Gregg and Springer, DDS

Common toothache problems

admin — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 17:12:27 +0000

One of the most common dental problems, toothaches, have a wide variety of causes and treatments. Gum, jaw, and tooth pain can be easily confused with one another, and without the help of a professional dentist they can be almost impossible to diagnose. However, in a lot of cases where teeth are hurting or sensitive to temperature changes it may be a sign of one of these problems:

Tooth decay: Cavities–caused by acids, sugars, and bacteria penetrating the enamel–will eventually reach past the enamel, causing either direct sensitivity of the nerve, or microcavities in the teeth that are sensitive to heat, cold, and different types of pressure.
New teeth coming in: When adult teeth or wisdom teeth are erupting through the gums, the inflammation associated with it can make teeth sore.
Tooth fracture: Accidentally biting the wrong thing can create an external or internal fracture or crack in a tooth. In some cases a chipped tooth is extremely painful, other times it may not cause any pain at all. Depending on how the tooth is damaged, it will be more or less sensitive.
Losing a filling: Fillings may fall out or be knocked out, resulting in a previously cleaned and filled cavity being opened. Because this part of the tooth may be hard to clean, it generally will degrade faster than the rest of teeth due to buildup of food or acids.
Infection of the gums: If there is inflammation, swelling, or other signs of infection, pain in the gums can sometimes feel like pain in the tooth. Infections are important to treat soon because they can quickly damage the mouth or spread beyond it.

Using a fluoride-based toothpaste to brush, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash are generally good ways to avoid degradation of the teeth and complications leading to tooth damage. Healthy gums are also crucial to maintaining good overall oral health, and preventing toothaches. There are many other causes of a toothache, and many will vary in terms of sensitivity to temperature, sensitivity to sweets, and pain when applying pressure.

If your toothache lasts for more than a few days, or is uncomfortable, call the office of Dr. William Y. Gregg at 949-770-7686.

William Y Gregg, DDS‎
30131 Town Center Drive, Suite 220
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
(949) 770-7686

Wisdom teeth and common problems

admin — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 20:22:12 +0000

Normally found in four groups of three, molars are sometimes accompanied by up to four wisdom teeth, or extra molars. It is possible to have more than or less than four, but most often there is one wisdom tooth behind each row of molars. Wisdom teeth develop much later in life than other teeth, often becoming ‘impacted’ or coming in at an odd angle, which usually leads to them being removed. Around a third of adults will never develop wisdom teeth.

Typically, impacted wisdom teeth are categorized into a few commonly found forms:

Mesioangular impaction, where the tooth is angled forward, accounts for half of all impacted wisdom teeth.
Vertical impaction is also common, happening when a wisdom tooth does not fully erupt through the gum.
Distoangular impaction and Horizontal impaction are the least common, being seen in only a small percentage of all wisdom teeth. These types of impaction are when the tooth is angled backwards or sideways, respectively.

Because of the abundant levels of bacteria in the mouth, it often leads to pericoronitis, an infection of the gum mostly occuring in young people. When a tooth partially erupts from the gum, it exposes a flap of tissue that can trap bacteria and lead to infection. Keeping up with oral hygiene is extra important while wisdom teeth are breaking through the gums.

Generally, wisdom teeth are extracted quickly and painlessly. For many people, wisdom teeth will threaten to be impacted and change the bite or position of other teeth, and are generally considered to be unneeded. Others may not have wisdom tooth problems, or may not grow the teeth at all.

If you or someone you know is having an issue with a wisdom tooth affecting dental work, teeth, or gums, call the office of Dr. William Y. Gregg at 949-770-7686, or Dr. Mae Lee Springer at (949) 495-4600.

El Toro Med Complex Partnership: Gregg William Y DDS
23321 El Toro Rd # D,
Lake Forest, CA 92630-4825

Good nutrition and good teeth

admin — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 00:31:26 +0000

Keeping your teeth healthy requires basic dental hygiene, but there are a lot of vitamins and minerals that affect your oral health as well. In addition to brushing, flossing, and having regular dental appointments, your diet should be varied enough to cover the basic nutritional needs of your teeth.

Vitamins A, C, and D are very important to the wellbeing of your teeth, both for building and protecting them.
Vitamins A and D help to develop and maintain healthy and strong teeth. The antioxidant vitamin C helps keep gums and connective tissue healthy, aiding in the healing process of cuts or scrapes in the mouth. Calcium is also important for the teeth, creating a strong jawbone and foundation for the teeth. In order to maintain good oral health, make sure that your diet includes sources of these vitamins, or foods that contain them.

The following is a list of easily found sources of these vitamins/minerals:

Vitamin A: Found in dark green vegetables, eggs, fortified dairy products, and liver. Also sweet potatoes, pumpkin, cheddar cheese, cantaloupe melon, apricot, and papaya.
Vitamin C: Found in citrus fruits, raspberries, spinach, plums, gooseberries, garlic, kale, and raw green cabbage. Animal sources include raw liver, raw oysters, and cod roe. Vitamin C supplements are also a good option.
Vitamin D: Found in salmon, anchovies, eel, eggs, and fish or vegetable vitamin D supplements. It is additionally added to many calcium supplements, as these vitamins and minerals are harder to find in common foods than vitamins A and C.
Calcium: Found in milk, soymilk (when calcium is added), nuts such as almonds, and sesame seeds. Because dairy is the most common calcium and vitamin D source, vegans or those who avoid dairy due to lactose intolerance may need to include blackstrap molasses, beans, figs, quinoa, collard greens, or okra.

Also, foods that are high in sugar are usually not good for the teeth. Sticky snacks like candy can get stuck on tooth surfaces for extended periods of time, breaking down the tooth surface and causing cavities.

For more information, or to set up an appointment, call William Y. Gregg, DDS at 949-495-4600.

El Toro Med Complex Partnership: Gregg William Y DDS‎
23321 El Toro Rd # D
Lake Forest, CA 92630-4825
(949) 770-7686

Oral hygiene to avoid tartar buildup

admin — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 02:15:07 +0000

On the surface of the teeth there is actually a complicated, harmless biosphere of various bacteria called a biofilm, or plaque. This biofilm is a diverse collection of bacteria colonies, which are attracted to the smooth surface of the teeth. In contrast to mostly all other parts of the body, the teeth do not shed to replace their cells, only shedding once as baby teeth. Around 25,000 bacteria species may be present in the biofilm; it is speculated that the body allows plaque to build as a way of stopping large amounts of dangerous bacteria from building up on the same surface.

However, this biofilm does not stay harmless for very long. At first, the biofilm is soft enough to scrape or brush off, but after around 10 days sitting on the teeth, plaque becomes calculus, or tartar. Tartar is solid and hard to remove, and while plaque and tartar are on the teeth, different processes and reactions created by the bacteria result in acid that may cause cavities. Tooth decay is the primary danger of plaque and tartar sitting on the teeth.
Saliva makes for an ideal environment for bacterial growth, acting as a pH buffer and keeping the pH around 7. Nutrients are also present in saliva, giving the bacteria food. To help prevent cavities and the damage from plaque buildup, brushing your teeth is essential- saliva cannot penetrate the surface of the biofilm to reduce the acidity.

The following is a short list of oral hygiene habits to reduce acid buildup, plaque, tartar, and cavities:

Brush your teeth (for plaque removal)
Floss
Cleaning your tongue
Gum hygiene
Foods containing beneficial nutrients, like calcium, fluoride, and phosphate.
Chewing sugar-free gum after eating.

Regular tooth cleanings and checkups will remove tartar and plaque buildup better than you can at home. Getting a dentist’s cleaning two times a year is recommended for sufficient removal of built up tartar. The application of a fluoride treatment is a common dental treatment that will help strengthen your teeth.

Whether you think you have a cavity or want to ask about teeth cleanings, call Dr. William Y. Gregg at (949) 770-7686 today to schedule an appointment.

El Toro Med Complex Partnership: Gregg William Y DDS‎
23321 El Toro Rd # D
Lake Forest, CA 92630-4825
(949) 770-7686

Information on teeth grinding

admin — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 23:20:33 +0000

Teeth grinding, or Bruxism, is the clenching, grinding, or biting of your teeth. It occurs during the day or night, on purpose or more involuntarily. Commonly found in children, nighttime grinding and chewing on the teeth can cause sensitivity and wear on baby teeth; when adults grind their teeth, the damage is more serious. The causes of teeth grinding are unsure, but sleeping habits, daily stress, and your bite can play a factor.

Bruxism might cause the following symptoms:

A pounding, constant headache
Tooth damage, cracks in the tooth
Fractured, loose teeth
Soreness of the jaws, teeth, or gums

As it is tough to control teeth grinding overnight other issues may arise.
Symptoms can lead to temporomandibular joint problems (TMJ) after they affect the muscles and other structures around the jaw. Symptoms can also lead to worn down teeth, a misaligned bite, or any of a large list of jaw-related problems.

Treatments for biting your teeth seek to reduce pain, avoid damage to the teeth, and reduce the time spent grinding or clenching your teeth. Mouth guards or appliances, such as splints, are suggested for the prevention of long-lasting damage to the teeth.

If you are bothered by any of the signs of Bruxism (tooth grinding or clenching), call Dr. William Gregg at (949) 495-4600 immediately and set up an appointment. There are numerous options offered to resolve the issue, both for prevention and restoration. Mouthguards can help in preventing nighttime tooth gnashing, while operation for crowns or bridges may be needed for teeth that have been severely weakened.

While you’re waiting for your appointment, quick fixes to ease pain include decreasing alcohol and caffeine, applying ice or warm water to minimize soreness, relaxing and avoiding stress, and warming up your face (with a warm washcloth or steam) to relax the jaw muscles before getting to sleep.

Dr. William Y. Gregg, D.D.S./Dr Mae Lee Springer, D.D.S.
30131 Town Center Drive
Suite 220
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677

Dental Care When You Live Outside of Town

darci — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 13:09:36 +0000

Certainly, not having the right type of dentist in your hometown can pose a challenge. An issue some people face is living so far out in the country that just getting to the dentist is a challenge. Can you still get the kind of dental care that you need in these situations? This is a most significant question that we will explore in this next video. Take a look.

Fortunately, modern medicine has made a number of significant advances in the past few decades. For most conditions, a patient can come to a dental office and not require extensive follow-up treatments. As a result of this, under normal circumstances, for people to get whatever kind of dental care they need, if they live nearby or not.

It does get a little complicated, if you need very serious or specialized treatment. For instance, if the treatment absolutely requires a number of visits. Still, things are not what they used to be and the technological advancements are so significant that most cases can be resolved in the end.

The best thing to do is to sit down for a full consultation with your dentist. If you can’t even make it in person to the consultation then do it by phone. Ask every question you need answered and don’t stop asking until you feel completely satisfied.

We believe that life is better with great teeth and that you deserve a great smile. To that end, we will do everything we can to help you get that.

All the best,

Dr. Gregg & Dr. Springer
“Life is Better With Great Teeth”

Our Laguna Niguel dental office is ready to help you with your dental care needs, contact us at 949-770-7686.

Are Gold Fillings the Best?

darci — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 13:02:58 +0000

The verdict is out for many people on gold fillings. Some people love them, some don’t. What about you? Is there a time when you should use gold over anything else? Spend the money and go for it? In this video we will explore that very question. Take a look.

The reality of it is that there are many options when it comes to what you put into your mouth. The choices are extremely personal and where one person might want a gold filling, the next one might be more comfortable with a porcelain veneer. The person who needs to explore the question and the options is yourself. What do you want? What would make you feel great?

With the wide variety of options from porcelain veneers to perfectly matched crowns, from silver fillings to those made of gold, your choices are many. Remember that your mouth is very personal to you and at the end of the day you are the person that has to live with whatever you choose. Carefully explore what your options are as well as your preferences. Make sure to ask your dentist for their opinion as well. Good luck with your decision!

All the best,

Dr. Gregg & Dr. Springer
“Life is Better With Great Teeth”

Our Laguna Niguel dental office is ready to help you with your dental care needs, contact us at 949-770-7686.

Considering a Dental Specialist

darci — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 12:58:03 +0000

By the very definition, the term specialist refers to a situation where the needs are beyond normal. You have “special” needs and hence the need for a “specialist”. The challenge can sometimes be in figuring out the difference between normal or average dental care needs and when we actually require something beyond that.

Watch this video now to help you better assess your personal situation.

Many of us feel intimidated when our dental needs may require the expertise of a specialist. We can feel afraid or stressed out about expressing a special need. We can also experience these feelings when what we want is a cosmetic change, a better smile or even something as simple as whiter teeth. How much more intimidating can it be if we need a complicated implant or to have our receding gums treated through oral surgery?

At the end of the day you deserve to have the best possible care for whatever your needs may be. If you need a specialist who has a higher level of training than your average family dentist, you should never feel afraid to ask questions and figure out what will give you the results you want. We hope you always receive the best care for you, whether you need a specialist or not.

All the best,

Dr. Gregg & Dr. Springer
“Life is Better With Great Teeth”

Our Laguna Niguel dental office is ready to help you with your dental care needs, contact us at 949-770-7686.

Are Dentures My Only Choice?

darci — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 12:47:43 +0000

As we grow older, our bodies are naturally going to go through the process of aging with us. This aging process effects our mouth, teeth and gums as well. It’s possible that we may begin to lose a tooth here and there. One of the most common concerns when this starts happening is, do you have to get dentures?

Are dentures really the only choice? Watch this short video for the answer to that question.

The aging process can be a little taxing on the mouth. We may experience challenges such as gum disease or receding gums in addition to losing some of our teeth. What if your teeth are brittle? What if you have leakage from old fillings that can lead to cavities or eventually to infections?

The good news is that with today’s dental techniques you have many options. Your dentist can explain your choices in detail to help you determine what is right for you. Being properly informed will help you make the best possible choice–and that is exactly what we want for you.

All the best,

Dr. Gregg & Dr. Springer
“Life is Better With Great Teeth”

Our Laguna Niguel dental office is ready to help you with your dental care needs, contact us at 949-770-7686.

Is My Dentist Accepting New Patients?

darci — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 12:33:37 +0000

Have you ever made a phone call to a dentist’s office in search of treatment for yourself or a family member only to find out that the dentist was not accepting any patients? Doesn’t that seem absurd? How is that even possible?

Well, absurd or not, it happens all the of time! If you want to find out why, watch this video.

Although this may seem silly, dentists are often like medical doctors. They need to have appropriate infrastructure to support their patients. When their practices fill up the must stop the flow of patients in order to provide quality treatment. Then, as openings begin to appear, they start accepting patients again. The more specialized the dentist is, the more often this happens. Dentists who practice advanced surgical procedures, specialists such as sedation dentists, cosmetic dentists are more likely to fall into this group.

Another reason specialty dentist offices tend to fill up fast is they are only able to see a small number of patients each day. It is important for you to know whether or not your dentist of choice is accepting new patients before you spend any time speaking with their office.

We hope you found this video valuable and that you can find the right dentist for your needs.

Yours Truly,

Dr. Gregg & Dr. Springer
“Life is Better With Great Teeth”

Our Laguna Niguel dental office is ready to help you with your dental care needs, contact us at 949-770-7686.