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dentist thousand oaks
If you haven't seen our new look, check out this quick video tour put together by Dr. Kari Ann Hong! You will notice new flooring, paint and artwork throughout the office and exam rooms. Additionally, take a peek at our brand new waiting room and private consultation room. Overall, the renovated space creates a very upscale and welcoming ambiance. If you would like to see the office for yourself, just stop by and see us!
At Thousand Oaks Family Dentistry, we hope everyone gets to spend today with their beloved fathers and/or children. As a special treat, here is our office manager Michael and his son Jonathan. Michael celebrates his very fist Father's Day today! Enjoy the warm weather, fire up the grill and spend some quality time with your family!
Thousand Oaks Family Dentistry is proud to welcome Faith, our newest dental assistant! Faith was born in Detroit, Michigan and attended the University of Hawaii in Maui where she pursued a degree in nursing. A change of careers brought her to Southern California, where she is eager to expand and share her dental knowledge while helping others. In her off time, Faith enjoys spending time with her two daughters, hiking, cooking and running. We are glad to have you with us, Faith!
Viroxyn is packaged in a convenient vial/swab combination and can be applied in a matter of seconds. Credit: Quadex Labs
Every year, millions of Americans develop one or more cold sores on their lips. These blisters are unsightly, painful and contagious- often causing us to avoid or limit socialization while they are inflamed. Fortunately, there is an excellent medical solution to this pain and embarrassment. Our office is proud to offer Viroxyn- a professional strength cold sore treatment.
Cold sores are caused by a viral infection that enters the body via the mucosal tissue (i.e. lips) or dry/cut skin. Once inside, it can lie dormant for months or years, until it becomes activated and begins to replicate. As the virus grows, your body’s immune system kicks in and begins to supply the area with white blood cells to combat the infection. This process causes the typical cycle of pain, irritation and appearance of blisters associated with cold sores.
Untreated, the entire biological process takes about 2 weeks to resolve itself. The virus then becomes dormant until reactivated, as it is never actually eradicated from your body. Typical cold sore sufferers receive an average of 1-3 outbreaks a year, often coinciding with times or stress or irritation to the lip tissue. Dry weather, hectic work schedules and even sunburns can cause the virus to engage and begin replicating.
Viroxyn helps minimize the hassle of these outbreaks through a combination of an effective pain reliever and antiseptic. One applied, the topical anesthetic begins to numb the pain, while the antiseptic helps the body target and eradicate the active virus. Many patients find their pain eliminated in one hour, with the visible outbreak minimized in as few as three days. Viroxyn works best when the outbreak is caught early on, and is typically administered as soon as you feel the first signs of a cold sore. The medicine is delivered in a convenient single use swab system and takes less than a minute to apply.
If you suffer from cold sores, please let us know at your next visit. This product does an excellent job of stopping pain from cold sores and can drastically shorten your time spent suffering with an unsightly blister. If you have any further questions about this product, or would like to learn more about what causes cold sores, please call our office. We are here to help in every way that we can!
The Contents of the Baby Tooth Album
Welcome to The Dental Library Review! In this feature, we will be reviewing and highlighting different children’s books we have collected at our office. Our staff have personally used these books with their own children and have had great reception. Today, we will be going over The Baby Tooth Album.
Admittedly, calling this a "book" is quite a stretch. However, it is a great educational tool that doubles as a convenient keepsake. The Baby Tooth Album is a rotating disk with spots for each of your child's baby teeth. The top cover rotates to keep one tooth chamber open at a time, preventing spillages, mix ups and lost teeth. Also included is a small baby tooth chart with some fun information on children's teeth.
We love this product because it is a very visual way of displaying and learning about teeth. Children can clearly see the differences in tooth size and structure, gaining an appreciation and interest in their own dentition. For parents, this is an easy way to remember the excitement and anticipation of lost teeth. The device itself is small enough to fit in a photo album or scrapbook as well, making it a perfect addition to your existing documentation.
If you would like a closer look at the Baby Tooth album, feel free to stop by our office. As with everything in our dental library, it is free for you to read and examine. We look forward to getting your family excited about dentistry, home care and oral hygiene!
If you turn on the news tonight, chances are you will see at least one article on harmful food additives, dangerous diets or other health scares. With so many alarming stories on the average american diet and wellness, many of our patients are trying alternative and holistic medical solutions. Today, we would like to cover one of these treatments that directly relates to dentistry and dental science; Oil Pulling.
Oil Pulling is an ancient South-Asian practice of swishing or holding oil in the mouth. It arises from traditional Hindu medicine and is said to have incredible benefits for the entire body. In modern times, oil pulling is thought to aid in eliminating bacteria from the teeth and gums. The practice has been popularized by TV shows such as Dr. Oz and holistic medicine websites and blogs. Some believe that the oil can emulsify and trap bacteria, allowing it to be removed as the oil is expelled. Others argue that the action of swishing oil can push bacteria out of the gum tissue and hard to reach areas. No matter what proposed mechanism, the promise is a healthier mouth with lower bacterial counts.
The American Dental Association’s stance on oil pulling is that there isn’t enough conclusive scientific evidence to recommend it as a treatment for any oral condition. With papers suggesting both benefits and drawbacks, it is hard to reach a hard decision on if, how or why oil pulling works. At Thousand Oaks Family Dentistry, we feel that while oil pulling may not have any concrete medicinal benefits, there is relatively little harm in it’s practice. If you believe it can make your mouth healthier and cleaner, then feel free to try oil pulling. Our only advice is to use a quality (cold pressed) oil and to discard the oil into your trash (it can quickly harden and clog up bathroom sinks). Additionally, make sure you rinsing thoroughly after each pulling session and do not let the oil sit on your teeth for extended periods.
In short, we recognize oil pulling as a treatment many of our patients are utilizing. While you may see some health benefits, we want you to realize that there is no substitution for brushing twice a day, flossing and receiving regular dental cleanings. We know of no way to better maximize your oral health and minimize chances for disease and decay. As with any habit, if you notice oil pulling is having negative effects, stop treatment immediately. We want all of our patients to be happy and healthy. If you feel oil pulling can help get you reach that state, then feel free to add it to your existing home care regimen in a safe and controlled manner!
