San Luis Obispo Dentist Makes You a Top Priority

Finding a San Luis Obispo Dentist does not have to be that difficult, and if you have been avoiding the Dentist in San Luis Obispo out of fear, you have not been to Dr. Deborah McNeil-Amorteguy. The finest San Luis Obispo Dentist practice is dedicated to minimizing wear and disease, maintaining healthy teeth and gums, and most importantly, creating a San Luis Obispo Dentist experience that you will not likely forget because you will look and feel great.

Unlike other San Luis Obispo Dentist practices that you may have visited in the past, Dr. Deborah McNeil-Amorteguy will make sure that you are involved in every step of your treatment. Keeping your teeth and gums healthy is a team effort, and Dr. McNeil-Amorteguy will do everything she can to make sure that you know what to expect the minute you walk through the door of the best San Luis Obispo Dentist. Your San Luis Obispo Dentist office works hard to earn your trust and knows how important it is to maintain a healthy mouth.

According to Web MD and your San Luis Obispo Dentist, taking care of your teeth and gums can keep them healthy for the rest of your life. Dr. Deborah McNeil-Armorteguy will do everything in her power to make sure that the teeth that you were born with are the same ones that you will have when you are in your 70’s or 80’s.

The five basic steps to healthy teeth and gums include, brushing, flossing, rinsing, eating right, and visiting the SanLuis Obispo Dentist regularly. By brushing at least twice a day and after every meal you will be removing the bacteria, or plaque, that clings to your teeth. Plaque causes bacteria that can lead to tooth decay. Try to floss once a day as this will get rid of the plaque and food that is lodged between your teeth. Plaque that is left behind will eventually harden turning into tarter. Tarter is something that can only be removed by your San Luis Obispo Dentist.

If you can’t remember the last time you saw your San Luis Obispo Dentist, make an appointment with Dr. Deborah McNeil-Amorteguy today, after all, your teeth and gums are the good San Luis Obispo dentists top priority.

Dr. Amorteguy's Office Gets A New AED Machine

As many of Dr. Amorteguy's patients know, she is committed not only to healthy teeth, but also heart health. Dr. Amorteguy is an ardent supporter of the American Heart Association and in her free time, she volunteers for the AHA by fundraising for the organization.

Dr. Amorteguy knows that oral health can affect not only your mouth but your heart as well. But what about tragic heart conditions that may not necessarily be linked to whether or not you've been brushing your teeth? Sudden Cardiac Arrest is the number one killer in the United States and it can happen to anyone at any age. That's why Dr. Amorteguy purchased an AED (automatic external defibrillator) for her office from the Ryan J. Clarke CPR Fund For Schools, a nonprofit organization committed to preventing death by Sudden Cardiac Arrest by providing CPR and AED training to 9th and 10th graders. Dr. Amorteguy, along with the Ryan J. Clarke CPR Fund For Schools is further ensuring the safety of her patients with this life saving device.

To find out more about what the Ryan J. Clarke CPR Fund or to donate to the cause, visit their website or facebook page. 

Dr. Amorteguy Receives Her Oral Conscious Sedation Certification from State of California

Dr. Deborah Amorteguy, a San Luis obispo dentist, recently acquired her Oral Conscious Sedation Certification from the State of California. This certification ensures she has the skills required to sedate healthy adults while applying established safety standards and provides positive experiences for patient and practitioner. 

Additionally, this certification lets her patients know that Dr. Amorteguy is doing everything she can to continue her education in the field of dentistry, while also bringing in new patients who are normally fear dentistry by managing their pain and anxiety while in her care. 

Congratulations to Dr. Amorteguy!

San Luis Obispo Dentist Discusses: When Hot and Cold Temperatures Really Hurt

Have you ever taken a sip of a cold beverage, expecting refreshment, only to wince in sharp pain? Has a warm cup of tea been the source of unrelenting toothache? If you’ve experienced any of these symptoms when dealing with temperature, it is likely that you suffer from sensitive teeth. Dr. Amorteguy, a San Luis Obispo dentist, wants to help you understand why your mouth is reacting to environmental temperature shifts.

There are numerous reasons why people experience sensitivity in this way. More specifically, and usually the most likely culprit, is that the root is exposed at the base of the tooth. It is there that millions of tiny tubes (called dentin), which are connected to nerve endings, are exposed to the elements. Gum recession, teeth grinding, aggressive brushing techniques, and acidic drinks all contribute to exposed gums and ultimately sensitive teeth.

Dr. Amorteguy say thats some people don’t realize they’re brushing too hard, thus affecting tooth sensitivity through enamel erosion and gum wear. Your most loved beverage -- coffee, tea, juice, wine, and popular energy drinks -- are also putting the condition of the tooth’s enamel and the dentin in a vulnerable position.

If you’re experiencing severe sensitivity, talk to Dr. Amorteguy about bonding the problematic areas. This is essentially a very fine varnish your dentist applies to the tooth. It's not a permanent fix, though. In the meantime, consider brushing gently, reduce your acidic beverage intake, and be aware of any tooth grinding you may be experiencing.

San Luis Obispo Dentist: Energy Drinks Are Bad For Teeth

Many people believe energy drinks are useful consumable items that get them through the day. However, studies are suggesting that although energy drinks give people a short burst of productivity, they actually contribute to declining oral health.  Many people believe that an energy drink is a healthier alternative to soda and other sugary drinks. Specifically, the study shows that ingredients contained in sports drinks can damage tooth enamel which leads to increased risk of developing cavities.

The ABA led the research team, where 13 “sports” drinks (like gatorade) and 9 “energy” drinks (like Red Bull) were tested for their acidity. They tested six drinks for their effects on tooth enamel and found both types caused damage. Energy drinks, however, were twice as bad. Damaged tooth enamel cannot be fixed.  This study was published in the journal, General Dentistry.

The samples of enamel were immersed in the  test drinks for 15 minutes. The samples were then  to artificial saliva for two hours. This process was repeated four times a day for five days. The beverages were replaced with fresh ones every day. This process was developed in order to simulate real life, since people tend to consume these drinks throughout the day. The research shows that enamel loss was evident after five days of exposure!

If you’re an avid energy drink/sports drink user, then it would be wise to dilute the liquid with water in order to minimize the harmful effects to your teeth. Dr. Amorteguy, a San Luis Obispo dentist, suggests discontinuing use of  these beverages as a source of energy and instead, make healthy changes to your sleeping and dietary habits. You’d be surprised to find out that little steps will make you feel healthier, refreshed, and less dependent on stimulants.

SLO Dentist Discusses Flossing Excuses

Believe it or not, a recent survey has found that only 49% of Americans floss daily and 10% of Americans don’t floss at all. These rough estimates are quite unfortunate, given howimportant flossing is to your oral hygiene routine. In fact, dentists agree that flossing is more important than brushing in the fight against periodontal disease, which could ultimately lead to tooth loss. People joke about how the only time they floss is when they’re due for their annual check-up. SLO dentist, Dr. Deborah Amorteguy, wants her patients to know that he can tell if you’ve been a long-term flosser or not.

And, she wants you to put an end to your excuses for not flossing regularly. The main “culprit” people cite for not flossing is that they don’t have time. Although effective flossing does require a bit of time (about 3 to 5 minutes), Dr. Amorteguy says that even 60 seconds of flossing is better than zero seconds of flossing. The key here is to make flossing a daily habit.

Other excuses vary from not knowing how to floss, not having enough dexterity to floss, or having dental work that makes flossing impossible, or that food doesn’t get stuck in your teeth. If it’s lack of knowledge that is keeping you from flossing your teeth, take a look at this video that clearly illustrates how to properly floss. Also, if you have dexterity constraints, consider a floss holder. These disposable plastic Y-shaped devices (some equipped with a spool of floss) hold a span of floss between two prongs to allow one-handed use. Furthermore, flossing doesn’t rid your mouth of food detritus, it gets rid of dental plaque, the very thing that causes gum disease.

Another oft-used excuse is that flossing can be painful for some. Bleeding while brushing and flossing is the precise condition flossing aims to prevent. The good news is that once you regularly floss and brush, these symptoms subside. If they persists, it is wise to contact Dr. Amorteguy at her SLO office to figure out what is going on with your oral health. Remember, brushing and flossing regularly is how you prevent periodontal disease!

San Luis Obispo Dentist Discusses Tooth Loss

You may not be concerned with tooth loss now, but research suggests that there are certain factors that can contribute towards tooth loss. Those factors are:

• Anyone over the age of 35 years of age
• Males
• Neglecting professional dental care
• Neglecting proper oral hygiene practices (toothbrushing)
• Smoking
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Rheumatoid arthritis

A few of the above factors can not be changes -- age and sex in particular -- but the other risk factors can be influenced by your own healthy habits. For example, brushing and flossing regularly and seeing your dental health professionals, San Luis Obispo dentist Dr. Amorteguy, twice a year or as needed.

Main Reason For Tooth Loss

The primary reason for tooth loss was found be a to a result of sever periodontal disease (gum disease) that can be avoided or remedied with proper brushing and flossing techniques. Once gingivitis has taken hold of your gums and morphed into periodontal disease, the risk for tooth loss increases.

Tooth Loss and the Connection To Overall Health

In addition to poor oral health practices, people experiencing tooth loss also had health issues that complicated their dental health. The connection between tooth loss and diabetes has been well-established. In the research done on tooth loss in this particular, it was found people with high blood pressure and rheumatoid arthritis have a higher propensity to tooth loss and/or extraction.

If you have any of the health issues in the above list, or are concerned with tooth loss in general, be sure to care for your teeth as suggested by San Luis Obispo dentist Dr. deborah Amorteguy, while also coming in for your professional dental cleanings and check-ups. If tooth loss can be prevented with simple steps, you'll be thanking yourself for taking those tiny, albeit important measures.