have three dental options to choose from, namely dental implants, bridges and dentures. Each one of the three has its own set of distinct advantages and disadvantages. However, of all three options, dental implants are considered as a much better option. But, why?

Dental implants are permanent fixtures of titanium posts. The posts are anchored to your jawbone and topped off with an all-new replacement tooth or a bridge that’s screwed or cemented into the posts themselves.

Of the three, dental implants are the ones that feel and function like natural teeth.

Dental implants are not always the best choice, which is where fixed bridges and removable dentures come in. However, the majority of the time, dental implants are a better solution because unlike removable dentures, implants do not slip, or make embarrassing clicking sounds when eating or speaking. Also, unlike bridges, there’s no partial cutting involved when it comes to having dental implants placed inside your mouth.

The most important factor, though, as to why dental implants are just better is because dental implants do not put the patient’s teeth at as much of a risk to recurrent decay and gum disease as dental bridges and dentures would.

As an added bonus, dental implants can last for as long as 25 years, ten years longer than fixed bridges and removable dentures.

Ideal candidates for dental implants are those with good general and oral health, as well as having enough bone in their jaw to help support the implant. Although, those who’ve lost bone in their jaws in the past do not have to worry as much as they can still have implants if they go through a bone-grafting procedure first.

If you would like more information on dental implants, call Dr. Herd in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA at 949-858-5147 or visit www.gregherddds.com.

Dr. Greg J. Herd proudly serves Rancho Santa Margarita and all surrounding areas.

What Is Teething Syndrome? | Rancho Santa Margarita Dentist

When we bring a child into the world, we do everything we can to make their lives as painless as possible. But there are some things we can’t control, like teething. And while we know it is a necessary part of life, there are a couple of things that we can do to ease the pain as much as possible. Let’s take a deeper dive into everything that is teething.

According to the American Dental Association, babies start teething when they are between 6 and 12 months old and have the full set by 3. Babies are born with a full set of teeth underneath their gums.

These teeth break through the gums in stages. Typically, the classic bottom teeth — often referred to as pegs — come in first, followed by the top middle teeth. From this point on, the remaining teeth will cut through the gums over a period of three years, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.

When it comes to symptoms, every baby is different. Here is a list of the basic signs that your tiny human may experience:

  • Drooling
  • Chewing on solid objects
  • Mild fussiness and crankiness
  • Irritability
  • Loss of appetite
  • Sore and tender gums
  • Red and swollen gums

While teething is a natural process, there are some tried and true methods to help relieve your baby’s discomfort. You can try rubbing your child’s gums with a damp washcloth, have them chew on a teething ring or frozen fruits and veggies when they are able to eat more solid foods, even give a bit of infant acetaminophen or teething gels.

Many parents believe that high fever and diarrhea are also symptoms of teething, but you should contact your pediatrician if they continue to experience discomfort.

If you would like more information on teething, call Dr. Herd in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA at 949-858-5147 or visit www.gregherddds.com.

Dr. Greg J. Herd proudly serves Rancho Santa Margarita and all surrounding areas.

Fixing Your Smile with Dental Veneers | Rancho Santa Margarita Dentist

One of the most common techniques your dentists can use to correct the appearance of teeth is veneers. Veneers are thin, custom-made shells that are placed on top of existing teeth, fixing discolorations, gaps, chips, and broken teeth. While veneers and bonding are cosmetic procedures used to treat similar problems, veneers may be a better alternative in cases where the patient wants to adjust the size or shape of the tooth. Many Hollywood celebrities have improved the look of their smiles with a new set of veneers. Not everyone has perfect teeth.

A normal procedure typically requires multiple visits – on the first visit, the dentist will inspect the tooth (or teeth) to make sure the patient is a good candidate and verify that veneers will properly fix the problem at hand, then remove a thin layer of tooth enamel, so that the veneer surface rests even with the rest of the teeth. Once the enamel is removed, the dentist will make a detailed impression of the tooth and send the impression off to a laboratory for a custom veneer designed to fit the tooth precisely.

Once the veneer is created, the patient will return for a second visit. The dentist will continue shaping the veneer, then bond it to the tooth’s surface with permanent cement. Finally, the dentist will remove excess cement and ensure that the patient’s bite is correct. In many cases, the patient will be asked to return in a few weeks to evaluate the patient’s gums. Modern porcelain veneers tend to last many years, are easy to care for, provide a very natural appearance, and offer a stronger alternative to other cosmetic options.

If you would like more information on veneers, call Dr. Herd in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA at 949-858-5147 or visit www.gregherddds.com.

Dr. Greg J. Herd proudly serves Rancho Santa Margarita and all surrounding areas.

Seven Simple Ways to Quit Snoring | Rancho Santa Margarita Dentist

No one wants to hear that they snore, but it’s more than just a nuisance to the people around you. A poor night’s sleep can cause some very cranky, unproductive days, but it can also lead to health issues. Chronic snoring may be a sign of something more serious and should be checked out by a professional. If it becomes something like sleep apnea, it could lead to heart issues down the line.

There are various options when it comes to sleep aids but be careful which you choose. Asking a medical professional will be able to suggest an appropriate option based on your specific needs. Here are some other natural ways to try to control your snoring:

Change your sleep position from on your back to on your side will help prevent snoring.

Lose weight. Yes, thin people also snore, but if you find that your snoring started around the same time as a sudden weight gain, losing that weight may alleviate the issue.

Avoid alcohol and sedatives before bed because these reduce the resting tone of the muscles in the back of your throat, making it easier to snore.

Practice good sleep habits. Sleep deprivation has a similar effect that alcohol does.

Open nasal passages with a hot shower or a neti pot treatment before bed or nasal strips to keep your nasal passages open.

Change your pillows. Dust mites and pet dander can lead to issues with snoring.

Drink plenty of fluids. According to the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine determined that an adequate daily fluid intake is about 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) of fluids a day for men and about 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) of fluids a day for women.

If you would like more information on snoring, call Dr. Herd in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA at 949-858-5147 or visit www.gregherddds.com.

Dr. Greg J. Herd proudly serves Rancho Santa Margarita and all surrounding areas.

New Year, Who Dis? | Rancho Santa Margarita Dentist

As we embark on a brand-new year, we tend to stop and take stock on our lives and how we’d like to improve in the coming year. What are your resolutions going to be? Are they all health-based? Are they more financial? A mixture or lots of aspects? When coming up with your 2022 resolutions, make sure you add dental health to your list.

Most dentists will tell patients that the two most important things they can do at home are to brush and to floss regularly, because our dental health links directly to our overall health. But there is a right and wrong way to do so, and it’s important to understand the difference.

You should brush at least two times a day, and it should take about 2 minutes each time. Brush lightly with a soft-bristled toothbrush, being careful not to damage the gums. Hold your brush at a 45-degree angle to your gums and move the brush in an up and down motion, using short strokes. Avoid long, wide, side to side sweeping strokes that can cause scrapes along your gums. Every three months or so, swap it out for a fresh one to avoid bacteria.

Avoid acidic drinks that can weaken enamel – coffee, soda, orange juice, and energy drinks all will contribute to weakened enamel. Because of this, avoid brushing your teeth immediately after consuming them (in fact, you can avoid brushing immediately after a meal). If you wait a half hour after eating or drinking before brushing, your saliva will have an opportunity to bring your mouth back to its normal form, allowing your enamel to re-harden and make it less likely to be damaged during brushing.

If you would like more information on dental hygiene practices, call Dr. Herd in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA at 949-858-5147 or visit www.gregherddds.com.

Dr. Greg J. Herd proudly serves Rancho Santa Margarita and all surrounding areas.

Things to Know when It’s Time to Get Dentures | Rancho Santa Margarita Dentist

There are lots of ways to you can lose teeth. It could be accidental or due to neglected tooth decay, but it can happen to anyone. Nevertheless, it’s time to visit the dentist for a bit of a repair. There are lots of options, depending on your particular case, and one of these options is dentures.

Now don’t worry – dentures aren’t just the fake teeth in a glass. Today’s technology gives us many different variations with dentures, and for some, they couldn’t be more discreet.

For those individuals who are missing all of their teeth on the upper and lower jaw, complete dentures may be perfect for your dental situation. Conventional dentures will allow you to achieve your ideal smile eight to 12 weeks after your visit. If only missing a few teeth, partial dentures will give you a natural smile by inserting a metal bridge in the vacant area and securing the bridge with metal clasps.

Implant-supported dentures are a type of denture which involves the process of getting implants in the mouth to help fully support the denture. This type of denture is made mostly for individuals who don’t have any teeth in the jaw but have enough bones in the jaw to support the implants. The whole process takes about five months for the upper jaw and seven months for the lower jaw to complete.

All in all, two surgeries will take place for the implants to be screwed in and fully healed before the dentures are actually fitted and placed in the mouth. Once the dentures are fitted for the mouth, you will be able to snap them in and take them out whenever you please, making them comfortable and natural-looking.

If you would like more information on dentures, call Dr. Herd in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA at 949-858-5147 or visit www.gregherddds.com.

Dr. Greg J. Herd proudly serves Rancho Santa Margarita and all surrounding areas.

Halloween Dental Tips for Your Trick-or-Treaters | Rancho Santa Margarita Dentist

Well, we’ve made it back to yet another Halloween night. And while this night is the spookiest of all, it is the days following that are the spookiest for your dentist. Because we want to keep our little smiles healthy and happy, it is time to start to have some handy tips to the trick-or-treat rewards – the candy. Because this is a favorite time of year for your tiny monsters – no need to spoil it with strict rules.

Use Halloween as a way to teach children about moderation. By teaching children to eat sweets in moderation, it is easier to carry it over into your day-to-day lives. After all, Halloween isn’t the only time of year where treats are abundant. Allow your children to choose what they want, but set a limit on the number of pieces, and remove the extras – they can be saved for a future day, frozen for later, thrown away, or donated.

It is also important to know that the effect of sugar is not instant. If children eat candy for a short time period, and then brush their teeth a short time later, the impact of the sugar is fairly minimal. Set a certain amount of time for children to enjoy their Halloween candy, like after school or for dessert. This allows them to prioritize their candy enjoyment, minimize the chances that they’ll consume far too much, and help prevent cavities.

When it comes to brushing, realize that children don’t care about dental health; it’s our job to stimulate their interest. Try swapping a traditional toothbrush for fun one or cranking on a favorite tune and turn it into a family affair. Happy Halloween!

If you would like more information on Halloween dental tips, call Dr. Herd in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA at 949-858-5147 or visit www.gregherddds.com.

Dr. Greg J. Herd proudly serves Rancho Santa Margarita and all surrounding areas.