Three Easy Steps To Dental Veneers

Do you find yourself hiding your smile? Are you embarrassed by broken, chipped, discolored or damaged teeth?

You might think that getting the perfect smile is complicated, expensive and painful, but it’s not. Dental veneers can give you the perfect smile you’ve always wanted.

And luckily, installing dental veneers is not an overly complex process. We install veneers in just three simple steps:

1. Consultation

First, you will meet with the dentist to assess the condition of your teeth. During this appointment, the dentist will take x-rays and do a manual inspection of your teeth to determine if veneers are a good fit for you. If so, we’ll schedule you for a preparation visit.

2. Preparation

During the second visit, an ultra thin layer of enamel must be removed from each tooth to prepare for the installation of the veneers. Once removed, the dentist will take impressions of the teeth so that custom veneers can be constructed.

You can then have temporary veneers installed while you wait for the lab to complete your custom veneers, which typically takes one to two weeks.

3. Installation

On your final visit, the temporary veneers will be removed and your teeth will be cleaned and polished in preparation for the installation of the permanent veneers. The veneers are then bonded to your teeth in one short visit. The dentist will then evaluate the installation and make adjustments as needed.

You may need to return for a follow-up appointment to check the health and fit of your veneers in a few weeks time, but that’s it. In only three simple steps, you can have the smile of your dreams.

If you live in the Los Angeles area, dental veneers from Studio City Dental Center can help you gain confidence by repairing damaged or stained teeth.

Let us help you get your best smile. It’s simple and easy. Give us a call today to get started.

Source URL: http://studiocitydentalcenter.com/three-easy-steps-dental-veneers/

What Can I Eat After Getting Cosmetic Dental Veneers?

Dental veneers are thin porcelain shells that are bonded to the front surface of your teeth to imitate natural enamel and improve the shape, color, or appearance of your teeth. Veneers can completely transform your smile, but they do require a little additional care as they cannot repair themselves like teeth can. One of the most important adjustments to make is changing your eating habits.

In general, you can eat any food you like with veneers, but it is important to go easy on them. These guidelines will help you protect your new veneers and keep your smile looking its best.

Food & Drinks to Avoid with Veneers

One of the most common questions among patients getting new cosmetic dental veneers here in Studio City is: “What do I have to avoid?”

The good news is this list is short; you can eat and drink anything you like with veneers, but it’s important to keep the veneers in mind.

Dark Liquids

Dark liquids that can stain teeth like coffee, tea, and red wine should be avoided if possible. While porcelain veneers are highly stain resistant, teeth and the bonding agent are not. If you do drink tea or coffee, try to rinse your mouth with water or brush your teeth afterward.

Alcohol & Alcohol-Based Mouthwash

Excessive alcohol may also soften the bonding agent and weaken the bond of the porcelain over time. Avoid mouthwash, which has a high alcohol content. Instead, choose a mouthwash without alcohol or use a solution of water and hydrogen peroxide.

Hard Foods

The most important thing to remember is while veneers are typically strong, they still lack the tensile strength of natural teeth. It’s important to avoid anything that can twist the veneer, including using your front teeth to bite hard foods like raw carrots or eating meat down to the bone. Use your back teeth to chew hard foods to protect the veneers.

Foods to Enjoy with Dental Veneers

You can enjoy all of your favorite foods and beverages with veneers! As long as you eat carefully with hard foods and practice good oral hygiene, your veneers will last for many years without damage.

Source URL: http://studiocitydentalcenter.com/can-eat-getting-cosmetic-dental-veneers/

How to Care for Your Dental Veneer

Your dental veneers have made your smile beautiful again. Great! Now, you’re going to want to keep them looking good.

In order to do that, it’s important to care for them properly. Here’s what you’ll need to do:

1. Brush and Floss Regularly

This is the most important part about maintaining your new dental veneers. Now, if you had bad brushing and flossing habits before, this is the time to ditch those old behaviors.

Brush and floss at least twice a day. Three times a day is even better. This is the biggest mistake that people make, so be sure to make a point of this.

2. Be Mindful

It’s important to understand that your veneers might not be quite as sturdy as your old teeth. Things that were bad for your teeth before, like opening a beer bottle with your teeth or tearing open a bag with your teeth, are especially bad now.

Go easy on your veneers; don’t do anything that you know you shouldn’t do.

3. Avoid Grinding

Grinding your teeth is bad for your teeth, and can be bad for veneers as well. Some patients have been known to grind so hard they pop their veneers off in their sleep.

However, most people can’t help themselves; it happens during sleep, subconsciously. If you know this is a problem, tell our staff about this. We can make a mouth guard to fit you that will prevent your grinding from damaging your new veneers.

Your new teeth look great thanks to cosmetic dentistry and veneers from Studio City Dental Center – congratulations! Now, it’s up to you to keep it that way by following these best practices.

Source URL: http://studiocitydentalcenter.com/care-dental-veneers/

Avoid the Disastrous Effects of Periodontal Disease with Attention and Care

The gums and teeth are two of the most important components of the human body, but the care is often overlooked by the many. Periodontal disease is nothing to take lightly. This inflammatory gum disease can lead not only to tooth loss, but have an overall detrimental effect on the entire body.

The two main types of periodontal disease are called gingivitis, which causes inflamed sores in the gum line, and periodontitis, which is a more serious type of disease that severely affects the bones in the gums as well as the tissue connecting the teeth and gums.

Symptoms of periodontal disease include:

- Loose teeth

- Bad breath

- Receding gum line

- Swollen gums

Periodontal disease can be prevented by daily hygiene habits such as brushing at least twice a day, eating a well-balanced diet, flossing daily, receiving oral examinations and cleaning regularly and quitting smoking. This can prevent the more extensive procedures necessary for treating periodontal disease such as root planing and scaling and the more serious procedures such as guided tissue regeneration, flap surgery, soft tissue grafts and bone surgery.

Periodontal disease has also been connected to other serious inflammatory issues such as diabetes, heart disease along with conditions such as cancer, respiratory disease and osteoporosis. Preventing periodontal diseases can lessen the risk of developing these diseases, and reduce the severity of its symptoms if any of these conditions appear.

Here at Studio City Dental Center we help prevent the development of periodontal disease as well as treat mild and severe cases of the condition. Contact us today for a consultation and checkup to determine if action should be taken to avoid the complicated effects of periodontal disease!

Source URL: http://studiocitydentalcenter.com/avoid-disastrous-effects-periodontal-disease-attention-care/

Finding Your Family Dentist in Studio City

Your smile is more important than you may realize. After all, it’s what you show the world when you express your most positive emotions, and a confident smile can help you advance in both your personal and professional life. Here at Studio City Dental Center, it’s our goal that each patient is able to do everything possible to prevent problems from ever occurring, and there are some simple tips you can employ to do just that.

An Ounce of Prevention Worth a Pound of Cure

When it comes to proper dental care, our staff stresses the importance of daily maintenance. However, all too many people fail to give their teeth the time and attention they need, instead opting to seek dental care only when problems arise. We make it a goal to educate our patients, since we want to ensure they are able to properly preserve and be proud of their smiles.

Just some things we advise everyone to do include:

- Brush and floss your teeth twice daily, preferably after meals

- Avoid frequently eating sugary foods and beverages

- Use approved toothpaste containing fluoride

- Use mouthwash

- Don’t forget to brush your tongue–food particles and bacteria reside there!

Professional Cleanings and Treatments

Whether you’re new to the area and seeking a dentist in Studio City or just looking for a new approach to appropriate oral care, our staff is ready to provide the services you need. Dr. Zareh Kouyoumdjian has earned a stellar reputation for patient comfort and care, and we are here to ensure you are doing everything possible to keep your smile in check. We also help keep you up-to-date when it comes to regular cleanings and treatments, so call today and schedule an appointment.

Source URL: http://studiocitydentalcenter.com/finding-family-dentist-studio-city-2/

Is Chewing Gum Harmful to my Teeth?

Growing up, a lot of us had parents who insisted that chewing gum was harmful to our teeth. In some cases this is true; however, recent studies have shown that sugar free gum can have positive effects on your dental health.

Think about plaque. Plaque is bacteria living in the mouth caused by various foods, such as those with sugars and starches. These bacteria will produce acids that will eventually destroy tooth enamel and cause tooth decay.

How does chewing sugarless gum help? Quite simply, the process of chewing gum increases the saliva production in your mouth, which in turn washes away food particles and neutralizes the effects of the acids formed by the plaque as the PH of the bacteria rises.

A European Union scientific study in May 2012 provided evidence of the following benefits of chewing sugar free gum:

- Maintenance of tooth mineralization

- Neutralization of plaque acids

- Reduction of dry mouth

They found that sugarless chewing gum with carbamide (hydrogen peroxide) neutralizes plaque better than gum without carbamide.

Ingredients such as Calcium, Vitamin C, and Xylitol can provide additional benefits.

Additional studies have shown that sugar-free gum sweetened with Xyitol inhibits the growth of a certain type of bacteria called Streptococcus, which causes cavities. Xyitol causes the bacteria to lose the ability to attach to the tooth. The type of bacteria in your mouth will change over a period of time with the frequent use of Xyitol.

While it has been scientifically proven that chewing sugarless gum provides many benefits to your oral health, it should never replace your daily routine of brushing and flossing. Together with flossing and brushing, the use of sugarless chewing gum should result in fewer cavities.

If you have other questions, please feel free to contact us! We are your dentist in Studio City, CA, and we care about our patients’ concerns!
Source URL: http://studiocitydentalcenter.com/chewing-gum-harmful-teeth/

How to Brush Your Teeth Properly (Simple Tips)

Do you know how to brush your teeth properly? Most people don’t. Toothpaste and a toothbrush may be involved, but that’s where doing it right typically stops.

Many adults swipe the toothbrush around the mouth for a few seconds and rinse, often neglecting certain areas or specific teeth out of simple absent-mindedness. It’s not intentional; it just may be from not having been taught how to properly do it.

So then, how should you brush? Follow these best practices…

The Right Brush

Using the right type of toothbrush is more important than you think. A soft-bristled brush with rounded ends effectively removes plaque and food particles while adequately stimulating the gums. Your toothbrush should be small enough to reach your back teeth comfortably.

Make sure it’s in good condition. If you don’t replace your toothbrush regularly, you could be brushing ineffectively. Splayed bristles can damage the gums and inadequately remove plaque. Replace your toothbrush every three months, or as soon as it looks worn.

The Right Technique

Use short strokes to gently brush every tooth surface, making sure that you reach all the way to your molars. Hold the toothbrush vertically to reach behind the front teeth on the top and bottom. Don’t forget to brush along the gum line. Hold the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle where the teeth meet the gums, and gently wiggle it using small circular motions.

Be careful, brushing too hard can cause your gums to recede.

Before rinsing, brush your tongue to remove bacteria that leads to bad breath.

How Long Should You Brush For?

Most dentists agree that you should brush for two to three minutes. That can feel like forever. Set a timer to ensure that you’re giving yourself enough time.

If you want to make sure that your teeth are in the best condition, schedule a consultation with Dr. Zareh Kouyoumdjian, a cosmetic dentist in Studio City. We’ll provide a thorough cleaning and show you how to take care of your mouth to remain healthy and stay smiling!

Source URL: http://studiocitydentalcenter.com/brush-teeth-properly-simple-tips/