Five Things We Love to Do in San Clemente

Even before we were Shoreline Dental Studio, Dr. Ritzau and team have called San Clemente home for our practice and personal lives. Each summer, we get excited about the things that make San Clemente special, from certain summer-only events to breathtaking nature experiences that are not to be missed with the warmer weather! If you're new in town, get familiar with your new city by visiting the following -

1. San Clemente Music and Movie Series
   • Kicks off June 21st with a Concert from Flashback Heart Attack on the Pier. During July they'll be showing movies such as Mary Poppins and Coco, which are perfect for younger attendees. For the complete list of concerts and movies, check out the full concert and movie schedule here.
2. 17th Annual Paint San Clemente
   • This annual plein air painting event is sponsored by the San Clemente Art Association. The weeklong event is comprised of several separate events which bring local and national artists to paint San Clemente scenes. The two day art exhibit is free for all entries on the Community Center Lawn and winners of the competition are announced on Saturday June 30, with all of the art on display through Sunday July 1st. Visit paintsanclemete.com for more info!
3. Ocean Festival
   • In it's 42nd year, the Ocean Festival returns to San Clemente bringing with it tons of great family activities and a Free Beach Concert! Younger family members will have a blast with the Sand Sculpting Contest, Great Rubber Duck Race, and Youth Pavilion while teens and parents are thrilled by Woody Car Exhibits, Dory Boat Races, 5K Beach Run, and One Mile Ocean Swim. Don't miss out on July 21st, and be sure to register early if you'd like to participate! Check out www.oceanfestival.org for schedule and info.
4. Trails & Hiking
   • San Clemente is a rare Orange County gem that is bordered on two sides by protected wild lands. Deer, coyote and bobcats are common as is a full compliment of local and seasonal bird life! If the weather permits, grab the leash for your best furry fried and hit the trail! Forster Ridgeline, Prima Deshecha, and Cristianitos Trails also for leashed dogs, while Beach Trails offer a spectacular view of the coast in both directions. Maps for all trails can be downloaded here.
5. Carnival Colossal
   • As the weather cools, head over to Vista Hermosa Sports Park for Carnival Rides and Games sponsored by the San Clemente Friends Foundation. Entry and parking are free for this fall festival, boasting some of the best food trucks in the area! For discount ride tickets, check out www.sanclementeparksfoundation.org.

Spring Cleaning Your Oral Health Care Habits

As the days get longer and warmer, many people decide to refresh their homes with a thorough spring cleaning. But when’s the last time you took the same sort of care to refresh your smile? If your oral care habits fell a bit to the wayside over the winter and you want to get things back in shape, here are 5 tips to spring clean your oral health routine (and they’re all dentist approved).

1. Buy a New Toothbrush

To maintain optimal oral health, your toothbrush should be replaced every three to four monthsor sooner if the bristles begin to appear frayed. Why? Because damaged bristles aren’t as effective at cleaning teeth.

Brushing your teeth is the most critical part of dental care, so you want to make sure your toothbrush is doing a quality job. That way, you can lower your risk of cavities, prevent damaging plaque and tartar buildup, and maintain the health of your gums. So, every time the seasons change, make sure to get a new toothbrush (or toothbrush head) to keep your oral health routine as strong as possible.

2. Kick Start Your Flossing

If you aren’t flossing once a day, now is a great time to start. People who don’t floss may not be removing all of the plaque from between their teeth, even if they are thoroughly brushing twice a day. This means you are at an increased risk of developing tartar, which can lead to gum disease.

Flossing only takes a couple of minutes a day, but can save you a lot of trouble down the road. So, if it isn’t part of your routine, make sure to add it today.

3. Deep Clean Your Night Guards

To maintain proper oral health, your night guard needs to be cleaned on a regular basis. This includes custom night guards created by your dentist as well as over the counter models many people choose to use. Every morning when you take your night guard out, make sure to lightly brush all of the surfaces using your toothbrush, then rinse with cold water. You don’t need to apply toothpaste to the brush. Since toothpaste can be abrasive, it may scratch your night guard and cause it to wear out more quickly. It’s important to allow your night guard to dry completely before storing it as to fight rapid bacterial growth. Choose a clean, flat surface to allow your night guard to dry. Usually, it will dry in 15-30 minutes. We recommend that you keep the night guard stored in your bedroom or on your nightstand instead of the bathroom because over time the steam and humidity in the bathroom can cause warping of the night guard.

Once it is time to wear it again, give it another thorough brushing and rinse before placing it on your teeth. You can also complete a weekly deep cleaning by using a denture cleaning tablet (just follow the instructions that come with the tablets).

4. Give Up Sugary Summer Drinks

Sugary drinks can do significant damage to your teeth and have other negative impacts on your overall oral health. The problem is that the sugar attaches itself to the surfaces in your mouth, providing the perfect breeding ground for bacteria. And, as the bacteria consume the sugars, it leads to the creation of acid that can damage the enamel on the tooth’s surface, increasing the risk of cavities.

5. Make an Appointment to Visit Shoreline Dental Studio!

Regular dentist appointments play a big role in maintaining a healthy smile. The standard recommendation is to come in for a cleaning at least once every six months. This ensures the surfaces of your teeth are in good shape and that your mouth is healthy. We're ready when you are and we've made it easier than ever to schedule an appointment online - http://www.shorelinedentalstudio.com/appointment/

Seasonal Spring Foods for a Healthy Smile

With Spring break and summer just around the corner, it's easy for your family to go overboard on sweet treats, candy, and all the pleasantries of backyard barbecues and get togethers. This spring, be mindful of the foods that do your body and smile good, and go back for seconds!

#1 Yogurt

Yogurt gives your mouth a triple bang for the buck. Studies have shown that yogurt reduces hydrogen sulfide, the chemical associated with bad breath. It also helps reduce plaque and gingivitis.

#2 Raisins

In the past, sticky foods like raisins were a no-no for healthy teeth. However, recent research tells us that the antioxidants found in raisins help reduce the growth of a certain bacteria that may cause inflammation and gum disease.

#3 Apples

Crunchy fruit like apples, celery and carrots help increase saliva, which help protect against cavities by rinsing out the mouth.

#4 Green Tea

Green tea contains antioxidants known as catechins that help lower the risk of the development of gum disease. A recent Japanese study showed that men who drank a cup of green tea every day lowered their risk of gum disease — the more tea consumed, the lower the risk.

#5 Whole Grains

A study in the American Journal in Clinical Nutrition found a 23 percent reduction in periodontal disease (gingivitis) among men who ate at least 4 servings of whole grains per day.

#6 Cinnamon

This spice contains a natural plant oil known as cinnamic aldehyde shown to destroy bacteria.

#7 Sugarless Gum

Chewing on sugar-free gum that contains the sugar alcohol xylitol helps reduce tooth decay and gum disease. It can also help (temporarily) mask odors of bad breath.

#8 Citrus Fruit

Fruits and veggies high in vitamin C (like berries, melons and peppers) help create an acidic environment that discourages bacteria growth in your mouth. Vitamin C also helps prevent gingivitis and gum disease — both responsible for smelly breath.

#9 Cranberries

These tart berries help reduce plaque-promoting bacteria, so they don’t start a party in your mouth. Cherries have been shown to have the same effect.

#10 Mint

We’re talking peppermint -- it helps kill bacteria in the mouth that leads to stinky breath while giving you that fresh and tingly feeling in your mouth.

If your smile is in need of a spring cleaning, give us a call or schedule your appointment online today at: http://www.shorelinedentalstudio.com/appointment/

What to do With a Chipped Tooth

Dental emergencies happen. From playing recreational sports to slipping and falling outside, you can never fully prepare yourself for such an event (although it is another reason why you should wear a mouthguard while partaking in physical sporting events). So what happens when you chip a tooth? Some of it does depend on the severity of the chip, but with the help of a San Clemente dentist like Shoreline Dental Studio, all of your oral needs will be covered.

Chipped a Tooth?

A tooth chip occurs when a bit of your tooth chips off. From biting down on a fork to slipping and falling, the tooth chip will likely catch you off guard, and it may hurt a bit, but chances are it isn't yet an emergency issue. Chipping your tooth doesn't usually put the tooth itself in any kind of danger. However, you should still make an appointment to correct the tooth. Your dentist will be able to remedy your tooth without an issue. Additionally, the dentist can carry out X-rays and other procedures just to make sure there isn't additional structural damage. Sometimes, you may actually need a root canal if the impact to your tooth actually killed off the nerve endings and damaged the integrity of the tooth.

Cracked Tooth

A cracked tooth is a completely different story. A chip in the tooth is a blemish and often looks worse than it really is. A cracked tooth on the other hand poses serious threat to the overall health of the tooth. If not cared for right away, the crack will continue to splinter and the entire tooth itself will eventually suffer catastrophic problems, including the possible need for extraction. In order to save the tooth and to prevent anything more severe taking place, you need to come into the dentist office right away. While on your way, avoid putting any kind of pressure down on the tooth as it may cause additional fractions within it and other nearby teeth.

From chips to complete cracks down your tooth, it is important to move quickly in order to address your dental issue. The San Clemente dentist team at Shoreline Dental Studio is here to assist you with all of your dental, both emergency and regular, needs. So stop by the office for any emergency needs or feel free to set up an appointment online at the Shoreline Dental Studio website.