Dental patients in the Mission Viejo, Las Sorres, and San Juan Capistrano areas know that regular brushing and flossing are essential for optimal oral health. However, the bristles of your toothbrush can’t reach into every small groove and depression in your teeth, especially the really bumpy back teeth. That’s where sealants can be invaluable.

Dental sealants are a plastic material that is applied by your dentist. This material is a resin that bonds to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, mainly in the pits and fissures. The plastic acts as a shield against acids and plaque that can damage the enamel.

You might think that sealants are only for children and teenagers, but they are beneficial for adults as well. If you are wondering if sealants are right for you, give Parker Dentistry a call. This simple dental procedure can improve your oral health by protecting the surfaces that are particularly vulnerable to decay.

Many California dental insurance providers include dental sealants as a covered benefit, so check with your provider if you are considering them. If you don’t have dental insurance, ask us about financing options. Because they can prevent cavities, dental sealants can save you money in the long run.

I’m Dr. Lincoln Parker, an experienced Ladera Ranch dentist. Thank you for visiting my dental blog. Our practice offers:

cosmetic dentistry
dental implants
sedation dentistry
family dentistry
CEREC crowns

If you have any questions about these or other cosmetic dental procedures, call us today at 949-429-0717 to schedule a consultation.  Our friendly staff would be happy to assist you.

Contact Parker Dentistry: 949-429-0717

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

777 Corporate Dr Ste 100
Ladera Ranch, California
92694

Men and women who have chronic bad breath understand the embarrassment and frustration associated with this condition. There are several possible causes, some that are often overlooked:

1. Poor oral hygiene
2. Digestive problems
3. Systemic infection
4. Bacteria on dentures
5. Gum disease
6. Food particles on tonsils
7. Dry mouth

At Parker Dentistry, we can help you with this unpleasant problem. If your bad breath is the result of poor oral hygiene, you’re in luck – this is one of the easiest types to treat. If you have visited our Ladera Ranch dental blog before, you know step one: make sure you brush for a full three minutes and floss before you climb into bed.

People who have no idea how long they brush can set a timer (there is probably one on your smartphone). In addition to cleaning tooth surfaces, scrub your tongue! Then, take the time to carefully floss around each tooth to remove the plaque between your teeth and keep your gums healthy.

Brush after each meal to prevent bacteria-causing food particles from sitting on their teeth during the day. In addition to freshening your breath, practicing proper oral hygiene will improve your health.

Schedule an examination and deep dental cleaning with us. Our dental hygienist will get all the plaque and calculus off your teeth. During your examination, Dr. Parker will determine whether you have a dental problem that is contributing to your breath.

Possible dental causes are: a cavity, a broken crown, or gum disease. If we suspect that your bad breath is caused by a non-dental problem, such as a respiratory infection, you will be referred to an appropriate medical professional.

Treating bad breath starts with a visit to Parker Dentistry. In addition to general dental care, we provide a complete menu of cosmetic dental services including cosmetic dentistry, family dentistry, and dental implants. Call 949-429-0717 today!

Contact Parker Dentistry: 949-429-0717

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

777 Corporate Dr Ste 100
Ladera Ranch, California
92694

Your child should be naturally proud of his or her smile. It expresses joy, laughter, and fun! To make sure your child has a healthy and desirable smile, start early. Really early.

Dr. Lincoln Parker recommends that you bring your child in for their first dental visit soon after their first birthday. An early check is the first step in preventing issues and setting the stage for lifelong dental health. Dr. Parker will keep the visit short, but perform a thorough visual examination to make sure there are no concerns.

Dr. Parker will advise you on good dental procedures at home, such as correct brushing and flossing. You will also be guided regarding healthy eating choices and the impact of poor choices. It is especially vital to keep your toddler from eating sticky or hard candies that lodge in molars and spaces between teeth. It is also important to monitor the amount of juice they drink and keep it in a cup instead of a bottle.

Any time sugary foods or drinks are in contact with teeth, the enamel is weakened from the acid those substances contain. Prolonged exposure begins to wear the enamel away, setting the stage for cavities. Unlike broken bones that regenerate, once enamel is gone, it’s essentially gone, though fluoride can remineralize weakened enamel to a small degree.

Promoting a healthy, low sugar diet is always ideal for your toddler’s teeth. If your baby or toddler needs a bottle to calm down and go to sleep, make sure that the bottle contains only water.

Other essential habits are to brush and floss your teeth in front of your child. (If you have never been regular flossing – it’s time to start!) Let them see that it is a priority and a comfortable habit in your life. Brush their teeth with a soft bristled brush and a small amount of toothpaste. Let them try it, but always go over their teeth afterward, making sure each tooth is brushed. When finished, give them a cup of water to help rinse the toothpaste out.

Before coming to Parker Dentistry in Ladera Ranch, communicate with your child about the upcoming appointment and let them know that their teeth are going to be checked. Dr. Parker will help your child feel proud of their effort and help them have a pleasing visit, the first of many to come.

Call Dr. Parker at 949-429-0717 to schedule an appointment. Remember also to call any time between scheduled visits with any questions or concerns that might arise. We are devoted to your child’s lifelong dental health.

Dr. Parker serves many families in the Rancho Santa Margarita area with proficiency and compassion. Some of our patients come from Mission Viejo, Las Sorres, and San Juan Capistrano. At Parker Dentistry, we love working with children and will help your child have a good experience learning to care for their teeth.

At Parker Dentistry, each member of our friendly team is dedicated to making our youngest patients feel safe and comfortable. Our patients enjoy the friendly atmosphere while benefiting from our state-of-the-art technology.

Some of our most popular services include cosmetic dentistry, dental implants and sedation dentistry. We are located at 777 Corporate Dr Ste 100 in Ladera Ranch.

Say Cheese!

Contact Parker Dentistry:

949-429-0717

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

777 Corporate Dr Ste 100
Ladera Ranch, California
92694

Did you know that The American Dental Association recommends that a child’s first visit to a dentist should occur around twelve months of age?

For many parents in the Mission Viejo, Las Sorres, and San Juan Capistrano area, this may come as a surprise. Today in the Parker Dentistry post, we are going to review 4 reasons why your toddler’s teeth are worth a dental visit.

1. Twelve months of age happens to be about the time when a child’s first teeth tend to erupt. Once those teeth are out, it’s time to get them looked at by a professional.

2. One of the most important things your Las Sorres or San Juan Capistrano dentist will do at this visit will be to clean those young teeth and apply fluoride.

3. Visiting the dentist at a young age is a great way to help your child get used to the dentist’s office. This will help them to be more comfortable with the dentist as they grow older.

4. Visiting the dentist also helps parents enlist the help of other adults is establishing good dental habits in their children. Starting early dental visits will mean that later in life your child is less likely to require braces or other cosmetic dentistry procedures such as dental implants.

If your child is apprehensive about visiting the dentist, you might want to bring them for a short tour of our office beforehand. They can meet our friendly staff and learn what to expect when they come in for their exam.

I’m Dr. Lincoln Parker, of Ladera Ranch. I want my patients to have the best oral health possible. I also want them to look their best, so if you have any questions about a smile makeover or other cosmetic dentistry procedures, contact my friendly dental team at 949-429-0717.

At Parker Dentistry we offer:

cosmetic dentistry
dental implants
sedation dentistry
family dentistry

Thanks for reading!

Contact Parker Dentistry:

949-429-0717

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

777 Corporate Dr Ste 100
Ladera Ranch, California
92694

The American Dental Association offers some welcome advice for choosing a dentist in Ladera Ranch. We have already talked about how word of mouth is an important factor for choosing a dentist. Here are some things you should look for:

Location is always a factor when choosing a dentist. If you live in the Ladera Ranch, California area, there are many options, and most Ladera Ranch locations are not too far out of the way. While location plays an important role in convenience, many people are willing to drive a little farther for a better experience with their Ladera Ranch dentist.

Relationship is a strong factor. Your dentist should be approachable and should make you feel comfortable when you are in the dentist chair. After all, your Ladera Ranch dentist will be working very close with you to help you achieve a high level of oral health; you most certainly will want to have a good, professional, comfortable relationship with your dentist and the dental office staff.

Specialty is another important factor in choosing a dentist. Some dentists specialize in cosmetic dentistry. Others specialize in corrective dentistry such as braces. Depending on your need, you may select a local Ladera Ranch dentist who can solve your immediate concern. Bear in mind, however, that it is good to have a general dentist who can maintain your dental history and provide general dental care through the years.

We are accepting new patients. Give us a call at 949-429-0717 to schedule a friendly consultation.

Ask us about these services:

• Cosmetic Dentistry
• Porcelain Veneers
• Dental Implants
• Invisalign Clear Braces
• Six Month Smiles
• Same Day Porcelain Crowns
• Teeth Whitening

-Lincoln Parker, DMD

Contact Parker Dentistry:

949-429-0717

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

777 Corporate Dr Ste 100
Ladera Ranch, California
92694

Most San Juan Capistrano parents know children’s oral health basics: brush regularly, reduce sugar intake, limit snacking, and get adequate amounts of calcium and Vitamin D. Parker Dentistry recommends three additional tools for preventing cavities in toddlers and children.

Sealants
Fluoride supplements
Oral rinses

Resin dental sealants are applied by your Rancho Santa Margarita dentist. The material bonds to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, protecting the pits and fissures from decay. Some California dental insurance providers cover dental sealants, so check with your provider if you are considering them.

Fluoride supplements help strengthen still-forming teeth prior to eruption. You can get a prescription from your San Juan Capistrano pediatrician or talk to us at Parker Dentistry in Ladera Ranch. There is one caveat, however: if you have fluoridated water, your pediatrician may advise against taking additional fluoride in supplement form.

If your child is taking fluoride supplements, is an oral rinse redundant? Actually, no. Fluoride supplements help strengthen teeth that are still forming, but a fluoride rinse helps teeth that have already come in. Oral rinses containing fluoride can be purchased at any Mission Viejo, Las Sorres, or San Juan Capistrano grocery store. Make sure you buy one specifically formulated for children. Products labeled as a mouthwash are usually intended only for breath-freshening and may not contain fluoride.

I recommend San Juan Capistrano children use an oral rinse after they brush and floss at night. They are most effective when they are the last substance on teeth before kids go to bed.

At Parker Dentistry, we believe that with proper preventative dentistry, Rancho Santa Margarita area kids can enjoy healthy teeth for life.

Contact Parker Dentistry:

949-429-0717

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

777 Corporate Dr. Ste 100
Ladera Ranch, CA
92694