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Sunnyvale Dentist – Family Dentistry

Family Dentistry Sunnyvale, CA

Sunnyvale Dr. Nasser Antonious
Family dentistry much like general dentistry focuses on services related to the overall general maintenance of tooth health and oral hygiene. Though the two names are often considered synonymous, there is a difference between the two; mainly being that family dentistry will not typically have restrictive services in relation to one age group, but rather will provide services for an entire family. Dr. Gupta has been practicing family dentistry in Sunnyvale, CA 94087, since 1995.
Because family dentistry is considered to be on the frontline of defense against dental problems, it is considered to be a preventative field, i.e. it emphisizes in teaching patients healthy dental habits that increases their chances in keeping their teeth and gums healthy for life. Some of the services that you can expect from Sunnyvale Dental Care family dentistry office include:    
  • Maintenance Cleaning: It is recommended by the American Dental Association, or ADA, that you and your family visit your family dentist two times per year for a routine checkup. Part of the checkup is a ‘maintenance’ cleaning of your teeth to rid them of any heavy plaque buildup which will help to prevent the onset of tooth decay.
  • Fluoride Treatment: At the discretion of Sunnyvale family dentist Dr. Gupta it may be necessary to have a fluoride treatment done to your teeth. This treatment will help coat your teeth and protect them from decay.
  • X-Rays: On some routine checkups you will be required to have x-rays or radiographs taken of your mouth which will help uncover any tooth or jaw problems that may necessitate attention. Problems such as cavities are a common find when radiographs are taken.
  • Filling Cavities: Sunnyvale Dental Care family clinic has the onsite capability to fill in any cavities that may be discovered during a routine checkup. This is vital so that the problem does not get worse and require a crown, dental implant, root canal, or even oral surgery.

At Sunnyvale family dental practice, Sunnyvale, CA, Dr. Gupta provides comprehensive dentistry for the entire family. All Sunnyvale family dentistry professionals will have the initials of DDS or DMD following their name. These are acronyms for degrees that have been awarded in the field of dentistry and stand for Degree of Dental Surgery and Degree of Dental Medicine respectively. Some are confused as to which degree is better than the other and feel that it is an important factor in deciding which family dentistry professional to go with. But the two acronyms are simply different names for the same education that are awarded after dental students pass the National Board Dental Examinations.

Instead of focusing on letters at the end of a name you should focus on the individual family dentistry professional themselves. Before you make a decision on who will provide you with your family dentistry needs you should visit several different family dental offices and see what kind of feeling you get with each. You can also ask extended family and friends who they use and see what their experiences are. Remember, it is your family you are considering and the well being of their teeth so you owe it to yourself to take the time and be sure that the family dentistry professional you choose is the best possible choice for you and your family.

Family and Cosmetic Dentistry

Although family dentists are typically associated with preventative and restorative dentistry, many pursue additional training in order to provide cosmetic dentistry services such as teeth whitening and porcelain veneers. Family dentists who perform cosmetic procedures normally refer to themselves as family and cosmetic dentists.

Family and cosmetic dentists have more training than typical family dentists, though they occasionally refer some people to other dentists if specialized treatments are required. Specialists may include orthodontists (for teeth straightening), endodontists (for more complex root canal treatments), prosthodontists (for more complex crowns or for dental implants) and maxillofacial surgeons (for oral surgery). For very young children (ages four and younger), a family dentist may recommend a pediatric dentist, who has knowledge and training related to young children and early tooth health.

Sunnyvale Dental Care family practice, Sunnyvale, CA,  is proud to provide a full range of family dental care for all ages under one roof, including dental emergency walk ins treatment.

Sunnyvale Dental Care is conveniently located in the middle of Silicon Valley and close by many high tech giant companies which employ hundreds if not thousands of employees who consider our office to be one of the best convenient near me local family dentist offices. Dr. Gupta is one of the best rated and reviewed local family dentists in Sunnyvale in review platforms like YouTube, Google, Facebook and Yelp. Sunnyvale Dental Care is the place where you can get the best of both worlds, affordability and great dental family dentistry. Sunnyvale dentist Dr. Gupta does his best to treat patients as he would like his family to be treated. Dr. Gupta is known by many families who reside in Sunnyvale as “the family dentist” nearby me.

Sunnyvale Dental Care is located in the West Sunnyvale Shopping Center on the cross section between El Camino Real and Sunnyvale-Saratoga cross section. Sunnyvale Dental Care is considered by many residents of zip codes 94085, 94086, 94087, 94088 and 94089 to be the best go to a family dental office.

Sunnyvale Dental Care has been examined and vetted by these ppo insurance companies Dentegra, Ameritas, Assurant, Anthem BlueCross, Cigna, DenteMax, Geha Connection, Guardian, HealthNet, Humana, MetLife, Principal, United HealthCare, First Dental Health, Avesis, Dental Benefit Providers, Aetna, and Maverest to be their local preferred PPO provider (PPO dentist). Dr. Gupta is a premier provider with Delta Dental.

 
 

Oral Hygiene & Prevention FAQs

 

Which type of toothbrush should I use?

The brand of the toothbrush is not as critical as the type of bristle and the size of the head. A soft toothbrush with a small head is recommended because medium and hard brushes tend to cause irritation and contribute to recession of the gums, and a small head allows you to get around each tooth more completely and is less likely to injure your gums. It’s unnecessary to “scrub” the teeth as long as you are brushing at least twice a day and visiting your dentist at least twice a year for cleanings. Please Click here. For step-by-step instructions on how to brush your teeth in PDF format.  

Is One Toothpaste better than others?

Generally, no. However, most preventive dentists advise to use a toothpaste containing fluoride to decrease the incidence of dental decay. Sunnyvale dentist Dr. Gupta recommends our patients use what tastes good to them as long as it contains fluoride. We also recommend to stay away from abrasive whitening toothpastes.  

How often should I brush and floss?

Brushing and flossing help control the plaque and bacteria that causes dental disease.

Plaque is a film of food debris, bacteria, and saliva that sticks to the teeth and gums. The bacteria in plaque convert certain food particles into acids that cause tooth decay. Also, if plaque is not removed, it turns into calculus (tartar). If plaque and calculus are not removed, they begin to destroy the gums and bone, causing periodontal (gum) disease.

Plaque formation and growth is continuous and can only be controlled by regular brushing, flossing, and the use of other dental aids.

Tooth Brushing – Brush your teeth at least twice a day (especially before going to bed at night) with an ADA approved soft bristle brush and toothpaste.
  • Brush at a 45 degree angle to the gums, gently using a small, circular motion, ensuring that you always feel the bristles on the gums.
  • Brush the outer, inner, and biting surfaces of each tooth.
  • Use the tip of the brush head to clean the inside front teeth.
  • Brush your tongue to remove bacteria, and freshen your breath.
 

Are electric toothbrushes better than manual toothbrushes?

A manual toothbrush can work as well as an electric toothbrush, the most important is the brushing techniques. Electric toothbrushes are proven to be better for patients with braces and patients with manual dexterity problems. Most patients find electric toothbrushes easy to use and remove plaque more efficiently. Simply place the bristles of the electric brush on your gums and teeth and allow the brush to do its job, several teeth at a time. Please Click here for step-by-step instructions on how to brush your teeth in PDF format.

Flossing – Brushing our teeth removes food particles, plaque, and bacteria from all tooth surfaces, except in between the teeth. Unfortunately, our toothbrush can’t reach these areas that are highly susceptible to decay and periodontal (gum) disease.

Daily flossing is the best way to clean between the teeth and under the gumline. Flossing not only helps clean these spaces, it disrupts plaque colonies from building up, preventing damage to the gums, teeth, and bone.

Plaque is a sticky, almost invisible film that forms on the teeth. It is a growing colony of living bacteria, food debris, and saliva. The bacteria produce toxins (acids) that cause cavities and irritate and inflame the gums. Also, when plaque is not removed above and below the gumline, it hardens and turns into calculus (tartar). This will further irritate and inflame the gums and also slowly destroy the bone. This is the beginning of periodontal disease.

 

How to floss properly:

  • Take 12-16 inches (30-40cm) of dental floss and wrap it around your middle fingers, leaving about 2 inches (5cm) of floss between the hands.
  • Using your thumbs and forefingers to guide the floss, gently insert the floss between teeth using a sawing motion.
  • Curve the floss into a “C” shape around each tooth and under the gumline. Gently move the floss up and down, cleaning the side of each tooth.

Floss holders are recommended if you have difficulty using conventional floss. Daily flossing will help you keep a beautiful smile for life! Please Click here for step-by-step instructions on how to floss your teeth in PDF format.

Rinsing – It is important to rinse your mouth with water after brushing, and also after meals if you are unable to brush.

If you are using an over-the-counter product for rinsing, it’s a good idea to consult with Sunnyvale dentist Dr. Gupta on its appropriateness for you.

 

How often should I have a dental exam and cleaning?

You should have your teeth checked and cleaned at least twice a year, though Sunnyvale dentist Dr. Gupta may recommend more frequent visits.

Regular dental exams and cleaning visits are essential in preventing dental problems and maintaining the health of your teeth and gums. At these visits, your teeth are cleaned and checked for cavities. Additionally, there are many other things that are checked and monitored to help detect, prevent, and maintain your dental health.

These include:
  • Medical history review: Knowing the status of any current medical conditions, new medications, and illnesses, gives us insight to your over all health and also your dental health.
  • Examination of diagnostic x-rays (radiographs): Essential for detection of decay, tumors, cysts, and bone loss. X-rays also help determine tooth and root positions.
  • Oral cancer screening: Check the face, neck, lips, tongue, throat, tissues, and gums for any sings of oral cancer.
  • Gum disease evaluation: Check the gums and bone around the teeth for any signs of periodontal disease.
  • Examination of tooth decay: All tooth surfaces will be checked for decay with special dental instruments.
  • Examination of existing restorations: Check current fillings, crowns, etc.
  • Removal of calculus (tartar): Calculus is hardened plaque that has been left on the tooth for sometime and is now firmly attached to the tooth surface. Calculus forms above and below the gum line, and can only be removed with special dental instruments.
  • Removal of plaque: Plaque is a sticky, almost invisible film that forms on the teeth. It is a growing colony of living bacteria, food debris, and saliva. The bacteria produce toxins (poisons) that inflame the gums. This inflammation is the start of periodontal disease!
  • Teeth polishing: Removes external stain and plaque that is not otherwise removed during tooth brushing and scaling.
  • Oral hygiene recommendations: Review and recommend oral hygiene aids as needed (electric dental toothbrushes, special cleaning aids, fluorides, rinses, etc.).
  • Review dietary habits: Your eating habits play a very important role in your dental health.
As you can see, a good dental exam and cleaning involves quite a lot more than just checking for cavities and polishing your teeth. At Sunnyvale Dental Care, we are committed to providing you with the best possible care, and to do so will require regular check-ups and cleanings.    
   

Halitosis (Bad Breath) FAQs

 

What should I do if I have bad breath?

Halitosis (bad breath) can be an unpleasant and embarrassing condition. Many of us may not realize that we have bad breath, but everyone has it from time to time, especially in the morning.

There are various reasons one may have bad breath, but in healthy people, the major reason is due to microbial deposits on the tongue, especially the back of the tongue. Some studies have shown that simply brushing the tongue reduced bad breath by as much as 70 percent.

 

What may cause bad breath?

  • Morning time – Saliva flow almost stops during sleep and its reduced cleansing action allows bacteria to grow, causing bad breath.
  • Certain foods – Garlic, onions, etc. Foods containing odor-causing compounds enter the blood stream; they are transferred to the lungs, where they are exhaled.
  • Poor oral hygiene habits – Food particles remaining in the mouth promote bacterial growth.
  • Periodontal (gum) disease – Colonies of bacteria and food debris residing under inflamed gums.
  • Dental cavities and improperly fitted dental appliances – May also contribute to bad breath.
  • Dry mouth (Xerostomia) – May be caused by certain medications, salivary gland problems, or continuous mouth breathing.
  • Tobacco products – Dry the mouth, causing bad breath.
  • Dieting – Certain chemicals called ketones are released in the breath as the body burns fat.
  • Dehydration, hunger, and missed meals – Drinking water and chewing food increases saliva flow and washes bacteria away.
  • Certain medical conditions and illnesses – Diabetes, liver and kidney problems, chronic sinus infections, bronchitis, and pneumonia are several conditions that may contribute to bad breath.
Keeping a record of what you eat may help your family dentist to identify the cause of bad breath. Also, review your current medications, recent surgeries, or illnesses with your dentist.  

What can I do to prevent bad breath?

  • Practice good oral hygiene – Brush at least twice a day with an ADA approved fluoride toothpaste and toothbrush. Floss daily to remove food debris and plaque from in between the teeth and under the gum line. Brush or use a tongue scraper to clean the tongue and reach the back areas. Replace your toothbrush every 2 to 3 months. If you wear dentures or removable bridges, clean them thoroughly and place them back in your mouth in the morning.
  • Visit Sunnyvale Dental Care regularly – Get a check-up and cleaning at least twice a year. If you have or have had periodontal disease, Sunnyvale dentist Dr. Gupta will recommend more frequent visits.
  • Stop smoking/chewing tobacco – Ask your dentist what they recommend to help break the habit.
  • Drink water frequently – Water will help keep your mouth moist and wash away bacteria.
  • Use mouthwash/rinses – Some over-the-counter products only provide a temporary solution to mask unpleasant mouth odor. Ask Sunnyvale Dental Care staff about antiseptic rinses that not only alleviate bad breath, but also kill the germs that cause the problem.
In most cases, Sunnyvale dentist Dr. Guptacan treat the cause of bad breath. If it is determined that your mouth is healthy, but bad breath is persistent, we may refer you to your physician to determine the cause of the odor and an appropriate treatment plan.
Learn more when you visit Sunnyvale Dental Care. Call Sunnyvale Dentist Dr. Gupta at 408-720-0900 to schedule a consultation today!
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