4 Reasons You Should Have Straight Teeth

Are your teeth not quite positioned where you’d like them? A Stunning and, more importantly, a healthy smile can make a huge difference on your quality of life. Having a beautiful smile of straight teeth will give you more confidence as well as improve upon your overall oral health! Don’t believe us? Here are the top 4 reasons of why you should have straight teeth.

1) Improved Oral Health

Not commonly known, straight teeth are, in fact, healthier. Having straight teeth results in fewer cavities, less discoloration, and less uneven wear or fractures. Furthermore, the gum tissue around straight teeth are less likely to develop periodontal disease. Straight teeth and healthy gums means you can chew anything you please because your teeth are less likely to be sensitive to heat and cold. Straight teeth not only look great, but they lower your risk of painful and costly dental problems.

2) More Self Confidence

Another reason to consider straight teeth is very simple… Self confidence. Unfortunately in our visually-based society appearance does matter. Studies have show again and again the benefits of an attractive appearance and smile as it relates to job opportunities, the amount of money you make, and even the people you attract into your life. Like it or not, your smile is a reflection of you.

3) Cheaper Dental Costs

Generally saving money doesn’t come to mind when thinking about having a beautiful smile, but straight are less inclined to accidents. Teeth that protrude are easily broken from falling, hitting the rim of your drink, sports collisions, car accidents and much more. In addition, mentioned in item 1, a straight smile is easier to care for and often, more cared for. Ultimately reducing your dental procedures and costly surgery. So if your teeth aren’t where you’d like to be, think about ‘paying it forward’. Not only for your wallet, but for your self confidence too!

4) Longer Life Span

Shocking, but did you know having straight teeth could help you live longer. Studies show that people who manage their oral hygiene effectively on average live an extra 7 years. This meaning daily flossing and brushing. However, studies also prove those with crooked or crowded teeth are less likely to maintain this regiment. Falling behind on this could result in gum disease and individuals with gum disease are over 30 percent more likely to suffer coronary artery disease. Straight teeth not only are easier to keep clean, but those with straight teeth are more likely to take care of them.

Our passion is oral health and seeing the individuals of Orange County happy and healthy! We appreciate you taking the time to read our latest post on straight teeth. Call us today with any questions you might have and don’t forget about our Invisalign special sure to get you on the right path of happiness and health.

Choosing a Family and Cosmetic Dentist

Choosing a dentist for you and your family can be a daunting task.. What do I need? What do the kids need? Is there a dentist that can cover us for years to come? We’ve found a few helpful tips for your selection process.

Family Dentistry

Upon selecting a dentist for your family, it is key to find one with proper training and experience to meet the needs of your family’s dental needs. Here are a few necessary items when looking for a family dentist:

  • Training
  • Experience
  • Services
  • Atmosphere

Read Full Description

Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic Dentistry is often misunderstood simply for the fact that some people don’t know their even doing it! From whitening, to shaping, and veneers, cosmetic dentistry is very rewarding for patients. It gives them a second chance at the smile they deserve. Dr. Spath is proud to offer the following cosmetic dentistry solutions:

  • Teeth whitening
  • Bonding
  • Implants

Read Full Description

To learn whether you and your family could use our dental services, contact Dr. Spath who will guide you down the right dental path at (949) 612-2356 or reach us via our email.

DIY Dental Care

At home, between check-ups!

There is no substitute for seeing your dentist for regular checkups at least twice a year. The dental care they provide, in state-of-the-art facilities, with high tech equipment, is not something you can replicate at home.

There are, however, many things you can do at home (DIY) between visits.

dental DIY recipes for good teeth health

DIY Quick Tips at a Glance

#1 Green Drinks!

They’re everywhere these days. Most juice bars (think Jamba Juice) have them. Your local grocery store should have a version or two (we know Trader Joe’s does!) and you can make them at home. Green drinks and juices can be easily found AND they don’t have to taste bad. With added fruits such as pineapple and apple, green drinks offer a little sweetness with a powerful pack of nutrients.

green smoothy

Reason:

According to one of our favorite sources, Dr. Ax, a doctor of natural medicine and clinical nutritionist, the enzymes in green drinks provides protection from tooth decay and plaque formation.

DIY Tip:

Pick one up at your favorite juice bar location or make one at home & drink away!

A Quick Recipe

In a juicer blend the following: 

  • 2 Apples
  • 3 Kale spears

Transfer to a blender & blend in:

  • 1 Banana
  • ½ Mango
  • 1 Ripe Peach

Add coconut milk or fresh juice for volume and YUM!

Don’t have a juicer?

That’s okay, you can pick up this same combo at your local juice shop. Just ask!

healthy food for healthy teeth

#2 Healthy Food!

From Superfoods to raw, wholesome fruits & vegetables; healthy food is our biggest DIY oral health asset. They are readily available and, when consumed daily, work in our best defense for a healthy mouth. So which foods rank as the top choices for a healthy diet?

  1. Wild-caught fish such as salmon and mackerel
  2. Raw foods such as carrots and apples
  3. Foods with a high level of fat soluble vitamins like coconut and bone broth.

Reason:

These healthy foods help fight gum disease in various ways.

Wild-caught fish contains beneficial Omega-3’s that reduce inflammation, while fresh, raw vegetables help clean teeth while we eat them. Additionally, the really great benefits of fat-soluble vitamins from foods like coconut and bone broth help to fight gingivitis. How cool is that?

Foods can aid with good oral hygiene and help us out! Do It Yourself!

DIY Tip:

Go to the farmer’s market, fill your bags with fresh produce & eat more healthy food!

DIY Healthy Foods [Sample] Grocery List:

  • Wild Salmon
  • Celery
  • Apples
  • Coconut
  • Grass-Fed Beef
  • Carrots
  • Raw Milk
  • Almonds
  • Strawberries
  • Sardines
  • Bone Broth
  • Broccoli

Add in healthy foods like almonds, raw milk and Kale for a well-rounded variety!
Note: This grocery list is intended as a sample to get you started as a helpful part of your DIY Dental Care.

teeth whitening in newport beach

#3 Dentist Offered At-Home Whitening Kits

While there definitely are ways to whiten your teeth with peroxide based products, many processes are unclear, potentially unsafe and often don’t provide long-lasting results. It may seem convenient, quick and easy to take it upon yourself to follow an at home recipe; in fact, it could work! However, the safest way to ensure the best results at home are with kits that your dentist dispenses.

Reason:

As we mentioned above, results with products and recipes that you find through alternative resources may or may not provide good results. On the other hand, with at-home whitening kits directly from your dentist, you can be confident that you are getting a product that your dentist believes in, one that will give you the results you are looking for.

DIY Tip:

Check in with your dentist and purchase a kit directly from a professional.

Teeth Whitening Trays in Newport Beach California

DIY Teeth Whitening Considerations:

While at home kits can give you immediate results in the comfort of your own home, there are other factors to consider with keeping your teeth white.

  • Stay Hydrated!

If you are drinking more water it is less likely that you will choose other types of drinks that can stain your teeth. Also, water helps keep bacteria from building up on your teeth.

  • Ensure Best Results.

Your dentist will be able to provide you with detailed instructions and a customized whitening tray. Be sure to follow directions completely.

  • Know the Alternatives!

DIY kits from your dentist are a great way to take care of your teeth-whitening needs at home, it’s true. However, if you are not comfortable doing it yourself, please trust your dentist to take care of your whitening needs in-office. Consider these reasons for allowing us to help with your whitening needs – Click Here

With all of these DIY tips, we encourage you to do what it takes to take care of your teeth in between checkups, with confidence, at home.

You can Do-It-Yourself! As usual, we are always here for you, CALL US for any help you may need.

Other posts you may like:

Teeth Whitening Tips & Solutions

Dr Spath put together this great (short) video to help you understand the differences between today’s leading teeth whitening options to determine which solution may be right for you.

Different whitening options and their advantages:

Crest White Strips and other over the counter whitening systems.

Advantages:

  • Ease of access
  • Cost

Disadvantages:

  • Results
  • Comfort
  • Patient compliance

Whitening trays:

Advantages:

  • Under doctor supervision
  • Can be used repeatedly over time for a better result
  • Cost effective

Disadvantages:

  • Can require multiple uses
  • Patient compliance

In office whitening:

Advantages:

  • Under doctor’s supervision
  • Best results with single use

Disadvantages:

  • It is only a single use so the results are the results and can require multiple visits.

Contact our Newport Beach dental office to learn more on the options available and which one is right for you: (949) 612-2356

Dental Implant vs Crown: How to Choose the Right Solutions.

Today, a lot of dental research, news and progression revolves around implant dentistry. In the past when a tooth went bad, or a tooth and nerve died, a root canal was performed to get rid of any infection and allow the tooth to be restored. Dr Spath explains several reasons a dental implant may be a better solution than a root canal and crown in this short video.

Today there is an alternative to root canals called a dental implant. Generally a root canal will still be performed when the tooth structure has a good, or the patient doesn’t have a high risk for decay. The last thing you want to do is to perform a root canal with a crown on a patient who has a high susceptibility to future decay, forcing a retraction of the tooth down the road.

Implant success rates range between 92-97% depending on which jaw they are performed on and the quality of bone. Though root canals and crowns have a similar success rate, the re-treatment rate drops into the low 80 percentile. At this rate it is important to initially determine the best long term solution for the patient, which may be a dental implant.

Reasons to consider a dental implant:

  • If the patient has a high risk of tooth decay (Root canal and crowns get reinfected) an implant is the best solution.
  • If it is the second root canal on a specific tooth (root canal retreat) an implant should installed.
  • If there is minimal amount of healthy tooth remaining to support a restoration an implant should be performed.
  • If a root canal tooth supports a bridge an implant can be performed.

Learn more about Crowns here: Crowns & Bridges

Learn more about Implants: Dental Implants

Tip: 5 Ways to Tell If Your Crown Fits

Dr. Spath describes 5 simple ways to tell if your dental crown fits correctly in this short video.

5 symptoms that your crown may not fit:

  1. Trapping food: Do you consistently get food trapped between your crown and opposing teeth?
  2. Gum inflammation: Have you noticed an increase in inflammation?
  3. Shredding floss: If you can’t easily floss your teeth you may not have a good fit.
  4. You are not able to chew on it: Do you experience pain, discomfort or similar disconnect when chewing food with the crown?
  5. Sensitive to temperature: Have you become more sensitive to temperature?

If you are experiencing any of these systems you most likely have a crown that needs to be assessed.

Contact Dr. Spath’s office in Newport Beach, CA today to schedule a consultation.

Phone: (949) 612-2356
Web: https://newportbeach-dentist.com

Why choose teeth whitening at Dr. Spath’s Dentist Office

Teeth whitening is a procedure that is getting quite popular in the past few years mostly because of the significant advance in technology and the methods practiced by experienced dentists. However, not all dentists practice safe and efficient methods because some of them are not well informed while others are trying to achieve these effects by using cheaper methods. By visiting Dr. Andrew Spath’s dentist office in Newport Beach you can be sure that you are getting a professional and serious treatment. Now let’s point out few advantages of using his services that make Dr. Spath the best dentist in Newport.

First of all, their office is focused on preserving the health of teeth and gums. They use only proven tools and methods for whitening teeth which are secure for the health of the teeth and your body in general. After the teeth whitening treatment a special protective agent is applied which additionally strengthens the tooth structure. During the treatment, the dentists are constantly checking the state of the teeth in order to ensure that the procedure is giving the best results without damaging the soft and hard tissues found in the mouth.

This dentist office is also practicing an individual approach. This means that in order to have a proper teeth whitening without any negative effects, you should visit the office where Dr. Spath will determine the cause of discoloration of teeth, set the correct diagnosis and then explain all the available methods for whitening teeth. Besides that, they are paying special attention to the conversation with the patients because they want to be sure that they will meet the patient’s expectations. Only when a dentist knows the expectations of their patient they can choose the right whitening method.

In order to perform whitening in the right way, teeth must be thoroughly cleaned. If all soft and hard deposits are not removed properly, the bleach will not be able to reach all surfaces of the teeth, so you can’t expect to get the desired result. In addition, the dentist prepares the individual application foils based on the impression of your teeth, ensuring a full effect of the whitening agent on all the surfaces of the teeth which leads to excellent results. It is easy to find this type of foils in the pharmacies and many people use them in order to finish this procedure without any help, but the truth is that the effects of this type of whitening are not very good and they don’t last long. The results you will get at Dr. Spath’s dental office will last for a long period of time.

In addition, they are offering the possibility of teeth whitening with extracted nerves. This is a procedure that can be performed only by experienced and qualified dentists.

Teeth whitening is and should remain under dentist’s supervision because this treatment requires adequate preparation of teeth and gums that can be done only by a certified dentist.

Dentist in Newport Beach describes a Smile Makeover

Do you want to rejuvenate your smile? Are you dealing with dental imperfections that make you feel self-conscious when you laugh, speak with others, and grin? Are you ready to make a dramatic change to your smile in a way that is beautiful and natural looking? If so, you may be a great candidate for a smile makeover in Newport Beach.

Dr. Andrew Spath, DDS is a Newport Beach dentist who can provide a dazzling, gorgeous smile with a complete smile makeover. This is a method of rejuvenating the smile with one or more cosmetic procedures to improve the aesthetics of the teeth. At the practice of Dr. Andrew Spath, DDS, patients are encouraged to schedule a consultation appointment and examination so we can understand the changes desired and make appropriate recommendations, which may include:

  • Porcelain veneers
  • Invisalign orthodontics
  • Dental crowns and bridges
  • Dental implants
  • Professional teeth whitening

Patients are encouraged to visit an experienced aesthetic dentist such as Dr. Andrew Spath, DDS of Newport Beach to develop a treatment plan that best fits the needs and budget of each individual. Some patients may need just one aesthetic treatment, while other treatment plans may incorporate several different solutions for a dramatic change. Depending on the severity of the concerns, patients may be able to change the way they look in just one appointment!

Just like a plastic surgeon can improve the body, a cosmetic dentist can improve the smile. We understand that many of our patients want to achieve a more desirable appearance and we believe aesthetic services can help.

If you are ready to transform your smile, contact Dr. Andrew Spath, DDS today to schedule your initial appointment and learn about the methods of rejuvenation used in his state-of-the-art practice with his caring, helpful team. We work hard to provide preventative, general, and cosmetic dentistry that meets the needs of our patients while allowing them to afford the enhancements they desire.

Choosing your smile

How much do you love your smile? If your response is less than enthusiastic, it may be time for the magic of cosmetic dentistry. Dr. Andrew Spath, of Newport Beach, CA, is a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, and one of the foremost cosmetic dentists in the area. No matter what you dislike about your smile, he has a beautiful solution.

A smile makeover may include one or several cosmetic dentistry procedures. The idea is simply to correct all esthetic flaws in your teeth. It is important to remember that there is only one person qualified to judge the appearance of your smile – you. The first step is looking in a mirror and deciding exactly what you want changed, and what result you want.

When you see Dr. Spath for your initial consultation, he will want to know your hopes and goals. After performing an examination, he will explain what can be accomplished, and what procedures are available. Often, several options can accomplish the same end goal. Dr. Spath will clearly explain the pros and cons, as well as making a recommendation if there is a clear “best choice.” A few of the things you may need to decide are:

Gold vs. porcelain

You may think of gold restorations as outdated, but they still have a number of advantages over tooth colored materials. Gold restorations are typically stronger, more conservative, and longer lasting. Depending on where they are placed, they might never be noticed by anyone but a dentist.

Bridges vs. implants

Dental implants are considered the superior solution in nearly every situation. However, bridges can be more economical (in the short term) and faster.

Teeth whitening vs. veneers

Simple bleaching can work wonders on yellowed and stained teeth. However, not all stains and discoloration respond well to the solution. Although teeth whitening will improve nearly anyone’s smile, some patients may need veneers to achieve snowy white.

Root canal vs. implants

Some teeth are simply too loose or damaged to restore; they can be extracted and replaced with dental implants. However, with the expertise of Dr. Spath and his dedicated team you will be surprised how many natural teeth can be saved!

Dr. Spath is your partner in oral health and beautiful smiles. He will guide you through the process, helping you make informed decisions. Call (949) 612 2356 today and begin the journey to the smile of your dreams.