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Dental HealthPreventive Care for Children and AdultsComprehensive Dental Care
Smile MakeoversDental ReconstructionChildren
Dental EmergenciesDental emergencies are treated right away. Call Galan Dental (408-377-8200) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, with:
Your Child's First Visit
We will gently examine your child's teeth and gums. X-rays may be taken (to reveal decay and check on the progress of your child's permanent teeth under the gums). We may clean your child's teeth and apply topical fluoride to help protect the teeth against decay. We will make sure your child is receiving adequate fluoride at home. Most important of all, we will review with you how to clean and care for your child's teeth. What should I tell my child about the first dental visit?We are asked this question many times. We suggest you prepare your child the same way that you would before their first haircut or trip to the shoe store. Your child's reaction to his first visit to the dentist may surprise you. Here are some "First Visit" tips:
During your first visit the dentist will:
What about preventative care?Dental SealantsTooth decay and children no longer have to go hand in hand. At our office we are most concerned with all aspects of preventive care. We use the latest in sealant technology to protect your child's teeth. Sealants are space-age plastics that are bonded to the chewing surfaces of decay prone teeth i.e. recently erupted molars. Dental Sealants protect the depressions and grooves of your teeth from food particles and plaque that brushing and flossing can't reach. This is just one of the ways we will set the foundation for your child's lifetime of good oral health. Easy to apply, sealants take only a few minutes to seal each tooth. Sealants hold up well under the force of normal chewing and can last several years before a reapplication is needed. Dental Sealants are used for children as well as adults. Cavity Prevention
Limiting sugar intake and brushing regularly, of course, can help. The longer it takes your child to chew their foods the longer the residue stays on their teeth, the greater the chances of getting cavities. Every time someone eats, an acid reaction occurs inside their mouth as the bacteria digests the sugars. This reaction lasts approximately 20 minutes. During this time the acid environment can destroy the tooth structure, eventually leading to cavities. Consistency of a person's saliva also makes a difference; thinner saliva breaks up and washes away food more quickly. When a person eats diets high in carbohydrates and sugars they tend to have thicker saliva, which in turn allows more of the acid-producing bacteria that can cause cavities. Tips for cavity prevention:
The first baby teeth that come into the mouth are the two bottom front teeth. You will notice this when your baby is about 6-8 months old. Next to follow will be the 4 upper front teeth and the remainder of your baby's teeth will appear periodically. They will usually appear in pairs until the child is about 2 1/2 years old. At around 2 1/2 years old your child should have all 20 teeth. Between the ages of 5 and 6 the first permanent teeth will begin to erupt. Some of the permanent teeth replace baby teeth and some don't. Don't worry if some teeth are a few months early or late as all children are different. Baby teeth are important as they not only hold space for permanent teeth but they are important to chewing, biting, speech and appearance. For this reason it is important to maintain a healthy diet and daily hygiene. Oral Hygiene
Periodontal disease and decay are both caused by bacterial plaque. Plaque is a colorless film, which sticks to your teeth at the gum line. Plaque constantly forms on your teeth and due to its sticky nature it will always be anchor for bacteria. Periodontal disease destroys the bone and supporting structures of the teeth. Destruction of these supporting structures will cause the teeth to be lost. By thorough daily brushing and flossing you can reduce the bacterial index that causes cavities and gum disease. How to Brush?
When you are done cleaning the outside surfaces of all your teeth, follow the same directions while cleaning the tongue side of the posterior teeth. To clean the inside surfaces of the upper and lower front teeth, hold the brush vertically. Make several gentle back-and-forth strokes over each tooth. Don't forget to gently brush the surrounding gum tissue. Next you will clean the biting surfaces of your teeth by using short, gentle strokes. Change the position of the brush as often as necessary to reach and clean all surfaces. Try to watch yourself in the mirror to make sure you clean each surface. After you are done, rinse vigorously to remove any plaque you might have loosened while brushing. Be sure to change the hand brush or electric toothbrush bristles every 4mos. If you have any pain while brushing or have any questions about how to brush properly, please be sure to call the office. How to Floss?Periodontal disease usually appears between the teeth where your toothbrush cannot reach. Flossing is a very effective way to remove plaque from those surfaces. However, it is important to develop the proper technique. The following instructions will help you, but remember it takes time and practice. Start with a piece of floss (waxed is easier) about 18" long. Lightly wrap most of the floss around the middle finger of one hand. Wrap the rest of the floss around the middle finger of the other hand. Gently insert the floss tightly between the teeth using a back-and-forth motion. Do not force the floss or try to snap it in to place. Bring the floss to the gum line then curve it into a C-shape against one tooth. Slide it into the space between the gum and the tooth until you feel light resistance. Move the floss up and down (not side to side) on the side of one tooth. Be careful not to cut the gum tissue between the teeth. Use a fresh area of the floss in between each tooth. Rinse vigorously with water to remove plaque and food particles. Do not be alarmed if during the first week of flossing your gums bleed or are a little sore. If your gums hurt while flossing you could be doing it too hard or pinching the gum. As you floss daily and remove the plaque your gums will heal and the bleeding should stop. Caring for Sensitive TeethSometimes after dental treatment, teeth are sensitive to hot and cold. This should not last long, but only if the mouth is kept clean. If the mouth is not kept clean the sensitivity will remain and could become more severe. If your teeth are especially sensitive consult with your doctor. They may recommend a fluoride medicated toothpaste or mouth rinse made especially for sensitive teeth. Choosing Oral Hygiene Products
Automatic and "high-tech" electronic toothbrushes are safe and effective for the majority of the patients. Oral irrigators (water spraying devices) will rinse your mouth thoroughly, but will not remove plaque. You need to brush and floss in conjunction with the irrigator. We see excellent results with electric toothbrushes. Some hand toothbrushes have a rubber tip on the handle; this is used to massage the gums after brushing. There are also cone shaped tiny brushes that can also be used with a handle called Interdental brushes. Interdental brushes are suitable for cleaning large interdental spaces when teeth are missing or gums are periodontally involved. If these are used improperly you could injure the gums, so discuss proper use with your doctor.
Anti-plaque rinses, approved by the American Dental Association, contain agents that may help bring early gum disease under control. Use these in conjunction with brushing and flossing.
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Have a beautiful smile and healthy teeth . . . 
Did we mention that we love to treat children! The younger the better to establish healthy habits that will last a lifetime. The American Dental Association now recommends that your child see a dentist at either age 1 or when the first tooth appears. Galan Dental provides comprehensive dental care to infants, toddlers, children and teens, including: 
The first "regular" dental visit should be just after the first tooth erupts into the mouth. The first dental visit is usually short and involves very little treatment. We may ask the parent to sit in the dental chair and hold their child during the examination. The parent may also be asked to wait in the reception area during part of the visit so that a relationship can be built between your child and your dentist.
Most of the time cavities are due to a diet high in sugary foods and a lack of brushing.
Why is oral hygiene so important? Adults over 35 lose more teeth to gum diseases, (periodontal disease) than from cavities. Three out of four adults are affected at some time in their life. The best way to prevent cavities and periodontal disease is by good tooth brushing and flossing techniques, performed daily. 
Make sure you use a soft bristled toothbrush; when brushing the outside surfaces of your teeth, position the brush at a 45-degree angle where your gums and teeth meet. Gently move the brush in a circular motion several times using small, gentle strokes. Use light pressure while putting the bristles between the teeth, but not so much pressure that you feel any discomfort. Heavy brushing or hard bristled toothbrushes will abrade the gums from around the neck of your teeth and cause recession and sensitivity. 
There are so many products on the market it can become confusing and choosing between all the products can be difficult. Here are some suggestions for choosing dental care products that will work for most patients.
Fluoride toothpastes and mouth rinses if used in conjunction with brushing and flossing can reduce tooth decay as much as 40%. Remember, these rinses are not recommended for children under six years of age. Keep out of reach of children unless it is under adult supervision. Tartar control toothpastes will reduce tartar above the gum line, but gum disease starts below the gum line so these products have not been proven to reduce the early stages of gum disease.
Professional Teeth Cleaning
The three factors that will influence your teeth’s health are:
