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Patient is very happy with her upper front porcelain crowns & Veneers.
"I've been hesitant to fix my teeth. I came to Dr. Velasquez upon being referred by my friend Merlina Uy. I asked him for long term treatment options. He is accomodating, professional & he listens to your concerns. His staff are super welcoming & pleasant. Now my upper are completely done and amazingly restored. He's superb in his work with such dedication & pride. Definitely I will come back for my lower teeth. I'm a happy camper now. Thank you so much Dr. Velasquez." -Jocelyn P. Please call us if you think you need the same dental cosmetic treatments at 562-424-9473 Jeff Velasquez, DDS Long Beach Dentist by Vbav
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WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU'RE GRINDING
There are some other ways to train yourself in preventing clenching and grinding habits. One way is to deprogram your muscles by placing the tongue between your teeth and swallowing. Do this a few times during the day, especially if you think you're grinding & clenching more often. This will prevent activating the jaw muscles to clench. Long Beach dentist Jeff Velasquez offers Occlusal Guard or Splint deprogramming device for night time use to prevent grinding. It is during sleep where most of the damage occurs. When you think you're grinding your teeth always remember: Lips Sealed, Teeth Apart. Your teeth should be touching only when your chewing. Lips close, slightly drop jaw, and maintain that feeling. The signs and symptoms of someone who is grinding and clenching are morning headaches, jaw muscle pain, worn down teeth, gum recession and abrasions on the neck of the teeth, so if you think you exhibit this signs consult your dentist. Jeff Velasquez, DDS (are you grinding & clenching?) Patient was happy with the outcome. She have been putting her treatment off because she was busy with work and busy taking care of her mom.
Pandemic came, we went on lockdown and most establishments were closed. She had time & opportunity to take care of herself. She was very thankful to Dr. Velasquez & team. If you think you need the same dental treatment, please call Jeff Velasquez DDS Dental office at 562-424-9473 We are very grateful that the office staff are fully vaccinated. Even the second dose have gotten to us all in our office, it was worth a sacrifice in combating Coronavirus spread. This doesn't mean that we stop using masks as Covid-19 Vaccine becomes available for everyone, this is not the time to be complacent. We still keep the extra safety protocols that we have implemented. Here at Jeff Velasquez, DDS Dental Office, we have been exercising Universal Precaution even before pandemic. Since the outbreak, we have added a lot of safety precautions. Dr. Velasquez have added negative air pressure room, the rest of the rooms are equipped with extra-Oral Air Suction Machine and air purifiers.
Vaccination is now being given to everyone... Yet virus variants still coming out, therefore its only wise that we stay vigilant. Keep our mask on when going to public places, wash our hands thoroughly and keep 6 feet away from each other until these viruses are controlled and eradicated, until full protection from its spread is given to us all. For more updated information go to to the WHO & CDC Websites: >World Health Organization (WHO): https://www.who.int >Centers for Disease Control (CDC): https://www.cdc.gov By Vbav ![]() Seniors have certain specific concerns and dental needs. These are the frequently asked questions at Jeff Velasquez DDS, Long Beach Dentist. Why Do I suddenly have so many cavities? One of the most common causes of cavities on seniors is DRY MOUTH due to medications. Decreased salivary flow results to dry mouth hence increases the chances of getting cavities. Saliva neutralizes acid, help wash away food residues from eating, and also contains elements that helps repair early tooth damage and decay. Proper oral care, nutrition & regular dental check up is recommended. Why do I experience more & more teeth sensitivity? As we age, our teeth becomes more sensitive due to receding gums over time. Gum disease, grinding and wrong brushing techniques cause gum recession which can result to exposure of the roots of the teeth. All of these in turn causes sensitivity. We recommend using soft bristled toothbrush and certain toothpaste for sensitive teeth. Am I at a higher RISK for oral Cancer as I grow older? Yes, oral cancer is a concern. Regular trips to the dentist facilitates early detection. Most importantly, when you are a smoker, heavy alcohol user or has family history of the disease, you are at a high risk. Are Implants a better OPTION for my dentures? Implants are the best options replacing dentures and missing teeth. There are factors to consider whether a patient is a good candidate for implant. It depends on your age, health, bone amount & density and finances. Only your dentist and you can decide on your course of treatment. Do I still need dental check up even if I am wearing FULL Dentures? Yes, your dentures may become loose over time due to continuous recession of bone caused by stress of chewing. (That's why Implants are a better option) Dentures need regular reline and adjustment. Oral health doesn't only involve your teeth but your gums & surrounding tissues. Bruxism cases has increased in our dental office since Covid-19 pandemic started.
During these past few months, there is an increased in Emergency Visits from patients with painful cracked & fractured tooth, broken fillings and TMJ pain especially in the early morning hours. These are all indications of possible grinding and clenching. The stress, fear, worry, and anxiety from this unprecendented situation due to the coronavirus pandemic (maybe increased unemployment, business & school shutdowns, or remote working) is just a little too much that some have unconsciously developed a habit of BRUXISM. According to Dr. Tammy Chen, a dentist in New York, in the NY Times article, "I've seen more tooth fractures in the last six weeks than in the previous six years." Our office, Jeff Velasquez DDS, in Long Beach, Ca has certainly seen an increased compared to previous years. We’ve remained in contact with our patients, reminding them the importance of taking care of their oral health; from oral hygiene and wearing their nightguards. And if there are early signs of TMJ pain, and toothache, not to ignore them before it fractures. Just see your local dentist. The good news is it can be prevented or treated. Remember, oral health has a definite correlation to over all health. Keep a healthy mouth, healthy mind and healthy body. By vbav and JeffVelasquezDDS Regular flossing is more important than ever.
If you don’t floss regularly, this might persuade you to change your behavior. Patients with gum disease are more likely to experience severe, potentially life-threatening complications if they contract COVID-19 and need to be hospitalized, according to a new report published online in the Journal of the California Dental Association. Chronic gum disease, or periodontitis, is characterized by swollen, bleeding gums and bone loss. It produces a bacteria that releases a harmful protein known as IL-6 (interleukin-6). IL-6 is an inflammatory cytokine that can trigger the out-of-control reaction of the immune system known as a cytokine storm. The report referenced the findings of a German study of 40 hospitalized COVID-19 patients published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology in May. It concluded that patients with elevated IL-6 levels were 22 times more likely to suffer respiratory failure and require mechanical ventilation. Since the beginning of the pandemic, nearly 80% of patients placed on ventilators in the United States have died, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Gum disease has been linked to other breathing ailments, including pneumonia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) so we weren’t surprised to find a link to respiratory problems with COVID-19,” said Dr. Shervin Molayem, a U.S. dental surgeon based in Los Angeles and founder of the UCLA Dental Research Journal, in a news release last week. “What shocked us was the discovery of the protein’s devastating, life-threatening impact to patients once they’re hospitalized. One tiny, inflammatory protein robbed them of their ability to breathe,” he said. Molayem and Dr. Carla Pontes, a scientist and health care researcher in South Africa, expanded upon the German study’s results for their Mouth-Covid Connection report. They noted that IL-6 can disrupt capillary blood gas exchange in the lungs, contributing to pulmonary failure. The researchers hope the link between periodontitis and severe COVID-19 cases will compel nursing homes to screen residents for gum disease and elevated IL-6 levels. They also suggested that emergency room physicians check patients for gum disease, a diagnosis that could alert nursing staffs to closely monitor a patient's breathing. The findings are an important reminder that poor dental hygiene can have serious ramifications for one’s overall health. Frequent brushing and flossing are essential to prevent periodontal disease, including gingivitis, which is reversible. Many people are putting off dentist appointments during the pandemic because of concerns about infection. Ironically, deferred checkups could put them at greater risk of a severe case of COVID-19 if they have gum disease. If your gums are swollen and prone to bleeding, do yourself a favor — see your dentist. If you don’t floss regularly, this might persuade you to change your behavior. Patients with gum disease are more likely to experience severe, potentially life-threatening complications if they contract COVID-19 and need to be hospitalized, according to a new report published online in the Journal of the California Dental Association. By: Mike Moffitt, SFGATE Universal Safety Precautions will always be the best protocol in any dental practice. We are proud to say that dentistry is one of the few medical fields that has been using PPEs while working on our patients. Except for the N95 mask where we used surgical mask, all the rest of the PPEs has been familiar to the dental world.
Did you know that .... >Dr. Jeff Velasquez was a Registered Respiratory Therapist before he became a dentist? He was helping treat ventilator patients in the ICUs. We know the importance of infection control, respiratory and universal precaution. As we adjust and adopt, when we do aerosol producing dental procedures, our office added devices like external chairside aerosols dental suction and air purifiers with hepa filters for negative air flow in the room. Also, when we clean and sanitize the opertories after each patient, we now use Disinfectant Fogger and Sanitizing Sprayer for the whole room that's eco-friendly but kills viruses. Additionally, hand sanitizers are available in every rooms for our patients. As we follow & comply to the state mandate and to all the CDC, CDA (California Dental Association), and OSHA (occupational Safety & Health Administration) Guidelines & Protocols, our office is exercising this extra precautions as one of the new normal that our emergency/patients have to follow during their visit to Jeff Velasquez DDS, Long Beach Dentist.
READ More for the Dr's Letter to his patients Please avoid going to the emergency rooms or urgent care centers for your dental emergencies. They are needed to preserve maximum capacity for COVID-19 popularly known as coronavirus cases and other MEDICAL emergencies. We're trying to help and do our part not to overwhelm our MEDICAL FRONTLINERS. Please call our office instead. We are just a phone call away, we can take care of your dental emergency needs. Jeff Velasquez, DDS Dental Office will see DENTAL EMERGENCY APPOINTMENTS ONLY even if we are temporarily closed DUE to Corona Virus State Mandate. If you have dental emergency, please call us at 562-362-2808. When you come in for emergency, we recommend to please wear your DIY (Do It Yourself) Mask. Also, let us know if you’re having symptoms like Cough, Fever & shortness of breath. by VbaV According to the American Dental Association, -"Should I brush or floss first?" Their answer is -either way is acceptable as long as you do a thorough job. But according to the American Academy of Periodontology, new study suggests that flossing first before brushing maybe the ideal sequence for most thorough removal of dental plaque. Based on my experience as a dentist, I agree with the "gum" specialists. Flossing loosens the food debris & removes bacteria in between the teeth, then brushing afterwards (when mouth is rinsed with water) further cleans the mouth of particles. I might also add, using waterpik when rinsing will thoroughly remove any leftovers.
So Floss, Brush, Smile is the new slogan. By Dr. Velasquez |
AuthorDr. Jeff D. Velasquez Archives
September 2021
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