Deep Cleaning

If your teeth are sensitive or your gums bleed when you floss or brush, you might be suffering from gum disease. Patients who come in for regular cleanings are much less likely to suffer from periodontal disease.  If you’re not taking care of your oral hygiene, the bacteria and plaque can advance to gum disease and it becomes more difficult to treat. While gum disease sounds like a scary thing, the good news is that there are treatment options available. At Lewelling Dental Care, our dentist, Dr. Shital Kazi treats San Lorenzo, CA area patients with a procedure known as “deep cleaning.”

Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in the United States. There are many different forms of periodontal disease but all of them can cause serious damage to the mouth. The mildest form of periodontal disease is gingivitis. Gingivitis causes the gums to become red, swollen and bleed easily. The biggest cause of gingivitis is lack of a regular oral hygiene regimen. Preventative measures, such as regular brushing and flossing, go a long way when it comes to preventing periodontal disease. Gingivitis is reversible with professional treatment and good oral health practices at home.

We offer a non-surgical, non-invasive option known as deep cleaning for our patients who have chronic gum disease. This procedure is a great alternative to surgical options. Deep cleaning involves removing built-up plaque below the gum line using either manual scraping instruments or an ultrasonic tool. Then, Dr. Kazi will essentially gently sand your teeth, removing rough spots on the tooth surfaces and roots, which tend to harbor bacteria.

If you fear that you might be suffering from gingivitis or gum disease, set up an appointment at our San Lorenzo, CA practice so we can go over treatment options. 

Traditional Braces vs. Invisalign

Straight teeth go a long way toward creating a beautiful smile, but they are also important for overall oral health. If you have crooked, crowded or misaligned teeth, correcting them can prevent dental issues from developing in the future. There are several options available for straightening your teeth, including traditional braces, clear braces and Invisalign, and Dr. Shital Kazi of Lewelling Dental Care can help you achieve a smile you can be proud of with quality orthodontics in San Lorenzo, CA.

Traditional braces have been around for years and are considered the standard correction method among patients looking to straighten their smiles. Able to correct even serious cases of misalignment, today’s braces are made with incredibly strong metals that are durable enough to wear for a considerable time on your teeth. While contemporary braces offer some customization with different colored bands, if a mouth full of metal doesn’t appeal to you, Dr. Kazi also offers clear or ceramic braces. Functioning just like metal braces, clear braces are their ceramic counterpart and are specifically designed to not stain or wear over time.

If you’re in need of a mild to moderate correction, Invisalign may be a great option for you. Using a series of virtually invisible aligners, Invisalign adjusts your teeth bit by bit with a new aligner used approximately every two weeks. Invisalign aligners are made of thin, comfortable plastic and are removable, which allows for convenient cleaning and eating. The ability to remove the aligners means that your teeth will not experience the same discoloration and plaque buildup that can occur with metal brackets and wire. In addition, you will not have the same diet restrictions that you would have with traditional braces. You will still be able to eat all the foods you like, including popcorn, chips, pretzels, apples, nuts and corn.

Whether you’re a child, teenager or adult, you can straighten your teeth affordably and effectively. In San Lorenzo, CA, Dr. Shital Kazi of Lewelling Dental Care will make sure your smile is both beautiful and healthy. Schedule an appointment by calling (510) 276-6040. For more information about the practice, its services and any special deals, visit www.lewellingdental.com.

Tray Teeth Whitening

Getting whiter teeth is on the minds of many patients who visit Dr. Shital Kazi in San Lorenzo, CA. Teeth can become discolored over time, as well as stained from things like coffee, wine, and dark soft drinks. Dr. Kazi uses a tray teeth whitening system to help patients whiten their teeth without the harsh chemicals and mediocre results home systems have. By getting their professional teeth whitening at Lewelling Dental Care, patients have the option for spectacular results and minimal side effects. The process is easy to do and done in two easy steps.

For teeth whitening in San Lorenzo, CA, patients visit Dr. Shital Kazi for two separate appointments. The first step is getting impressions made of their teeth for custom teeth whitening trays. These are not the trays sold in stores that don’t always fit right, but custom to the patient’s teeth. Once the trays have been crafted, patients return to Dr. Kazi for the whitening process. Whitening gel is placed inside the tray and they are fitted to the patient’s teeth. The patient is given these reusable trays and the gel, and instructed to wear them multiple times over several days. Patients are thrilled when they see that the end result is teeth that are up to eight shades whiter.

Teeth whitening with the custom tray system allows for significantly whiter teeth without pain or discomfort afterward. Some patient may experience a little gum tenderness for a few days. For superior and professional teeth whitening results, Dr. Shital Kazi invites new patients to her San Lorenzo, CA practice.

Oral Cancer Screenings

Throughout the year we undergo various health tests and screenings to make sure that we are staying on top of our health.  These tests are preventative measures that leave patients with peace of mind or a serious advantage in finding an effective treatment.  While we know that we have to monitor our blood pressure, stress, weight, hearing, sight and other health concerns, many forget to visit the dentist for oral cancer screenings.  Dr. Shital Kazi offers oral screenings at Lewelling Dental Care in San Lorenzo, CA.  She encourages all older adults to visit her office for a complete regular oral cancer screening to improve their health.

Oral cancer is commonly identified by a tumor or growth that arises within the oral cavity.  These malignancies can occur anywhere on the mouth, tongue, lips, cheeks, soft palate, hard palate, pharynx and sinuses.  In the earliest stages of oral cancer, you may experience bumps, swelling or rough spots on the lips, and difficulty when moving your jaw or tongue.  However, early detection at Lewelling Dental Care means that you can treat oral cancer before these symptoms fully develop or become problematic.

Dr. Kazi stresses the importance of undergoing an oral cancer screening at her practice.  Every year roughly 35,000 people are diagnosed with oral cancer.  When patients keep track of their health through oral cancer screenings, they lessen their risk of developing advanced stages of oral cancer.  By treating the symptoms and addressing the problem early on, treatments can be administered promptly and the likelihood of recovery greatly increases.

For more information on oral cancer screenings, visit www.lewellingdental.com or call (510) 276-6040 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Shital Kazi at Lewelling Dental Care in San Lorenzo, CA.

Night Guards

Patients who wake up with tension headaches, facial pain or unexplained jaw pain likely have a condition called bruxism where they grind or clench their teeth at night. To reduce pain and discomfort and prevent dental damage, Dr. Shital Kazi of Lewelling Dental Care can create a custom night guard to prevent the patient from grinding or clenching his or her teeth.

Teeth grinding can stem from a number of causes, many of them stress-related. Anxiety, tension and stress that occur during the day can carry over to a person's sleep, causing a person to grind or clench his or her teeth while sleeping. Sleep disorders such as sleep apnea can also lead to bruxism. Over time, frequent grinding or clenching can wear down the chewing surface or even crack a crown or filling. In addition to these dental concerns, a patient can experience significant pain and discomfort as the result of bruxism.

A common bruxism treatment is a night guard, which closely resembles a mouth guard an athlete may wear when playing a sport. Dr. Kazi can make a customized night guard from tough plastic at Lewelling Dental Care located in San Lorenzo, CA. While mouth guards are available over the counter, they are typically softer and more prone to slip from the mouth because they are not customized for the patient.

To create the night guard, Dr. Kazi first takes a mold of your upper teeth. This mold is then sent to a laboratory that constructs the night guard. A patient then returns to Dr. Kazi's office for a night guard fitting to ensure a patient's comfort. When properly fitted, the night guard should help keep the jaws slightly open and reduce the patient's ability to grind or clench the upper and lower teeth against each other. The result is a better night's sleep, less pain and discomfort and stronger, healthier teeth.

For more information on how you can end teeth grinding and clenching pain, call Lewelling Dental Care at (510) 276-6040. For more information on additional services Dr. Kazi provides, visit www.lewellingdental.com.

Proper Oral Hygiene

Here at Lewelling Dental Care, we believe that proper patient education is a huge aspect of a great dental practice. Preventative care is the best step you can take when it comes to maintaining a healthy smile. Regular brushing and flossing along with regular cleanings is the only way for you to assure that you won’t have any periodontal issues.

Our main goal is to teach our patients how to brush and floss properly. Everyone should be maintaining a regular brushing and flossing routine, regardless of age. We recommend that our patients brush at least twice a day and encourages a regular flossing regimen that will help maintain a healthy smile. With the wide array of dental products available, it’s easy to buy the wrong product. The best thing you can do is just ask us! 

If you’re not going to the dentist because of a dental phobia or because you don’t feel any pain, you could have undiagnosed gingivitis that will eventually lead to periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in the United States. The best treatment for periodontal disease is preventative care. Our approach to preventative dental care includes routine checkups that include X-rays, fluoride treatment, and thorough dental cleanings. Our goal here at Lewelling Dental Care is to prevent any type of disease from happening in the first place, that way it won’t become a bigger issue further down the line. 

Visit our website www.lewellingdental.com for more information or call us today at (510) 276-6040 for an appointment!

Proper Oral Hygiene

Here at Lewelling Dental Care, we believe that proper patient education is a huge aspect of a great dental practice. Preventative care is the best step you can take when it comes to maintaining a healthy smile. Regular brushing and flossing along with regular cleanings is the only way for you to assure that you won’t have any periodontal issues.

 

Our main goal is to teach our patients how to brush and floss properly. Everyone should be maintaining a regular brushing and flossing routine, regardless of age. We recommend that our patients brush at least twice a day and encourages a regular flossing regimen that will help maintain a healthy smile. With the wide array of dental products available, it’s easy to buy the wrong product. The best thing you can do is just ask us! 

 

If you’re not going to the dentist because of a dental phobia or because you don’t feel any pain, you could have undiagnosed gingivitis that will eventually lead to periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in the United States. The best treatment for periodontal disease is preventative care. Our approach to preventative dental care includes routine checkups that include X-rays, fluoride treatment, and thorough dental cleanings. Our goal here at Lewelling Dental Care is to prevent any type of disease from happening in the first place, that way it won’t become a bigger issue further down the line. 

 

Visit our website www.lewellingdental.com for more information or call us today at (510) 276-6040 for an appointment!