Gentle Care Dentistry

Having a beautiful smile can carry over into various parts of your life. You may find that you exude more confidence, whether it be talking to the opposite sex or scoring a sought-after job interview that can change your career. Patients who are confident about the way they look will smile more, laugh more, and be more open to conversing with others. However, if you have a smile that you are not proud of, you may find yourself with lowered confidence and self-esteem.

Within the field of dentistry, there has been a long history of debate over the use of dental amalgam. This substance, used for many decades for the repair of cavities, contains mercury, a known neurotoxin. Mercury is, in fact, a naturally-occurring poisonous substance. A member of the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT), Dr. Brianne Luu operates from the standpoint that there is no such thing as a “safe level” of mercury exposure. Any exposure to this substance can harm the body, which is why mercury has been eliminated from various consumer products. Why, then, would mercury in dental fillings seem safe? Our team has chosen to work in dental care because healthy smiles are important to us. We believe that our patients are deserving of the highest standard of care we can provide. In our Azusa dental office, we repair cavities using mercury-free composite filling material, rather than dental amalgam. We also work with patients who have existing amalgam fillings they would like removed.

It is important that even the youngest of patients start visiting the dental office when their first tooth appears or before their first birthday as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. There are a few reasons for this. Children’s Dentistry - Orthodontics Azusa First, it introduces the children to the dental office early on so that they understand that they are in a safe environment, the surroundings become familiar, and a routine is established. Children that are introduced to the dentist at a younger age are often less fearful of the dentist and find it a fun and exciting environment rather than a scary one. Second, we use this time to show children the equipment we have, the brush we use to brush their teeth, and to allow them to get familiar with Dr. Luu and the rest of the staff at Gentle Care Dentistry. This also gives toddlers and older children a chance to ask questions about the office and feel comfortable with their parents around. We also let children take home a fun toy on the way out as a reward for a job well done! Third, early pediatric dental appointments are a great time to go over oral hygiene instructions for both the child and the parent. Teaching children at a young age how to properly use a toothbrush and floss their teeth will improve their chances of following through with their ever-important dental health.

Whether it is a severe toothache or an injury, emergency dentistry gives patients peace of mind when it comes to the unexpected. Patients of Dr. Luu at Gentle Care Dentistry of San Gabriel Valley can enjoy the benefits of an on-call dentist for emergencies. In fact, new patients can also use Dr. Luu’s personalized answering service regardless of what time of day or night they need assistance.