Ask your Salinas, CA dentist if it’s a cavity in your mouth
June 6, 2016
Your molar has become sensitive to heat, cold and sugary foods. What’s happening? Contact Dr. Gary Klugman, Salinas, CA dentist. This highly-skilled family dentist is a Distinguished Mentor for the Center for Restorative Excellence in Seattle. Simply put, he knows if you have dental decay requiring treatment. (more…)
General and Family Dentistry from Blanco Circle Dental Care in Salinas, CA
February 22, 2015
Beautiful and healthy smiles don’t just happen. Like anything worth having they take work. And in this case, the work is completed by a partnership: you and your dentist. With general and family dentistry from Blanco Circle Dental Care in Salinas CA, you can rely on Dr. Gary Klugman and Dr. Christina Bianco to be your trusted partners in achieving beautiful and healthy smiles for you and your entire family.
Dental Checkups: the Foundation of General and Family Dentistry
In keeping with the recommendation of the American Dental Association, Drs. Klugman and Bianco would like to see you and each member of your family every six months for checkups. With these regularly scheduled visits, we can better track your oral health and spot any developments before they become painful or expensive problems.
At these checkups, we will clean your teeth and remove plaque buildup; we’ll check the health of your gums and other soft tissue; and we’ll carefully examine your teeth for decay. If we do find a cavity—or any other concerning issue, such as gum disease, signs of TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorder) or teeth clenching and grinding—then we will want to treat with the most up-to-date procedure. Thus, we offer tooth-colored fillings for cavities, TMJ therapy to relieve your pain and nightguards to protect your teeth from nighttime teeth grinding.
Your Role in General and Family Dentistry
Dr. Klugman and Dr. Bianco want you to take a proactive role in your dental care. Therefore, we encourage you to contact our office immediately if you or a family member is experiencing discomfort or any visible concern. Beyond that, our dental hygienists will show you how to properly brush and floss your teeth, so that you can maintain your oral health in between your regularly scheduled checkups.
Schedule an Appointment Today
For the best in general and family dentistry in Salinas, CA, call the office of Blanco Circle Dental Care today. We conveniently serve patients in Hollister, Monterey, Seaside, Prunedale, Marina, Greenfield, Gilroy and King City and beyond.
Dental Concerns at Every Age
November 22, 2014
Taking care of your teeth is important at every age. However, as our bodies change and we learn how to take care of our teeth, we can develop different oral health concerns. That’s why it’s so convenient to choose a dentist that specializes in family dentistry. No matter your age, the team at Blanco Circle Dental Care can address the needs of every member of your family, from baby’s first visit to helping you navigate whitening options, to fitting the grandparents for dentures. You can set up an appointment with Dr. Klugman and Dr. Bianco today at their Salinas, CA dentist office.
Children’s Dental Concerns
Children have a unique set of concerns as they grow and develop. After the teething stage, children will begin to lose their baby teeth. The most common concern at this point will be preventing tooth decay. The tooth enamel of a child is only about half as thick as an adult’s, which makes their teeth particularly susceptible to tooth decay. Once decay begins, it does more damage more quickly. If left undetected, it can rapidly form a cavity. It’s also important to keep your child’s plaque under control because if left untreated, it can make your children’s gums swollen so that they bleed when touched. This is the first stage of gingivitis (gum disease). Though these concerns are fairly common in children, improved brushing and regular cleaning by a dentist should combat these problems.
Teen Dental Concerns
As your child grows into a teenager, irregular tooth growth can become a major issue. The formation of over and under bites, crooked and misaligned teeth is a common problem among adolescents who may now require braces to correct these issues. Another common problem at this age is wisdom tooth extraction, or the removal of the third molar. Wisdom teeth come in sometime between the ages of 17 and 21. This process can be very painful if the teeth become impacted. Other dental problems may commonly arise at this age due to behavioral factors such as poor nutrition, eating disorders, smoking, oral piercings and illicit drug use. It’s extremely important to educate your teen on the added consequences of poor dental health when engaging in these behaviors.
Adult Dental Concerns
In addition to tooth decay, adult dental concerns may be aesthetic, or may be related to the development of certain dental conditions. Teeth grinding, or bruxism, occurs unconsciously while you sleep. It can cause serious damage to your teeth and jaw. Teeth grinding can be caused by stress or by sleep disorders. Teeth grinding can be treated by the dentist with a fitted mouthguard to protect your teeth while you sleep. A related disorder of the temporomandibular joints, or TMJ, is a common ailment for many adults. The TMJ is among the more complex joints in the body. Any misalignment of the teeth or jaw that prevents the TMJ from working properly may result in a painful disorder, also referred to as TMJ disorders or sometimes TMD. The cause of TMJ disorder is often unclear, but possible causes can include arthritis, dislocation, injury, or problems related to alignment or teeth grinding from stress. Symptoms of TMD include pain in or around the ear, tenderness of the jaw, clicking or popping noises when opening or closing the mouth and severe headaches.
Senior Dental Concerns
As we age keeping our teeth healthy can become more and more of a challenge. Seniors can have a particularly difficult time maintaining their oral health because of the side effects of their medical conditions or prescription drugs. Some medications and certain health conditions can lead to dry mouth. Dry mouth is a leading cause of tooth decay for seniors. It is not a normal part of aging, but it is a side-effect of more than 500 medications, including those for allergies or asthma, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, pain, anxiety or depression, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases. The dentist can help seniors relieve the symptoms of dry mouth and treat the condition. Oral cancer can also become a concern at this time. The average age of most people diagnosed with these cancers is 62. Since early detection is a vital part of ensuring that treatment is effective, it’s especially important for seniors to see the dentist regularly.
Addressing Family Dental Concerns in Salinas, CA
There are important steps to take to maintain oral health at every age. However, no matter how old you are, it’s vitally important to visit the dentist regularly. Dr. Klugman and Dr. Bianco at Blanco Circle Dental Care understand the unique needs of their patients. Contact them today to schedule appointments for the whole family. Blanco Circle Dental Care proudly serves families throughout Salinas, CA, Hollister, Monterey, Seaside, Prunedale, Marina, Greenfield, Gilroy, and King City.
Study Shows Connection between Cavities and Oral Cancer
November 8, 2014
It’s widely recognized that having cavities is bad for your oral health. Recent studies, however, are shedding some interesting light on the correlation between dental decay and oral cancer. Your local Salinas, CA experts, Dr. Klugman and Dr. Bianco, can assist you in developing a healthy smile through preventative and restorative dental treatments.
Cavities and Oral Cancer Detection
A September 2013 study published in JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery by researchers at the University of Buffalo found that people with the most cavities were the least likely to have oral cancer. The researchers compared 399 patients with oral cancer with 221 cancer free patients. They found “… an independent association between dental caries [cavities] and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma [oral cancer cells]”, citing that the lactic acid produced by bacteria in cavities actually stop the development of these cancer cells. Researchers state that the bacteria are similar to those found in yogurt. In addition to preventing head and neck cancer, they can also help lower the risk of inflammatory diseases, allergies and some other types of cancer. Critics of the findings say that the results are preliminary and don’t distinguish between the causes of the cavities (periodontal disease) and don’t address the associated consequences of dental diseases that carry their own health risks. Other experts agreed, but noted that the findings could lead to new ways to treat and prevent oral cancers.
Oral cancer is a serious condition that must be detected early for positive treatment outcomes. Dentists screen for oral cancers as part of your regular dental checkup which is one reason why visiting the dentist every 6 months is vital to your good health. During an exam, the dentist will check your head, neck and the inside of your mouth for abnormal lumps, bumps, lesions and discolorations. If an abnormality is found, the dentist will take a tissue simple for analysis or send you to a specialist for further investigation. Increased risks for developing oral cancer include excessive consumption of tobacco products, alcohol and contraction of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV).
Cavity Prevention and Oral Cancer Screening in Salinas, CA
Whether you are concerned about cavities or oral cancer, it’s important to have regular dental checkups to protect your teeth and your overall health. The doctors at Blanco Circle Dental Care are happy to help you do so today. Contact Dr. Klugman and Dr. Bianco today to schedule your next visit. The doctors proudly serve residents in Salinas, CA, Hollister, Monterey, Seaside, Prunedale, Marina, Greenfield, Gilroy, and King City.
Dental Checkups are Key to a Healthy Smile
April 1, 2014
Whenever it comes to anything you own, there are certain things you have to do to maintain and upkeep the appearance. Cars have to be washed, and silver has to be polished, all in an effort to make sure they look their best. Believe it or not, your smile is no different. Regular dental checkups are a key point in making sure your smile is healthy and beautiful. At Blanco Circle Dental Care, we want to make sure your smile is the best it can be, and Dr. Gary Klugman and Dr. Christina Blanco are able to deliver just that!
The reason why dental checkups are so important is because it gives us the opportunity to stop an issue before it turns into a serious problem. If your gums and teeth are in bad shape, the rest of your body is as well, so it is vital to make sure everything works in tandem to make a healthy you! When you come in for your appointment, our doctors will inspect every single tooth, leaving no stone unturned in looking for any signs of decay, cracks, or anything else that has the possibility of going wrong. If any of your old dental work is in need of restoration, we are able to offer tooth-colored options, as to make your smile seamless!
We will also be able to administer CariFree cavity testing to make sure your teeth show no early signs of cavity deterioration, as well as make sure your gums are in top shape. We will clean your teeth, removing any plaque and tartar that have the potential of harming your smile. At the end of the appointment, your mouth will feel clean and better than ever! If you are ready for your dental checkup, make an appointment, and let us cater to your smile!
At Blanco Circle Dental Care, Dr. Gary Klugman and Dr. Christina Bianco provide quality general, cosmetic and sedation dentistry services. Our Salinas, CA dental office serves patients from Hollister, Monterey, Seaside, Prunedale, Marina, Greenfield, Gilroy, and King City. Call us today to schedule your next appointment.
Blanco Circle Dental Care Offers Bright White Forever for Dazzling Smiles
October 8, 2013
Here at Blanco Circle Dental Care, we know that having a bright, white smile is important to many of our patients. This is why we offer a great program called Bright White Forever to help make teeth whitening more affordable for our patients.
The costs of teeth whitening treatments can add up, especially because you’ll need more than one treatment to ensure lasting results. Usually a teeth whitening treatment is $350, but if you sign up for Bright White Forever you’ll pay an $89 membership fee. In return, we’ll provide you with custom bleaching trays and a continual supply of whitening gel to maintain your dazzling smile.
In order to participate in Bright White Forever, we have two major rules. The first is that you attend regular dental hygiene visits. You must visit us at least every six months in order to keep receiving your whitening gel. Second, you must give us at least 48 hours notice if you need to cancel or reschedule an appointment. We try to help as many people as possible each day, so if you can’t make your appointment please give us the opportunity to try and fill it so we can accommodate someone else. As long as you follow these two simple rules, you can enjoy a dazzling smile courtesy of Bright White Forever.
If you’re interested in learning more about Bright White Forever or interested in enrolling, please give us a call today. This is a great way for us to reward our patients for attending their regular checkups with a discount on their teeth whitening treatments.
At Blanco Circle Dental Care, Dr. Gary Klugman and Dr. Christina Bianco provide quality general, cosmetic and sedation dentistry services. Our Salinas, CA dental office serves patients from Hollister, Monterey, Seaside, Prunedale, Marina, Greenfield, Gilroy, and King City. Call us today to schedule your next appointment.
Back To School Dental Checkups in Salinas
September 4, 2013
Here at Blanco Circle Dental Care, we stress the importance of regular dental checkups for all members of your family. Just because your children may still have their baby teeth doesn’t mean that they can skip their dental checkup appointment. Since your children are heading back to school, now’s the perfect time to schedule their next appointment if it’s been a while. These appointments should take place every 6 months.
Regular dental checkups are an important part of preventative dentistry and having a healthy smile. Our staff will inspect and clean your child’s teeth and gums. Any concerns are discovered and addressed to ensure continued oral health. We can also use dental sealants and fluoride treatments to help protect your child’s teeth against decay and cavities. Also, this is when we work with your child to make sure they’re learning proper brushing and flossing techniques.
Help your child start off the school year right with a dazzling smile. All it takes is a call to our office to schedule your child’s regular dental checkup. Give us a call today before the school year is in swing and you’re busy with other activities. Making the time now for dental care will pay dividends in the future.
At Blanco Circle Dental Care, Dr. Gary Klugman and Dr. Christina Bianco provide quality general, cosmetic and sedation dentistry services. Our Salinas, CA dental office serves patients from Hollister, Monterey, Seaside, Prunedale, Marina, Greenfield, Gilroy, and King City. Call us today to schedule your next appointment.