Page not found – Sierra Dental Care https://sierradentalcare.com Sierra Dental Care Fri, 26 Mar 2021 14:47:43 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.2.4 Could You Create A Straight Smile? (quiz) https://sierradentalcare.com/blog/could-you-create-a-straight-smile-quiz/ Sat, 15 Jun 2019 07:00:53 +0000 https://sierradentalcare.com/?p=50687 You can have the straight smile of your dreams. Your teeth can be straighter. You could close gaps between your teeth, improve the alignment of your bite, and have a healthier mouth. At Sierra Dental Care, you can be treated by our board-certified orthodontist, Dr. Cameron Wheeler. He can assess your smile and recommend treatments […]

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You can have the straight smile of your dreams. Your teeth can be straighter. You could close gaps between your teeth, improve the alignment of your bite, and have a healthier mouth.

At Sierra Dental Care, you can be treated by our board-certified orthodontist, Dr. Cameron Wheeler. He can assess your smile and recommend treatments that could work for you.

You just need to decide if you are ready to make a change. Take a few moments to answer some questions below. Then contact us online or call 209-575-2400 to request an orthodontic consultation at our Modesto, CA dentist office.


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Get A Wisdom Tooth Removal To Keep Smiling https://sierradentalcare.com/blog/get-a-wisdom-tooth-removal-to-keep-smiling/ Sat, 01 Jun 2019 07:00:27 +0000 https://sierradentalcare.com/?p=50683 For a majority of people, wisdom teeth can lead to one of two scenarios. The first is the one that we hope you will avoid. Your wisdom teeth don’t have enough room to erupt correctly. As a result, your teeth become impacted. This puts pressure on your other teeth. It can lead to a higher […]

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For a majority of people, wisdom teeth can lead to one of two scenarios.

The first is the one that we hope you will avoid. Your wisdom teeth don’t have enough room to erupt correctly. As a result, your teeth become impacted. This puts pressure on your other teeth. It can lead to a higher risk of cavities, gum disease, and other oral health issues over the course of a lifetime.

The second response to teeth that don’t have room to erupt is to remove them. Wisdom teeth removal can spare you from the issues mentioned above. We’ve done this for many of our patients at Sierra Dental Care.

And we can do this for you or someone you love. Call 209-575-2400 or contact us online to make an appointment at our office in Modesto, CA.

Take Action Early

Wisdom teeth are your third set molars. These are the bigger, flatter teeth in the back of your mouth. Most people’s wisdom teeth erupt in their late teens or early 20s.

If we have reason to believe your or your family member’s wisdom teeth could become a problem, we will let you know as soon as possible. The reason is that it’s usually better to remove these teeth when you are younger.

This is a type of oral surgery, and it’s true that you are able to recover more quickly from the procedure when you are younger. That’s not the only reason this kind of tooth removal is easier to handle at that age.

The longer your teeth remain in your mouth, the more their roots become embedded in the jawbone. That increases the effort needed to extract those teeth from your jaw. For older patients, this can means several days or weeks of recovery. Now, that’s still better than a lifetime of oral health problems, but it also explains why taken wisdom teeth out early is a better option.

Protect Your Smile

We want you to have the healthiest mouth that you can have. Most of the time, that means doing everything we can to help you keep all of your teeth. However, we will encourage you to remove wisdom teeth if we notice during your regular checkups (which include digital X-rays) that those teeth are going to cause more trouble than they are worth.

For patients who have this procedure at our office, we do everything we can to make the treatment as simple as it can be. This starts with making you as comfortable as you can be.

You’ll be seated in one of our cozy patient chairs, where you’ll have the option of watching videos or listening to music to help you relax. For added assurance that you’ll be comfortable, we offer a choice of sedation options, including nitrous oxide and oral sedation, to keep you from feeling any pain.

You also will benefit from being treated by a team with decades of experience. We’ve done these kinds of extractions for countless patients in and around Modesto, CA, and we’ll be happy to help you or your loved ones, too.

Make Your Appointment

If you suspect that a wisdom tooth extraction could be good for you, schedule an appointment at Sierra Dental Care soon. Call 209-575-2400 or contact us online.

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Begin Orthodontic Care This Summer https://sierradentalcare.com/blog/begin-orthodontic-care-this-summer/ Wed, 15 May 2019 07:00:00 +0000 https://sierradentalcare.com/?p=50634 Is someone in your family ready for orthodontic treatment? Then there’s no better time than the summer to get started. And at Sierra Dental Care, you will be cared for by a Board-Certified Orthodontist. Dr. Walied Touni, BDS, MSD, as a diplomat of the American Board of Orthodontics can assess your child’s teeth and help […]

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Is someone in your family ready for orthodontic treatment? Then there’s no better time than the summer to get started.

And at Sierra Dental Care, you will be cared for by a Board-Certified Orthodontist. Dr. Walied Touni, BDS, MSD, as a diplomat of the American Board of Orthodontics can assess your child’s teeth and help you find the right treatment to create a straight smile.

Of course, we also offer orthodontic care for adults who want to fix their crooked teeth.

Whether you are interested in this service for someone in your family or for yourself, be sure to stop by our Modesto, CA dental office. Call 209-575-2400 to get started.

Get Started Soon

The summer is a perfect time to start orthodontic care for your teen. Since school is out, they will have more time for an appointment. Plus, this will give them time to get used to their braces or their aligners before classes resume.

The reasons for straightening teeth start with the cosmetic benefits. You know people who have crooked smiles, and you know people who have perfectly straight teeth. You know that, in part, because straight teeth make smiles look nicer.

When people have nice smiles, they also feel more confident. We’ve seen it happen over and over again. People’s personalities emerge as they go through treatment with braces or Invisalign. It’s inspiring to watch people come out of their shells as they stop feeling self-conscious about their teeth.

Keep in mind that straight teeth offer health benefits as well. When teeth are in line and evenly spaces, they can be brushed and flossed more effectively. This also helps with professional cleanings. When your teeth don’t overlap, it’s much easier to remove bacteria, plaque, tartar, and food particles. When your teeth are correctly aligned, this reduces wear and tear that can result from bite issues.

Choose Treatment You Can Trust

You have many choices in orthodontics today, but it is wise that you select the right and true form of care if you want things to last. Some doctors take a weekend course and put up a shingle. Others may entice you to a mail-order solution. But, regardless of what others advertise, orthodontics is no place to cut corners.

At Sierra Dental Care, your orthodontic needs will be in the well-experienced professional hands of Dr. WaliedTouni!

After graduating in the top 5% of his class in dental school, Dr. Touni went on to years of post-graduate training and residency in Orthodontics. He has been a practicing dentist for over 25 years and he holds the distinction of being an adjunct Clinical Professor of Orthodontics at the University of the Pacific, A. Dugoni School of Dentistry.

There is far more to Orthodontics than simply returning one’s smile. The alignment of your teeth and your overall health is at stake.

Straighten Up … Your Smile

Your smile is an important part of who you are. It affects your oral health. It affects how you feel when meeting people for the first time, and it leaves an impression on others one way or another.

Give yourself or your loved one the best smile possible with orthodontic care in Modesto, CA. Call Sierra Dental Care at 209-575-2400 or contact us online to begin.

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Dental Crowns Recreate Great Smiles (infographic) https://sierradentalcare.com/blog/dental-crowns-recreate-great-smiles-infographic/ Wed, 01 May 2019 07:00:24 +0000 https://sierradentalcare.com/?p=50632 Fix your broken tooth. Repair that cracked tooth. Improve your smile and eat what you want without pain once again. How? By getting a dental crown from Sierra Dental Care. Crowns can correct a number of problems, so you can smile, speak, and eat naturally again. If you are a missing a tooth, a crown […]

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Fix your broken tooth. Repair that cracked tooth. Improve your smile and eat what you want without pain once again. How? By getting a dental crown from Sierra Dental Care.

Crowns can correct a number of problems, so you can smile, speak, and eat naturally again. If you are a missing a tooth, a crown can be added to a dental implant for a complete replacement.

To find out if a crown could help you, schedule an appointment at our office in Modesto, CA. You can contact us online or call (209) 575-2400.

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Don’t Let A TMJ Disorder Control You https://sierradentalcare.com/blog/dont-let-a-tmj-disorder-control-you/ Mon, 15 Apr 2019 07:00:32 +0000 https://sierradentalcare.com/?p=50603 You just wanted to eat a bagel for breakfast. That shouldn’t be a big deal. Yet, that’s exactly what the problem was. You took a bite, but chewing was just too much. Your jaw felt sore and you couldn’t eat another bite. That’s on top of the headaches you been having most mornings for weeks, […]

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You just wanted to eat a bagel for breakfast. That shouldn’t be a big deal. Yet, that’s exactly what the problem was. You took a bite, but chewing was just too much. Your jaw felt sore and you couldn’t eat another bite.

That’s on top of the headaches you been having most mornings for weeks, if not months. Those issues have been getting worse, not better.

The jaw pain, the headaches — these may be symptoms of a TMJ disorder. To learn more about this condition, you can talk to one of our doctors at Sierra Dental Care in Modesto, CA. We offer treatment for one of the most common causes of TMJ troubles, too.

If we can help, that’s what we want to do for you. Call (209) 575-2400 to schedule an appointment.

Recognize The Signs

TMJ disorders can develop for multiple reasons. These can include arthritis, injuries, and illnesses. You also may have an alignment issue with your teeth or jaw.

But one of the most common contributing factors is clenching or grinding your teeth. Millions of people do this in their sleep, and feeling stressed can make you more likely to do this.

What are the signs that you might have a TMJ disorder?

As we noted above, pain in your jaw or face while eating or after finishing a meal may be a symptom. Frequent headaches or earaches (particularly in the morning) can be the result of TMJ issues.

Additional symptoms include difficulty opening or closing your mouth completely, stiffness in your jaw, clicking or popping sounds when you open and close your mouth, and pain in the neck, upper back, or shoulders.

If you are experiencing symptoms frequently, however, then please contact us with any questions.

Take Steps To Treat TMJ Issues

Keep in mind that most people will experience some TMJ issues from time to time. That’s doesn’t necessarily mean you will have a TMJ disorder. You may want to try some home remedies to manage your issues first.

Try eating softer foods for a few days to see if the jaw pain stops. Avoid chewing gum as well. If your jaw feels stiff or stuck, applying heat may help it feel looser. If your jaw is sore or swollen, applying a cold pack can dull the pain and reduce swelling. Over-the-counter pain medicine can help with the headaches, earaches, and other pains mentioned above, too.

You should visit our Modesto, CA office if you notice that your symptoms persist in spite of your treatment or if those symptoms keep returning when you stop your relief efforts.

Millions of people clench and grind their teeth in their sleep. Preventing this can play an important role in addressing your TMJ issues.

If this is a factor in your jaw problems, we can design a custom-made mouthguard for you to wear while you sleep. This functions as a barrier between your upper and lower teeth. This stops you from grinding them together. It also affects the resting position of your jaw, which can ease the strain on your jaw joints.

If the alignment of your teeth is contributing to your troubles, we also may discuss orthodontic options. For some patients, this can make a difference as well.

Let Us Help You

TMJ disorders can be disruptive to your daily life. Don’t suffer any longer. Call us at (209) 575-2400 or contact us online to request an appointment. Sierra Dental Care wants you to be healthy and pain-free.

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Be Wise: Get An Oral Cancer Screening https://sierradentalcare.com/blog/be-wise-get-an-oral-cancer-screening/ Mon, 01 Apr 2019 07:00:05 +0000 https://sierradentalcare.com/?p=50600 You should get regular dental checkups, but you already know that. You need professional cleanings and exams to fight cavities and gum disease. But there’s another, arguably more important, reason to visit our Modesto, CA dental office. Oral cancer isn’t as common as tooth decay, but it’s much more important to find it early. We […]

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You should get regular dental checkups, but you already know that. You need professional cleanings and exams to fight cavities and gum disease.

But there’s another, arguably more important, reason to visit our Modesto, CA dental office. Oral cancer isn’t as common as tooth decay, but it’s much more important to find it early.

We conduct oral cancer screenings as part of our general dentistry. We never want to find anything, but we would prefer to find this as soon as possible if you do have it. Early detection makes a big difference in the success of treatment of this disease.

If you haven’t scheduled your next dental appointment yet, call (209) 575-2400 today to plan your visit to Sierra Dental Care.

Learn What To Look For

We are writing about this today because April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month. To that end, we want you to be aware of some of the most common symptoms of this disease:

  • Red, white, or mixed patches of soft tissue in your mouth
  • Mouth sores that haven’t gotten better for weeks
  • Numbness or pain in your mouth or on your lips
  • Problems speaking, eating, and swallowing
  • Lumps in your mouth, neck, or throat

To be clear, having these symptoms does not necessarily mean that you have oral cancer. They are good reasons to talk to your family doctor, however. It’s much better to find out that it’s nothing than to let something continue to get worse.

On an average day in the United States, more than 130 people are diagnosed with this disease. Every hour, one person dies of oral cancer in the U.S.

When oral cancer is found in the late stages, the five-year survival rate is 57 percent. Compare that to the 80 to 90 percent survival rate when the disease is found in the late stages.

Prevent Steps You Can Take

In 9 out of 10 new cases of oral cancer, doctors can identify contributing factors. Knowing the top causes can help you take actions that can greatly reduce your risk of developing this condition.

The best thing you can do is to avoid tobacco. These products contain many carcinogenic chemicals. And tobacco use has been linked (based on conservative estimates to 75 percent of oral cancer cases. It probably won’t surprise you to know that your risk increases the longer and the more frequently that you use those products.

In other words, there is no reason to start using tobacco, but there are excellent reasons to quit. It may not be easy, but it is worth it in the long run.

Avoiding or reducing alcohol consumption can make a difference in your oral cancer risk as well. Many people will drink alcohol and use tobacco at the same time. This is particularly risky because alcohol dehydrates the soft tissues of your mouth. That then makes it easier for those tissues to absorb the chemicals from those tobacco products.

Alcohol alone can be a risk factor as well. The Oral Cancer Foundation has reported that individuals who consume 21 or more drinks per week are more likely to develop oral cancer. Keep this in mind throughout the week.

See Us Soon

By visiting Sierra Dental Care, you can get basic dental exams, including oral cancer screenings, on a regular basis. All you need to do is call (209) 575-2400 or contact us online to request an appointment.

We hope to see you soon.

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Save The Date … For A Great Smile (infographic) https://sierradentalcare.com/blog/save-the-date-for-a-great-smile-infographic/ Fri, 15 Mar 2019 07:00:25 +0000 https://sierradentalcare.com/?p=50588 If you are getting married (congratulations!), are in a wedding party, or just are planning to attend a wedding this summer, you should expect to have your picture taken at some point. Before wedding season arrives, make plans to give your smile an upgrade at Sierra Dental Care. Through our cosmetic dentistry, you can improve […]

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If you are getting married (congratulations!), are in a wedding party, or just are planning to attend a wedding this summer, you should expect to have your picture taken at some point. Before wedding season arrives, make plans to give your smile an upgrade at Sierra Dental Care. Through our cosmetic dentistry, you can improve the appearance of your teeth so you can feel confident flashing your smile for the cameras.

If you’ve already got some dates saved on your calendar, set up an appointment at our Modesto, CA office before the big event arrives. Contact us online or call 209-575-2400 to request a visit with us.

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Schedule A Spring Cleaning With Our Family Dentists https://sierradentalcare.com/blog/schedule-a-spring-cleaning-with-our-family-dentists/ Fri, 01 Mar 2019 07:00:33 +0000 https://sierradentalcare.com/?p=50586 The first official day of Spring is just around the corner. Many of us use this time to do a big cleaning at our homes. The payoff from getting rid of junk and old things that we haven’t touched or seen in years is we create more room and a cleaner living space. Spring is […]

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The first official day of Spring is just around the corner. Many of us use this time to do a big cleaning at our homes. The payoff from getting rid of junk and old things that we haven’t touched or seen in years is we create more room and a cleaner living space.

Spring is also a great time to get dental cleanings and exams at our family dentist office in Modesto, CA. When you are doing your spring cleaning at home, let that be a reminder to pay us a visit as well.

We look forward to seeing you and your loved ones. We can help you improve and maintain your oral health for many years to come.

To get started, call 209-575-2400 to make your appointment at Sierra Dental Care.

Develop A Good Routine

You can’t completely eliminate the risk of getting tooth decay, but you can greatly reduce that risk by having consistent oral health habits. To do this, you need a combination of a good daily hygiene routine and regular professional care.

The American Dental Association has put together some good guidelines about this. At home, you should be brushing your teeth twice daily and flossing once per day. A few times each year, you and your family should get checkups from dental professionals

When you brush, you’ll want a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Be sure to scrub your teeth twice daily on all sides, but not too hard as this can injure your gums. Daily flossing can be performed with dental floss, flossers, or a water flosser. The important thing is to clean the spaces between your teeth and gums since your toothbrush is not the best tool for cleaning those areas of your mouth.

Professional care is important because of what we noted earlier. You can’t completely eliminate your risk of decay or gum infections no matter how well you clean. As part of your professional care, we’ll remove place and tartar buildup, which can lead to cavities and gum disease. We also will be on the lookout for any symptoms of those problems. We want to catch them in the earliest stages whenever possible because it means more effective and less invasive treatments for you. This is much more likely when you make dental visits every six months.

Take Advantage Of What We Can Do For You

Our team is devoted to providing high-quality family dentistry in a comfortable setting. With our decades of combined experience, we are happy to help you and the people you care about maintain and improve your oral health.

We have invested in advanced technology, such as intraoral cameras and dental lasers. This helps us diagnose problems sooner and treat them more efficiently.

We also know that the cost of dental care can be a concern for many families. This is why we have a variety of payment options. This includes our in-house affordable dental discount plan. If you don’t have dental insurance through your employer, this is a great way to manage the costs of care. This plan includes twice-yearly exams, X-rays, oral cancer screenings, discounts on other procedures, and more.

Plan Your Visit Soon

Whether you are new to the area, new to our office, or a returning patient, we look forward to working with you and your family on healthy smiles. Sierra Dental Care can be your family dentist office for decades to come.

Call 209-575-2400 or contact us online to request an appointment.

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Healthy Gums Help You & Your Smile https://sierradentalcare.com/blog/healthy-gums-help-you-your-smile/ Fri, 15 Feb 2019 07:00:59 +0000 https://sierradentalcare.com/?p=50583 You know that you are supposed to floss your teeth, but it’s just one of those things you seem to forget. Since you’ve got a dental checkup next week, you decide you should at least floss in the days leading up to your appointment, right? When you do floss, you can’t help noticing that your […]

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You know that you are supposed to floss your teeth, but it’s just one of those things you seem to forget. Since you’ve got a dental checkup next week, you decide you should at least floss in the days leading up to your appointment, right?

When you do floss, you can’t help noticing that your gums are bleeding. Is that good? Your gums look a little puffy, too. You aren’t sure if that’s normal or something new.

The truth is the bleeding and the puffiness both are symptoms of gingivitis, which is the early form of gum disease. Since February is also Gum Disease Awareness Month, we want to take a moment to review some things everyone should know about gum health.

You also should know that we can help you treat and prevent gum infections with regular visits to Sierra Dental Care. To make an appointment at our Modesto, CA dental office, call 209-575-2400.

Know Your Risks

Gum disease is one of the most common health issues in the United States. Conservative estimates indicate that at least 7 in 10 people will develop periodontal problems during their lives.

That does not mean everyone faces the same level of risk, however. Some people are more likely to have gum issues than others, and the reasons for that include factors that you can and can’t control. Let’s start by looking at the things that are up to you.

The most obvious is how you care for your mouth. That starts with your regular oral hygiene routine. Daily brushing and flossing removes bacteria, plaque, and food particles and can prevent tartar buildup in your mouth. Getting professional dental cleanings and exams also helps to avoid and identify problems before they can get out of hand. Skipping any of these steps leaves you more prone to gum infections.

Using tobacco is one of the most damaging things you can do for your oral health. Any tobacco use can weaken your gum tissue. This raises your risk of gum problems. It also makes it more difficult to treat problems when they arise. Avoiding tobacco (or quitting it) is good for your oral and your overall health.

Overall, men are more likely to develop gum disease than women. However, females face an increased risk during times when their hormones are changing. This includes puberty, pregnancy, and menopause.

And while it may not be fair, some people are more prone to periodontal problems due to genetics. If gum infections are common in your family, you’ll want to be more attentive to your gum health.

Protect Your Smile

Caring for your gums is more important than you may realize. Gum disease is the leading factor in tooth loss in the United States. Periodontal problems also have been linked to cardiovascular and heart disease and to complications of diabetes.

By caring for your gums, you may be doing more than you realize.

It’s also why we encourage you to have a consistent dental hygiene routine, which should include visits to Sierra Dental Care. To request an appointment for treatment or preventive care, contact us online or call 209-575-2400.

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Four Ways To Protect Your Kids’ Smiles (infographic) https://sierradentalcare.com/blog/four-ways-to-protect-your-kids-smiles-infographic/ Fri, 01 Feb 2019 07:00:59 +0000 https://sierradentalcare.com/?p=50581 Four in 10 kids will experience tooth decay by the time they turn 11 years old, according to the National Institutes of Health. Like you, our team at Sierra Dental Care wants your family to remain cavity-free. So, in recognition of Children’s Dental Health Month, we are sharing some reminders of what you and your […]

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Four in 10 kids will experience tooth decay by the time they turn 11 years old, according to the National Institutes of Health. Like you, our team at Sierra Dental Care wants your family to remain cavity-free.

So, in recognition of Children’s Dental Health Month, we are sharing some reminders of what you and your family can do to keep your mouths healthy. That should include regular visits to our family dentistry in Modesto, CA. Whether it’s your kid’s first visit with us or their 50th, we’ll go out of our way to make them feel comfortable.

Call 209-575-2400 today or contact us online to request your next dental exam with us.

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