Oral Hygiene & Preventative Care

The Dental Examination

The first part of a general dentist visit is a comprehensive oral exam in which necessary X-rays should be taken.    Dental X-Rays are necessary to make a diagnosis. Dr. Faber and Mission Laser Dentistry in San Juan Capistrano take digital X-rays-which require minimal radiation (they are safe), and used only pragmatically in accord with American standards of care. Dr. Faber DDS will use the X-rays to directly aid in examining the health of your teeth and underlying jaw structure.  An intraoral examination follows, in which Dr. Faber will examine each tooth for cavities, periodontal (gum) conditions and other dental diseases.

The final step in your initial exam visit at Dr. Robert Faber and Mission Laser Dentistry is a head and neck examination, which allows Dr. Faber to inspect for any potential issues with glands or joints, such as TMJ disorder. After your comprehensive examination, Dr. Faber will sit down with you to discuss the results of the exam and plan any necessary treatments and a dental health maintenance plan.

Thorough Dental Cleaning

Once we have made a diagnosis of what level of cleaning or periodontal therapy is appropriate for your conditions, you teeth will be "cleaned" professionally with gentle care.

We recommended for adults to brush their teeth two to three times a day and floss once daily.  At Mission Laser Dentistry, we can show you exactly how to get the most benefit out of the time you spend caring for your teeth. For the best dental health and cavity prevention, it is important to have your teeth professionally cleaned, polished, flossed and examined by Dr. Faber at whatever interval is determined in your dental health maintenance plan. Contact Robert Faber DDS, Inc.

Our ultimate goal for our patients is a beautiful healthy smile that lasts a lifetime.

Personal home care is an important role in achieving that goal.  No treatment will be effective unless you follow it up with routine and proper home care as well as following Dr. Faber's & Mission Laser Dentistry’s recommendations for regular professional care.

A balanced diet low in sugar is also important in lowering ones risk for dental disease.  A nutritious balanced diet, drinking plenty of water and good brushing and flossing habits are all essential to eliminating bad breath (halitosis).

The foods you choose and how often you eat them can affect your general health and the health of your teeth and gums, too.

Tooth decay is the single most common human disease, but the good news is that ones risk can be minimized. Tooth decay happens when plaque come into contact with sugar in the mouth, causing acid to attack the teeth.

Foods that contain sugars of any kind can contribute to tooth decay. To control the amount of sugar you eat, read the nutrition facts and ingredient labels on foods and beverages and choose options that are lowest in sugar.

Common sources of sugar in the diet include soft drinks, candy, cookies and pastries. Your physician or a registered dietitian can also provide suggestions for eating a nutritious diet. If your diet lacks certain nutrients, it may be more difficult for tissues in your mouth to resist infection. This may contribute to gum disease. Severe gum disease is a major cause of tooth loss in adults. Many researchers believe that the disease progresses faster and is potentially more severe in people with poor nutrition. Other risk factors include smoking and diabetes.

Reducing the amount of sugary snacks you eat and correctly using dental aids will help control the plaque and bacteria that cause dental disease.

How often should I brush?

Brush and floss a minimum of twice a day, even better-after every meal.  The key is not only to do it regularly but also to do it right. Here's how.

Tooth brushing – Brush your teeth at least twice a day (especially before going to bed at night) with an ADA approved soft bristle brush and toothpaste.

Place the brush at and maintain a 45 degree angle to the gums and gently brush using a small, circular motion, ensuring that you always feel the bristles on the gums. Brush the outer, inner, and biting surfaces of each tooth.

Use the tip of the brush to clean the inside (side facing the tongue/roof of mouth) of the front teeth.

*Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and freshen your breath. A helpful hint for eliminating bad breath is to use a small drop of Hibiclens (chlorhexidine) soap to brush the tongue.  It will likely make one gag a bit, but the chlorhexidine kills the bad breath causing bacteria.

Electric toothbrushes are also recommended.  They are easy to use and can remove plaque efficiently and makes good oral hygiene easier for most people.  Simply place the bristles of the electric brush on your gums and teeth and allow the brush to do its job, several teeth at a time.

Flossing

Daily flossing is the best way to clean between the teeth and under the gumline.  Flossing not only helps clean these spaces, it disrupts plaque colonies from building up, preventing damage to the gums, teeth, and bone.  There is a big difference between flossing correctly with the correct type of floss vs. using certain other implements/techniques.  We will be happy to show you just how to get the most benefit out of the time you spend flossing.

Take 12-16 inches (30-40cm) of dental floss and wrap it around your middle fingers, leaving about 2 inches (5cm) of floss between the hands.

Using your thumbs and forefingers to guide the floss, gently insert the floss between teeth using a sawing motion.

Curve the floss into a “C” shape around each tooth and under the gumline.  Gently move the floss up and down, cleaning the side of each tooth.

Floss holders are recommended if you have difficulty using conventional floss. The main concept is to make sure you are introducing a clean section of floss with each pass between 2 new teeth.

**A simple thing you can do if you are unable to brush after a meal, is to vigorously rinse your mouth with water.  

Use of other dental aids may be recommended by Dr. Faber and Mission Laser Dentistry such as; Interdental brushes, rubber tip stimulators, tongue cleaners, irrigation devices, fluoride, and medicated rinses.

If you are looking for a caring and thorough dentist in the San Juan Capistrano area, we encourage you to make an appointment with Dr. Robert Faber DDS and Mission Laser Dentistry by calling us at 949-493-3376. Each member of our team is dedicated to ensuring that our patients are always comfortable and well- informed during their visits with us. We look forward to your call and welcoming you to the Robert Faber DDS, and the Mission Laser Dentistry family. We will do our best to accommodate your busy schedule. Request an appointment today!