Sunnyvale Dentist
Preventive & Conservative Dentistry
Complete Oral Care including Invisalign
Services
Contact
Address
877 W. Fremont Avenue, Suite A-2
Sunnyvale, CA 94087. Map it!
Phone
(408) 524-5505
Hours
Mon, Wed Closed
Tue,Thu,Fri 7:30-3:30
Sat 8:00 AM-4:00 PM
Sun 9:00 AM-4:00 PM
Charity
Got a Question?
Social Networking
Patient Education
Patient Feedback
Patient Records
FAQs
Periodontal Exam, Gum Disease
Stress, Teeth Grinding and TMJ(Temporal Mandibular Joint)
Brushing
Flossing
What is involved in a teeth cleaning appointment?
What should I know about root canal treatment?
How about crown and bridge?
My teeth are crooked and I do not like braces. What would you recommend?
Patient education tools from California Dental Association
Oral Health Topics from American Dental Association
Preventive Dentistry
I have been scared of the dentist for a long while – what is it like nowadays?
Dental techniques have improved so much over the last few
years, that modern dental treatment can now be completely painless. Despite
this, most people still feel a little nervous at the thought of going
to the dentist. If you have not been to see a dentist for some time, you
will probably find that things have improved a lot since your last visit.
The general attitude is likely to be more relaxed, the dental techniques
and safety procedures will be much better, and the equipment will be more
up to date.
Why am I afraid of the dentist?
Being ‘afraid of the dentist’ may mean different
things to different people. It will probably help if you work out just
what it is that worries you most. Maybe the sounds and smells bring back
memories of bad experiences as a child, or the thought that having treatment
will hurt. The good news is that more and more dentists now understand
their patients’ fears, and with a combination of kindness and gentleness
can do a great deal to make dental treatment an acceptable, normal part
of life.
I haven’t been to the dentist in a long time – will I need a lot of treatment?
Years ago it was normal for people to need fillings every
time they went to their dentist, but things have changed for the better
now. With the help of your dentist and hygienist, the aim now is for healthy
teeth and mouths that stay healthy. Using a fluoride toothpaste will help
to strengthen your teeth and prevent decay. Therefore, you may be surprised
at how little treatment you need. Teeth are for life and can last a lifetime
if they are looked after properly. If you can get your mouth into good
shape, with the help of the dentist and dental hygienist, you should need
less treatment and there will be less for the dentist to do in the future.
It is important to keep up your regular visits to the dentist, not only
to monitor tooth decay, but also to help prevent gum disease. Once your
mouth is healthy, your visits to the practice will often just be easy
sessions for checking and cleaning.
What will happen at the first appointment?
Your first appointment should just be for a consultation. See it as an opportunity for you to ‘interview’ the dentist, receptionist and dental assistant, and have a chat about what to expect next.
Should I tell the dental team that I am nervous?
Make sure that the practice knows you are nervous, so that they can help you. Tell us what it is that you paricularly dislike about dental treatment. If you think you know the reason, tell us what may have caused your fear.
I am afraid of injections – what can I do?
Many people are scared of the local anaesthetic injection
needed to numb the tooth. Again, be sure to tell the dentist that this
is something that bothers you. There are anaesthetic gels that can be
applied to the area of the gum to be injected. This gel numbs the gum
so that you cannot feel the needle.
What is the best time of day to visit the dentist?
Book appointments at a time of day when you feel at your
best, and when you do not have any other commitments to worry about. Allow
plenty of time so that you can get to the practice in a relaxed frame
of mind – arriving in a rush will only make you feel more nervous.
It is usually best to have something to eat before you go, so there is
no chance of you feeling faint while you are in the chair
Should I eat before going to the dentist?
It is usually best to have something to eat before you go, so there is no chance of you feeling faint while you are in the chair. If you are going to have a treatment, where you cannot eat beforehand please tell us and we may be able to get you something to eat or drink.
How can I reduce the amount of treatment needed?
We will be happy to can work with you and tell you what to do to keep your mouth healthy. The healthier your mouth is, the less treatment you will need in the future.
You will probably be given advice about ways your diet can safeguard your teeth and gums, and the best way of brushing and flossing. Looking after your teeth at home can be the most important part of all.
What are my teeth for?
Your teeth do different jobs. They help you to cut up and chew your food when you are eating. They help you to talk and make different sounds. They also give your face its shape and they give you a nice smile. You have four different types of teeth: The incisors are the teeth at the very front of your mouth. They are the sharpest and help to cut up your food. The canines are the pointed teeth either side of your incisors. They help to hold and tear the food. The pre-molars sit behind your canine teeth. They have a flat chewing surface because they help to crush your food. The molars are the very back teeth. They are big double teeth and are also flat. They help to chew and grind your food into small pieces ready to swallow.
What are the different parts of my teeth?
Your teeth are fixed to your jawbone in your mouth. They sit in a curved
line along your top and bottom jaws. The white part of your tooth that
you can see when you smile or open your mouth is called the crown. Some
of your tooth is hidden under the skin (gum) in your mouth. This is called
the root and you cannot see this in your mouth. The white covering on
your tooth is called enamel. Dental enamel is strong and helps to protect
the tooth. Dental enamel is the hardest thing in your whole body.
What is plaque and tooth decay?
Plaque is a creamy, sticky coating of germs (bacteria) that collect on everybody’s teeth every day. The germs won’t harm you, but they can harm your teeth. Tooth decay is caused by acid from the bacteria (plaque acids), which can cause a hole (cavity) in the enamel of your tooth. Tooth decay may make your tooth ache. If this happens you need to see a dentist, who may have to clean the hole and put a filling in the tooth to repair it.
What is the best way to brush my teeth?
You need to brush your teeth to remove all the plaque and to keep your
teeth and gums healthy. It is important to brush your teeth twice a day
while the plaque is still soft. Brushing your teeth should be part of
your daily routine, just like washing your hands and face and brushing
your hair. • Brush your teeth carefully for two minutes before breakfast
and after your last drink before bedtime. • Choose a toothbrush
with a small, soft head and toothpaste that has fluoride in it. (Fluoride
is a mineral that helps to keep your teeth strong.) • Use small,
round movements. The bristles of the brush should point towards the gum.
Don’t forget to brush all the different sides and tops of your teeth.
Notes for parents: we recommend that you continue to supervise your child
while they are brushing their teeth. You should make sure that the child
spits out any excess toothpaste. Replace toothbrushes roughly every three
months, or sooner if the bristles become splayed. Everyone should visit
the dentist regularly to make sure that their teeth and gums are healthy.