2016 Insurance Benefits

If you don’t use your insurance  or flex benefits  by the end of 2016 you lose it. So if you have any dental work you’ve put off, call us today so we can get you scheduled and you can take advantage of those benefits/ tax-free dollars you’ve set aside for your health.

Soda and your teeth

Do you like drinking Soda? Here are some tips to help you prevent damage to your teeth if you cant stop your soda addiction. 

• Try different drinks: try beverages containing less sugar such as water, milk and 100 percent fruit juice.
• Rinse with water: After drinking soda , rinse your mouth with water to remove vestiges of the drink that can prolong exposure of tooth enamel to acids.
• Use fluoride toothpaste and mouth rinse: Fluoride reduces cavities and strengthens tooth enamel, so brush with a fluoride-containing toothpaste such as Colgate® Total®. Rinsing with a fluoride mouthwash also can help. 
• Get professionally applied fluoride treatment: Your dental hygienist can apply fluoride in the form of a foam, gel or rinse.

Soft drinks are hard on your teeth. By reducing the amount you drink, practicing good oral hygiene, and seeking help from your dentist and hygienist, you can counteract their effect and enjoy better oral health.

Copyright 2008 Colgate-Palmolive Company.

Patient had anterior and posterior cross bite. Only way to correct this is, on a 30+yr old patient, is through jaw surgery. Patient did not want jaw surgery, therefore we did a combination of crowns and veneers to correct the posterior cross bite and to give the illusion of an anterior end to end bite. We chose Lava as material of choice due to durability and aesthetics. 

Gum Disease is a painless condition . Only your Dental Hygienist can evaluate and treat your gums! 

Periodontitis

Type II Mild Periodontitis with heavy tartar build up, which caused severe inflammation of the gums. 6 weeks after Scaling and Root Planing (deep cleaning). 

Wow! How nice the gums look! 

Happy Veterans Day!

Happy Veterans Day!

As the daughter of a retired Army Major, we often did not see my dad for long periods of time. 

I want to say Thank you to all the veterans and their families for their sacrifice for our safety and liberty 

Cosmetic Dentistry- Patient case report

Cosmetic Dentistry- Patient case report

Problem: Patient wanted a fuller smile, whiter, brighter teeth. On the upper right side the canine was too long and prominent. Next to it the lateral incisor was rotated. The central incisors were too long resulting in 50% overbite. Upper left canine was missing causing the lower left canine to super erupt. The space for the upper left canine was only 4 mm wide & 5 mm high- not enough for a tooth that should be 11 mm tall (incisal to gingival margin) and 8 mm wide. Patient did not want to spend 18/-24 months in braces. 

Solution: We fabricated Lava crowns #4-12 to give him a fuller smile. We made upper right canine smaller, less prominent, corrected the rotation of upper right lateral incisor, reduced the length & width of the central incisors to create enough space for the upper left canine. I reduced bone & gingival tissue in between the upper left lateral and canine to create enough space for a full size canine. I chose Lava as material of choice because it has a zirconia coping with feldspathic porcelain overlay, giving the best combination of strength & aesthetics. 

Your dental health is our Focus

Your smile is our Goal

Dental Health After 50

Dental Health After 50

Wondering why you are suddenly getting more cavities? 50's signals a 2nd round of cavity prone years. Primarily due to dry mouth caused as a side effect of 500+ medications for high blood pressure, cholesterol, pain, anxiety, diabetes, etc

-Healthy mouth ADA 

Class I severe crowding with excessive overbite and over-jet. 24 months treatment time

  BEFORE 

AFTER 

Patient was missing 4 anterior teeth that were replaced with a fixed bridge. Lava was the material of choice due to durability and aesthetics.

Our patient presented with bonding on her upper and lower front teeth and porcelain fused to metal crowns on her upper and lower posterior teeth. There was nothing dentally wrong with them except she said the teeth looked " lifeless and blah". We decided to do all porcelain restorations for her, I chose Lava as my material. Your typical all porcelain crown materials are all zirconia crowns like bruxir with great strength characteristics for anyone who grinds their teeth but are too opaque for anterior teeth. IPSEmax is a fantastic combination of strength and aesthetics. Empress has the best aesthetics! If i am only working on anterior teeth or on a single anterior tooth and if the patient is not a bruxer (grinder), it is the best material to create a natural lifelike smile. Due to its translucency used with the right cement I can alter the shade and the value of the crown/ veneer to get the best match. However  it is not as strong. I like Lava because it is the best combination of strength and beauty. It has a zirconia substructure and a layer of feldspathic Lava ceram. It gives me lifelike translucency and durability. We added surface texture, positioned line angles and planned the extent of translucency to give her smile a softness and brightness that better suited her face as compared to the flat bonding.  Choice of materials varies with each patient--their aesthetic requirements, how much they clench/ grind their teeth, willingness to wear a night guard, whether they want a Hollywood smile or a natural look. If left to my own judgement I choose a natural look. 

Foods rich in calcium , phosphorous, vitamin A & C are good for your teeth and gums. 

Real patient testimonial on the difference after getting dental implants. 

Do you think dental implants can benefit you?

 Call us for a free consultation (760)480-1750

There is a direct link between the food you eat and how many cavities you get.

Cavities are caused by the interaction of bacteria and left over carbs in your mouth. The more frequently you snack, the

more you snack on, the more cavities you will get.

Is your morning cup of tea a sensitive issue? 

If your teeth are sensitive to hot or cold water, it can be because of cavities, fractures in your teeth, worn enamel, recession & gum disease. Solutions can range from desensitizing toothpaste to crowns to root canals .Call our office so we can find the right solution for you!  

Oral Hygiene with Smiles of San Marcos 

Some changes happening in the office. Cant wait to hear what our patients think!

Visit our San Marcos Dentist today! 

Large amalgam filling with recurrent decay under the filling. In this case after the removal of decay too much tooth was missing to restore with a filling. A nice conservative option to a crown is a porcelain onlay. The end result is very natural. 

"Patient had two congenitally missing teeth (they never erupted). Due to this the two central teeth spread out. We did porcelain crowns for the patient to create centrals without a space in between, created enough space for the two laterals. - P.S. - Lower arch in progress. "

How to treat TMJ pain;

You can get immediate relief with pain medication, muscle relaxation with an ice pack. For long term relief you may need dental or medical intervention depending on the cause. Your dentist will be your first line of treatment.  

The most common cause of ear pain is Temporomandibular joint disorder. Tmj  ear pain can be a dull or a sharp pain, can cause muscle spasms of the facial muscles, headaches, neck pain, migraines & shoulder pain. This can be very debilitating. 

What causes a cavity ?

Bacteria in your mouth thrive on leftover food on your teeth & from plaque. The acid in plaque dissolves enamel causing cavities. Overtime the cavity gets deeper and closer to the nerve (pulp) causing a toothache. 

The Tooth Fairy Controversy 

How much money should the tooth fairy pay for a tooth?

Calling all parents- We need your opinion- How much did the tooth fairy pay your child for a tooth? Was there a multiple tooth discount? Does it matter if the tooth had a cavity? Does the tooth fairy give coins or "big money?"(as my nephew calls it) Can your child spend tooth fairy money or does it go in the piggy bank? Does the tooth fairy give other things besides money? All important questions if you are a parent of a 6-12 yr old.

 Or if you are a 6-12 yr old. 

This is tartar or calculus as your hygienist calls it. It is calcified bacterial byproducts. Gross right? This is what causes recession and bone loss (PERIODONTAL DISEASE) This also exacerbates several systemic diseases. 

Can you guess who's car this is?  #braceface #dentalstuff #dentist #sanmarcos

A beautiful before&after with braces on one of our wonderful patients. We offer free orthodontic consultations, come by and see us ! 

Another beautiful smile, created by Dr. Jain .Come in and see what she can do for you!

Dr. Jain and the whole team at @smilesofsanmarcos want to thank all of our patients for trusting us with your smiles throughout the years! #sanmarcosdentist#patientappreciationday 

#tgif

For #patientappreciationday we served watermelon water. Did you know watermelon has Lycopene (the red pigment in the fruit) that reduces stroke risk, watermelon also promotes weight loss, is an anti-inflammatory and helps sore muscles

Here at @smilesofsanmarcos we are like family and we consider all our patients as part of our #dentalfamily

Thank you for being with us !   

We had a great time yesterday with our Patient Appreciation Day! Here are some of our winners of the day. 

We raffled Disneyland tickets, Tablets. Wave Water park  passes, Cinepolis tickets, and Best Buy gift cards! Thank you to our amazing patients for being part of our Dental Family ! 

REMINDER: PATIENT APPRECIATION IS THIS MONDAY FROM 1PM-5PM

COME BY AND SEE US! 

 Before the invention of toothpaste, people used charcoal, ground chalk, ash, lemon juice and honey tobacco mixture to clean their teeth.

Another beautiful transformation by Dr Jain. Come in for your consultation today for a new smile this summer!

 Patient Appreciation is coming up! Mark your calendar!!

Avoid dental injuries during summer sports

Summer is here! If your child is going to be involved in contact sports , we recommend a sports guard.

Protect our child's winning smile with a sports guard. 

Before the invention of toothpaste, people used charcoal, ground chalk, ash, lemon juice and honey tobacco mixture to clean their teeth.

 Facts about your pearly whites

Consumers in the  U.S buy 14 million gallons of toothpaste per year! 

Make sure you ask for a ticket every time you come into our office for an appointment! #giveaway #smilesofsanmarcos #sanmarcosdentist 

TGIF! Happy Friday from us ! 

We are so excited for this upcoming Patient Appreciation Day! 

If I Have Diabetes, am I at Risk for Dental Problems?

If your blood glucose levels are poorly controlled, you are more likely to develop serious gum disease and lose more teeth than non-diabetics. Like all infections, serious gum disease may be a factor in causing blood sugar to rise and may make diabetes harder to control.

How Can I Help Prevent Dental Problems Associated with Diabetes?

First and foremost, control your blood glucose level. Then, take good care of your teeth and gums, along with regular checkups every six months.Maintain good diabetic control, avoid smoking and, if you wear them, remove and clean dentures daily. Good blood glucose control can also help prevent or relieve dry mouth caused by diabetes.

What Can I Expect at My Checkup? Should I Tell My Dental Professional About My Diabetes?

People with diabetes have special needs and your dentist and hygienist are equipped to meet those needs—with your help. Keep your dentist and hygienist informed of any changes in your condition and any medication you might be taking. 

-American Diabetes Association 

We will be closed Friday May 27th thru Monday May 30th observing Memorial Day. We hope all of our patients have a safe and happy Memorial Day weekend and we look forward to seeing your smiles soon! 

An average person spends 38. days brushing their teeth in their lifetime!

How does Diabetes affect your smile?

*You have less saliva causing your mouth to feel dry 

*Lack of saliva puts you at a higher risk of cavities 

Did you know tooth loss is linked to Diabetes?

 When you take care of your gum health , your sugar levels are  easier to control. 

Did you know 29.1 million Americans, or 9.3% of the population, has diabetes .

Approximately 1.25 million American children and adults have type 1 diabetes.

•  Of the 29.1 million, 21.0 million were diagnosed, and 8.1 million were undiagnosed.

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week! 

We want to take some time to show appreciation to the teachers in our lives. 

"Teaching is the profession that teaches all the other professions."

Happy Mother’s Day

It is said that a mother’s work is never done, and that once a person becomes a parent, it is a labor of love that lasts a lifetime.  The same thing could be said about your smile.  It is also a labor of love that lasts a lifetime.

Why don’t teeth heal themselves?

Teeth heal themselves to a certain extent. But due to a lack of the right cells they have no chance against visible caries.

If you grind your teeth, ask your dentist what you can do to prevent damage to your teeth! Call us today 760)480-1750

Happy friday everyone!! Look at this amazing transformation! beforeandafter by Dr. Rasika Jain and the SmilesofSanMarcos! Call us today 760)480-1750

If something about your teeth or gums is making you self-conscious and preventing you from smiling as broadly as you could be, we have plenty of solutions that can fit your need.

Want to Improve Your Smile?

See what braces, crowns, veneers, teeth whitening, bridges, implants, gum reshaping -- or even a complete dental makeover -- can do for your smile.  !

Healthy Japan 21

Strategy for healthy oral aging. 

The goal is to retain 20 teeth at age 80. Missing teeth are a primary factor in determining quality of life. 

Dry mouth from aging or as a side affect of medications can make your mouth very uncomfortable , cause more cavities & interfere with nutrition!

Does your mouth age?

You bet!

Teeth age (see last blog)

Gums recede, salivary glands produce less saliva, masticatory muscles loose muscle mass!

Maintenance of a functional dentition is important to ensure adequate nutrition and avoid the development of frailty.  

Do Teeth Age??

YES! After 60, 70 years of use, teeth will show changes such as enamel wearing, chipping, fracture lines

& staining!

Oral infection, inflammation & chronic periodontitis are risk factors for diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, respiratory disease & cognitive impairment that affect adults. 

Successful aging requires social interactions. A healthy smile is an important part of that dynamic 

In the next two decades 1 in 5 Americans will be 65 years old . Healthy aging requires the ability to masticate healthy foods.

The vicious cycle of dental fear

Those afraid of dental treatment typically delay visits, contributing to more severe dental disease and more invasive and painful procedures. This then reinforces their dental fear. Ask us what can be done to relieve dental fear and allow you to see us for maintenance visits! 

Did you know some herbal supplements like ginkgo, ginger, garlic, vitamin E& ginseng can increase risk of bleeding? If you are taking any of these supplements it’s very important to let your dentist know prior to a tooth extraction.

brushing

HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU BRUSH YOUR TEETH?

The American Dental Association recommends brushing 

at least twice a day for at least two minutes!

Does Diabetes affect oral health?

When you have diabetes, high blood sugar can take a toll on your entire body including your teeth and gums.

The good news?

Prevention is in your hands. The higher the blood sugar,the more starch available to cause cavities.

Diabetes reduces your ability to fight bacteria making you more susceptible to gum disease. Gum disease in turn can raise your blood sugar.

Make a commitment to monitor your blood sugar levels

Brush twice daily

Floss daily

Schedule regular dental visits

Look for early signs of gum disease including: Redness, swelling and bleeding gums

Don’t smoke 

Erosive Wear

Erosion of teeth due to acidic foods 

Flouride

Enamel is composed of crystals of hydroxyapatite. The hydroxyl can be replaced by fluoride ions making your enamel into a much harder mineral more resistant to wear

_{Colgate Education Network}

The eventual outcome of dental erosion is severe loss of dental hard tissues that adversely affects function and esthetics. In patients with extensive dentin exposure, transient as well as persistent pain due to dentin sensitivity and pulp pathology may further aggravate quality of life deterioration. Severe erosive tooth wear requires restorative therapies.

Composite resin and ceramics can be used for partial and full coverage restorations and restore the esthetics and function of the teeth. However, if the restored teeth continue to be subjected to severe erosion challenges that caused the original teeth wear, the restorations may fail in due course following marginal deterioration and continued loss of surrounding dental hard tissues. Therefore, preventive measures for dental erosion are not only essential for early intervention and primary prevention of erosive tooth wear. It is also important for secondary prevention of erosion around the restorations.

-Colgate Education Network