Preventative Dentistry in Glendale, CA

In our Glendale, CA dental office, we commonly treat tooth and jaw pain.

Teeth grinding and clenching while asleep, commonly called bruxism, are among the top reasons people wake with jaw and tooth pain. Left untreated, bruxism can lead to enamel erosion, wear on teeth, cavities, breakage, and tooth loss, and is even associated with temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD) or (TMJ). 

TMJ means the hinge-like joint that connects your jaw to your skull is not functioning properly. This can cause headaches, jaw pain, neck pain, locked jaw, and clicking sounds in the joint when speaking or chewing.  

We offer successful treatments for teeth grinding in Glendale, CA. 

Our top Glendale dentist creates custom nightguards, which have saved a lot of smiles. These comfortable nighttime appliances gently thrust your lower jaw forward to prevent grinding and clenching during sleep. 

Our custom nightguards in Glendale, CA are known for ease of wear and provide a gentle remedy to help you get the sleep you need without the pain. 

The first step is scheduling a consultation with our Glendale, CA dentist! 

Get in Touch with Our Glendale Dental Office 

If you are suffering the symptoms of bruxism and would like to be evaluated for teeth grinding and clenching in Glendale, CA, give us a call today.

At the dental offices of Dr. Lucio H Kim, we are doing everything in our power to be available for patients in the Glendale, CA area during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Kim is keeping the office open to treat emergency dental issues during this time. We are also providing virtual consults for anyone who has dental related questions in the Glendale area. Please reach out to our Glendale office if you are experiencing a toothache, a chipped or cracked tooth, or any other urgent issue. 

Here is a video update from Dr. Kim describing emergency dental services and virtual consults:

Preventive cleaning and checkups every six months are essential for maintaining your dental health and also your general health. Why? Because emerging information has shown that there is a direct correlation between gum disease and other health concerns in the body that are not dentally related such as low birth weight in babies, diabetes, and even heart disease.

Your Dental Cleaning in 91207

During your cleaning, your hygienist spends time removing the plaque buildup that contributes to many concerns like gum disease, tooth decay, and cavities. Your hygienist can demonstrate proper brushing techniques and also recommend products that can help you to improve your oral health like an antibacterial mouth rinse. 

Next, Dr. Kim will perform a thorough examination and screen for concerns like gum disease, tooth decay, cavities, and oral cancer. Detecting these issues early on will ensure that you can treat them with easier procedures. For example, a cavity caught early on can be treated with a dental filling instead of a more invasive procedure such as root canal therapy that is needed once decay has progressed into your nerve and caused an infection. 

Call Your Glendale Dentist

Visiting your dentist in Glendale, CA consistently every six months will help you maintain excellent dental health and prevent more significant problems in the future.

The answer to this question really comes down to preference. Many people find that they like an electric toothbrush better than a manual toothbrush because it takes a lot of guesswork out of brushing. 

High-end electric toothbrushes have features like a timer to ensure you're brushing for two minutes, alerts to move quadrants so you spend equal time brushing each area of your mouth, pressure sensors to alert you if you're brushing too hard or vigorously, which protects your gum tissues, and Bluetooth connectivity to your phone to provide feedback on your brushing routine. 

The truth is, you can also achieve great results using a manual toothbrush as long as you're using proper brushing techniques. 

Toothbrushing 101

If you're using a manual toothbrush, hold it at a 45-degree angle against your gums. Brush gently using circular motions, being careful not to irritate your gum tissues. Brush for 30 seconds in each quadrant, reaching the front, back, and chewing surfaces of your teeth. 

Whether you choose a manual or electric toothbrush, you must change the brush or brush head every three to four months.

Contact Our Glendale Dental Office 

If you have any more questions about whether to choose an electric or manual toothbrush, please feel free to contact us at (818) 242-3739.