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DENTAL HEALTH
"DON'T WAIT UNTILL IT HURTS"

Article by Richard J. Gochman, D.D.S. & Mirjana Sadeghi, D.D.S.

How many of you have been putting off that visit to your dentist? You know it has been awhile since you were last seen, but everything feels fine, you are brushing your teeth at least twice a day, and you are so busy with work, school, the kids, or all of the above. So, when your dental hygienist calls and says, �Hi, Mrs. Jones its time for your check-up and cleaning, can I schedule your appointment?� You reply �things are so hectic right now, I can�t find the time, and I�ll call you when I can come in.�

These visits to the dentist are far more important than most people understand. Most dental offices perform multiple tasks at this �check-up� visit. Here are a few items that should be of interest to you.

1.) Lets start with your teeth. Cavities can be detected long before they cause any symptoms. As a matter of fact, many people never have symptoms, even with large holes visible in the teeth. Early detection by a professional, as with all disease is extremely important. Treating the very early stage of a cavity can sometimes be done without having to drill on the tooth. A valuable aid to detecting cavities is the use of x-rays or digital radiographs. The areas between the teeth and below old restorations can�t be seen without them. The condition of your teeth can also show signs of other problems, including bulimia, acid reflux disease, TMJ problems and even stress related illnesses. Your doctor will recognize these signs during a routine examination.

2.) Your gums may not be bothering you, but there are many early signs of gum disease that can be detected, and therefore treated before any serious gum disease occurs. No one can keep their teeth completely free from plaque that accumulates continuously from food products. Even the best brushers and flossers will have a few areas that are difficult to keep clean. A professional prophylaxis (cleaning) of your teeth is the only way to remove plaque form these hard to reach areas. Why is this important? Plaque is an accumulation of food particles and bacteria that stick to the teeth (usually near the gums). When this layer does not get removed, it causes the gums to get irritated, and they get red, swollen and may start to bleed. This is commonly called gingivitis, and it can lead to a more serious form of gum disease. It is recommended that these cleanings be done at least every 6 months or more frequently if you have or had gum disease. This frequency will minimize the chance of serious damage occurring to your teeth and gums. There is also growing evidence that gum disease will increase your risk for heart disease, and is related to low birth weight babies. During your examination, your Dentist will routinely evaluate the health of your gums.

3.) Did you know that oral cancer can be life threatening, and that it occurs in about 34,000 Americans each year? If you add cancers of the lips, skin (face or head) or neck, the numbers are much higher. People who smoke, or use alcohol are at even greater risk. When your dentist examines you, and starts pulling, and feeling all round your cheeks, lips and tongue, they are checking for any abnormalities in color, texture, shape, that may be early signs of oral cancer. They can also see signs of common skin cancers of the face and head, as well as help diagnose other diseases of the body, such as anemia, leukemia, and even HIV by looking at the tissue in the mouth. Check with your dentist to make sure they are doing this cancer screening during your routine examinations.

4.) X-rays or Digital radiographs were mentioned earlier, as an important tool for detecting cavities. They are also necessary to check for loss of bone support of your teeth, which occurs in the advancing forms of gum disease. These x-rays will also look for areas of infections in your bone, which sometimes occur from nerve infections in the teeth that spread to the bone. The bones of the jaw are also used to help diagnose other bone diseases, most commonly osteoporosis.

As you can see there is much to be gained by seeing your dentist regularly. As the clich� goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, so don�t wait until it hurts!


*We help with Cosmetic Dentistry, Othodontics, Crowns, Vaneers, Lumaneers, Invisalign and Whitening (Zoom) Foothill Ranch Office (Serving Mission Viejo, Lake Forest, Rancho Santa Margarita, Irvine, Coto De Caza, Saddleback, El Toro, Tustin, San Juan Capistrano, and beyond) (949) 583-1500*

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Our Dental Services Include: Cosmetic Dentistry, Lava, Crowns, Bridges, Lumaneers, Porcelain Veneers, Inlays, Onlays, Zoom, Orthodontic, Ortho, Othrodontics, Braces Invisalign, Dental Implants, Periodontist, Cleanings, Bonding, White Fillings, Partial Dentures, Complete Dentures, Oral Surgery, Bleaching, Whitening, Restorative Dentistry, Gum Treatment, Extractions.

ProSmile Dentistry Serves the Southern Orange County and Southern California
Dentistfoothillranch.com recieves many customers from the following cities and zipcodes:

Lake Forest 92609, 92630, Foothill Ranch 92610, Mission Viejo 92675, 92690, 92691, 92692, 92694, El Toro 92609, 92610, 92630, Irvine 92602, 92603, 92604, 92606, 92612, 92614, 92616, 92618, 92619, 92620, 92623, 92650, 92697, 92709, 92710, Laguna Hills 92637, 92653, 92654, 92656, Laguna Niguel 92607, 92677, Rancho Santa Margarita 92688, San Juan Capistrano 92675, 92690, 92691, 92692, 92693, 92694 Coto De Caza 92679, Dove Canyon 92679, Cowan Heights 92705, Silverado 92676, Trabuco Canyon 92678, 92679, 92688, Modjeska 92676, Robinson Ranch 92679, Ladera Ranch 92694, Tustin 92780, 92781, 92782, San Juan Capistrano 92675, 92690, 92691, 92692, 92693, 92694, Ladera Ranch 92694, California

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INFORMATION ABOUT THE CITIES PROSMILE DENTISTRY SERVES:

About Foothill Ranch: Foothill Ranch was a census-designated place in Orange County, California, United States. The population was 10,899 at the 2000 census. Foothill Ranch was annexed into Lake Forest, California in 2000. Foothill Ranch is notable for such company headquarters as Oakley, Inc., Wet Seal, Kaiser Aluminum, Risa Technologies and Saddleback Church. Foothill Ranch includes the zipcode: 92610

About Lake Forest: Lake Forest incorporated as a new city on December 20, 1991. Residents voted to name the city Lake Forest, after two expensive master planned residential communities, denying the longer claim to the territory by the community of El Toro. Since being founded, it has expanded its limits to include the newer communities of Foothill Ranch and Portola Hills. The multiplicity of names often creates confusion: some people in the Portola Hills neighborhood, for example, can receive mail addressed to them at Portola Hills, Lake Forest, or Trabuco Canyon. The zip code 92679 is a Trabuco Canyon zip code even though not a single area in the zip code is Trabuco Canyon. This might be because since 92679 is assigned to the northeastern area of Rancho Santa Margarita and the southern area of Lake Forest it would be too confusing for the postal services because 2 cities are both served by that zip code. Lake Forest (along with its neighboring cities Mission Viejo and Irvine) is ranked as one of the safest cities in the country. The private research firm Morgan Quitno ranked Lake Forest as the 15th safest city and another firm later ranked Lake Forest 10th in 2007 in the United States. Lake Forest includes the following zipcodes: 92609, 92630.

About Mission Viejo: Located in South Orange County, Mission Viejo is a planned community that once had cattle grazing on its hillsides. The land was purchased from the O�Neill family nearly half a century ago, and the first homes were built in 1966. By the late 80�s, Mission Viejo became a city, and now houses almost 100,000 residents. Locals enjoy activities at the Mission Viejo Lake, shopping at The Shops at Mission Viejo and the Kaleidoscope Courtyard, and their biggest celebration of the year at the July 4th Street Fair. The community is also proud of their world renowned Nadadores swim team and Saddleback Community College, which offers some of the best golf courses in the county. Mission Viejo includes the following Zipcodes: 92675, 92690, 92691, 92692, 92694.

About Dove Canyon: Dove Canyon is a gated community in Rancho Santa Margarita. Dove Canyon boarders the Cleveland National Forest and is best known for its choice golf courses. Residents enjoy the outdoors at the Thomas F. Riley Wilderness Park and the Wagon Wheel Park Bike Trails, as well as a variety of community and family events such as the Boo Bash and Holiday in the Park Dove Canyon includes the zipcode: 92610