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What You Need to Know About Sleep Apnea | Yorba Linda Dentist

We all love getting some sleep, especially after a long day. The fantastic feeling you have after a good night’s sleep is comparable to little else. But what if you don’t sleep well? Sadly, sleep disorders are a common occurrence. In fact, one in five people have obstructive sleep apnea, but they don’t know it as 85 percent of these sufferers have yet to be diagnosed.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea, or OSA, is a sleeping disorder that is caused by the constriction of throat muscles while you sleep, causing the inability to breathe. Once the brain realizes there is no breathing, it jolts the body awake to restart it. Breathing is restored, but sleep has been interrupted.

Because you’re asleep at the time, many don’t even realize they have an issue. But if you feel any of the following symptoms, it’s time to get checked out:

  • Loud snoring
  • Sleepiness or fatigue during the day
  • High blood pressure
  • Choking or gasping during sleep witnessed by others
  • Headaches, sore throat, dry mouth when you wake
  • Frequent urination at night
  • Poor concentration, reaction time, and/or memory
  • Poor decision-making
  • Loss of motivation, moodiness, loss of sex drive and work efficiency

So, if you find that you are having difficulty sleeping, or keeping your energy up during the day, you may have Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Make an appointment to get a sleep study done. If they find that it is OSA, there are ways to help you get a good night’s sleep.

For more information about Obstructive Sleep Apnea, call Dr. Andrey Eng in Yorba Linda, CA at 714-779-2736 or visit www.andreyengdds.com.

Dr. Eng proudly serve patients from Yorba Linda and all surrounding areas.

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Don’t Be Scared of Dental Appointments | Yorba Linda Dentist

If we want to maintain a healthy smile, we have some responsibilities. We need to brush, floss and rinse on a daily basis. But in addition, we need the watchful eye of our dental professional. This is why it is important to visit at least twice a year for a quick examination. But what if you have an actual fear of these visits? How do you not only sit through one visit a year, but two? Don’t worry – you aren’t alone. Of all the health professionals feared most by adults, the dentist is at the top of the list. So much so, Dental Anxiety (DA) is the official diagnosis.

Thankfully, the dental industry has been listening and have been busy making huge strides in order to calm those fears – sedation dentistry.

Sedation dentistry your dentist’s way to relax you enough to handle the dental procedure via medication. There are various levels that you can be sedated, from minimal sedation to the completely unconscious general anesthesia. What you receive will depend on your fear and the recommendation made by your dentist. A numbing agent will be administered to the area as well to alleviate any pain you may have from the procedure.

Nitrous oxide. If you aren’t in need of a lot to relax you, you will be given nitrous oxide, or laughing gas through a mask.

Oral sedative. Similar to a valium, a pill will be taken about an hour before your procedure so it has time to take effect, but you will be awake during the procedure.

General anesthesia. For the more invasive procedures, a deeper sedation will be administered prior but will render you unconscious and unable to awaken easily, unlike the other lighter versions.

For more information about sedation dentistry, call Dr. Andrey Eng in Yorba Linda, CA at 714-779-2736 or visit www.andreyengdds.com.

Dr. Eng proudly serve patients from Yorba Linda and all surrounding areas.

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Home Remedies for White Teeth | Yorba Linda Dentist

You can brush & floss every day, but your teeth may not keep its natural sheen. You can make appointments with your dental professional to have teeth whitening sessions, but that can get pricey. Behold are six easy ways to DIY your smile back to the pearly white scene you’re used to:

Most people are used to hearing about is a hydrogen peroxide and baking soda paste, so if you want to do it DIY style, just drop a few drops of hydrogen peroxide into a little bit of baking soda makes a paste.

Having these fruits handy will help brighten your smile in the most delicious way possible. Strawberries contain malic acid, and malic acid is fantastic at breaking down stains you would get from drinks like wine or coffee. So, grab a couple berries, add about a teaspoon of baking soda & apply to your teeth for 5-7 minutes. Want another? After you brush your teeth, peel a ripe banana and rub a piece of the inside on your teeth for two minutes. Minerals like potassium, magnesium, etc. will absorb into the enamel on your teeth, brightening it in a very nutritious way.

So, as you can see, it really isn’t that impossible to keep your smile the brightest it can be without busting your budget or using a bunch of harsh chemicals. Now, none of these DIY ideas should completely replace your oral practices in any wayThese teeth whitening recipes are intended to be used every couple months when you want your smile the best it can naturally be.

For more information about natural teeth whitening, call Dr. Andrey Eng in Yorba Linda, CA at 714-779-2736 or visit www.andreyengdds.com.

Dr. Eng proudly serve patients from Yorba Linda and all surrounding areas.

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Protect Yourself from Oral Cancer | Yorba Linda Dentist

Did you know that close to 50,000 patients are diagnosed with oral cancer every year? And that’s just in the U.S. If caught quickly, there is a good chance it can be taken care of, but prevention is key. Because April is oral cancer awareness month, let’s take a quick look at how we can stay on top of our health.

First there are risk factors to keep in mind. Excessive use of tobacco products is already bad for you, but if you have this particular habit, paying close attention to any sores or patches in your mouth. Alcohol use and poor diet also play into oral cancer signs. Physical trauma and exposure to infectious disease are also ways you may develop symptoms. The best way to stay on top of your oral health is to give yourself a quick exam every month. With a bright light and a mirror, follow these guidelines:

  • If you wear dentures, remove them.
  • Look and feel the insides of your lips and front of your gums
  • Tilt your head and check out the roof of your mouth
  • Tug your cheek so you can analyze the surfaces and back of your mouth
  • Inspect all areas of your tongue
  • Feel your lymph nodes to make sure they aren’t getting enlarged and there are no lumps

You are trying to find any type of persistent sores or growths that may cause you to have issues eating, speaking. If you feel you may have symptoms of oral cancer, make an oral cancer screening appointment with your dental professional.

For more information about oral cancer, call Dr. Andrey Eng in Yorba Linda, CA at 714-779-2736 or visit www.andreyengdds.com.

Dr. Eng proudly serve patients from Yorba Linda and all surrounding areas.

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Bright and White Smiles at Home | Yorba Linda Dentist

The more brilliant your teeth, the better your smile looks to everyone you’re smiling at. The problem with white teeth really lies in the degree you take your oral hygiene. There’s always over-the-counter versions and professional treatments to do at home, but what if there was a way to do it without going the chemical route? Here are some natural options:

Old reliable. You can find a lot of toothpastes with these ingredients, but if you want to do it DIY style, just drop a few drops of hydrogen peroxide into a little bit of baking soda makes a paste

Fruit. Strawberries contain malic acid, fantastic at breaking down stains so grab a couple berries, add about a teaspoon of baking soda & rub on your teeth for 5-7 minutes. Peel a ripe banana and rub a piece of the inside on your teeth for two minutes to brighten your smile in a very nutritious way.

Apple cider vinegar. Chances are you have some apple cider vinegar in your pantry. Dilute it with some water (3 parts water, 1 part vinegar) and mix it with an all-natural toothpaste, you’ve made a tooth whitening solution.

Coconut oil. Swishing coconut oil around in your mouth for 20 minutes is a possible solution to dingy teeth. Or heat a cup of coconut oil, add two teaspoons of baking soda and 5-10 drops of natural spearmint essential oil for a natural whitener.

Charcoal. One of the latest detoxifying trends is to use activated charcoal due to its porous nature. The recipe is simple: mix with a little bit of water, gently apply it to your teeth, leave to set in your mouth for two minutes, then rinse.

For more information about teeth whitening, call Dr. Andrey Eng in Yorba Linda, CA at 714-779-2736 or visit www.andreyengdds.com.

Dr. Eng proudly serve patients from Yorba Linda and all surrounding areas.

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Why Should I Have My Wisdom Teeth Removed? | Yorba Linda Dentist

It’s believed by many that wisdom teeth are a byproduct of evolution and that it was once necessary for ancient humans, whose diet consisted mainly of raw and unprocessed meat, plants, nuts and seeds, to chew and digest their food properly.

Even if they are hidden under the surface of your gums, your wisdom teeth are not free from disease. In fact, the third molars are actually quite prone to cavities, abscesses, gum diseases, cysts and so on. Also, if they are impacted, your wisdom teeth may end up damaging any adjacent teeth.

To prevent any complication caused by wisdom teeth, many people opt to have their wisdom teeth removed almost immediately as they appear. Not all dentists, however, recommend extraction. At least, not in all cases. In fact, most dentists agree that wisdom teeth should be evaluated to see if extraction is really necessary.

As far as making a decision goes, it’s best to consult your dentist and ask what is best for your oral health. If your dentist sees no problem in you keeping your last set of molars, you should take it as a sign that you’re one of the lucky few who didn’t have to go through the painful experience of their wisdom teeth crowding or impacting the adjacent teeth.

Remember, the only way to remove a wisdom tooth is through surgery. Although relatively safe, all surgical procedures are at risk for some sort of complication, especially in this case because the surgery to have wisdom teeth removed requires the use of either local or general anesthesia.

For more information about wisdom teeth, call Dr. Andrey Eng in Yorba Linda, CA at 714-779-2736 or visit www.andreyengdds.com.

Dr. Eng proudly serve patients from Yorba Linda and all surrounding areas.

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Is It an Emergency? | Yorba Linda Dentist

No matter how much we try to avoid it, accidents happen. And from time to time, this accident affects your teeth. And whether it needs immediate attention or can wait for an appointment, it’s time to visit the dentist. But how do you know? Here are some basic rules of thumb to keep in mind:

If a tooth is knocked out completely, immediate care is required to save it. It’s possible that the tooth can be re-implanted if you get to the dentist within an hour or so. If you lose a tooth, rinse it with water, making sure not to touch the root.

If you chip or break a tooth, call your dentist – they’ll likely ask you to visit the office in the coming days for inspection. It’s difficult to know the extent of the damage without x-rays and proper checkup, so even if you think it isn’t a big deal, make sure to prevent further damage.

If the tooth is pushed inward or outward, GENTLY try to straighten it but do not try to force it into its socket and call your dentist, making sure to stabilize the tooth with gauze or tissue on your way.

As with tooth pain of any kind, there are some simple things you can do at home while you wait for an appointment. Rinse with warm saltwater. If you’re experiencing swelling, apply a cold compress, and take a pain reliever. A typical toothache is likely not an emergency, but you should have the tooth checked as soon as possible.

Accidents will happen – but it isn’t time to panic. Rest assured, your dentist can help treat injuries as they happen.

For more information about dental emergencies, call Dr. Andrey Eng in Yorba Linda, CA at 714-779-2736 or visit www.andreyengdds.com.

Dr. Eng proudly serve patients from Yorba Linda and all surrounding areas.

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Start the New Year with New Dental Habits | Yorba Linda Dentist

We all try to improve our quality of life in the new year, and this upcoming new year is no different. But when you think about improving your health, do you ever think about your dental health? I won’t assume but it is likely that the answer is no. I will encourage you to think twice about that as you write your resolutions for 2020. Because in a way, your oral health dictates the rest of your body.

We know a proper dental routine includes brushing, flossing and rinsing with mouthwash, but a couple of these steps may be done in error, or completely missed altogether. If you are forgetting to do any of these steps, it’s time to rethink your habits. Don’t get overwhelmed, here’s a quick rundown. Promise it isn’t as scary as you think…

When it comes to dental health, the best thing you can do is stay on top of your oral hygiene. Make sure you do three things: brush for two minutes with fluoride toothpaste, rinse and floss twice daily, change your toothbrush every few months or after being sick, and see your dentist regularly.

You may not think it’s important but rinsing with an antimicrobial mouthwash is your leading line of defense when gum disease presents itself in your mouth. Not only does it help cure gingivitis, but also prevents bleeding gums and inflammation by eliminating the bacteria in your mouth causing the irritation. The brand or flavor is up to you, just make sure it’s accepted by the American Dental Association (ADA).

Taking care of your teeth doesn’t take work, just a conscious effort. And now we have a whole new year to get it right…

For more information about dental hygiene, call Dr. Andrey Eng in Yorba Linda, CA at 714-779-2736 or visit www.andreyengdds.com.

Dr. Eng proudly serve patients from Yorba Linda and all surrounding areas.

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Battle Royale: Traditional Braces vs. Clear Braces | Yorba Linda Dentist

During the holiday season, it is tough to dodge a photo op. So many social gatherings to attend with our loved ones, and everyone seems to have a social media page needing new content. But if you don’t have a smile you are proud of, it can be a trying time. Crooked teeth affect us all – but no matter who is in need of a perfect set of pearly whites, there are a few options on the market you can go with. The problem is… which is the better choice to fix them – the classic braces or the more inconspicuous Invisalign?

The first, and most obvious option, is to go with the tried-and-true braces. They have the most history of success, are affordable, and are almost a rite of passage for a teenager. They were silver metal back in the day but can now come in a ceramic that makes them a whole lot less noticeable. There are also colors you can choose from to create a custom look. On the downside, you still have to get them tightened every month or so and broken pieces are a hassle. But you are guaranteed a gorgeous smile as a result.

Since 1998, Invisalign’s transparent tooth aligners have revolutionized the orthodontic world. This system can now straighten your teeth without wires and glued brackets, but clear, removable trays. The treatment time is generally a third of traditional braces but are more expensive and it takes a lot more discipline to maintain the strict regimen of wearing the aligners 22 hours/day (plus the additional steps it takes to clean). The option you choose really depends on your particular case.

For more information about braces, call Dr. Andrey Eng in Yorba Linda, CA at 714-779-2736 or visit www.andreyengdds.com.

Dr. Eng proudly serve patients from Yorba Linda and all surrounding areas.

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How to Protect Yourself from Oral Cancer | Yorba Linda Dentist

It is an estimated 53,000 new cases of oral cancer will be diagnosed this year alone. It’s a frightening thought, but if it is caught early enough, it is likely to be treatable. But what exactly is causing cancer to develop in the mouth?

First, realize keeping a healthy lifestyle is best, but there are also risk factors to keep in mind. Excessive use of tobacco products is already bad for you, but if you have this particular habit, you have a high risk of developing some form of oral cancer in some area of your mouth. This is why it is important to pay close attention to any sores or patches in your mouth. Alcohol use and poor diet also play into oral cancer signs. Physical trauma and exposure to infectious disease are also ways you may develop symptoms.

The best way to stay on top of your oral health is to give yourself a quick exam every month. With a bright light and a mirror, follow these guidelines:

  • If you wear dentures, remove them.
  • Look and feel the insides of your lips and front of your gums
  • Tilt your head and check out the roof of your mouth
  • Tug your cheek so you can analyze the surfaces and back of your mouth
  • Inspect all areas of your tongue
  • Your lymph nodes to make sure they aren’t getting enlarged and there are no lumps

You are trying to find any type of persistent sores or growths that may cause you to have issues eating, speaking. If you feel you may have symptoms of oral cancer, make an oral cancer screening appointment with your dental professional.

For more information about oral cancer, call Dr. Andrey Eng in Yorba Linda, CA at 714-779-2736 or visit www.andreyengdds.com.

Dr. Eng proudly serve patients from Yorba Linda and all surrounding areas.