What is Plaque

By: J. Shahangian, DDS, MS- San Diego Board Certified Pediatric Dentist What is Plaque? Plaque is bacteria or sticky film.  Plaque, also known as bacteria, enjoys starches and sugars found in foods your child eats everyday such as: cereal, bread, candy, and cookies. Plaque eats the sugars found in these kinds of foods and produces

Diet and Oral Health

By: J. Shahangian, DDS, MS- San Diego Board Certified Pediatric Dentist What to Eat for Healthy Teeth The first step of the digestive system is your mouth.  Here, the food you eat meets bacteria and germs in your mouth.  These two things can lead to plaque buildup.  I may have talked to you about plaque.

Fluoride and Dental Care

By: J. Shahangian, DDS, MS- San Diego Board Certified Pediatric Dentist About Fluoride The dental community has highly regarded the use of fluoride for decades as being an important mineral for strengthening teeth enamel because fluoride mineralized the enamel of the teeth.  This strengthening of the teeth prevents the deterioration of tooth structures and decay.

Mouth Rinses

By: J. Shahangian, DDS, MS- San Diego Board Certified Pediatric Dentist Mouth Rinses Some mouth rinses refresh your breath and some have therapeutic benefits.  The ADA (Food and Drug Administration) categorizes mouth rinses as both having medical benefits and cosmetic purposes. For the most part, some healing rinses with fluoride have proven to fight cavities,

Semi Annual Check-ups

By: J. Shahangian, DDS, MS- San Diego Board Certified Pediatric Dentist Semi Annual Check-ups I recommend that you bring your baby to see me by his/her first birthday (usually the first tooth will erupt by age 1).  Prevention and early checkups is the key for protecting your baby’s smile now and in the future. It

Flossing

Flossing Flossing is a way of removing debris and bacteria that your toothbrush cannot reach.  Floss is a thin cord or string made out of synthetic material that is inserted in between two adjoining teeth.  This thin cord is moved up and down in between the teeth to remove food particles and bacteria. Floss removes

Brushing

By: J. Shahangian, DDS, MS- San Diego Board Certified Pediatric Dentist Brushing The most effective method for removing harmful plaque is to brush your teeth.  The key is brushing your teeth in a timely manner to prevent the formation of cavity-causing bacteria.  These bacteria are found in the food we eat.  Removing food debris off

Cavities: Causes and Prevention

By: J. Shahangian, DDS, MS- San Diego Board Certified Pediatric Dentist What Are Cavities? The food you eat meets bacteria and germs in your mouth.  These two things can lead to plaque buildup.  I may have talked to you about plaque. Plaque is bacteria or sticky film.  Plaque, also known as bacteria, enjoys starches and

Bad Breath

By: J. Shahangian, DDS, MS- San Diego Board Certified Pediatric Dentist What Causes Bad Breath? Food break down in your body usually is the cause for bad breath.  When you metabolize your food, there are odors that are produced that travel to your mouth, bloodstream, and pass through your lungs. Doing mouth washes, brushing, and

Dental Eruption

By: J. Shahangian, DDS, MS- San Diego Board Certified Pediatric Dentist Permanent Teeth Around the age of 6, the first permanent molars (which are not preceded by primary teeth), begin to erupt.  Special care should be given to the structure and position of the first set of molars because it has a significant impact on