News Archives - Eric B. Wong DDS

Make It a Happy New Year For Your Teeth

2019 Dental Health Resolutions That Will Make You Smile

People are already making new year resolutions like saving money, eating better, or starting a new business. Why not make one of your new year’s resolutions improving your dental health? Taking good care of your mouth, teeth and gums is a worthy goal in and of itself. Good oral and dental hygiene can help prevent bad breath, tooth decay, and gum disease — and can help you keep your teeth as you get older lessening the chance of expensive replacement procedures. Understanding the importance of oral health and its connection to your overall health is our goal at Northgate Dental. Here are some strategies that if followed will give you a brighter, healthier smile in the coming year.

Cut Back on Sugar

Your body is a complex machine. The foods you choose and how often you eat them can affect your general health and the overall health of your teeth and gums, too. If you consume too many sugar-filled sodas, sweetened fruit drinks or non-nutritious snacks or meals, you could be at risk for tooth decay. Tooth decay is the single most common chronic childhood disease, but the good news is that it is entirely preventable by applying regular dental checkups and proper brushing and flossing. Tooth decay happens when plaque comes into contact with sugar in the mouth, causing acid to attack the teeth. Cutting down on sugar will help improve your dental health, giving you stronger, healthier teeth.

Eat Better

Eating well is important for your dental health. Poor nutrition can affect the entire immune system, increasing susceptibility to many common oral disorders, including gum (periodontal) disease. Antioxidants and other nutrients found in fruits, vegetables, legumes, and nuts improve your body’s ability to fight bacteria and inflammation, helping to protect your teeth and gums. In addition, crisp fruits and raw vegetables like apples, carrots, and celery help clean plaque from teeth and freshen breath.

Stop Using Tobacco

Using tobacco can harm your mouth in a number of ways, increasing your risk for tooth discoloration, cavities, gum recession, gum disease, and throat, lung, and oral cancer. Smokers are about twice as likely to lose their teeth as non-smokers. It’s not just smoking tobacco that has negative effects on your oral health: use of smokeless tobacco can be just as harmful to your oral health. The good news is that the risk of tooth loss decreases after you quit smoking or using smokeless tobacco.

Limit Alcohol Consumption

You may already know that excessive alcohol intake can have an effect on your overall health, but did you know that it may also affect your oral health? According to the Academy of General Dentistry, those who smoke, eat poorly and consume excessive alcohol also have increased gum recession (periodontal pocketing). Their studies show that smokers who regularly consume alcohol are less likely to brush their teeth on a regular basis and are less concerned about their basic health than nonsmokers. And for you wine drinkers, wine clings to and stains the plaque in your teeth, so brush it away before you drink to decrease your chances of a wine-stained smile.

Brush Twice and Floss Once

Brushing and flossing every day protects your teeth from decay and gum disease, which is caused by your teeth’s most persistent enemy, plaque – a sticky, colorless, invisible film of harmful bacteria that builds up on your teeth. Both brushing and flossing are equally important for good oral health. According to the Academy of General Dentistry, only flossing can remove plaque from between teeth and below the gumline, where decay and gum disease often begins. Because diseases of the mouth can affect the rest of your body, it is especially important to maintain good oral health.

See Your Dentist for Regular Checkups

By seeing your dentist at least twice a year, you can help prevent any dental health problems before they cause discomfort or require more comprehensive or expensive treatment. Regular visits allow your dentist to monitor your oral health and recommend a dental health regimen to address areas of concern. There’s no time like the present to take control and ensure that your teeth will be beautiful, healthy and strong for years to come. If you’d like to discuss your family’s oral health please contact us at Northgate Dental. We will be happy to help you with any advice we can. Or if you prefer, request a dental appointment instead and we’ll provide a free consultation. As always, our practice is built around your smile. So let us know how we can help.

Is Sparkling Water Bad For Your Teeth?

Llast year Americans spent $16 billion on sparkling water. That my friends is a lot of bubbles! When ordinary water is too flat to enjoy, some of us turn to the sparkling variety. So it concerns us to see articles warning about the possible damage sparkling water could inflict on our health, and our teeth. Is the satisfying fizz of your favorite sparkling water putting you at risk for tooth decay? Because any drink with carbonation — including sparkling water — has a higher acid level, some reports have questioned whether drinking sparkling water will weaken our tooth enamel, the hard outer shell of our teeth where cavities first form.

Dentists have weighted in on sugary drinks and how soda is bad for our health, and our teeth. The sugar in soda can rot our teeth, cause you to gain weight, and even give you diabetes. But with no sugar or any other ingredients, why would sparkling water pose any issues?

Sparkling Water vs. Soda

Surely, drinking flavored calorie free bubbly water is better for your teeth than soda. While research is varied when it comes to those delightful little bubbles in sparkling water, it has been shown to be somewhat harmful over time to our teeth. However, sparkling water is not nearly as corrosive as soda can be. This is due primarily to the fact that sparkling water gets its fizz from carbon dioxide. A chemical reaction in your mouth turns the carbon dioxide into carbonic acid, not only giving the drink a tangy, zesty, refreshing bite, but also making it more acidic. Sparkling water is far less acidic than orange juice or sugary soft drinks, but it is more acidic than plain water. That’s where the potential for dental erosion comes in, because the acid in drinks and foods can wear away our tooth enamel.

So it’s true that sparkling water, when compared to plain water, is just slightly more acidic. Flavored sparkling waters, which typically contain citric acids, can be even more corrosive to teeth. However, when compared to a soda, coffee, tea, orange juice, and any number of other popular beverages with the exception of purified water, the acidity of sparkling water is minimal and considered safe for teeth.

Health Benefits of Sparkling Water

Yes, there are benefits to drinking sparkling water. As noted, carbonated water — also known as sparkling water, seltzer water or soda water — is simply plain water that’s been infused with carbon dioxide. The process of creating carbonated water doesn’t add sugar, sodium, calories or caffeine. And we all know that hydration is vital to good health and according to leading dietitians, carbonated water hydrates just as well as plain water. Health effects of good hydration include better concentration, decreased risk of constipation, proper heart and kidney function, body temperature regulation and softer, more elastic skin.

Possible Side Effects of Sparkling Water

The carbonation of sparkling water could have a negative effect on some people. According to nutritional specialists, people with irritable bowel syndrome might experience bloating and gas because of the carbon dioxide. Additionally, you should avoid sparkling water after a workout as it might fill you up and cause you to drink less water to rehydrate. A good way to look at your options is to drink regular water as much as possible during the day. It’s fine to drink sparkling water during meals or other times, but not all day long. And if it comes to choosing between a seltzer or a cola, always go with the sparkling water for healthier teeth.

Oral Health Advice When Drinking Sparkling Water:

Sparkling water is far better for your teeth than sugary drinks.
In addition to sparkling water, be sure to drink plenty of regular, fluoridated water. It’s the best beverage for your teeth.
Don’t drink sparkling water if you suffer from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Avoid sparkling water after a workout as it might fill you up and cause you to drink less water to rehydrate
Read the nutrition label and avoid sparkling water with any added sugar or artificial sweeteners
Avoid drinking too much sparkling water with high amounts of citric acid added for flavoring
Save your more acidic sparkling water for mealtimes and drink regular water in between

Our Practice Is Built Around Your Smile

A beautiful and healthy smile is just around the corner at Northgate Dental. To find out more about us or how we can help please contact us. We will be more than glad to help with any advice we can. Or if you prefer, request an appointment and receive a free consultation. We look forward to improving your smile, and your health.

How Smiling Effects Happiness

There’s a certain magic in your smile. Each time you smile you send out a positive visual message to someone. If a “picture is worth a thousand words”, so is a beautiful smile. Scientists have known for a long time that emotions are accompanied by numerous changes in the body, and that our brain actually pays attention to what our body is doing. And research shows that smiling affects our emotions and that the act of smiling activates messaging in the brain that benefits our health and happiness. Plus we can use our smiling powers to positively impact almost any social situation, and that makes smiling really good for us. Smiling improves not only our appearance but our health as well.

How Smiling Affects Babies

Did you know that we’re actually born smiling! According to research, 3-D ultrasound technology now shows that developing babies appear to smile in the womb. They can also cry and blink before birth. It was previously thought babies learned to smile after birth by copying their mothers. The detailed 3D images show that babies start making finger movements at 15 weeks, yawning at 18 weeks and smiling, and blinking and crying at 26 weeks. And baby teeth can arrive as early as 12 weeks. After they’re born, babies continue to smile (initially mostly in their sleep) and even blind babies smile in response to the sound of the human voice.

How Smiling Affects Your Health

Smiling can actually fight off stress. Each time you smile you throw a little feel-good party in your brain. The act of smiling activates neural messaging that benefits your health and happiness. Smiling stimulates our brain’s reward mechanisms in a way that even chocolate, a well-regarded pleasure-inducer, cannot match. And unlike lots of chocolate, lots of smiling can actually make you healthier. Smiling has documented therapeutic effects, and has been associated with:

reduced stress hormone levels (like cortisol, adrenaline, and dopamine)
increased health and mood enhancing hormone levels (like endorphins)
and lowered blood pressure

How Smiling Affects Others

Everyone knows the quote “laughter is the best medicine”. Smiling can boost your mood and even your immune system and create a positive atmosphere around others. Did you know that your smile is actually contagious? So if you’re smiling at someone, it’s likely they can’t help but smile back. If they don’t, they’re making a conscious effort not to. Each time you smile at a person, their brain coaxes them to return the favor. This allows both of you to release feel good chemicals in your brain, activate reward centers, making you both more attractive and increasing the chances of you both living longer, healthier lives. Smiling is a win-win scenario.

Our practice is built around your smile

Starting out your day with a smile can completely change your internal and external experience. A smile is something that should be worn often. The world is simply a better place when you smile. And good news for you, a beautiful and healthy smile is just around the corner at Northgate Dental. To discover which teeth whitening or dental procedure is best for you please contact us. We will be more than glad to help with any advice we can. Or if you prefer, request an appointment and receive a free consultation. We look forward to improving your smile, and your health.

Giving Back To Charity Color Run

Dr. Cox takes on the local Color Run and wins for local charities!

For Dr. Cox, supporting her favorite charity is an important part of giving back to the local community. That’s why she loves participating in the Color Run, a 5K event that promotes health and happiness that brings the community together.

Known as the “Happiest 5K on the Planet.” this is the original paint race where runners will be bathed in an array of colors as they pass through various sections on the course. There is an energy associated with this race like non other. It’s less about reaching your pace and more about having the time of your life. The Color Run is an un-timed event in which thousands of participants, or “Color Runners”, are doused from head to toe in different colors at each kilometer.

With only three rules, the idea is easy to follow at the 5K Color Run:

Wear white at the starting line
Finish plastered in rainbows of colors
Make new friends, help a local cause, have fun!

After Color Runners complete the race, the fun continues with an unforgettable Finish Line Festival. This larger than life party is equipped with music, dancing and massive color throws, which create lots of vivid color combinations. Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Ignacio, the event benefits the Rotary Club of Ignacio Foundation and other charitable local organizations I look forward to it every year. Won’t you join us next year!?

If you need ideas or guidance regarding tooth extraction and the importance of bone augmentation, please contact us at Northgate Dental. We’ll be glad to help with any advice we can. Or if you prefer, just request an appointment and we will provide a free consultation for you and your child. Remember, our practice is built around your smile.

[/vc_column][/vc_column_text]

Dr. Cox Extends Her Dental Knowledge

Dr. Cox Takes Her Talents to the Dominican Republic

M aking people smile and helping others have better experiences when “going to the dentist” is just as important to Dr. Cox as making sure that once they get there, the treatment fits their needs. Seeing her patients leave after their appointment happy and smiling inspires her to improve her skills to become the best dentist she can be.

With that idea in mind, a recent “continued education” trip took Dr. Cox to Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic to help a group of needy locals with teeth issues. Joined by a group of 10 other dental professionals, they extended their knowledge about complicated tooth extraction and bone augmentation. The dentists improved the oral health of countless needy individuals. Many teeth were extracted and additional bone added to fill in tooth sockets that prepared the jaw bone for future tooth implants.

All the dental services in Santo Domingo were gladly donated to the patients and were much appreciated. These invaluable insights will be brought back by Dr. Cox and integrated into Northgate Dental’s practice where the patients will benefit.

Welcome to Northgate Dental

Catherine Cox DDS is Now Northgate Dental

Our name is new, but our practice is not. Previously known as Catherine Cox DDS, we are proud to announce our new business name, Northgate Dental. For over 25 years, Dr. Catherine Cox has had her name on the door providing thousands of patients with professional dental healthcare services in the Terra Linda, San Rafael area. And we’re still at our convenient location in the Northgate Medical & Dental Center at 750 Las Gallinas right behind Northgate One Mall. Dr. Cox will continue to provide her personal touch and professional dental care alongside her trusted and experienced staff of over 12 years. We look forward to getting to know your teeth!

Why We Changed Our Name To Northgate Dental

For over two decades, Dr. Catherine Cox has provided professional dental care for thousands of families right here in the heart of Marin County. Dr. Cox realized that a name change and rebrand would positively impact her dental practice and her patients. So changing her business name to one that’s easy to remember and matches her convenient location in the Northgate Dental and Medical Center right behind Northgate One Mall in Terra Linda, San Rafael was too good of an opportunity to pass up. So Northgate Dental was born.

We Have Refreshed Our Website and Created a New Logo Brand

To compliment our new name we’ve added a vastly improved website that will make our dental services easier to provide for our patients and also easier to understand. A new logo brand identity will make its mark as we grow and evolve with the new name. We are considering expanding our office services and have added some amazing new patient offerings that are FREE.

Get a Free Sinsational Smile Whitening by Referring a Friend

We want you to leave your appointment with us smiling. So any current patient can receive a FREE Sinsational Smile whitening simply by referring a friend to Northgate Dental who becomes a new patient. We want to make sure your teeth whitening comes out exactly as expected and with all the advances in cosmetic dentistry you can have the exact look you want. Cosmetic dentistry improves the appearance and sometimes the function of your teeth, gums and bite. It focuses on improving dental aesthetics in color, position, shape, size, alignment and overall smile appearance. And at Northgate Dental you can choose from Sinsational Smile, Zoom and Opalescence.

What Stays The Same

Everything we do at Northgate Dental is aimed at providing convenience and comfort for our patients, from the appointment scheduling, to the professionally applied treatment. Northgate Dental offers a professional dental care experience, providing both general and family dentistry backed by cutting edge technology in a modern and friendly environment. Come in and meet Dr. Cox by requesting an appointment or a FREE dental consultation.

A Message From Dr. Cox

“Creating an online experience for my patients that better reflected my vision, and taking advantage of the local iconic name of Northgate were the main reasons I renamed my business Northgate Dental. Our bold new logo brand and vastly improved website are just the beginning of the family dental experience we’re re-creating here. I’m looking forward to improving on what we offer now and making the dental experience for every patient, current or new, even better. Please drop by and see how things have changed, and let us know how we can help. We’d love to bring you and your family on board at Northgate Dental. Our practice is built around your smile. Keep brushing and flossing!”