News Release: Dr. Moretta Is Now an Instructor for California Center for Advanced Dental Studies

Dr. Robert Moretta

We are proud to announce that Dr. Moretta is the newest instructor for California Center for Advanced Dental Studies (CCADS).

Dr. Moretta was selectively chosen to teach graduate dentists the art of Cosmetic Dentistry throughout Orange County, San Francisco, and Vancouver, Canada. For more information about this organization, please visit www.ccads.org.

Don't let Halloween Candy be a Nightmare!

If your kids are like most, they're going to come home from trick-or-treating with lots and lots of candy. And who doesn't love Halloween candy? But we all know that the sugary candies at Halloween bring tooth decay in their wake. By following these simple steps, your family can have all the fun of Halloween without harming kids' teeth in the process!

• Teach your kids the importance of moderation with sweets. They don't need to gorge themselves on Halloween candy all night.
• Make sure your children are brushing their teeth at least twice a day.
• Remember to give your children fluoridated mouthwash every evening.
• Having extra dental flossers around the house is a great way to help kids remember to floss.
• Remember that sticky, chewy candies can cause the most tooth decay! Limit candies like jelly beans, taffy, candy corn and caramels.
• When it comes to gum: choose sugar free! Not only do sugar-free chewing gums neutralize the effects of sugary candy - they help combat cavity-causing plaque!

By teaching your children good oral hygiene, Halloween can be a fun and worry-free holiday! Moderation and good oral hygiene practices are key in helping your kids have a fun and healthy Halloween.

Schedule an appointment with our dentist in Huntington Beach at (714) 848-4247.

Have a happy Halloween!

Dental Implants, the Solution for Missing Teeth!

Millions of Americans suffer from tooth loss, thanks to the many advances in dentistry; dental implants have become one of the best options to replace missing teeth. Here at Sea Cliff Dental, our dentist in Huntington Beach, CA, specializes in implant dentistry. 

There are a few reasons why dental implants are becoming a good and natural way to replace missing teeth and are the preferred choice of our dentists:

• Enjoy what you eat. With dental implants you can easily chew your food just like with natural teeth.
• Long Duration. Dental implants could last forever with excellent care.
• Comfortably use. Forget about removing your dentures and using adhesives to put them in place.
• Feel better about yourself. Dental implants will help you recover your beautiful smile and confidence, they look and feel like your own teeth and allow you to speak without worrying about slippery dentures.
• Oral Health Improvement. They eliminate irritated and painful gums, because they are individually placed so you can have easier access between your teeth and improve your oral hygiene.
• Esthetic. Dental implants look more esthetic than dentures in the way they look, feel and function like natural teeth.

Dental Emergencies - What to do?

What to do if you have a broken tooth?
Rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the area. Use cold compresses on the area to keep any swelling down. Call your dentist immediately. This is a dental emergency that is best dealt with by a dental professional.

What to do if you have a toothache?
Toothache is a common dental emergency. In the event of this problem, rinse the mouth out with warm water to clean it out. Gently use dental floss or an interdental cleaner to ensure that there is no food or other debris caught between the teeth.

Never put aspirin or any other painkiller against the gums near the aching tooth because it may burn the gum tissue. If the pain persists, contact our dentist in Huntington Beach.

What to do if objects get caught between the teeth?
Try to gently remove the object with dental floss; avoid cutting the gums. Never use a sharp instrument to remove any object that is stuck between your teeth.
If you can’t dislodge the object using dental floss, contact our dentist in Huntington Beach.

Keep reading our Dental Emergency Tips

Brushing Too Hard Can Damage Your Gums

The health of your gums is intricately related to the health of your teeth. When your dentist uses the phrase, “brush your teeth,” what he really means is “brush your teeth and gums.”
People believe that brushing their teeth hard means that they are doing well. This is a completely wrong misconception.

It’s often better for your teeth and gums if you use a softer touch. The plaque and bacteria that build up on your teeth can be more effectively removed with a softer, gentler scrub. If you brush too hard, not only will your gums be swollen, but you’re also not cleaning your teeth as efficiently as you could be.

How to take care of your Gums?

Follow these tips if you’re one of those “gum scrubbers” who brushes too hard

• Lighten up! If you tend to brush too hard, ask a member of your family to watch you brush and remind you when you start bearing down too hard.
• 45-degree angle. Make sure that your toothbrush bristles are touching your gums at a 45-degree angle; this can reduce the force of the brush against your gums.
• Use an electric toothbrush. If you haven’t been able to train yourself to brush more softly, get an electric tooth brush! Ask our dentist to recommend a good toothbrush that gives your teeth and gums a steady, consistent and gentle scrubbing, just like the professional models used at our dentist’s office in Huntington Beach.
• Use analgesic toothpaste. If you tend to have a case of receding gums, our dentist can prescribe an analgesic toothpaste in order to reduce discomfort and promote healthier gums.

If your gums are straining from the pressure of excessive brushing, know that there is hope. Visit our dentist in Huntington Beach in order to prevent the situation from getting worse, he will show you the correct techniques so you can learn how to brush your teeth and gums!

Remember Poor Gum Health is one of the major causes of Tooth Loss!!!

Dental Implants, The Permanent Solution for Tooth Loss

Dental implants are artificial replacements to compensate for tooth loss. Many people are self conscious if they have lost teeth due to injury or disease. They are sometimes unable to speak or smile comfortably. Also, if their bite is irregular it can lead to other complications such as malnutrition.

Tooth loss might be due to trauma of the mouth, excessive wear and tear, congenital defects or gum disease. Regardless of what the cause of tooth loss is, dental implants are usually the best solution for them.

Implant Procedure

The implant procedure is the same whether one or all teeth are missing. Your dentist will make sure you are a candidate for the procedure and use the right type of anesthesia so you will be as comfortable as possible. First, the dentist will conduct a through examination of your teeth and gums which might include x-rays and or ct scans to see if you have enough bone and gum tissue to conduct the implant. When there is insufficient bone structure, bone grafting may be a recommended procedure.

Who is a good candidate for a Dental Implant procedure?

A good candidate will have the following:

• Commitment to taking care of the implanted teeth and surrounding gums with daily brushing and cleaning
• Regular checkups and professional cleanings
• Otherwise healthy
• Good healthy gums
• Enough bone to anchor the implant to the jaw

Procedure Steps

1. Placing the Implant

When the dentist is sure you are healthy and a candidate for this procedure; the bone area where the implant will be placed is exposed by opening the gum tissue. Once healthy bone material has been established, a special drill is used to prepare the bone to receive the implant. A small hole is made where there is no tooth in order to put the titanium screw that will hold the implant in place. The dentist must be very careful not to damage any vital nerves of the jaw and face when drilling this hole. Also, mini implants which are smaller diameter implants might be used. Once the bone is prepared the implant is placed on it and the tissue is then sutured closed.

2. The Healing Process - Osseointegration

The healing process usually lasts three to six months. This is the amount of time it often takes the implant to heal and fuse or become part of the jaw, commonly referred to as osseointegration. Osseointegration is very important for the implant to work. If osseointegration does not occur the implant will not be successful. The sutures however are usually removed, seven to fourteen days after surgery.

3. Attaching the Post

When the gum tissue is ready, a special post is attached to the implant. This is the support for the new porcelain crown. Today's technologies often include zirconium abutments attached to the implant post, to be sure that the new porcelain tooth possesses translucency properties similar to a natural tooth.

4. Placing the Crown

A temporary crown might be used to allow the gums to shape and grow around it. After impressions are taken a crown is made and shaded to match your existing teeth. The crown is then slipped over the post and cemented. The final prosthetic crown appears just like a natural tooth.

5. Caring for the Implant

If you are diligent in the care of an implant it can last up to more than 40 years. You must go to all the follow up appointments and have professional cleanings done. Careful brushing and flossing are also very important to make sure the implant does not fail or get infected.

Schedule an Appointment Today with Dr. Moretta, our dental implant specialist in Huntington Beach, CA - Call (714) 848-4247

How Regularly Do I Need to Brush and Floss My Teeth and Why?

When we are children that's one of the first things our parents teach us: to brush our teeth – it's actually one of the first “health habits” we are taught as kids. To brush your teeth is most elementary and effective way to take care of your teeth and to have them and your gums healthy for life. But it needs to be a habit – it needs to be something you do every day of your life, even if you like or not.

It's fascinating how regularly adults let their tooth brushing to pass away. Or they just forget which one is the right technique to brush them, or how many times they should do it.

Do you have any idea how many times a day do you have to brush your teeth? Take this quiz now to find out...

People need to brush their teeth:

1. At least once a week
2. Every day - in the morning
3. Every day - at night
4. Every day, but only after lunch
5. Every day – twice a day – at night and in the morning

The right answer for that is: e!