Friday, October 4, 2013

CASH FOR CANDY





TRICK OR TREAT! AVION DENTAL'S CANDY BUY BACK PROGRAM! SAVE OUR TEETH


Halloween is coming up and we all know what ends up in our mouths this month...CANDY! I remember when I was a kid, I would have 2 pillow bags filled with candy at the end of a great Halloween night.  The following month, I would be in the dentist getting fillings! OUCH! 

CANDY is a RISK for DECAY!

Most regular candies will be a high risk for cavities, especially the sticky ones which get stuck in between the teeth like tootsie rolls and gummie worms.  Chocolate, pop rocks, tootsie rolls, dum dums, and most of the candies collected from neighborhoods may lead to teeth rotting!


WHAT SHOULD I DO?  EASY... SELL YOUR CANDY TO US


1.  Avion Dental is teaming up with Operation Gratitude and offers a buy back program in which we use the candy as packaging cushion for our troops over seas.  Not only will this help our kids, this will help with delicate items that must be shipped out to our troops so we do not feel like we are wasting all this great candy!

2. Celebrate Halloween with your family and go trick or treating!  We will buy back up to 5 lbs of your candy for a dollar a pound!  What a great deal! So get your bags and pillow cases ready! We will be buying candy the day after halloween from 10 am - 3 pm at Avion Dental in Chino Hills.   Also, we will be giving halloween toothbrushes as well!


-- 
Robert M. Kim DDS
4665 Chino Hills Pkwy #D
Chino Hills, CA 91709
(909)597-3445

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Tuesday, March 26, 2013

So Stressed That My Teeth Hurt!

"I'm So Stressed My Teeth Hurt"

picture from www.emdentalgroup.com


Have you ever heard someone say this?  It may sound like it's just a catchy phrase, but there is reality to it!  

Clenching and grinding is a common side effect in which most if not all human beings do from time to time.  Clenching and grinding is caused by a neuro-muscular response in which your jaws react at times of stress.  There are four muscles of mastication (meaning muscles for eating).  These muscles run through the side of your head all the way down to your jaws.  Headaches, sore jaws, worn teeth, fractured, teeth, and snoring are at times side effects from your stressed out day where we internalize are problems when we sleep.  

Let's talk about some of the problems that can occur during our sleep.  

According to Wiki-Answers, an average bite force is anywhere from 117 lbs. to 265 lbs.  Imagine, most of us can not even curl or lift this amount of weight, and our poor teeth are the victims of this pressure.  With poor oral hygiene and a lack of dental monitoring, over years, this causes deterioration of our teeth.  Fractures on the enamel can appear and weaken the tooth, making a root canal over even a fractured tooth imminent.  

How can I stop this?

Stop this by seeing your local dentist. He will recommend the best sleep appliance for you.  By going to your dentist every 6 months, we can continually monitor the wear and the damage caused by your bite.  Remember that prevention is a lot cheaper and more comfortable than cure!



Robert M. Kim DDS
4665 Chino Hills Pkwy #D
Chino Hills, CA 91709
(909)597-3445

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Wednesday, January 23, 2013

What are Invisible Braces

                                 


     

 Many patients of ours ask the question, "What are invisible braces, and how are they different than regular braces?"  This is an excellent question! Here is the answer to that question, invisible braces are braces that will straighten your teeth with clear material and transparent material.  Friends, families, and peers will notice LESS that you are straightening your teeth.  Therefore, you may still hold the confidence by masking the fact that you have braces with ceramics or plastics, rather than showing the more obvious metal brackets on your teeth

Invisible Braces come in two forms.  Clear aligner trays and Tooth Colored brackets.  


                                  
                                                                       courtesy of http://www.southocorthodontics.com




So let's go over some points on clear aligners (Invisalign and Clear Corrrect).

  1. It is made of a plastic material that covers each arch of your mouth
  2. removable so they're easy to clean
  3. patient must be motivated to wear the trays at all times, except when eating and cleaning
  4. much less noticeable than metal brackets
  5. not bulky
  6. change for a new set of trays every 2-3 weeks


What about Tooth colored brackets such as Six Month Smiles?

  1. its is a ceramic bracket that directly bonds to the enamel of the teeth
  2. they are bonded to the teeth so you can't forget them anywhere
  3. may be more efficient for difficult tooth movements because a wire is used
  4. less noticeable than metal brackets 
  5. patient must be motivated to clean the teeth because food can get stuck
  6. may provide faster results

Invisible braces are an excellent choice when wanting have a dazzling smile.  Consult with your dentist and/or orthodontist to see if you are a candidate for either clear aligners or tooth colored brackets.  For more information on invisible braces, please visit our webpage http://aviondental.com/chino-hills-clear-braces.html 

Thanks for reading and please like us on facebook!


Robert M. Kim DDS

4665 Chino Hills Pkwy #D
Chino Hills, CA 91709
            (909)597-3445      

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Thursday, January 3, 2013

Dental and Fitness, How to mix the two for your New Year's Resolution





Dental and Fitness - How you can mix the two for your New Year's Resolution!



How many of you have committed to fitness as your New Years resolution?  I know that I have!  Well, in this blog, I am going to explain to you how dental and fitness is in fact intertwined.

I'm Going to Eat Healthier

A major part of fitness is diet.  As we all know, without a clean diet it can be hard to shed those extra pounds that we gained during the holidays.  Not only will it help with the fat, a diet that consists of more water and less sugar will put your teeth at lower risk for tooth decay, or better known as cavities.  So when you feel for the urge for a soda or a tootsie roll during your journey, tell yourself that you are breaking two resolutions!

I'm Going to Quit Smoking

According to the CDC, 19.3% of all adults smoke cigarettes.  For many Americans quitting cigarettes is a very difficult task, but is important if you want to live a healthy and successful lifestyle.  Cigarettes are a major cause for gum disease.  Gum disease is also a major reasons why people eventually get dentures!  It can cause bad breathe, constant infection in the mouth, and a reason not to go to the gym.  To kick the habit, write down your goal to quit smoking.  For mobile phone users, there is an app called Cessation Nation on Google Play.  This can help you stay motivated on journey of being a non-smoker.  Remember that you are not only saving your lungs, but also, your gums and muscle tone!  Quitting smoking is easily the best way to start off the new year!

I'm going to Floss and Brush for a Whiter Smile

Have you noticed that many of the fitness models have a dazzling, white smile?  Flossing and brushing will help keep your teeth be nice and sparkly, while keeping your teeth at lower risk for tooth decay.  To make your teeth bedazzling, you should consider teeth whitening.   Whitening your teeth can be easily done in today's day in age.   Teeth bleaching is everywhere: inside your toothpaste, in the mall, and at the dentist.  There are many ways to whiten your smile, such as 30 minute in-house whitening, whitening trays, or whitening tooth paste.  Some are more powerful than others but all can be effective.  As a New Year's Resolution, whiten your teeth to give yourself a boost to feel and look good.  It can help you stay motivated in going to the gym and looking your best!  To see which whitening method is best for you, consult with your dentist!

Dental health and fitness have many chains that link the two.  This blog was made for motivation and a different way of thinking.  If you liked this article, please Like Us on Facebook.

Avion Dental

4665 Chino Hills Pkwy #D
Chino Hills, CA 91709




Tuesday, December 11, 2012

What is a Single Dental Implant?

What is a Single Dental Implant?




A Dental Implant is a state of the art procedure which replaces a missing, or nonrestorable tooth with a titanium "screw" and porcelain crown. 

Why should I get a Dental Implant?

A Dental Implant is the best choice for many of our patients because a few reasons. 
  1. A Dental Implant does not need to involve other teeth, which may involve removing healthy tooth structure 
  2. Dental Implants have a very high success rate 
  3. Dental Implants is the best option to mimic mother nature
  4. Implants are bio-compatible with the human body
Is a Dental Implant the only part I need?

    No, the dental implant is only the component that resembles the tooth root.  Once the surgery is done, the bone will hug the implant very tight.  After, the patient will need an abutment and a crown.  Many times, when there is not enough structure to hold the implant steadily, a bone graft will be needed.

What is a bone graft?
    A bone graft are particles which resemble bone and stimulate the formation of new bone around the surgical site where it is placed.  

What is an abutment?
    An abutment is the connection between the implant and crown. 

What is a crown? 
    The crown is the tooth that will be placed on top of the abutment. 

How long does an implant take to heal?
    An implant usually take 3-6 months to be fully integrated in the bone.  



For more information on Dental Implants, please go to www.aviondental.com

Robert M. Kim DDS
4665 Chino Hills Pkwy #D
Chino Hills, CA 91709
(909)597-3445

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Tuesday, November 13, 2012

What is a Night Guard?

Have you ever had a dream where someone is chasing you down the street and you are trying your best to stay alive?  Have you ever had a stressful dream where you were almost hit by a car or forgot to do your homework? Well, I have and I know that others have had similar dreams where stress is the bi-product of our subconscious.

During these stressful nocturnal moments, your jaws are clenching and your teeth are grinding to the point where if you were awake you would be in absolute pain!

My point is that many of us clench and grind our teeth at night without even knowing it.  Our brains, naturally, go through a natural neuromuscular process which tells our jaws to bite down from time to time during our sleep.  Although it is a natural process, it can be detrimental to our teeth and muscles of our head and neck.

So how does it affect our teeth?

Grinding and clenching can be detrimental to our teeth.  First of all, our enamel is our first defense for our teeth.  Grinding will erode the enamel and expose the dentin, which is the second layer of protection.  This can lead to sensitivity, shorter teeth, and even fractured teeth.  So check out your teeth in the mirror, most of the time if you bite "end to end" you can your teeth fit together like a jigsaw puzzle.  You can see exactly how you are grinding your teeth when you're least conscious. 

How does clenching affect our jaws and muscles?

Imagine taking a barbell weight, curling it, and holding it for hours long.  I'm pretty sure you would be in extreme pain and fatigue for the next few days!  The same thing happens with our jaws.  We have different muscles like the masseter, temporalis, and pterygoid muscles which all function in the movement of the jaw.  After clenching all night, your muscles tighten and go through a muscle spasm.  Our jaws are not meant to be "bodybuilders," but in our stressful society many of us have jaws that can load as much pressure as Ronnie Coleman can curl (he is world class bodybuilder for those who have never heard of him)!  This in turn leads to tension headaches, migraines, and an uneven bite, and lower quality of life.

How do I prevent this?

Night guards and other sleep appliances are used to keep your teeth from contacting at night.  Instead of grinding on your teeth, you would grind on the acrylic.  Other devices such as the NTI are better for headaches.  Devices like the NTI will shut down some of the muscles in the jaw area to decrease the muscle spasms.

Where can I get this?
The best way to get a custom sleep appliance is through you local dentist.  He will make sure that accurate models of your teeth are made so you can comfortably sleep without causing the trauma to your teeth and jaws.


Robert Kim DDS
 www.aviondental.com



Thursday, October 18, 2012

Gums Hurt?






My Gums Hurt!




Did you know that periodontal disease affects approximate 80% of Americans?  

What is Periodontal Disease?  
        Periodontal disease is when the gums become infected with bad bacteria and overtakes the good bacteria.  

What are some symptoms of Periodontal Disease? 
        Some symptoms may include, pain in the gums, bleeding gums, bad breathe, and recession of the gums.    If you have any of these symptoms and have not seen a dentist in a while, please go see one.  

What can I do to prevent this?
       Prevention is very easy but takes a lot of motivation and diligence.  Basically, brushing twice a day and flossing twice a day is the foundation of success.  Visiting your dentist every 3-6 months, depending on what your dentist says, will monitor the healing and also maintain your gums for you with a cleaning.  Creating good habits will prevent problems later.  Remember it takes about 21 days to create a habit, so start now!

Will Listerine or other rinses help my gum infection?
      Listerine is a powerful rinse.  Unfortunately for people with periodontal disease, the areas of concern are much deeper than the rinses usually reach.  Your dentist may prescribe other rinses which may be more effective for your periodontal disease, but the most important part is physically going into the area and giving it a good cleaning!

My gums are becoming lower!
     Your gums are pockets where your tooth sits.  When healthy, these pockets are very shallow and can be cleaned with your average SOFT toothbrush.  When infected, these pockets can be very deep making it a home for food and bacteria since your tooth brush can not efficiently clean these areas out.  This can cause several problems including bone loss which makes the gums follow the bone.  Overall this may lead to premature tooth loss.  

If you are experiencing any gum problems, my advice is for you to go see your dentist.  If you have any questions, go ahead and email me at drrobertkim@aviondental.com.  I will be glad to answer any questions that you have!