Jennifer Chen, DDS - Cosmetic Dentistry - Huntington Beach CA

Link between Osteoporosis and Periodontal (Gum) Disease

Jennifer Chen DDS — Thu, 17 May 2012 19:06:04 +0000

Researchers have suggested that there is a link between osteoporosis and bone loss in the jaw. Studies suggest that osteoporosis may lead to tooth loss because the density of the bone that supports the teeth may be decreased, which means the teeth no longer have a solid foundation. One study published in the June 2007 Journal of Periodontology (JOP) examined 1,256 postmenopausal women and looked for a potential association between periodontal bacteria and bone loss in the oral cavity. The study results showed that women with periodontal bacteria in their mouths were also more likely to have bone loss in the oral cavity, which can lead to tooth loss if not treated. A study of 106 postmenopausal women over more than 10 years concluded they could significantly reduce tooth loss by controlling their periodontal disease. This not only affects women but men as well.

Here at Dr. Chen’s dental office, we perform a series of steps to review oral bone levels as well as checking gums. We conduct periodontal screening exams, encourage patients to have their yearly x-rays taken, as well as a thorough exam by the doctor to inform our patients of any bone loss or gum recession or any other treatment that may be needed to keep the mouth healthy. We strongly encourage all of our patients to schedule and make their dental appoointments an integral part of their personal health care plan. Therefore, if you haven’t scheduled your next routine visit with us or have been prolonging a tooth pain for some time, please do so as soon as possible. If there are any questions or concerns, we’ll do our very best to answer them for you. We look forward to hearing from all our patients as well as new patients, too.

http://nydentallife.wordpress.com/2011/05/08/116/

Celebrating our Mothers this Mother’s Day!

Jennifer Chen DDS — Thu, 10 May 2012 21:17:52 +0000

It’s that time of year again to celebrate all of our mothers and how do we show them we love, appreciate, and care for them? Could it be flowers, a card, candy, a spa day or most importantly being there to tell them how much they mean to each and every one of us each day. Mothers are special people and although there is a designated day dedicated to our mothers, we celebrate our dearest moms every day of our lives. The excitement from a child creating a crafty gift or picking flowers from the garden is pricesless. So we at Dr. Chen’s office would like to extend a warm Happy Mother’s Day to our moms and to all of you who are mothers. May the day be filled with joy, happiness, excitement, and wonderful memories!

April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month

Jennifer Chen DDS — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 19:25:32 +0000

Oral cancer is something that we don’t take lightly here at Dr. Chen’s office. While some think this is a rare cancer, mouth cancer will be newly diagnosed in about 100 new individuals each day in the US alone, and a person dies from oral cancer every hour of every day. Early detection is key to a healthier mouth and body. We make sure that we conduct an oral cancer exam at every hygiene visit and encourage our patients to keep up with their hygiene appointments as recommended by our office. Taking great care of your smile has many other health benefits, too. If you should have any questions or concerns, please be sure to contact our office for more information. Please take a few minutes to click and read the link below.

http://www.ada.org/news/5551.aspx

Easter is just around the corner…

Jennifer Chen DDS — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 18:56:01 +0000

For some of us, Easter is a time of celebrating with family and friends. We recall the days when we were younger laughing, playing, waiting for the Easter egg hunt, and eating the infamous chocolate bunny from our basket of goodies. We, at Dr. Chen’s office, would like to wish everyone a wonderful Easter holiday. Here is some information that we would like to share with you, your family, and loved ones to keep your smile as healthy as possible.

http://www.1dental.com/blog/2011/04/18/dental-easter-candy/

March is National Nutrition Month

Jennifer Chen DDS — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 20:04:58 +0000

March has arrived, and that can only mean one thing: it’s National Nutrition Month. We all know that keeping our mind and bodies healthy is key to a longer life. National Nutrition Month is a nutrition education and information campaign sponsored annually by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics to focus attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits. Most people know that sugar is bad for the teeth, few know that some foods that are healthy for general health are also good for the teeth and keeping teeth in good shape, in return, also helps overall health. Take a brief moment and click on the link below to see if you are incorporating these wonderful foods and drinks to protect your teeth and gums.

http://www.wtnperioblog.com/top-10-foods-and-drinks-to-protect-teeth-gums/

How Hidden Sugars in Drinks Affect Your Teeth – Huntington Beach, CA

Jennifer Chen DDS — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 20:22:37 +0000

Juice Drinks vs. Teeth

It is important to consume adequate amounts of fruits and vegetables. These food groups provide vital nutrients that allow your body to function at its best. Multiple studies have shown that orange juice, lemon juice and grapefruit juice all can be acidic and harmful to your teeth. It is possible for these acids to harm not only your teeth but dental restorations as well. These fruits are important parts of your overall diet but limiting the amount of citric juice intake to once or twice a day is recommended. Dr. Chen recommends you to avoid sipping on acidic liquids all day long. Using a straw to avoid contact with the teeth and gently rinsing your mouth with water after drinking acidic juices is a way to reduce your risk.

Sports Drinks vs. Teeth

Sports drinks and energy drinks might seem like healthy alternatives to soda, but they are not healthier for your teeth. Dr. Chen often sees damage to the teeth and smile due to sports drinks. A new study from New York University College of Dentistry shows that sports drinks contain high levels of acids that may be linked to a condition called “erosive tooth wear”. In just 90 minutes of exposure to sports drinks over the course of a day the enamel coating on the teeth can be damaged and the teeth weakened. Sports drinks also contain a lot of sugar. In only a 12oz bottle of Gatorade, there are 10 and a half teaspoon of sugar. Most people do not drink only 12oz, they go for the 24 or 36 oz bottles. That can really add up on the amount of sugar we should be consuming daily. And can really add up on the amount of cavities that can occur!

Soda vs. Teeth

Most people seem to be aware of the damaging effect of soft drinks on their teeth but are not concerned by it. According to the American Dental Association, Americans drink more than 53 gallons of soft drinks per person per year. Some soft drinks contain more than 11 spoonfuls of sugar (like Sunkist) which is used by the bacteria in your mouth to cause decay. Of greater concern is dental erosion, which is caused by acids in soda such as carbonic acid, citric acid, and phosphoric acid. You have seen what happens to a penny when you soak it in soda for a few hours. Over time these acids can damage the enamel of your teeth and lead to decay and need to restore those cavities. If a beautiful, healthy smile is your goal than avoiding soda is a good idea. If you are concerned about your smile, feel free to call Dr. Chen to schedule an appointment and keep your teeth healthy and radiant.

Brighten your smile for Spring 2012

Jennifer Chen DDS — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 20:06:06 +0000

We had an amazing response to our last campaign for a Dazzling Whiter Smile for 2012 and appreciate the feedback that our patients are enjoying their brighter smiles! Many of our patients expressed that they would like to offer this to their family and close friends. Therefore, we have decided to extend the offer to April 30th, 2012 which has also been included in our latest newsletter. We, at Dr. Chen’s office, continue to strive to be the very best and to exceed the expectations of our patients. Please take a moment and visit our website for other useful and helpful information and like us on Facebook, too. We look forward to seeing all of you, your family and friends in our office soon!

How can we make your visit more comfortable?

Jennifer Chen DDS — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:02:20 +0000

We, at Dr. Chen’s office, understand we are not the preferred place to be, though when you are here, we will make every effort to make your visit as comfortable as possible. We also offer nitrous oxide as an aid. Please review the link and see how this may help calm your nerves.

http://www.wtnperioblog.com/dealing-dental-phobia/

How to take care of your toothbrush….

Jennifer Chen DDS — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 19:22:54 +0000

Making sure that we take care of the tool that helps keep our smiles looking beautiful and fresh is very important. See how this article can assist you in making sure that you do.

http://www.wtnperioblog.com/care-toothbrush/

Toothbrushes: When to Replace Them, Where to Keep Them

Jennifer Chen DDS — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 19:20:59 +0000

You may have an idea when to replace your tooth brush and most of us think we place our tooth brushes in the appropriate places but check out this link explaing the reasons why you should pay special attention to the replacement time frame and storage of your tooth brushes. You might just be surprised.

http://www.ktvq.com/news/toothbrushes-when-to-replace-them-where-to-keep-them/