Transform Your Smile With Veneers

Are your pearly whites looking anything but white?  Has your smile lost its dazzle and shine?  Are you dissatisfied with the gaps between your teeth?  If so, you might be an ideal candidate for one of cosmetic dentistry's greatest recent advancements: porcelain veneers. Did you know your Salinas Dentist, Dr. Russell Cureton is one of the most highly qualified Porcelain Veneer Dentists in Salinas?

            Veneers are extremely thin pieces of porcelain or resin composite material that are custom made to fit the needs of your smile.  The materials used are intended to mimic the shine and color of natural teeth so your smile looks as authentic and beautiful as possible.  Veneers feel and appear so realistic that you might even forget that they aren't the teeth you were born with!

            The application of porcelain veneers is a simple and minimally invasive procedure. Generally, the first step in applying veneers is preparing your natural teeth by removing some of the enamel that covers your teeth.  After the removal of the enamel, your dentist will take impressions of your teeth so veneers can be made to perfectly fit your mouth.  Because the process of making your dream smile can take a week or two, you might need to wear temporary veneers until your permanent set is ready.  Once your veneers have been carefully made, your dentist will trim and bond them to your teeth with resin cement, leaving you with the smile you have been dreaming of.

Porcelain veneers can be used to correct a wide range of dental problems.  Most veneers are used for cosmetic purposes to change the color, shape, or alignment of teeth. Teeth that are discolored- either as the result root canals, stains, or any other reasons- can often be fixed with veneers.  Chipped, broken, and overly worn teeth can also benefit from having veneers applied.  Teeth that are misaligned, have undesirable gaps, or just don't seem to fit your face in a flattering way are also often good candidates for the procedure.

The benefits of porcelain veneers are plentiful.  First and, for many, the most important advantage of getting veneers is the added aesthetic appeal.  Veneers can transform worn and yellowing teeth into a gorgeous, superwatt smile. Teeth that you are truly proud of can increase your confidence and bring forth endless possibilities.  Veneers can also keep teeth strong, reducing the risk of needing further dental procedures like crowns in the future.  Lastly, veneers are designed to resist stains, so opting for this dental procedure can keep your teeth looking great without requiring too much maintenance.

Still not sure if porcelain veneers are right for you?  Contact Dr. Cureton´s office to schedule a consultation to discuss your options for upgrading your teeth. His friendly staff will answer all of your questions and help you to put the sparkle back in your smile in no time!

Tips for Elderly Dental Care

Aging can be stressful- but taking care of your teeth as a senior should be stress-free! Just like at any age, dental hygiene is of critical importance to seniors, but some might worry about how to maintain great dental hygiene at an older age. To help keep your mouth healthy and make sure your oral care is as free of stress as possible your Salinas Cosmetic Dentist, Dr. Cureton, has some dental care tips tailored specifically to seniors:

Stay hydrated

The more hydrated a mouth the better- especially for older mouths. Mouths that are too dry can lead to the rotting of gums and teeth and can cause an overall disintegration of oral health. As you get older, your mouth makes less and less saliva, which can make it difficult to keep your mouth as moist as it should be. To maintain a healthy amount of moisture, seniors should drink plenty of water and cut down on their consumption of sugary drinks. Chewing sugar-free gum or sucking on sugar-free candy can also increase saliva production and help keep a mouth hydrated and healthy.

Stop using tobacco products
Among the great dangers of smoking are several detrimental effects to your teeth and mouth. Throat and mouth cancers are very dangerous and are often caused by smoking or chewing tobacco. Yellowing and weakening of the teeth are also side effects of tobacco use. Smoking affects both the health and the appearance of your smile. To make sure your mouth stays looking and feeling great, stay away from cigarettes and other tobacco products.

Switch to a fluoride toothpaste

Fluoride can help protect your mouth and reduce the risk of cavities. To increase your oral health, check to make sure that your toothpaste contains fluoride or switch to a toothpaste that does. Adding a fluoride rinse is a good alternative to switching toothpastes.

Don’t grind your teeth

As you age, your teeth often get thinner and more brittle, which means grinding your teeth can lead to broken teeth. If grinding continues, teeth might even break all the way to the nerve- causing lots of problems and pain. To keep these problems from arising, stop grinding your teeth once and for all. For night grinders, purchase a night guard from your local drug store. These guards are easy to fit to your mouth and can yield immediate results.

Brush and floss regularly

At any age, brushing and flossing your teeth regularly are great habits for keeping your entire mouth at its prime. Flossing is necessary for keeping your mouth healthy and free of gum disease, which can sometimes lead to tooth loss. Brushing your teeth regularly is equally important in order to minimize plaque buildup and reduce the risk of cavities and other dental concerns. To keep your mouth at the top of its game, be sure to floss daily and brush at least twice a day. If brushing or flossing becomes difficult due to arthritis or other health problems, your Fresno dentist recommends switching to an electric toothbrush and handheld flossers to make your oral hygiene routine stress and pain free.

Schedule regular dentist appointments

Regardless of your age, regular dentist visits are important, but as you get older the importance of seeing your Salinas Cosmetic Dentist, Dr. Russell Cureton, at least once a year gets even greater. While you might be inclined to visit your dentist on an ¨as needed¨ basis, this can be dangerous as a senior. One side effect of aging is losing the sensitivity in your teeth, meaning you might not be able to feel pain in your teeth that might signify serious dental problems. Seeing a dentist insures that even the earliest signs of dental problems are detected and handled properly. Annual visits to the dentist are an important step in keeping your entire mouth looking and feeling young and beautiful.

Don’t let the stress of aging keep you from taking great care of your teeth. With a little extra attention and continuing your existing oral hygiene habits, your smile can continue to be a gorgeous, healthy, and youthful piece of you.

If you have questions or need assistance in taking care of your smile at any age, contact your Salinas Cosmetic Dentist, Dr. Cureton's office.

9 Myths about Invisalign

Invisalign is a “new age” type of braces that many patients may opt for over traditional metal braces for a variety of reasons. The Invisalign treatment trays are clear so they are not noticeable, they are also removable so they are easy to clean and, a series of trays can be dispensed at each appointment so the number of appointment visits are reduced.  As many patients considering  improving their smiles are moving towards this option, there are many myths that Dr. Cureton would like to dispel.

1.     All dentists are equal in their knowledge of Invisalign treatment.

 

a.     FACT:  like any subject, there is much to know about treatment, thus the level of knowledge and experience of Invisalign treatment among dentists is varied.  Some dentists have been slow to adopt Invisalign treatment into their practices which limits their practical experience.

2.     Invisalign takes longer than traditional braces. 

a.     FACT:  certain orthodontic problems are more efficiently treated with traditional metal braces.  The majority of the time, however, treatment length time using Invisalign is comparable to traditional braces and may sometimes be faster.

3.     Invisalign results are not as good as traditional braces. 

a.     FACT:   if your treatment is done with a dentist that is experienced with Invisalign , the final product may be as good as with traditional braces.

4.     Invisalign trays make it hard to talk. 

a.     FACT:  the majority of people who use Invisalign do not have any problem speaking normally with their aligners in place.  As you become accustomed to the continued use of the aligners, your speech will adapt.

5.     Only adults can use Invisalign. 

a.     FACT:  many dentists make Invisalign available to their patients of all ages.  Patients as young as 12 years old have been treated with much success.   The only concern may be ensuring your child keeps their trays in at all times.

6.     Invisalign is only for minor tooth movement

a.     FACT:  Invisalign, in the hands of a skilled dentist, can be used to correct almost any orthodontic problem that traditional braces can. Experienced dentists  may even offer Invisalign treatment to their patients with severe crowding that requires removal of teeth or severe “overbites”.

7.     Only orthodontists can perform Invisalign treatment. 

a.     FACT:  all dentists can provide treatment with Invisalign with appropriate specific Invisalign training and knowledge of orthodontic treatment. 

8.     Invisalign is much more expensive than traditional braces. 

a.     FACT:  Invisalign treatment fees should be comparable to traditional braces’s fees.

9.     Invisalign treatment requires appointments every 2 weeks.

a.     FACT: with proper treatment planning, staging and education ,  a series of treatment Invisalign trays may be dispensed to the patient enabling patients to  go 1 to 3 months between appointments while progressing in their treatment

If you are in the Salinas Valley-Monterey Bay area, or even Gilroy or Hollister area and are considering braces for yourself or a family member, make sure to contact Dr. Cureton for a free consultation about how he can help you have the smile of your dreams.

5 Back to School Tips for Your Oral Health

As the holiday season comes to a close and 2016 quickly approaches Dr. Russell Cureton would like you to consider these 5 tips as you head back-to-school.

1. Manage your stress

With a new semester comes new teachers, new expectations and a slew of new papers. There is the juggling of the new class schedule, maybe a break-up over the holiday’s or guests still in your home lingering from the holiday’s. As the stress starts to pile up, so can the effect it has on your body. You'll often feel it in the forms of headaches, muscle pain or jaw pain.

Teeth grinding can be a main contributor to these aches and pains. Although most teeth grinding occurs during sleep, stress and anxiety can lead to prolonged grinding which can damage teeth and cause other oral health implications.

If stress is causing your teeth grinding, consider visiting your Salinas dentist Dr. Cureton D.D.S., about options to reduce your stress. Avoid or cutback on foods that contain caffeine such as colas and coffee. Don't chew on pens, pencils or anything that isn't food. If you notice yourself grinding your teeth or clenching them during the day, position the tip of your tongue between your teeth. This trains the muscles in your jaw to relax.

2. Watch your alcohol consumption

Back-to-school post holiday’s, with college football bowl games and big New Year’s events can mean more socializing with friends over beverages. Overconsumption of alcohol does more than just affect your liver—it can have negative effects on your teeth as well. Due to its high sugar and acid content, frequent consumption of alcohol can lead to increased tooth decay. The sugars from alcohol pose the biggest threat to your teeth which, when broken down in your mouth, can create the ideal acidic environment for bacteria to breed.

Some tips to combat the effects of alcohol include alternating alcoholic drinks with water or using water as the mix. Water increases saliva flow and can rinse away sugars and acid in your mouth. If you often forget to brush your teeth after a night out, leave a toothbrush on your pillow to give you a reminder.

3. Be careful with energy drinks

While trying to get back in the swing of waking up for those early morning classes, grabbing an energy drink may not be your best option for a number of reasons. Most energy drinks are loaded with citric acid, preservatives and sugar. These drinks can wreck havoc on your teeth and gums and lead to tooth decay, tooth sensitivity and cavities. Over time, energy drinks can also strip the enamel from your teeth. If you do have to have an energy drink, drink it through a straw and don't hold the drink in your mouth before swallowing. Afterward, rinse your mouth out with water, which will help to neutralize the acid and increase saliva production. The best advice however, is to refrain from drinking energy drinks all together. Water is one of the best hydrators, a natural energy-booster and doesn't contain any calories.

4. Protect yourself on the sport field/court/rink/etc.

A new semester brings new intramural sports activities. The closer we get to spring, the more we begin to recreate outside with friends, roommates and become more active. It's important to remember to protect your mouth while you get back on the field or court. Dr. Russell Cureton recommends a mouth guard for contact sports like roller hockey, soccer, basketball, football, rugby and lacrosse. Mouth guards not only protect the teeth, but they could also help prevent serious injuries such as jaw fractures, concussions and neck injuries. Many athletes opt not to wear a mouth guard because of bulkiness or poor fit. If this is the case, schedule a visit with Dr. Cureton here in Salinas, California about a custom-made mouth guard; he will provide the best fit, protection and comfort. Other options include boil and bite mouth guards and stock/ready made mouth guards.

5. It's all about routine

Starting the new year with a resolution to get into routine helps with the hustle and bustle of college life. Booking those hygiene and dental appointments are important. Making sure brushing and flossing are part of your everyday routine are equally as important. Most students study late into the night and getting ready for bed is a scramble for much needed sleep. To avoid missing your nightly brush and floss, try taking a study break earlier in the evening once you know you're finished consuming foods and beverages. You should brush for at least two minutes. A good way to time this is to brush for the full duration of your favorite song. Instead of flossing in the bathroom, you can floss while studying by using a dental floss pick. These make flossing on the go easy and less socially awkward when studying in the library or public place. Another great time to floss is while watching television, make it a habit to floss during the first commercial break.

If you are a student in the Salinas, Monterey, Prunedale or Seaside area, consider scheduling a visit with Dr. Russell Cureton in his Salinas office at the start of 2016. With more than 20 years experience as a local dentist he is a trusted source of oral care. Call him today 831-449-8363.

Tooth Restoration

There are a variety of different ways that a person can damage their teeth, luckily with todays modern technology, Dr. Cureton can help you with any sort of tooth restoration in Salinas that you need. Tooth restorations are the various ways Dr. Cureton can replace missing teeth or repair missing parts of the tooth. Teeth can be damaged or missing due to decay, deterioration of a previously placed restoration, or fracture of a tooth.

Tooth restorations are wide in its practice, and Dr. Cureton is here to help you with all types of damages, broken, missing, or stained teeth. Some examples of restorations include the following:

• ·      Fillings are the most common type of dental restoration. Teeth can be filled with gold, silver amalgam, or tooth-colored plastic materials called composite resin fillings.
• ·      Crowns are a tooth-shaped "cap" that is placed over a tooth to restore its shape and size, strength, appearance, to hold a bridge in place or cover a dental implant.
• ·      Bridges are false teeth that are designed to "bridge" the gap created by one or more missing teeth. Bridges can be anchored on either side by crowns and cemented permanently into place.
• ·      Implants are replacement tooth roots. Implants are actually a small post made of metal that are placed into the bone socket where teeth are missing. The implant is covered with a replacement tooth called a crown.
• ·      Dentures are a removable replacement for missing teeth and surrounding tissues. They are made of acrylic resin sometimes combined with metal attachments. Complete dentures replace all the teeth; partial dentures are considered when some natural teeth remain and are retained by metal clasps attached to the natural teeth.

Some benefits of tooth restoration as opposed to other treatments include them being strong and stable, a dental implant restores a lost tooth so that it looks, feels, fits and functions like a natural tooth. Other options can lead to bone deterioration, and may interfere with eating, smiling, speaking and other activities of everyday life.

With tooth restoration you can have the smile of your dreams! If you are in the Salinas, Monterey, or Prunedale areas and want to know if getting a tooth restoration is for you; contact Dr. Cureton for your free consultation.

Choosing a Family Dentist

While having a glowing white smile is important, there is much more to your oral health than just the shine of your teeth. Truly healthy teeth and gums are imperative to aid in great over-all health and, in order to maintain great oral health, it is necessary to make regular visits to a dentist. Taking time to choose a dentist for you and your family will make dental visits more pleasant and consistent. Dr. Russell Cureton DDS recommends a couple of ways to choose a family dentist that will help your entire family’s oral health stay in great shape.

Research their qualifications and experience

Beyond the obvious that they have graduated from an accredited dental school and have been Board Certified to practice, dentists should belong to the California Dental Association. They should also be  attending regular dental educational seminars to keep up their CEU’s (Continuing Education Units). This tells you the dentist you choose takes updating their education in today’s advancing dental technology seriously. Thusly, he can provide a higher standard of care and is not relying solely on his past school education to treat you in his practice.

In addition, look for a family dental practice with experience to give you the best dental care. Feel free to ask the dentist, office staff, and hygienist how long they have been working and what dental services are offered - they should be more than willing to give you all of the information you request.

Look at the services they offer 

​Not all family dentists offer an array of services. While it is important to find a dental office that can provide a good dental cleaning, you should also look for a practice that offers a wide variety of services (eg oral surgery, orthodontics, implants, single visit crowns) so your family can be helped with all their dental needs at one location.

Reviews are important ​

Current and past patients are the best resource when searching to find the right family dentist for you. Check reviews for a number of different offices to see what prior patients have to say about the
services, the dentist, and their overall experience. If you see mostly positive reviews for a Salinas Family Dentist, you should feel confident that they would offer you the care and attention you need. There are many places people can review their dentists: Facebook, Google+, Yelp, HealthGrades, along with several other websites. Although reading through pages of reviews may seem a bit daunting, spending the time now will help save a mountain of headaches in the future. 

 
Check out the office atmosphere ​

The atmosphere of the office is an important part in choosing your Salinas Family Dentist. Before you decide on a particular dentist, you should visit the office to see how it feels- is the waiting room comfortable, is the dentist and staff friendly, is the office clean, etc. If you and your family feel comfortable with all these aspects, you will be less likely to miss or skip dental appointments. Making sure that your children have a positive experience with their dentist when they are young will help set the foundation for their future dedication to their oral hygiene.

If you are looking for a Salinas Family Dentist in the Salinas, Prunedale, Gilroy, Hollister, Monterey Bay or South County areas, call Dr. Russell Cureton at (831) 449-8363 or, stop by our office at 620 E. Alvin Dr. Ste. E Salinas, CA 93906 so we can answer all of your questions. We look forward to meeting you and serving the dental needs of you and your family for many years to come.