Norco CA Dentist, Dr. Linden Stevens Keeps YOUR TMJ Pain Free This Summer!

Summer is here and barbecue season is upon us, and that means a variety of summertime treats will be hitting tables at parks and backyards throughout Norco, CA. However, if you suffer from chronic jaw pain, some of these foods might make the symptoms worse. Don’t let your favorite foods hurt you: Visit Dr. Stevens, a Norco, CA dentist with experience treating TMJ today.

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects the upper and lower jaw and allows for movement of the mouth. Repetitive stress or trauma can cause the TMJ to become misaligned and inflamed, leading to pain in the jaw and other parts of the face, migraine headaches, and difficulty opening and closing the mouth.
Many TMJ patients experience discomfort when they’re chewing, with some foods putting greater strain on the joint than others. Unfortunately, many favorite summer menu items can aggravate the 
symptoms of TMJ disorder, including:

• Corn on the cob
• Chips
• Thickly sliced meats
• Large chunks of fruits and vegetables, such as apples, carrots, etc.
• Ice
• Gum and hard candy

In addition to these food items, alcoholic beverages and drinks high in caffeine can put the muscles under stress. Patients who drink a lot of caffeine, for example, are more inclined to teeth grinding, which puts extra pressure on the TMJ.

The headaches and other symptoms of TMJ can lead to recurring, long-term discomfort. Make the decision to stop jaw pain today.  You can reach Dr. Stevens at his Norco CA dental office by calling  (951) 735-4110 for your complimentary consultation.  Begin exploring TMJ treatment options and stay pain free all summer! 

www.BeautifulSmilesDDS.com

Dentist in Norco CA | 10 Things You Can Do With Toothpaste

At Dr. Stevens office in Norco CA, we suggest that you brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste for at least three minutes and at least twice a day as part of a healthy oral health care routine, but did you know you can also use toothpaste around the house?

Read on for the 10 things you can do with toothpaste – aside from achieving excellent oral health care:

• Fix Insect Bites

Standard non-gel toothpaste can help relieve the itch from an insect bite and keep you from scratching at the site. Try it!

• Sanitize Hands

In a pinch, toothpaste (and a little water) is a great hand sanitizer. As a bonus, if you’ve just chopped onions or garlic, you can neutralize the odour with a bit of toothpaste/water.

• Fix Nail Holes

Nail holes generally require professional putty to fix but with a little bit of inexpensive toothpaste, you can fill in the hole and touch up with paint afterward.

• Clean your Diamond Ring

By scrubbing your diamond ring with a little bit of toothpaste on an old toothbrush, you could have your diamond looking as if you had just bought it!

• Help relieve burns

Always out of aloe? Put toothpaste on your burn right after it happens to help relieve the stinging sensation.

• Removes crayon from wall paint

Little one been drawing on the walls again? Get a damp rag with a little bit of toothpaste on it and simply wipe away the residue.

• Put up posters

Forget tape or thumb tacks, simply put a dab of toothpaste on the back of posters to hang it without damaging the wall.

• Treat Acne

It is only recommended to use this tip at most once a week, but by putting a small dab of toothpaste on a pimple before bed, it should be cleared up by morning!

• Remove scratches on glassware

Polish your scratched glasses with a dab of toothpaste and they should look like new instantly!

• Prevent fog in goggles

Many swimmers swear by toothpaste for keeping their goggles free of fog. Simply wipe it on, clean it off and enjoy a fog-free view.

However, don’t forget toothpaste’s most important role! Brush twice daily, floss regularly and visit Dr. Stevens' Office for a healthy smile you’ll be proud to show off!

www.BeautifulSmilesDDS.com

(951) 735-4110

Snap on Smile - Dr. Linden Stevens, Norco, CA

Norco CA Dentist, Dr. Linden Stevens Shares The Signs That May Mean That You Have A Cavity

Norco CA Dentist, Dr. Linden Stevens talks about cavities.  Many patients ask us, How do I know if I have a cavity, and if I do have one, what can I do about it?  Well, cavities, like most other health issues, can vary in degree or seriousness. When a cavity first begins to form, it’s pretty easy to treat, often with a small, tooth colored restoration that blends perfectly with your tooth... and we’re able to keep the tooth decay from spreading. If left untreated, however, it can lead to some pretty serious complications, including tooth loss, and nobody wants that!    

Your best chance of minimizing tooth damage from cavities is early detection and early treatment. When you’re in our office for your routine dental hygiene visits a few times a year, we’ll definitely be looking for early warning signs.  We will also give you a professional fluoride treatment in our office.  According to the American Dental Association, having a professional fluoride treatment after your dental hygiene visit can decrease the incidence of new decay by up to 75%.  That’s pretty terrific, but there are also ways you can be on the lookout between your visits to our office.
Here are three signs to watch for:

Pain: 
Tooth pain is not normal, so it’s definitely a red flag. If you’re experiencing pain, a cavity may be the cause of the discomfort.
Sensitivity:Many things can cause general tooth sensitivity (teeth whitening treatments for example), but if you notice that a particular tooth is sensitive to hot, cold, sugary and acidic foods or pressure, it’s cause for concern.
Bad breath:This one is tricky, as there are many causes of bad breath, but one of them is actually a cavity. The bacteria present in tooth infections (which is really what a cavity is) produces a very unpleasant smell. 

If any of these sound familiar, call us today at: (951) 735-4372 to schedule an appointment for a dental exam as soon as possible. If it is a cavity, early treatment is vital to minimizing damage. And if it’s not a cavity, we will be able to determine what else might be causing the issue.  

Remember, it’s always better to prevent cavities with routine dental care, professional fluoride treatments, sealants and good home care.  We can help you develop your own plan to stay cavity free!  

We look forward to seeing you soon.

Dr. Stevens and your entire dental care team

www.BeautifulSmilesDDS.com

Dentist in Norco CA | Meet Our Team Member Of The Week!

Dentist in Norco, California, Dr. Linden Stevens would 

like you to meet their Team Member of The Week.  

Meet Mindy!  She is here to make your appointments 

comfortable and enjoyable.  

Mindy is our New Patient Coordinator, and she is also a Registered Dental Assistant.  It is important to her that every new and existing patient feel at ease, and comfortable in our practice.  Mindy, graduated from Cypress College, with an Associate of Science degree, and enjoys furthering her education.  With over 15 years experience, Mindy’s knowledge empowers her to assist patients in receiving the best possible care.  

Mindy lives in the area and is active in community events.  Mindy and her husband Daryl enjoy spending time with their sons Justin  and Brandon.  Mindy loves to scrapbook and go shopping with her friends in her free time.  During the summer you will find her relaxing on the beach with friends.   She really looks forward to welcoming you to our practice and making each and every visit pleasant.  

http://www.BeautifulSmilesDDS.com

Norco CA Dentist | Dr. Linden Stevens Finds Cavities The Easy WAY

Norco CA Dentist, Dr. Linden Stevens Uses DIAGNOdent , the FDA approved Laser Cavity Detector- You may not realize it, but even the tiniest spot of decay can mean trouble for your teeth. That's why we take such care to identify and fill cavities as early as possible.  It's the key to preventing all kinds of trouble down the road. In the past, diligent decay identification has required lengthy poking and prodding sessions. Unfortunately, even the best of these methods of decay detection are only 50% to 75% successful. Cavities can hide inside little grooves that occur on most back teeth. Also, mechanical exploratory methods typically find only those cavities that are equal to or larger than the size of the explorer head. For all these reasons, our practice has invested in the DIAGNOdent laser cavity detector.  It is a revolutionary new means of detecting cavities that gives us incredibly accurate and thorough information. It is an FDA approved laser cavity detecting device that is quick, easy, and painless to use.

DIAGNOdent technology inspects your teeth using a simple laser diode, comparing reflection wavelength to a known healthy baseline wavelength for your own teeth, thus uncovering decay. The process is simple. First, we direct the laser onto a healthy enamel tooth surface to calibrate the instrument to your own healthy enamel. We then move the laser around your mouth, shining it into all suspect areas. As the laser pulses into grooves, fissures and cracks, it reflects back a specific wavelength of fluorescent light. At the same time, this light is measured by receptors. This light is evaluated electronically to reveal whether or not the tooth surface being examined is healthy or if there is a cavity present.

A Timely Tool

DIAGNOdent technology gives us a tool for catching decay with more thoroughness, timeliness, and accuracy. Plus, it's a relatively simple and VERY comfortable procedure. Not only does it help prevent the spread of decay, but it helps us to treat your teeth more conservatively as well, finding new cavities at their earliest stages. When we spot decay sooner, the necessary fillings are typically simpler and shallower, preserving more of the tooth. Finally, we can easily and objectively monitor any suspicious areas without repeated x-rays, harm to tissues, or need for protective measures.

You'll see how quick, easy, and painless your next exam in our Norco California Dental Office

will be with our DIAGNOdent Laser Cavity Detector.

http://www.BeautifulSmilesDDS.com

Dentist Norco CA | Dentist in Norco CA, Dr. Linden Stevens Helps His Patients With Their New Year's Resolutions

It's that time of year again when people everywhere resolve to get healthy. This may include eating better, kicking your tobacco habit and starting that exercise program you've been putting off for months. Taking better care of ourselves is a common resolution many of us make as we look ahead to a fresh new year. When compiling your own list of resolutions for 2014, don't forget to keep your dental health in mind, too.

At Dr. Stevens' office, we make maintaining a healthy smile easy all year long. Never underestimate the value of your regular cleaning and exam and always make an appointment with your dentist for any discomfort or dental problem that arises. Paying careful attention to proper brushing and flossing, monitoring your diet and taking advantage of cosmetic dental services are all ways to give yourself a bright, healthy smile.

This New Year, resolve to take care of your smile and dental health. Start with a regular cleaning, exam and consultation.  A healthy body is tied to a healthy mouth.  Also, be sure to ask us about smile-enhancing dental treatments, such as teeth whitening, veneers and Invisalign.  Don't delay; the beautiful smile you've always wanted is waiting for you!  And now, with flexible payment plans, getting that smile you deserve is easier than ever.

Happy New Year to you and your family from all of us at Dr. Stevens' Office!

www.BeautifulSmilesDDS.com

(951) 735-4110