General Dentistry – Pacific Park Dental

10 Foods to give you a brighter, healthier smile | Aliso Viejo, CA

According to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, certain foods naturally cleanse, brighten, and defend against bacteria that can harm your teeth and gums.

The following 10 foods were recommended by the academy for a healthy, brighter smile.

Pineapples can help whiten teeth. Pineapples contain an enzyme called bromelain, which acts as a natural stain remover. Bromelain also helps break up plaque.
Ginger can protect against periodontal disease, an inflammatory process that causes the loss of bone and supportive connective tissue in your mouth.
Carrots contain vitamin A, which is needed for healthy tooth enamel. Eating them raw stimulates saliva, your mouth’s natural cleanser.
Basil is a natural antibiotic that reduces bacteria in the mouth.
Cheese is rich in protein, calcium, and phosphorus, all of which help reduce acid in your mouth.
Sesame seeds help “scrub” away the plaque on your teeth. Chewing nuts can also provide a coarse, scrubbing action. Sesame seeds also contain bone and teeth-strengthening calcium.
Shiitake mushrooms contain a compound called lentinan, which inhibits bacteria from growing in your mouth.
Onions contain the sulfur compounds, thiosulfinates and thiosulfonates, which reduce bacteria that cause tooth decay. Eating them raw is a must as cooking will destroy these tooth-friendly compounds.
Salmon not only provides calcium but also vitamin D, another nutrient needed for healthy bones and teeth.
Broccoli contains iron, which helps form an acid-resistant film or barrier that can protect the enamel of your teeth.

For more information on cosmetic dentistry or other ways to brighten your smile, contact Dr. Bryan Cramm and make an appointment at (949) 831-4193 or schedule an appointment online.

Dr. Bryan Cramm also proudly serves Laguna Woods, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Beach, San Juan Capistrano, Mission Viejo, and surrounding areas.

April is Oral Cancer Awareness month | Aliso Viejo, CA

April is Oral Cancer Awareness month and Dr. Bryan Cramm knows that most people are not aware of the statistics associated with Oral Cancer. Approximately 42,000 people in the U.S. will be newly diagnosed with Oral Cancer this year alone. And as you are well aware, your dentist is often the first line of defense against Oral Cancer, through the process of early detection and discovery.

Oral Cancer will cause over 8,000 deaths, killing roughly 1 person per hour, 24 hours per day. Of those 42,000 newly diagnosed individuals, only slightly more than half will be alive in 5 years. (Approximately 57%) This is a number which has not significantly improved in decades. The death rate for oral cancer is higher than that of cancers which we hear about on a regular basis such as cervical cancer, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, laryngeal cancer, cancer of the testes, and endocrine system cancers such as thyroid, or skin cancer (malignant melanoma). Although smoking and tobacco use is still a major risk factor for Oral Cancer, the fastest growing segment for Oral Cancer patients are young, healthy, non-smoking individuals due to the connection to the HPV19 virus.

If you broaden the definition of Oral Cancers to include cancer of the larynx, for which the risk factors are the same, the numbers of diagnosed cases grow to approximately 54,000 individuals and 13,500 deaths per year in the U.S. alone. Worldwide the problem is much greater, with over 640,000 new cases being found each year. Oral Cancers are part of a group of cancers frequently referred to as head and neck cancers, and of all head and neck cancers they comprise about 85% of that category. Brain cancer is a cancer category unto itself, and is not included in the head and neck cancer group.

For more information call Dr. Bryan Cramm at (949) 831-4193 or schedule

an appointment online.

Dr. Bryan Cramm also proudly serves Laguna Woods, Laguna Niguel, Laguna

Beach, San Juan Capistrano, Mission Viejo, and surrounding areas.

5 Ways to Prevent Tooth Decay | Aliso Viejo, CA

Tooth decay is one of the common most problems seen among patients. Dr. Bryan Cramm DDS of Pacific Park Dental in Aliso Viejo, CA encourages good oral health and regular dental checkups help to fight against tooth decay. The following are five tips to help prevent tooth decay.

• Fluoride Therapy: It is the delivery of fluoride to the teeth topically or systemically in order to prevent tooth decay (dental caries) which results in cavities. Fluoride Therapy delivery involves fluoride supplementation using water, salt, tablets or drops which are swallowed. Tablets or drops are rarely used where public water supplies are fluoridated.

• Brushing your teeth: Brushing and flossing properly, along with regular dental checkups, can help prevent tooth decay and gum diseases. Brushing your teeth three times a day makes your teeth stronger.

• Regular checkups with your dentist: It is very important to seek the help of a dentist since they know a lot about it. They know what to do and where to focus on your teeth.

• Dental sealant: It is the dental treatment that consists of plastic material that covers one or more teeth, for preventing of cavities and tooth decay. Dental sealants are applied in a dentist’s office.

• Dietary snacks: It is good to limit sweet snacks as excessive intake of sweets alters’ your blood sugar. If you avoid snacks, you may be depriving your body of nutrition from food. Good snacks should include healthy proteins and fats.

Make an appointment with Dr. Cramm today to ensure your mouth is as healthy as it should be. Contact his office at 949-831-4193 or www.pacificparkdental.com.

Top 10 Reasons To Choose Porcelain Veneers | Cosmetic Dentistry | Aliso Viejo, CA

Porcelain veneers offer superior benefits over other cosmetic dentistry procedures, such as dental crowns or braces. The fingernail-thin shells, which are adhered to the front surface, solve a myriad of aesthetic problems with just one treatment. Here is a list of the top 10.

Natural looking – Porcelain is a translucent material that mimics the look, luster, and feel of enamel.
Whiten – When adhered to the front surface of your teeth, veneers you’re your teeth look instantly whiter.
Straighten – Veneers offer a great alternative for patients with crooked teeth who do not want to endure the process of having their teeth straightened with dental braces.
Fix – Veneers can fill in and improve the look of teeth that are chipped or broken.
Fill in gaps – Veneers can be customized to repair smiles with unsightly gaps.
Youthful – A whiter, brighter, more lustrous smile can immediately you’re your face a more youthful appearance.
Conservative – Unlike other cosmetic procedures that require removing a large portion of healthy, natural teeth, veneers can be applied with little alteration.
Protection – Once applied, the veneers also serve to provide a protective shield to the front surface of teeth.
Stain resistant — Porcelain is stain resistant, which will make your smile stay brighter and whiter longer.
Gum friendly – Gum tissue is not irritated by porcelain.

For more information on porcelain veneers or any other cosmetic dentistry procedure, contact Dr. Bryan Cramm DDS of Pacific Park Dental in Aliso Viejo, CA at 949-831-4193 or www.pacificparkdental.com.

Are your teeth damaged by decay and wear? | Inlays and Onlays| Aliso Viejo, CA

Inlays and onlays are frequently used to restore teeth that are severely damaged by decay or wear. They are usually applied to the chewing surfaced of the back teeth. They provide more strength than a filling and are more conservative than a full crown.

A porcelain onlay is fabricated to fit your tooth precisely and is bonded tightly in place to strengthen and protect the damaged tooth. Like a crown, an onlay covers and protects the tooth’s biting surface. Where a crown covers the entire tooth, an onlay fits inside the tooth cusps and covers only the biting surfaces. Because an onlay is fabricated in a dental laboratory, it takes two or more appointments to restore a tooth with a porcelain onlay.

If you have teeth that are damaged by decay and wear contact Pacific Park Dental in Aliso Viejo, CA to find out what your dental options are; 949-831-4193 or www.pacificparkdental.com.

Dental Implants – More Natural Looking and Feeling | Aliso Viejo, CA

A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that is placed into your jaw to hold a replacement tooth or bridge. According to Dr. Cramm DDS of Pacific Park Dental in Aliso Viejio, CA, dental implants are an ideal option for people in good general oral health who have lost a tooth or teeth due to periodontal disease, an injury, or some other reason. Dental implants are natural-looking and feeling and under proper conditions, such as placement by a diligent patient maintenance, implants can last a lifetime.

What do Dental Implants Do?

Replace one or more teeth
Support a bridge and reduce the need for a partial denture.
Provide support for a denture, making it more secure and comfortable.

Types of Implants

Endosteal (in the bone): Most commonly used type of implant. Screws, cylinders or blades are surgically placed into the jawbone.
Subperiosteal (on the bone): These are placed on top of the jaw with the metal framework’s

Dental Implants vs Dentures or a Bridge

Esthetically dental implants look and feel like your own teeth. Since dental implants integrate into the structure of your bone, they prevent the bone loss and gum recession that often happen with bridgework and dentures.

Neighboring teeth are not changed to support the implant as with a bridge. More of your own teeth are left untouched, a significant long-term benefit to your oral health.

Dental implants are secure. You don’t have to worry when speaking or eating. No messy pastes and glue. You will go about your daily routine with confidence and comfort.

The success rate of dental implants is highly predictable. They are considered an excellent option for tooth replacement.

Are Dental Implants Right for You?

Ideally you need to be in good oral health and have adequate bone in your jaw to support the implant. In addition you will need healthy gum tissue, free of periodontal disease.

To learn more about Dental Implants contact Pacific Park Dental at 949-831-4193 or visit their website at www.pacificparkdental.com.

Composite or Porcelain Veneers – Which is right for you? | Aliso Viejo, CA

Dental veneers are thin layers of composite resin or porcelain which are fitted right onto the surface of the tooth. They are very popular among patients with discolored, crooked or misaligned teeth. Veneers are made to give you a beautiful, straight white smile. Most people don’t know there are two different types of veneers to choose from. Cosmetic dentist Dr. Bryan Cramm of Pacific Park Dental in Aliso Viejo, CA offers some insight on both types of veneers.

The two types of veneers are composite resin veneers and porcelain veneers. The following are facts on both types of veneers.

Composite:

Last about 4-8 years with proper maintenance.
Made of high quality reinforced plastic. Given today’s high-end technology these veneers look and feel very good, but under pressure they can damage quite easily.
Have a porous surface, which can affect their look after years of use.
Stain more easily. Often needing whitening treatments to maintain their appearance.
Chip easily.

Porcelain:

Porcelain veneers on the other hand last up to 25 years and do not require as much maintenance.
Made of high quality porcelain, natural in color and more resistant.
Maintain strength and appearance over several decades.
Do not stain because of the non-porous material.

Ultimately the choice is yours as to which type of veneer you choose to give you that beautiful smile you have always dreamed of. For more information on both types of veneers and to see which is right for you, contact Pacific Park Dental at 949-831-4193. Visit our website www.pacificparkdental.com.

Cosmetic Dentistry can be as simple as Professional Teeth Whitening | Aliso Viejo, CA

Are you tired of having yellow, stained teeth, despite your strict daily dental hygiene? You are not alone. There are millions of people suffering from the same problem. So if you brush, floss and visit your dentist regularly then why are your teeth still discolored? This happens because the outer layers of your teeth get stained over the years by consumption of beverages with caffeine, soda, wine and smoking. When these outside sources of staining are left to sit on the teeth all day until your next brushing, the dentin on your teeth becomes yellowish or darkened. The best way to help your stained discolored teeth is with one of the easiest cosmetic dentistry procedures, professional teeth whitening.

Contributing factors to yellowing, stained teeth:

Tetracycline based antibiotics used before the age of 8 years old
Excessive exposure to fluoride as a child
Internal bleeding due to trauma
Discoloration due to a health condition
Natural aging- as time goes by enamel gets thinner and thinner and will get a yellowish hue
Soda
Wine
Smoking
Caffeine

Simple rules to live by to try and stop the yellowing process:

Visit your dentist regularly for teeth cleanings
Rinse your mouth out with water several times throughout the day
Use toothpaste with whitening agents

One of the best ways to whiten your teeth is to visit your dentist for professional tooth whitening. You deserve a beautiful white smile. Contact Dr. Bryan Cramm of Pacific Park Family & Cosmetic Dentistry in Aliso Viejo, CA 949-831-4193 or www.bryancrammdds.com.

Dramatically Improve your Smile with Crowns | Aliso Viejo, CA

Dr. Cramm DDS of Pacific Park Dental in Aliso Viejo, CA provides cosmetic and restorative tooth colored restorations. With the use of tooth colored restorations you can have the smile you always dreamed of.

Crowns are a cosmetic restoration used to improve your tooth’s shape or to strengthen a tooth. Crowns are most often used for teeth that are broken, worn, or have portions destroyed by tooth decay.

Crowns are “caps” cemented onto an existing tooth which fully cover the portion of your tooth above the gum line. In effect, the crown becomes your tooth’s new outer surface. Porcelain crowns are most often preferred because they mimic the translucency of natural teeth and are very strong.

Crowns are often preferable to silver amalgam fillings. Unlike fillings which apply metal directly into your mouth, a crown is fabricated away from your mouth. Your crown is created in a lab from your unique tooth impression which allows a dental laboratory technician to examine all aspects of your bite and jaw movements. Your crown is then sculpted just for you so that your bite and jaw movements function normally once the crown is placed.

For more information on Crowns or any other cosmetic restoration, contact Pacific Park Dental at 949-831-4193 or www.pacificparkdental.com.

Invisalign – Invisible Braces with Confidence | Cosmetic Dentistry | Aliso Viejo, CA

If you are an adult who needs braces, you may be apprehensive about getting big metal braces that are not aesthetically pleasing to the eye. You want to feel confident about your smile not only after your braces come off, but during. Invisalign invisible braces provide straightening treatment while looking your best!

Invisalign works by using a series of custom-made, nearly undetectable aligners. Whether your teeth are crowded, too far apart or have shifted, Invisalign may be right for you. Upon an initial examination, Dr. Bryan Cramm DDS of Pacific Park Dental, Aliso Viejo, CA will decide if Invisalign is right for you. He will then write a treatment plan and take an impression of your teeth. Thanks to the latest advances in 3-D computer technology, Invisalign carefully translates Dr. Cramm’s instructions into a series of precisely customized aligners. The aligners will move your teeth gradually week by week until you achieve the smile you have always desired.

Also, it’s important to remember that even though you may want to straighten your teeth for cosmetic reasons, straighter teeth and a proper bite are beneficial to periodontal health.

Don’t wait another day! Get those braces you’ve always needed without compromising your confidence. Make an appointment with Pacific Park Dental at 949-831-4193 or www.pacificparkdental.com.