As dentists, we’ll warn you away from sweet treats most of the time, but chewing gum is a surprising exception. That is, as long as it’s sugar-free. Yes, it’s true that sugar-free chewing gum is actually good for your teeth and can help prevent tooth decay. Read more
Part of offering family dentistry is ensuring that our youngest patients feel especially comfortable. We do everything we can to make the dentist a friendly, safe and informative environment for your child. Here are a few tips for what you can do as a parent to make your child’s first visit easy on you and your little one.
If you have an older child, bring the little one along to their appointment. Chances are your child will want to emulate their older sibling’s good behavior. If there are no older children in your family, set a good example yourself by having your child along with you at your next appointment. All little kids want to be like their moms and dads!
If you’re fearful or anxious at the dentist, try not to let it show. Don’t say anything that may worry your child, even if you’re a little worried yourself. Don’t try to set any expectations of sensations or how long the appointment will be. If you don’t think your dental anxiety is something you can easily control, you may consider having your spouse be in charge of dental visits at first.
Don’t try to explain the concept of why we go to the dentist to your little one. Sometimes the idea of germs or scary “sugar bugs” cause more trouble than they help. Telling your child that the dentist will be looking in her mouth to count her teeth is usually familiar enough of a concept for a child to accept.
Bring along a favorite toy or promise a new one following the appointment as a reward. Some children are overwhelmed by the bright light shining in their eyes in the dental chair, so another fun reward or preparation can be choosing a cool and colorful pair of sunglasses to wear during the checkup, and of course keep afterwards!
Ask the dental staff if you can bring your child in for a tour before the appointment. Make it a fun experience full of discovery and new things, as if you were visiting a children’s science museum. Familiarity can help children adjust when it’s their turn in the dental chair.
In addition to good dental hygiene and regular checkups, knowing how to spot a dental problem early can be extremely helpful when in preventing toothaches or the need for a root canal. Read more
Dental hygienists see thousands and thousands of patients’ mouths each year. They know that no two people’s mouths or oral health are quite the same. Nonetheless, there are some things that patients don’t know about caring for their smiles that seem to come up again and again. Read more
You can have a great dental hygiene routine and never miss a dental checkup and still be putting your teeth at risk for wear. Worn teeth are weaker and less able to resist the problems that cause toothaches Read more
Ideally, if you have a toothache, you’d be sitting in our dental chair right away. But the reality is that toothaches don’t always strike at a convenient time, and you will need some relief before you can get into our practice. Read more
A dentist or a dental hygienist can take a quick look inside your mouth and tell you whether you clench and grind your teeth in your sleep. We often find that patients are skeptical Read more
With the way dentists and hygienists are always sucking saliva away or blowing your teeth dry, you’d think we had something against it. But the truth is that saliva is very beneficial to your overall and oral health. Read more
We hate to burst your bubble, but if you though you were avoiding damaging your teeth by swapping soda for sparkling water, we’re afraid it’s not quite true. Read more
Getting a dental crown is a very common treatment. In an ideal world, all of our patients would have healthy strong teeth that never needed repair, but the reality is that we perform crown procedures quite frequently Read more
After earning a bachelor’s in dental surgery (BDS) in India in 2009, Dr. Mayank Sharma graduated with his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) at the University of California in San Francisco (UCSF). Dr. Mayank Sharma has extensive experience in general dentistry, acquired at UCSF as well as work he did in India & Australia. He also likes to work for the community & has contributions to The American Red Cross, The Indian Red Cross Society, Mission of Mercy project, & Community Dental Clinic at UCSF amongst numerous others.
With practices across Monterey county & beyond, Dr. Sumeet Singh is fulfilling his vision of providing trusted, comfortable & affordable dental care in a family oriented environment.
Dr. Michael Rice was born & raised in Southern California. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Physiological Sciences from UCLA before earning his doctorate degree from the Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC. Upon completing his education, Dr. Rice moved to Texas to fulfill his commitment as a U.S. Army dentist. There he also completed an Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency & earned his Master’s Degree in Oral Biology. He now lives in Marina with his wife, Taryn, & dog, Tusker.
Adriana was born & raised on the Monterey Peninsula & received her AAS in Dental Hygiene from Cabrillo College in 2018. She is an active member of the California Dental Hygienist’s Association & prides herself in staying current with the latest research & information about dental care. She loves getting to know her patients & being able to educate them about their oral health. Many of her patients describe her as gentle yet very thorough. When Adriana is not practicing dental hygiene she loves to travel, try new restaurants, spend time with her family & friends, & attend sporting events!
Dr. Harleen Kaur is a general, restorative & cosmetic dentist who has been practicing dentistry since 2009. After achieving her Doctoral of Dental Surgery (DDS) from prestigious NYU she moved to California to establish her career. She devotes many days each year to continuing her education through seminars, study clubs & conferences in order to keep up to date with the latest changes & techniques in dentistry. She believes in giving & has been able to raise public awareness to deliver significant results that have left a lasting impact. Her refreshing personality helps put you at ease & feel comfortable during your dental visit. Dr. Kaur enjoys singing, reading, playing tennis & traveling with her husband & their son, Gurshan.
Dr. Priyanka Chitkul is a friendly & passionate dentist who provides a wide variety of dental services & is committed to providing the best patient care through high-quality service.