Learn more about keeping your child’s teeth healthy with this true or false quiz.

1. T or F All children older than 6 months should receive a fluoride supplement every day.
2. T or F Parents should start cleaning their child’s teeth as soon as the first tooth appears.
3. T or F Parents should start brushing their child’s teeth with toothpaste that contains fluoride at age 3.
4. T or F Children younger than 6 years should use enough toothpaste with fluoride to cover the toothbrush.
5. T or F Parents should brush their child’s teeth twice a day until the child can handle the toothbrush alone.
6. T or F Young children should always use fluoride mouth rinses after brushing.

ANSWERS

1. False. Parents of a child older than 6 months should discuss with your child’s doctor or dentist about your child’s specific fluoride needs.
2. True. Start cleaning as soon as the first tooth appears. Wipe teeth every day with a clean, damp cloth. Switch to a small, soft toothbrush as more teeth come in.
3. False. Parents should start using toothpaste with fluoride to brush their child’s teeth at age 2. Toothpaste with fluoride may be used earlier if the child’s doctor or dentist recommends it.
4. False. Young children should use only a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste.
5. True. Children usually do not have the skill to brush their teeth well until around age 4 or 5. Parents should brush their young child’s teeth thoroughly twice a day until the child can handle the toothbrush alone.
6. False. Fluoride mouth rinses have a high concentration of fluoride. Children younger than 6 years should not use fluoride mouth rinses unless the child’s doctor or dentist recommends it.

With the growing awareness of the systematic relationship between oral health and the wellness of the whole body, people are paying more attention to how their smile portrays them as an individual. People associate yellow teeth or tooth loss with old age. Hence, by simply whitening ones teeth, it could bring years back to a smile.

Today, there are many teeth whitening products on store shelves. Some claim to be as effective as the teeth whitening treatment done in a dental office. But are they? Here you will find helpful tips and a comparison between over the counter products vs. dentist supervised teeth whitening methods.

There is an old wife’s tale about using lemon juice and baking soda mixture as a home-made teeth whitening solution. It is never recommended. Citric acid in the lemon potentially could dissolve your enamel, leaving your teeth unprotected.

Over-the-counter whitening strips and gels are peroxide-based. The gels are applied directly onto the surface of your teeth.

Tray-based tooth whitening systems involves filling a mouth guard like tray with a gel whitening solution and wearing the tray for a period of time.

The in-dentist-office teeth bleaching provides the quickest way to whiten teeth. With in-office bleaching, the whitening product is applied directly to the teeth. These products can be used in combination with heat, a special light, and/or a laser. Results are seen in only 30- to 60-minutes at a session. With in-office bleaching, dramatic results can be seen after the first treatment. This type of whitening is the most expensive technique.

Who doesn’t desire to look younger and have a dazzling smile? Discuss the whitening options with your dentist today.

Thanks to the generosity of Santa Teresa Dental patients and the South County community, Morgan Hill’s Best Dentist, as voted by locals, collected more than 1,200 pounds of canned food and more than 50 toys during its sixth annual holiday collection.

“These are tough times, so businesses as well as individuals, must work together to make sure the spirit of the holidays reaches everyone, especially those in need,” said Dr. Andrew Huang.“The ‘Pictures with Santa’ event went very well. Our patients are really very generous.”

Doctors Andrew Huang and Ann Lien of Santa Teresa Dental sixth annual holiday event featured photos with Santa. Participants donated new, unwrapped toys for the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots and non-perishable food for the Second Harvest Food Bank in exchange for a professional photo with Santa.

“Santa Teresa Dental has helped us collect toys for needy children for the past six year,” said Toys for Tots’ Morgan Hill coordinator Gina Six. “They really help us meet our the community need.”

Visiting your dentist at least twice a year is important in order to maintain healthy and strong teeth. Visiting your dentist, which may seem simple for most, is difficult for some due to dental fear and phobia. Some of us don’t like going to the dentist simply because we haven’t found the right dental team. A dentist needs to be caring and compassionate; he or she needs to be able to explain treatment thoroughly. Finding the right dental team ensures you have a pleasurable dental experience.

At Santa Teresa Dental, we strive to provide you the most memorable dental experience by providing the following:

• a stress-free, calm and caring treatment environment
• a commitment from the doctors and staff to keep up-to-date with latest dental knowledge and techniques
• expert providers in all aspects of dentistry such as general, preventative, children as well as sedation and cosmetic dentistry
• the most advanced technology including laser dentistry which allows some treatment being performed without anesthesia
• a focus on patient education
• a duty to explain all treatment options which include risks, benefits, and alternatives of each option
• a reserved time slot to serve you in case of emergency
• a comprehensive approach towards your optimal oral health

We are here to answer your dental questions and address your concerns. We perform comprehensive examinations and present you all possible treatment options. We value patient education and will give unbiased advice. Everyone is provided with the most modern dental technology and techniques. We posses the expertise for a complete array of services to every member of your family. Our goal is to not only to serve one satisfied patient, but one satisfied family and ultimately one satisfied community.

In addition, at Santa Teresa Dental, we follow strict infection control guidelines set forth by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The entire staff is trained in the strictest sterilization techniques.

We are committed to give you the ultimate dental experience by providing the most personable care. Call us today and experience what everybody else is talking about!

Sometimes finding the right dentist is not easy. Most of time, we just stay with the same dental provider year after year until he or she makes a horrible mistake. Although all dentists have gone through professional schooling and are all well educated, it is hard to find one who is good at everything. For that reason, sometimes it would be wise to seek second opinions before deciding on the treatment plan.

At Santa Teresa Dental, we specialize in cosmetic and sedation dentistry. We provide the highest quality dental care in the most relaxing and comfortable setting. We pride ourselves in giving patients a magnificent smile!

When and if you have a negative experience with your dentist, it is not always an indication that your dentist is not competent or skilled. It would be good if you can convey your discontent with the provider and give him or her an opportunity to correct the issue. Many times, it is just a matter of mis- communication.

At Santa Teresa Dental, we take great pride in providing truly excellent dentistry for you and your family. It is that commitment to excellence that our patients appreciate and our community has come to expect.

Santa Teresa Dental, where oral care is a valued part of every patient’s systemic health, today announced that Rebecca Wallingford has joined its technologically advanced practice as a registered dental hygienist.

“We are delighted that Rebecca has joined our team, especially with her skills in soft tissue management,” said Dr. Andrew Huang, DMD. “She will help us continue to provide the highest level of dental care for our patients.”

Board certified Wallingford joins Santa Teresa Dental with 15 years of dental hygiene experience. Previously, she worked with Sunnyvale dentists Alexia Lucero and Tina Der Torossian and periodontist Christine Ford of Santa Rosa.

This Morgan Hill resident has extensive knowledge with all dental hygiene-related procedures and will strive to educate her patients in plaque control, fluoride therapy and nutritional counseling. She is also licensed by the state of California to operate a dental laser, take X-rays, administer local anesthesia and perform nitrous oxide analgesia.

Wallingford will specialize in soft tissue management, which includes the early detection, diagnosis, treatment and maintenance of gum disease, if left untreated, can lead to tooth loss.

“I’m sensitive to the comfort of my patients,” says Wallingford. “I know how good communication and listening skills on my part can help ease the anxiety of many nervous patients.”

At your initial and re-care visits with us, the doctors discuss your concerns and perform a thorough examination. The doctors will

• review your medical history
• check your medications with a sophisticated online database
• take your blood pressure
• evaluate head and neck soft tissues
• screen for oral cancer
• perform cavity detection
• discuss gum disease
• take necessary records such as digital x-rays, teeth and bite models, and intraoral images

We then develop a treatment plan that serves as a road map to help you achieve optimum dental health. Once all treatments are completed, we will recommend a proper re-care schedule to maintain your optimal dental health.

At Santa Teresa Dental, we utilize the most modern technology and techniques. We offer digital x-rays that reduce radiation exposure to minuscule levels. Our intraoral cameras allow you to see exactly what the doctors see inside your mouth. And laser dentistry options enable you to receive some dental gum procedures without anesthetic – or needing to be “numbed up” first.

Regular dental visits ensures early detection of problems, hence it avoids potential dental disaster. For people young and old, visiting your dentist regularly will ensure lifelong healthy teeth and gums as well as the most beautiful smile.

Contact us today. We are here to answer all your questions and be your partner towards optimal dental health.

Santa Teresa Dental, where the focus is on one patient at a time using the latest technology and the utmost professionalism, today announced that it will now offer sedation dentistry.

For many Americans going to the dentist is a frightful event, despite the industry’s many advances in recent years. It’s estimated that approximately 145 million people avoid the dentist due to fear. But for Morgan Hill residents there is a solution.

Morgan Hill dentist Dr. Andrew Huang recently completed special training allowing him to treat these fearful people. “By simply using one small pill, people can now have their dental care accomplished while they are totally relaxed and absolutely comfortable,” he said.

“I’ve always been sensitive to my patients with high fear and apprehension, and now I can offer them a safe and even more comfortable experience,” Dr. Huang added. “So many people avoid needed care due to fear. I look forward to helping people with this safe technique of anxiety-free dentistry.”

Dr. Huang is a member of the fastest growing organization of its kind in dentistry, the Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation – DOCS. The purpose of DOCS is to provide the education necessary for dentists to provide needed care to the large population of people who are avoiding the dentist and to improve their lives with better dental health.

“Dentistry is very high tech today with all sorts of gadgets that get the job done better and quicker, but now with anxiety-free dentistry I can bridge the gap between technology and comfort,” said Dr. Huang.

Dr. Huang received his bachelor’s degree from the University of California at Berkeley and his medical degree from Temple University School of Dentistry.

Santa Teresa Dental, where the focus is on one patient at a time using the latest technology and the utmost professionalism, today announced that it offer free oral assessments to help families meet state law requirements for children entering school.

“A child’s health can affect their progress and success in school – and a child with cavities are not as healthy as they could be,” said Dr. Andrew Huang, who owns the Santa Teresa Dental in Morgan Hill. “Cavities are the single most common chronic childhood disease and yet they are completely preventable.”

The state law (AB 1433), which went into effect in 2006, requires that children have a dental check-up by May 31 of their first year in public school, at kindergarten or first grade. Dental evaluations that have happened within the 12 months prior to school entry also meet this requirement. If a dental check-up cannot be obtained, parents may get an excuse from this requirement by filling out the form provided by the child’s school.

Parents can make an appointment with Dr. Andrew Huang for the oral assessment by calling Santa Teresa Dental at (408) 782-6568. The exam will simply identify any cavities or other potential dental problems and notify parents in writing. Dr. Huang will also go over proper oral care with the child and parent.

“Good oral health is important,” said Dr. Huang. “Children need their teeth to eat properly, speak, smile and feel good about themselves.”

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month (NCDHM), a month-long celebration sponsored by the American Dental Association to promote dental education and awareness of all children. The annual celebration focuses on oral hygiene care, nutritional concerns, prevention, and the importance of regular dental visits.

In observation of NCDHM, the Santa Teresa Dental, at 16160 Monterey Road in Morgan Hill, is offering free screenings for children, which includes a demonstration on how to properly care for teeth, a free toothbrush, and an educational DVD “Easy Steps to Oral Health” in English or Spanish. Call (408) 782-6568 for an appointment.

“Cavities may still be the single most common childhood disease,” said Dr. Andrew Huang, who owns the Santa Teresa Dental. “But the good news is parents can easily play a pivotal role in preventing them.”

Acid-forming bacteria found in dental plaque causes cavities. Children, ages 1 through 6, are more susceptible to cavities because baby teeth have thinner and weaker enamel. Baby teeth also have more spaces in between where food is more likely to linger. Consequently, it creates a breeding ground for cavity-causing bacteria.

“Learning about proper oral care should be just as important as pre-natal care,” said Dr. Huang. “Parents should take the initiative and ask health care professionals about a child’s oral health.”

Dr. Huang offers the following tips for a young, healthy smile.

• Start cleaning teeth early. As the first tooth appears, clean and massage the gums with a moistened gauze square or washcloth once a day to help establish healthy teeth and to aid in teething. When more teeth come in, switch to a small, soft toothbrush.

• Use fluoride appropriately. Fluoride, found in toothpaste, fluoridated water and by professional application, is important in fighting cavities. But if children younger than 6 years old swallow too much fluoride, their teeth may develop white spots. To keep this from happening, use only a small amount of toothpaste (about the size of a pea). Teach your child to spit out the toothpaste and to rinse well after brushing. Consult with your pediatrician or dentist about when to start using fluoride.

• Eat a healthy, balanced diet and limit sugar intake. Offer your children fruits and vegetables and avoid foods with processed sugars. In addition, limit sugary and carbonated drinks. U

• Prevent baby bottle tooth decay. Never allow children to fall asleep with a bottle containing sugary liquids, including milk, formula, fruit juice, sodas, and other sweetened drinks. The sugary liquids pool around the teeth and gums, feeding the bacteria that cause cavities.

• Be a role model. Parents can teach kids good dental care by being a role model. Let them watch you brush and floss your teeth, then take time to show them how to do it themselves.

• Visit a dentist. Children should visit a dentist within six months of the first tooth and no later than 12 months of age. During the first visit parents will learn more about the proper oral care and hygiene measures necessary for young, healthy teeth.

 “With a little patience and guidance, your children can grow up with a healthy, beautiful smile,” said Dr. Huang.