Oral Health

It doesn’t have to take a lot of time to improve your oral hygiene. In fact, you can form a new habit to benefit your oral health in 10 seconds. I’m Dr. Marcos Ortega with Marcos Ortega DDS and I’m happy to offer my patients 6 ways to add vital dental care to each day in […]

In today’s post, we will focus on important behaviors that impact oral health. Of course, effective brushing and flossing are two important habits for healthy teeth, but there are many more things we can do to preserve a healthy smile. Diet Do’s Do eat a nutritious diet with a variety of foods. This is required […]

Today, we’re reviewing the water flosser, also known as interdental cleaner, interdental irrigator, or water jet. The first water-shooting device for cleaning between teeth was developed in the early 1960’s by Colorado dentist Dr. Gerald Moyer and John Mattingly, a hydraulics engineer. The device is now known by the brand name Waterpik, though many people […]

This is an important question occasionally asked by patients at Marcos Ortega DDS. The answer, however, is “No!” Bleeding is probably a sign that you need to clean your teeth and gums more thoroughly – not leave them alone. It is impossible to clean effectively between teeth without using floss or an interdental brush. If […]

Hello, my name is Dr. Marcos Ortega and I want to welcome you to my San Diego dental blog. My dental practice, Marcos Ortega DDS, wants to help our Hillcrest, Mission Hills, and Bankers Hill patients to be knowledgeable about oral health issues. Today we are going to discuss the complexity and importance of your […]

One common excuse often given by people who don’t floss is that the practice is difficult to fit into their daily schedule. If you’ve found this to be true, and feel like you are too busy to floss, here are some suggestions for when to fit this essential dental health habit into your day. The […]

Today’s post focuses on professional dental cleanings. You might wonder if you need a professional dental cleaning if you already practice good dental hygiene daily at home. The answer is that both processes are vital because they work in tandem to maintain oral health. Dr. Marcos Ortega encourages patients to practice preventative dentistry by: Brushing […]

In today’s post, let’s consider some information about brushing. One key to activating the value of toothpastes is creating foam when brushing. Working up a good foam is brought about by pre-wetting the toothbrush, then brushing at a 45 rather than 90 degree angle. The foaming helps with dislodging food debris from nooks and crannies […]

6. Be a Builder Not a Wrecker
Bacteria is constantly trying to build an empire in your mouth, so give it what it wants: juice, soda, chewy candy for the small crevices and hard-to-reach surfaces!

Most San Diego residents brush their teeth (at least we hope so). However, there are many who brush improperly but don’t realize that their dental hygiene practices may be contributing to oral problems. They may pride themselves on their diligence, but frequency does not make up for incorrect methods. One of the most common errors – especially for young San Diego dental patients – is rapid, aggressive teeth cleaning with a hard bristle toothbrush.