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Enhance Your Smile With These Oral Care Accessories | Rancho Santa Margarita Dentist

Young woman smiling with perfect dental health

In the ever-evolving technological age, there are a number of ways you can enhance the hygiene and aesthetic of your smile. There are also a number of gadgets on the market specifically designed to fill whatever gaps you feel are present as you strive to enhance your smile. These means essentially fall into two categories; hygienic and aesthetic. Of course, a well-rounded oral care routine is the first step towards attaining the smile you want, but if your hygiene is quite good, and you still aren’t seeing the results you want, aesthetic additions may do the trick.

Hygienic

Electric Toothbrushes: Do you even complete your two-minute scrub and think “My teeth don’t feel very clean”? It may be because the traditional toothbrush just isn’t cutting it anymore. Electric toothbrushes have gained popularity because they are designed to provide brush strokes that work to give you a better clean in the same amount of time. It can go a long way to providing the basic care your teeth need.

Flossers: There are so many ways to floss available for your choosing. Traditional waxed or unwaxed threads are no longer the only option. Water flossers and plush threads are great alternatives (if not better alternatives) to the floss we commonly associate with.

Tongue Scraper: While there is no definitive rule that these need to be employed in your care routine, the benefit of incorporating one is the added removal of potentially harmful bacteria. Tongue scraping removes the same bacteria that feed on the sugars left between the teeth after a meal from the surface of the tongue, improving overall hygiene.

Aesthetic

At-Home Aligners: At-home aligners are an easy, effective means of straightening out your teeth for an enhanced aesthetic. While they aren’t meant for everyone, and you should speak with your dentist prior to incorporating at-home aligners into your oral care practices, they can gently move your teeth into their proper position and enhance your smile.

Whitening Trays: These work similarly to the teeth aligners mentioned above. Instead of working to straighten your teeth however, you simply mold the trey to your teeth, brush on the included whitening solution to the inside of the tray and allow it to rest on your teeth for the prescribed amount of time. Kits are easily accessible and when done properly can make your smile a few shades whiter.

UV Light: This is another means of enhancing the color and brightness of your teeth. Typically, when you employ a UV light, you first brush on the whitening solution and allow the light to rest on that set of teeth for a number of minutes. The solution and the light combination work to enhance your smile and can potentially do so up to a few shades whiter.

If you would like more information, 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.

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Top Tips To Avoid Staining Your Teeth | Rancho Santa Margarita Dentist

Espresso

If you look at your teeth in the mirror and aren’t thrilled with what you see, your teeth may be stained as a result of the foods and beverages you consume. There is nothing wrong with consuming dark foods and beverages, of course, but if you find your smile has become dull or yellow, it may be time to evaluate the habits that surround our consumption of them.

Common culprits of staining are red wine, dark sodas, and coffee, three beverages casually consumed by the average person. Thankfully, however, there are ways you can mitigate dental staining with some common and easily applied practices.

Try A New Brushing Method:

Brushing your teeth 30 minutes after consuming these beverages may sound counter-intuitive, but it’s better than brushing immediately after. Coffee, soda, and wine are acidic, meaning they weaken your enamel. When we brush immediately after, we are being abrasive against an already weakened barrier causing it to weaken further. Brushing some time after consumption helps retain your enamel and will help prevent staining.

Other Ways You Can Avoid Staining:

Otherwise, you can floss, employ whitening powders or pastes, and maintain regular dental visits to keep teeth stains at bay. If you are interested in incorporating health practices into your life that also help reduce the risk of staining, cutting back on your consumption of dark sodas, red wine and coffee will go a long way to achieve that goal. You can also try at-home whitening strips, trays, or UV light whitening devices that may help you get up to two shades of whiter teeth.

If your teeth are already stained, and at-home methods aren’t working to mitigate the appearance of dull or yellow teeth, that’s where a cosmetic dentist can help. In-office whitening is more powerful than at-home treatments, and when professionally executed may go further than DIY methods.

If you would like more information, 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.

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Are You Looking to Whiten Your Smile? | Rancho Santa Margarita Dentist

In-office treatments. Not only can we give your teeth a deep cleaning, but teeth whitening can help you achieve a beautifully white smile by bleaching your teeth and removing any deep stains that cannot be removed by brushing or hygiene appointments.

DIY whitening. In addition to in-office power whitening treatments, we also offer professional home bleaching kits. We custom fabricate whitening trays to fit over your teeth and then supply you with a professional-grade teeth whitening solution to carry out the whitening procedure in the comfort of your own home. The home bleaching delivers results over a longer time period. Many of our patients choose combination treatment with in-office whitening, followed by the home bleaching in order for you to maintain the beautiful smile as a result.

If you are looking for a more natural way to whiten your teeth, there are a few ways you can with things you have around the house.

The version most people are used to hearing about is a hydrogen peroxide and baking soda paste. You can find a lot of toothpastes with these ingredients, but if you want to do it DIY style, just drop a few drops of hydrogen peroxide into a little bit of baking soda makes a paste.

Diluting some apple cider vinegar in your pantry with some water (3 parts water, 1 part vinegar) and mixing it with an all-natural toothpaste makes a pretty efficient tooth whitening solution. Swishing coconut oil around in your mouth for 20 minutes also helps dingy teeth. But did you also know that you can turn it into a paste? Heat a cup of coconut oil, add two teaspoons of baking soda & five to ten drops of natural spearmint essential oil.

If you would like more information on teeth whitening, 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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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What to Eat While You’re Teeth Are Adjusting | Rancho Santa Margarita Dentist

When you decide to straighten your teeth, your life changes a bit. Nothing permanent, but some of your day-to-day activities will adjust a bit, especially when you have traditional braces. The way you brush your teeth, the way you eat, even your speech can change a bit while you are adjusting your teeth. Before you get too nervous, there is a very good reason for it. Because brackets are attached to your teeth using a basic dental cement, eating foods that are extra hard or sticky can cause the brackets to pop off, which will mean an unexpected dental visit for repair and delaying your treatment. And yes, they are made of metal, but they can be damaged by eating the wrong foods. Not only that, but food that cannot be cleaned off braces with a simple brushing and flossing may lead to discoloration and decay of your teeth. The good thing is, if you stay on task, your experience will go smoothly, and no issues should arise during your orthodontic experience. So, here is a list to keep on the fridge while you are wearing braces:

  • No gum, sugarless or otherwise
  • Chewy foods like bagels, hard rolls and licorice
  • Crunchy foods, such as popcorn, ice and chips
  • Sticky foods, including caramels, taffy and gum
  • Hard foods like nuts are healthy but can break your teeth like hard candy
  • Crispy foods you bite into, like corn on the cob, apples or carrots
  • Also, avoid biting into non-food items, such as nail-biting and pencil-chewing habits

If you would like more information on eating with braces, 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.

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Treat Your Smile to a Piece of Candy | Rancho Santa Margarita Dentist

During these hot summer days, nothing beats a sweet treat. After all, popping in a piece of candy is an easy way to satisfy a craving. We love candy so much we have declared June National Candy Month. The problem is that candy isn’t exactly the best for our teeth because sugar is a cavity’s best friend. The more we eat, the more chances those cavity creeps have to damage our teeth. But there is hope, because not all candy was created equal.

So, in honor of this sweetest of months, let’s take a look at some of the candy that is better for our teeth than others. There’s no reason we can’t celebrate this yummy time of year; just remember to keep up with your daily dental routine:

Dark chocolate. Dear chocoholics, we haven’t forgotten about you. Dark chocolate is surprisingly good for our teeth. Several studies have shown that chocolate has a compound that helps harden enamel and fights plaque, making this sweet option even better at fighting cavities than fluoride.

Candy bars with nuts. This may sound odd, but nuts found in candy bars can help break up all the stickiness in the candy bar that clings to our teeth after we’ve finished, making it easy for cavities to form. It also gives us a quick burst of protein and fiber.

Sugarless gum/candy. This one may sound like the most obvious choice, and that’s because it is true. Cavity-causing bacteria love sugar, so if your candy doesn’t have any, there’s nothing to worry about. So, if your summer sweet is sugar-free, enjoy yourself!

If you would like more information on candy options, 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.