Why a Comprehensive Dental Exam

The Comprehensive Dental Examination, is a service that is provided for all new patients and for our adult patients of record every 2 years. Similar to a complete medical examination with your physician, this examination process is considered the current Standard of Care with the American Dental Association. During this examination we are able to document and compare the findings that are significant to your oral health. Being able to compare these findings at a two year interval allows us to detect changes in your dental health that may be subtle to the human eye, resulting in early detection and correction of oral problems. Of course, we will continue to provide updated examinations at the time of your periodontal maintenance visit in between your comprehensive dental evaluations.

The Comprehensive Examination and Evaluation consists of six areas of your oral health:

• Head and neck oral cancer examination
• Temporal mandibular joint (TMJ) evaluation
• Evaluation of your occlusion( how your upper and lower teeth relate to each other in function)
• Periodontal examination and evaluation of the supporting bone and tissue around the teeth
• Evaluation of current dental restorations, detection of new decay and fractured teeth
• Esthetic evaluation of your smile

We will take time to listen to your concerns, considerations and desires when it comes to the correction of your oral health problems. Treatment plan options will be developed and discussed as a result of our clinical findings, our professional judgment and your wants and needs. At the end of your examination, our treatment coordinator will provide you with your examination results, including a copy of your treatment plan, your periodontal charting, your dental photographs and any support brochures that we felt would help you better understand our discussion. We invite you to visit our web site for further information concerning the dental procedures as well as information about our practice . We feel open communication is vital to the patient/professional relationship. If you ever have had any questions or concerns about your examination visit, the treatment discussed, the fees presented your estimated insurance benefits or our practice procedures, please call and ask for assistance. Our mission is to assist you in obtaining optimum oral health. We know that this mission is dependant on a team of people (including you the patient) working toward a common goal. We look forward to continuing to assist you in your mission toward optimum oral health.

Maintaining Your Pearly Whites

From the time your first tooth poked its way through your tender gums, those pearly whites have played an enormous role in your life. Not only do the 32 teeth in your mouth help you talk and chew, they can make or break your appearance. Although aesthetics are important, tooth and gum health is essential. In the last few years, researchers have uncovered a link between periodontal (gum) disease and an increased risk of heart disease. One study found that men with periodontal disease had a whopping 72 percent greater risk of developing coronary disease than those with healthy gums. To keep your teeth in tip-top shape, we've come up with the following tips that go far beyond just brushing, flossing and your regular visits to see the doctor or hygienist.

Go on a white-teeth diet. What goes in, shows up on your teeth. So if you're drinking red wines and black tea, or smoking cigarettes or cigars, expect the results to show up as not-so-pearly whites. Other culprits to blame for dingy teeth include colas, gravies, and dark juices. Bottom line: If it's dark before you put it in your mouth, it will probably stain your teeth:

Step 1: Brush your teeth immediately after eating or drinking foods that stain teeth.

Step 2: Be conscious of the foods and drinks in your diet that can stain your teeth, and eat only when a toothbrush is around. If there isn't one, eat an apple for dessert -- it will provide some teeth-cleaning action, or rinse with water.

Change your toothbrush, or the head of your electric toothbrush at least every two to three months.

Use alcohol-free mouthwash to rinse away bacteria. Most over-the-counter mouthwashes have too much alcohol, which can dry out the tissues in your mouth, making them more susceptible to bacterial growth and bad breath.

Clean your tongue with a tongue scraper every morning to remove tongue plaque and freshen your breath. One major cause of bad breath is the buildup of bacteria on the tongue, which a daily tongue scraping will help remove.

Avoid sugary foods. Sugar plus bacteria equals oral plaque. Plaque, then, leads to bleeding gums, and tooth decay. Plus, the acid in refined sugars and carbonated beverages dissolves tooth enamel.

Senior Dental Care

Dental care for those patients over the age of 65 involves unique considerations. Seniors are more likely to suffer from a host of oral issues resulting from the natural aging process, difficulty in receiving proper oral health care due to financial constraints (fixed income, lack of dental insurance), or their inability to provide adequate oral home care for themselves. We know that seniors are often on softer diets, which affects the self-cleaning/natural food deflection action of the chewing process. They may have systemic diseases that affect the health of the oral cavity such as, diabetes and heart disease. They may be on many medications, which affect the saliva production. Dry mouth makes people more prone to developing cavities. In addition, there may be reduced manual dexterity; therefore, home care efforts are not as effective as they once were.

Our concerns for you: Seniors are more prone to periodontal (gum) disease, resulting from improper dental hygiene practices, poor diet, ill-fitting dentures or partials, disease, or a predisposition due to genetics. In many cases, the supporting bone structure for the teeth, including the jaw, may shift, which can play havoc with a patient's occlusion (bite). This may contribute to tooth decay, further periodontal disease and/or increased joint pain in the jaw.

Seniors are prone to decay and tooth sensitivity due to the loss of enamel and dentin, or root deterioration caused by gum recession and gum disease. More frequent dental visits may be necessary to help stop the progression of further dental disease. Old restorations, such as crowns and fillings, may need to be replaced, medications may need to be applied directly to the tooth surface, or products may be prescribed for home care. Seniors are also more likely to suffer inflammation of the gum tissue, dry mouth syndrome or oral thrush, these need to be checked and monitored on a regular basis as well.

Look Younger with a New Smile

Here at Dr. Mangia’s office we understand the importance of health as well as cosmetics. Let’s face it, appearance does matter and sometimes a small change can go a long way. Improving your smile can be just the small change you need and veneers are a great way to go. They close gaps between teeth, whiten your smile, and give some length to worn teeth due to grinding. Veneers don’t stain, wear down and can improve your appearance instantly and give you some extra self-confidence. They are a perfect way to take years off your appearance.

Do I really need to have my teeth cleaned every SIX months??

Having your teeth cleaned every six months originally came from a television commercial for a tooth paste. Dentists recommend most adults visit the dentist or hygienist every three to four months and it is important to keep those appointments. According to the American Dental Association, patients who skip visits tend to need more treatment than just a cleaning and are more likely to lose their teeth. Although, it is an essential part of keeping teeth healthy, brushing and flossing at home is not enough. There must be a joint responsibility of home and professional care; otherwise, patients may be faced with more serious problems. Optimum dental health is a priority here at Dr. Mangia’s office. We welcome patients from all over Southern California including the San Fernando Valley. To us optimum care means bringing you to a level of health, comfort and appearance you may never have experienced before. It leads to a beautiful, healthy mouth with a well functioning bite…it leads to dentistry that lasts.

Best Dentist of L.A.

Dr. Guy Mangia received the Daily News Readers' Choice Award for best dentist in Los Angeles. In their article, the Daily News announces our state-of-the-art dental office "prides [itself] in providing the type of care that addresses the issues facing [our] vast clientele." We strive to provide our patients with the highest quality comprehensive dental care possible to improve their health in a professional, caring atmosphere and are happy to hear we are recognized for this. The Daily News declares our "attention to optimum care is not just a slogan, but a daily commitment" and we promise to keep fulfilling our duty.

ORAL CANCER

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF
While the rates of oral cancer have dropped in the last 20years, health agencies still anticipate that it will be diagnosed in more than 30,000 Americans this year. Of those 30,000, two-thirds are men. Knowing the risk factors as well as the signs of oral cancer can go a long way toward limiting the influence this disease can have on your life.

KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR
As with many forms of cancer, early detection of oral cancerous lesions can improve the chances of successful treatment. You can take an active role in detecting signs of oral cancer early by checking your oral tissues periodically. Take a few minutes to examine your lips, gums, cheek lining and tongue, as well as the floor and roof of your mouth. You’ll want to note any of the following: color change in the oral tissues (whitish or red spots, for example); lump, thickening, rough spot, crust or small eroded area; sore that bleeds easily or does not heal; pain, tenderness or numbness anywhere in the mouth or on the lips; difficulty in chewing, swallowing, speaking or moving the jaw or tongue; changes in the voice; a change in the way your teeth fit together. In addition, watch for changes beyond the mouth that could signal oral cancer: drastic weight loss; a lump or mass in your neck. If any of these conditions persists, contact your dentist for an examination.

MINIMIZE THE RISK
You can take steps to reduce your risk of developing oral cancer by avoiding behaviors that researchers have identified as being strongly associated with the development of oral cancer. Use of any kind of tobacco product (cigarettes, pipe tobacco, cigars or smokeless varieties such as snuff and chewing tobacco), when combined with heavy alcohol consumption, has been identified as the major risk factor for oral cancers in the United States. While this combination poses the primary risk for development of oral cancer, chemicals associated with cancer have been detected in all forms of tobacco. As with some forms of skin cancer, prolonged, repeated exposure to the sun may increase the risk of cancer on the lip, especially the lower lip. Try to stay out of the sun as much as possible. If your profession or your leisure activities require that you spend extended periods outdoors, take precautions to minimize the effects the sun might have on your lips. Other possible risk factors in the development of oral cancer include genetics, liver function and certain medications. Diet also may play a role; some studies suggest that a diet low in fresh fruits and vegetables can increase your overall risk of developing cancer.

THE IMPORTANCE OF PROFESSIONAL DENTAL CARE
Regular visits to your dentist are important in protecting yourself from the effects of oral cancer. As part of your regular dental examination, your dentist can quickly and easily check the oral tissues for signs of cancerous and precancerous lesions. Detecting and treating cancerous tissues as early as possible is critical in helping you beat a potentially deadly disease.

WANT TO KNOW MORE?
There is a wealth of information regarding dental care at your fingertips. Just go to the American Dental Association’s Website (“www.ada.org”) and click on the Patients and Consumers content area for more discussion about dental hygiene, oral health .