The Mountain View Family Dental Blog

Taking your child to the dentist seems like it should be a pretty straightforward appointment: get in the dentist’s chair, get teeth counted and have them thoroughly flossed and cleaned. Maybe it will be time for a fluoride treatment or some x-rays to check for decay that isn't immediately visible. Sometimes, though, what you imagine to be a routine visit turns out to include techniques and recommendations that you aren't aware of — like dental sealant. We take the guesswork out of this common dental procedure with our helpful guide below.

Braces are an investment in your child's oral health, but are they right for every kid? For that matter how do parents know if and when their child needs orthodontic treatments like braces? The idea of braces has been haunting parents and teens for decades. Parents because it's a cost they don't always plan for when budgeting for dental care and kids because they just don’t seem fun to wear.

What you eat matters. It's a concept that people are taking much more seriously these days, but what about your teeth and gums? What do they need to stay strong? When you're planning that healthy diet for you and your family, what foods are you including to inspire first-rate oral health? The nutrients that support growing muscles and bones may not be enough to meet that goal. Consider four ways you can eat for better dental health.

Many children experience some tooth alignment problems between the ages of 10 and 13. Orthodontic work of some kind is the norm when permanent teeth appear, and millions begin treatment each year to correct oral problems from mild to severe. The most common form of treatment is temporary — in the form of braces — and they have changed dramatically from when you were a kid. In fact, great strides have been made in the last decade which assure that modern braces are stronger, lighter, more comfortable and more effective than ever before.

Although bad breath is the subject of some not-so-funny jokes, it is no laughing matter to suffer from halitosis. It can be worrisome from a medical standpoint as well as personally embarrassing, leading to loss of confidence and low self-esteem.

Bad breath occurs most commonly when bacteria builds up on the tongue, between the teeth and in the mouth. Its causes are many, ranging from recent consumption of pungent foods to inadequate oral hygiene, sinus infections, acid reflux or liver and kidney disease. Many bouts of bad breath are temporary and can be managed with changes to your oral hygiene routine, but prolonged and severe halitosis may require a consultation with your dental or health care provider to determine the root cause.

According to some studies, one in three people suffers from bruxism — the technical name for teeth grinding — and it's no laughing matter. If you’re among these teeth-grinding Americans, consciously or unconsciously, it’s time to address the problem. The alternative is not pleasant.

While many people occasionally clench or "mash" their teeth occasionally, 10 percent of cases are considered severe enough to cause serious dental problems. Unchecked, bruxism can lead to cracking or extreme wearing of the teeth that can only be restored by extensive, and expensive, reconstructive surgery.

The grinding, gnashing, gritting of teeth and jaw clenching that characterize bruxism are often unconscious.

Headaches are a kind of plague that affects approximately 40 percent of healthy Americans. In fact, chronic headache pain tops the list of medical complaints in the United States. And it is often difficult to determine the cause of these headaches and even more difficult to find ways to relieve the pain.

Although headaches are not a modern affliction, modern science has shed new light on what causes the pain and gives some hints on how to alleviate it. Muscle tension is estimated to be at least a contributing factor in about 80 percent of debilitating headaches. And in many of these cases, this muscle tension is caused or worsened by dental abnormalities.

All adults will have to deal with wisdom teeth at some point in their lives, and it’s important that you understand how they can impact your oral health. Here are the basic facts you need to know about your wisdom teeth so that you can maintain a great-looking smile and a healthy mouth.

Halitosis (bad breath) is not an attractive quality! If you’re struggling to manage bad breath, take the time to understand exactly what is going on so that you can improve your social life, confidence and dental health. Here is everything you need to know about bad breath, what causes it and how to stop it with good dental care.

Sedation is becoming more and more popular in dentist offices, even for pediatric care, but is it safe for children? It's a fair question for parents who want to make the experience of going to the dentist less stressful for their kids or whose children need more extensive dental care. Sedation and anesthesia are both tools in pediatric dentistry, and as parents, you need to understand how they work and what is and isn't safe for kids.