Welcome to our office and thank you for checking us out!
Did you know that Flossing can increase your Life Expectancy?
We encourage ANY questions you have about your smile. And we look forward to seeing you. 
Are you afraid? Nervous?
We understand some people may be nervous about coming to the dental office. We started out as patients, too! What we can tell you is we will take care of you. We will be as gentle as we can and make you as comfortable as you can be on the chair. Sometimes patients may even fall asleep on us due to our calm environment.
We always encourage you to let us know if there is too much water during any procedure or if you just need to take a break or rinse out. We understand that you cannot really talk while we are working on your mouth, but you can always raise your hand and just let us know. We really don't mind. We just want you to feel comfortable.
Concerned about your sensitive teeth before a cleaning?
If you are a patient with sensitive teeth, we understand that, too. Depending on what is causing your sensitivity, sometimes a nice trick is just some numbing gel. No anesthesia involved. Of course, this may not be the case for everyone.
For patients who have heavy plaque and tartar, or present with early to aggressive signs of gum disease, a more comprehensive treatment may be necessary.
Has it been a while since your last dental cleaning and check-up?
If you are a patient who requires gum maintenance of 3 to 4 months, then "a while" to you may mean you have not shown up in 6 months. Coming regularly allows us to monitor and maintain your gum health, as well as the rest of your mouth.
If you are a patient prone to cavities and you have not visited in a year that may also be too long of a wait.
If you have not had a dental cleaning in 2 to 20+ years, it’s time. Many events may have evolved since then, possibly with your gums or untreated cavities, and we want to help you address
them before the conditions progress.
them before the conditions progress.
No insurance?
We understand some people may have lost or do not currently have insurance, however, please review our service fees with us and consider what you can afford (or what part of your oral health you are not willing to compromise).
Treatment payment plans are available and we will work with you on that so that our services can still be accessible for you.
Too busy with work? School? Just had a baby? Change in daily routine?
We know. Still we would like to see you as best as you possibly can. Often times you may have dental needs that should to be addressed that you are not aware of.
We know. Still we would like to see you as best as you possibly can. Often times you may have dental needs that should to be addressed that you are not aware of.
Avoiding us unless you have pain?
If you are experiencing any severe pain, sensitivity, or discomfort please contact us, or our emergency number immediately. We are here to help and relieve you so that you can go on with your daily routine.
Avoiding the dentist is a common trend for some people, possibly due to lack of insurance or busy schedules. We encourage you to come for your regular check-ups. Practicing irregular visits
can be less beneficial to you in the long run. Patients may complain of pain due to tooth abscess or a cavity that could possibly turn into a root canal, to name a few. Coming regularly could
avoid these situations, and prevent bigger, invasive, and more costly procedures in the future.
can be less beneficial to you in the long run. Patients may complain of pain due to tooth abscess or a cavity that could possibly turn into a root canal, to name a few. Coming regularly could
avoid these situations, and prevent bigger, invasive, and more costly procedures in the future.
We believe in prevention and strong dental care. Taking care of your mouth is just as important as taking care of your body. That is why each patient receives a tooth kit to take home with them after every cleaning. Proper daily Brushing and Flossing is a great start to a healthy mouth.
What's the correct way to Brush? Don't worry. Most people ask this same question. We will educate you on what to do and other techniques that are more fit for your own personal dental routine. For now, if interested, here are a few general guidelines:
- Brush at least TWO minutes. - After you wake up and Before you sleep.
- Always brush softly using soft bristle toothbrush. (Unless otherwise recommended.)
- Brush tooth of: outside, inside, and chewing surfaces.
- Reach all the way in the back!
- Floss daily. Very important.
- Don't forget the tongue! 50% of bacteria in our mouth may lie on our tongue!
- It's a good idea to brush after eating or drinking from lots of sweets.
- Replace toothbrush once it starts fanning out.
Children:
- Brush in circles.
- Yes children can floss. This helps them get into the habit of flossing as they grow up.
- It's best to monitor your child's brushing and flossing with them until they can truly brush and remove as much plaque effectively on their own. Perhaps allow them to brush in the morning, while you brush with them and check at night.
Adults:
- Brush at a 45 degree angle.
- Slowly adapt bristles onto and in between teeth and underneath gum.
- Move bristles softly back and forth.
- Then, brush away from gums.
- Use vertical angle on front teeth if you have a narrow mouth.
Orthodontics (Braces):
- Brushing in between meals is good idea.
- Food can trap easily when especially with braces.
- Using "interdental toothbrush" is great for removing food in between.
Did you know that flossing may increase your life span? Flossing plays an important role in our dental home-care. Brushing alone is not enough. It is recommended to floss regularly, at least once a day. Flossing only takes a couple of minutes of your day, but the benefits can last a lifeftime!
- Slide floss gently side to side all the way up to the gum line.
- Wrap floss around tooth in the shape of a letter “C”.
- Remove food or plaque in an up and down direction.
- For cleaning underneath bridges, a floss threader is helpful.
Benefits
- Flossing prevents cavities from forming between teeth.
- Flossing prevents progression of GUM and BONE disease.
- Flossing prevents bad breath.
- And flossing helps prevent other chronic diseases!
If you don't like flossing, try Water-Pik. Its a great alternative for some people. Ask us more, in interested!
Which Should I Use?
Choosing the right toothbrush is different for everyone. If you find you are not cleaning well with a manual toothbrush, try an electric toothbrush. It might work better for you. Sometimes the manual brushing technique may just need to be modified and not necessarily a brush replacement. Please ask us how to brush for more details or refer to the "How Should I Brush?" article back at the Home page.
Toothbrushes are offered in varying textures of bristles, and come in different shapes and sizes. The standard recommendation is a "SOFT" bristle toothbrush becase of less damage to the teeth and gums.
All we care about is what toothbrush works BEST for YOU, and one that you will USE and you feel most COMFORTABLE with.
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Some come with tongue scraper
- Easy to travel
Cons:
- No built in timer after 2 minutes is up
- May be difficult for some people to hold onto firmly
Taken at the Greater New York Dental Meeting in 2008,
where dental professional meet annaully early Dec. to learn of
the latest developments in dentistry. ALL persons are invited!
Pros:
- May be a better alternative in removing plaque for some people
- Larger handles easier to grasp
- Automatically shuts off after 2 minutes
- Controls force for you (Excellent for hard brushers!)
- Buzzing feels good to people
- Some can be expensive
- Requires charging or battery placement
- Plaque is that whitish/yellow soft stuff you in between your teeth.
- Usually by the gum line.
- It's made up of MANY bacterial cells!
- It cannot be removed by just using mouthrinse.
- Only brushing and flossing can remove plaque. (Mouthwash doesn't do the trick.)
- Plaque can cause cavities and gum disease so it's important to maintain good dental hygiene.
Calculus.
No, not the math subject. Its other name is “TARTAR”.
- Tartar is matured, hardened plaque.
- Tartar gives plaque a place to harbor. Plaque causes gum
disease. - Plaque can mineralizes into tartar as quickly as 4 to 8
hours! - And can mature around 12 days, if not removed.
- To PREVENT tartar, brush and floss daily.
- Tartar control toothpaste may help.
- Once it forms and you can see it, you cannot remove it anymore by brushing
hard (common misconception!) or flossing. - So it's best to visit us your dentist or dental hygienist as
recommended, so that we can remove your plaque and tartar build-up and maintain your gums and oral health.
Dr. Estrella will occasionally remind us how "Dentistry is like an Art." You need to be meticulous and methodical with your hands in either profession. There is a lot of carefulness that comes with carving a silver filling, shaping a white filling or temporary crown, and even picking the right color shade for your next denture, crown, bridge, veneer, etc.
The cardinal bird is famously recognized in our office restroom by our patients. It is surrounded by a cheerfully decorated wall, hand painted by Dr. Estrella herself.