Dental - Frequently Asked Questions

It's recommended that you visit the dentist on a gap of every six months for a routine check-up and cleaning unless advised otherwise based on your specific dental health needs.

If you're experiencing a toothache, rinse your mouth with a little warm water and gently use dental floss to eradicate any food caught between your teeth. Avoid placing painkillers directly against the gums near the aching tooth. If the pain persists, contact your dentist immediately.

For better oral hygiene, brush your teeth for a minimum of two times in a day with fluoride toothpaste, floss daily adequately to remove plaque from places your brush can't reach, and consider utilizing an antimicrobial mouthwash to help decrease bacteria.

Signs of gum disease include:

Red, swollen, or tender gums.

Bleeding while brushing or flossing.

Persistent bad breath.

Receding gums.

Loose or shifting teeth.

Tooth sealants are a protective coating used on the chewing layer of the back teeth (molars), which prevents tooth decay. Sealants are particularly recommended for kids and teenagers, but adults can benefit from them too.

There are different types of dental fillings available, including amalgam (silver), composite (tooth-colored), gold, and ceramic. Each type has its advantages and drawbacks, such as durability, aesthetics, and cost, which we can discuss to determine the best option for you.

The best approach to teeth whitening depends on the degree of staining and your dental health. Professional whitening in a dental office in San Diego is the most effective and safest method. We can also provide you with custom-made trays for at-home whitening.

During your first dentist visit, we will conduct a thorough and detailed dental examination, including X-rays if necessary, to assess your oral health. We'll discuss your dental history and any current concerns and create a personalized treatment plan.

Signs you might need braces include:

Crowded or crooked teeth.

Gaps between teeth.

Frequent biting of the cheeks or roof of the mouth.

Difficulty chewing or biting.

An orthodontic evaluation can determine if braces are recommended for you.

Electric toothbrushes can be more effective and better at removing plaque for some people, especially those who have difficulty brushing or who tend to brush too aggressively. However, a manual toothbrush can be quite effective if used properly with the right technique.

The dental implant process at our clinic involves an initial primary consultation with your dentist to evaluate your oral health, followed by the surgical placement of the implant. After a healing phase, during which the implant integrates with your jawbone, you will return for the attachment of a custom-made crown. We ensure every step is managed with care to optimize outcomes.

Yes, dental implants can be conveniently done in one day through a procedure known as immediate load or same-day implants. This technique involves placing the implant post and a temporary tooth during the same appointment. It is suitable for patients with adequate bone quality and overall good oral health. However, only some are candidates for same-day implants, so it's important to undergo a thorough evaluation to determine if this option is right for you.

To ensure the long life of your dental implants, brush twice daily with a soft-bristled brush and use low-abrasive toothpaste. Floss regularly using unwaxed tape or implant-specific floss. Additionally, attend regular dental check-ups and cleanings at our dental clinic in San Diego to monitor your implants and manage any early signs of issues.

Yes, dental veneers are among excellent options for closing gaps between teeth. They are thin, custom-made shells designed specially to cover the front surface of teeth, enhancing your smile. Our skilled cosmetic dentists at Bliss Dental Arts ensure that veneers are crafted and placed precisely to create a natural-looking, beautiful smile.

To maintain your dental veneers:

Practice adequate oral hygiene by brushing at least twice a day and flossing daily.

Use a non-abrasive fluoride toothpaste along with a soft-bristled toothbrush.

Avoid chewing on articles like pens or ice.

Regular dental check-ups are mandatory to assess the condition of your veneers and perform professional cleanings.

Dental bonding uses a durable, tooth-colored composite resin that is both safe and aesthetically pleasing for all patients. This material is carefully applied and sculpted to correct aesthetic imperfections such as chips, cracks, or gaps. It is then hardened with a special light and polished to match the neighboring teeth seamlessly.

A typical dental bonding procedure at our clinic takes somewhere about 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the level of repair needed. The process is efficient and often completed in a single visit, making it an easy option for improving the look and appearance of your smile without significant downtime.

During Invisalign treatment, wear your aligners for 20 to 22 hours per day, removing them only for eating, drinking anything other than water, and oral hygiene. Clean your aligners daily with a soft brush and rinse them under lukewarm water. Attend all appointments to monitor your progress and receive the next set of aligners.

While Invisalign allows you to eat and drink anything, remove the aligners before consuming meals or beverages, except for water. Avoid hot drinks while wearing aligners to prevent warping. Brush and floss your teeth adequately before reinserting the aligners to keep oral hygiene and prevent staining.

We use the Opalescence™ Boost™ In-Office Teeth Whitening Solution. This method utilizes a chemically activated whitening process, which avoids the need for LED lights, thereby enhancing comfort. It's designed to deliver rapid results, achieving significant teeth brightening in about an hour, making it an efficient choice for enhancing dental aesthetics.

Please refer to our Teeth whitening page on our website for more detailed information.

Professional teeth whitening is mostly effective at removing external stains caused by foods, drinks, and smoking. However, intrinsic stains, such as those caused by medications or fluorosis, may not respond as well to whitening. We offer a consultation to determine the most effective treatment for your certain type of staining.

At Bliss Dental Arts, we strive to accommodate dental emergencies on the same day. Our clinic prioritizes urgent care to ensure you receive timely treatment for pain relief and to address any immediate dental concerns. It's best to call us directly for the quickest response. Our emergency dentist in San Diego is always ready in emergency situations.

The most common types of dental emergencies are extreme toothaches, chipped or broken teeth, knocked-out teeth, lost fillings or crowns, and abscesses. Our team is highly skilled in providing rapid and effective treatments to alleviate pain and address these issues promptly, ensuring your oral health is immediately restored.

Signs that you may need a wisdom tooth extraction include persistent pain, infection, cyst formation, damage to neighboring teeth, and gum disease. If you experience any of these symptoms, our team can provide a thorough examination and discuss the best options for your oral health.

After a tooth extraction:

Eat easy-to-chew soft foods like yogurt, pudding, soup, and applesauce.

Avoid hot, spicy, and crunchy foods that might irritate the extraction site.

Stay hydrated while avoiding straw usage, as the suction can shift the blood clot, which is vital to healing.

Signs you need a root canal include:

Severe tooth pain.

Longer sensitivity to hot and cold discoloration of the tooth.

Swelling or tenderness in the nearby gums.

If you experience these symptoms, it's important to consult a dentist in San Diego promptly to prevent further complications.

Our clinic utilizes advanced techniques such as digital X-rays for precise imaging and electric handpieces for efficient clean-up and shaping of the root canals. These technologies improve the comfort, speed, and success rate of the treatment, ensuring optimal outcomes with minimal discomfort.

Dental sealants are most effective when applied as soon as the first permanent molars erupt, typically around the age of 6, and again when the second permanent molars appear, usually around age 12. Applying sealants at these times provides protection during the cavity-prone years.

Dental sealants serve as a protective shield over the enamel of each tooth, preventing decay by sealing out food particles and bacteria. This preventative measure is highly effective at reducing the risk of cavities, especially in molars with deep crevices, thereby supporting overall oral health from a young age.

We use dental lasers for multiple procedures, including gum reshaping, bacterial reduction during root canal treatments, and the removal of decayed tissue. Laser technology offers precision, reduced bleeding, and faster healing times, enhancing patient comfort and treatment outcomes.

Biomimetic dentistry at our clinic focuses on conserving the natural structure of teeth by using advanced adhesion techniques and materials that mimic natural dental tissues. This approach reduces the need for extensive crowns and keeps more of the natural tooth intact, leading to healthier, longer-lasting restorations. Visit our dentist near you to get better dental treatments for your teeth.