10 Foods to give you a brighter, healthier smile. | Cosmetic Dentistry | 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 this 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 Pacific Park Dental of Aliso Viejo, CA at 949-831-4193. Visit their website at www.pacificparkdental.com.

10 Advantages of Dental Crowns | Aliso Viejo, CA

Crowns are a cap placed over a tooth to restore its strength and appearance. Crowns have several uses such as to protect a weak or broken tooth. Also, crowns are used to cover a large filling or help support a bridge. Dr. Cramm DDS of Pacific Park Dental in Aliso Viejo, CA lists the top 10 advantages of crowns.

  1. Natural Looking – Porcelain and composite crowns have the look and feel of natural teeth.
  2. Durable – Last up to fifteen years depending on their care.
  3. Stain Resistant – Made from porcelain
  4. Cosmetic – Improve the look of broken, cracked or discolored teeth
  5. Non-slipping – Crowns are cemented or anchored in place
  6. Protection – Crowns protect the tooth from further decay
  7. Restorative – Restores full function of your damaged tooth
  8. Comfort – Stable and do not irritate gums like partial dentures.
  9. Speech – Missing teeth and dentures can affect speech. Crowns replace the missing teeth and do not slip around, making speech sound more clear.
  10. Confidence – Damaged, discolored or missing teeth causes confidence issues. Crowns help to make your smile beautiful again.

If you have a broken, chipped, stained or damaged tooth, contact Pacific Park Dental at 949-831-4193 or www.pacificparkdental.com.

 

Is It Time for Dentures? | Aliso Viejo, CA

The only one who can really tell if it’s time for you to get dentures is your dentist. Dr. Bryan Cramm DDS of Aliso Veijo, CA has the expert knowledge and expertise to suggest dentures after a thorough examination of your teeth and mouth. If dentures are suggested by Dr. Cramm, there are several denture options available and he will help you decide which is best for you.

The following are some signs that you are a good candidate for dentures:

Severe tooth decay: if the teeth are so decayed they are beyond repair, then they will need to be pulled. If it’s only a few teeth, a bridge can be used. If a majority of the teeth are decayed or missing, a full denture would be needed.

Physical Injury: People with sports injuries or accidents which lead to tooth loss.

Periodontal disease: If teeth and gums are left untreated, periodontal disease can lead to tooth loss.

Thanks to the modern advancements in technology, dentures are not what they used to be. There are several options available from different shapes, sizes, colors and the new implant supported dentures. They are custom fitted to give you the smile you have always wanted and no one will have to know you are wearing dentures.

Don’t be afraid to get dentures! Make an appointment today 949-831-4193 or www.bryancrammdds.com.

 

Secure your dentures with Implants | Mission Viejo, CA

Pacific Park Dental of Mission Viejo, CA is proud to offer Implant Supported Dentures.  These types of dentures are a more permanent solution to regular dentures that can slip, are painful and make it hard to eat. They are custom made to fit your mouth and needs.  If you don’t need full dentures, you can get partials. There are several different types of implant supported dentures available.

How do they work?

Implant snaps are placed. The denture is then anchored to the implant snaps. This creates a more stable and comfortable fit. Two or more implants snaps can be used. The more implant snaps used, the more stable the dentures become.

What are the advantages?

  • No adhesives
  • Easier to chew
  • More comfortable than traditional dentures
  • Improved speech
  • Visual appearance
  • Reduced bone loss common with traditional dentures

To learn more about this revolutionary new dental procedure, contact Pacific Park Dental at 949-831-4193. Visit their website www.pacificparkdental.com.

 

Crowns and Bridges – A More Permanent Solution | Aliso Viejo, CA

Porcelain crowns and bridges are dental prosthetic devices that are cemented onto existing teeth or implants. Unlike dentures, which can be taken out, crowns and bridges can only be removed by a dentist. Dr. Bryan Cramm DDS of Aliso Viejo, CA specializes in crowns and bridges and would like to offer some insight into this popular procedure.

Dental Bridge

Bridges are used to replace one or more missing teeth. They are cemented to existing teeth or implants that surround an empty space, serving as anchors for the bridge. Porcelain is the most common material choice because it can be matched to the color of your natural teeth.

Crowns

A crown covers a damaged tooth. They are used for various reasons such as strengthening a damaged tooth, improving the tooth’s appearance or shape and to fix alignment issues.  As with bridges, crowns can be made of porcelain.

When would I need a crown?

  • To attach a bridge
  • Replace a filling when not enough tooth remains
  • Protecting weak teeth
  • Fractured tooth
  • Cover a dental implant
  • Cover a discolored tooth
  • Cover a tooth that has had a root canal

 

Crowns and bridges are fairly easy to take care of. Practice good oral hygiene by brushing and flossing and seeing your dentist on a regular basis. Also, steer clear of chewing hard foods such as ice. Follow these simple rules and your crowns and bridges could last a lifetime!

Contact Dr. Cramm at 949-831-4193 or visit his website www.bryancrammdds.com.

 

 

 

Regain your Beautiful Smile with Bonding | Aliso Viejo, CA

Bonding is a great way for you to regain confidence in your smile if you have chipped or broken one (or more) of your teeth. Bonding is a process of directly applying a tooth-colored composite to your tooth. Once the composite is applied, Dr. Bryan Cramm of Aliso Viejo, CA will sculpt and shape it to make a perfect looking tooth. A high-intensity ultraviolet light is then used to harden the composite and is finished off by a fine polishing.

Not only is bonding useful for chipped and broken teeth, but it is great for stained teeth that are resistant to professional whitening treatment.

Although bonding does not last as long as veneers or crowns; with proper care, bonding composites can last for years.

For more information on bonding or to make an appointment, please contact Dr. Cramm of Pacific Park Dental at 949-831-413 or visit the website www.bryancrammdds.com.

 

 

Enhance your Smile with the use of Crowns | Aliso Viejo, CA

Crowns address aesthetic needs, restore tooth function, and enhance the overall health of your mouth. In cases where teeth have large broken down fillings, a crown can protect and preserve the remaining natural tooth.

To enhance your smile, a metal-free, tooth-colored crown can also replace an older metal/porcelain crown. Following root canal therapy, a crown is typically placed over the remaining tooth structure to preserve aesthetic and tooth function.

For more information on Crowns or any other cosmetic or restorative dental procedure contact Pacific Park Dental of Aliso Viejo, CA 949-831-4193 or visit the website www.bryancrammdds.com.