Featured patient review for Dr. McDonald & Lifetime Smiles!

A big THANKS to Jessica C., who wrote in, "I've been coming here for years, even when I moved out of the county - and I'll keep coming until my teeth fall out! Dr. McDonald & the entire staff are the best, and they have excellent referrals (e.g., oral surgeon)."

Gum Disease Can Sneak Up On You, from Lifetime Smiles

At Lifetime Smiles, we'll tell you it's easy to tell when you have a cavity; but unfortunately, gum disease can exist in your mouth without you even knowing. In fact, you can have the beginning stages of gum disease without noticing any pain or discomfort. Since gum disease can be undetectable, it’s important to watch for warning signs in order to prevent the disease from worsening!

Signs to watch for:

• Gums that appear red or swollen
• Gums that feel tender
• Gums that bleed easily (during brushing or flossing)
• Gums that recede or pull away from the teeth
• Persistent halitosis, or bad breath
• Loose teeth
• Any change in the way teeth come together in the biting position

If you or someone in your family is showing these signs, schedule an appointment right away by calling Lifetime Smiles, serving Escondido and neighboring San Diego. We can diagnose the problem and begin treatment to save your teeth and give you back a healthy mouth!

We look forward to seeing you!

Cosmetic dentistry at Lifetime Smiles: The advantage

Some people simply want to look younger, and cosmetic dentistry at our Escondido office is like a dental facelift that can quickly "reverse" the natural aging process of the teeth. Others, the majority, have had unattractive teeth their whole lives and have always felt self-conscious because of them. They will rarely smile, which can often hide a warm side of their personality.

At Lifetime Smiles, we use various treatments to achieve your perfect smile, such as teeth whitening, porcelain veneers, porcelain laminates, inlays and onlays and full porcelain crowns. Oral Valium and N2O2 (Nitrous Oxide) is available for apprehensive patients.

Please call our Escondido, CA dental office to learn more about cosmetic dentistry.

Lastly, a BIG hanks to Maureen M., who writes in, "Lifetime Smiles provides quality dental care in a comfortable and relaxing environment. They are very attentive to their patients' needs while expressing a genuine interest in their dental well-being."

Are those rumors about swallowing bubble gum true?

Great question. At Lifetime Smiles, we know the rumors going around that once you swallow a piece of chewing gum it will take up residency in your stomach for at least seven years! We really hate to take all the fun out of the mystery, but the truth is that chewing gum, when swallowed, will enter the stomach and move through the digestive system just like any other piece of food and leave the body long before seven years! So, if you ever have accidentally swallowed a piece of gum, there is no need to worry!

This being said, gum does not have any dietary benefits, so while it’s not harmful to swallow, you still want to avoid swallowing it. If you are a gum-chewer, make sure you chew sugarless gum, because gum with sugar can lead to cavities. Sugarless gum still has the same amount of flavor, but with less cavity causing ingredients. You see, when the bacterium in your mouth breaks down sugar, what’s left behind is acid. This acid eats away at the enamel coating of your teeth, causing holes that we call cavities. Cavities can lead to other long term mouth problems if they are not treated in time, so it is best to try and avoid overexposing your teeth to too many harmful substances!

Give us a call at our convenient Escondido office if you have any questions!

Happy (sugar-free) gum chewing from Dr. McDonald and our entire staff!

Staff Spotlight: Maureen at Lifetime Smiles

The Lifetime Smiles Staff Spotlight continues this week with Maureen, who is a BIG part of our Lifetime Smiles dental hygiene team.

Maureen enjoys seeing her patients on a regular basis to help keep teeth clean and gums healthy. She lives here in Escondido with her husband and loves the Southern California lifestyle. A Southern California native, Maureen can’t imagine living too far from the beaches, mountains and desert. In her spare time she enjoys playing tennis, hiking and reading.

Be sure to say hi to Maureen next time you visit our office!

Happy New Year everyone!