Monday, October 28, 2019

Two Braces Friendly Treats for Halloween

If you have visited any of the fun pumpkin patches near Long Beach, you’ll see all the family activities and be reminded of the fun Halloween is with all the costumes, trick-or-treating and endless treats, all making this time of year a fun time.

Halloween can also be a tricky time if you have braces and while there are certain foods you should stay away, there are some types of candies you can eat on Halloween, that won’t damage your braces. Here are two Halloween braces-friendly treats you can eat on Halloween night.

1. Brownies:
A sweet treat that is braces-friendly is brownies. Brownies or other soft pastries won’t damage your braces and are an enjoyable treat on Halloween. Softness is key because your wires and brackets won’t be damaged. Be sure to brush up after eating treats and stick to your oral hygiene routine.

2. Chocolate:
Sugary treats affect our teeth in different ways, especially when it comes to orthodontic treatment and the overall health of our teeth and our oral hygiene routine. Chocolate that has no nuts, is not hard or has additional sticky stuff is the best route to go on Halloween night (and beyond). Chocolate is so delicious, and one of the most popular types of candy given out on Halloween. Chocolate washes off your teeth easier than any other type of candy. Dark chocolate also has less sugar than regular milk chocolate.

Minimize sugary treats and foods and stick to oral hygiene routines. Check out more information here on what to do if a loose or poking archwires happen or brackets become loose. It’s important to regularly check your braces for bent or lose wires and brackets.

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Location: Long Beach, CA, USA

Friday, October 4, 2019

World Smile Day in Long Beach, California


Today is World Smile Day. A day that celebrates smiles on everyone. A smile is the universal language and can transform lives. Here are some of our amazing patients and their extraordinary smiles.

Did you know a third of each tooth is underneath your gums? This is why keeping your gums healthy is as important as making sure your teeth are well cared for. Your gums should always be pink in color, and firm.

Our staff is a strong team of compassionate and highly trained individuals who are committed to lifelong good oral health for our patients. You will find each of them caring and knowledgeable. This team is made up of clerical and clinical staff. Schedule an appointment today.




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Location: Long Beach, CA, USA

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

National Gum Care Month: 3 Ways to Protect Your Gums


September is National Gum Care Month! Our gums are an important function of our health and teeth. When we think of gum disease, we often think about it only affecting adults. The truth is teenagers and young children can form a milder form of gum disease, gingivitis. According to the American Dental Association, “cases of gum disease in individuals under 18 can add to the estimated 50 percent of adults who have the disease if they are not treated correctly.”

Gum disease is caused by bacteria and food debris that build upon and around your teeth. They form a sticky substance called plaque. As children grow older and gingivitis remains untreated, severe forms of gum disease form and can lead to tooth decay, tooth loss, damage to the soft tissues and bones underneath the teeth.

The earliest symptoms of gum disease are puffy, swollen or red gums. In honor of National Gum Care Month, here are three ways to protect your gums.

1. Brushing
The first step in preventing your child from getting gum disease is to encourage a good dental hygiene routine. Your child should brush his teeth at least twice a day. It’s important to brush your teeth and keep a healthy routine of flossing, brushing your teeth and using a mouthwash.

2. Flossing 
If you don’t floss, you miss cleaning 40% of your tooth surfaces. Flossing is a great way to prevent any form of gum disease from forming.

Check your child's mouth for signs of periodontal disease, including bleeding gums, swollen and bright red gums, gums that are receding away from the teeth and bad breath. These are important signs to look out for yourself, to prevent gum disease.

3. Regular Visits
Regular dental care is extremely important in helping to keep your mouth healthy. Visit your dentist for routine care — especially cleaning — at least twice a year. Your dentist can remove hardened plaque and any tartar that you're not getting to with brushing or flossing.

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Location: Long Beach, CA, USA

Monday, September 2, 2019

The #1 Summer Tip to Take into Fall in Long Beach California

Summer is officially over and as a new season approaches, we are excited for new smiles and new seasons. We shared some great tips for a bright summer smile. As fall rolls into Long Beach and our surrounding communities, here is the #1 tip to take into fall.

Switch out Your Toothbrush:
Switching out your toothbrush is an often overlooked tip that can make a difference in our smile. It is recommended to switch out your toothbrush every 3-4 months. As a new season rolls around, this is a perfect opportunity to switch out toothbrushes for the whole family.

If you are using an electric toothbrush, switching out the toothbrush head is recommended.

Our staff is a strong team of compassionate and highly trained individuals who are committed to lifelong good oral health for our patients. You will find each of them caring and knowledgeable. This team is made up of clerical and clinical staff. The clinical staff members are all registered dental assistants and are certified with coronal polishing and X-ray licenses by the Department of California – Department of Consumer Affairs. Schedule an appointment today.



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Location: Long Beach, CA, USA

Thursday, August 22, 2019

National Tooth Fairy Day


Happy National Tooth Fairy Day! Today can be a great time to get your kids engaged in following an oral hygiene routine. To keep your children’s teeth healthy, brush them for two minutes, twice a day.

In honor of National Tooth Fairy Day, here are five facts about teeth you may not know about teeth.

1. Did you know the average American spends 38.5 total days brushing their teeth over a lifetime? It’s important to brush your teeth and keep a healthy routine of flossing, brushing your teeth and using a mouthwash.

2. If you don’t floss, you miss cleaning 40% of your tooth surfaces. Make sure you brush and floss twice a day! Lack of flossing can contribute to silent symptoms of gum disease, which ultimately leads to decay.

3. Did you know according to the American Dental Association, kids in prehistoric times likely did not suffer from tooth decay. The American Dental Association says this is because sugar was not a part of their diet.

4. Tooth decay is actually classified as an infectious disease because it is caused by a particular strain of bacteria passed between multiple people.

5. The blueprint for your teeth is present the day you’re born. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that infants be seen shortly after the first tooth erupts or no later than their first birthday. This first visit will help establish a dental home for your child.

The earlier you start, the better chance we have to prevent any potential problems. In addition to checking for decay and other conditions, our staff will teach you how to clean your child’s teeth properly, identify your child’s risk for cavities, and offer you helpful advice that will help your child build a lifetime of good dental habits.

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Location: Long Beach, CA, USA

Tuesday, August 6, 2019

Happy National Fresh Breath Day


Happy National Fresh Breath Day! Today is National Fresh Breath Day, a perfect reminder to keep our smiles healthy and smelling fresh. Did you know the average person only brushes for 45 to 70 seconds a day, the recommended amount of time is 2-3 minutes?

One incredible way to keep your smile healthy that is often overlooked is by utilizing a type of mouthwash. Using mouthwash, especially during orthodontic treatment makes an oral hygiene routine easy. You can easily remove food debris from areas that are difficult to reach with a toothbrush and floss. After brushing and flossing, you can swish it around your mouth for a minimum of 30 seconds. This will remove any lingering bacteria and will even help with inflammation of the gum if gum disease is prevalent

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Location: Long Beach, CA, USA

Friday, July 26, 2019

Summers Smiles in Long Beach

Summer smiles are in full effect in Long Beach! Did you know the average American spends 38.5 total days brushing their teeth over a lifetime? Dental hygiene and visiting the dentist is so important for our overall health. Here are some of our incredible smiles so far this summer.








Dr. Santos Cortez, Dr. Estela Sanchez, and Dr. Ana Planells, as well as our team, are committed to supporting and educating our patients to care for their teeth and gums and help in the prevention of dental disease. We strive to achieve this goal in an environment that is soothing and welcoming to both parents and children of all ages.

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Location: Long Beach, CA, USA
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