Children’s Dentistry in Salinas, CA
April 8, 2015
Your children depend on you to take care of them, look out for them, teach them and guide them. That includes, well, about a million different things and one of those is making sure they are on the path toward a lifetime of good oral health. Naturally, that means you need to find a dentist who can properly care for your children’s teeth. Dr. Gary Klugman and Dr. Christina Bianco at Blanco Circle Dental Care in Salinas, CA, provide children’s dentistry that is professional, compassionate and comfortable.
Actually, parents are the ones who first make sure their kids take dental care seriously. When you model a good at-home regimen of brushing and flossing your teeth every day, then your children know that this is important to you and it is more likely to be something they’ll want to do, too. In fact, you can make brushing teeth a family activity that you do each night before bed!
Visiting the Dentist
Sometime before their third birthdays, we want to see them at Blanco Circle Dental Care. Their first appointment will be as relaxed and pleasant as possible. We’ll count their teeth and examine carefully for any signs of tooth decay, and we’ll also evaluate the health of their gums. Yes, children can get gum disease. If they seem ready, we’ll also clean their teeth, too.
Many times, children need a little help in the battle against the bacteria that causes decay. To help, Dr. Klugman or Dr. Bianco may recommend fluoride treatments or dental sealants. Fluoride is a mineral that has been proven to strengthen teeth’s enamel, your children’s natural and first line of defense against cavities. Dental sealants are white or clear plastic coatings that are “painted” on to your children’s molars to create a physical barrier between teeth and bacteria.
Schedule an Appointment Today
If it’s time for your children to see the children’s dentist Salinas depends on, then call the office of Blanco Circle Dental Care. We conveniently serve patients in Salinas, CA, as well as 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.
Children’s Dentistry at Blanco Circle For the Salinas, CA Community
October 8, 2014
At Blanco Circle, we understand that a dentist’s office is not necessarily your child’s favorite place to be. Especially if it is your child’s first time at our dental practice, they may not know what all involves a dental checkup. Between the strange sounds and the bright lights, your child may not know what to do. Dr. Christina Bianco understands how a child must feel walking into a dentist’s office, which is why she and our friendly and welcoming staff make a point to help your child feel welcomed and comfortable when coming in for their appointment. By offering children’s dentistry at our Salinas, CA dental office, we want to ensure the oral health of your entire family, even the youngest of members.
Many parents may not know when the right time is to bring their child in for their first appointment. We recommend bringing them in around the age of three. We want them to be as knowledgeable as possible when it comes to healthy oral care routines, as it will increase their chances of carrying those habits with them as they grow older.
One common practice in children’s dentistry is dental sealants. Because a child’s smile is much more susceptible to decay, we want to ensure that we give them the best chance in having a healthy smile for years to come, and sealants are great ways to ensure that. Dental sealants are plastic, thin coatings that are painted in the grooves of your child’s teeth, primarily the teeth that are located toward the back of the mouth. This prevents food particles and bacteria from settling in the grooves and causing tooth decay in your child’s smile.
Another aspect of children’s dentistry is fluoride treatments. Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that strengthens teeth and delays the progression of tooth decay. Fluoride also attracts other minerals, all working in tandem to make your child’s smile healthy and strong! If you want to set your child’s appointment with Dr. Bianco and our amazing staff, contact our office today!
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.
How To Make Oral Care Fun For Your Kids!
June 5, 2014
Many parents may find it difficult to make oral care exciting and fun for their children. Getting your child to brush their teeth may be a hassle, every morning and night being a feat to overcome. Although some parents have come up with creative ways to make sure brushing teeth is fun, some parents still may be wondering how they can get their children to be excited about good oral care. Dr. Gary Klugman and Dr. Christina Bianco are avid believers in establishing good oral care routines early on, and we have some suggestions for parents who want to make brushing teeth time into fun time!
One of the things parents can do to make brushing teeth time fun for their children is to join them in the fun! Brush your teeth with your children, and it will become a wonderful bonding moment between you. Show your child how you brush your teeth, and let them mimic you. Fun toothbrushes are also a wonderful way to make oral care fun! If your child has a favorite cartoon movie or superheroes, having their toothbrushes match is a wonderful way to get them excited about brushing their teeth.
Another great way to get kids excited about brushing their teeth is to have tasty toothpaste! There are many flavors of toothpastes made especially for children, helping them enjoy the experience much, much more. Making up a song is another wonderful way to get children excited about brushing their teeth. Kids usually respond more to song rather than words, so making the experience a fun, musical one is definitely a way to get the on the right track of wanting to take care of their smile. No matter how you choose to make brushing teeth a fun experience, make sure your child’s smile is the top priority, and accomplishing great oral care will be a breeze!
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.
Help Your Children Have Healthy Teeth
December 9, 2013
Here at Blanco Circle Dental Care, we appreciate the importance of your child’s teeth, and Dr. Bianco is ready and able to start your child off in the right direction. We understand that children may have fears when visiting dentists, which is why our friendly and knowledgeable team is ready to welcome them with open arms.
Child dentistry is very important because it can prevent problems before they arise, and sets up your child for success in the future. A common practice in children’s dentistry is dental sealants. Because a child’s tooth is more susceptible to cavities and decay, sealants provide protection by having a plastic covering painted in the grooves of the tooth to protect from future or further harm. Sealants are primarily applied to premolars and permanent molars, as the grooves are deeper than the other teeth and more susceptible to deterioration.
Along with sealants, fluoride treatments are also involved in child dentistry. Fluoride plays a part in preventing decay, and acts as a magnet for attracting other minerals to build strong teeth like Calcium and Phosphate. Although fluoride does not prevent cavities from emerging, it can certainly delay their arrival, giving your child a better chance to have beautiful, healthy teeth. Establishing routine brushing and flossing habits early on is a sure way of having your child’s smile be as beautiful as possible, and Dr. Bianco as well as the Blanco Circle team are here to make sure your child has an awesome experience.
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.
Back To School Dental Checkups in Salinas
September 4, 2013
Here at Blanco Circle Dental Care, we stress the importance of regular dental checkups for all members of your family. Just because your children may still have their baby teeth doesn’t mean that they can skip their dental checkup appointment. Since your children are heading back to school, now’s the perfect time to schedule their next appointment if it’s been a while. These appointments should take place every 6 months.
Regular dental checkups are an important part of preventative dentistry and having a healthy smile. Our staff will inspect and clean your child’s teeth and gums. Any concerns are discovered and addressed to ensure continued oral health. We can also use dental sealants and fluoride treatments to help protect your child’s teeth against decay and cavities. Also, this is when we work with your child to make sure they’re learning proper brushing and flossing techniques.
Help your child start off the school year right with a dazzling smile. All it takes is a call to our office to schedule your child’s regular dental checkup. Give us a call today before the school year is in swing and you’re busy with other activities. Making the time now for dental care will pay dividends in the future.
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.