The teeth and gums need to be cared for each day to ensure they are healthy and clean. However, have you ever thought about the care and attention your tongue may need? The tongue is a rough surface that can be the perfect location for bacteria to thrive. The bacteria that resides on the tongue can transfer elsewhere in the mouth and multiple, creasing problems such as periodontal disease and tooth decay. Additionally, bacteria present on the tongue is one of the leading causes of conditions such as halitosis (bad breath). Dr. David S. Frey of Beverly Hills, California encourages patients to learn more about how to keep the tongue clean to contribute to a healthier smile!

Do I Need To Brush My Tongue?

When brushing the teeth, it is always a good idea to brush the tongue as well. To effectively brush your tongue and remove food debris, sugars, and acids that can contribute to dental problems, it is important that you use toothpaste and brush vigorously on the tongue. Work from back to front, and brush forward and backward and side to side. Some patients may also utilize tongue scrapers, especially if they deal with chronic bad breath or other problems of the tongue that contribute to poor oral health.

How Often Should I Brush My Tongue?

Patients should brush their tongue as part of their tooth brushing and flossing routines. Oral care routines should be performed twice a day, preferably once in the morning and once at night before bed. Brushing and flossing after every meal is also advantageous, but not always possible for patients. Patients who have trouble keeping their mouth clean or those who deal with dry mouth and bad breath may need to brush their tongue more often during the day than those who do not.

Discuss Your Dental Needs With Dr. David S. Frey

Beverly Hills, California area patients can call us today to request a consultation visit and educate themselves on how to care for their teeth and gums. His practice is always accepting new patients and continues to provide patients with ways to achieve and maintain good oral health and wellness.

While brushing, flossing, and visiting the dentist regularly are some of the most effective ways to care for the smile, there are other ways in which patients can be proactive about their oral health and wellness. Dr. David S. Frey of Beverly Hills, California also encourages patients to pay close attention to their diet and nutrition. Diet and nutrition also play a vital role in good oral health and should be closely monitored to ensure it is appropriate. When it comes to eating for better, stronger teeth and gums, our team may recommend avoiding these certain foods and beverages:

• Highly acidic foods – foods that are high in acids, such as those with a low Ph rating, are hazardous to the smile. This is because these acids can erode natural tooth enamel and result in the development of cavities (tooth decay). They can also weaken the enamel, making the teeth much more sensitive. Some of the more acid foods and beverages that can impact the smile’s health include pickles, tomatoes, lemons, coffee, and alcohol.
• Foods high in sugar content – sugar can be bad for teeth, but why? Sugars feed the bad bacteria in the mouth, creating acids that cause cavities. While it may be impossible to eliminate all sugars from your daily diet, minimizing sugar intake and brushing teeth immediately after consumption will help tremendously in keeping the smile healthy.
• Sticky/chewy foods – taffies and gum may stick to the teeth and gums and provide the energy bacteria needs to survive. This increases their presence in the mouth and can contribute to the development of periodontal disease, or gum disease. This infection can spread and cause the loss of tissue, bone, and teeth.

Oral care is a simple task that we are encouraged to perform twice a day. Brushing is easy. Most people have this down to a highly-efficient practice that we do morning and night. Flossing and other steps, however, may come as more of a challenge. Chore may be a better word. We realize that the idea of adding another task to oral care may sound unappealing. We’re going to bring it up anyway. It is important that we support our patients with suggestions that can improve their oral health. This one, tongue scraping, may do even more than that.

At this point, you may be shaking your head already. Scrape my tongue? Yes. Hear us out.

What Tongue Scraping Is And What It Does

You may instinctively perform some version of tongue scraping when you brush your teeth. As folks have learned that the back of their tongue can be a haven for bacteria and toxins, the habit of brushing this part of the tongue has occurred. This is not beneficial. Tongue brushing and tongue scraping are two different things. When you brush, you leave bacteria behind. Furthermore, those that are picked up are likely to adhere to your toothbrush, only to jump ship the next time bristles are in your mouth.

True tongue scraping, the kind that will provide you with the most benefit, involves gently moving a non-sharp, curved scraper from the back of the tongue to the front. Tongue-scrapers can be purchased online or at most drug stores. The practice is really simple, takes only about a minute a day, and offers significant benefits such as:

• Efficient cleansing of the mouth. Brushing and flossing, but missing the tongue, can mean a continual struggle with bacteria.
• Better breath. Did you know that the back of the tongue is a primary source of bad breath? This is because the toxins and bacteria that live in the biofilm that forms here emit odorous byproduct.
• A stronger sense of taste. Scraping your tongue will not strengthen your sense of taste literally, it will just enhance it by removing the junk that is covering the taste buds at the back of your mouth. Being able to taste food is one of the first things patients remark on after adding tongue-scraping to their daily routine.
• Where there is taste, there is better digestion. One of the reasons we have taste buds is because our sense of taste prompts the digestive process. When we taste our food, beneficial acids are produced in the stomach to prepare for the breakdown of food.

We are committed to helping our patients enjoy lifelong oral health and smiles they love. For more information on our general and cosmetic dentistry services, call our Beverly Hills office.

Smoking, whether it be a pipe, cigars, cigarettes, or even marijuana, can have some serious consequences to general health. Most people are well aware of what those are: heart disease, lung cancer, and more. There is no need for us to go there. What we would like to discuss is the importance of a consistent, efficient oral care program for individuals who smoke. Even if you are in the process of quitting or have already quit, the fact is that your mouth could still need a little extra TLC.

Some of the ways you may provide your smile with additional attention include:

Use Excellent Technique

The way in which you brush your teeth will correlate to how clean and healthy your mouth is. We suggest:

• Investing in a good electric toothbrush, one with soft bristles and a convenient handle that allows you to reach all areas of the mouth, even harder-to-reach places at the very back.
• Spend an appropriate amount of time brushing every morning and night. This is not a task to rush through. Two full minutes is needed to adequately disrupt the debris that may be adhering to tooth surfaces. Develop strategies, if necessary, such as playing a two-minute song, to help you stay on the brushing task for the appropriate duration.
• Floss daily. A way to make sure this happens is to purchase a Waterpik or other water irrigator. If you currently smoke, this method of flossing may be an adjunct rather than an alternative. You may floss with string, and then end your oral care routine with water irrigation that includes a few drops of oral antibacterial rinse in the water. Because a small amount of water from the Waterpik reaches beneath the gum line, the antibacterial solution works to inhibit inflammation where it is most likely to occur.
• Lastly, rinse with antibacterial mouthwash to freshen breath and inhibit bacterial activity.

Get Support For A Great Smile

Dr. Frey provides friendly dental care in our Beverly Hills and London offices where patients can obtain general and cosmetic dentistry services tailored to their needs. From teeth whitening to comprehensive dental checkups and cleanings, we support our patients with efficient care. Call us today at 310.276.4537.

Do you procrastinate when it comes to scheduling that routine dental visit? You know, the one in which your dentist checks and cleans your teeth before dental problems can unravel your oral health. If you do, we want to help you. Patients of Dr. Frey and the team in our Beverly Hills office are treated with kindness and respect. We like to keep it light and comfortable, because we know this creates a more pleasant experience. Still need some convincing? Here are a few more reasons to make dental care a priority.

Why You Need Routine Dental Visits

We’ve got your back! Dental care is complementary to your daily oral hygiene. It is not a substitute for daily brushing and flossing, nor are those tasks a substitute for your six-month recall visits. The two go hand in hand. Here’s why . . . It is possible that, even with your best effort, you may miss a certain area of your mouth when you cleanse. Plaque builds up lightning-fast, and quickly hardens to tartar. Your dentist can see this. Better yet, he can resolve this issue by using special instruments to remove these bacteria-laden substances.

Tooth Grinding

Your mouth may tell secrets. There are certain habits that you may keep without your knowledge, but your mouth knows. Bruxism is a common condition that describes that act of grinding teeth or clenching the jaw. You may not think you do this, because it is often done unconsciously, or worse, while you sleep. If not addressed, these habits put you at risk for tooth fractures, gum recession, and TMJ disorder.

Calm Dental Anxiety

Break the cycle of fear. We understand that seeing the dentist can be an unpleasant experience for many people. We do our best to change the idea our patients may have had about dentistry by providing them with personalized care in a friendly environment. We also encourage routine visits as a way to break the cycle of dental anxiety. How nice would it be to see your dentist and hear “all is well” instead of needing restorative work!

Why put off until tomorrow what can easily be done today? Call 310-276-4537 to schedule your visit with your experienced Beverly Hills dentist, Dr. Frey.

A smile has been known to be one of the most beautiful features that can be found on a person’s face. By simply revealing your pearly whites, a wave of uncharted emotions is sent to the receiver, thus giving you an additional hint of mystery and charm. However, not everyone is born destined to have perfect teeth, so in order to preserve its tiptop form, a daily dental regimen must be implemented. Sadly, proper oral hygiene is sometimes the last thing people think of before they wake up or go to bed. People sometimes forget to brush their teeth after meals, miss their dental appointments, and continue eating food that can damage their teeth. Although the common excuse people give is “I’ll do it next time,” chances are, they will forget to do them again.

It is imperative that you perform your daily oral hygiene routine. Though it may not seem immediately important, ignoring the health of your teeth can result in numerous types of damage that may affect more than just your mouth. Cavities, a cracked tooth, visible plaque and other dental issues may begin small, but when left unattended, they could get worse and interfere with simple tasks such as chewing, talking, and smiling.

Basic Oral Hygiene

• Applying too much pressure when brushing can cause your gums to bleed, and holding your toothbrush at the wrong angle may not clean your teeth completely. When brushing, you must remember to hold your toothbrush at a 45° angle against your gumline and begin sweeping or rolling it away from that area. Only use gentle force when you are stroking both the inner and outer walls of each tooth.
• Do not forget to brush your tongue to remove bacteria, and at the same, time freshen your breath.
• When flossing, only use 18” of floss, but reserve 2” for the cleaning proper. Once you insert it in the gaps, gently follow the curves of your teeth. Be sure to clean beneath the gumline, and as much as possible, avoid snapping the floss on your gums.
• Lastly, visit your dentist regularly – especially when you are experiencing discomfort or difficulty – to properly maintain your teeth’s strength, health, and shine.

Braces And Retainers

• People who are wearing braces struggle a little bit more than those who do not. With their teeth being held by metal wires and brackets, performing basic oral hygiene will be difficult – especially when it comes to those hard-to-reach places. Reduce the agony and properly take care of your teeth by following these simple tips.
• Avoid eating chewy foods that are tough-to-bite, or that leave tiny debris (like corn), and are genuinely hard. They can not only destroy the material of your braces, but they can be very difficult to remove. Leaving food bits between your teeth overtime is not a good idea, because they can develop cavities and other tooth-related damage.
• When flossing, make sure to insert the end of the floss through the space between the main arch wires of your braces and the upper portion of your tooth. Gently move the floss in a saw-like motion and remember not to pull it too hard, for it may break the wires. You may want to brush your teeth first with a soft orthodontic brush before moving to an interdental brush or “Christmas tree” brush. Always discuss your routine with your dentist for the best advice and guidance.
• If you are wearing retainers, be sure to brush it as well (at least once or twice a week) without using any toothpaste. To do this, add your preferred denture cleanser to a cup full of warm water and let it sit. When you are about to use the retainer, rinse it thoroughly first before placing it back in your mouth.

Do your best not to miss any of your dental appointments. Your teeth’s health is dependent on how you take care of your braces/retainers.

Dental Implants

You can maintain your dental implants the same way you treat your ordinary teeth. However, if you want to give your implants all-around clean, additional cleaning aids, such as an interdental brush and floss are also available in the market. Proper, and gentle, cleaning for dental implants is a must to prevent stains and avoid potential infection.

Dental Bonding

Those with bonded teeth need to make sure that the resin that has been attached on their teeth/tooth’s surface remains intact. Proper dental bonding aftercare is very similar to basic oral hygiene, and includes:

• Brushing and flossing at least twice a day (ideally once in the morning and once at night)
• Drink water after meals to reduce the acidity levels in the mouth and remove excess food debris. Refrain from consuming foods that contain high acid levels and are difficult to chew, for they may dissolve the tooth’s enamel and composite resin.
• Avoid eating and drinking food that causes stains such as tea, wine, berries, juices, candies, etc. Products that are made from tobacco should be avoided as well.
• Habits, like biting your fingernails, pen caps, pencils, and the like need to stop. Constantly chewing on hard materials will wear down the bonding material and tooth enamel over time.

Keeping your teeth clean and healthy should always be part of your daily care routine. With a little time and effort, maintaining your pearly whites will become less of a chore. By simply brushing, flossing, and regularly visiting the dentist, not only will your teeth last longer, they will also look great whenever you flash a smile.

7,500 Years Ago People May Have Had Healthier Teeth

Does that seem odd? Ancient people didn’t have modern dental care or fluoride toothpastes, but they did have a different diet.

Researchers studied DNA¹ from preserved tartar of ancient humans and concluded that these ancient mouths may have been healthier than ours today. The “basic” foods people ate allowed for more diverse bacteria to develop with none monopolizing the others.

The Industrial Revolution Introduced Processed Sugar And Many Flour-Based Foods

Our ancestors’ lifestyles eventually changed from nomadic to agricultural. Farming drastically changed their diets and may have started the decline in oral health. But big changes came about during the Industrial Revolution when processed sugar and flour became commonly consumed. This change allowed for new cavity-causing bacteria to begin dominating modern mouths.

Be Smart, Eat Healthy, & Understand These Relationships

Eating is such a big part of life—physically, emotionally, and socially. In the end, of course, how we eat is an individual choice. We just want you to be healthy, and your oral health is a huge component of your overall health. So remember that consistently eating foods made from processed flour and lots of sugar can absolutely lead to a less healthy and more disease-prone mouth.

No need to adopt all of our ancestor’s habits–like eating tons of meat, or drawing on cave walls. But consider the things they were doing RIGHT, like eating more natural foods.

Thanks for reading, and for your wonderful support for our practice. We value you as our patient!

It may be tempting to skip a dental checkup now and then. But remember that regular checkups and professional cleanings can actually save you time and money. Even more importantly, they can save your teeth and your health.

Here are four really good reasons to keep up with your regular dental checkups:

1. Save Your Smile
   Catching tooth decay early can save your teeth. And speaking of saving teeth, did you know the greatest cause of tooth loss in adults is gum disease? About half of adults over age 30 have some degree of gum disease. Regular dental appointments help prevent gum disease, and assist you in managing any oral health issues you may be having.
2. Look And Feel Better
   During professional cleanings, built-up tartar and calculus is removed that simply can’t be reached or removed by brushing alone. When you’re finished your smile feels truly fresh and clean. And by the way, regular cleanings can also help prevent embarrassing bad breath!
3. Protect Your Overall Health
   As many as 120 systemic diseases can be visible in your mouth. Regular checkups can reveal the signs of diseases before even you know about them. Great dental care can also contribute to great overall health. In a study conducted at the University of California, Berkley, it was found that women who get regular dental care cut their risk of heart disease by a third. And in another study by Aetna, researchers learned that people who had regular dental care had lower healthcare cost burdens—thanks to prevention and early detection.
4. Perhaps, Even Save Your Life
   One of the most important parts of each dental visit is your oral cancer check, where your mouth is surveyed for early signs of one of the very deadliest cancers.

Questions? Always Feel Free To Ask! If you ever have any questions about recommendations for your regular dental appointments, please ask! Thanks for being a valued part of our practice!

WHEN THE COLD AND FLU SEASON STRIKES your teeth are probably the last thing you’re thinking about as you reach for another tissue! But there ARE some things related to that cold or flu that can affect your oral health. Be conscious of these three things:

Tip 1: Avoid Dry Mouth By Staying Hydrated

Dry mouth increases cavity risk. Most colds come with a giant side order of stuffy nose. We respond by breathing through our mouths! Doing so, combined with decreased saliva production during sleep, makes our mouths more vulnerable to harmful bacteria.

Tip 2: Keep The Bad Stuff Off Your Teeth

• Are you sucking on cough drops all day? Most are loaded with sugar. Opt for sugar-free cough drops if possible.
• Cough syrup is loaded with sugar too. If you take cough syrup, rinse your mouth out before going back to bed.
• Stomach acid is hard on teeth. Sorry to bring this up, but if you’re throwing up, keep your teeth rinsed and clean.

Tip 3: No Matter How Tired…

We know it’s tough when you’re sick, but don’t skip your normal brushing/flossing routine just because you’re feeling really tired. Your oral health is too important to neglect. (By the way, did you notice the kitty in the photo above? We think she’s smelling his breath because he hasn’t brushed in days.)

Stay healthy this flu season! Remember to sneeze into your elbow and wash your hands often to keep viruses from spreading.

If You’re Sick, Get Feeling Better Soon! And Thanks For Your Trust In Our Practice.

YOU ALREADY KNOW THAT NEGLECTING TO FLOSS can lead to all kinds of oral health problems—including tooth decay and periodontal disease. But what most people don’t know (or don’t think about) are the correct and incorrect techniques associated with flossing. They’re not complicated and they’re important to know. We hope this helps!

Yes, Ned Is Finally Flossing… But Don’t Be Like Ned

Nice job, Ned! You’ve gone from never flossing to flossing more often! But there are still a few very important things that you’re not doing correctly. Now it’s time to tighten up those flossing skills!

Don’t Do These Things That Ned Does:

• Don’t skip a day now and then. Floss daily to remove harmful bacteria.
• Don’t “saw back and forth” which could cut into your gums. Slide the floss up and down against the tooth’s surface.
• Don’t floss too aggressively. Snapping the floss into your gums can cut them and damage the tissue.
• Don’t forget to floss under your gum line to remove hard-to-reach plaque.
• Don’t forget to floss the back side of those very, very back teeth (even though they’re not up against another tooth).

Important Flossing Tips:

• Start with about 18 inches of floss. Wind most around one finger and the rest around the same finger on the opposite hand.
• Be gentle! Slide the floss between your teeth and below the gums and then use a soft up-and-down rubbing motion.
• Use a new section of your floss for each tooth to avoid spreading bacteria from tooth to tooth.
• Flossing in front of a mirror can help you be more thorough.
• You can floss in the morning or at night, before or after you brush.

Have Questions About Flossing?

Flossing is an important part of your daily oral health routine. However, maximizing the benefit comes from doing it correctly. If you have additional questions about flossing or any other aspect of your oral hygiene, please contact us. We’d love to hear from you! And you can always post questions directly on our Facebook page.

Thanks For Being Our Awesome Patient!

NO DOUBT YOU’VE HEARD that vitamins and minerals are good for your overall health. But did you know that many of those same vitamins and minerals are very important to the health of your smile? Read on!

Does Your Diet Include An Ample Supply Of These Important Vitamins & Minerals?

Calcium

Calcium protects your teeth from decay and your gums from disease. It also helps keep your jaw (and other bones) strong. Calcium can be found in milk, yogurt, cheese, oysters, beans, etc.

Magnesium

Magnesium helps with the healthy formation of your jaw, teeth, and gum tissue. It can be found in leafy greens, nuts and seeds, fish, whole grains, bananas, and even dark chocolate! Yummm…

Iron

Iron helps prevent mouth sores and inflammation of the tongue. It can be found in red meats, bran cereals, spices, and some nuts.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A helps saliva flow (and thus washes away bacteria). It also helps maintain a healthy mucous membrane and mouth tissues. It can be found in beef liver, sweet potatoes, spinach, melon, etc.

Tips For Smile-Healthy Eating Habits

Although this video often references teaching children great habits, the information applies to ALL of us! Pass this blog post (and video) along to friends, extended family members, neighbors and coworkers.

Vitamin B2

Vitamin B2 helps prevent mouth fissures and can be found in dairy products, lean steaks, pasta, bagels, mushrooms, spinach, almonds, etc.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C helps prevent inflammation and bleeding in the mouth. It also helps heal any mouth wounds you may have. It can be found in sweet potatoes, oranges, red peppers, etc.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium. Without vitamin D, you may experience burning mouth syndrome. The best way to get vitamin D is to spend some time in the sun! You can also consume milk, egg yolks, and fish.

A Helpful Resource For Learning More

The U.S. Department Of Agriculture’s website is a helpful resource in determining whether or not you’re getting the nutrients your body needs. Check it out!

As always… Thanks for being our valued patient!

INTUITIVELY, YOU PROBABLY KNOW that better posture is good for your back, neck, etc. But what you may NOT know is that better posture is good for your oral health too! It’s true. Proper posture promotes a healthy smile and can help prevent potential problems with your jaw and teeth.

Poor Posture Can Place Harmful Pressure On Your Jaw

Simply stated, when we slouch our lower jaw is pushed farther forward and our skull sits farther back on our spinal column, which can cause our bite to be misaligned. When our teeth are improperly aligned, our jaw compensates to bring them together. Over time, this movement can stress our jaw joints and the associated muscles—and in some cases cause painful inflammation and/or damage to our teeth.

Good Posture’s Effects Are Far Reaching 

Your teeth are an important part of an interconnected skeletal system. When misaligned, some studies show that the effects can even be as far reaching as the muscles in your pelvis and feet! Crazy, huh? Practicing good posture can not only help you maintain a healthy smile, but it can also help your whole body health.

Tips For Better Posture

• Lift your chest, pull your shoulder blades back and down
• Keep your stomach muscles tight
• If standing, your ears should line up with your shoulders, your hips with your knees, and your knees with your ankles
• If sitting, your hips should line up with your ears

If you have any questions about posture or its relationship to your oral health, please contact us. We’re here to help you stand up straight and smile with confidence!

Thank You For The Trust You Place In Our Practice.

WE ALL KNOW THAT EXERCISE IS GOOD FOR US. It promotes wellness, prevents sickness, and is said to benefit body, mind, and soul. But did you know that regular exercise is also good for your oral health? Read on…

Exercise Can Reduce Gum Disease Risk

Gum disease is an inflammation of the gums caused by harmful bacteria in our mouths. Regular exercise can reduce inflammation in your body and mouth—which in turn can lower your risk of gum disease. In a Journal of Periodontology study researchers found that individuals who work out regularly and maintain a healthy weight are 40% less likely to develop gum disease.

Because some studies have linked gum disease to cardiovascular disease and diabetes, eating healthy and staying active can also help protect you from more serious conditions.

Exercise Can Strengthen And Protect Your Smile

Working out helps improve digestion and can help your body more effectively use vitamins and minerals that are essential to dental health. If you exercise and eat healthy, your body is better able to use the nutrients in food to strengthen and protect your smile.

Physical fitness can greatly contribute to dental health. It can also improve your mood, help you manage stress and increase brainpower. If you’re not already, we encourage you to make exercising a habit.

3 Tips On How To Make Exercise A Habit

• Do activities you enjoy. You’ll stick with it if it’s something you want to do.
• Commit to another person. Work out with someone else. If that’s not possible, report your own efforts to someone who cares about you.
• Reward yourself. Changing behavior is hard. Give yourself a (healthy) incentive.

Have any exercising tips to add? We’d love to see them. Share them with us on Facebook or in the comments below.

Thank You For Letting Us Be A Part Of Your Healthy Goals!

MORE AND MORE PEOPLE are keeping their original teeth well into their old age. It’s fantastic! However, it’s really important to understand the special attention needed to maintain a healthy smile when you’re 60+ years of age. Whether you fall in that category, or you care for someone who is elderly, there are a few things below that we want to be sure our senior patients know.

Dry Mouth Can Increase Cavity And Gum Disease Risks

Dry mouth (xerostomia) affects many seniors. Lower saliva flow is often a function of aging. In addition, many medications can also cause dry mouth. Without the cleansing, pH balancing and remineralizing that saliva helps take care of, one’s oral health isn’t as protected as it could be.

Treat dry mouth by occasionally sucking on a sugarless mint or chewing sugarless gum to encourage saliva flow. Swishing water regularly can also help keep one’s mouth clean and better hydrated.

Flossing Can Be More Important Than Ever

For some people over 60, their ability to fight infections like gingivitis isn’t as strong as it once was. Some studies show that unhealthy gums can leave the rest of the body vulnerable to other inflammatory diseases—including heart disease or stroke. Even Alzheimer’s and dementia have been potentially linked to this problem.

So please make sure that you’re flossing (or that the person you care for is flossing)—not just for one’s oral health, but also for one’s whole body health.

Special Tools Are Available To Help With Home Care

Many seniors find that impaired mobility makes the routine tasks of brushing and flossing really difficult. If you, or someone you love is in that position, please ask us about products like electric toothbrushes and floss piks that can make the job easier.

Keep Regular Checkup Appointments

Based on the risk factors mentioned above, it’s especially important for seniors to get regular, thorough cleanings and check-ups. When you visit, be sure to tell us about your medications, your brushing and flossing habits, and any medical conditions you’re experiencing. The more we know, the more we can help you continue to have great oral health over a lifetime.

Remember That Great Oral Health Isn’t Just About Teeth—It’s About Whole Body Health!

We look forward to seeing you at your next appointment! By the way, do you already Like our Facebook page? If not, come say hello!

MOST PEOPLE UNDERSTAND HOW ALCOHOL affects their bodies, but we rarely talk about the effects on our oral health. With all the parties and gatherings with friends and family during the holidays, it’s a good time to learn more about it.

Consider What You’re Drinking From Your Mouth’s Point Of View

• Acidity – Most alcoholic drinks are very acidic. This is especially true for drinks that are mixed using sodas and fruit juices. All of this acid can really eat away at your teeth.
• Staining – Red wine, especially, can stain your teeth. And remember that bonds and newly-whitened teeth are very vulnerable to staining.
• Extra Sugar – The bitterness in many alcoholic drinks is counteracted with extra sugar, which you may not even notice.
• Sipping Dangers – After an acidic, sugary drink your mouth works hard to re-establish its pH balance. If you’re sipping drinks over a long period of time, your mouth struggles even more to keep a good balance. It’s like a war zone all evening long.

Some Helpful Suggestions

Being more aware of these issues will help you be smart. Here are some ideas:

Here’s One More Important Thought

Most people don’t know that regular drinking can spike your oral cancer risk. According to an American Cancer Society study, a person who consumes alcohol is six times more likely to get oral cancer than someone who doesn’t consume alcohol, and 75-80% of patients with oral cancer are frequent alcohol users.

Oral cancer is a serious killer—so use your good judgment. And, make sure that you have regular oral cancer screenings.

Questions Or Comments? 

Do you have any questions about alcohol’s impact on your oral health? Do you have any tips of your own about how to keep your teeth healthy during that holiday night out? Comment below or on our Facebook page! And if you ever have questions, please ask us.

Thanks For The Confidence You Place In Our Practice. Have A Wonderful Holiday Season!

How much information do you really know about oral health? As your Beverly Hills cosmetic dentist I want to make sure that my patients have the knowledge they need to keep their smiles as healthy as possible. Prevention is an important word in dentistry because most dental disease can be avoided!

The American Dental Association (ADA) has launched a new website to help spread the word about oral health. This new site MouthHealthy.org offers information on prevention, care and treatment. It also includes a dental IQ test so that people can see how much they truly do know about oral health care.

So far, the results aren’t very good. Americans who have taken the survey have averaged a “D” on the true/false questions. As the President of the ADA said “Oral health is a critical part of overall health.” The survey has shown us that:

• 90% of us think we should brush our teeth after every meal. The ADA recommendation is 2 times per day.
• 81% of us think that sugar causes cavities. Sugar doesn’t actually cause tooth decay, it actually serves as food for oral bacteria that secrete acids that damage teeth and allow decay.
• 75% of Americans have no idea when a child should first visit a dentist. To give your child the gift of “prevention” you should take them for a first visit by their first birthday or six months after their first tooth comes in.
• 65% of people replace their toothbrush only twice per year. Brushes should be replaced every three months.

There are lots of questions on the survey and it is a good opportunity to learn more about oral health and how to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. There is even a Spanish language version and a section for kids with fun activities.

Patient education is an important part of what we do every day! For more information or to schedule your next appointment please contact your Beverly Hills cosmetic dentist Dr. David Frey at 310-276-4537 today.

The new movie “What To Expect When You’re Expecting” is a comedy, but the truth is that pregnancy changes lots of things, including your oral health. A healthy smile is essential for both mother and baby even before you become pregnant.

Start your pregnancy off right by visiting your dentist as soon as you begin thinking about starting a family. Untreated gum disease has been linked to pregnancy complications including pre-term birth so your healthy smile is important to the health of your new baby.

The hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy may mean changing your usual dental routine. Even women who have healthy teeth and gums can experience pregnancy gingivitis. This temporary condition causes your gums to become red, inflamed and bleed easily. It is common and usually disappears three to six months after delivery as long as good oral hygiene care is followed.

Many years ago women were taught that they couldn’t receive dental care while pregnant. Today we know that receiving dental care during pregnancy is not dangerous to the mother or baby and that maintaining good oral health is essential to your healthy pregnancy.

If you expect to be expecting in the near future don’t delay scheduling your appointment.  Please contact Beverly Hills cosmetic dentist Dr. David Frey at 310-276-4537 today schedule your appointment.