Category: Oral Health

In this post from Weston Spencer DDS in La Jolla, we highlight simple things you can do with your toothbrush to keep your mouth as clean and healthy as possible.

One of the most important habits anyone can form is to always let their toothbrush completely air dry between uses. The best way to do this is to place it in a toothbrush holder on the counter with the bristles pointing up. This is much better than tossing it into a drawer, since it will take longer to dry in there.

Also, when...Read More

Periodontal disease, also called gum disease, is inflammation or infection of the gums. For the most part, periodontal disease is preventable. It is also treatable, at Weston Spencer DDS in La Jolla.

Gum disease is so pervasive in the US that it has been called a health crisis by the American Dental Association.

If left untreated, it can cause irreversible damage such as tooth loss.

Practicing daily dental hygiene and having 6-month dental exams are the best way to prevent periodontal...Read More

You’ve been doing it since you were five. You switch to autopilot morning and night and get it done. But Weston Spencer DDS in La Jolla has a question: are you doing it right?

We ask this in all seriousness. There is always room for improvement, even in something as basic as brushing your teeth.

Essential Dental Health

Brushing, after all, is an important part of any daily dental health routine. We recommend brushing your teeth twice a day, and with a soft-bristled toothbrush. We...Read More

There are three dental health issues that affect as many as a third of all Americans. At Weston Spencer DDS in La Jolla we want all of our patients to have healthy teeth and gums. If any of these common issues affect you, tell us. We can do something about it.

The problems were identified by the Health Policy Institute, which is part of the American Dental Association. In a survey of fifteen thousand people from all walks of life, they asked about problems with teeth and gums.

The top...Read More

Looking for a new dentist? Maybe you’re new in town, or maybe you’re just looking for a change. Whatever the reason, Weston Spencer DDS in La Jolla has some suggestions you may find useful.

It isn’t a decision you want to make lightly. Ideally you should establish a relationship that you can count on for years to come. Asking your family and friends is a tried-and-true method, but since that’s one of the first things you’re likely to think of, we’ll share a...Read More

Gum disease is a leading cause of tooth loss among adults. Nearly half of Americans over the age of thirty have gum disease in some form. Fortunately, it’s a treatable condition at Weston Spencer DDS in La Jolla.

What do your gums do?

Gum tissue has an important job. It protects the roots of your teeth and provides a barrier for the connective tissues and ligaments that hold your teeth in their sockets. It also protects the alveolar bone in which your teeth are anchored.

What is gum...Read More

This message from Weston Spencer DDS in La Jolla is about oral piercings. An increasing number of teenagers are sporting them. What if your teen asked you for permission to get an oral piercing.

Here’s five reasons why teens should avoid oral piercings:

Excessive drooling Chipped teeth Infection Hypersensitivity to metal Nerve damage

Let’s discuss these dangers in more detail.

Drooling

Lip and tongue piercings let adolescents express their personality and creativity....Read More

There has been a lot of talk about viral infections lately. In this post from Weston Spencer DDS in La Jolla, we focus on oral infections.

There are many causes of oral infections. In kids, they are usually caused by tooth decay.

The teeth become sensitive to cold beverages. A tooth develops a dull ache. The child may have difficulty describing where the pain is coming from.

A sore on the gums doesn’t heal. An injured tooth darkens. Pain begins in the lower sinus...Read More

Most of us consume far too much sugar. That isn’t exactly a news flash, but at Weston Spencer DDS in La Jolla we want to remind you what sugar does to teeth, and what you can do about it.

We get cavities when acids in the mouth attack the enamel and dentin of the teeth. The acid is produced by bacteria in plaque, that sticky film that forms on the surfaces of teeth. When sugar is introduced it interacts with the bacteria in the plaque, and makes the acids, which attack the teeth and...Read More