Cosmetic 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.

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.

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.

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.

Helping Your Porcelain Veneers Last a Lifetime | Cosmetic Dentistry | Aliso Viejo, CA

Porcelain veneers are one of the top cosmetic dentistry procedures. The longevity of your porcelain veneers greatly depends on how well you take care of them. Dr. Cramm DDS of Pacific Park Dental in Aliso Viejo, CA offers some suggestions for properly taking care of your porcelain veneers.

Good Oral Care at Home: Brush and floss daily with a nonabrasive toothpaste containing fluoride. Good oral care at home helps prevent periodontitis which can cause your gums to recede. Veneers are placed right at the gum line. If your gums do start to recede the appearance of your veneers could be compromised.

Avoid excessive force: No biting your fingernails, hairpins, ice or hard candy. These types of things can break or dislodge a veneer.

No clenching and grinding your teeth: By grinding your teeth your veneers can be chipped or broken due to the force generated by these actions. If you suffer from bruxism at night, talk to Dr. Cramm about a night guard to protect your teeth and veneers.

Steer Clear of Staining Foods and Drink: Although porcelain veneers are very resistant to staining the cement used to hold them in place can stain over time. Try to avoid coffee, tea, soda, wine and tobacco.

Contact Dr. Cramm DDS 949-831-4193 for more information on porcelain veneers or to make an appointment. Visit his 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.

Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures | Aliso Viejo, CA

Cosmetic dentistry can create the bright natural looking smile you deserve. Whether you are interested in a complete smile design, restoring chipped teeth or want to whiten, we can improve your smile. Cosmetic Dentistry is composed of several different types of dental procedures. Pacific Park Dental in Aliso Viejo, CA offers some information on the cosmetic procedures she offers.

Porcelain Veneers – Fingernail-thin shells are adhered to the front surface of the tooth. Veneers can fix several aesthetic problems with just one treatment.

Whitening – There are at home whitening kits and in office whitening treatments. At-home bleaching kits use carbamide peroxide solutions to oxidize and bleach your teeth. In-office bleaching (also called chair side, light-activated or one-hour bleaching) uses hydrogen peroxide gels and a heat or light source; these treatments lighten your teeth by six to eight shades in one to three visits, and sometimes less.

Bonding – With the use of bonding gaps, chips, broken teeth, spots and discoloration can all be repaired with bonding. You can regain your smile and confidence.

Invisalign – The invisible way to straighten teeth. Using a series of custom-made, nearly undetectable aligners.

Laser Gum Contouring – Gum contouring removes some of the tissue to eliminate a “gummy” smile.

Whatever cosmetic procedure you are interested in, call the Pacific Park Dental at 949-831-4193. Visit their website at www.pacificparkdental.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.