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The Dental Touch Oakland Blog View all posts

I Have Dental Anxiety — What Can You Do to Help Me?
Did you know that fear and anxiety often keep people from seeing the dentist? If this sounds familiar, we’ve got good news — you don’t have to let these powerful feelings stand in the way of your dental care. Keep reading to learn more.
Jan 1st, 2023

4 Warning Signs You May Need a Root Canal
Root canals are a common dental procedure. But what are they exactly, and how do you know you need one? Keep reading to spot the signs of a dental problem and how this treatment can help.
Dec 1st, 2022

What to Do About Missing Teeth
A lost tooth does more than affect your smile, it can also jeopardize your oral health, weaken your jawbone, and alter your bite. Fortunately, you can avoid these serious complications and restore your smile at the same time with these solutions.
Oct 6th, 2022

The Health Benefits of Straighter Teeth
Think the only reason to get straighter teeth is to make your smile picture perfect? While that’s certainly a major bonus, the benefits don’t stop there. Keep reading to see how your tooth alignment can impact your overall health.
Sep 1st, 2022

5 Reasons to Consider Professional Teeth Whitening
Thinking of whitening your teeth? You better think twice before grabbing an over-the-counter bleaching product. They may seem like a cheap and convenient solution, but nothing beats the results you get with professional teeth whitening.
Aug 1st, 2022

Let Your Smile Shine Bright with Professional Teeth Whitening
Have you noticed your pearly whites don’t seem very white anymore? It’s easy to restore their lost luster with the Zoom!® professional whitening system. And the best part? You can do it in a single office visit or in the privacy of your own home.
Jun 1st, 2022

Is Invisalign® as Effective as Braces?
Eager to straighten your teeth but worried Invisalign® isn’t the best option? There’s a reason why dentists and patients love this teeth-straightening system: It gets results. Keep reading to learn more.
Apr 1st, 2022

5 Benefits of Partial Dentures
Do you have multiple missing teeth in your upper or lower jaw? Partial dentures can replace them in a snap. Keep reading to learn about the advantages of this teeth replacement option.
Mar 1st, 2022

Who Needs Dental Implants?
Dental implants can provide the best tooth replacement option available. But how do you know if they’re right for you? Learn all about dental implants and when they should be part of your dental treatment plan.
Feb 1st, 2022

The Importance of Professional Teeth Cleaning
You brush twice a day and never skip flossing, so you can skip those regular trips to the dentist, right? Wrong. Those great oral hygiene habits are the first step of keeping your mouth healthy, but your professional cleaning does the rest.
Jan 1st, 2022

What a Dental Sleep Specialist Can Do for You
Curious about what your dentist has to do with your sleep? Believe it or not, a lot! Keep reading to see how a trip to the dentist can improve your sleep quality and help your oral health — no overnight sleep labs required.
Dec 1st, 2021

Do I Have to Get My Wisdom Teeth Removed?
Wisdom teeth can cause a wide range of problems, but that doesn’t mean they always need to get removed. Keep reading to see what makes these teeth so troublesome and why their removal is so common.
Nov 1st, 2021

How Zoom!® Works to Whiten Your Teeth
Think it’s impossible to transform your smile in a single office visit? That’s exactly what you get with Zoom!® professional teeth whitening. But you can also get stunning results in the privacy of your own home. Keep reading to learn more.
Oct 1st, 2021

The Durability of Veneers
Have you considered getting veneers but feel unsure about the investment? Veneers provide quick, effective, and affordable solutions for numerous dental problems, but they don’t last forever. Keep reading to learn more about their staying power.
Sep 1st, 2021

The Importance of General Dentistry Services
Do you put off scheduling dental appointments until there’s a sign of a problem? You could be putting your health at risk. Learn how general dentistry services are your first line of defense when it comes to your teeth, gums, and overall health.
Jul 6th, 2021

How Bruxism Is Damaging Your Smile
Do you clench, grind, or gnash your teeth? This common problem can put your oral health at serious risk. Unfortunately, you could be doing it and not even know it. Keep reading to learn how to spot the signs.
May 3rd, 2021

Warning Signs You Have Gum Disease
Gum disease goes by several names, like periodontal disease or, in its earliest stages, gingivitis. It causes serious complications with your oral and overall health, too. But how do you spot the signs? Keep reading to learn more.
Apr 1st, 2021

Non-Cosmetic Reasons to Consider Dental Implants
It’s easy to think that dental implants are all about restoring your smile. However, this innovative solution for missing teeth goes far beyond cosmetics alone. Keep reading to learn more.
Mar 2nd, 2021

Straighten Up This Year With Invisalign

Looking for the perfect way to start the new year? Why not transform your teeth with Invisalign®! This proven system has straightened more than 9 million smiles so far, and yours could be next.
Jan 1st, 2021

Greet the Holidays with a Smile That Dazzles
Looking for an easy way to make the season a little brighter? There are several quick ways to transform your smile instantly — and they only take a visit to the dentist. Keep reading to learn more.
Dec 1st, 2020

Understanding the Pinhole Surgical Technique®
Gum disease puts you at risk of tooth loss, so it’s crucial to get effective treatment as quickly as possible to preserve your oral health. Fortunately, the Pinhole Surgical Technique® offers spectacular results that can save your teeth and gums.
Sep 6th, 2020

Take a Sleep Test in the Comfort of Your Own Bed
Wondering if you have a sleep disorder but want to avoid an in-clinic sleep study? It’s possible to find out if you have disrupted sleep without leaving the comfort of your own home. Here’s how at-home sleep testing works.
Aug 12th, 2020

Am I a Candidate for Veneers?
Trying to find simple solutions that can fix or enhance your smile? It could be time to look into veneers. Here are a few ways this versatile dental treatment can completely transform your smile in no time.
Jul 14th, 2020

Dental Care and COVID-19: What You Should Know
This novel coronavirus has completely changed the health care system. But what about going to the dentist? Keep reading to learn more about getting dental care during the COVID-19 crisis.
Jun 16th, 2020

Everything You Need to Know About a Root Canal
Do you shudder in fear at the mere mention of a root canal? There’s no reason to fear a root canal when it actually relieves your tooth pain and saves your tooth. Here’s all you need to know about root canals, in case you need one in the future.
Mar 9th, 2020

How to Get Rid of a Gummy Smile
Are you bothered by a gummy smile? Your gum tissue may overshadow your teeth, but you don’t have to live with it. Discover how you can get rid of a gummy grin and feel more confident about the appearance of your smile.
Jan 29th, 2020

How We Can Help Manage Grinding, Snoring, and Sleep Apnea
Teeth grinding and snoring are keeping millions of Americans up at night, robbing them of restorative sleep and putting them at higher risk for dangerous medical conditions. As dentists specially trained in sleep dentistry, we can help.
Jan 10th, 2020

Tips for Taking Care of Your Invisalign Trays
Changing orthodontic treatment from a mouth full of metal to an invisible, removable tray, Invisalign represents a dramatic new way to treat crooked smiles. Though easy to use, Invisalign trays require some special care for best results.
Oct 8th, 2019

Non-Cosmetic Reasons to Consider Veneers
Beautiful porcelain veneers can make your smile look like a million bucks. But good looks are just one of their benefits. Their durability and versatility can make them a good option for preventing more serious oral health problems, too.
Sep 4th, 2019

Straight Teeth Are Healthy Teeth: Why Alignment Matters
Having straight teeth is about a lot more than cosmetics. There are some really important health benefits, as well. Here's why straighter teeth are a wise investment — for your oral health and your overall health, too.
Aug 8th, 2019

What's a Smile Makeover?
Having a beautiful, healthy-looking smile is about more than aesthetics; it can help you look and feel more confident in every area of your life. Read on to learn more about getting a smile makeover!
Jul 9th, 2019

Do You Have to Get Your Wisdom Teeth Removed?
Wisdom teeth extractions can make a lot of sense for most people. But there are a few exceptions where keeping your wisdom teeth might be OK. Here's how to tell if your wisdom teeth should be removed.
May 1st, 2019

Feel Confident in Your Smile Again with New Veneers
Dental veneers can transform the way your smile looks. All it takes is two office visits to start enjoying a more beautiful smile — and greater self-confidence. Learn how veneers can help you get the smile you want.
Apr 1st, 2019

How Dental Implants Can Improve Your Smile and Your Oral Health
Dental implants are designed like your natural tooth, with the metal implant acting as a “stand-in” root. That design doesn’t just make implants more secure and comfortable – it can actually help prevent future oral health problems. Here’s how.
Mar 1st, 2019

Why Adults and Teens Love Invisalign®
If you're considering Invisalign treatment, you probably already know it's really popular. What you want to know is why. Here are five major benefits of Invisalign treatment, as well as a couple of special benefits just for teens.
Feb 4th, 2019

Got a Gummy Smile? Just One of Many Reasons to Consider Veneers
There’s no way to prevent a gummy smile — that comes down to genetics. But dental veneers offer a way to change the proportion of teeth and gums. Pushing back gum tissue and filling that space is just one of the dental issues that veneers address.
Jan 10th, 2019

How to Get and Maintain Your Whitest Smile
Keeping your smile its whitest isn’t difficult, but it takes some self-discipline to maintain an effective oral care routine. Your best smile comes from a combination of dentist visits and personal care at home.
Dec 14th, 2018

Telehealth: The Advantages of Telemedicine
Struggles to get to the clinic? Trying to reduce your exposure to COVID-19, as well as other contagious illnesses, and still need to see your doctor? Telehealth is safe and easy — receive quality care from anywhere.
Dec 23rd, 2020

The Best Summer of Your Life
In one appointment, we can lighten your natural teeth 8 to 9 shades and take you back before the ravages of coffee and red wine. Check out our blog post and contact us for more information!
Jul 10th, 2019

Your Teeth Age Too!
Special Concerns for Older Adults. Along with those gray hairs and inevitable smile lines, your mouth undergoes natural changes over the years, as well. Among them:
Dec 27th, 2016

Dental Crowns Play an Important Role in Dental Care
Few things are as versatile as dental crowns.  We use them in our Oakland dental office to solve a wide variety of challenges.  They can be used to strengthen your teeth, protect them, and to improve their appearance.
Dec 15th, 2016

The Long & Short of Gum Disease
Information on Gum Disease. Surprising but true: the major cause of tooth loss in adults is not decay, but periodontal disease. More than half of all people over age 18 have at least the early stage of periodontal disease.
Dec 13th, 2016

Reasons to Get a Dental Cleaning From Our Dental Office
If you have not had a professional dental cleaning in Oakland lately, it is time for you to visit our dental office. Clean teeth and gums keep your smile bright and your mouth healthy. Continue reading for more reasons you should visit for a cleaning.
Nov 26th, 2016

When Diseases Cause Oral Complications
We have come a long way in the treatment of serious, life-threatening systemic diseases. Part and parcel of healing more aggressive diseases are—more aggressive therapies.
Nov 15th, 2016

Mystery Pain & Phantom Toothache
There’s only one good thing about a visibly damaged tooth: here, clearly, is where the pain’s coming from and where our response will be focused.
Nov 1st, 2016

What is Bruxism and Why is it Harmful?
It’s such a common habit, yet most of the time we never know we’re doing it. Not cracking your knuckles or biting fingernails, but intense clenching and grinding of your teeth—known in dental terminology as bruxism.
Oct 25th, 2016

Have You Knocked Out a Tooth?
We sure can try, but your help is needed, and the most important word is TIME. When a permanent tooth is knocked out, the less time it is out of the mouth the better. In fact, the best results are obtained when the tooth is replaced within 30 minutes!
Oct 18th, 2016

Are You Having a Baby?
You’ve got the glow of a mother-to-be. Keep it with these tips for better oral health for you and your baby.
Oct 11th, 2016

Where Did All the Pain Go?
Today’s Dentistry is Virtually Pain-Free. There’s a bright new trend in dental offices these days: More people are making appointments because they want to, not because they have to.
Oct 4th, 2016

The Truth About Smoking
While nobody enjoys getting lectured about a bad habit, it’s important to have all the relevant information available to you, especially when it involves health implication.
Sep 27th, 2016

Periodontal Disease Q&A
Periodontal disease is a progressive one—meaning if it doesn’t stabilize or show signs of healing, it’s bound to get worse. Even when it doesn’t hurt, untreated gum disease will eventually take its toll: tooth loss.
Aug 16th, 2016

When a Tooth Goes Missing
Harrison Ford took a nasty fall and lost two of his teeth. Thanks to modern dentistry, he went on to become a major Hollywood star. For as long as we humans have been losing teeth, we’ve been filling the gaps.
Jul 26th, 2016

Asthma Alert
In years past, asthma attacks could be unpredictable and difficult to control. Today, medications have been developed to control attacks—in some cases preventing them from occurring at all.
Jul 19th, 2016

Close your eyes …
Close your eyes .. Then next 10 seconds take yourself back to the middle of July in the height of the BEST SUMMER Of your life.
Jul 12th, 2016

Sounding Off About Snoring!
Do you snore, and has your partner compared it to the sound of a giant band saw slowly slicing through the house? Ever wake up groggy and grumpy after a “full night’s sleep?”
Jul 12th, 2016

X-Rays From Our Perspective
X-rays are critical to the practice of dentistry. And the benefits are profound. But dentists are sometimes guilty of dismissing patient concerns, as in, “Don’t worry, you’ll be fine.”
Jul 5th, 2016

Frank Talk About Bad Breath
Social embarrassments come in many sizes. But chronic bad breath is near the top of the list. It affects those nearest and dearest to us and may limit the close social contacts we treasure most.
Jun 28th, 2016

Fluoride, the Story
Sifting Fact From Belief. Dental researchers call it The Fluoride Story—the most dramatic turn-around of a populationís dental health in history. So far.
Jun 21st, 2016

The Perils of a Bad Bite
No, we’re not talking about being attacked by a junkyard dog. That’s perilous enough. The bite in question here is your own bite—the way your lower teeth and your upper teeth come together.
Jun 14th, 2016

Hormones and Periodontal Disease
Women of all ages are prone to changing levels of progesterone in the body. And progesterone—especially when you are pregnant or taking oral contraceptives—causes some bacteria to grow in awesome numbers.
Jun 7th, 2016

Don’t Hide That Smile
Are stained, chipped, or crooked teeth cramping your smile? Years Ago, the only solution for unattractive teeth was disguising them with crowns. Today, we’ve got better options in porcelain veneers, cosmetic bonding, and teeth whitening.
May 24th, 2016

Your Health History
Keep Us Informed of Any Changes! If it’s been a little while since your last appointment, then don’t forget to update your health history. Your dental care is part of your total health-care package. Have you:
May 17th, 2016

The Calcium Advantage
Why Calcium is a Crucial Mineral How important is calcium to us? It’ s very important. Here’s why.
Apr 26th, 2016

Don’t Share Your Toothbrush!
Keep your Toothbrush to Yourself. One of the tenets of good dental health is obvious—Brush your teeth after every meal. This can help keep your mouth healthy throughout a long life.
Apr 19th, 2016

Toothpaste and Canker Sores
Can Toothpaste Help Fight Canker Sores? About the only good thing about canker sores is, they’re hidden inside the mouth. Beyond that—they’re painful, annoying, and bound to erupt at the worst possible time.
Apr 12th, 2016

Musical Instruments and Teeth
Ever think of asking your dentist which musical instrument you should play? Few people do. But especially for young people, an early dental analysis–before selecting a musical instrument–can be important.
Apr 5th, 2016

The Most Common Affliction?
When it comes to most common, not even winter colds strike as many of us as gum infection (periodontal disease). As many as 75% of adults will be a victim sometime in their lifetime.
Mar 22nd, 2016

Dental Tips for Caregivers
If you’re one of the millions of caregivers of an elderly patient who perhaps suffers from dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, then you probably maintain a checklist of the many daily tasks necessary to care for them.
Mar 15th, 2016

Are First Teeth Just Born to Lose?
Kids’ teeth—paying special attention to them lays a firm foundation for a lifetime of healthy teeth. They’re milestones in your child’s development, those first teeth.
Mar 8th, 2016

Vending Machines: Cavity Dispensers
Why You Should Avoid Vending Machines. Vending machines put out all kinds of stuff. But vending machines at work or school can dispense cavities right along with the candy and soda pop that we love so much in afternoon pick-me-ups.
Feb 23rd, 2016

Do You Have Dry Mouth?
Help for Dry Mouth Sufferers. Does your mouth seem uncomfortably dry? Or have you actually been diagnosed with dry mouth (as a side effect of certain types of medication or radiation therapy for cancer)?
Feb 16th, 2016

What You Need to Know About Oral Cancer
Just as in any good crime show, the sooner the heroes discover the problem and get to work solving it, the better the outcome. Looking inside your mouth provides us a unique opportunity to detect other potential health problems.
Feb 9th, 2016

Dental Choices Are Up to You!
Dental care has progressed to where we can now offer you a veritable smorgasbord of choices, a buffet of beautiful smiles.
Feb 2nd, 2016

Even When Tiny…
Tooth Cracks Need Attention. Every tooth fracture needs prompt treatment. No chip or crack is insignificant.
Jan 26th, 2016

Dental Phobia
Do You Have a Dental Phobia? The bad thing about dental phobia is that it prevents people from seeking the care they need—when they need it.
Jan 19th, 2016

Bad Oral Habits Explained
Tooth-related habits, too, can be conscious (brushing and flossing) or unconscious—chewing on pencils, for example.
Jan 12th, 2016