Dr. Les M. Wong

05/24/2023

Proud of our Santa Clara Dental Society and the Silicon Valley Healthy Smiles for sponsoring a free dental clinic this past weekend in San Jose. An estimated 1500 people received free dental care.

12/07/2020

Despite the new restrictions implemented in response to the rise in COVID 19 cases, our office remains open to provide your dental care in the same safe and caring environment you have come to expect from us. Along with the new protocols outlined on the video posted on June 9, air purifiers have been installed in each treatment room as well as another air purifier for the general office. Each treatment room is now self contained and an electrostatic sprayer (photo below) is used to fog the treatment room with disinfectant after each use. You are urged to keep in mind the importance of your dental health and its impact on your general health and overall well being. Whether it is your regular checkup, pending treatment, or a dental issue you are concerned about, we are here for you. Best wishes for the end of this unprecedented year.

06/10/2020

We have reopened following shelter in place due to COVID-19. We look forward to seeing you. Watch this video to see what to expect at your next visit in the days of the corona virus.

San Jose Smile Design COVID19 Updates.

11/15/2018

Gingival embrasure (black triangles) closure following orthodontic treatment. No drilling on the tooth and no anesthesia necessary for treatment.

01/16/2018

Cold and Flu Season: 5 Ways to Care for Your Mouth When You’re Sick

When he’s feeling under the weather, ADA dentist Dr. Gene Romo says one thing always helps him feel a little more like himself. “Brushing my teeth when I’m sick actually makes me feel better,” he says. “My mouth feels clean, and in a way, I feel like my health is starting to improve.”

When you have a cold or the flu, taking care of your body is your top priority—and that includes your mouth. “It’s important to take care of your dental health all year round, but especially when you’re sick,” Dr. Romo says.

Here are some simple ways to care for your dental health when you’re not feeling well:
Practice Good Hygiene

When you’re sick, you know to cover your mouth when you cough and sneeze. Don’t forget to keep up your dental and toothbrush hygiene as well.

According to the CDC, the flu virus can live on moist surfaces for 72 hours. “The number one rule is not to share your toothbrush anytime, but especially when you are sick,” Dr. Romo says.

You also probably don’t need to replace your toothbrush after you’ve been sick. Unless your immune system is severely compromised, the chances of reinfecting yourself are very low. “But if you’re still in doubt, throw it out,” says Dr. Romo. “Especially if you’ve had your toothbrush for 3-4 months, when it’s time to replace it anyway.”
Choose Sugar-Free Cough Drops

Read the label before you pick up a bag at the drug store with an eye to avoid ingredients like fructose or corn syrup. “Many cough drops contain sugar, and it is like sucking on candy,” says Dr. Romo. “Sugar is a culprit when it comes to cavities.” The longer you keep a sugary cough drop in your mouth, the more time cavity-causing bacteria has to feast on that sugar, which produces the acid that can leave holes in your teeth.
Swish and Spit After Vomiting

One unfortunate side effect of a stomach flu, among other illnesses, is vomiting. You might be tempted to brush your teeth right away, but Dr. Romo says it’s actually better to wait. “When you vomit, stomach acids are coming in contact with your teeth and coating them,” he says. “If you brush too soon, you’re just rubbing that acid all over the hard outer shell of your teeth.”

Instead, swish with water, a diluted mouth rinse or a mixture of water and 1 tsp. baking soda to help wash the acid away. Spit, and brush about 30 minutes later.
Stay Hydrated to Avoid Dry Mouth

When you’re sick, you need plenty of fluids for many reasons. One is to prevent dry mouth. Not only is it uncomfortable—dry mouth can also put you at greater risk for cavities. The medications you might be taking for a cold or flu—such as antihistamines, decongestants or pain relievers—can also dry out your mouth, so drink plenty of water and suck on sugarless cough drops, throat lozenges or candies to keep that saliva flowing.
Choose the Right Fluids

When it comes to your mouth and your body, one beverage is always best. “The safest thing to drink is water,” Dr. Romo says. “Sports drinks might be recommended to replenish electrolytes when you’re sick, but drink them in moderation and don’t make them a habit after you’ve recovered because unless they are a sugar free version, they contain a lot of sugar.”

You might also want something to warm you up. “When you have a cold or the flu, you may want something comforting to get through it, like tea,” he says. “Try not to add sugar or lemon if you can avoid it. Sugar can helps to fuel cavity-causing bacteria, and lemon is acidic. It’s something to keep in mind once you’re feeling 100% again, as well.”

12/20/2017

A nice dinner at The Grill in the Fairmont then some good laughs at The Improv.

12/19/2017

Save the charcoal for the BBQ...

Review Finds No Evidence Activated Charcoal Toothpastes Clean, Whiten Teeth More Effectively.

Shape Magazine (12/15, Shortsleeve) reported on the debate over “activated charcoal toothpaste,” which claims to bind “to roughness on the enamel of the teeth, absorbing any stains or dirt – and whitening teeth as a result, explains Valerie Martins, D.M.D., a periodontist at Martins Dental Partners in Beverly, MA.” However, “a meta-analysis of research (scientists looked at 118 studies on the topic) published in The Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA) found no conclusive evidence that these products work as they say they do on both the whitening and cleaning fronts.” Additionally, Martins cautions, “If you use it too frequently, it can strip the enamel off of your teeth, which not only makes your teeth more sensitive, but more susceptible to tooth decay.” Shape continued, “Martins notes that the JADA article also looked into whether or not the activated charcoal toothpaste studied (50 of them, to be exact) contained fluoride, a mineral in toothpaste that helps prevent tooth decay.” The study found that “only one did.”

The Oral Health Topics on ADA.org provides additional information for dental professionals on toothpastes. To see a complete list of all products that have received the ADA Seal of Acceptance, including fluoride toothpastes, visit ADA.org/Seal.

Dentists and consumers recognize the ADA Seal of Acceptance as the gold standard when it comes to evaluating the safety and efficacy of dental products.

09/25/2017

Halloween is just around the corner. Keep this article in mind as you make (and consume) your Halloween purchases.

Reader’s Digest Identifies “Worst Halloween Candy” For Dental Health.

Reader’s Digest (9/23, Zinderman) states that chewy, sour, and hard candies are among the “worst Halloween candy” for teeth. In general, candy is harmful to teeth because as oral bacteria eat sugar, acid is created as a byproduct, says Dr. Matthew Messina, a spokesperson for the American Dental Association. The acid can then dissolve tooth enamel. Chewy candies are “among the worst offenders” since they stick to teeth, and Dr. Messina notes that sour candies contain both sugar and acid. Reader’s Digest also includes hard candies on the list since they generally linger in the mouth longer. On the other hand, the article states that “chocolate tops the list of best bets,” noting Dr. Messina explains chocolate washes off teeth more easily than other candy options.

Visit MouthHealthy’s Kids’ Halloween Headquarters for additional information, including tips for a healthy Halloween and a Halloween Candy Survival Guide.

09/14/2017

Cavities? Stop blaming your genes!

Study: External Factors Play Larger Role In Tooth Decay Than Genes.

Discover Magazine (9/13, Engelking) reports that in a study published in the journal Cell Host & Microbe, “researchers examined the role genes, the environment and an individual’s oral microbiome play in determining someone’s fate in the dentist’s chair,” finding “no evidence that bacteria associated with the onset of cavities were driven by genetic factors.” Rather, “bacteria associated with cavities, like Streptococcus mutans, were in higher abundance in the mouths of kids who consumed more sugar.” In addition, the researchers found that “as kids age, the microbes they inherit from mom and dad decrease, while microbes introduced through the environment increase.”

Newsweek (9/13, Dovey) reports that Dr. Chris Dupont, one of the researchers involved with the study, said, “What we are seeing here is that in general you do indeed inherit the microbes that make up your mouth from your parents.” Dr. Dupont added, “But it turned out that the microbes you inherit from your parents don’t generally cause cavities. Instead it’s more due to what you eat, your lifestyle and your diet.”

05/01/2017

8 new photos added to shared album

04/03/2017

Great time playing bocce ball and eating at Campo di Bocce in Los Gatos.

02/01/2017

Confused when you go to buy toothpaste?

What kind of toothpaste should you use? The two things to look for in a toothpaste.