Value of Invisalign

No one enjoys the idea of having to wear braces, however the value of Invisalign is in how simple and effective they are. Invisalign is a better choice than traditional braces for people who are self-conscious about their smile. Moreover, Invisalign provides quick correction for a wide variety of orthodontic issues. The good news is that you don’t have to go far to find them. Salinas Invisalign programs are available to help you get the smile you’ve always wanted.

No self-consciousness or anxiety

The biggest difference between Invisalign and traditional braces is in their appearance. The Invisalign system is based on a series of clear plastic trays that gently nudge your teeth into alignment. Fortunately, Invisalign is very difficult to see. If you don’t broadcast that you’re wearing them, no one will even know. Gone are the days of worrying about getting salad caught in your braces.

If you are like most people, you might be self-conscious about your smile. For some people, enduring a couple of years of wire braces sounds worse than keeping their crooked smile. Invisalign removes the source of anxiety. If you want to improve your smile in order to improve their business opportunities, then Invisalign is your answer. Realtors, sales associates, and others who rely on charisma and a great smile, are often hesitant to wear braces. Your smile is a great asset in closing the deal, improve it with an Salinas Invisalign treatment.

Quick progress

Unlike traditional braces, Invisalign treatments take about a year to complete. This is quicker than the average wire and bracket braces procedure. Invisalign works by using a series of clear plastic trays made especially for your teeth. These trays slowly nudge them into position. Every few weeks you change your set of trays. How many sets you go through will depend on your progress. On average, it’s somewhere between 18 and 30.

Simply visit your Salinas orthodontist every few weeks to have your Invisalign treatments overseen. Consistent visits allow you to address any issues you may have. Because the trays are custom made, your orthodontist can adjust them to meet your needs as you progress. For this reason, the entire set isn’t made at once, but over time.

Versatile corrections

Invisalign isn’t used just to straighten teeth. It’s considered a viable option for a whole variety of procedures. Correcting more than crooked teeth, Invisalign is also used to correct overbites, under bites, and cross bites. As each tray is custom made with your needs in mind, your dentist actually prioritizes your concerns as treatment progresses. Close gaps between your teeth or even space them out with Invisalign. In short, it’s possible to replicate any treatment that you can get with traditional wire and bracket with Invisalign.

Invisalign is a quick and versatile solution to many oral concerns. You don’t have to avoid pictures for a couple years or give up using your winning smile to earn commission. While traditional braces make the wearer more self-conscious before they’re removed, Invisalign works invisibly to align your teeth so that you can have the smile you’ve always wanted. Contact Dr. Cureton to improve your smile today! 

Oral Health Issues Seniors Face

Oral health is an important and often overlooked component of an older person’s general health and well-being. Our team knows that for many of our older patients, oral health can become an issue when arthritis or other neurological problems render them unable to brush or floss their teeth as effectively as they once did. Today, we thought we would discuss four common oral health issues our older patients face and how they can avoid them:

Cavities: It’s not just children who get tooth decay—oral decay is a common disease in people 65 and older. Ninety-two percent of seniors 65 and older have had dental caries in their permanent teeth, according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. The risk for tooth decay increases because many older adults don’t go to the dentist as often as they used to, thus cavities go undetected and untreated for longer than they should. Keeping regular appointments is the key to getting cavities treated in a timely manner.

Difficulty eating: Oral health problems, whether from missing teeth, cavities, dentures that don’t fit, gum disease, or infection, can cause difficulty eating and can force people to adjust the quality, consistency, and balance of their diet.

Dry mouth: Also called xerostomia, dry mouth is a common issue for a lot of seniors. Our friends at the Oral Cancer Foundation estimate that 20 percent of elderly people suffer from dry mouth, which means the reduced flow of saliva (saliva plays a crucial role in preventing tooth decay). Many seniors are on multiple medications for a variety of chronic illnesses or conditions. Common medications taken that may cause dry mouth are decongestants, antihistamines, blood pressure medications, pain pills, incontinence medications, antidepressants, diuretics, muscle relaxers, and Parkinson’s disease medications. To help counter this, we suggest drinking lots of fluids and limiting your intake of caffeine and alcohol. We also encourage you to check with us during your next visit if you think your medications are causing your mouth to feel dry.

Gum Disease: Gum (periodontal) disease is an infection of the gums and surrounding tissues that hold teeth in place. While gum disease affects people of all ages, it typically becomes worse as people age. In its early stages, gum disease is painless, and most people have no idea that they have it. In more advanced cases, however, gum disease can cause sore gums and pain when chewing.

Gum disease, which can range from simple gum inflammation to serious disease, is usually caused by poor brushing and flossing habits that allow dental plaque to build up on the teeth. Plaque that is not removed can harden and form tartar that brushing simply does not clean. Only a professional cleaning at our office can remove tartar. The two forms of gum disease are gingivitis and periodontitis. In gingivitis, the gums become red, swollen, and can bleed easily; in periodontitis, gums pull away from the teeth and form spaces that become infected.

Proper brushing, flossing, and visiting our office regularly can prevent gum disease. Seniors with limited dexterity who have trouble gripping a toothbrush should ask Dr. Cureton about modifying a handle for easier use or switching to a battery-powered toothbrush.

Do I Need to use Mouthwash? Your Salinas Family Dentist Answers

A question that many of our patients ask us is “Why should we be using a mouthwash?”

The fact is mouthwashes may conceal the existence of dental or other health problems. The most common of these is bad breath (halitosis), which can be caused by a range of causes, including poor oral hygiene, decay, infection or xerostomia (dry mouth). If NOT having bad breath is a priority; make sure to contact your Salinas Dentist Dr. Russell Cureton.

It’s important to know the differences between a mouthwash you may use at home on a daily basis (a “cosmetic” mouthwash) and one prescribed by your dentist (a “therapeutic” mouthwash).

Cosmetic Mouthwashes are on sale over the counter nearly everywhere. A Cosmetic Mouthwash may temporarily cover up bad breath, but does not fight the bacterial agent causing that bad breath. Some Cosmetic Mouthwashes contain fluoride (to fight cavities), as well as other ingredients that help fight gingivitis and decrease plaque build-up. Over-the-counter products that do have these additional ingredients only have limited ability to fight against decay, gingivitis and plaque accumulation.

Therapeutic Mouthwashes are prescribed by your dentist, include ingredients that target decay-causing agents, aid in eliminating plaque build-up, and reduce gingivitis in a more controlled and direct way than cosmetic mouthwash. The concentrations of ingredients in Therapeutic Mouthwashes are usually higher and therefore require professional advice before use.

It is important to remember that all mouthwashes are only helpful when combined with brushing twice daily and flossing once daily; At the office of Dr. Russell Cureton, we want to make sure that you do not use mouthwash as a substitute for these necessities of your oral health routine. We encourage people steer towards the alcohol-free mouthwashes.

If having fresh breath is a priority, use of a mouthwash may be helpful; only if used along with daily tooth brushing and flossing, accompanied by regular six-monthly checkups with your Salinas Dentist.

Dr. Russell Cureton has been a practicing dentist in Salinas for more than 25 years. So if you live in Prunedale, Seaside, Marina area you can find us on E. Alvin Drive in Salinas. Check back each month for more tips and insight from Dr. Cureton.

When Should You Take Your Child to the Dentist?

Teaching children to take good care of their teeth should include regular visits to the dentist. Taking your child to the dentist can be a fun experience for both of you if you time it right and make sure that you’re properly prepared. If your baby has started cutting teeth, it’s time to start thinking about when will be best to first take them for a check-up. Family dentists are experts in dealing with children’s teeth and will be able to put both yourself and your child at ease during the visit.

What Age Is Best?

Ideally, your child should pay their first visit to the dentist before their first birthday. Starting your child off going to the dentist early not only makes sure that they’re in with the best chance of having any potential dental problems spotted as soon as possible, it’ll also help them to get used to dental visits from a young age. Taking your child to the dentist before their first birthday also helps you to get information about the best way to clean your child’s teeth and learn as much as possible as soon as possible when it comes to your child’s dental needs.

Preparing for the Visit

Before you take your child for their first visit to the dentist, it’s a good idea to ask the dentist about what to expect during the procedure so that there are no nasty surprises for either you or your child. It’s a good idea to plan a course of action for either reaction that your child may exhibit, whether it be co-operative or not. Most family dentists such as Dr. Russell Cureton DDS at Salinas Family Dentist will allow your child to bring a favorite toy such as a teddy bear into the dentist surgery with them or may even provide toys to keep your little one occupied. If your child is showing any anxiety regarding going to the dentist, the best thing to do is treat it like a game and explain how much fun it can be.

What to Expect

Many children’s first visits to the dentist are nothing much more than an introduction and getting to know the dental staff. The dentist will introduce themselves to your child and let them see the chair and equipment used for dental treatment. If an oral examination takes place and the child is under three years old, it may be necessary for you to sit in the chair and hold your child during the procedure. This can help to calm any nerves that your child may have as well as allow you to distract them by talking to them. Scheduling appointments for early on in the day when your child is awake and fresh is often the best idea. If your child is showing signs of fear or anxiety when you arrive, it may be necessary to re-schedule. Short introductions over time are usually the best way to introduce young children to going to the dentist.

How did your children react when first visiting the dentist? What would you advise other parents to do? Let us know in the comments.