While dental care isn’t often at the top of our resolutions for the New Year, it’s not too late to add having the healthy and happy smile you’ve always dreamed of to the list. Over time, it’s easy to neglect your teeth, but your smile is one of the first things people notice about you. Now is the perfect time to maintain your dental health and treat any dental or gum issues you may have.

Many people don’t realize the importance of good dental hygiene. By not brushing and flossing regularly, your teeth can become damaged and this can lead to pain, cavities, and even the loss of irreplaceable teeth. Tongue scraping should also be part of your routine since it harbors bacteria and germs that can cause disease and bad breath.  

This may be the year you vow to have your crooked teeth fixed and the Bedford Dental Group offers a variety of ways to achieve a straight, perfect smile. Whether you want traditional braces or the latest Invisalign System of virtually invisible aligners, we provide the best in caring, dedicated service.

Please take a minute to add better dental health to your list of resolutions. We can make your teeth healthy, your smile white and bright, and help you learn how to keep them that way for years to come!

Now is the perfect time to get your teeth and smile ready for the New Year!

With all the hustle and bustle that comes around this time of year, it’s a great opportunity to take a moment and spend some time on yourself. There’s no better way to do that than by having a checkup with one of our cosmetic dentists. They can give you the beautiful smile you’ve been craving during 2009. Don’t let a sore tooth ruin holiday get-togethers or feasts; we can help your teeth and smile so you can enjoy the holiday season pain-free!

This may be the right time to have your teeth whitened or start having them straightened by the Invisalign system. Your smile and dental health can make next year brighter, which can help you keep your spirits up all winter long!

We know most resolutions don’t get filled, but if you start now, having a bright, healthy smile for 2010 won’t be one of those unfilled resolutions! If you have stained teeth that you can’t make any whiter on your own, need a thorough teeth cleaning, or are thinking about veneers or teeth straightening systems, you’re just a phone call away from having the smile you have been thinking about all year.

The winter skies can be gloomy and dark, but your smile can be fresh, new, and bright by making an appointment today!

When you look in the mirror, are you satisfied with your smile? Does it seem like your teeth have lost their luster and bright, white color? Maybe your teeth don’t have major problems, but they’re just not the perfect luminous smile you see in magazines or on T.V.. Or maybe you do notice a few problems such as overcrowding or gaps between your teeth. If this sounds like you and your smile, then you might want to consider Porcelain Veneers at Bedford Dental Group.

Porcelain veneers can change your smile without having heavy, invasive surgery. One of our highly experienced, Beverly Hills cosmetic dentists can change your smile from dull, gray, or spaced apart to straight, white and beautiful. Years of coffee, tea, tomato sauce, nuts, and tons of other food and drinks can stain and chip your teeth throughout the years. Porcelain veneers can change this and give you a flawless smile.

Veneers work by placing a porcelain shell or laminate over your original tooth. This veneer covers your existing enamel and covers any imperfections that your tooth had. A shiny and bright new surface is now adhered to your tooth. This can be done on one tooth or all of your teeth. A beautiful, new smile is always the result.

Don’t just fantasize about a beautiful smile, make it happen with porcelain veneers at Bedford Dental in Beverly Hills. Call and make an appointment today for your consultation. Speak with one of our highly trained cosmetic dentists and find out if Porcelain Veneers are right for you.

In Los Angeles, it can be hard finding a dentist you can trust at a facility with top of the line technology and equipment. At Bedford Dental group in Beverly Hills, your search is over. Our team of highly experienced cosmetic dentists offer an array of dental services such as Invisalign, full mouth reconstruction, root canals, and porcelain veneers. We even offer emergency dentistry for any dental accidents that may occur.

Located in the heart of Beverly Hills, Bedford Dental is just a short commute away from anywhere in Los Angeles. Whether you need a new filling, have a chipped or cracked tooth, or need a routine cleaning, the dentists at Bedford Dental can do it all. Even parking is a breeze with valet inside the building and free parking right across the street. We make sure you’re treated with the utmost care and concern as soon as you walk in.

Many people put their routine dental cleanings aside and postpone it for months and even years. The amount of hidden plaque continues to build up in your mouth; the kind of plaque that regular brushing cannot get rid of. Only a trained dentist can really get rid of the hidden, built up plaque that eventually causes cavities and tooth decay. These types of routine cleaning and exams are recommended twice per year for optimal dental and gum health.

We use the most current and up-to-date equipment and procedures, providing you with the best dental treatment in Beverly Hills. You are never rushed in our office and are encouraged to take all the time you need during your visit. This enables us to answer any and all of your questions or concerns. Call Bedford Dental today and arrange an appointment or consultation for any of our cosmetic dental services.

Years ago, if your tooth had a diseased nerve, you would probably end up losing that tooth. Fortunately today, it is possible to save a tooth with nerve damage by having root canal therapy. Inside every tooth is the pulp which runs down to the root like a thread. The pulp tissue can die if it becomes diseased or injured. The tooth can get infected if the diseased or dead pulp is not removed. If the infected tooth does not get treated, you could lose that tooth.

A root canal procedure can possibly save your tooth and make it stronger after the infection. This may be done in a series of one to three visits and involves the removal of the diseased pulp. The pulp chamber and canals of the root are cleaned out, removing all of the diseased pulp tissue, and is then sealed.

Your treatment starts with an opening through the crown of the tooth to reveal the pulp chamber. The infected pulp is removed and the canals are cleaned thoroughly and enlarged. A temporary filling will be placed in the opening to protect your tooth in between visits. Medicine may be given if necessary to help control infection.

The next step involves filling and sealing the pulp chamber and root canals after the temporary filling is removed and the area is cleaned. The final step is placing a crown over the tooth to protect and seal the exposed tooth. Your tooth is now healthy and strong again. The restored tooth can last a lifetime if proper care is taken.

Having proper oral hygiene is the first step (if not the most important) in having healthy teeth and gums. You should brush your teeth twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste or whatever is recommended by your dentist. It is important to replace your toothbrush every three to four months, or whenever you notice that the bristles are frayed. This is because an older, worn toothbrush won’t clean your teeth as well as a newer one.

Flossing is extremely important and should be done at least once a day. This is because layers of plaque and bacteria still remain on your teeth, especially in harder to reach areas, even after you brush. Flossing will remove the remaining plaque and food and reduce your risk of gum disease.

Plaque is bacteria that forms on the teeth and gums in the form of a sticky film. After you eat, your tooth enamel is attacked by the acid that plaque releases, which may lead to tooth decay. You should limit the amount you snack in between meals because these snacks will cause the plaque bacteria to release continuous acids onto your enamel, constantly wearing it down throughout the day.

The plaque and bacteria can also irritate your gums, not just your teeth. If your gums are not properly cleaned and treated, the bone around your teeth can be severely damaged and destroyed. This can possibly cause you to have your teeth removed. Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults.

Eating a well balanced diet is a good way to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. Limit the amount of the snacks in between your meals to avoid unnecessary build up and plaque. If you must snack, choose items such as fresh, raw veggies, plain yogurt, fruit, or cheese.

All forms of tobacco use are dangerous for your oral health. This includes smoking cigarettes, chewing tobacco, snus packets, and cigars. Quitting these bad habits is very important and you should not let them control your life. They put your health in danger and can lead to numerous health problems including cancer of the mouth or lungs, gingivitis, heart attack, and other serious complications and diseases. You can also save a lot of money by quitting these habits.

Nicotine and the other toxins found in these products can lead to several health defects such as oral cancer, lung cancer, periodontal disease (which is a leading cause of tooth sensitivity and tooth loss), and a slower healing process after tooth extractions or oral surgery. Being a tobacco user can also make you a poor candidate for certain dental treatments like implants or porcelain veneers. This is because smoking can make your teeth too weak to withstand certain procedures.

Less severe effects of tobacco use include bad breath, stained teeth and tongue, and a loss of taste and/or smell. Smokeless tobacco products have numerous negative effects on your health just as smoking products do. Researchers have found at least 28 cancer-causing chemicals in smokeless tobacco products. Your mouth and lungs aren’t the only areas susceptible to cancer; your voice box, esophagus, colon, and bladder are also at risk because of the toxins that are carried to these parts of your body through your blood.

Quitting is very important for your short term and long term health. The American Dental Association recommends these tips to help quit smoking:

– Set a date to quit and stick to it. Choose a “low stress” time to quit
– Enlist the support of your family, friends and co-workers.
– Ask your dentist or physician about nicotine replacement therapy for use in cessation attempts. Using these medicines can double your chances of quitting for good.
– Remove tobacco and tobacco paraphernalia from your home, office and car.
– Seek tobacco-free environments to curve your temptations.
– Exercise. It may make you feel better about yourself and your decision to quit smoking.
– When you crave a tobacco—exercise the 4 D’s:
**Delay—craving will pass in 5–10 minutes
**Drink water—it will help to wash the toxins from your body
**Do something else—distract yourself by being active.
**Deep breathing—deep inhalations and exhalations are relaxing.
– Anticipate problems and have a realistic plan to deal with challenges.
– Call 1-800-QUITNOW or go to www.smokefree.gov

Mouth sores can be painful and bothersome and can sometimes pop up out of nowhere. They are due to different reasons and come in many forms. Some are caused by bacterial, viral, or fungal infections. Other causes are loose orthodontic wires, improperly fit dentures, or sharp edges from a tooth or filling. Several kinds of mouth sores are signs of a certain disease or condition so getting any kind of oral sore that lasts over a week checked out by your dentist is very important. Common mouth sores are:

Canker Sores: They appear as small white or gray ulcers inside the mouth, usually around the inside of the cheek, lip, or gum. There can be only one or several and may often return. They are caused by a number of reasons including fatigue, stress, bacteria, viruses, or allergies.

Cold Sores: Also called fever blisters or Herpes Simplex. They come in groups of fluid filled blisters around the lips and mouth, and sometimes around the nose and chin. You must be careful if you have a cold sore because they are very contagious if caused by the herpes virus type 1. Once you have a cold sore outbreak, the virus stays in your blood and can cause occasional outbreaks.

Leukoplakia: This comes in a thick, white patch around the inside of the cheek, gum, or tongue They are caused by excess cell growth and can be common among smokers. These patches can progress to cancer so it is important to see your dentist immediately if you find this patch in your mouth.

Candidiasis: Also called moniliasis or oral thrush and is a fungal infection. Denture wearers may experience this condition as well as children, elderly, or those with weak immune systems.

Your teeth and gum’s health rely largely on your diet and what you choose to put inside of your mouth and in your body. Today, there is a record amount of consumption of unhealthy foods, loads of sugary drinks and snacks, and non-nutritious foods that really take a toll on your oral health.

Proper diet and oral health should start at an early age. The foods you consume growing up, especially when you receive your permanent teeth, are extremely important for your dental health in the future. You only have one set of natural, permanent teeth, and you must make sure you are eating the right foods and drinks to ensure your dental longevity and health.

Sugar is one of the biggest enemies for your mouth and teeth. When bacteria, or plaque, comes in contact with sugar in your mouth, acids are produced. The acid can then attack your teeth for 20 or more minutes which can eventually lead to tooth decay.

Many foods naturally contain sugar, such as fruits, vegetables, and milk. They should not be removed from your diet based on their natural sugar occurrence but their consumption should be monitored and balanced. The nutrients that they contain are a big health benefit which is why they should still remain a part of your well balanced diet. Added sugars in certain foods are the types we need to be aware of and limit.

Click HERE for more information about diet and oral health.

Many people chew gum simply for the taste, flavor, or to cover up bad breath. Well, for whatever reason you chew gum, keep it up.  Chewing sugarless gum after every meal stimulates salivary flow which clears food from the mouth and neutralizes plaque acid. By chewing gum, you increase the production of saliva by 10 times the normal amount! Proper saliva flow through your mouth is very important for dental and oral health because it aids in the prevention of tooth decay and disease by removing waste and particles from the mouth.

Gum has evolved over time since ancient use with the Greeks and Mayans. Today, the base of gum products are made from a blend of synthetics such as resins and waxes. The American Dental Association supports the use of chewing gum based on numerous studies of the positive effects sugarless gum has in oral care. Studies have shown that chewing sugarless gum for 20 minutes after a meal can reduce the risk of tooth decay.

The act of chewing initially starts to increase the flow and production of saliva in the mouth. Chewing gum after eating will help neutralize and wash away the acids produced during the break down of foods. Without sufficient saliva flow, plaque and bacteria can remain on the tooth, causing it to break down the enamel, which then may result in tooth decay.

Chewing gum should never replace brushing and flossing. It is still necessary to brush twice a day and floss at least once. For a complete list of ADA approved sugarless gum, check out this list.