The Importance of Regular Dental Visits

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Regular dental visits have become an important part of daily life, as it offers many oral care benefits that improve the overall holistic care of your entire body. With a trusted dental team at your side, you can rest assured that you have the proper care and attention that you merit.

The team at Cros Dental of Mirage, CA is proud to serve the local community with quality general dentistry services, including cleanings, exams, and fillings.

What is General Dentistry?

General dentistry is concerned with the overall health and well-being of the teeth and mouth. It includes a variety of services that are designed to prevent, diagnose, and treat oral health problems. General dentists are trained to provide a wide range of dental care solutions, including crowns, fillings, cleanings, and exams.

The Three Most Important Benefits

There are several benefits to maintaining good oral health, including:

Improved appearance

Good oral hygiene can help to improve the appearance of your teeth, giving you a brighter and more attractive smile.

Improved overall health

Maintaining good oral health can also have a positive impact on your overall health. Poor oral hygiene has been linked to a variety of health problems, including heart disease and diabetes.

Increased confidence

Good oral hygiene can also increase your confidence and self-esteem. When you have a bright, healthy smile, you may feel more confident in social situations and more comfortable with your appearance.

Your Local Quality Dentist

General dentistry is an important aspect of overall health and well-being. By maintaining good oral hygiene and seeking regular dental care, you can improve the appearance of your teeth, protect your overall health, and increase your confidence. During your appointment with the team at Cros Dental of Mirage, CA you can be sure you are receiving the effective care and attention that you and your family deserve.

Common Signs of Dental Issues and What To Do Next

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If we all floss and brush properly, we can experience a healthy mouth with fewer dental problems. However, sometimes dental issues are out of our control.

Keep reading to learn about the most common dental problems people experience, including tips for finding relief.

Toothache

While a toothache is common, sometimes it’s difficult to find the cause. If you’re experiencing a nagging toothache that just won’t go away, make an appointment with your dentist. In the meantime, try rinsing your mouth with warm water and take a pain reliever to ease the discomfort.

Have a serious toothache with stabbing pain? If so, there’s no time to waste. For trusted emergency dental services in Rancho Mirage, CA, look no further than Cros Dental!

Cavities

Cavities happen to almost everyone. That said, fixing them up is pretty quick and straightforward. However, it’s important to treat them quickly before they become a much more serious problem. If you notice mouth pain or a tiny hole in the top of your tooth, visit your dentist as soon as possible.

Cold Sensitivity

Are your teeth extra sensitive to cold foods like ice cream or smoothies? If so, you’re experiencing a very common dental problem. To get relief, work with your dentist to find the root cause. The issue could be a fractured tooth, cavities, or something worse. In the meantime, avoid cold foods and drinks as best you can.

Chipped Tooth

A chipped tooth is a common dental issue that happens from playing sports, eating something hard, or experiencing an accident. If you notice a chip on your tooth, see your dentist for a checkup. If the chip occurs on the back teeth, a repair may not be necessary. However, if a front tooth is affected, a dentist may suggest a bonding material or a dental crown.

Taking care of the issues above should be a top priority. To work with an experienced and reliable dentist in Rancho Mirage, CA, contact Cros Dental today to make an appointment!

Summer Tooth Care Tips

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Summer is coming, and when it does, you may be eating a variety of summer-y foods. Barbecue, corn on the cob and other summer delights may taste good, but they aren’t always great for your teeth! Knowing how to take care of your teeth can help ensure that you can enjoy your summer favorites while also taking care of your pearly whites.

Most important is to remember that your dentist in Rancho Mirage CA can help you take care of your teeth. Keep up with your dental exams at this time of year!

Bring Floss With You To Barbecues

From ribs to corn on the cob, there are a lot of foods that can get stuck between your teeth at barbecues. Bringing floss with you to outdoor summer events ensures that you have some way to get rid of food between your teeth before it starts to break down.

Swish With Water After Eating Staining Foods

Some summer foods are particularly staining on teeth. Some examples of summer foods that are bad for your teeth include barbecue sauce, berries, iced tea and iced coffee, red wine, ketchup and anything else that’s acidic. Drinking water after eating staining foods can clean out your mouth a little until you have time to clean your mouth with toothpaste.

Avoid Chewing Ice

Chewing ice is bad for your teeth, especially if you have braces, crowns or veneers. When your glass of cold iced tea is finished, don’t chew the ice. Instead, fill your glass with some ice water and drink up!

See Your Dentist

You should be seeing your dentist for a dental exam in Rancho Mirago CA every six months. Seeing your dentist can help you keep your teeth clean and can get rid of any bacteria between your teeth. For more information about how you can take care of your teeth this summer, contact Cros Dental to make an appointment.

Are Fluoride Rinses Really Effective? 

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Fluoride mouthwashes can be effective in stopping dental issues. Some of these issues, like dry mouth, may occur because of other medical concerns. At other times, other dental procedures can cause the problem. Using special fluoride rinses can be a great addition to your dental routine, as your Rancho Mirage, CA dentist will tell you.

Dry Mouth

Your body uses saliva to keep your teeth clean naturally, but there will be times in your life when you suffer from a dry mouth. In fact, people taking certain medications routinely suffer from dry mouth. When it occurs, using a fluoride mouthwash helps provide your teeth with another layer of protection against dental problems.

Gum Recession

When gums recede, this can cause your roots to become exposed. While some treatments for gum diseases can leave roots exposed, even brushing with a too-hard toothbrush can cause this issue. If you suffer from exposed teeth roots, using a fluoride mouthwash may help.

Orthodontic Braces

It can be tricky to reach every part of your teeth when you wear braces. If you don’t, then decalcification can occur. Once the dentist removes the braces, you may discover that your teeth are no longer a uniform color. Using a fluoride mouthwash can help stop this process.

Dental Work

When fillings, crowns and bridges are required to correct dental issues, they can set up more rapid tooth decay if you do not take steps to protect your teeth. Brushing is the first line of defense, but it may not be enough. Using a fluoride mouthwash provides a secondary defense to stopping more significant issues from occurring.

Of course, using a fluoride rinse is not a substitute for visiting your Rancho Mirage, CA dentist at least once every six months. It’s vital to take great care of your teeth, and that starts with getting regular dental checkups. During your visit, your doctor may recommend that you use a fluoride rinse on a regular basis.

3 Tips for Taking Care of Your Teeth Through the Holidays 

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From family dinners and yummy treats to time away from home and regular routines, the holidays can be a little hard on your oral health. However, with a little guidance from a general dentist in Rancho Mirage, CA, you can return from your holiday excursions without a bit of concern for the health of your smile. Here are a few tips to keep in mind as the holidays approach.

1. Keep a travel-sized oral care kit in your car or suitcase

Travel-sized oral care kits should include:

  • A toothbrush or two
  • A small tube of toothpaste
  • Flossers
  • A small bottle of mouthwash (optional)

When you have everything you need on hand, it will be less likely that you are stuck using a finger to brush your teeth in the guest bathroom when you are away from home.

2. Limit sweet treats at bedtime when visiting family

Most of us have stayed with family at some point during the holidays. These holiday gatherings can be an opportunity to catch up until late at night while nibbling on whatever sweet treats are still hanging around after dinner. If you don’t have a toothbrush with you, keep the sugary treats to a minimum.

3. Watch out for sugary beverages

Some common holiday beverages can have a terrible amount of sugar, such as:

If you know you won’t be able to brush for a while, opt for water, and if you do indulge, be sure to grab your travel oral care supplies before bed.

Work with a Rancho Mirage Dentist for a Proactive Oral Health Care Plan

Even though you are bound to do a little indulging through the holiday months, you can still walk away with a healthy smile. Need a little help from a Rancho Mirage dentist? Reach out to us at Cros Dental to schedule an appointment.

4 Helpful Questions to Ask At Your Next Dental Appointment

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Your visit to the dentist in Rancho Mirage, CA is your opportunity to learn more about how you can take care of your teeth – and what you can do to improve your dental hygiene routine. Knowing which questions to ask your dentist can make the experience more productive. If you’re visiting the dentist soon, here’s what you should ask the dentist when you see each other.

1. How Can I Keep My Teeth White?

Stains on tooth enamel happen over time through natural exposure to various foods and beverages like wine, coffee, barbecue sauce, tomato sauce and more. You don’t have to stop eating your favorite foods or drinking your favorite drinks to keep your teeth white. There are many things your dentist can do to help. Ask your dentist about tooth whitening services in Rancho Mirage.

2. Is My Oral Hygiene Routine Enough?

Sometimes brushing twice per day and flossing once per day isn’t enough. If your teeth are developing problems like plaque buildup, asking about your oral hygiene habits may prompt a discussion about small things you can do to keep your teeth clean and healthy. Your dentist may show you how to brush your teeth more effectively, or how to improve your flossing technique.

3. Are There Any Areas of Concern In My Oral Health?

Your dentist should bring this up with you anyway, but asking about your oral health provides an opening into this very important topic of discussion.

4. When Should I Come Back?

Most people need to visit the dentist twice per year. Ask your dentist when you should return, so you’ll know when to make your next dentist appointment. For more information about how you can take care of your oral hygiene, make your appointment for a general cleaning today.

What Are The Symptoms of Oral Cancer?

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When you visit your dentist in Rancho Mirage, CA, did you know that they screen for oral cancer? According to statistics, there are roughly 53,000 new cases of oral cancer every year. Oral cancer is more prevalent in men than in women, and more often diagnosed in those over the age of 40. However, it’s becoming more common in younger people. You can be on the lookout for oral cancer by being aware of the symptoms.

Mouth Sores That Don’t Heal

Typically, a mouth sore should heal in no longer than two weeks, but earlier is more common. If you have any kind of mouth sore or lip sore that doesn’t seem to be getting better, it could be cancerous.

Loose Teeth

Loose teeth are a sign of periodontal disease, but they are also a symptom of the presence of oral cancer. Any time one or more teeth are loose, contact your Rancho Mirage dentist for an appointment.

Oral Pain

Pain inside the mouth is a common sign of oral cancer that should not be ignored. Rather than just taking a pain reliever, visit your dentist for an oral cancer screening.

Pain or Difficulty Swallowing

Oral cancer sometimes presents at the back of the throat, where it’s not easily visible. Pain or difficulty while talking or swallowing could indicate cancerous conditions.

Oral Growth or Lump

Don’t assume that a lump inside your mouth is a benign infection. It could be serious, such as a symptom of oral cancer. At your dentist in Rancho Mirage, CA oral cancer screenings are part of your routine oral health exam. Don’t wait for oral cancer symptoms to get worse. If you are six months or longer from your last dental exam, book your next appointment right away.

Is Using Mouthwash Essential?

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When you engage in a daily oral hygiene routine of brushing and flossing, you may think that’s all you need. Although that’s true for the most part, your dentist in Rancho Mirage, CA wants you to know that adding mouthwash into the routine may provide additional benefits. While mouthwash is not necessarily essential, it sometimes is helpful for people who have certain from medical conditions related to their teeth.

Mouthwash May Reduce Bacteria

Regular use of mouthwash can reduce the amount of bacteria inside your mouth, which in turn lessens the amount of dental plaque that forms on your teeth. Also, using mouthwash on a routine basis can help to reduce your chances of developing periodontal disease.

Prescription Mouthwashes

In some instances where people might suffer from certain medical conditions, your Rancho Mirage, CA dentist may prescribe specialized mouthwashes to be used in conjunction with regular brushing and flossing. These mouthwashes contain certain ingredients that can assist with conditions related to dry mouth, periodontal disease, tooth sensitivity and more.

Fresher Breath

If you have chronic bad breath, it’s likely that you have some kind of dental issue going on. In that case, only professional teeth cleaning in Rancho Mirage, CA will help. In the meantime, though, you may benefit from using mouthwash because it will temporarily give fresher breath and a clean taste in your mouth.

ADA-Approved

Finally, if you’re on the fence as to whether or not to add mouthwash to your daily oral hygiene routine, the American Dental Association states that the “use of mouthwash may be a helpful addition for some people.” This, coupled with most dentists choosing to recommend the use of mouthwash during morning and evening brushing sessions, is a strong indicator of just how important mouthwash can be to keeping your teeth and gums in great shape.

To learn more about the benefits of mouthwash, schedule a dental checkup and talk to your dentist.

A Look at the Important Nutrients Necessary for a Healthy Smile

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Ever wondered which foods you should eat to keep your smile healthy? The answer lies in the nutrients found in certain foods that can encourage healthy bones and keep your gums and teeth strong. Here is a look at some of the most important nutrients for your smile.

Calcium

Did you know that most of the calcium found within the human body is concentrated in the bones and teeth? The protective enamel on your teeth is also made of calcium, which can erode with exposure to acidic foods and sugars. Therefore, calcium is essential to maintain the strength of your teeth and the jawbones that support them.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D deficiency is actually closely related to tooth loss and gum disease. In fact, a lack of vitamin D can make you more prone to tooth decay because vitamin D plays a role in the mineralization of the teeth.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is important to the body for so many reasons, but it can also be valuable to your oral health. This vitamin is both an antioxidant and a component in the process of collagen production, both of which can support the soft tissues in your mouth.

Phosphorous

A lack of phosphorous in your diet can actually make you more prone to sustaining chips or cracks in your teeth. This is because phosphorous actually supports calcium to keep your teeth and bones as strong as possible.

Keep Your Dental Health in Check with a Rancho Mirage Dentist

Just as the rest of your body relies on vital nutrients to function and stay healthy, so do your teeth and gums. Beyond eating a well-balanced diet and ensuring you give your teeth what they need, be sure to work with a Rancho Mirage dentist to closely monitor your oral health. Reach out to us at Cros Dental to schedule an appointment.

3 Signs Your Tooth Is Infected

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It’s easy to ignore a toothache, especially if it’s mild or you’re used to the pain going away relatively quickly. But while not all tooth pain is serious, what you’re experiencing could be the start of a tooth infection. We’ll look at the major warning signs and when it’s time to call a doctor.

Top 3 Signs of a Tooth Infection

Keep an eye on the following if you’re experiencing any discomfort:

1. Throbbing Pain

Throbbing pain, whether it’s in the tooth, jaw, ear, or even neck, can be a sign of an infection. Pain from an infection is also likely to increase if you’re lying down.

2. Swelling

Your body is trying to fight off the inflammation, which may lead to swelling in the cheeks or lymph nodes. Any visible changes in the body can be a symptom of a progressing infection.

3. Fever

An infection in the mouth can lead to a mild or moderate fever. If you’re experiencing any chills or fatigue, even a slight fever can be a sign of infection.

Please note that people with poor dental hygiene, dry mouth, and a high-sugar diet are more likely to experience tooth infections. It’s important to monitor symptoms of tooth infection, as they’re liable to start off mild. Whether the tooth becomes infected through a cavity or chip, you can’t let the pain go untreated.

When to Call the Dentist

Ideally, you’ll call the dentist as soon as you notice any symptoms. A severe infection can cause anything from difficulty breathing to chest pain to mental confusion, so it’s important to be on the ball from the very beginning. Plus, scheduling a consultation can stave off everything from larger health problems to more intensive treatments in the dentist’s chair.