<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?><rss xmlns:atom='http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom' xmlns:openSearch='http://a9.com/-/spec/opensearchrss/1.0/' xmlns:georss='http://www.georss.org/georss' version='2.0'><channel><atom:id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-425687580022897334</atom:id><lastBuildDate>Thu, 04 Mar 2010 20:44:28 +0000</lastBuildDate><title>Smiles By Sands - Studio City Cosmetic Dentistry Blog</title><description></description><link>http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/blog.html</link><managingEditor>noreply@blogger.com (Patti)</managingEditor><generator>Blogger</generator><openSearch:totalResults>49</openSearch:totalResults><openSearch:startIndex>1</openSearch:startIndex><openSearch:itemsPerPage>25</openSearch:itemsPerPage><item><guid isPermaLink='false'>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-425687580022897334.post-6598268917631959021</guid><pubDate>Thu, 04 Mar 2010 20:43:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2010-03-04T12:44:28.700-08:00</atom:updated><title>TMJ Pain</title><description>The Temporomandibular joint is the hinge that connects the lower jaw to the skull.  Temporomandibular disorders, or TMD can occur for several reasons.  Some examples include grinding or clenching of the teeth, the disc between the ball and socket becomes dislocated, arthritis in the TMJ, or if you do not have an ideal bite in which the teeth meet properly.  Some common symptoms of TMD are; pain or tenderness in the jaw joint area, an inability to open the mouth very wide, jaw gets stuck or locked in one position, clicking sound when opening and closing the mouth, sleep deprivation, pain in or around the ear, neck or shoulders when chewing or speaking, and pain or discomfort when chewing.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;There are several other conditions that can cause similar symptoms, including sinus problems, gum disease, toothache and migraines.  There are different ways to treat the disorder, your dentist can often make a dental appliance that will help support your jaw without the need to use your jaw muscles.  It’s very important to get a proper diagnosis from a dental healthcare professional so you’ll know if you’re suffering from TMD or not and then be treated properly.  If you or someone you know is suffering from some of these symptoms, be sure to call Smiles By Sands at 818-766-6121 to set up a consultation.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/425687580022897334-6598268917631959021?l=www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com%2Fblog.html' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</description><link>http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/2010/03/tmj-pain.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (Judith M.)</author><thr:total xmlns:thr='http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0'>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink='false'>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-425687580022897334.post-9148907515092347895</guid><pubDate>Thu, 25 Feb 2010 23:11:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2010-02-25T15:22:51.809-08:00</atom:updated><title>Avoiding Canker Sores</title><description>Sodium Laurel Sulfate, or SLS is a foaming agent used in most toothpastes and mouth rinses.  People with canker sores, also known, as aphthous ulcers might have SLS to thank for their outbreaks.  It dries out the protective layer of tissue in the mouth and makes the underlying tissue more susceptible to breakouts especially when acidic foods are introduced to the environment.  Canker sores can be intensely painful lesions for some people or just a simple annoyance to others.  To avoid and prevent future outbreaks, it's best to eliminate Sodium Laurel Sulfate from your oral hygiene products.  There are several products available that do not contain SLS, you just have to read the list of ingredients first.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/425687580022897334-9148907515092347895?l=www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com%2Fblog.html' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</description><link>http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/2010/02/avoiding-canker-sores.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (Judith M.)</author><thr:total xmlns:thr='http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0'>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink='false'>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-425687580022897334.post-7921845611856091760</guid><pubDate>Thu, 11 Feb 2010 19:18:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2010-02-11T11:23:01.674-08:00</atom:updated><title>Happy Valentine's Day!</title><description>Valentine's Day is a day to celebrate love. We want all of our patients to know that you really make us love our jobs. We love seeing your smiling faces in our office everyday. We hope you have a very Happy Valentine's Day filled with love. From the entire team at Smiles By Sands.&lt;a href="http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/uploaded_images/heartimages-733362.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 127px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 87px" alt="" src="http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/uploaded_images/heartimages-733361.jpg" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/425687580022897334-7921845611856091760?l=www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com%2Fblog.html' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</description><link>http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/2010/02/valentines-day-is-day-to-celebrate-love.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (Judith M.)</author><thr:total xmlns:thr='http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0'>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink='false'>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-425687580022897334.post-3697753623266548518</guid><pubDate>Thu, 11 Feb 2010 18:59:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2010-02-11T11:09:45.309-08:00</atom:updated><title>Halitosis and Kissing</title><description>We all have microorganisms living in our mouth as well as in our entire body.  Some live harmoniously, helping us process and digest our foods and balance our systems.  Other bacteria wreak havoc.  Someone who doesn't have good oral hygiene or is dealing with periodontal disease, most likely has bad bacteria living in the tissues in their mouth.  These bad bacteria can cause bad breath, bleeding, pain and discomfort and eventually tooth loss.  And, yes kissing someone with gum disease or a mouth full of bacteria can transfer the bacteria to you because you are exchanging saliva and therefore, bacteria.  Whether or not bacteria becomes a part of the other person's oral population depends on a few different factors, including genetic makeup and resistance.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;If someone you know has serious halitosis, it's always best to tell them.  They may not even know they have bad breath.  It might be an infection that can have harmful effects on mouth tissues.  These bacteria reside in the delicate tissues that surround the teeth and have the potential to cause systemic damage.  Although it may be hard to tell someone you love that they have bad breath, it really is in their best interest, as well as yours to mention it.  It is important for both of you to see a dental professional for a periodontal disease screeing no matter how "clean" you think your mouth is.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/425687580022897334-3697753623266548518?l=www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com%2Fblog.html' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</description><link>http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/2010/02/halitosis-and-kissing.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (Judith M.)</author><thr:total xmlns:thr='http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0'>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink='false'>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-425687580022897334.post-6194063454824145453</guid><pubDate>Mon, 01 Feb 2010 22:32:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2010-02-01T14:33:19.534-08:00</atom:updated><title>Helping Out</title><description>Dr. Jamie Sands will be volunteering with the San Fernando Dental Society to screen and treat children this February for their Give Kids A Smile program.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/425687580022897334-6194063454824145453?l=www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com%2Fblog.html' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</description><link>http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/2010/02/helping-out.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (Judith M.)</author><thr:total xmlns:thr='http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0'>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink='false'>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-425687580022897334.post-6081833736646302211</guid><pubDate>Mon, 01 Feb 2010 19:44:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2010-02-01T12:06:46.499-08:00</atom:updated><title>Dental Health and Vitamin Deficiencies</title><description>It is vital to the maintanence of good oral health to have the proper amount of vitamin's in your system.  When a person is deficient in a vitamin, it can affect the mouth and teeth.  Vitamin deficiencies can be due to problems absorbing nutrients from food.  Illness, age and diet can be reasons for poor absorption.  One of the reasons people experience vitamin deficiencies is due to their diet.  It is important to make sure that you are getting all your nutrient rich foods in your daily meals.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Vitamin Deficincies and Symptoms:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Vitamin B - Increases your risk of getting: canker sores, mucosal candidiasis (a fungal infection) and angular cheilitis (a painful inflammation in the mouth) if amounts are insufficient.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Vitamin C - Gums can bleed more easily, can also cause fatigue and easy bruising if there is a deficiency.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Vitamin A - Causes delayed healing in the mouth when there is a lack of this vitamin (since adequate amounts help skin cells grow).             &lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Vitamin D - Bone density and strength is decreased if there is a lack of the vitamin in combination with calcium.  This could increase the chances of getting jaw fractures and gum disease.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Vitamin K - Slow healing can occur if deficient (since this vitamin aids in blood clotting).  A lack can cause excessive bleeding after a tooth extraction and even sometimes after a normal teeth cleaning.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you suspect that you may be having symptoms that might be due to a lack of vitamins, be sure to discuss it with Dr. Sands at your next visit.                                                                                              &lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/425687580022897334-6081833736646302211?l=www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com%2Fblog.html' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</description><link>http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/2010/02/dental-health-and-vitamin-deficiencies.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (Judith M.)</author><thr:total xmlns:thr='http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0'>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink='false'>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-425687580022897334.post-1247161412372427786</guid><pubDate>Fri, 15 Jan 2010 23:24:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2010-01-15T15:24:00.490-08:00</atom:updated><title>Options Available to Fix Broken/Chipped Teeth</title><description>&lt;p&gt;Treatment for a broken or chipped tooth depends on the type, location, and how much of the tooth is involved. Broken or chipped teeth can be repaired by using a variety of treatments and techniques such as dental bonding, dental veneers or&lt;a href="http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/Dental-Info-Crowns.html"&gt; porcelain crowns&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/dental-bond.html"&gt;Dental bonding&lt;/a&gt; is a simple technique that produces dramatic results and is used in the case of a relatively small defect. Dental bonding is performed directly on the defective tooth and requires expertise and artistry to ensure the tooth is sculpted, shaded and polished correctly to achieve a good result.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/dental-topic7.html"&gt;Porcelain dental veneers &lt;/a&gt;are thin wafer-like ceramic shells applied on the surface of the natural tooth to &lt;a href="http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/Dental-Info-Cosmetic.html"&gt;repair broken or chipped teeth&lt;/a&gt;. Modern advances in materials and technology have made it possible for porcelain dental veneers to look totally natural and undetectable from your own teeth.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;A dental crown is a restoration that encases your entire defective tooth and is sometimes referred to as a "cap". A dental crown can strengthen a broken or chipped tooth as well as improve its’ appearance and function.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Please &lt;a href="http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/ContactUs.html"&gt;contact&lt;/a&gt; Dr. Jamie Sands and Dr. Jason Sands at &lt;a href="http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/about.html"&gt;Smiles By Sands Cosmetic and Family Dentistry&lt;/a&gt; in Studio City, California today to discuss what options may be available for you to repair your broken or chipped tooth with the most recent advances in dentistry technology.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/425687580022897334-1247161412372427786?l=www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com%2Fblog.html' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</description><link>http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/2010/01/options-available-to-fix-brokenchipped.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (Tiffany)</author><thr:total xmlns:thr='http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0'>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink='false'>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-425687580022897334.post-4708485960908450036</guid><pubDate>Fri, 08 Jan 2010 23:21:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2010-01-08T15:24:00.242-08:00</atom:updated><title>Babies and Oral Hygiene</title><description>&lt;p&gt;So many parents are lackadaisical about &lt;a href="http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/Dental-Info-Children.html"&gt;oral hygiene for babies&lt;/a&gt;. The thought is that if they have no teeth, there is no reason to worry about dental hygiene. Furthermore, baby teeth are only temporary, so there is no need to bother brushing them on a daily basis. The staff at &lt;a href="http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/"&gt;Smiles by Sands&lt;/a&gt; wants to educate parents that nothing could be further from the truth. Good oral hygiene habits should begin with infants and carry through adulthood.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The &lt;a href="http://www.aap.org/"&gt;American Academy of Pediatrics&lt;/a&gt; agrees that baby teeth are important because they act as a guide for permanent teeth. When parents do not enforce good oral hygiene habits, baby teeth can be lost due to infection or decay. If the child’s permanent teeth are not ready to fill in those gaps, the baby teeth can begin to shift and cause serious problems for permanent teeth placement.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;Tips for Baby Oral Hygiene&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Start your baby on the road to a healthy smile with these tips:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Before teeth develop, wipe the gums with a wet cloth after mealtimes&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Once the first tooth erupts, begin gently brushing with a soft toothbrush&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Use training toothpaste or water to brush the first teeth; introduce fluoride toothpaste only when it is certain the child will not swallow the toothpaste&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Limit the use of pacifiers and/or discourage thumb sucking&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Avoid sending babies to bed with a bottle filled with anything other than water; also avoid prolonged exposure to milk or juice-filled bottles&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;To learn more about oral hygiene for babies, please &lt;a href="http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/ContactUs.html"&gt;contact&lt;/a&gt; our &lt;a href="http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/Dental-Info-Family.html"&gt;Studio City, California family dentistry&lt;/a&gt; office today for a free consultation.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/425687580022897334-4708485960908450036?l=www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com%2Fblog.html' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</description><link>http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/2010/01/babies-and-oral-hygiene.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (Tiffany)</author><thr:total xmlns:thr='http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0'>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink='false'>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-425687580022897334.post-5235865347500913497</guid><pubDate>Thu, 24 Dec 2009 00:03:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2009-12-23T16:04:34.918-08:00</atom:updated><title>Happy Holidays</title><description>Smiles By Sands would like to wish everyone a very healthy and happy holiday season filled with all the things that make you smile!&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/425687580022897334-5235865347500913497?l=www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com%2Fblog.html' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</description><link>http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/2009/12/happy-holidays.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (Judith M.)</author><thr:total xmlns:thr='http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0'>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink='false'>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-425687580022897334.post-2077030600734864393</guid><pubDate>Tue, 15 Dec 2009 23:42:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2009-12-15T15:42:00.713-08:00</atom:updated><title>Early Childhood Caries</title><description>&lt;p&gt;A child is susceptible to tooth decay as soon as their first teeth appear, usually by six months of age. This condition is referred to as early childhood caries (cavities) or baby bottle tooth decay.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In some cases the tooth decay is so severe it has resulted in extractions, but fortunately, e&lt;a href="http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/general-dentistry.htm"&gt;arly childhood caries&lt;/a&gt; is a preventable condition.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The &lt;a href="http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/Dental-Info-Children.html"&gt;tooth decay seen in infants&lt;/a&gt; occurs when sweetened liquids are consumed and are left clinging to the infants' teeth and gums for long periods of time. Sweet liquids such as milk, formulas and fruit juices are used by bacteria in the mouth as food. The bacteria produce acids that then attack the teeth. Allowing a child to fall asleep with a bottle during a nap or through the night is a major cause of infant tooth decay. After every bottle the infants’ teeth and gums should be wiped clean with a soft cloth to prevent the bacteria from flourishing.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Baby teeth are very important and play a major role in the future development of permanent teeth. Dental visits for your child should start by their first birthday or sooner if a problem develops. The dentists at Smiles By Sands Cosmetic and Family Dentistry are experienced in the care and treatment of early childhood dental problems.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;If you would like to learn more about the problem of early childhood tooth decay and how to prevent it, please &lt;a href="http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/ContactUs.html"&gt;contact&lt;/a&gt; Dr. Jamie Sands and Dr. Jason Sands at &lt;a href="http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/about.html"&gt;Smiles By Sands Cosmetic and Family Dentistry&lt;/a&gt; in Studio City, California today.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/425687580022897334-2077030600734864393?l=www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com%2Fblog.html' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</description><link>http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/2009/12/early-childhood-caries.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (Tiffany)</author><thr:total xmlns:thr='http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0'>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink='false'>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-425687580022897334.post-1416529134676975804</guid><pubDate>Tue, 08 Dec 2009 20:43:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2009-12-08T12:45:59.166-08:00</atom:updated><title>Remote Area Medical</title><description>&lt;a href="http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/uploaded_images/RAM-Project-3-747556.JPG"&gt;&lt;img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/uploaded_images/RAM-Project-3-747363.JPG" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div&gt;Dr. Jamie Sands participated in an exciting volunteer program this past August. As the year is coming to an end and the holidays are approaching rapidly it reminds us to take time to think of those in need and help out whenever possible. The Remote Area Medical Volunteer Corps is a non-profit, volunteer program dedicated to providing health care and educational support to people in remote areas of the United States and the world.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;RAM was founded in 1985 and is an all-volunteer, publicly supported, charitable organization. Dentists as well as medical doctors, nurses, pilots, veterinarians and support workers all volunteer their time and expertise to help people all over the world. All of the medications, medical supplies and facilities are donated.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The patients that participate in these events, often arrive with serious dental problems that are affecting their overall health. Many of these issues can be improved in a single visit. RAM has a dedicated list of volunteer dentists that work hard to make each expedition a success. RAM was only able to offer emergency extractions to patients when they began over 20 years ago. Today, RAM is able to offer services to many more patients, including restorations, cleanings and fluoride treatments.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/425687580022897334-1416529134676975804?l=www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com%2Fblog.html' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</description><link>http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/2009/12/remote-area-medical.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (Judith M.)</author><thr:total xmlns:thr='http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0'>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink='false'>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-425687580022897334.post-2833798491307824523</guid><pubDate>Tue, 01 Dec 2009 23:39:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2009-12-07T15:41:47.950-08:00</atom:updated><title>Children and Oral Hygiene</title><description>&lt;p&gt;It is not always easy to get children to brush their teeth, and flossing can seem like a lost cause. On the flip side, some children are too enthusiastic about brushing their teeth, tending to use huge amounts of toothpaste and brushing their teeth as vigorously as possible.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Even though enforcing &lt;a href="http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/Dental-Topic33.html"&gt;good dental hygiene habits in children&lt;/a&gt; can be challenging, it is incredibly important to instill these habits at an early age so you can set a good foundation for them in their adult years. The dentists and dental hygienists at &lt;a href="http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/"&gt;Smiles by Sands&lt;/a&gt; are dedicated to helping our younger patients and their parents get the education and training necessary to practice good oral hygiene every day.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;There are many steps parents can take to help keep their children's teeth as healthy as possible, including:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Gently brushing properly two times a day&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Gently flossing or using another type of interdental cleaner one time a day&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Using a pea-size amount of fluoride toothpaste&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Supervising tooth brushing in children under age 6&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Ensuring that children do not swallow fluoride toothpaste&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Taking children age 3 and older for dental visits every 6 months&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Limiting the amount of juice and sugary snacks in children's diets&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Providing children with healthy meals and snacks&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Talking to a dentist about dental sealants for children's back teeth&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;Try to make teeth brushing a fun activity for the whole family, rather than a dreaded one. We can help you think of games or special incentives to encourage participation in these activities every day.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;We take dental health for children very seriously at &lt;a href="http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/about.html"&gt;Smiles by Sands&lt;/a&gt;. If you live in Studio City, California and would like to meet our staff at a private consultation, please &lt;a href="http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/ContactUs.html"&gt;contact&lt;/a&gt; our office today.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/425687580022897334-2833798491307824523?l=www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com%2Fblog.html' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</description><link>http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/2009/12/children-and-oral-hygiene.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (Tiffany)</author><thr:total xmlns:thr='http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0'>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink='false'>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-425687580022897334.post-5965638422809498065</guid><pubDate>Tue, 01 Dec 2009 18:59:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2009-12-01T11:10:24.700-08:00</atom:updated><title>Your Pregnancy and Your Teeth</title><description>&lt;a href="http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/uploaded_images/pregnancy2-785283.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 100px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 107px" alt="" src="http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/uploaded_images/pregnancy2-785281.jpg" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div&gt;Some women think it's smart to avoid going to the dentist for a cleaning until after they've already given birth.  So, they don't go to the dentist during their pregnancy and just wait. This way of thinking couldn't be farther from the truth and can be detrimental. Healthy teeth and gums are so important to maintain during pregnancy.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div&gt;Hormone levels change during pregnancy and can cause gingivitis which creates bleeding, swollen, sore gums. Morning sickness can also wreak havoc on the tooth surface because of stomach acids. Most shocking, is the fact that there is a strong correlation between women with advanced periodontal disease and underweight or pre-term babies.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div&gt;Having helathy gums and teeth will reduce the risks during pregnancy. Proper brushing and flossing at home is fundamentally important but don't forget to visit your dentist while you are pregnant. The 2nd trimester is generally a good time to schedule a cleaning appointment. Healthy teeth, free from periodontal disease can contribute to a strong, healthy baby.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/425687580022897334-5965638422809498065?l=www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com%2Fblog.html' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</description><link>http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/2009/12/your-pregnancy-and-your-teeth.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (Judith M.)</author><thr:total xmlns:thr='http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0'>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink='false'>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-425687580022897334.post-2673294368614469629</guid><pubDate>Tue, 24 Nov 2009 22:20:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2009-11-24T14:21:57.686-08:00</atom:updated><title>Thanksgiving</title><description>&lt;a href="http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/uploaded_images/thanksgiving1[1]-730198.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/uploaded_images/thanksgiving1[1]-730175.jpg" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;span style="font-size:130%;color:#993300;"&gt;Smiles By Sands will be closed Thursday and Friday for the Thanksgiving Holiday. We hope you all have A VERY HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/425687580022897334-2673294368614469629?l=www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com%2Fblog.html' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</description><link>http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/2009/11/smiles-by-sands-will-be-closed-thursday.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (Judith M.)</author><thr:total xmlns:thr='http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0'>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink='false'>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-425687580022897334.post-5454924188615176146</guid><pubDate>Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:25:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2009-11-20T12:25:00.216-08:00</atom:updated><title>General Dentistry and Cavities</title><description>&lt;p&gt;Tooth decay can cause a hole in your tooth, also known as a dental cavity, which is a common dental problem that causes great discomfort among patients of all age groups. If ignored, cavities can lead to more serious dental problems. The best way to prevent tooth decay is by brushing twice a day, flossing on a regular basis and seeing your dentist for twice a year examinations. However, people who follow a comprehensive and effective oral hygiene program can still develop cavities.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/general-dentistry.htm"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Cavities&lt;/a&gt; are caused by dental caries, caused by various strains of bacteria that flourish in your mouth, feeding on sugars and other carbohydrates accumulated from meals and snacks that have not been removed with brushing and flossing.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;It is estimated almost 90% of all children are affected by &lt;a href="http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/dental-emergency-treatment.htm"&gt;tooth decay&lt;/a&gt;, making cavity prevention, discovery and treatment one of the most important goals of general dentistry. &lt;a href="http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/general-dentistry.htm"&gt;General dentists&lt;/a&gt; have a variety of options available for the treatment of cavities, but prevention remains the best method for controlling dental cavities because it is not possible to regenerate tooth tissue once decay has begun.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;If you or your children are vulnerable to dental cavities, please &lt;a href="http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/ContactUs.html"&gt;contact&lt;/a&gt; Dr. Jamie Sands and Dr. Jason Sands at &lt;a href="http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/about.html"&gt;Smiles By Sands Cosmetic and Family Dentistry&lt;/a&gt; in the Studio City, California  area to schedule a visit to evaluate your needs and develop a treatment plan that suits you.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/425687580022897334-5454924188615176146?l=www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com%2Fblog.html' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</description><link>http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/2009/11/general-dentistry-and-cavities.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (Tiffany)</author><thr:total xmlns:thr='http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0'>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink='false'>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-425687580022897334.post-2022058162072557173</guid><pubDate>Tue, 17 Nov 2009 20:00:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2009-11-19T13:38:58.828-08:00</atom:updated><title>Heart Disease and Your Dental Health</title><description>&lt;a href="http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/uploaded_images/heart-733284.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; float: right; width: 116px; height: 126px;" alt="" src="http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/uploaded_images/heart-733282.jpg" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div&gt;There is a strong link between periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease. Gum disease can greatly increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. Clotting in the cardiovascular system can be caused by bacteria from the mouth. For patients that have been diagnosed with cardiovascular disease, it is very important to get regular cleanings and have good oral hygiene. Proper home care plays a big role as well. Brushing twice a day and flossing at least once a day, as well as getting regular check ups and cleanings as prescribed by your dentist, will greatly reduce the amount of bacteria in your mouth that can cause health problems. Don’t hesitate, call Smiles by Sands today (818) 766-6121 to schedule your professional dental examination and cleaning. &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/425687580022897334-2022058162072557173?l=www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com%2Fblog.html' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</description><link>http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/2009/11/heart-disease-and-your-dental-health.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (Judith M.)</author><thr:total xmlns:thr='http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0'>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink='false'>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-425687580022897334.post-4346214837641161613</guid><pubDate>Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:22:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2009-11-09T12:24:45.424-08:00</atom:updated><title>Oral Hygiene</title><description>&lt;p&gt;Good oral hygiene is a fairly general term that can mean different things to different people. At &lt;a href="http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/"&gt;Smiles by Sands&lt;/a&gt;, our team of professionals educates our patients to understand that practicing &lt;a href="http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/Dental-Topic33.html"&gt;good oral hygiene habits&lt;/a&gt; includes:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Properly brushing the teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Properly flossing the teeth once a day&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Brushing the tongue to eliminate bacteria that can cause bad breath&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Maintaining a healthy diet&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Limiting between meal snacks&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Visiting the dentist every six months for dental check-ups&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;These recommendations apply to both adults and children. In fact, the earlier children learn the importance of good oral hygiene and learn good dental habits, the better chance they will have as adults to maintain a healthy smile.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;When these behaviors become second-nature to our patients, they can feel assured that they are doing everything possible to create a healthy mouth with:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Clean teeth&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Healthy gums&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Fresh breath &lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;Of course, practicing good oral hygiene does not guarantee that the patient will not develop cavities or have other dental issues. But by taking the above preventative measures, potential problem areas can be identified and corrected quickly before they become serious.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;If you would like to get on the right path to good oral hygiene, please &lt;a href="http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/ContactUs.html"&gt;contact&lt;/a&gt; the dental professionals &lt;a href="http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/about.html"&gt;Dr. Jamie Sands and Dr. Jason Sands&lt;/a&gt; for a free dental consultation.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/425687580022897334-4346214837641161613?l=www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com%2Fblog.html' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</description><link>http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/2009/11/oral-hygiene.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (Tiffany)</author><thr:total xmlns:thr='http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0'>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink='false'>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-425687580022897334.post-875495325619552340</guid><pubDate>Tue, 27 Oct 2009 18:53:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2009-10-27T11:56:45.643-07:00</atom:updated><title>Candy and Halloween Safety</title><description>&lt;a href="http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/uploaded_images/images[6]-729115.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 120px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 119px" alt="" src="http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/uploaded_images/images[6]-729109.jpg" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div&gt;Halloween is a fun time for children to dress up as their favorite characters and collect lots of candy from neighbors. Besides not being good for their teeth, we have to be very concsious of the safety of that candy. Not because we think our neighbors are out to poison our kids, but because they may not be aware of what they're handing out. In the past, tainted products have been found coming out of China and Britain. Several products from China were found to have Melamine (a deadly toxin found in fertalizers and plastics, it's what formica is made of). Every year, the Poison Control Center recieves a number of calls from parents concerned about the safety of their child's candy in their trick-or-treat-bags. A good rule is to tell your kids not to eat any of it until you've inspected it thouroughly. We recommend having candy on hand to replace any pieces of candy that might look suspicious, or you can just replace their entire collection with your candy. Have a safe and happy Halloween!&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/425687580022897334-875495325619552340?l=www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com%2Fblog.html' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</description><link>http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/2009/10/candy-and-halloween-safety.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (Judith M.)</author><thr:total xmlns:thr='http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0'>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink='false'>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-425687580022897334.post-5635161343519486600</guid><pubDate>Tue, 20 Oct 2009 19:29:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2009-10-20T12:32:45.434-07:00</atom:updated><title>Tooth Whitening and Sensitivity</title><description>&lt;p&gt;Non-professional or over-the-counter tooth whitening systems often give unsatisfactory results. In addition, over-the-counter tooth whitening systems can cause tooth sensitivity due to chemical reactions in the enamel.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/Dental-Info-Cosmetic.html"&gt;Tooth sensitivity&lt;/a&gt; can be alleviated by the use of a desensitizer applied directly to your teeth by your dentist. These desensitizers offer months or years of relief from tooth sensitivity. Always discuss an increase in your tooth sensitivity with your dentist because it may indicate another dental problem that is totally unrelated to whitening your teeth, such as tooth decay or gum disease.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/Dental-Tooth-WhiteningZoom.html"&gt;Professional tooth whitening&lt;/a&gt; is one of the most popular cosmetic dental procedures performed in this country every year. Advancements in technology and delivery systems make beautiful, sparkling white teeth a possibility for everyone.  Professional tooth whitening restores your teeth to their original color that may have dimmed with aging, staining from food and drink, tobacco products and some medications.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Professional tooth whitening systems administered in-office, such as those at Smiles by Sands Cosmetic and Family Dentistry are safe, effective and provide dramatic, lasting results. There are also at-home whitening systems available, that when used under the supervision of a dentist, are also a safe, effective and convenient alternative.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Please &lt;a href="http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/ContactUs.html"&gt;contact&lt;/a&gt; Dr. Jamie Sands and Dr. Jason Sands at &lt;a href="http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/ContactUs.html"&gt;Smiles By Sands Cosmetic and Family Dentistry&lt;/a&gt; in Studio City, California today if you suffer from tooth sensitivity and learn what they can do to alleviate your problem and offer the best tooth whitening system for your needs.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/425687580022897334-5635161343519486600?l=www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com%2Fblog.html' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</description><link>http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/2009/10/tooth-whitening-and-sensitivity.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (Tiffany)</author><thr:total xmlns:thr='http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0'>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink='false'>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-425687580022897334.post-4914584773836051869</guid><pubDate>Tue, 20 Oct 2009 18:32:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2009-10-20T11:42:44.644-07:00</atom:updated><title>Straight Teeth Means Better Oral Hygiene</title><description>&lt;a href="http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/uploaded_images/Nabila-2-795994.JPG"&gt;&lt;img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 130px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/uploaded_images/Nabila-2-795635.JPG" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div&gt;Straightening teeth is one way to achieve healthy gums.  Properly positioned teeth are easier to brush and floss than teeth that are crowded, crooked, or spaced too far apart.  Properly aligned teeth can help gums "fit" tightly, which may lead to better periodontal health.  If the patient also maintains good oral hygiene, having straight teeth can make cleanings easier.  With Invisalign and good oral hygiene, the chances of having plaque retention, tooth decay, or gum disease can be reduced.  During treatment with Invisalign, cleanings are quicker and easier than with traditional braces because there are no brackets or wires to clean around.  Invisalign trays are removable for good hygiene.  You can brush and floss normally, which can help prevent tooth decay and gum disease.  Call today (818) 766-6121, to set up our free Invisalign consultation.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/425687580022897334-4914584773836051869?l=www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com%2Fblog.html' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</description><link>http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/2009/10/straight-teeth-means-better-oral.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (Judith M.)</author><thr:total xmlns:thr='http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0'>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink='false'>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-425687580022897334.post-2755622556887985879</guid><pubDate>Tue, 13 Oct 2009 17:04:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2009-10-13T10:25:26.718-07:00</atom:updated><title>Invisalign for Straight Teeth</title><description>&lt;a href="http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/uploaded_images/Cynthia10-762499.JPG"&gt;&lt;img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 170px" alt="" src="http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/uploaded_images/Cynthia10-762479.JPG" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;a href="http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/uploaded_images/Cynthia4-756712.JPG"&gt;&lt;img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 172px" alt="" src="http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/uploaded_images/Cynthia4-756106.JPG" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div&gt;Straightening a crooked smile or bite doesn't need to be a difficult, tedious process anymore. Invisalign is a popular way to create a straighter smile, that's less painful and less invasive than traditional braces. It is also affordable due to the financing options we offer at Smiles by Sands. Invisalign works by gradually moving your teeth with a series of custom-made, removable, nearly invisable aligners. The aligners are changed every 2-3 weeks until treatment is completed. The length of treatment, for most patients, takes from 9 months to 18 months, depending on the severity of the case. Our patients are thrilled to have their teeth straightened with Invisalign. The pictures really speak for themselves. Also, check back soon for more information on Invisalign and how it makes your regular dental cleanings easier.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/425687580022897334-2755622556887985879?l=www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com%2Fblog.html' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</description><link>http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/2009/10/invisalign-for-straight-teeth.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (Judith M.)</author><thr:total xmlns:thr='http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0'>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink='false'>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-425687580022897334.post-6644872135511289295</guid><pubDate>Thu, 01 Oct 2009 19:23:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2009-10-20T12:28:44.604-07:00</atom:updated><title>Family Dentistry</title><description>&lt;p&gt;Nothing makes us more pleased at Smiles by Sands than to be trusted to provide &lt;a href="http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/Dental-Info-Family.html"&gt;dental services for an entire family&lt;/a&gt;. Dr. Jamie Sands and Dr. Jason Sands pride themselves on offering a full gamut of dental services for children, teens, adults and the elderly population: services ranging from general dentistry procedures to ensure patients have healthy teeth and gums to advanced cosmetic dentistry procedures to create stunning, white smiles.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The family dentistry portion of our practice is especially important to the staff at &lt;a href="http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/"&gt;Smiles by Sands in Studio City, California&lt;/a&gt;. We enjoy building a good rapport with all members of the family and helping our patients, especially children, become comfortable with the dentist’s chair. We create an environment that is fun and relaxed, making a trip to the dentist less daunting.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;Family Dentistry Services&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Family dentistry is similar to general dentistry in that family dentists provide the same types of services, including:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Dental check-ups to remove plaque build-up&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Screenings for oral cancer&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Cavity fillings&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Treatment for gingivitis or gum disease&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Root canals &lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Crowns, bridges and implants&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Oral surgery&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;Patient education regarding &lt;a href="http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/Dental-Topic33.html"&gt;dental hygiene&lt;/a&gt; is always at the foundation of every dental visit. By instructing parents, children and older adults on the most effective ways to brush and floss as well as maintain a healthy smile, we can help prevent serious dental problems.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;If you are looking for a &lt;a href="http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/"&gt;family dentist in the Studio City, California area&lt;/a&gt; to provide dental care for your family, please &lt;a href="http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/ContactUs.html"&gt;contact&lt;/a&gt; Smiles by Sands to meet our staff and get your questions answered.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/425687580022897334-6644872135511289295?l=www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com%2Fblog.html' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</description><link>http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/2009/10/family-dentistry.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (Tiffany)</author><thr:total xmlns:thr='http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0'>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink='false'>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-425687580022897334.post-2490395004400570515</guid><pubDate>Wed, 30 Sep 2009 13:57:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2009-10-06T06:58:39.117-07:00</atom:updated><title>General Dentistry</title><description>&lt;p&gt;General dentists are considered to be the first line of defense against tooth decay and diseases of the teeth, gums and jaw. General dentistry is responsible for preventing and diagnosing dental problems, developing treatment plans and delivering the treatment necessary for your problems as early and successfully as possible. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends regular visits to a dentist at least two times a year to ensure good oral hygiene.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;A &lt;a href="http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/general-dentistry.htm"&gt;general dentist&lt;/a&gt; such as the ones as Smiles by Sands in Studio City, California, can provide a variety of services including professional teeth cleaning and whitening, gum disease detection and treatment, TMD/TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorder) diagnosis and treatment, sedation dentistry, oral cancer screening, the placement of dental implants, &lt;a href="http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/Dental-Info-Crowns.html"&gt;porcelain crowns&lt;/a&gt; and &lt;a href="http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/dental-bond.html"&gt;dental bonding&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;General dentists also have a highly trained support staff consisting of dental hygienists and dental assistants to help provide necessary care and treatment such as professional teeth cleaning, delivering anesthesia, taking x-rays and assisting in tasks required to make your visit to the dentist as pain and anxiety free and comfortable as possible.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Dr. Jamie Sands and Dr. Jason Sands are dedicated to pursuing continuing dental education programs to remain current with technological advances in the field of dentistry and remain interested in increasing their knowledge and skills at all times. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;If you live in the Studio City, California area, please &lt;a href="http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/ContactUs.html"&gt;contact &lt;/a&gt;Dr. Jamie Sands and Dr. Jason Sands at &lt;a href="http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/about.html"&gt;Smiles By Sands Cosmetic and Family Dentistry&lt;/a&gt; today to learn more about the recent advances in dentistry and what they can mean for you.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/425687580022897334-2490395004400570515?l=www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com%2Fblog.html' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</description><link>http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/2009/09/general-dentistry.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (Erica)</author><thr:total xmlns:thr='http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0'>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink='false'>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-425687580022897334.post-6765444024198419082</guid><pubDate>Tue, 29 Sep 2009 16:45:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2009-09-29T10:40:09.386-07:00</atom:updated><title>Nite White® Tooth Whitening</title><description>&lt;p&gt;It seems that everyone is jumping on the tooth whitening bandwagon. Whitening toothpastes, mouthwashes, floss, gum, kits, strips and even whitening stations in the mall have flooded our shelves and our senses, convincing people that everyone needs white teeth.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Our &lt;a href="http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/"&gt;professional dentists at Smiles by Sands&lt;/a&gt; understand that having a bright, white smile can increase a person's self-confidence. That is why we offer our patients the opportunity to whiten their teeth cost-effectively and, more importantly, safely with the Nite White® Tooth Whitening System.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"&gt;Custom Tooth Whitening Trays&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Unlike over-the-counter tooth whitening kits, Nite White uses custom-fitted trays that perfectly match up to each patient's rows of teeth. These custom trays allow for the professional whitening gel to properly cover each tooth for uniform whitening. The trays are generally worn at night, but can be worn during the day.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The whitening gel is comprised of carbamide peroxide and amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP). We offer the Nite White® gel in a 16% strength to whiten the teeth in the quickest amount of time with the least amount of tooth sensitivity.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;If you are serious about whitening your teeth and want results quickly, please &lt;a href="http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/ContactUs.html"&gt;contact &lt;/a&gt;us at &lt;a href="http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/"&gt;Smiles by Sands&lt;/a&gt; for a free Nite White® consultation.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/425687580022897334-6765444024198419082?l=www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com%2Fblog.html' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</description><link>http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/2009/09/nite-white-tooth-whitening.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (Erica)</author><thr:total xmlns:thr='http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0'>1</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink='false'>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-425687580022897334.post-4730086982022161568</guid><pubDate>Fri, 21 Aug 2009 16:11:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2009-08-31T09:13:21.325-07:00</atom:updated><title>General Dentistry</title><description>&lt;p&gt;Just as it is important to maintain a healthy body, it is equally as important to maintain a healthy set of teeth and gums. Two of the most important steps toward a healthy mouth are to brush and floss the teeth twice a day and visit a general dentist every six months. If you have been remiss in either of these steps, &lt;a href="http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/about.html"&gt;Dr. Jamie Sands and Dr. Jason Sands &lt;/a&gt;and the rest of the staff at Smiles by Sands offer friendly, gentle and expert &lt;a href="http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/Brochure-3.htm"&gt;general dentistry procedures&lt;/a&gt; to get you on your way to a beautiful, healthy smile. &lt;br /&gt;General Dentistry Procedures&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;During dental exams, general dentists clean and polish the teeth, inspect the teeth and gums and perform oral cancer screenings. A variety of procedures can help get the patient back to good oral health, including:&lt;br /&gt;• X-rays&lt;br /&gt;• &lt;a href="http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/Dental-Info-Endodontics.html"&gt;Endodontics&lt;/a&gt;, commonly called root canals&lt;br /&gt;• Dental crowns and bridges&lt;br /&gt;• Cavity fillings&lt;br /&gt;• Periodontics or treatment for varying degrees of gum disease&lt;br /&gt;• Oral surgery&lt;br /&gt;• Treatment for breath problems&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The dentists and dental hygienists at Smiles by Sands can also teach patients the correct way to brush and floss and give patients recommendations on lifestyle changes to protect their oral health. We encourage your questions and look forward to forming a partnership with our patients.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;If you would like to learn more about general dentistry and the affordable financing options at &lt;a href="http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/"&gt;Smiles by Sands in Studio City, California&lt;/a&gt;, please &lt;a href="http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/ContactUs.html"&gt;contact&lt;/a&gt; our office today to arrange a free consultation.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/425687580022897334-4730086982022161568?l=www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com%2Fblog.html' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</description><link>http://www.studiocitycosmeticdentist.com/2009/08/general-dentistry.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (Evan Langsted)</author><thr:total xmlns:thr='http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0'>0</thr:total></item></channel></rss>