Monday 30 November 2015

Sunday 29 November 2015

Three Oral Hygiene Tips for Men

When it comes to personal oral hygiene, not all men are as attentive to their teeth as women. Starting with the checkup, surveys suggests men are more likely to see a dentist only in the event of a problem. So, guys, learn how to step up your oral care routine with the following tips for maintaining a healthy smile and preventing oral health problems before they start.

Toothbrush Tips
Brushing is just one part of keeping your mouth clean - doing so twice a day, in particular. However, the average man brushes his teeth 1.9 times a day, according to the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD). It's not enough to brush quickly and be on your way; two minutes of thorough cleaning is your most effective approach. Keep in mind you don't need to brush hard during this process. Use a soft-bristled brush such as Colgate® Slim Soft™ and brush gently at a 45-degree angle.

Some helpful hints: Replace your toothbrush every three to four months, rinse it after each use and store it in an upright position to air dry. Storing it in a container actually allows microorganisms to grow on the brush, explains the American Dental Association (ADA), so it's best to avoid this method.

Sports and Dental Injuries
Playing contact sports can lead to trauma in unexpected places, and this includes broken, chipped or lost teeth. Wear a mouthguard when you're on the field and a helmet when you're on your bike. Ultimately, see your dentist as soon as possible after experiencing an incident to quickly assess the damage and determine what can be done to fix it.


To read the entire article written by Margie Monin Dombrowski, please visit Colgate.com 

San Diego Smiles
Kurt Christensen, DDS - Steven Krause, DDS, MAGD
337 West Madison Avenue
El Cajon, CA 92020
Phone: (619) 442-8841
Website: www.SDSmileStudio.com

Friday 27 November 2015

Children's Dentistry

Changing Your Kids' Minds About Dental Treatments

Whether you have a scared or active child, Dr. Christensen and Dr. Krause and their team will make your children feel relaxed to actually enjoy their visits to our office. We administer the most advanced treatments in children's dentistry, and we provide them with thoughtfulness and gentle care.

We teach children how to take care of their teeth at home with proper brushing and flossing techniques. We enjoy their first visit between the ages of two and three, and look forward to seeing them change and grow each year.

It is our goal to ensure all generations of children grow up without fear of dental visits. Parents have been impressed that their kids enjoy coming to our office, and we are successful in helping them with a child who is very active or fearful.


San Diego Smiles
Kurt Christensen, DDS - Steven Krause, DDS, MAGD
337 West Madison Avenue
El Cajon, CA 92020
Phone: (619) 442-8841
Website: www.SDSmileStudio.com

Monday 23 November 2015

Sunday 22 November 2015

A New Year's You: Dental Health Resolutions

Your dental health is an important part of your overall wellness, and the New Year is a great time to create resolutions for improving your health. Many people have dental health resolutions that range from improving their toothbrushing habits to completing delayed dental treatment. Understanding the benefits of your particular resolutions can be motivating and rewarding. Whatever your goals might be, it is important to take small steps to achieve them. Consistency is key with any resolution that you make.

Improving Toothbrushing and Flossing Habits
Perhaps you would like to improve your oral health. Daily toothbrushing and flossing is a sure and simple way to improve your oral health. For successful bacterial plaque removal, it is important to brush at least twice a day using an appropriately sized, soft-bristle, manual or electric toothbrush and fluoridated toothpaste. When you brush your teeth, gently position the toothbrush bristles at a 45-degree angle toward the gumline and move the toothbrush across the teeth to effectively remove bacterial plaque. It is also important to floss at least once per day to remove bacterial plaque and food that has accumulated throughout the day. Your toothbrush should be replaced every 3 to 4 months, as well as after you have a cold or flu or if the bristles are frayed. Daily toothbrushing and flossing help to prevent gingivitis (gum disease), tooth decay and halitosis (bad breath). The daily use of antimicrobial and fluoride mouthrinses also helps to improve your oral health.

To read the entire article written by Yolanda Eddis, please visit Colgate.com

San Diego Smiles
Kurt Christensen, DDS - Steven Krause, DDS, MAGD
337 West Madison Avenue
El Cajon, CA 92020
Phone: (619) 442-8841
Website: www.SDSmileStudio.com

Friday 20 November 2015

Sedation Dentistry

Your Comfort

Relax For All Your Treatments

Our doctors take pride in being able to provide painless shots to make their patients' dental treatments more comfortable. But some people become anxious just at the thought of an injection. For those who still have fear of dental visits, we have an easy solution that will let you feel comfortable while the work is being performed.

By taking one pill just an hour before your work begins, you will feel very relaxed and be sedated enough to be unaware of the treatment, but aware enough to be able to respond to any questions. This solution works well for those with worries and also those that need more work accomplished in a single visit.


Sedation with Nitrous Oxide

This medication, also referred to as laughing gas, is inhaled through a small mask. It induces and maintains a state of relaxation as the patient breathes. Together with a local anesthetic that is given, pain is eliminated.

San Diego Smiles
Kurt Christensen, DDS - Steven Krause, DDS, MAGD
337 West Madison Avenue
El Cajon, CA 92020
Phone: (619) 442-8841
Website: www.SDSmileStudio.com

Monday 16 November 2015

After-Hours Emergency Dentistry

Learn more about what the American Dental Association has to about after-hours emergency dentistry.


The above video is found on the American Dental Association YouTube Channel.

San Diego Smiles
Kurt Christensen, DDS - Steven Krause, DDS, MAGD
337 West Madison Avenue
El Cajon, CA 92020
Phone: (619) 442-8841
Website: www.SDSmileStudio.com

Friday 13 November 2015

Dental Implants

Dental Implants for a Perfect Smile

We recommend placing dental implants to take care of the problems of missing teeth. Perhaps you are wondering what kind of problems occur from missing teeth. You may wonder if there is nothing there, how can there be a problem?

You need a full set of teeth for chewing to obtain the most nutrients from the food you eat. When chewing becomes difficult due to fewer teeth, often less nutritious, softer, high-calorie foods are consumed on a daily basis. These types of food often add unwanted pounds to your weight.

Eventually, without the support of all your teeth, your face will take on a hollowed out appearance in your cheeks. This adds years to your facial appearance. Speech can be altered, as certain words are not pronounced clearly when there are gaps in your dental arches.

Dental implants look very natural as they come up through the gumline. It's like you grew permanent teeth again! They give you full functionality for chewing and speaking, and they look like your own teeth – not even a dentist can tell they are not your own. No matter if your missing teeth are in the front or back of your mouth, we can place dental implants in as many areas as need replacement.

We handle the entire process from implant to crown placement, so you will not be inconvenienced to go to another office. Call us today, and we will give you a no-obligation consultation.


San Diego Smiles
Kurt Christensen, DDS - Steven Krause, DDS, MAGD
337 West Madison Avenue
El Cajon, CA 92020
Phone: (619) 442-8841
Website: www.SDSmileStudio.com

Friday 6 November 2015

Are You Flossing Or Just Lying About Flossing? The Dentist Knows

There's nothing like jamming a waxed piece of string between your tightest molars and sliding it back and forth. And who doesn't do that once a day, just as the dentist prescribes?

Well, a lot of us. Twenty-seven percent of adults lie to their dentists about how often they floss their teeth, a survey released Tuesday found. Not only that, but more than a third of people surveyed would rather be doing unpleasant chores than flossing their teeth daily. Fourteen percent would rather clean the toilet. Nine percent would rather sit in gridlock traffic for an hour. And 7 percent would rather listen to small children crying on a plane.

Actually, that 27 percent sounds awfully low. When we called up Dr. Joan Otomo-Corgel, a periodontist and president of the American Academy of Periodontology, which conducted the survey, she said: "Is that all?"
More than a third of Americans would rather do an unpleasant activity than floss.
American Academy of Periodontology

She's not the only oral health professional who thinks many patients are fibbing when they say they're flossing. "I am shocked," says Dr. Sally Cram, a periodontist and spokesperson for the American Dental Association, via email. "Given my experience with patients in my practice I thought it would be higher!"

To read the entire article written by Jessie Rack, please visit NPR.org

San Diego Smiles
Kurt Christensen, DDS - Steven Krause, DDS, MAGD
337 West Madison Avenue
El Cajon, CA 92020
Phone: (619) 442-8841
Website: www.SDSmileStudio.com