What is Invisalign treatment and how much does it cost?

Invisalign Treatment is the process of wearing a series of clear, removable aligners that gradually straighten your teeth. No brackets and wires, and none of the restrictions that come with metal braces. Invisalign treatment typically costs about the same as braces. Many dental insurance plans cover Invisalign treatment the same way they cover braces. Your insurance may pay for a certain percentage of your Invisalign treatment, or it may pay for a certain dollar amount. Every smile is unique, which is why your Invisalign treatment starts with a FREE consultation. During your consultation, Dr. Kathiriya will help you determine what Invisalign treatment could do for your smile, how long it would take to complete it and how much it will cost based on your insurance coverage.

What issues can dental veneers address?

Dental veneers can effectively address various cosmetic concerns, including stained or discolored teeth, chipped or worn teeth, misaligned or uneven teeth, gaps between teeth, and teeth with irregular shapes or sizes. Dental veneers are custom-made to match the color, shape, and size of your natural teeth, ensuring a natural and aesthetic result. They are designed to blend seamlessly with your existing teeth, giving you a beautiful and natural-looking smile.

What are the benefits of teeth whitening?

Teeth whitening can enhance your smile by removing stains and discoloration, giving you a brighter and more confident smile. It is a safe and effective way to improve the appearance of your teeth. Consider any existing tooth sensitivity or sensitivity to certain products. Teeth whitening can cause temporary tooth sensitivity or gum irritation in some individuals. If you have a history of tooth sensitivity or gum problems, it's important to discuss this with Dr. Kathiriya to determine the most suitable whitening option for you.

How can I prevent dental cavities?

To prevent dental cavities, brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, floss daily, limit sugary snacks and drinks, and visit your dentist regularly for check-ups and professional cleanings. Encourage children to develop good oral hygiene habits early on. Teach them proper brushing and flossing techniques and ensure they visit the dentist regularly.

What options are available to replace a missing tooth?

There are several options to replace a missing tooth, including dental implants, bridges, and dentures. The best option for you depends on your specific needs and oral health condition. Please reach out to our office if you want to consult with Dr. Kathiriya about your case.

What is the best age for children to start visiting the dentist?

Children should start visiting the dentist around their first birthday or within six months of their first tooth eruption. Early dental visits help establish good oral hygiene habits and allow the dentist to catch any dental problems early on.

How to Care for Your Teeth and Gums in Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles, CA

With proper care, your teeth and gums can stay healthy throughout your life. The healthier your teeth and gums are, the less risk you have for tooth decay and gum disease.

How Should I Care for My Teeth and Gums?

There are five basic steps to caring for teeth and gums:

Brushing
Flossing
Rinsing
Eating right
Visiting the dentist

Tips for Brushing Teeth

Brush at least twice a day. If you can, brush after every meal. Ideally wait 30 minutes after eating, this will allow any enamel that softened from acid during eating to re-harden and not get brushed away. Brushing removes plaque, a film of bacteria that clings to teeth. When bacteria in plaque come into contact with food, they produce acids. These acids lead to cavities. To brush:

Place a pea-sized dab of fluoride toothpaste on the head of the toothbrush. (Use a soft toothbrush.)
Place the toothbrush against the teeth at a 45-degree angle up to the gum line.
Move the brush across the teeth using a small circular motion. Continue with this motion cleaning one tooth at a time. Keep the tips of the bristles against the gum line. Avoid pressing so hard that the bristles lie flat against the teeth. (Only the tips of the toothbrush clean the teeth.) Let the bristles reach into spaces between teeth.
Brush across the top of the chewing surfaces of the teeth. Make sure the bristles get into the grooves and crevices.
Use the same small circular motion to clean the backside of the upper and lower teeth -- the side that faces the tongue.
To clean the inside of the bottom front teeth, angle the head in an up-and-down position toward the bottom inside of the mouth and move the toothbrush in a small circle.
For the inside of the top front teeth, angle the brush in an up-and-down position with the tip of the head pointing towards the roof of the mouth. Move the toothbrush in a small circle.
Give your tongue a few gentle brush strokes, brushing from the back of your tongue forward. Do not scrub. This helps remove bacteria and freshens your breath.
After brushing your teeth for two to three minutes, rinse your mouth with water.
Replace your toothbrush with a new one every three to four months.

Tips for Flossing Your Teeth

Floss teeth at least once a day. Flossing gets rid of food and plaque between the teeth, where your toothbrush cannot reach. If plaque stays between teeth, it can harden into tartar, which must be removed by a dentist or hygienist. To floss:

Remove about an 18-inch strip of floss from the dispenser.
Wind the floss around the middle fingers of each hand, leaving a 1-inch section open for flossing. Floss the top teeth first, then the bottom.
Place the floss in your mouth and use your index fingers to push the floss between the teeth. Be careful not to push too hard and injure the gums.
Move the floss up and down against the tooth and up and around the gum line. The floss should form a C-shape around the tooth as you floss.
Floss between each tooth as well as behind the back teeth.
Use a clean section of floss as needed and take up used floss by winding it around the fingers.

Tips for Rinsing Your Mouth

Mouthwashes do more than just freshen your breath. Rinse with an antiseptic mouthwash at least once a day to kill bacteria that cause plaque and early gum disease. A fluoride rinse can help prevent teeth decay and cavities. Some rinses can do both.

It doesn't matter if you rinse before or after you brush.
Swish the mouthwash in your mouth for 30 to 60 seconds.

Eating Right for Dental Health

For good dental health, eat a variety of foods, but minimize those that contain sugars and starches. These foods produce the most acids in the mouth and the longer they stay in the mouth, the more they can damage the teeth. Hard "sucking candies" are especially harmful because they stay in the mouth a long time.

Snacking on sugary foods can lead to tooth decay, because most people don't brush after snacks. Starchy snack foods, like potato chips, stick to the teeth. Avoid snacking on:

Candies, cookies, cakes, and pie
Sugary gum
Crackers, breadsticks, and chips
Dried fruits and raisins

Visit Your Dentist Regularly

Visit your dentist at least once every six months. To maintain healthy teeth and gums, it's important to have regular check-ups and professional cleanings. You should also see your dentist if you have pain in your teeth or mouth or bleeding, swollen gums.

You can also ask your dentist about dental sealants. Sealant is a material used to coat the top, chewing surfaces of the teeth. This coating protects the tooth from decay and usually lasts a long time, but can only be placed on a tooth without decay. It is usually placed on children's teeth as they get their permanent teeth.