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Are you afraid of the dentist? You’re not alone. Many people are afraid that going to the dentist will be painful, or they harbor phobias from their childhood about the dentist. The unfortunate thing is that the longer you wait, the worse a dental problem can become. Dr. Bozir is an Escondido sedation dentist and wants you to know that sedation dentistry is an option that makes your dental procedures relaxed and pain-free.

What is sedation dentistry? Also sometimes called “sleep dentistry”, sedation dentistry involves using either nitrous oxide (an anesthetic gas) or oral conscious sedation medications that put you into a deep state of relaxation. You feel no pain or anxiety during the dental procedure.

What kind of medication is used for sedation dentistry? It depends on the level of sedation, and on any sensitivity you have to the classes of drugs that are used. Nitrous oxide  (also known as “laughing gas”) may be used in combination with an oral mediation.

Is sedation dentistry safe? Yes, sedation dentistry is safe, but some health conditions may prevent you from using it. Dr. Bozir will examine your medical history with you before deciding if sedation dentistry is right for you.

Will I be totally asleep? No, sedation dentistry makes you feel very sleepy but you remain awake, breathing on your own, and able to answer questions.

Should I try sedation dentistry? If you are afraid of going to the dentist, have a low threshold for pain, sensitive teeth, or a strong gag reflex, sedation dentistry is a good option for you. It also makes sense if you are expecting to have a large amount of work done, since the sedation affects your sense of time, making you feel as if the work only lasted a few minutes when in fact it may have lasted several hours.

If you are one of those people who are afraid to come see the dentist, please give us a call to talk. We want you to have the care you need, and help you overcome what is stopping you from getting it. Dr. Bozir, California Smiles Family Dental: (760) 738-9595.

March 18, 2014

To put it simply, a cavity is a hole. (Notice the similarity to the word “cave”, another kind of hole.) In this case, a cavity is a hole in your tooth. Another term for cavities that you may hear at the dentist’s is “dental caries”.

What causes cavities?  Bacteria, plaque, acids. Your mouth has bacteria in it that form a slimy substance called plaque. This bacteria-laden substance sticks to your teeth and under the gum line. The bacteria feed on particles of food that you eat. In doing so they form acids that leach out minerals just below the surface of your teeth and can cause sinkholes. If the minerals are not replaced (naturally through saliva, or through certain foods or the effects of fluoride) the sinkholes collapse and becomes a cavities.

What’s so bad about a cavity? A cavity will continue to erode, weakening the tooth until it breaks. Even before that point, the hole may break through the enamel completely and expose the nerve pulp inside of the tooth. An exposed nerve causes pain. Infection can form inside or around the tooth, which can affect the soft tissue around the tooth, the bones underneath, and even your overall health.

Can a cavity be fixed? Yes. Dental x-rays allow Dr. Bozir to detect any cavities you may have, even very small ones that you don’t realize you have. When she discovers a cavity, she removes the damaged part of the tooth and fills the cavity with a special material that bonds to the tooth and seals it from further decay. This is what’s called a filling.

How can you avoid cavities? Good dental hygiene is the best way.  Remove plaque and bacteria by brushing your teeth with fluoride toothpaste twice a day, flossing between your teeth at least once a day, avoiding overly sugary drinks and foods, and seeing your dentist twice a year for cleanings and check ups.

Questions? Please never hesitate to call or email us with your questions. It’s our pleasure to help you stay informed and healthy!

Dr Bozir, Escondido family dentist: (760) 738 9595

February 20, 2014

For this first blog post of the New Year I’d like to say how thankful I am for all of my patients, – for your trust and for the journey of health we walk together. I am honored to be your Escondido dentist. I wish each of you and your families a healthy, joyful, and prosperous 2014.

Speaking of health, this post is about the simple things we can do regularly to keep our teeth and mouths (and indeed our bodies) as healthy as can be.

Ideally we:

1. Brush twice a day for 2 minutes, with fluoride toothpaste.
2. Floss every day.
3. Drink water (especially when for some reason we can’t brush).
4. Have regular dental check-ups and cleanings.
5. Don’t smoke or chew tobacco.

You already do all of these? Great! You are playing your cards right! Maybe you do a few of these? Very good – make it your intention to add one more to your routine so your chances of keeping your teeth healthy will grow. Or maybe you skip a lot of these? Don’t kick yourself too hard. Instead, turn a new leaf today. Your future dental health (and smile) will be brighter.

These are simple habits that aren’t hard to do (with the exception of quitting smoking, which can be very difficult*). They are so simple that we might tend to underestimate how key they really are to having healthy teeth.

For brushing, flossing, and rinsing, the goal is to minimize mouth bacteria that results in damage to your teeth and gums (via the build up of plaque and tartar).  Of course the goal of not smoking (or chewing tobacco) is to avoid or lessen chances of getting cancer. Regular dental check-ups and cleanings serve all of these goals.

These simple habits are the foundation of good dental hygiene, and when practiced consistently may allow you to keep your teeth healthy your whole life long.

Need more information? Call us today at 760 738 9595 with your questions, or to schedule an appointment. Meanwhile, keep up the good work and keep working on those habits!

January 24, 2014

Do you need a few more small gifts to round out your end of the year festivities? Dr. Bozir, your Escondido cosmetic dentist, and her staff at California Family Smiles Family Dental have a few ideas for you, and wouldn’t you know it – they’re all about teeth!

1. Do you have any gourmets on your gift list? Surprise them with salt toothpaste! The natural products brand, Weleda, also makes a plant gel toothpaste.
2. Violight travel toothbrush. Holiday vacation travel means taking a travel toothbrush. Why not a pretty one, that’s electric to boot?
3. Kiss My Face natural mouthwash. “Kiss My Face” is another natural product brand with a line of interesting and tasty oral health products.
4. Bogobrush, buy-one-give-one. Bogobrush will donate one toothbrush for every toothbrush you buy to one of their “Give One” partners – serving people in need. Their toothbrush is simple, well designed, and almost entirely biodegradable – for your “green” friends and family.
5. Mochi hearts toothbrush holder, a little line of hearts to hold your family’s toothbrushes all together. Attached with suction cups, you can take it down to wash it or move it to another bathroom with ease.

Reminder: don’t forget to check and see if you have any dental benefits (such as teeth cleaning) that you need to use (or lose) before the end of the year! Call us today for an appointment: (760) 738 – 9595.

December 20, 2013

With cosmetic dentistry techniques today, there is really no reason not to love your smile. Your cosmetic dentist in Escondido, Dr. Bozir, explains.

Hey everyone, October is National Dental Hygiene Month! Keeping your mouth healthy is VERY important, since it is crucial to your overall health. NDHM is an awareness campaign invented by the American Dental Hygienists’ Association in partnership with the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company.  For the 4th year their goal is to bring our attention to the simple gestures we all can do to maintain a healthy mouth. This year’s campaign motto is “Brush. Floss. Rinse. Chew.” As  your Escondido dentist, I want to remind you of these easy things you can do to keep your teeth, gums, and mouth healthy.

Hi, my name is Dr. Irene Bozir and I’d like to take a few moments to welcome you to my practice. I am new to my practice at California Smiles Family Dental, but not new to family and cosmetic dentistry, which I have been practicing for more than 20 years. I’m delighted to begin this new chapter of my career as your Escondido dentist and look forward to getting to know you and helping you with all your oral health and dental needs.

I offer a wide variety of services which I will tell you about briefly in this post. In future posts I will talk about the different procedures in detail and also add information and resources about healthy habits and oral health in general. I hope you will find these posts interesting and useful, and if you ever have any questions that aren’t answered here, I invite you to call the office directly or send me an email. I and my staff are happy to help you.

The focus of my practice is general family and cosmetic dentistry.

General dentistry: General dentistry includes all the procedures necessary to maintain a healthy mouth and repair any decay or oral health difficulties you might be experiencing. This includes dental cleanings, fillings, crowns, and extractions amongst other dental care options.

Cosmetic dentistry: Cosmetic dentistry is the art of working toward a harmonious and beautiful smile (a California Smile?!) This includes non-medically necessary procedures such as teeth whitening, porcelain veneers or crowns, and certain kinds of braces (that don’t involve bite correction). Cosmetic dentistry is all about making you look and feel more beautiful. In that sense, I believe ALL dental work should strive to be cosmetic!

Sedation dentistry: Sedation dentistry can be applied to other dental procedures. Also known as “sleep dentistry”, it is a medically induced state of relaxation that allows you to relax completely yet remain alert enough to answer questions and breathe on your own. Many people experience a sense of timelessness. For instance, a procedure that takes over an hour may seem only to last a few minutes. It is very helpful for long procedures and for people who experience high anxiety about dental work.

Invisalign: Invisalign is a patented form of braces that can be easily removed and reinserted for eating meals and teeth brushing. Another advantage of Invisalign is their “invisibility” They are made of clear plastic liners that fit around your teeth, similar to a mouth guard (but less athletic!) Young people and adults alike prefer them to traditional metal braces. (Note, not all dental and orthodontic conditions can be solved with Invisalign. When you come for a consultation we can discuss your particular case and options.)

I am also always available for emergency dental work. Make sure and make a note of this, as when the time comes for a dental emergency, the faster we get to work, the better chance we have of saving teeth!

I look forward to meeting each of you in person. I am also still accepting new patients as well. If you know someone who is looking for a family dentist or cosmetic dentist in Escondido, I invite you to let them know about California Smiles Family Dental. We are centrally located and open 6 days a week!

September 19, 2013