You may have heard, time and time again, that sugary foods, drinks, and non-nutritional snacks are bad for your teeth. Though you may not question this logic, it’s important to understand what role your diet plays in your oral health.
One of the many diseases that Dr. Okamoto works to treat is periodontitis, a common yet preventable disease characterized by bleeding gums and brought on by bacteria attacking the tooth enamel and soft tissue. Although many believe the primary cause of gum disease to be poor oral hygiene, evidence also shows a correlation between diet and the onset of periodontitis.
What Foods Are You Eating in Excess?
Research suggests that diets rich in carbohydrates lead to more cases of gum disease. That’s because the sugars contained in carbohydrates become sticky, adhering to tooth enamel and allowing bacteria to spread. Combine large amounts of carbohydrates with poor oral hygiene practices and the bacteria on your teeth start to impact your gums as well.
As you work to improve your oral health, be mindful of the foods you consume. Of course, even the healthiest of foods contain some sugar, but the added sugars in many processed foods are what will do your teeth and gums the most harm. Read ingredient labels, and if you must indulge in your favorite treat, make sure to brush and floss thoroughly afterward.
What Foods Aren’t You Eating Enough Of?
While you’re limiting the amount of sugar you eat, it's also essential that you take in certain nutrients, such as vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, which are good for your body overall and support a healthy diet. Without them, your immune system may weaken and allow certain infections to spread.
When your diet lacks particular nutrients, periodontal disease may have an easier time affecting your gums. For this reason, a balanced diet is important to maintain. Fruits, vegetables and dairy products contain vitamins and minerals that benefit your oral health if eaten regularly. Proteins are also important for the strength of your tooth enamel.
Preventing Periodontal Disease Starts With You!
With a balanced diet, good oral hygiene practices, and regular dental checkups, you can keep periodontal disease at bay. If you would like more information about periodontal disease, contact Dr. Okamoto to schedule an appointment.
Showing posts with label Torrance dentist. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Torrance dentist. Show all posts
Thursday, March 16, 2017
Wednesday, January 18, 2017
The Value of Regular Cleanings
Not many dental patients need to be reminded that visiting the dentist twice a year is routine and important, but they don’t often stop to think about why exactly that is. Dental appointments end up being e-mail reminders that pop up on your calendar every so often and seem easy to put off, but there’s real value in regular cleanings, including:
Catching Decay and Damage Early
While dental crowns and fillings are accepted as typical dental treatments, they’re restorations used after decay has already taken hold. When you think about it that way, these procedures seem less easy to ignore and prevention becomes more important. Even small points of decay are still damage to teeth that can ultimately compromise dental health – and some patients don’t even know they have a cavity in its initial stages.
That’s where routine dental appointments become essential. During your examination, Drs. Okamoto can tell you when small spots of decay have developed, thereby preventing the need for more serious treatment and helping to preserve your teeth. Even if a tooth doesn’t feel sensitive or damaged, there’s a chance you could be experiencing tooth decay; only a dentist will be able to tell you for certain during a routine examination.
Prevention of Gum Disease
Gum disease is another common problem, but one that is discussed more frequently, as there are plenty of products that promise to help prevent gum problems and keep your smile healthy. But the truth is that it’s hard to have healthy gums without regular dental cleanings. Even with patients’ best efforts, there are places under the gum line or on and between teeth can be missed through regular brushing and flossing, allowing plaque and tartar accumulate. Though these contribute to gum disease, keeping regular preventive appointments with your dentist provides for thorough removal of build-up and keeps soft tissue infection at bay.
Creating Positive Dental Experiences
Fear of the dentist is powerful and can keep many patients away for years on end. This creates risk for serious dental problems and puts an ever-growing gap between you and your dentist. But when you visit your dentist for regular cleanings, you give them the opportunity to get to know you, earn your trust, and battle any dental anxiety, so you can have a healthy smile. Even complex dental procedures can be made more comfortable when you visit twice a year and keep up good communication with your dentist.
Are you Due for a Cleaning? Call our Office!
Call Drs. Steven and Michelle Okamoto today if you’re due for your next dental cleaning or have a question for our team.
Catching Decay and Damage Early
While dental crowns and fillings are accepted as typical dental treatments, they’re restorations used after decay has already taken hold. When you think about it that way, these procedures seem less easy to ignore and prevention becomes more important. Even small points of decay are still damage to teeth that can ultimately compromise dental health – and some patients don’t even know they have a cavity in its initial stages.
That’s where routine dental appointments become essential. During your examination, Drs. Okamoto can tell you when small spots of decay have developed, thereby preventing the need for more serious treatment and helping to preserve your teeth. Even if a tooth doesn’t feel sensitive or damaged, there’s a chance you could be experiencing tooth decay; only a dentist will be able to tell you for certain during a routine examination.
Prevention of Gum Disease
Gum disease is another common problem, but one that is discussed more frequently, as there are plenty of products that promise to help prevent gum problems and keep your smile healthy. But the truth is that it’s hard to have healthy gums without regular dental cleanings. Even with patients’ best efforts, there are places under the gum line or on and between teeth can be missed through regular brushing and flossing, allowing plaque and tartar accumulate. Though these contribute to gum disease, keeping regular preventive appointments with your dentist provides for thorough removal of build-up and keeps soft tissue infection at bay.
Creating Positive Dental Experiences
Fear of the dentist is powerful and can keep many patients away for years on end. This creates risk for serious dental problems and puts an ever-growing gap between you and your dentist. But when you visit your dentist for regular cleanings, you give them the opportunity to get to know you, earn your trust, and battle any dental anxiety, so you can have a healthy smile. Even complex dental procedures can be made more comfortable when you visit twice a year and keep up good communication with your dentist.
Are you Due for a Cleaning? Call our Office!
Call Drs. Steven and Michelle Okamoto today if you’re due for your next dental cleaning or have a question for our team.
Saturday, October 15, 2016
Profile on Renee Nishihira
October is dental hygiene month! With this focus on keeping your smile clean and healthy year-round, Drs. Okamoto are highlighting their skilled and compassionate dental hygienists. We want patients to get to know our team so they feel comfortable seeking care from our office. Learn more about this month’s recognized team member, Renee Nishihira, below:
Renee Nishihira, is our Lead Registered Dental Hygienist. She attended the University of Southern California, graduating in 2008 with a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene. Renee was raised and continues to reside in Torrance, making her an integral part of the community we serve. Renee began working with Dr. Steve and Dr. Michelle while attending college, managing the front office and assisting chair-side on Saturdays.
Recently, Renee joined other team members at CDA Cares in Ventura, a volunteer dental program through the California Dental Association that provides cleanings, fillings, treatment of infection, and oral health education at no charge. When not serving patients, Renee enjoys spending time at the beach, traveling to new places and taking part in Crossfit.
Renee’s Role in our Practice
Our practice strives to provide ideal dentistry in a comforting environment with an enthusiastic team that is ready to create the most enjoyable experience possible for our patients. Renee’s role is to help patients maintain good oral hygiene by providing preventive and therapeutic treatment, as well as offering proper tools for effective oral hygiene habits.
Renee’s Thoughts on Patient Care and Emerging Trends in Dental Hygiene
“As the standard of dental treatment evolves, hygiene is made easier for patients. For example, by replacing dental bridges with dental implants, patients are able to access the site more easily and effectively with oral hygiene aids, such as floss, reducing the accumulation of plaque.
I inform my patients about possible or existing infections and discuss what can happen if they ae not treated with appropriate dental procedures or improvements in oral hygiene habits. The most rewarding part about being a hygienist is having the opportunity to find ways to turn what is often thought of as a dreadful and feared experience into a more pleasant one that will keep my patients returning for their appointments in a timely manner -- resulting in better oral health.”
What Renee Loves about the Okamoto, DDS Team
“I could not ask for a better team of people to work with. Everybody arrives each morning with a positive attitude ready to work together in making sure we provide a great dental experience for our patients.”
To learn more about our staff or to schedule your next dental cleaning with one of our outstanding dental hygienists, contact our office today!
Friday, August 26, 2016
Top 5 Tips to Maintain Optimum Oral Health
Your smile should not only be aesthetically beautiful, but it should be healthy as well. Understanding what it takes to keep your teeth and gums healthy can affect not just the way your smile looks, but your overall health as well. Maintaining your oral health can be an easy task with these 5 top tips:
Changing your diet – Inhibit the amount of sugary foods and drinks you consume on a daily basis. If you’re a heavy soda drinker, consider the two essential ingredients in many sodas and other carbonated drinks that eat away at the surface of your teeth: phosphoric and citric acid. Food and drinks with added acid and sugar wear down dental enamel and make teeth susceptible to cavities. But whole and natural foods that produce a scrubbing effect, like certain vegetables, or contribute in vitamins help to keep your smile strong and healthy.
Rinsing – Utilizing mouthwash and toothpaste that contain fluoride can protect your smile. Fluoride has a protective effect that makes your teeth more resistant to decay. Implementing fluoride based oral care in your twice daily regimen will protect your teeth from decay and strengthen their durability, while also cleaning and freshening your mouth.
Flossing – Although there is some recent buzz that flossing isn’t the be-all-and-end-all for your oral health, the truth is that flossing doesn’t damage your teeth – rather it helps to keep your smile cleaner overall. Not only it will remove food from in between your teeth, it can also prevent bacteria and debris from collecting below your gum line. However, there is a right way to floss your teeth; you should utilize a fresh section of floss for each tooth and follow the curve of your teeth gently.
Brushing Technique and Choice of Toothbrush – By brushing at a 45 degree angle and utilizing a brush with soft bristles, brushing your teeth twice daily effectively maintains a clean mouth. Be sure to use soft circular motions and thoroughly clean back molars, as well as brushing your tongue.
Regularly visit your dentist! Visiting your dentist is the number one way to maintain your oral health all year round. Dentist provide ample information and tips to ensure you maintain a proactive approach with at home oral care and are making smart choices about keeping your smile clean, healthy, and beautiful.
At Steven K. Okamoto DDS, Inc., our father-daughter team helps patients understand the importance of their oral health. Contact our Torrance, CA dental practice today for your next appointment or to speak to a member of our staff.
Changing your diet – Inhibit the amount of sugary foods and drinks you consume on a daily basis. If you’re a heavy soda drinker, consider the two essential ingredients in many sodas and other carbonated drinks that eat away at the surface of your teeth: phosphoric and citric acid. Food and drinks with added acid and sugar wear down dental enamel and make teeth susceptible to cavities. But whole and natural foods that produce a scrubbing effect, like certain vegetables, or contribute in vitamins help to keep your smile strong and healthy.
Rinsing – Utilizing mouthwash and toothpaste that contain fluoride can protect your smile. Fluoride has a protective effect that makes your teeth more resistant to decay. Implementing fluoride based oral care in your twice daily regimen will protect your teeth from decay and strengthen their durability, while also cleaning and freshening your mouth.
Flossing – Although there is some recent buzz that flossing isn’t the be-all-and-end-all for your oral health, the truth is that flossing doesn’t damage your teeth – rather it helps to keep your smile cleaner overall. Not only it will remove food from in between your teeth, it can also prevent bacteria and debris from collecting below your gum line. However, there is a right way to floss your teeth; you should utilize a fresh section of floss for each tooth and follow the curve of your teeth gently.
Brushing Technique and Choice of Toothbrush – By brushing at a 45 degree angle and utilizing a brush with soft bristles, brushing your teeth twice daily effectively maintains a clean mouth. Be sure to use soft circular motions and thoroughly clean back molars, as well as brushing your tongue.
Regularly visit your dentist! Visiting your dentist is the number one way to maintain your oral health all year round. Dentist provide ample information and tips to ensure you maintain a proactive approach with at home oral care and are making smart choices about keeping your smile clean, healthy, and beautiful.
At Steven K. Okamoto DDS, Inc., our father-daughter team helps patients understand the importance of their oral health. Contact our Torrance, CA dental practice today for your next appointment or to speak to a member of our staff.
Friday, August 12, 2016
What Can Patients Expect When They Visit our Office?
Visiting a dental practice should be a relaxing and beneficial experience. Our father-daughter dental team provides specialty, restorative, prosthetic, and implant dentistry services, during which patients can expect quality care that protects their comfort, understanding of their oral health, and optimal results.
How We Treat Patients
Dr. Okamoto has been providing dentistry to South Bay and Torrance for over 30 years. With that history and legacy in mind, we treat our patients and their families like they are our own. You can expect a helpful, experienced, and professional medical staff that serves you and your family. Our modern dental office creates a relaxing experience you can feel during your visit. Patients are at-ease with our multi lingual staff and many are long-term visitors, having come to Dr. Okamoto as teenagers as young as 14 years old; we love building and sustaining lasting relationships with all of our patients.
We help our patients make the connection between oral and overall health to prevent infection and make sure they can maintain their whole body health. Patient comfort, preventive measures, and modern, quality services are our goal.
Our Philosophy for Patient Care
Drs. Steven and Michelle are committed recreating the natural beauty of your smile after damage or decay by providing a range of high quality and specialized services, paired with advanced dental technology. Patients in need of surgical treatment, such as the placement of implants, are cared for in our brand new and enhanced surgical suite. As a trusted and experienced dentist, Dr. Steven Okamoto is a leader in the field of sleep apnea and prosthodontics and welcomes patients dealing with any number of issues that can affect their dental health and wellness.
We believe in continuous education and the use of innovative dental technologies and techniques to provide the best services possible to our patients. With this in mind, our commitment to preventive dentistry and ensuring aesthetically pleasing smiles make up our patient-centered approach to dentistry.
We Welcome New Patients!
At our Torrance, CA dental office, our dentists are here to build long-lasting relationships that are maintained by quality, modern services to promote beautiful and healthy smiles. Trust our family to serve yours. If you have any questions or would like to schedule a consultation, contact our Torrance dental practice for help in answering any questions or making our next visit.
How We Treat Patients
Dr. Okamoto has been providing dentistry to South Bay and Torrance for over 30 years. With that history and legacy in mind, we treat our patients and their families like they are our own. You can expect a helpful, experienced, and professional medical staff that serves you and your family. Our modern dental office creates a relaxing experience you can feel during your visit. Patients are at-ease with our multi lingual staff and many are long-term visitors, having come to Dr. Okamoto as teenagers as young as 14 years old; we love building and sustaining lasting relationships with all of our patients.
We help our patients make the connection between oral and overall health to prevent infection and make sure they can maintain their whole body health. Patient comfort, preventive measures, and modern, quality services are our goal.
Our Philosophy for Patient Care
Drs. Steven and Michelle are committed recreating the natural beauty of your smile after damage or decay by providing a range of high quality and specialized services, paired with advanced dental technology. Patients in need of surgical treatment, such as the placement of implants, are cared for in our brand new and enhanced surgical suite. As a trusted and experienced dentist, Dr. Steven Okamoto is a leader in the field of sleep apnea and prosthodontics and welcomes patients dealing with any number of issues that can affect their dental health and wellness.
We believe in continuous education and the use of innovative dental technologies and techniques to provide the best services possible to our patients. With this in mind, our commitment to preventive dentistry and ensuring aesthetically pleasing smiles make up our patient-centered approach to dentistry.
We Welcome New Patients!
At our Torrance, CA dental office, our dentists are here to build long-lasting relationships that are maintained by quality, modern services to promote beautiful and healthy smiles. Trust our family to serve yours. If you have any questions or would like to schedule a consultation, contact our Torrance dental practice for help in answering any questions or making our next visit.
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