ACHIEVE
THE SMILE
YOU DESIRE
Hayward Cosmetic & General Dentistry Blog
Hayward Dentist serving Castro Valley, San Leandro, CA and Surrounding Areas
November 13, 2014
Your smile is one of your most noticeable attributes – and certainly one you want to feel confident in this holiday season. If you are uncomfortable with your smile for any reason, Hayward cosmetic dentist Dr. Gary Fong can address the problem to help ensure when noticed, it is the perfection of your smile that draws attention.
Cosmetic dentistry options that can perfect your teeth in time for the holidays include:
- Tooth whitening to address surface staining and deeper discoloration
- Porcelain veneers to address issues including chips, irregular tooth shapes and sizes, and severe tooth discoloration
- Dental crows to protect strengthen, and beautify teeth that are broken or missing
- Dental bonding to address cosmetic malocclusion
Dr. Fong also offers Snap on Smiles, a temporary solution comprised of resin veneers that fit over the teeth to produce a flawless and completely natural look. Snap on Smiles are not, it should be noted, intended as a lasting solution for cosmetic or functional imperfections.
Dr. Fong is an experienced cosmetic dentist who takes time to personalize every procedure he performs. He would be happy to meet with you to discuss your concerns and help you choose the solution best suited to meet your needs.
To schedule your consultation with our Hayward, California cosmetic dentist, please contact Gary G. Fong, DDS today.
September 10, 2014
There are a number of benefits offered by Invisalign®, making this treatment ideal for many of our adult and older teen patients. Made of soft, clear plastic, Invisalign aligners are both more comfortable and less obtrusive than traditional braces. What’s more, Invisalign can often accomplish ideal alignment in as few and 18 months – compared to the average 36 month treatment period required by traditional braces.
Faster, less obtrusive, and more comfortable than traditional braces, additional benefits of Invisalign include:
- No dietary restrictions
- No interference with oral hygiene
- Reduced risk of gum and oral tissue irritation
Moreover, Invisalign does not require painful manual adjustments to pull teeth into their optimal position. In fact, Invisalign doesn’t pull teeth at all, rather each progressive aligner gently moves teeth through gradual pushes, making treatment significantly more comfortable for most patients.
Invisalign offers a number of unique and exciting benefits for adults who need orthodontic treatment. During your consultation with Hayward dentist Dr. Gary Fong it can best be determined if Invisalign offers benefits that can enhance and strengthen your smile.
To schedule your Invisalign consultation, please contact Gary G. Fong, DDS today. Based in Hayward, Dr. Fong serves patients living in Castro Valley, San Leonardo, Union City, and surrounding areas of California.
August 25, 2014
Hayward family dentist Dr. Gary Fong suggests brining your child for his or her first pediatric visits as early as age two. These early-childhood visits serve the dual purpose of ensuring optimal oral health and instilling comfort and confidence in professional dental care.
We tailor our pediatric services to meet the unique developmental needs of children at various stages of growth while still making appointments fun. This helps ensure a healthy attitude towards dental care and provides children with the age-appropriate education they need to take responsibility for their long-term dental health.
Our Family Dentistry Practice
We have designed our family dentistry practice to meet the needs of today’s busier families. We offer extended office hours and can even schedule multiple family members at a time to save help reduce unnecessary stress. Be sure to ask about this option when calling to schedule your next appointment.
Dr. Fong is pleased to offer a range of dental services that can help each member of your household retain optimal oral health and beauty. From general cleanings and advanced cosmetic service to treatments for sleep apnea and TMJ, Dr. Fong is here to customize your family’s services and meet the individual needs of each person in your home.
To schedule your appointment with our Hayward family dentist, please contact Gary G. Fong, DDS today. Dr. Fong provides family dentistry services for people of all ages in Hayward, Castro Valley, and surrounding areas of California.
August 20, 2014
Among the store-bough whiteners, strips tend to be the least expensive and easiest to use. However, whitening strips are also the least effective and most potentially damaging of the take-home tooth whitening products.
The bleaching solution in whitening strips is no different than that in any other at-home kit. However, the inconsistent application and high potential for overuse can allow whitening strips to cause severe gum irritation and tooth sensitivity. What’s more, strips do not easily conform to teeth, often making their results inconsistent and unbecoming.
The best way to whiten teeth is with the help of an experienced cosmetic dentist. Professional teeth whitening is not only faster and more effective, it can help reduce risks such as sensitivity and irritation. Better still, when you choose a cosmetic dentist for your teeth whitening you can expect consistent results and the brightest and most beautiful smile possible.
To learn more about your teeth whitening options in Hayward, California, please contact Gary G. Fong, DDS today. Dr. Fong provides professional teeth whitening and other cosmetic dentistry services for men and women living in Hayward, Union City, San Leandro, and the Castro Valley area.
August 11, 2014
Chipped teeth can detract from the quality of your smile. They can also contribute to larger functional issues, particularly when chips remain unaddressed. Fortunately, fixing this common issue is simple and can often be completed over just a few office visits.
Hayward cosmetic dentist Dr. Gary Fong offers a number of solutions for fixing chipped teeth. Which option is best for you will depend on your specific needs and can be discussed in greater detail during your initial consultation.
Cosmetic dentistry solutions Dr. Fong may recommend include:
- Porcelain veneers
- Dental crowns
- Dental bonding
Each of these options can be shaped and shaded to match adjacent teeth in color, allowing Dr. Fong to restore strength to your smile without compromising its beauty. What’s more, these solutions can often be used alone or in combination to address myriad cosmetic and functional issues for a complete smile makeover. Dr. Fong will be happy to discuss your goals and help you determine if this option is ideal during your next appointment.
If you are unhappy with any aspect of your smile, please contact Gary G. Fong, DDS today to schedule your smile evaluation. Our cosmetic dentist serves Hayward, San Leandro and surrounding areas of California.
August 06, 2014
Researches at Al Khiday 2, a 2,000 year old burial site in Central Sudan, have discovered something rather remarkable: of the remains in this site, less than one percent show any signs of tooth decay. This is a remarkable accomplishment for any pre-Mesolithic people. Oddly enough, this unusual level of dental health is not being attributed to brushing and flossing, but to the purple nutsedge – a grass native to the area.
In California we consider the purple nutsedge to be a weed and not one Hayward dentist Dr. Gary Fong would suggest eating. However, there are several delicious foods that can help keep teeth healthy and strong, and can easily be incorporated into nearly any diet.
Foods that help provide phosphorus and calcium can assist in strengthening enamel. These include dairy products, chicken, fish, and nuts. Crunchy fruits and vegetables do not provide mineral content, but they can help stimulate saliva flow, which is necessary for washing away food particles. Fruits also make a fantastic sweet treat and serve as an ideal alternative for tooth-harming sodas and candies.
Of course, food alone cannot be relied on to prevent cavities. Combining a healthy diet with a consistent dental hygiene routine is the surest way to keep your natural teeth strong, healthy, and beautiful for a lifetime.
If you are overdue for a dental exam and cleaning, please contact Gary G. Fong, DDS to schedule an appointment today. Our dentist serves Hayward and surrounding areas of California.
July 16, 2014
Commonly, TMJ symptoms include pain and movement limitations in the jaw. Discomfort may be accompanied by swelling around the jaw joint, noises such as clicking and popping when chewing, or grinding noises when opening and shutting the mouth. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, Hayward neuromuscular dentist Dr. Gary Fong would be happy to meet with you for a TMJ treatment consultation.
Other TMJ Symptoms
Symptoms of TMJ that may occur outside of the jaw include:
- Headaches
- Facial pain
- Ear pain and ringing
- Nasal and ocular pressure
- Neck and backaches
These symptoms may accompany jaw pain or occur on their own. If TMJ is the culprit, Dr. Fong will be able to detect it during your routinely scheduled visits.
Treating TMJ
TMJ treatment focuses on restoring alignment to the jaw. This is most often accomplished with oral splints or customized mouthguards that are worn during sleep. Additional treatments such as restorative dentistry and bite realignment are sometimes necessary as well. What will best meet your needs can be determined during your TMJ treatment consultation with Dr. Fong.
If you are suffering from any of the symptoms of TMJ, please contact Gary G. Fong, DDS today. Dr. Fong provides TMJ treatment from our Hayward, California location to men and women living throughout the Castro Valley area.
June 23, 2014
With so many products claiming to clean in between teeth, you may wonder if flossing is really necessary. The short answer is yes. The long answer is without question, there is no substitute for flossing. Flossing remains the only way to fully remove plaque, bacteria, and food particles from in between teeth.
Specially designed toothbrushes can certainly help reduce plaque buildup. Antibacterial mouthwashes can kill germs and reduce gum disease risks. But these things should be seen as additions to, not replacements for flossing. There is no product, no matter how new or fancy, that can match the results offered by good old fashioned floss.
Hayward family dentist Dr. Gary Fong recommends flossing at least once a day as part of your dental hygiene routine. While twice a day is optimal, even once will significantly reduce risks for tooth decay and gum disease, and help keep breath fresh and clean.
Special flossing tools are available for children to help develop this good habit early in life. Dr. Fong and our hygienists would be happy to discuss proper technique with you and your family members during your routine cleanings and examinations.
To schedule an appointment with our experienced Hayward dentist, please contact Gary G. Fong, DDS today.
June 18, 2014
Many tooth stains, such as those caused by foods, beverages, and even tobacco, can be removed through professional teeth whitening solutions such as topical bleaching gels. However, when deep staining results from medications or fluoridation, topical solutions are not always enough.
Hayward cosmetic dentist Dr. Gary Fong offers advanced tooth whitening with KöR®, a product that offers unique benefits among topical whiteners. While many topical whiteners are effective at whitening surface stains, KöR® whitens below the surface to remove deeper stains, making it better suited to meet a variety of needs.
Porcelain Veneers
KöR® offers many distinct advantages among tooth whiteners, but may not be right for every smile. If your tooth discoloration cannot be addressed through topical whitening, Dr. Fong may recommend porcelain veneers as an alternative.
Veneers are placed over the front of teeth, allowing them to completely cover stains and discoloration. What’s more, this solution can address a number of common cosmetic dental problems, allowing for the complete aesthetic perfection of your smile.
During your initial consultation with our experienced Hayward cosmetic dentist it can best be determined if porcelain veneers, tooth whitening, or another treatment will most enhance your smile.
To schedule a consultation with our Hayward, California cosmetic dentist, please contact Gary G. Fong, DDS today.
June 09, 2014
According to the American Academy of Orthodontists, the number of adults seeking orthodontic care annually has reached 1.2 million. Behind this surge in adult orthodontics is ClearCorrect™ and similar options such as Invisalign® that allow adults and older teens to discreetly and comfortably straighten teeth in a fraction of the time required by braces.
Hayward dentist Dr. Gary Fong is pleased to offer ClearCorrect for the perfection of moderate to severe malocclusion. During your initial consultation Dr. Fong will assess your bite issues, discuss all of your options, and help you determine if adult braces are the best solution for your smile.
Adult Braces
Adult braces such as ClearCorrect and Invisalign utilize custom-made aligners that can be removed for tooth cleaning and eating. Because they can be removed while performing basic tasks, adult braces help patients maintain both oral and systemic health.
While aligners can be removed, they must remain in place throughout a majority of the day to properly straighten teeth. However, because they are made of clear, soft plastic, these aligners are incredibly discreet, giving them one more distinct advantage over braces.
If you are an adult who would like to address bite issues, please contact Gary G. Fong, DDS to schedule a ClearCorrect evaluation today. Dr. Fong provides adult braces to good candidates living in Hayward and surrounding areas of California.
