Here at Jeff Gray DDS, we want your teeth to last a lifetime! Tooth enamel is one of the hardest parts of the body, but it is non-renewable so it is important not to not neglect or abuse our teeth. Daily teeth and gum care is the best way to protect tooth enamel.

Even though every San Diego drug store carries hard bristle brushes, we recommend brushing with a soft brush after every meal to gently brush away acid. Scrub too hard, and you can erode enamel. It is ideal to brush immediately after eating, but brushing within 60 minutes of a meal has benefits. The quicker you remove food from your teeth, the better it is for your enamel.

Flossing regularly is also important to keep gums healthy. Whether the food is on tooth surfaces, or hidden in between, it is not doing your enamel any good.

Cosmetic dentist Dr. Jeff Gray recommends a checkup and thorough cleaning every six months. Our skilled hygienists remove tartar, a substance that attracts plaque to the surface of the teeth and can weaken the teeth’s structures. Regular checkups prevent problems and save you money on expensive restorations down the road.

Remember: don’t use your teeth for opening packages! Keep scissors and bottle openers handy. At Jeff Gray DDS, we see damaged dental work and damaged or missing teeth as a result of patients using their teeth as tools. Biting down on something too hard, like ice or hard candy can also damage enamel.

Attention San Diego area athletes: be sure to use a mouthguard for team, contact, and recreational sports.

Teeth grinding is also a common dental threat. Be careful not to grind teeth, this can not only wear away enamel but also pave ways for cavities to get in. If you grind your teeth while you are sleeping, make an appointment to be fitted for a night guard. Your enamel will thank you.

Lastly, remember: drink water. Coffee, sports drinks, soda, wine, and tea all contain a lot of acid or sugar, and in some cases both. Cut back, or at least use a straw. These drinks cause a lot of tooth decay for non-water drinkers in the San Diego.

We hope you find these Jeff Gray DDS tips helpful. If you already have damage to your teeth or enamel, we have a variety of procedures that can give you a brand new smile, including dental implants, porcelain veneers and clear braces. For more information on dental care, or to schedule an appointment, contact our San Diego cosmetic dentistry office today at (619) 337-7700!

Dr. Jeff Gray
Jeff Gray DDS
(619) 337-7700
http://www.SmileSanDiego.com

Attention La Mesa dental patients: brushing twice daily may help lower your risk of heart disease. Area scientists, dentists, and cardiologists have known for many years that there is a link between inflammation in the mouth (gum disease) and heart problems, However, a recent study analyzed oral health habits and heart disease risk. Science Daily reported on the study which was published in the British Medical Journal.

I quote from the Science Daily article:

“The authors, led by Professor Richard Watt from University College London, analyzed data from over 11,000 adults who took part in a Scottish Health Survey. The research team analyzed data about lifestyle behaviors such as smoking, physical activity, and oral health routines.”

“Once the data was adjusted for established cardio risk factors, the researchers found that participants who reported less frequent toothbrushing had a 70 percent extra risk of heart disease compared to individuals who brushed their teeth twice a day.”

I am cosmetic dentist Dr. Jeff Gray DDS of Jeff Gray DDS. The Scottish survey is one of many that confirms the link between oral health and overall health. Simply put: you aren’t healthy unless your gums and teeth are healthy.

It doesn’t matter if you are a lean La Mesa distance runner with a pulse of fifteen beats a minute and a blood pressure of 100 over 60. It doesn’t matter if you are an area vegan who has eaten a nutritionally balanced, low-fat diet for the past five years. If you have inflamed gums and tooth decay, you are at risk for problems in other areas of the body.

The phone number for Jeff Gray DDS is (619) 337-7700. If you have concerns about your oral health, I invite you to schedule an examination today.

Perhaps your teeth and gums are healthy but you wish your smile was more attractive. We can help you there also with a smile redesign. Porcelain veneers, crowns, inlays/onlays, and clear braces are all available to solve any cosmetic problems you wish to correct.

If you have not visited a dentist in La Mesa yet due to dental anxiety, now is the time. We offer sedation dentistry as an option for patients who have put off seeing a dentist out of fear. My friendly and professional team and I will help keep your smile beautiful for life.

Or call us at (619) 337-7700 to learn more.

Hello La Mesa visitors, welcome to Jeff Gray DDS. Let’s talk about a tooth replacement option common in La Mesa: dental bridges.

While dental bridges have restored smiles for thousands of La Mesa area cosmetic dentistry patients, they are not problem free. Many people with dental bridges find it impossible to keep the small areas around the bridge clean. This is not surprising because it is hard to get toothbrush bristles or dental floss under the bridge.

Of course bacteria has no trouble moving in and taking over without the La Mesa dental patient even knowing it. When the decay reaches the roots of the surrounding teeth, it is not only painful, the person is at risk of losing those teeth also.

That is one reason why a dental implant is superior to a dental bridge. Most La Mesa people with missing teeth are great candidates for dental implants.

A dental implant looks just like the beautiful tooth restoration on a high-quality dental bridge, but the important part is what you don’t see.

A dental implant is screwed directly into the jaw bone. It is not attached to teeth like the dental bridges traditionally used in La Mesa. In a way, a dental implant is a more conservative tooth replacement because it leaves the adjacent teeth intact. The bone and gum tissue mesh permanently with the titanium post that serves as the replacement tooth root.

Dental implants do not have the same decay risk as the teeth that anchor dental bridges. Of course patients with dental implants need to brush and floss, but cleaning a dental implant is usually no more difficult than cleaning a normal tooth.

Dental implants have a far better track record in La Mesa than dental bridges. With proper care, a dental implant can last a lifetime for smile-smart folks.

If you currently have a dental bridge, you might consider permanently replacing it with a dental implant before the adjacent teeth are threatened with decay.

At Jeff Gray DDS, dental implants can replace one or more teeth and can also serve as anchors for full or partial dentures. No more embarrassing slipping!

If you are interested in learning more about dental implants or would like to schedule an implant dentistry consultation, I invite you to call Jeff Gray DDS at (619) 337-7700. A beautiful new smile can be yours with dental implants.

Jeff Gray DDS
http://www.SmileSanDiego.com
(619) 337-7700
Ask us about La Mesa dental financing options.

Hello La Mesa! Do you want brighter, whiter teeth? Most La Mesa folks notice their teeth dulling as the years go by, but some foods, drinks, and even mouthwashes can stain teeth at any age.

OTC tooth whitening products like kits, strips, or toothpastes may slightly lighten stains, but for a truly brilliant smile Dr. Jeff Gray can help!

If you have dental veneers, bonding, or bridges, teeth whitening bleach will not lighten the stains and your whitened natural teeth will make your dental work look even duller in comparison. At Jeff Gray DDS, we can recommend new cosmetic dentistry work, including veneers or bondings, if these have aged and discolored.

Remember, anything that can stain a white tee shirt can stain teeth.

Fortunately, brushing after meals can keep stains at bay, however with acidic foods or drinks, just rinse your mouth with water. Brushing right away can erode enamel, causing thinner teeth as we age.

La Mesa in-office Zoom teeth whitening takes about an hour and bleaches teeth to a whiter-than-ever brilliance. Professional take-home whitening kits are also available at Jeff Gray DDS and can produce the best results over time.

For more information on getting a younger and brighter smile, contact our friendly and professional for a smile brightening consultation today!

Dr. Jeff Gray
Jeff Gray DDS
(619) 337-7700
http://www.SmileSanDiego.com

Ask us about financing options.

Hello San Diego dental blog visitors, welcome to the Jeff Gray DDS blog. I am Dr. Jeff Gray and I specialize in cosmetic and sedation dentistry.

A close San Diego friend of mine recently expressed fears about her upcoming root canal. She was anxious about the pain she might experience and worried about getting work off for the multiple office visits to complete the procedure. I assured her that painful root canal procedures are a thing of the past with modern San Diego dentistry.

With the latest technology and anesthetics, a root canal (endodontic treatment) is no more painful than receiving tooth colored fillings. Most root canals can be completed in one or two short office visits.

My friend’s anxiety was diminished when she knew what to expect. If you have been neglecting your teeth because of fears or concerns about a particular procedure and have not been to your San Diego cosmetic dentist recently, I encourage you to schedule an exam, cleaning, and consultation today. We are accepting new San Diego dentistry patients at Jeff Gray DDS.

My staff and I at Jeff Gray DDS offer Invisalign braces, fast teeth whitening, porcelain veneers, and all general and preventative dental procedures.

If you are interested in a stress-free visit to the dentist, call us today to schedule an appointment.

Dr. Jeff Gray
Jeff Gray DDS
8555 Fletcher Pkwy, Ste 102
La Mesa, California 91942
(619) 337-7700
http://www.SmileSanDiego.com/ourdoctor.html

Wishing for a whiter smile in La Mesa but not sure how to get it? New to tooth whitening lingo? At Jeff Gray DDS, we educate clients on the variety of affordable teeth whitening treatments; from whitening trays to teeth bleaching to Zoom whitening. We do smile whitening every day in La Mesa.

Almost every toothpaste claims to whiten teeth, but as we age our teeth gradually turn yellow or gray, despite all the whitening toothpastes we use regularly. Tooth enamel, while one of the hardest substances in the body, is porous. Over time, the food and drinks that comes in contact with our teeth cause staining and discoloration. You probably have already discovered that a toothbrush cannot clean these microscopic pores.

Carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide are the two main smile whitening ingredients. They can penetrate the outer layer of your teeth to remove the build-up, and help restore whitening to teeth. Call Jeff Gray DDS at (619) 337-7700 to schedule an appointment and we will explain the difference between these tooth bleaching ingredients and how they may affect your La Mesa smile whitening results.

La Mesa at-home teeth whitening products are probably not a good choice if you have dental crowns or veneers. You could end up with extremely uneven results or possible damage to your existing cosmetic dentistry.

We know the best La Mesa teeth bleaching options and can recommend the perfect white smile solution for you.

At Jeff Gray DDS, we hope to see you soon. Give us a call at (619) 337-7700.

Most San Diego folks don’t often think of a tooth as a body part that fluctuates in strength. Our teeth seem to have a steady hardness and dependably grind food whenever we need them. However, teeth are dynamic organisms with chemical processes that occur continually.

The protective enamel that covers the softer interior is made of minerals. Enamel demineralizes (loses some of its density) when coming in contact with acids. Saliva can dilute and neutralize acid so the tooth can remineralize (re-harden). This process isn’t instantaneous, however. While the enamel is soft, the tooth is vulnerable to losing a microscopic outer layer of enamel. If the erosion continues, the much softer dentin is exposed. Eventually, the tooth may need to be extracted.

At Jeff Gray DDS, we are noticing an increase in cases of serious acid erosion. It is apparent that the typical San Diego diet is becoming more acidic.

The list of acidic foods may surprise you. They include eggs, gravy, asparagus, chicken, cottage cheese, honey, fish, ham, butter, sour cream, aged cheese, and yogurt with active cultures. Generally, food with a high sugar or artificial sweetener content are highly acidic.

Now let’s talk about drinks. You probably already know that soda pop and wine are not good for your teeth. San Diego teens that sip soda all day can have acid erosion while their young teeth should be at their strongest. In addition to soda, energy drinks are very popular and San Diego cosmetic dentists are noticing the effects on their dental patients’ tooth enamel.

If you drink soda or energy drinks often, you may want to drink water or chew sugarless gum after downing a can. Stimulating saliva production can speed up the remineralization process.

If your teeth have become more sensitive in general, or in response to hot or cold foods or beverages, you may have acid erosion. To schedule an examination with implant dentist Dr. Jeff Gray at Jeff Gray DDS, call (619) 337-7700 today.

We are a full-service dental office with hundreds of satisfied clients in the San Diego area. We provide a variety of cosmetic dentistry services. We treat offer bad breath treatment, dentures, implant dentistry, oral cancer detection, clear braces, sedation dentistry and more. We are located at 8555 Fletcher Parkway #102, La Mesa, CA. We are working to raise awareness of the oral health dangers of acid erosion. We hope you have benefited from this Jeff Gray DDS blog article and look forward to your visit.

Hello San Diego! Do you want brighter, whiter teeth? Most San Diego folks notice their teeth dulling as the years go by, but some foods, drinks, and even mouthwashes can stain teeth at any age.

Over-the-counter tooth whitening products like kits, strips, or toothpastes may slightly lighten stains, but for a truly brilliant smile, Dr. Jeff Gray can help!

If you have dental veneers, bonding, or bridges, teeth whitening bleach will not lighten the stains and your whitened natural teeth will make your dental work look even duller in comparison. At Jeff Gray DDS, we can recommend new cosmetic dental work, including veneers or dental bonding, if these have aged and discolored.

Remember, anything that can stain a white tee shirt can stain teeth.

Fortunately, brushing after meals can keep stains at bay, however with acidic foods or drinks, just rinse your mouth with water. Brushing right away can erode enamel, causing thinner teeth as we age.

San Diego in-office laser tooth whitening takes about an hour and bleaches teeth to a whiter-than-ever brilliance. Take-home professional teeth whitening kits are also available at Jeff Gray DDS and can produce the best results over time.

For more information on getting a younger and brighter smile, contact our caring staff for a smile brightening consultation today!

Dr. Jeff Gray
Jeff Gray DDS
(619) 337-7700
http://www.smilesandiego.com/

Have you ever wished your La Mesa cosmetic dentist could glue new pearly white covers on your existing teeth as easy as you paint a wall in your house? Guess what? With porcelain veneers, it’s possible. Porcelain veneers are wafer-thin tooth-shaped fronts that are permanently bonded to your natural teeth.

Unlike a dental crown procedure, your La Mesa dentist does not need to remove tooth structure to place the restoration. If the teeth in question have decay, come see us immediately.

Call (619) 337-7700 to schedule an appointment as soon as possible.

At Jeff Gray DDS in La Mesa, veneers are used alone and in combination with other cosmetic dental procedures to create complete smile makeovers. Because they can correct cosmetic tooth misalignment in one visit, veneers are sometimes referred to as ‘instant orthodontics’.

Do dental veneers look like natural teeth?
Skilled La Mesa cosmetic dental lab artists create porcelain veneers with the color, reflective properties, and translucency of natural teeth: perfect natural teeth, that is. In addition, porcelain veneers can be made in any size or shape.

Are veneers at Jeff Gray DDS strong?
Porcelain veneers are fabricated out of extremely durable material. If you have questions about whether a veneer or dental crown is the best choice for you, talk to Dr. Jeff Gray. Dr. Gray will consider the size and condition of the tooth and its position in the mouth.

How long do veneers last?
Some Jeff Gray DDS smile makeover clients have veneers they received over 15 years ago. (And they still look terrific!) If properly cared for, veneers can last as long as dental crowns.

Are porcelain veneers affordable in La Mesa?
The cost of cosmetic dental veneers at Jeff Gray DDS is competitive with other premium cosmetic dental practices in the La Mesa area. We use what we believe is the top dental lab to create our client’s veneers and a significant portion of the cost of veneers goes to the lab. Porcelain veneers are often less expensive in La Mesa than crowns and clear braces. For questions about the cost of porcelain veneers, call our office at (619) 337-7700.

Jeff Gray DDS
8555 Fletcher Pkwy,
Ste 102 La Mesa, CA 91942
(619) 337-7700
http://www.SmileSanDiego.com

Welcome to the cosmetic dental care blog of Dr. Jeff Gray, DDS.

We provide comprehensive full service cosmetic and sedation dentistry for clients in San Diego and other nearby communities.

Our friendly and professional team of skilled hygienists, dental assistants, and administrative staff help Dr. Gray exceed our clients’ expectations. At Jeff Gray DDS, we understand the value of a healthy and beautiful smile.

We are dedicated to providing each client with personalized care in our state-of-the-art dental practice.

Jeff Gray DDS is located at 8555 Fletcher Pkwy, Ste 102 in La Mesa. For more information about our staff, see http://www.SmileSanDiego.com/ourdoctor.html.

If you have an attractive San Diego smile, we can help you keep it that way with professional deep cleanings and thorough examinations. We set the standard for preventative dentistry in the greater San Diego area. To ensure your mouth is healthy, we also conduct an oral cancer exam every time you visit.

If it has been a while since you have received a professional dental cleaning in San Diego, call (619) 337-7700 today to schedule an appointment with one of our friendly hygienists. Your teeth will feel amazingly clean, silky and smooth after the chalky plaque and calculus is removed.

Whether you need an examination or a complex dental surgery, at Jeff Gray DDS we’ll get you smiling again!