Southern California Oral & Maxillofacial Surgical
Common Causes of Tooth Loss
Dr Rennie Cheung & Dr Victor Ho have helped countless patients in and around the greater Los Angeles. Using solutions for missing teeth such as dental implants as well as advanced jaw and facial surgery procedures, we can improve overall dental health and wellness. Right now we’d like to focus on some of the most common causes of tooth loss.
Vehicle Accidents
Getting involved in a car accident or even a bike accident can result in serious injury to the mouth and face, potentially causing tooth loss to occur. Bike accidents and motorcycle accidents can prove especially severe, so be careful when you are out on the road.
Slip and Fall Accidents
If you experience a bad slip or fall of some kind, this can also result in a major injury to the mouth and teeth, and it can lead to tooth loss or severe tooth damage necessitating tooth extraction.
Occupational Injuries
Some jobs are more dangerous than others, particularly construction jobs or industrial jobs. It’s not uncommon for people to experience facial or head injury from an occupational accident. These sorts of injuries can potentially cause tooth loss depending on the nature of the incident.
Contact and Combat Sports
Both contact sports (e.g., football, hockey) and combat sports (e.g., boxing, mixed martial arts) can result in major injuries to competitors. It’s one of the risks of these athletic activities whether you compete at a professional level level, student level, or simply do it for recreation.
Physical Altercations and Assaults
If you’re attacked or get into a fight or scuffle of some kind, injuries are likely. Serious injuries to the face and mouth may result in the loss of a tooth, or sometimes multiple teeth.
Gum Disease and Recession
Unhealthy gums can eventually lead to problems with your teeth. For instance, it’s possible for teeth to become loose and more likely to fall out as a result of gum disease and gum recession.
Major Tooth Decay
Serious cavities and tooth decay can harm tooth structure so much that teeth are more likely to break and fall out from simple biting and chewing.
Necessary Tooth Extractions
When a tooth is infected and cannot be saved, or if a tooth is severely decayed and damaged, the best option for treatment is to extract the tooth rather than restoring it.
Tooth Loss Prevention Tips
In order to avoid losing teeth, consider the following helpful tips:
-Brush your teeth at least twice a day
-Floss your teeth every night
-Wear a helmet when riding a bike or motorcycle
-Wear mouth protection when playing contact or combat sports
-Avoid using tobacco products
-Drink water throughout the day to remain hydrated
-Visit your dentist twice a year for regular checkups
Learn More About Tooth Loss and How It Can Be Treated
If you are missing a tooth or multiple teeth, we encourage you to contact our oral surgery practice. The team at Southern California Oral & Maxillofacial Surgical Arts will help you have a healthy and beautiful smile.
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Jul 14th, 2021
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Patient Safety Policy-COVID19
At Southern California Oral and Maxillofacial Surgical Arts, our top priority during this evolving pandemic is the health an well-being of our patients and their families, our wonderful staff, us doctors, and the community at large. Our practice strictly exceeds the standard for infection control by wearing personal gear, using hospital-grade disinfectants, and practicing the latest sterilization protocols, utilizing single-use disposable materials, and updating training protocols to the latest CDC guidelines on a daily basis in this present environment.
Our current office protocol for your safety: As soon as you get to the office, give us a call to check in. When we are ready, we will call you in and direct you to your room. If you are being accompanied by someone, please have them wait in the car. We are also requiring our patients to fill out registration forms online.
Should you have any questions or concerns about your dental needs, we can be reached at: Calabasas: 818-225-8602 or email: [email protected] El Segundo: 310-670-0220 or email: [email protected] Mission Hills:818-365-0817 or email [email protected] Rowland Heights: 626-913-5700 or email: [email protected]
For further information, including measures to keep yourself healthy, visit the following links:
Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/prevention.html
Symptoms: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/symptoms.html
Steps When Sick: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/steps-when-sick.html
Our team will continue to monitor the situation and provide updated information as it become available.
We thank you for your patience and cooperation during this challenging time and wish all of you continued health.
Sincerely,
Dr Rennie Cheung DMD,MD
Dr Victor Ho DMD
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May 1st, 2020
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After Wisdom Teeth Removal
The removal of wisdom teeth is a serious surgical procedure. Post-operative care is very important. Unnecessary pain, infections, and swelling can be prevented by following these simple steps:
1. Remove gauze once you arrive at home.
2. Take your pain medications with a big glass of water.
3. Have a milk shake or smoothie, but avoid using a straw for one week.Avoid anything with seeds.
4. Apply cold packs for two days.
5. REST! Like any other surgery, your body needs rest to heal completely.
Starting day two, for one week:
1. You may have soft foods: eggs, pasta, mashed, potatoes, yogurt, bananas etc.
2. Do warm saltwater rinses every 2-3 hours. Do not rinse vigorously. & do not use mouthwash for 1 week.
3. You may brush your teeth gently but avoid surgical area. A clean mouth heals faster.
4. Swelling of the jaw is normal for the first 24-48 hours after the day of surgery. Make sure to keep using your cold packs.
5. Sutures will dissolve on their own. (if used)
6. No bending, lifting, smoking, or exercising for 1 week!
If you DO NOT feel better within three days, call us, do not wait!
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Jan 20th, 2017
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Year-End Insurance Reminder
Our team would like to send you a friendly reminder to schedule your appointments prior to the end of the year to take full advantage of any flex spend, health savings, or insurance benefits that you may have.
The end of the year is always a busy time so make your appointment now so you don’t lose your available benefits! Give us a call today!
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Nov 10th, 2016
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Should You Exercise After Oral Surgery?
Exercising is a lot like brushing your teeth, you must make it part of your daily routine in order to stay in great health. But what about when you get work done on your teeth? Is it a good idea to exercise then?
If you’ve had your wisdom teeth removed, this may be one of the rare instances where you should take a break from your exercise routine.
Complications can arise if you do not let your mouth heal properly. Following your post-operative care instructions will ensure your a speedy and uncomplicated recovery.
So how soon can you exercise after surgery?
Dr. Cheung & Dr. Ho recommend you to wait a week after your surgery to allow full recovery. Majority of oral surgeries have no complications and heal quickly, we want our patients to be aware of the risks involved so we can work together to avoid them! One of the risks to watch out from is dry socket. Dry socket occurs when the blood clot from the surgical site has been dislodged, causing pain. Other complications you want to be on the look out for are swelling and bleeding. All of these indicate that your body needs rest.
If you are experiencing any of these complications, please contact our office.
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Sep 26th, 2016
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Our Latest Patient Testimonials
We love hearing back from our patients! Our practice goal is to make you feel as comfortable as possible during your procedure.
“My fiance was seen at this dental office January 19th,2016 I must say he was scared when we got there bp was 156/102 (no he don’t have hypertension) but the anxiety & being scared caused him to have his BP elevated but after the nurses made him feel comfortable along with the amazing Dr, who figured out what my fiance like and he held a conversation about basketball & Lebron & instantly that conversation relaxed my fiance BP then drop to normal range, when i say this has been the best dentist we been to the staff is very friendly they greet all patients by last name (very professional). My fiance had to get wisdom teeth removed when i say the surgery was a huge success i love that office i will be going there also to have my wisdom teeth removed. FYI the Dr. personally called to even follow up and make sure my fiance was doing great after the surgery and that alone made me love that office even more.. To all the staff there Chris & I truly appreciate the time yall took with him. “
-Carlesha C
“I was referred to Dr. Ho by a friend of mine whose daughter had all four of her wisdom teeth removed. I wanted to write this because from start to finish Dr. Ho, his front office staff and dental assistants were all very nice and professional. I was scared of having my wisdom tooth pulled because of the experience I had the prior week, but I felt at ease after speaking with Dr. Ho. Might I add, they have the best digital X-ray instead of those painful things that goes in your mouth like other offices have. I went under anesthesia for the procedure and hardly felt the needle go into my arm for the IV. Thank you so much Dr. Ho and staff, you all made me feel so comfortable and confident in your work. My procedure was done at 8 am this morning and I’m hardly experiencing any pain and haven’t had to take a lot of medication as yet. I would definitely recommend Dr. Ho’s office for your dental needs!”
-Karina N
“Dr. Benjamin Yagoubian was absolutely fabulous! He made me feel t ease and very confident that I was in good hands! The dental assistants were all very kind, friendly, and helpful with any questions or concerns. They had my medication ready for me in the office AND gave me an head wrap ice pack! I would definitely recommend this office to anyone needing their wisdom teeth pulled or any other procedure! Thank you Southern California Oral “
-Jennifer B
“The staff was very pleasant and professional and efficient throughout my treatment period. I will recommend them to any one who needs the same care that I have received.”
-Charlotte J
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Will you miss a back tooth if its lost?
70% of Americans is thought to be missing at least one tooth, usually one of the molars in the back. But if you cant see it, does it truly matter? The answer is YES!
The problem with tooth loss is the bone loss that comes with it. The bone that surrounds your teeth, also known as alveolar bone, requires stimulation in order to stay healthy. Without stimulation, the bone gradually melts away. Tooth loss can cause 25% decrease in bone width in the first year alone and more throughout the years that follow.
What happens if bone is lost? If enough teeth are lost, your ability to speak and chew can be impaired. The contour of your lips and face change, making you look noticeably older.
Fortunately, there is a way to keep tooth loss from becoming bone loss; Dental Implants. The dental implant becomes fused to the living bone, which helps the bone stay healthy and functional. To learn more about dental implants, schedule a consultation today!
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Jul 7th, 2016
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3 Warning Signs of Impacted Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom teeth can drive patients to the brink of desperate pain relief. One sign of pain in the back of the jaw usually means impacted wisdom teeth. There are an array of symptoms and signs that will alert you something is not right. Once you have an assumption something is wrong, it’s time to take action!
Three primary signs of impacted wisdom teeth:
1. Toothache, sharp pains coming from the back of the mouth.
2. Swelling around the jaw.
3. Tender, swollen, bleeding red gums.
Other common signs would be:
1. Bad Breathe
2. Headache, pain between jaw & skull. Known as TMJ
3. Unpleasant taste in your mouth.
4. Swollen glands.
5. Difficult opening mouth.
6. Even ear aches.
Call to Action:
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, please call one of our offices to help you relieve your pain.
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Jun 16th, 2016
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5 Reason Why Dental Implants Are Great Way To Replace Missing Teeth
Dental implants are becoming more and more popular, and it’s easy to understand why. They’re convenient, lifelike and aesthetically pleasing. Here is a quick overview of the top five reasons why dental implants are a great remedy for tooth loss.
- Dental implants are structurally complete. After the oral surgeon places the dental implant in the jaw, it becomes a permanent fixture in the mouth through a process known as osseointegration. That is, the surrounding bone fuses with the titanium implant, and as the end result, the implant becomes a root-like structure. Dental implants are the only tooth replacement device that have a physical link with the underlying jawbone.
- Dental implants are stable over time, with proper care. Because the implant can act like a root, it helps to prevent jawbone erosion that unfolds when a tooth’s root is no longer present. That erosion changes the shape of the jaw, and a conventional appliance, like a denture or dental bridge can lose its fit over time.
- Dental implants preserve more of the biological tooth’s functioning. Again, the connection between the bone and the implant is essential here. The implant can tolerate strong chewing forces necessary to process crunchy foods, like many fresh fruits and vegetables, preserving a patient’s capacity for adequate nutritional intake.
- Dental implants are convenient to maintain. Dental implants do not require support from surrounding teeth, so there’s no structure that restricts access to the gum line. You can brush and floss with your dental implants just like you do with your natural teeth.
- Dental implants are versatile. Your oral surgeon can place dental implants to support a single crown, a bridge or a denture, giving patients this option in a variety of tooth loss scenarios.
To learn more about the benefits of dental implants, contact our office and speak to one of our staff members. We can answer any questions you may have, and we encourage you to schedule a consultation to see if dental implants might be a good option for you.
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Apr 8th, 2016
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Common Emergency Care Visits: Toothaches/Abscesses
Dental problems don’t always wait for normal office hours. Broken fillings or damaged teeth are common reasons for emergency treatment. Toothaches and abscesses can also require prompt attention. Emergency dental care is only a phone call away! Drs. Cheung, Ho, & Yagoubian can provide you with the information and treatment you need to prevent the problem from becoming worse.
An abscess is a bacterial infection, and will normally cause pain and swelling around the affected tooth and gum area. Antibiotics are not always necessary, but you should seek treatment quickly. Left untreated, an infection can spread and cause serious complications.
Toothaches:
There are many reasons that you develop a toothache. The cause of the pain may be a particle of food lodged between your tooth and gum line. One of the first steps you can take is to rinse your mouth with warm water. You may also try flossing the area to dislodge the particle.
Toothaches can occur from a cavity in the teeth or from a fracture. Sensitivity to heat or cold may also cause tooth pain. You should make an appointment to avoid a minor problem from becoming a serious problem, We may recommend acetaminophen or another pain reliever to reduce the pain before your visit.
Additional tips and treatments:
- If you have fractured a tooth, rinse the area with warm water to keep the surfaces clean. Apply a cold compress to the outside of your facial area to reduce swelling.
- A tooth that has been knocked out should be kept moist, in a clean container, until you can receive treatment.
- Do not apply aspirin directly on a damaged tooth or gum area as it can cause tissue irritation.
- If you suspect that your jaw has been broken, go to an emergency room immediately.
- If you have bitten or damaged your lips or tongue, rinse your mouth well with warm water.
Our team at Southern California Oral & Maxillofacial Surgical Arts is ready to assist you when you have an emergency dental need. When you call, please provide us with as much information as possible so we can offer recommendations that will assist you until your appointment. Do not delay; emergency treatment is available and immediate treatment is the best course of action.
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Mar 18th, 2016
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