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Posts for: February, 2018

How Kathy Bates Retains Her Movie-Star Smile

By Parmer Oaks Dental Care
February 26, 2018
Category: Dental Procedures
Tags: celebrity smiles   orthodontic treatment   retainers  
HowKathyBatesRetainsHerMovie-StarSmile

In her decades-long career, renowned actress Kathy Bates has won Golden Globes, Emmys, and many other honors. Bates began acting in her twenties, but didn't achieve national recognition until she won the best actress Oscar for Misery — when she was 42 years old! “I was told early on that because of my physique and my look, I'd probably blossom more in my middle age,” she recently told Dear Doctor magazine. “[That] has certainly been true.” So if there's one lesson we can take from her success, it might be that persistence pays off.

When it comes to her smile, Kathy also recognizes the value of persistence. Now 67, the veteran actress had orthodontic treatment in her 50's to straighten her teeth. Yet she is still conscientious about wearing her retainer. “I wear a retainer every night,” she said. “I got lazy about it once, and then it was very difficult to put the retainer back in. So I was aware that the teeth really do move.”

Indeed they do. In fact, the ability to move teeth is what makes orthodontic treatment work. By applying consistent and gentle forces, the teeth can be shifted into better positions in the smile. That's called the active stage of orthodontic treatment. Once that stage is over, another begins: the retention stage. The purpose of retention is to keep that straightened smile looking as good as it did when the braces came off. And that's where the retainer comes in.

There are several different kinds of retainers, but all have the same purpose: To hold the teeth in their new positions and keep them from shifting back to where they were. We sometimes say teeth have a “memory” — not literally, but in the sense that if left alone, teeth tend to migrate back to their former locations. And if you've worn orthodontic appliances, like braces or aligners, that means right back where you started before treatment.

By holding the teeth in place, retainers help stabilize them in their new positions. They allow new bone and ligaments to re-form and mature around them, and give the gums time to remodel themselves. This process can take months to years to be complete. But you may not need to wear a retainer all the time: Often, removable retainers are worn 24 hours a day at first; later they are worn only at night. We will let you know what's best in your individual situation.

So take a tip from Kathy Bates, star of the hit TV series American Horror Story, and wear your retainer as instructed. That's the best way to keep your straight new smile from changing back to the way it was — and to keep a bad dream from coming true.

If you would like more information about orthodontic retainers, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can learn more about this topic in the Dear Doctor magazine articles “Why Orthodontic Retainers?” and “The Importance of Orthodontic Retainers.” The interview with Kathy Bates appears in the latest issue of Dear Doctor.


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Could Your Metal Allergy Keep You From Obtaining Dental Implants?

By Parmer Oaks Dental Care
February 18, 2018
Category: Dental Procedures
Tags: dental implants  
CouldYourMetalAllergyKeepYouFromObtainingDentalImplants

Dental implants are today’s closest restorative facsimile to natural teeth. And they’re versatile: not only can they replace single teeth but they can also support bridges or dentures.

But since one of their crucial components is made of metal, are you out of luck obtaining this state-of-the-art dental restoration if you have a metal allergy?

The answer is: probably not—it’s rare for implants to cause an allergic reaction. Still, metal allergies can be a potential problem within your mouth as with other areas of health.

An allergy originates from the body’s necessary response to potentially harmful microorganisms or substances. Sometimes, however, this response becomes chronic and exaggerated, creating an allergy. People can have allergies to nearly anything with responses ranging from a minor rash to a potentially life-threatening multi-organ system shutdown (anaphylactic shock).

A small number of people have allergies to particular metals. One of the most common is nickel, which affects an estimated 17% of women and 3% of men; cobalt and chromium are also known to cause allergies. Consumer exposure, particularly metal contact with the skin through jewelry or clothing, is the most prevalent, but not the most concerning. That’s reserved for metal allergies related to medical devices like coronary stents or hip and knee prostheses. And in dentistry, there are rare occasions of inflammation or rashes from metal amalgam fillings.

Which brings us to dental implants: the main metal post that’s inserted into the jawbone is usually made of titanium. It’s the metal of choice for two reasons: it’s bio-compatible, meaning the body normally accepts its presence; and it’s osteophilic, which means bone cells readily grow and adhere to it, a major reason for implant durability.

While it’s possible for someone to have an allergy and subsequent reaction to implants with titanium, the occurrences appear to be extremely low. In one study of 1,500 patients, titanium allergies were estimated to be a factor in implant failures in less than 1% of those studied.

Even so, if you have known metal allergies you should make sure your dentist knows. Being aware of all the facts will help them recommend the best tooth replacement choice for you—and hopefully it will be dental implants.

If you would like more information on dental implant restorations, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor article “Metal Allergies to Dental Implants.”


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February Focuses on Children's Dental Health

By Parmer Oaks Dental Care
February 03, 2018
Category: Oral Health
Tags: oral health   pediatric dentistry  
FebruaryFocusesonChildrensDentalHealth

The month of February gets its name from the ancient spring cleansing ritual called “Februa.” So perhaps it’s appropriate that February is now celebrated as National Children’s Dental Health Month. Having a healthy mouth starts with good oral hygiene—a practice that’s important for everyone, but especially for kids, because the healthy habits they develop in childhood can keep their teeth and gums in good condition for life. How can you help your kids achieve the best oral health? We’re glad you asked. Here are five tips:

Brush and floss daily
Sure, you knew that already. But did you know that for effective cleaning, your kids should brush for two full minutes, twice a day? And despite reports you may have heard, the American Dental Association maintains that using an interdental cleaner (like floss) is essential part of good oral hygiene: It’s the best way to clean decay-causing bacteria from tooth surfaces that your brush just can’t reach.

Limit snacking to around mealtimes
If you allow kids to have sugary snacks, limit them to around mealtimes. That way, the teeth aren’t constantly bathed in substances that can feed harmful bacteria. It also gives the healthful saliva a chance to neutralize acids that can attack the tooth’s protective enamel coating.

Avoid soda and other sugary, acidic drinks
That includes so-called “sports” and “energy” drinks, which often contain extremely high levels of sugar. These beverages, along with diet sodas and some fruit juices, may also be highly acidic, and can damage teeth. What’s the best drink for your kids’ health? Plain old refreshing water!

Pay attention to baby teeth
Sure, in a few years, those teeth will be gone. But in the mean time, they have an important job to do: They not only contribute to proper speech, eating and appearance, but also hold a space for the permanent teeth that will follow them. If they are lost too early, problems with permanent teeth may follow.

Get regular checkups
Routine office visits are the best way to monitor your child’s dental health and development, prevent disease, and solve minor problems before they get bigger.  Plus, we can address any questions you may have about oral hygiene and a range of other topics. So if we haven’t seen your child lately, maybe February is a good time for a visit.

If you have questions about your child’s oral health, please contact our office or schedule a consultation. You can learn more in the Dear Doctor magazine articles “How to Help Your Child Develop the Best Habits for Oral Health” and “Importance of Baby Teeth.”


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Archive:

  • 2019
      • February (3)
        • A Bonded Retainer Might be a Better Choice After Braces
        • Is Cosmetic Dentistry Right for Me?
        • 4 Things to Avoid if You Want to Support Your Child's Dental Development
      • January (3)
        • Charlize Theron Back in Action After Dental Surgery
        • 4 Ways to Check on Your Brushing and Flossing Effectiveness
        • Crown Lengthening Might be Necessary for Seniors with Tooth Decay
  • 2018
      • December (3)
        • What You Need to Know to Buy the Right Toothbrush
        • Kathy Bates Plays It Smart With Professional Teeth Whitening
        • New Year, New Smile
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        • A Stainless Steel Crown Could Help a Struggling Primary Molar Last Longer
        • Diabetes and Oral Health: True or False?
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        • Inflammation: the Link Between Gum Disease and Cardiovascular Disease
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        • 3 Surprising Sugar Sources Your Baby Might be Consuming
        • New Dental Advances Promise Better Outcomes for Treating Decay
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        • Fan of Superhero Film Black Panther Breaks Steel Wire...with Her Mouth!
        • Ultrasonic Plaque Removal an Effective Alternative to Manual Scaling
        • Have Your Child's Chronic Mouth Breathing Checked to Avoid Bite Problems
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        • Good Reasons for Choosing Clear Aligners for Orthodontic Treatment
        • How Can Bonding Help My Smile?
        • Singer Dua Lipa Sees the Wisdom in Postponing Tour Dates
        • Back to School Do's and Don'ts
        • A Root Canal Can Stop Tooth Decay and Save Your Tooth
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        • Spice Up Your Teeth
        • Teens with Missing Teeth may need a Temporary Fix Until They're Older
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        • Tips for Picture-Perfect Summer Smiles
        • June Is Men's Health Month
        • Versatility Of Porcelain Veneers
        • Life Is Sometimes a Grind for Brooke Shields
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        • Take Steps to Treat Chronic Mouth Breathing as Early as Possible
        • Increase Your Implant's Success Chances by Keeping Your Gums Healthy
        • 3 Things You Need to Know about Easing Anxiety Over Dental Visits
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        • Show Off Your Best Possible Smile
        • How Big Bang Theory Actress Mayim Bialik Gets Her Kids to Floss
        • Getting Dental Implants Requires Minor Surgery
      • March (3)
        • We may Need to Remove one or More Teeth Before Applying Braces
        • Are Lasers for Gum Disease Treatment in Our Future?
        • There’s No Need to Fear the Dentist
      • February (3)
        • How Kathy Bates Retains Her Movie-Star Smile
        • Could Your Metal Allergy Keep You From Obtaining Dental Implants?
        • February Focuses on Children's Dental Health
      • January (2)
        • What to Do About Your Child's Toothache Before Seeing the Dentist
        • Dwight Howard: A Bright NBA Star With a Smile to Match
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        • Why You Should Choose a Family Dentist
        • 4 Tips for Avoiding Dental Disease While Wearing Braces
        • Support Your Child's Dental Development with Preventive Care
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        • How to Lessen the Effects of Chronic Dry Mouth
        • Don’t Ignore Your Tooth Loss
        • Jamie Foxx Chips a Tooth - This Time by Accident!
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        • Bad Breath in Children
        • Toothbrushing Tips
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        • Effective Hygiene is Key to Preventing Enamel White Spots While Wearing Braces
        • (Don't) Break It Like Beckham
      • August (4)
        • Need a Root Canal? Here's a Step-by-Step Guide on What to Expect
        • What Soda Can Do to Your Teeth
        • Fifth Harmony's Camila Cabello Chips a Tooth, but Concert Still "Worth It"
        • Be Sure to Have a Dental Exam Before Whitening Your Teeth
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        • Actor David Ramsey Says: Don't Forget to Floss!
        • Orthodontists can Use Other Tools with Braces for Complex Bite Problems
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        • What is Cosmetic Dentistry?
        • Jimmy Fallon Can’t Catch a Break - Except in His Tooth
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        • Johnny's Teeth Aren't Rotten Any More
        • Get a Smile You Love
        • We can Fix a Smile Marred by Absent Front Teeth
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        • Don't Let Sleep Apnea Ruin Your Sleep - or Your Health
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        • Expert Advice: Vivica A. Fox on Kissing and Oral health
        • Safety is a Priority When Imaging Children's Teeth with X-Rays
        • Game, Set, Match: Milos Raonic Says A Mouthguard Helps Him Win
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        • What Are Crowns & Bridges?
        • A Partial Denture Can Restore a Smile Marred by a Few Missing Teeth
      • January (4)
        • Dr. Travis Stork: If Only I'd Worn A Mouthguard!
        • The True Cause of Your Gummy Smile Determines How We Treat it
        • America's (Dentists) Got Talent - for Fixing Damaged or Missing Teeth!
        • FAQS about Oral Cancer Screenings
  • 2016
      • December (2)
        • Having Trouble Flossing? Try Using an Oral Irrigator
        • In Today's NFL, Oral Hygiene Takes Center Stage
      • November (3)
        • Orthodontics Could be the Smile Transformer You've Been Looking For
        • Jason Derulo's Ideal Match
        • Which Cosmetic Procedure Would Work Best For You?
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        • Orthodontic Headgear: What It Is and Why It May be Needed
        • No "Glee" in Tooth Grinding
        • Extracting Certain Teeth can Boost Orthodontic Effectiveness
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        • Tom Hanks' Abscessed Tooth Gets Cast Away
        • How we Treat your Jaw Pain Depends on the Cause
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        • Does My Child Have a Cavity?
        • Dental Magic Transforms Smiles
        • Local Anesthesia Eliminates Pain Completely During Dental Work
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        • Noah Galloway's Dentally Dangerous Dancing
        • 4 Diet Changes You Should Make for Better Oral Health
        • Dental Crowns for the King of Magic
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        • Why It Pays to Have One Dentist for the Whole Family
        • The Risk for Gum Disease Increases While Wearing Braces
        • Giancarlo Stanton Gets Major-League Mouth Protection
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        • 3 Causes for Implant Failure and What You can do About Them
        • Actor David Ramsey Discusses Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
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        • Am I a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?
        • The Benefits of Composite Fillings
        • Staining Within a Tooth Requires a Clinical Whitening Approach
        • Eden Sher and the Lost Retainer
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        • Treating Small Enamel Cracks Could Help you Avoid a Dangerous Tooth Fracture
        • Dr. Travis Stork: Don't Ignore Bleeding Gums
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        • Is There a Link Between Gum Disease and Cardiovascular Health?
        • When Should My Child Go to the Dentist?
        • A Royal Fix
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        • Which Cosmetic Procedure is Right for Me?
        • While Usually Benign, Lichen Planus Lesions Should Still be Examined
        • Even Celebrities Like Jennifer Lawrence Aren't Immune From Bad Breath!
  • 2015
      • December (3)
        • Treating a Baby Tooth with Inner Decay can be Complicated - but Still Necessary
        • Are Sealants Right For My Child?
        • A Toothless Tiger?
      • November (2)
        • There may be more to that Toothache that Suddenly Stops Aching
        • New Front Teeth for a Teenaged David Duchovny
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        • FAQs: Keeping Your Mouth Healthy After Gum Disease Treatment
        • Nancy O'Dell on Making Oral Hygiene Fun for Kids
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        • Don't Allow Your Age to Stop You from a New Smile with Orthodontics
        • Sofia Vergara: 'Obsessed' With Oral Hygiene
      • August (3)
        • Keep a Close Eye on Your Dental Health While Undergoing Cancer Treatment
        • Oral Cancer Screenings Could Save Your Life
        • Lamar Odom Rebounds From Dental Anxiety
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        • Chrissy Teigen's Teeth-Grinding Troubles
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        • Oral Health Can Prove Challenging in Your Senior Years
        • Leave Your Dental Anxiety at the Door with Sedation Dentistry
        • Olivia Newton-John Learned Healthy Oral Habits From Mom
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        • A Whiter Smile the Professional Way
        • Reality Star Kept His Eyes on the Prize: New Teeth!
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        • Paying Attention to Certain Factors Helps Ensure Successful Implant Outcomes
        • Kristin Cavallari and the Mystery of the Bathroom Sink
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        • Full Dentures: Frequently Asked Questions
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      • December (3)
        • Five Facts about Bacteria
        • Actress Jennie Garth Shares Tips for Making Oral Health Fun!
        • Welcome to Our Blog

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Parmer Oaks Dental Care
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