Oral Health « Dr. Ortega’s San Diego Dentist Blog

Archive for the ‘Oral Health’ Category

Don’t Take Stress Out On Your Teeth, San Diego

Friday, February 3rd, 2012

Hello, I’m Dr. Marcos Ortega. At my San Diego cosmetic dental practice I have noticed more and more of my patients with stress-related dental issues. San Diego men and women may not think about it, but stress can do a number on your oral health.

Mouth sores, clenching and grinding, periodontal disease, and poor oral hygiene can all be exacerbated by stress.

San Diego people who have difficulty managing stress need to realize that it can increase the risk of getting mouth sores such as cankers and cold sores. Most canker sores only last 7-10 days, but for relief from the irritation, we recommend our patients pick up an over-the-counter topical anesthetic at any San Diego area drug store.

Clenching and grinding the teeth is common for stressed-out San Diego residents, and often it’s done unconsciously. Here at Marcos Ortega DDS our very comfortable and friendly staff can determine if a night guard or other dental appliance is appropriate to reduce grinding.

Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, is exacerbated by stress because stress can result in an increase in dental plaque.

And San Diego dental patients may find that when they are under stress it is more common to neglect their oral hygiene habits. Many people in the San Diego area find that they eat more sugary snacks when they’re under stress.

If you’re concerned about the effect stress can have on your teeth, schedule an appointment at Marcos Ortega DDS today. We even offer emergency dental care. We treat patients from age 25 to 75 and we offer dental implants, porcelain veneers, dental crowns, and teeth whitening. We hope to hear from you soon!

Marcos Ortega
Marcos Ortega DDS
306 Walnut Ave, Ste 25
San Diego, California 92103
619-717-8459
http://www.mysandiegosmiles.com/doctors.htm

Tags: cosmetic dental, emergency dental care, Porcelain Veneers
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Fighing Bad Breath and Removing Tooth Stains

Friday, December 30th, 2011

Did you remember that brushing and flossing fights bad breath and removes stains?

If you have persistent stains that brushing can’t remove, try professional teeth whitening at Marcos Ortega DDS for a dazzling stain free smile.

The American Dental Association recommends two minutes as a minimum time for brushing. Most folks think they brush that long but would be surprised if they actually set a timer. Most of us only brush for about a minute, if that.

I am Dr. Marcos Ortega of Marcos Ortega DDS. In my office, we practice preventative dentistry by working with our patients to establish essential oral hygiene habits.

If you are looking for a cosmetic dentist in San Diego, I invite you to come meet my very comfortable and friendly team.

Our address is 306 Walnut Ave, Ste 25, San Diego, California. We offer general and sedation dentistry, including cosmetic and emergency dental treatment.

And here’s a quick cold-fighting tip for my San Diego clients; get a new toothbrush when you catch a cold. A toothbrush teeming with germs can re-infect you!

Give us a call at 619-717-8459.

Tags: cosmetic dentist, emergency dental treatment, Teeth Whitening
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Energy Drink Warning For San Diego

Friday, December 16th, 2011

Hello. I’m Dr. Marcos Ortega.

Welcome to my San Diego cosmetic dental blog. Today’s topic is energy drinks and the damage they can cause to your teeth. I am seeing more and more San Diego teens and adults with tooth enamel erosion caused by frequent consumption of sport drinks.

Most of these San Diego cosmetic dentistry patients take good care of their teeth, brush and flush, and come into Marcos Ortega DDS for a twice-yearly exam and deep cleaning. But guess what? If you drink energy drinks regularly, your enamel can erode even if you practice immaculate oral hygiene.

Energy drinks like Red Bull, Rock Star, and Monster are a cocktail of powerful acids and other enamel-eroding substances. Most of them contain citric acid, fruit juices, loads of sugar, and a potent chemical that gives them their bright fluorescent color.

Perhaps, like myself, you have often noticed young people walking out of San Diego convenience stores swigging 32-ounce energy drinks. I am concerned that local teens do not understand the serious dental consequences of frequent acid baths.

The following is from ABC Sports:

“Sports drinks are increasingly damaging the teeth of professional and recreational athletes, one of Australia’s top sports dentists has warned. Dr. Brett Dorney says he has witnessed a huge increase in dental erosion since the Sidney Olympics, when he was the event’s deputy director of dental services.”

Here is an excerpt from a recent CNN Story:

“Researchers at the University of Iowa’s College of Dentistry found the energy drinks and sports drinks eroded the enamel more than soda and fruit juices.”

I need to add the caveat that soda and fruit juices also contain acids that can damage teeth.

If your teeth have enamel erosion, whatever the cause, we can restore your smile with advanced cosmetic dentistry. Crowns, porcelain veneers, inlays and onlays can correct both structural and cosmetic problems.

Our phone number is 619-717-8459. If you are interested in re-designing your smile, come in for an exam and consultation. With cutting-edge cosmetic dentistry, as well as emergency dental care, we can repair acid-damaged teeth and dramatically increase your face value.

Tags: cosmetic dental, Cosmetic Dentistry, emergency dental care, Porcelain Veneers
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Tooth Brushing Basics For Healthy Smiles In San Diego

Friday, December 9th, 2011

Why should everyone in San Diego brush at least twice a day? Let’s take a look at why this is so important.

Brushing and flossing is the best way to prevent decay.

Brushing with fluoride toothpaste and carefully flossing removes the food from our teeth and inhibits the build up of plaque. If we let food stay on our teeth, the starches in the food will mix with the plaque. This nasty mixture forms an acid which immediately starts drilling into the enamel to form cavities. Brushing can’t get all the spaces between your teeth, so you’ve got to floss also.

Brushing and flossing keeps gums and bone healthy.

If you let gum disease go untreated, you can lose teeth that are cavity-free!

The progression of gum disease (gingivitis) goes like this:

Plaque build-up irritates gums.
Irritated gums pull away from teeth.
Bacteria multiplies in the spaces between the gum and tooth.
The bone holding the tooth is eaten by the bacteria.
Say goodbye to the tooth.

The good news is that gingivitis can be reversed if detected early. Losing a tooth can lead to the need for dental implants or a dental crown. We offer both these services and more at our San Diego sedation dentistry office.

Call Dr. Marcos Ortega DDS at 619-717-8459 to schedule a gum disease evaluation at our cosmetic dental office in San Diego.

Tags: cosmetic dental, Dental Implants, Sedation Dentistry
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Marcos Ortega DDS Guide To Healthy Tooth Enamel

Friday, November 18th, 2011

Here at Marcos Ortega DDS, we want your teeth to last a lifetime! Tooth enamel is one of the hardest parts of the body, but it is non-renewable so it is important not to not neglect or abuse our teeth. Daily teeth and gum care is the best way to protect tooth enamel.

Even though every San Diego drug store carries hard bristle brushes, we recommend brushing with a soft brush after every meal to gently brush away acid. Scrub too hard, and you can erode enamel. It is ideal to brush immediately after eating, but brushing within 60 minutes of a meal has benefits. The quicker you remove food from your teeth, the better it is for your enamel.

Flossing regularly is also important to keep gums healthy. Whether the food is on tooth surfaces, or hidden in between, it is not doing your enamel any good.

Dr. Marcos Ortega recommends a checkup and thorough cleaning from your San Diego cosmetic dentists every six months. Our skilled hygienists remove tartar, a substance that attracts plaque to the surface of the teeth and can weaken the teeth’s structures. Regular checkups prevent problems and save you money on expensive restorations (like dental implants) down the road.

Remember: don’t use your teeth for opening packages! Keep scissors and bottle openers handy. At Marcos Ortega DDS, we often provide emergency dental treatment restorative dental work as a result of patients using their teeth as tools. Biting down on something too hard, like ice or hard candy can also damage enamel.

Attention San Diego athletes: be sure to use a mouthguard for team, contact, and recreational sports.

Lastly, remember: drink water. Coffee, sports drinks, soda, wine, and tea all contain a lot of acid or sugar, and in some cases both. Cut back, or at least use a straw. These drinks cause a lot of tooth decay for non-water drinkers in the San Diego.

We hope you find these Marcos Ortega DDS tips helpful. For more information on dental care, or to schedule an appointment, contact our San Diego sedation dentist office today at 619-717-8459!

Dr. Marcos Ortega
Marcos Ortega DDS
619-717-8459
306 Walnut Ave Ste 25
San Diego, CA 92103
http://www.MySanDiegoSmiles.com

Tags: cosmetic dentists, Dental Implants, emergency dental treatment, sedation dentist
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Preventing Facial Injuries

Friday, November 4th, 2011

Facial injuries occur all too often in the San Diego area. Little Leaguers get hit by inside pitches, construction workers suffer falls and other accidents at the worksite, and San Diego motorists sustain injuries in collisions every single day. Accidents at home can also result in a dental emergency or facial injury.

Serious facial injuries can affect the victim’s ability to eat, breathe, and speak. Because of the essential physical processes at risk, a person who has suffered a facial injury should receive emergency dental care as soon as possible. Injuries to the mouth are treated by general dentists and oral and maxillofacial surgeons.

At Marcos Ortega DDS, we strongly advocate the use of protective equipment for every type of sport, whether it is a team sport or individual activity. Call us at 619-717-8459 for mouthguard recommendations regarding your (or your child’s) specific sport.

Likewise, the San Diego workplace injury rate can be reduced with increased use of appropriate protective equipment and adherence to safety procedures. With respect to San Diego motor vehicle injuries, the following instructions bear repetition: Wear your seatbelt and don’t send or read text messages while driving!

If you have suffered a recent injury to your face, mouth or jaw, schedule a cosmetic dental consultation with Marcos Ortega DDS in San Diego. If you are having dental problems (functional or aesthetic) due to an untreated past injury, I can also develop an effective treatment plan.

My office is located at 306 Walnut Ave, Ste 25 in San Diego.

-Dr. Marcos Ortega

Tags: cosmetic dental, dental emergency, emergency dental care
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Preventing Tooth Decay in California

Wednesday, September 7th, 2011

In San Diego, tooth decay is one of the most common childhood problems, yet tooth decay also affects adults. Marcos Ortega DDS serves people from 25 to 75 years old to help fight tooth decay.

Bacteria are a common cause of tooth decay. Bacteria live in your mouth and combine with plaque and acids to break down the enamel coating on your teeth. The breakdown of your tooth enamel can often result in the development of small holes in your teeth which are known as cavities. The breaking down of your tooth enamel in is known as tooth decay, and it is a serious dental problem for children and adults in California.

California tooth decay is typically a result of diet and oral hygiene choices. When sticky foods are consumed and allowed to sit on the teeth, or foods full of sugars and starches are consumed frequently throughout the day, tooth decay can result. Foods to avoid include soda and sugary chewing gum; these foods tend to stay around for a while and create an environment where bacteria thrive. To help prevent tooth decay, simply limit sugary and starchy foods between meals. Also, brushing at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, flossing at least once a day, and visiting your local San Diego cosmetic dentist in California for regular check ups and cleanings will help prevent tooth decay.

Hello, my name is Marcos Ortega, and I am a dentist and I work at Marcos Ortega DDS located at 306 Walnut Ave, Ste 25 San Diego, California . Tooth decay is a preventable dental problem, and I can help. I will be happy to meet you, and to give you an idea of the many ways we can help you prevent tooth decay and avoid a more costly or even painful ailment.

We at specialize in cosmetic dentistry and sedation dentistry and would be happy to discuss with you any health concerns related to your teeth. Give us a call at 619-717-8459.

Dr. Marcos Ortega

Tags: cosmetic dentist, Cosmetic Dentistry, Sedation Dentistry
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Ouch! Are Your Teeth Sensitive In San Diego?

Friday, August 19th, 2011

For those of you in the San Diego area who feel pain when you sip your morning coffee or who cringe each time you brush or floss, Marcos Ortega DDS is here for you.

Dr. Marcos Ortega has been treating this common problem since 1986.

The first line of defense against tooth sensitivity is proper oral hygiene. Incorrect brushing and over-brushing can result in receding gums, which leads to the exposure of microscopic tubules in the dentin. When these tubules are exposed, acidic, hot, cold, and sticky foods can then reach the nerve cells in the teeth causing discomfort.

Here in our San Diego dentistry practice, our knowledgeable staff can determine if your brushing style is contributing to your tooth sensitivity and get you on your way to proper oral care habits.

Marcos Ortega usually recommends an over-the-counter desensitizing toothpaste that will alleviate tooth pain after several applications. Most San Diego Wal-Mart and Hillcrest Sav-On stores carry it. However, some San Diego patients may need in-office procedures such as fluoride gel treatments available at Marcos Ortega DDS.

Don’t worry if you have sensitive teeth in San Diego and want to have your teeth whitened. Here at Marcos Ortega DDS, Dr. Ortega can determine which professional tooth whitening or at-home whitening procedures will work for you.

Call our San Diego cosmetic dental office today to get relief from your sensitive teeth. We also offer emergency dental care.

Marcos Ortega DDS
306 Walnut Ave, Ste 25
San Diego California 92103
619-717-8459

http://www.mysandiegosmiles.com/doctors.htm

Tags: cosmetic dental, emergency dental care, tooth whitening
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Beware Of An Acidic Diet In San Diego

Friday, July 22nd, 2011

Most San Diego folks don’t often think of a tooth as a body part that fluctuates in strength. Our teeth seem to have a steady hardness and dependably grind food whenever we need them. However, teeth are dynamic organisms with chemical processes that occur continually.

The protective enamel that covers the softer interior is made of minerals. Enamel demineralizes (loses some of its density) when coming in contact with acids. Saliva can dilute and neutralize acid so the tooth can remineralize (re-harden). This process isn’t instantaneous, however. While the enamel is soft, the tooth is vulnerable to losing a microscopic outer layer of enamel. If the erosion continues, the much softer dentin is exposed. Eventually, the tooth may need to be extracted.

At Marcos Ortega DDS, we are noticing an increase in cases of serious acid erosion. It is apparent that the typical San Diego diet is becoming more acidic.

The list of acidic foods may surprise you. They include eggs, gravy, asparagus, chicken, cottage cheese, honey, fish, ham, butter, sour cream, aged cheese, and yogurt with active cultures. Generally, food with a high sugar or artificial sweetener content are highly acidic.

Now let’s talk about drinks. You probably already know that soda pop and wine are not good for your teeth. San Diego teens that sip soda all day can have acid erosion while their young teeth should be at their strongest. In addition to soda, energy drinks are very popular in California and San Diego cosmetic dentists are noticing the effects on their dental patients’ tooth enamel.

If you drink soda or energy drinks often, you may want to drink water or chew sugarless gum after downing a can. Stimulating saliva production can speed up the remineralization process.

If your teeth have become more sensitive in general, or in response to hot or cold foods or beverages, you may have acid erosion. To schedule an examination with Dr. Marcos Ortega at Marcos Ortega DDS, call 619-717-8459 today.

We are a full-service dental office with hundreds of satisfied clients in San Diego. We are located at 306 Walnut Ave., Suite 25 in San Diego. We are working to raise awareness of the oral health dangers of acid erosion. We hope you have benefited from this Marcos Ortega DDS blog article and look forward to your visit. We also offer sedation dentistry and emergency dental care in San Diego.

Tags: cosmetic dentists, emergency dental care, Sedation Dentistry
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A New Reason To Eat More Fish In Mission Hills, Mission Valley

Friday, May 27th, 2011

Hello San Diego dental blog visitors, welcome to the Marcos Ortega DDS blog. I am Dr. Marcos Ortega.

I came across an interesting dental article on the Web MD Health News site the other day. The article is entitled ‘Fatty Fish, Nuts May Prevent Gum Disease.’ Author Jennifer Warner explains that a recent study links diets high in polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) with a lower risk of periodontitis.

Gum disease is a common dental issue for many San Diego folks. When gum tissue pulls away from a tooth, it forms a pocket. (You know what they say about Nature abhorring a vacuum.) This pocket is a warm, moist place for bacteria to flourish. If periodontitis goes untreated, the tooth and jaw bone are at risk. During dental examinations, I carefully measure gumline pockets and examine all teeth for gum disease.

“Researchers found that people whose diets were rich in PUFAs were as much as 30 percent less likely to have gum disease than those who ate little or none of this type of fat.”

Foods high in PUFAs include salmon, tuna, trout, mackerel, sardines, herring. Oils high in PUFAs include safflower oil, soybean oil, corn oil, sunflower oil, and margarines made with the previously mentioned oils. Almonds, pine nuts, walnuts, pecans, brazil nuts, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds and flax seeds are high PUFA nuts/seeds.

I don’t know many families in San Diego that regularly eat mackerel and herring. Maybe some of us could benefit from becoming more adventurous when it comes to seafood.

The possible prevention of gum disease is not the only reason to eat high PUFA foods. These foods pack a nutritional punch and have myriad health benefits. The next time you are stocking up at the San Diego Costco, you may want to add some salmon and walnuts to your list.

It is important to understand that diet alone will not treat or prevent gum disease, however it may be an additional tool for maintaining healthy teeth and gums.

If you have not been to your San Diego cosmetic dentist in a while, I urge you to schedule an examination and cleaning today. We are currently taking new San Diego dental clients at Marcos Ortega DDS.

If you are interested in teeth whitening, smile makeovers, tooth-colored fillings or Invisalign invisible braces, call us today to schedule an appointment. We also offer emergency dental treatment.

Dr. Marcos Ortega
Marcos Ortega DDS
306 Walnut Ave., Suite 25
San Diego California, 92103
619-717-8459

Tags: cosmetic dentist, emergency dental treatment, Invisalign
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