Can Medications Affect Oral Health?

General Dentistry, Patient Education, Vargas Dental Associates

When we are prescribed a medication for our overall health, we are mainly thinking about the relief it will provide or how it will improve a medical condition. When we learn about side effects from a medical professional, we are typically concerned with how they affect overall health. Very little is ever mentioned about how medications may affect your oral health. We want to bring awareness to the fact that many medications, whether prescribed or over-the-counter, can have lasting effects on your teeth and mouth that can significantly impact the future of your oral health. We want to share some of the common side effects and tips to help your oral health:

Nervous About Your Next Visit? Try These Relaxation Tips

General Dentistry, Patient Education, Vargas Dental Associates

Is there an upcoming dental treatment or hygiene examination, and you feel nervous or uneasy about your visit? If so, you are not alone. There are many people who experience some degree of anxiety before they visit the dentist. We never want your nervous feelings to keep you from getting the dental care you need and deserve. Dr. Vargas and the entire team at Vargas Dental Associates, want you to feel comfortable and relaxed while in our care. We want to share some tips to help you relax before and during your next appointment:

Oral Health Warning Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore

Dental Emergency, General Dentistry, Vargas Dental Associates

Thankfully, we are often given warning signs in our daily lives before something goes wrong. For example, your car will alert you if there is a problem with the vehicle or will give a notification before you run out of gas. In a similar manner, there are warning signs given by your mouth to indicate a problem with your oral health. The longer the signs are ignored, the greater your chance of experiencing a dental emergency. Would you know what warning signs to look for that can tell you there is a problem with your oral health? We are here to help!

It Pays To Be Proactive

General Dentistry, Patient Education, Vargas Dental Associates

The start of a new year is a time for reflection on experiences you had in the prior year as well as changes you may like to see in the new year. We encourage our patients to think about the state of their oral health over the past year and any changes or improvements they would like to see. We encourage our patients to be proactive with their dental health as a way to prevent dental complications from arising in the near future.

How To Keep Your Teeth Healthy For The Holidays

General Dentistry, Patient Education, Vargas Dental Associates

It’s hard to believe that Thanksgiving is over and the holiday season is upon us. This is a busy season for many that is full of events with the family and holiday parties and get-togethers. One aspect of the holidays that most people love is the treats that are only available during this time of year. While special treats are nostalgic and enjoyable, it is important not to overindulge. Overdoing the food and sweet treats during this time of year can wreak havoc on your teeth in the new year. Read on to learn some helpful tips to keep your teeth healthy during the holiday season.

The Importance Of Keeping Your Mouth Healthy When You Feel Under the Weather

General Dentistry, Vargas Dental Associates

We don’t know about you, but we cannot believe that Thanksgiving is almost here and then the hustle and bustle of the holiday season will be upon us. While we hope all of our patients remain healthy during this time, occasional illnesses are always possible. If you should happen to fall ill, there are certain changes you should be making to protect your oral health and help improve your overall health.

Are Bleeding Gums A Problem?

General Dentistry, Vargas Dental Associates

At Vargas Dental Associates, we want to help our patients have excellent oral health. Since we only see patients infrequently during the year, we have to rely on them to tell us about any changes or warning signs they see with their oral health. One issue that you may notice on occasion is bleeding gums. This is typically seen when you are brushing and rinsing your mouth. It is not unusual for bleeding gums to occur from time to time; however, if you notice this being a frequent issue, it is best to visit our office to be sure no problems have developed. Some possible causes of bleeding gums can include:

Teeth Are Strong But Not Indestructible

General Dentistry, Patient Education, Vargas Dental Associates

When you think of the strongest substance in your body you might guess one of your bones, perhaps the tibia. The actual strongest substance in the body is your tooth enamel, which is the outer covering of your teeth. Your tooth enamel is even stronger than your bones and is designed to protect the inside of your tooth. Although your tooth enamel is strong and can withstand you chewing multiple times each day, it is not indestructible and can become damaged. Read on to learn more about what can damage your enamel.

Bad Oral Health Habits

General Dentistry, Patient Education, Vargas Dental Associates

At Vargas Dental Associates, our team works hard to ensure our patients have optimal oral health. Aside from treating our patients, we want to be sure that our patients of every age know how to properly care for their teeth. We see our patients so infrequently during the year, the majority of oral health care is in the hands of the patients. Unfortunately, there are some patients who have habits that may be negatively affecting the state of their oral health and can lead to serious issues in the future. We wanted to share some of the bad habits that you might want to change: