Dr. Josh McCormick DDS and his dental treatment team are pleased to provide professional and caring dental services to their patients from Concord CA, East Bay CA, Walnut Creek CA, Clayton CA and the surrounding communities in their dental office that is conveniently located in 'The Crossings' neighborhood. Our dental services include: adult, children's, cosmetic, family, implant, preventive, restorative and sedation dentistry.
Do you know that gum disease and root decay occurs more frequently in seniors? Our teeth age along with the rest of our bodies. Even our prior dental work grows brittle and may crack with age. Ask us about procedures that can combat all of these problems. In addition, aging typically means more medications, which often produce a side effect of reduced saliva flow. There is no reason to suffer with a dry mouth. There are simple products that can ease this condition. We can even help you reverse the effects of years of plaque buildup and the dark appearance of teeth subjected to consuming coffee, tea, or tobacco. Don't forget, regular check-ups, daily cleaning, and good nutrition are all vital for maintaining healthy gums. In fact, if your gums have become red, irritated, or prone to bleeding, or if your teeth have started to feel loose, please contact us immediately. Josh McCormick, DDS 4455 Cowell Road Concord, CA 94518 (925) 685-3043 MyEastBayDentist.com
The American Dental Association has created informative videos called Ask the Dentist. Here is their video on: 'My Child Has a Toothache. Should I Call the Dentist?'
If you have been experiencing problems with a tooth, you may wonder, "Do I need a root canal?" Root canals, also known as endodontic therapy, are performed when the nerve or pulp of the tooth becomes infected and inflammed due to dental decay, a cracked or broken tooth or an injury to the tooth, according to the American Dental Association. During the procedure, a dentist uses a drill to remove both the nerve and pulp and seals up the tooth to protect against further damage. Only your dentist or a dental specialist called an endodontist, can determine whether a root canal will adequately treat your problem. Here are a few possible symptoms of the need for a root canal and some steps for dealing with them. General Possible Symptoms The most common symptom that may indicate the need for a root canal is tooth pain, according to the American Association of Endodontists. The intensity of the pain can range from mild to severe; it may lessen or intensify throughout the day, or it may get worse only when you bite down on the tooth. Some patients experience prolonged sensitivity to hot food or liquids. Your gums may also feel tender and swollen near the problem area. First Steps If you notice any of the above symptoms, contact your dentist right away. Explain your symptoms by phone to a staff member, who may arrange for you to come in right away or may recommend emergency care depending on the severity of your symptoms. To soothe the pain and alleviate swelling, apply an ice pack to the outside of your jaw. To read the entire article written by Rebecca Desfosse, please visit Colgate.com
Choosing Your Child's Dentist is Like Choosing Their Pediatrician
Establishing a proper dental hygiene routine early in life makes all the difference for your child's future oral health. We work hard to provide an environment that is relaxed and fun and stimulates your child's desire to practice good dental habits. From a young age, children's teeth are very susceptible to cavities due to many factors. Children lack the necessary coordination to brush well on their own. Because of this, it is important for parents to assist in their child's daily dental care. This promotes both thorough cleaning and the development of proper dental habits. Little kids tend to eat many times during the day (grazing). This results in an extended exposure to food acids (every time you eat you make acid), which may cause more cavities. Improper cleaning means teeth are more susceptible to potential decay, when food and juice acids come in contact with them, speeding up the development of cavities. Fortunately, identifying poor dietary and hygiene habits, along with applying a fluoride varnish to the mineralizing teeth, can drastically reduce the odds of your child developing a cavity. Josh McCormick, DDS 4455 Cowell Road Concord, CA 94518 (925) 685-3043 MyEastBayDentist.com
You want to keep your teeth for a lifetime, but circumstances can arise that prompt your dentist to recommend removing a tooth for the good of your dental health. And although many of your teeth are easily removable, it's occasionally more complicated, and requires a more involved procedure. Here's why the surgical extraction of teeth may become necessary, and how your dentist differentiates these procedures from others. Why Can't a Tooth be Saved? The American Dental Association (ADA) Mouth Healthy site suggests teeth are usually removed due to trauma, disease or crowding. When a tooth cannot be repaired with a filling or a crown because of an accident or extensive decay, an extraction may be your best recourse. Teeth that aren't supported by enough bone due to periodontal disease are also candidates for removal, according to Warren Dentistry, necessitating the use of a gum-protecting toothpaste like Colgate TotalÆ Clean Mint following extraction. Infected (abscessed) teeth that don't respond to root canal treatment may need to be taken out, as well. Keep in mind it's not unusual for an orthodontist to recommend an extraction or two before orthodontic treatment begins because of crowed teeth. Similarly, wisdom teeth are frequently extracted because of the awkward position in which they grow behind your molars. To read the entire article written by Donna Pleis, please visit Colgate.com
Below is an excerpt from an article found on Colgate.com that was written by Wendy J. Woudstra No matter how conscientious you are about your oral care routine, at some point in your life you will probably experience the discomfort of a toothache. Though a cavity is the most likely culprit, it is only one of several possible causes of toothaches. Tooth Sensitivity If you are experiencing sharp pains when eating or drinking hot or cold foods, it could mean you have a cavity. It may also be a sign that you may have sensitive teeth, either from receding gums or from a thinning of your tooth enamel. While you are waiting for a dental appointment to confirm the cause of your sensitive teeth, using a soft-bristled toothbrush and a toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth may help ease the symptoms. Some Toothaches Are More Severe If the pain you are experiencing is a sharp, stabbing pain when you bite down on your food, the cause of your toothache could be a cavity or a cracked tooth. If it's a throbbing, incessant pain, on the other hand, you may have an abscessed tooth or an infection that should be taken care of as quickly as possible. To read the entire article visit Colgate.com. The remainder of the article details the following:
Parents are a child's first teacher in life and play a significant role in maintaining his or her overall health. Providing oral health education to mothers and families is essential to teaching children healthy habits and preventing early childhood tooth decay, according to an article published in the May/June 2010 issue of General Dentistry, the peer-reviewed clinical journal of the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD). With all of the challenges that new parents face, they may not think much about the link between their child's oral health and overall health. In fact, an understanding of oral hygiene can help parents to prevent tooth decayóthe single most common chronic childhood disease in Americaóand to create a lifetime of healthy habits for their child. "Ideally, the oral health education for any family will begin with prenatal education and the establishment of a dental home by the time the child is 12 to 18 months of age," says Tegwyn Brickhouse, DDS, author of the study. "Many people don't realize that the oral health of the mother affects both the infant's future oral health and the child's overall health. In fact, some studies show that periodontal disease has been linked to preterm labor. That's why pregnant women should be evaluated for cavities, poor oral hygiene, gingivitis, loose teeth and diet." After the child is born, families should become familiar with their child's dental and oral health milestones, which will be determined by discussion with the family dentist or a pediatric dentist. Children should have their first dental visit at age 1 or within six months of the eruption of their first tooth. A dentist will be able to discuss when parents can expect to see a child's first tooth and the best technique for brushing his or her new teeth. Diet is another factor that affects a child's oral health. Frequent and long-term exposure to liquids that contain sugars commonly results in tooth decay. In addition to eliminating sugary drinks altogether from a child's diet, parents can adopt other habits to prevent tooth decay due to beverage consumption. "Parents should avoid giving their children milk, formula, juice or soda at naptime or nighttime," says Bruce DeGinder, DDS, MAGD, spokesperson for the AGD. "The sugars will linger on their teeth and gums for a prolonged period of time, promoting decay." Parents are responsible for their child's oral hygiene practices and are advised to meet with a general dentist to determine the best way to establish and maintain their child's oral health. A general dentist also can provide families with oral health literature that is designed to educate both the parent and child. This education has multiple benefits; as Dr. Brickhouse notes, "Healthy teeth in early childhood can provide a positive self-image and improve the child's quality of life." To read the entire article please visit KnowYourTeeth.com
The mouth, or oral cavity, is made up of numerous components that work together so that you can breathe, speak, eat and digest food. When you understand these parts of the mouth and how they affect your general health, the significance of oral care takes on a whole new meaning. Here's what these things do for you. Lips and Cheeks Your lips and cheeks are made up of muscles that not only give you the ability to pucker up for a kiss, but also help shape your facial expressions - both happy and sad. Lips let air into your mouth for breathing and, together with cheeks, help you speak. They also keep food and saliva in your mouth while chewing. Ultimately, these strong muscles guide and keep your teeth in their proper positions. To read the entire article by Donna Pleis, please visit Colgate.com
Below is an excerpt from an article found on Colgate.com that was written by the ADA A healthy adult produces about three pints of saliva each day. It's not the kind of thing you would give thought to very often, but that saliva plays a very important role in maintaining your health. Saliva serves many purposes. It contains enzymes that aid in digestion. Saliva makes it easier to talk, a fact recognized by those who experience stage fright and the associated dry mouth while giving a presentation. Saliva also helps prevent tooth decay by washing away food and debris from the teeth and gums. It neutralizes damaging acids, enhances the ability to taste food and makes it easier to swallow. Minerals found in saliva also help repair microscopic tooth decay. Everyone, at some time or another, experiences dry mouth, also called "xerostomia." It can happen when you are nervous, upset or under stress or as a result of medication you take or other medical therapies. If dry mouth happens all or most of the time, however, it can be uncomfortable - and it can have serious consequences for your oral health. Drying irritates the soft tissues in the mouth, which can make them inflamed and more susceptible to infection. Without the cleansing effects of saliva, tooth decay and other oral health problems become much more common. Regular dental checkups are important. At each appointment, report any medications you are taking and other information about your health. An updated health history can help identify a cause for mouth dryness. To read the entire article visit Colgate.com.
The American Dental Association has created informative videos called Ask the Dentist. Here is their video on: 'How Can I Help My Elderly Parent Brush Her Teeth?'
Gum Disease Can Contribute to Heart Disease and Even Stroke
Medical research shows that gum disease, stroke, and heart disease are linked. This is an especially disturbing fact since heart disease is commonly fatal, which means treating gum disease is vital to your overall health. The American Dental Association estimates that 8 out of 10 Americans have periodontal (gum) disease. These numbers should warrant gum disease being treated as an epidemic. But because losing your teeth is merely unpleasant, not immediately life-threatening, the severity of the disease has been ignored for far too long. However, that thought process is changing. The American Academy of Periodontology reports: "Studies found periodontal infection may contribute to the development of heart disease, increase the risk of premature, underweight births, and pose a serious threat to people whose health is already compromised due to diabetes and respiratory diseases." The bacteria that infect your gums when you suffer from periodontal disease can seep into your bloodstream and create issues in your heart, lungs, and other vital organs. Josh McCormick, DDS 4455 Cowell Road Concord, CA 94518 (925) 685-3043 MyEastBayDentist.com
Below is an excerpt from an article found on Colgate.com that was Reviewed by the Faculty of Columbia University College of Dental Medicine What's in Your Mouth? To understand what happens when your teeth decay, it's helpful to know what's in your mouth naturally. Here are a few of the elements:
Saliva - Your mouth and teeth are constantly bathed in saliva. We never give much thought to our spit, but this fluid is remarkable for what it does to help protect our oral health. Saliva keeps teeth and other parts of your mouth moist and washes away bits of food. Saliva contains minerals that strengthen teeth. It includes buffering agents. They reduce the levels of acid that can decay teeth. Saliva also protects against some viruses and bacteria.
Plaque - Plaque is a soft, gooey substance that sticks to the teeth a bit like jam sticks to a spoon. Like the slime that clings to the bottom of a swimming pool, plaque is a type of biofilm. It contains large numbers of closely packed bacteria, components taken from saliva, and bits of food. Also in the mix are bacterial byproducts and white blood cells. Plaque grows when bacteria attach to the tooth and begin to multiply. Plaque starts forming right after a tooth is cleaned. Within an hour, there's enough to measure. As time goes on, the plaque thickens. Within two to six hours, the plaque teems with bacteria that can cause cavities and periodontal (gum) disease.
Calculus - If left alone long enough, plaque absorbs minerals from saliva. These minerals form crystals and harden into calculus. Then new plaque forms on top of existing calculus. This new layer can also become hard.
Bacteria - We have many types of bacteria in our mouths. Some bacteria are good; they help control destructive bacteria. When it comes to decay, Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacilli are the bacteria that cause the most damage to teeth.
To read the entire article visit Colgate.com. The remainder of the article details the following:
The American Dental Association has created informative videos called Ask the Dentist. Here is their video on: 'How Can I Get My Child to Brush Her Teeth?'
Do you know that gum disease and root decay occurs more frequently in seniors? Our teeth age along with the rest of our bodies. Even our prior dental work grows brittle and may crack with age. Ask us about procedures that can combat all of these problems. In addition, aging typically means more medications, which often produce a side effect of reduced saliva flow. There is no reason to suffer with a dry mouth. There are simple products that can ease this condition. We can even help you reverse the effects of years of plaque buildup and the dark appearance of teeth subjected to consuming coffee, tea, or tobacco.
