Redwood Dental Smiles: Blog

A smile is the best accessory you can wear, which is why Dr. Vijay Munagala of Redwood Dental Smiles wants to ensure that her patient’s smiles are as bright as their personality. Tooth discoloration is caused by foods, drinks, lifestyle habits such as smoking, and is usually the result of poor dental hygiene. By making a few simple lifestyle changes, you may be able to prevent teeth discoloration. However, change doesn’t happen over-night. At Redwood Dental Smiles the ZOOM! Professional Whitening system can jumpstart the whitening process in the best way possible. ZOOM is a bleaching process used to lighten discoloration of enamel and dentin. The ZOOM in-office whitening procedure uses the ZOOM Advanced Power Chairside Lamp – said to accelerate the bleaching process – to activate the 25 percent hydrogen peroxide whitening. As the hydrogen peroxide is broken down, oxygen enters the enamel and dentin to bleach the stained substances, leaving the structure of the tooth unchanged. If you h

Traumatic dental injuries can occur in children and adults. When a tooth is knocked out due to a fall, or from playing a sport, it’s important to take the proper measures to save the tooth and prevent infection. Mouthguards, also called mouth protectors will help cushion a blow to the face and minimize the risk of broken teeth and injuries to the oral cavity. Dr. Vijay Munagala of Redwood Dental can provide a custom-fitted mouthguard for ultimate comfort. An athlete is more likely to experience a mouth injury than a non-athlete, but accidents do happen. When it comes to protecting your mouth from trauma, a mouthguard is an essential piece of equipment. A custom-made mouthguard can be created for a patient and it’s made for your mouth only. One can be made for the upper teeth, lower teeth, or both. To discuss custom-fitted mouthguards, schedule a consultation with Dr. Vijay Munagala today. If you have questions or concerns regarding mouthguards, please give us a call. To learn about the

Regular dental cleanings aren’t just an important component of oral health. They’re crucial for a patient’s overall wellbeing, particularly if they suffer from a complicating condition such as diabetes. We at Redwood Dental Smiles in Castro Valley want our patients to feel comfortable coming to us for help, but we recognize that dental instruments can be a source of anxiety for some people. That’s why we want our patients to know their names and how they’re used. There are several metal hooks hygienists use along with the handheld mirror for basic cleanings and assessments. Explorers are hooks which are used to test the durability of enamel, the outermost layer of the teeth, and to break apart tartar. We may also use a longer hook called a probe while examining the health of gum pockets and one called a scaler to remove debris and decay from below the gum line. Patients doubtlessly remember at past visits being told to close their lips around a vacuum hose. It is called an evacuator, a