Kantor Dental Group

If you have a set of full dentures, you may be wondering how often you need them to be cleaned professionally by a dentist. In this post from Kantor Dental, we’ll discuss everything you need to know!

You Should See Your Dentist For A Cleaning & Checkup Every 6 Months

Everyone should see a dentist for a teeth cleaning and oral exam every six months, and people with dentures are no exception! While you may not have any of your natural teeth remaining, this doesn’t mean you’re immune to oral health issues like gum disease, and even more dangerous conditions like oral cancer.

A regular six-month visit allows you to get an oral exam and ensure your dentures are fitting properly. Dr. Grey or Dr. Ezra Kantor will also check your dentures to make sure they’re in good shape. Then, the team at Kantor Dental will use professional tools to clean your dentures, remove any buildup, and make sure that they’re looking bright and beautiful.

Proper At-Home Oral Hygiene Is Essential For Keeping Your Dentures Clean 

Proper at-home denture care is absolutely essential for keeping your dentures and gums clean. You need to take steps such as:

• Removing and rinsing your dentures after eating. This helps remove food particles that can cause irritation and gum disease.

• Brushing your dentures once per day to remove bacteria and plaque, and to prevent the buildup of tartar

• Soaking your dentures overnight in a cleaning solution. This keeps the denture moist and cleans, sanitizes and disinfects it, preparing it for the next day.

• Cleaning your mouth and gums with a soft toothbrush once per day after removing your dentures. You should clean your tongue, cheeks, gums, and palate (roof of your mouth) to remove food debris, plaque, and bacteria.

For more tips on denture care, just ask Dr. Grey Kantor or Dr. Ezra Kantor at your appointment. We can give you all the information you need.

Schedule A Checkup At Kantor Dental Now – Keep Your Dentures Clean!

Even if you have dentures, regular appointments at the dentist are essential for maintaining your oral health, and keeping your dentures clean. So don’t wait. If you’re overdue for an appointment, contact the team at Kantor Dental now to get started. We’re always accepting new patients, and would be happy to provide you with the denture care services you need in San Rafael.

Hello, I’m Dr. Grey Kantor here with my father, Dr. Ezra Kantor, and we are Kantor Dental Group Aesthetic Dentistry and Implantology. Today, we’re going to talk about oral cancer examination.

This is a condition which is much more common than many of you think. And very dangerous. It can metastasize to any part of your body. And the key is to find it early. If you notice when you come in for your hygiene exam, both the hygienist and the dentist who comes in, will look around your mouth. Palpate for lymph nodes – is what we’re palpated for, even grabbing your tongue and pulling it out and looking down your throat and the sides of the tongue.

I typically save that for last. Because it’s the most invasive and uncomfortable. Just so you know, the reason I do that is because the, there’s a common place for cancer to occur. That is the lateral border of the base of the tongue. Which cannot be seen unless you pull the tongue out and is painless, so the patient doesn’t even notice it.

I have found cancer in the past and I don’t find it commonly. I find it, I’ve found that maybe three times. But each one of, each time we found those, we saved that patient’s life. They were primary lesions. In other words, this is the initial lesion of the cancer and it did not metastasize anywhere, and it was taken care of. So, just so you know, this is why we do it and why it is a necessary aspect of the examination procedure.

So, if you find any lumps or bumps in your mouth or just think it’s a good idea to get cancer screening inside your mouth, which it really is, definitely come to our office, Kantor Dental Group. And, we can, we do those exams at every hygiene visit. So that will be very helpful and very safe for our patients and our dental family.

What I think is also key for you is, you know, yeah, there also lumps and bumps. But if you have anything that bleeds and is painless even on your face, if you have something on your face that looks like a sore but, and it may even bleed, but it doesn’t hurt, that’s a bad sign. So, come in so for us to take a look at that. And I think that about covers it. So, thanks for your attention.

And if you have any questions or comments or want to talk about how your dentist does an oral cancer screening. Definitely make some comments in the comments section below. Otherwise, please subscribe and we hope to see you soon. Thank you.

Hello, I’m Dr. Grey Kantor here in San Rafael, California, with Kantor Dental Group Aesthetic, Dentistry and Implantology.

Today, I want to talk about Implants in a Day. You may have seen the commercials, “Implants all in one day”. And that’s very possible for some people. But single tooth implants, in a back tooth, we generally don’t do implants in a day.

The reason why is those teeth take a lot of force. And a back tooth, a single tooth, really can’t take that sort of load from an initially placed implant, recently placed implant. Most of the time people talked about Implants in a Day, either for a single front tooth. Which we can replace that same day, right? We always replace front teeth in the same day. We don’t want you go away being toothless. So, first concern is, you never leave toothless from most dental offices, especially ours. We never send people away toothless.

The second is if it’s a full set of dentures, right? All your teeth, right? If you’re getting all of your teeth done with implants, for example, “all on four” is very common method. That type of method you can do in a day because it’s spreading the load out among four implants. You have your… and the denture going over your teeth. It’s also resting on the guns and spreading the load out on the four implants. So, there’s not too much pressure on just a single implant, which is why you can do it in a day.

We offer that service here as well. But if you are looking for single implant in a day, most of the time that’s going to be a temporary and they give you a final shortly after that.

If you have any questions or concerns, definitely give us a call. My name is Dr. Grey Kantor here with Kantor Dental Group in San Rafael, California. Please subscribe or comment below about your experience with Implants in a Today, we’d love to hear from you.

Wondering if you should invest in professional teeth whitening treatment from Kantor Dental Group? Not sure if it’s worth it, or if it’s right for you? Below, we’ll discuss the top 4 signs that professional teeth whitening may be right for you. Let’s get started.

1. You’re Self-Conscious About Your Smile Due To Stains & Yellowing
   Our teeth can become stained and yellowed for a lot of reasons. Drinking beverages like coffee, tea, and wine can stain our teeth, and some foods like tomatoes also can stain the teeth. Tobacco use is also a common culprit.

   No matter the reason, stains, and yellowing can make you feel self-conscious about how you look when you eat, speak, smile or laugh among others. If you’re embarrassed about your smile due to stains, professional teeth whitening is definitely right for you.

2. You Want To Look Younger
   Premature teeth stains can make you look older than you really are. If you’re interested in rejuvenating your appearance and looking younger, teeth whitening is a great option to make you feel better about how you look.

3. You’ve Tried DIY Whitening Kits With Poor Results
   DIY whitening kits like Crest Whitestrips are usually quite weak compared to professional whitening, requiring weeks or months of treatment to whiten your teeth.

   If you’ve tried at-home whitening kits and you weren’t thrilled with the results, this is a sign that professional whitening may be right for you. Professional whitening uses high-quality products and is customized for your particular needs. You’ll get a brighter smile if you work with a dentist – guaranteed.

4. You Need Brighter Teeth Fast For A Special Occasion
   Want to whiten your teeth before a wedding, a photoshoot, a major business meeting or for any other special occasion? In-office teeth whitening from a cosmetic dentist is your best option. Depending on your needs, it’s usually possible to whiten your teeth up to 5-8 shades in a single appointment, so you can get results quickly – in time for your special occasion.

Get Better Results With Professional Teeth Whitening!

If you need whiter teeth fast, the best way to get results is to work with a qualified cosmetic dental office, like Kantor Dental Group. Interested in getting started? Contact us now to schedule a cosmetic consultation, and begin your journey to a whiter smile.

Related Articles:
Is Whitening Toothpaste Safe For Daily Use?
What Are The Pros And Cons Of Using Activated Charcoal Toothpaste?
Is Teeth Whitening Safe For Me?
Which Teeth Whitening Method Should I Use?
Is Teeth Whitening Worth the Investment?

Today, I want to talk about or revisit a topic about activated charcoal.

Hello, I’m Dr. Grey Kantor here in San Rafael, California, with Kantor Dental Group, Aesthetic Dentistry and Implantology.

That topic you’ve seen on your Facebook feed about saying, “Hey! You can whiten your teeth much cheaper than the dentist as well as clean your teeth and make them look brighter”. These are, I think, appropriate claims. The activated charcoal will make your teeth look whiter, especially you haven’t seen your dentist a while and get them get your teeth cleaned.

Really, what that activated charcoal is doing is cleaning off the surface stains on your teeth. So, the surface stains on your teeth we clean off when you just come in for your dental cleaning. You’ll notice your teeth do look whiter just after a simple dental cleaning. We use an abrasive paste on your teeth. We use a medium abrasive here in our office. But the activated charcoal is generally uncontrolled about how abrasive it is. It can be very abrasive, slightly abrasive. You don’t know what you’re getting, and they don’t have to report it.

So, you’re using a sandpaper basically or polish on your teeth that removes the surface stains. Is this bad? I think use sparingly it’s not bad, right? If you use it once every six months, maybe even every three months. That’s OK. It’s when you use it daily, weekly, that’s a bit too much. And if you have any sort of acid, like if you eat orange juice or drink orange juice, eat oranges or something with acid in it. You’re going to wear away your enamel and your teeth will eventually start looking more and more yellow as the enamel wears away.

So, something to consider. But as a follow up to my previous video, I think it’s important to note that I don’t think it’s necessarily bad if used sparingly.

If you have any interests or comments about activated charcoal, definitely bring it up in the conversation below. I’d love to hear about it. I’m Dr. Grey Kantor here with Kantor Dental Group in San Rafael, California. Please subscribe!

Hello, I’m Dr. Grey Kantor here with Kantor Dental Group, Aesthetic Dentistry and Implantology.

Today, I want to talk about dental insurance plans, specifically private dental insurance plans. So, there’s two types of insurance plans you get. You get one through your employer, which your employer pays for and buys as a group for all the employees. And then there’s singular individual plans that you can buy directly from a dental insurance company. And they will offer that to you, usually at an increased price.

The reason why is it’s much cheaper for them to do group plan because some of those people in the group may never go get their cleanings. Some alone don’t need any dental work and maybe one or two of them need a lot of work. So, the people not using the plan are paying for the people who are using it. And that’s how group plans can be cost effective and much better. So, getting, first of all, getting your insurance from your employer is the best bet.

The individual plans I generally don’t think are good. Usually, you think about getting them when your dentist tells you have a problem. The problem is they all have waiting periods, either one or two years. So, if you have some problems, you’re not going to get those fixed because, you know, they need to be taken care of before the waiting period is over. Another problem with them is they have very low maximums. This means there’s a maximum total that that they’ll cover. And usually this maximum is a $1,000 per year, maybe $1,500 per year. That probably won’t get you too much dental work done in that year. Plus, your premium is going to be near that amount in that year. So, take a look at your premium compared to the maximum as well as what the waiting period is. Two important parts of a private dental insurance.

Our office, we offer a dental savers plan. Other offices offer this. So, these people without insurance and they offer a percentage off their treatment for a yearly fee. Our fee is $345.

If you have any other questions, definitely give us a call. If you have any other ideas or what you think about insurance comment below. Please like and subscribe. We’d love to hear what you have to say below.

Tooth decay is the main reason people go to the dentist, and much of the oral hygiene education is focused on how to prevent it. In fact, tooth decay is one of the most common health problems at a global level. Its prevalence is quite high, especially where dental services are costly and the regular diet of the population includes processed foods rich in sugar or carbohydrates.

How Do Cavities Form?

The process that leads to tooth decay has to do with how food is processed by our bodies. Any food we consume makes its way through our mouths, leaving harmful compounds on our teeth.

Plaque is a layer of bacteria on our teeth formed when we have sweet or starchy foods. The bacteria in our mouth is feeding on the simple sugars contained by such foods, and can quickly deposit on our teeth in a sticky, transparent layer.

Demineralization is a transfer of minerals from your teeth’s enamel to this layer of acidic, sticky plaque, leaving your teeth weaker and highly predisposed to getting cavities. Demineralization cannot be eliminated completely, but brushing and cleaning properly will stop the attack of plaque and facilitate the mineralization process, which is getting back those missing minerals in your enamel by having contact with saliva.

Unremoved plaque can quickly become hardened into a layer at the base of your teeth, where decay usually starts. Hardened plaque is called tartar and it can no longer be removed just by brushing: only a professional cleaning will get rid of it.

Tooth decay progresses when the enamel is so weak that bacteria are able to penetrate it and get to the pulp of your tooth. The following symptoms are pain, infections, swelling and a damaged tooth that needs dental treatment.

How to Prevent Tooth Decay?

It might seem redundant to mention it, but regular brushing and flossing are the main way of preventing cavities. These operations should be done properly, insisting on each tooth and getting to all the tight spaces in between them.

The food we eat is also an important factor in the formation of cavities, so staying away from sweet, starchy or acidic foods, especially the ones that tend to stick and linger in your mouth, is a good way of preventing cavities.

Another important step in preventing cavities from forming is going for regular dental check-ups, even if your teeth seem fine. A dentist can spot undetected tooth decay and evaluate your oral health with the skill and expertise that you wouldn’t reach home.

Related Articles:
Dental Erosion and Severe Tooth Decay Related To Sugary Drinks
4 Ways To Protect Your Teeth From Acid Reflux
How to Prevent Acid Erosion On Your Teeth
Are Silver Fillings Harming Your Health and What Can Be Done to Replace Them?

It’s no secret that grinding your teeth causes a host of issues in your mouth and jaw, but if you have this habit, you know that it’s not something you’re doing on purpose. If you’re at a loss as to how you can stop grinding your teeth, try these 7 strategies to keep from grinding at night.

1. Reduce Stress as Much as Possible
   

One of the biggest culprits for grinding teeth is stress in daily life. While it may be a tall order, try to find ways that you can cut back on the stress that you experience on a daily basis. Take small moments for relaxation whenever you can.

2. See a Physical Therapist
   

Though it often has a root in something mental or emotional, grinding your teeth has clear physical repercussions. A physical therapist can help teach you to unlearn this habit.

3. Limit Your Caffeine Intake

Try to drink as little caffeine as possible, but particularly in the hours leading up to bed. This will help you get more restful sleep, so your body literally won’t have the energy to waste on grinding your teeth.

4. Avoid Alcohol

Alcohol has been shown to increase the issue of teeth grinding at night, so drink as little as possible to cut back on the amount of grinding you do in your sleep. If you do partake, try to drink water before going to bed in order to dilute the effect.

5. Don’t Chew on Anything That’s Not Food

It’s a common habit to chew on pens, nails, and even gum to alleviate stress, but this can actually make teeth grinding symptoms worse. Avoid chewing anything that’s not food as it will train your jaw muscles to contract in this way too often.

6. Relax Your Jaw with a Warm Washcloth

Before you go to bed, lay a warm washcloth across your jaw to help ease the muscles prior to sleep. This will ensure that your jaw isn’t primed to start grinding as soon as you fall asleep.

7. Get Fitted for a Mouth Guard

If all else fails, asking the dentist to fit you for a mouth guard is the surest way to stop yourself from grinding your teeth until you can eliminate the root of the cause. This can be the form of instant help you’ve been looking for.

If you’ve been struggling with grinding your teeth and can’t seem to find relief, contact us to see how we can help.

Is your old manual toothbrush getting worn out? Thinking about investing in an electric toothbrush? Not sure if it’s worth the money? In this article, we’ll discuss whether or not electric toothbrushes are really better than manual toothbrushes. Let’s get started now!

Studies Show Electric & Manual Toothbrushes Are Just As Effective – When Used Properly!

Most studies about the efficacy of electric vs. manual toothbrushes have shown that they are quite similar in effectiveness.

One study, in particular, found that, while comparing electric vs. manual brushes, the use of proper brushing technique had the biggest impact on the effectiveness of brushing the teeth.

When users of both electric and manual toothbrushes were instructed in proper tooth brushing technique, both showed a great improvement in oral health.

So what does this mean? It means that, when used properly, both electric and manual toothbrushes have identical levels of effectiveness. But…

It’s Easier To Use An Electric Toothbrush Properly, Compared To A Manual Toothbrush

Using an electric toothbrush makes it easier to maintain proper brushing technique. Vibrating and rotating bristles help clean the surfaces of the teeth, and features like built-in timers help patients brush for the proper amount of time (at least 2 minutes).

Basically, using an electric toothbrush eliminates any guesswork, and automatically improves your brushing technique. These results in the buildup of less plaque and tartar, and better overall oral health.

Using an electric toothbrush is a “shortcut” to better oral health – and for this reason, we highly recommend that you invest in a high-quality electric toothbrush. A great electric toothbrush will last for years, if not decades – and it will pay off in better oral health.

What Kind Of Electric Toothbrush Should I Get?

Look for an electric toothbrush with an interchangeable head with relatively soft bristles. It should be easy to swap the head, which should be changed every few months for the best results. The head should rotate or vibrate to help dislodge plaque, food and other particles in your mouth.

A built-in timer is also a must-have feature. Most electric toothbrushes have a timer that can be set to alert you every 30 seconds, indicating that you should clean a new quadrant of your mouth. This helps you brush more effectively.

Know If An Electric Or Manual Toothbrush Is Right For You!

Proper brushing technique and consistent brushing are more important than the type of brush you use. But using an electric toothbrush can have some benefits, and help you maintain proper brushing technique – so they are definitely worth the investment.