General and Family Dentistry from Blanco Circle Dental Care in Salinas, CA
February 22, 2015
Beautiful and healthy smiles don’t just happen. Like anything worth having they take work. And in this case, the work is completed by a partnership: you and your dentist. With general and family dentistry from Blanco Circle Dental Care in Salinas CA, you can rely on Dr. Gary Klugman and Dr. Christina Bianco to be your trusted partners in achieving beautiful and healthy smiles for you and your entire family.
Dental Checkups: the Foundation of General and Family Dentistry
In keeping with the recommendation of the American Dental Association, Drs. Klugman and Bianco would like to see you and each member of your family every six months for checkups. With these regularly scheduled visits, we can better track your oral health and spot any developments before they become painful or expensive problems.
At these checkups, we will clean your teeth and remove plaque buildup; we’ll check the health of your gums and other soft tissue; and we’ll carefully examine your teeth for decay. If we do find a cavity—or any other concerning issue, such as gum disease, signs of TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorder) or teeth clenching and grinding—then we will want to treat with the most up-to-date procedure. Thus, we offer tooth-colored fillings for cavities, TMJ therapy to relieve your pain and nightguards to protect your teeth from nighttime teeth grinding.
Your Role in General and Family Dentistry
Dr. Klugman and Dr. Bianco want you to take a proactive role in your dental care. Therefore, we encourage you to contact our office immediately if you or a family member is experiencing discomfort or any visible concern. Beyond that, our dental hygienists will show you how to properly brush and floss your teeth, so that you can maintain your oral health in between your regularly scheduled checkups.
Schedule an Appointment Today
For the best in general and family dentistry in Salinas, CA, call the office of Blanco Circle Dental Care today. We conveniently serve patients in Hollister, Monterey, Seaside, Prunedale, Marina, Greenfield, Gilroy and King City and beyond.
Repair Your Smile with a Crown & Bridge in Salinas, CA
January 22, 2015
If you are missing teeth—even if you are only missing one tooth—then you know the consequences can be dire. You may be reluctant to speak or smile because you are self-conscious about missing teeth. And then there is the issue of not having a fully nutritious diet because you are unable to eat certain foods, such as raw fruits and vegetables. Obviously, replacing missing teeth is imperative. Fortunately, Dr. Gary Klugman and Dr. Christina Bianco of Blanco Circle Dental Care in Salinas, CA, are highly experienced in the art of crown and bridge restorations.
What is a Crown and Bridge?
A bridge is a prosthetic dental device that spans the gap left by a missing tooth or teeth. The gap is filled with what is called a pontic, or false tooth. The bridge is firmly held in place by crowns that are attached to the teeth on either side of the gap. Hence, the complete prosthetic is commonly referred to as a crown and bridge.
If you and your dentist determine that a crown and bridge is your best option for tooth replacement, then we’ll take x-rays and impressions of the area that is missing teeth in order to fabricate a bridge that looks natural with your other teeth. The anchor teeth—those on either side of the missing tooth—will be prepared for crowns. Another impression of the prepared teeth will be taken in order to ensure the bridge fits snuggly in place. While your custom crown and bridge is made in a dental lab, we’ll give you a temporary to wear. Then, in a few weeks, you’ll return to the office of Blanco Circle Dental care to have your permanent crown and bridge fitted and cemented into place.
Schedule an Appointment Today
If you would like to learn more about a crown and bridge for tooth replacement, call the office of Blanco Circle Dental Care in Salinas, CA. Our dentists and their team also serve patients from Hollister, Monterey, Seaside, Prunedale, Marina, Greenfield, Gilroy and King City and beyond.
Dental Concerns at Every Age
November 22, 2014
Taking care of your teeth is important at every age. However, as our bodies change and we learn how to take care of our teeth, we can develop different oral health concerns. That’s why it’s so convenient to choose a dentist that specializes in family dentistry. No matter your age, the team at Blanco Circle Dental Care can address the needs of every member of your family, from baby’s first visit to helping you navigate whitening options, to fitting the grandparents for dentures. You can set up an appointment with Dr. Klugman and Dr. Bianco today at their Salinas, CA dentist office.
Children’s Dental Concerns
Children have a unique set of concerns as they grow and develop. After the teething stage, children will begin to lose their baby teeth. The most common concern at this point will be preventing tooth decay. The tooth enamel of a child is only about half as thick as an adult’s, which makes their teeth particularly susceptible to tooth decay. Once decay begins, it does more damage more quickly. If left undetected, it can rapidly form a cavity. It’s also important to keep your child’s plaque under control because if left untreated, it can make your children’s gums swollen so that they bleed when touched. This is the first stage of gingivitis (gum disease). Though these concerns are fairly common in children, improved brushing and regular cleaning by a dentist should combat these problems.
Teen Dental Concerns
As your child grows into a teenager, irregular tooth growth can become a major issue. The formation of over and under bites, crooked and misaligned teeth is a common problem among adolescents who may now require braces to correct these issues. Another common problem at this age is wisdom tooth extraction, or the removal of the third molar. Wisdom teeth come in sometime between the ages of 17 and 21. This process can be very painful if the teeth become impacted. Other dental problems may commonly arise at this age due to behavioral factors such as poor nutrition, eating disorders, smoking, oral piercings and illicit drug use. It’s extremely important to educate your teen on the added consequences of poor dental health when engaging in these behaviors.
Adult Dental Concerns
In addition to tooth decay, adult dental concerns may be aesthetic, or may be related to the development of certain dental conditions. Teeth grinding, or bruxism, occurs unconsciously while you sleep. It can cause serious damage to your teeth and jaw. Teeth grinding can be caused by stress or by sleep disorders. Teeth grinding can be treated by the dentist with a fitted mouthguard to protect your teeth while you sleep. A related disorder of the temporomandibular joints, or TMJ, is a common ailment for many adults. The TMJ is among the more complex joints in the body. Any misalignment of the teeth or jaw that prevents the TMJ from working properly may result in a painful disorder, also referred to as TMJ disorders or sometimes TMD. The cause of TMJ disorder is often unclear, but possible causes can include arthritis, dislocation, injury, or problems related to alignment or teeth grinding from stress. Symptoms of TMD include pain in or around the ear, tenderness of the jaw, clicking or popping noises when opening or closing the mouth and severe headaches.
Senior Dental Concerns
As we age keeping our teeth healthy can become more and more of a challenge. Seniors can have a particularly difficult time maintaining their oral health because of the side effects of their medical conditions or prescription drugs. Some medications and certain health conditions can lead to dry mouth. Dry mouth is a leading cause of tooth decay for seniors. It is not a normal part of aging, but it is a side-effect of more than 500 medications, including those for allergies or asthma, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, pain, anxiety or depression, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases. The dentist can help seniors relieve the symptoms of dry mouth and treat the condition. Oral cancer can also become a concern at this time. The average age of most people diagnosed with these cancers is 62. Since early detection is a vital part of ensuring that treatment is effective, it’s especially important for seniors to see the dentist regularly.
Addressing Family Dental Concerns in Salinas, CA
There are important steps to take to maintain oral health at every age. However, no matter how old you are, it’s vitally important to visit the dentist regularly. Dr. Klugman and Dr. Bianco at Blanco Circle Dental Care understand the unique needs of their patients. Contact them today to schedule appointments for the whole family. Blanco Circle Dental Care proudly serves families throughout Salinas, CA, Hollister, Monterey, Seaside, Prunedale, Marina, Greenfield, Gilroy, and King City.
Study Shows Connection between Cavities and Oral Cancer
November 8, 2014
It’s widely recognized that having cavities is bad for your oral health. Recent studies, however, are shedding some interesting light on the correlation between dental decay and oral cancer. Your local Salinas, CA experts, Dr. Klugman and Dr. Bianco, can assist you in developing a healthy smile through preventative and restorative dental treatments.
Cavities and Oral Cancer Detection
A September 2013 study published in JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery by researchers at the University of Buffalo found that people with the most cavities were the least likely to have oral cancer. The researchers compared 399 patients with oral cancer with 221 cancer free patients. They found “… an independent association between dental caries [cavities] and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma [oral cancer cells]”, citing that the lactic acid produced by bacteria in cavities actually stop the development of these cancer cells. Researchers state that the bacteria are similar to those found in yogurt. In addition to preventing head and neck cancer, they can also help lower the risk of inflammatory diseases, allergies and some other types of cancer. Critics of the findings say that the results are preliminary and don’t distinguish between the causes of the cavities (periodontal disease) and don’t address the associated consequences of dental diseases that carry their own health risks. Other experts agreed, but noted that the findings could lead to new ways to treat and prevent oral cancers.
Oral cancer is a serious condition that must be detected early for positive treatment outcomes. Dentists screen for oral cancers as part of your regular dental checkup which is one reason why visiting the dentist every 6 months is vital to your good health. During an exam, the dentist will check your head, neck and the inside of your mouth for abnormal lumps, bumps, lesions and discolorations. If an abnormality is found, the dentist will take a tissue simple for analysis or send you to a specialist for further investigation. Increased risks for developing oral cancer include excessive consumption of tobacco products, alcohol and contraction of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV).
Cavity Prevention and Oral Cancer Screening in Salinas, CA
Whether you are concerned about cavities or oral cancer, it’s important to have regular dental checkups to protect your teeth and your overall health. The doctors at Blanco Circle Dental Care are happy to help you do so today. Contact Dr. Klugman and Dr. Bianco today to schedule your next visit. The doctors proudly serve residents in Salinas, CA, Hollister, Monterey, Seaside, Prunedale, Marina, Greenfield, Gilroy, and King City.
Xylitol: Natural Sugar for Healthy Smiles
April 2, 2013
While we all know that eating lots of sugar and sugary foods is bad for our teeth, sometimes it’s just hard to avoid using sugar. Did you know that there’s a natural sugar called xylitol that’s actually better for your teeth than other varieties of sugar? At Blanco Circle Dental Care, we are always searching for ways to help our patients better care for their smiles.
Xylitol is another form of sugar that has extremely few calories and is safe for diabetics. It’s naturally found in some fruits and vegetables, including berries and mushrooms. The real benefits comes when you look at how it affects your dental health.
After you eat foods containing regular sugar, the bacteria on your teeth will multiply and attempt to wear away at your enamel. Xylitol helps to neutralize the bacteria and prevent the acid erosion of your enamel.
Thus, it’s a way to get the taste of sugar in foods while helping to protect your teeth. This is a great solution that we urge all of our patients to consider using. While xylitol can be found in some over-the-counter sugar free chewing gum, you can get a more effective dose from gums like this one from CariFree. There are a variety of xylitol products available, including gum, mouthwash, toothpaste and mints.
Making the switch to xylitol gum or using other xylitol products could be a great way to help protect your teeth against cavities. We want all our patients to have healthy, beautiful smiles and are here to help in any way that we can.
At Blanco Circle Dental Care, Dr. Gary Klugman and Dr. Christina Bianco provide quality general, cosmetic and sedation dentistry services. Our Salinas, CA dental office serves patients from Hollister, Monterey, Seaside, Prunedale, Marina, Greenfield, Gilroy, and King City. Call us today to schedule your next appointment.
Selecting the Right Tools for Proper Teeth Care
March 19, 2013
Just because you’re brushing your teeth regularly doesn’t necessarily mean you are taking good care of them. Even people that brush regularly can still wear their teeth away. It is important to look carefully at your brushing technique, your toothbrush and your toothpaste. Blanco Circle Dental Care wants all of our patients to take the best care of their teeth possible.
Make sure you’re not brushing too hard. If your toothbrush bristles are looking frayed or bent after a short amount of time, it could be a sign that you’re brushing too hard. Brushing too hard can wear the gum tissue away. Also, make sure you’re using the right kind of toothbrush. If the bristles are too hard or rough, you could actually be wearing the enamel off of your teeth when you think you’re cleaning them.
Selecting the right toothpaste is very important to ensure a healthy smile, and is something most people don’t think a lot about. Not all toothpastes are created equal. Make sure it’s not too abrasive, or you could be accidentally wearing away the surface of your teeth when you think you’re cleaning them. Whitening toothpastes are often among the worst, as they may be ‘whitening’ your teeth by using abrasive materials to remove the top layer of your teeth. To get a copy of our list of different kinds of toothpaste and their abrasiveness, email us at drk@salinasdental.com.
It is not enough to just brush your teeth. Make sure you’re using the proper tools while doing so to ensure the continued health of your smile. Pay careful attention to your toothpaste selection, they are not all created equal. Call us to learn more and make sure you’ve made the right choices for your smile.
At Blanco Circle Dental Care, Dr. Gary Klugman and Dr. Christina Bianco provide quality general, cosmetic and sedation dentistry services. Our Salinas, CA dental office serves patients from Hollister, Monterey, Seaside, Prunedale, Marina, Greenfield, Gilroy, and King City. Call us today to schedule your next appointment.
Effects of Acid on Tooth Enamel
March 5, 2013
Acidic foods and beverages can have a negative impact on your enamel. Enamel is the thin outer covering of the tooth that helps to protect it against damage from everyday use. At Blanco Circle Dental Care, we want our patients to be informed about their teeth to know how to better take care of them.
Acidic items include carbonated drinks, fruit juice, wine, fruit, pickles, yogurt, and honey. Citric acids that are found in these items can dissolve the enamel on your teeth. Once the enamel wears away, your teeth will be more vulnerable to decay and damage, as well as being more sensitive.
It is a better idea to skip sodas and have water instead, but if you can’t skip acidic foods and drinks, there are some things you can do to minimize the negative effects on your teeth. It is important to talk to us as we can give you specific tips based on your tooth health and your personal habits.
Generally, try and have acidic items at meals so the effect of the acid is minimized. While you’re eating, your body will produce saliva that will also help to keep the acid from lingering in your teeth. It’s a good idea to use a straw when having acidic drinks, and to avoid swishing them around in your mouth. Also, brush your teeth or rinse your mouth out with water after eating acidic food to help neutralize the acids.
Some signs that you may have acid erosion of your enamel include the following:
- Discolored teeth
- Cracks
- Small dents on tooth surface
- Teeth with a sand-blasted appearance
- Increased sensitivity
- Teeth appearing translucent near the edges
It is important to visit us regularly so that if your enamel is eroding, we can help alert you to the problem and come up with solutions for your smile. Erosion of enamel due to acid is a serious dental health concern, so it is important to stay informed.
At Blanco Circle Dental Care, Dr. Gary Klugman and Dr. Christina Bianco provide quality general, cosmetic and sedation dentistry services. Our Salinas, CA dental office serves patients from Hollister, Monterey, Seaside, Prunedale, Marina, Greenfield, Gilroy, and King City. Call us today to schedule your next appointment.