Dr. Monica Puentes, DDS - Family & Cosmetic Dentistry Downey

Welcome to the Dental Practice of Monica Puentes, DDS

Downey Family Dentist

Office Location

11116 Rives Ave, Downey, CA 90241

★★★★★ Reviews

Latest Techniques

As your dental health professionals, we want you to be confident knowing that we are a team of highly trained and skilled ians. We pride ourselves on providing the care you need to keep your smile healthy. To give you the best possible service and results, we are committed to continual education and learning. We attend dental lectures, meetings, and dental conventions to stay informed of new techniques, the latest products, and the newest equipment that a modern dental office can utilize to provide state-of-the-art dental care.

Innovative Technology

Building a foundation of trust by treating our patients as special individuals is vital to our success. We understand how uneasy some patients can feel about their dental visits, and we know that we can make a difference by providing a relaxing and positive experience. Our entire team is dedicated to providing you with excellent, personalized care and service to make your visits as comfortable and pleasant as possible. Being members of various professional dental associations helps us to stay abreast of the changes and recommendations for our profession.

Certified Experts

We genuinely hope our website is helpful to you in learning more about our practice, dental conditions and treatments, dental recommendations, and more. Please browse through our website and be sure to give us a call if you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment.

 

Contact Us Today and Schedule an Appointment!

 

 

Our Practice

We are a dental practice devoted to restoring and enhancing the natural beauty of your smile using conservative, state-of-the-art procedures that will result in beautiful, long lasting smiles! We thank you for allowing us to take care of your dental needs and look forward to serving you.  Schedule an appointment today…..we’ll give you a reason to smile!

Our High Standards

A standard of excellence in personalized dental care enables us to provide the quality dental services our patients deserve.  We provide comprehensive treatment planning and use restorative and cosmetic dentistry to achieve your optimal dental health.  Should a dental emergency occur, we make every effort to see and care for you as soon as possible.

Education & Prevention

As a practice, we are true believers that preventative care and education are the keys to optimal dental health.  We strive to provide “dental health care” vs. “disease care”.  That’s why we focus on thorough exams – checking the overall health of your teeth and gums, performing oral cancer exams, and taking x-rays when necessary.  We also know that routine cleanings, flossing, sealants, and fluoride are all helpful in preventing dental disease.  Not only are we focused on the beauty of your smile, we’re also concerned about your health.  A review of your medical history can help us stay informed of your overall health, any new medications, and any illnesses that may impact your dental health.

Uncompromising Safety

Infection control in our office is also very important to us.  To protect our patients and ourselves, we strictly maintain sterilization and cross contamination processes using standards recommended by the American Dental Association (ADA), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the Center for Disease Control (CDC).

Training & Expertise

As your dental health professionals, we want you to be confident knowing that we are a team of highly trained and skilled ians.  We pride ourselves in providing the care you need to keep your smile healthy.  To give you the best possible service and results, we are committed to continual education and learning.  We attend dental lectures, meetings, and dental conventions to stay informed of new techniques, the latest products, and the newest equipment that a modern dental office can utilize to provide state-of-the-art dental care.  Also, being members of various professional dental associations helps us to stay abreast of the changes and recommendations for our profession.

Our Dedicated Team

A member of the American Dental Association and Academy of General Dentistry, Dr. Monica Puentes strives to offer patients the best care by keeping up with technological advancements in her industry. But she equally emphasizes the empathetic side of dentistry, encouraging her patients to always talk to her about anxieties over procedures or fears of the Tooth Fairy

 

When you visit our Downey family dental officeyour smile is our top priority. Our entire team is dedicated to providing you with the personalized, gentle care that you deserve. Part of our commitment to serving our patients includes providing information that helps them to make more informed decisions about their oral health needs. This website is a resource we hope you’ll find both useful and interesting..

Our Caring Staff

At the core of our dental practice is a friendly team of professionals that are dedicated to your utmost comfort and optimal oral health.  We view each patient as a unique individual and tailor each treatment to your specific needs.  As part of our commitment to providing close, personalized attention to every patient, we want to encourage patient communication.  Please know that we are here to provide outstanding patient care and that we value the trust you have placed in us.

Dr. Monica Puentes - Downey DentistDr. Monica Puentes - Downey Dentist

Dr. Monica Puentes

Dentist

Manny Dental Assistant - Dr. Monica Puentes, DDS

Manny

Dental Assistant

Hoi Registered Dental Hygienist - Dr. Monica Puentes, DDS

Hoi

Registered Hygienist

Lynette Office Manager - Dr. Monica Puentes, DDS

Vannesa

Patient Coordinator

Lynette Office Manager - Dr. Monica Puentes, DDS

Deanna

Dental Assistant

Dental Practice for The Whole Family

We genuinely hope our website is helpful to you in learning more about our practice, dental conditions and treatments, dental recommendations, and more. Please browse through our website and be sure to give us a call.

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Adult Care

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Child Care

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Orthodontic Care

A Positive Experience

Building a foundation of trust by treating our patients as special individuals is vital to our success.  We understand how uneasy some patients may feel about their dental visits, and how we can make a difference in providing a relaxing and positive experience.  Our entire team is dedicated to providing you with excellent, personalized care and service to make your visits as comfortable and pleasant as possible.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

We want to answer any questions you may have. Feel free to call in with any other questions.

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How often should I brush and floss?

Brushing and flossing can help control plaque and gum disease. Food debris and bacteria combine with saliva on a daily basis to form a sticky film, called plaque, on our teeth and gums. If not removed several times a day, plaque can harden and begin to destroy the gums and teeth and to develop periodontal (gum) disease. Brushing and flossing regularly, along with the regular use of other dental aids, can stop the continuous growth of plaque.

Tooth Brushing

Brush at least twice a day. The most important is before bedtime. The dental industry is booming with technology. Bristle designs help to get the right 45-degree angle, and help the brush to reach hidden areas of the mouth. Certain effective methods of brushing your teeth include:

Brush all surfaces of the teeth: the outer, the inner and the biting surface. Also, use the tip of the brush head to clean the inside of the front teeth. Brush the entire tongue, but especially at the back of the throat, where typically a lot of bacteria accumulate.

Electric toothbrushes have been designed to mimic the action normally required by the wrist; so simply holding the toothbrush over each area and letting the brush do the work can make brushing a joy, and can increase your desire to brush often.

How often should I have a dental exam or cleaning?

It is important to visit us on a regular basis so that we can identify potential problems early and take appropriate action. Tooth decay can, if left untreated, cause the total loss of a tooth within a year. For this reason it is important to visit us every six months. In some circumstances you may need more frequent visits.

While brushing and flossing daily will generally keep your mouth in good condition, regular visits will go a long way to prevent major tooth or gum disease, or catch it early, if it is developing. We will perform tests and use x-ray technology to see problems long before they can cause lasting damage to your mouth.

Examination of diagnostic x-rays (radiographs)

Radiographs are essential for detection of decay, tumors, cysts, and bone loss. X-rays also help determine tooth and root positions.

Oral cancer screening

At every visit, we always check the face, neck, lips, tongue, throat tissues and gums for any signs of oral cancer.

Your dental exam

During your exam Dr. Puentes will check your teeth for cavities and broken fillings or crowns. Dental decay may appear as a hole or sometimes as a dark shadow underneath the surface of the enamel. Special dental instruments can go a lot farther than the average toothbrush at removing calculus (tartar), probing beneath the surface, and checking the strength of existing fillings and crowns.

What is Plaque and why do I need to get rid of it?

Plaque is defined as a soft, sticky and colorless deposit that is continually forming on our teeth and gums. All of us “get” plaque, so all of us need to get rid of it. If plaque is allowed to grow, it can cause cavities and lead to gum disease. If plaque is not removed daily, it will harden and become tartar. Tartar is much harder to remove from the tooth; so why not “catch” it before it has a chance develop? (See Good Brushing Techniques, below.)

Dental teeth polishing will remove plaque, tartar, and stains from the teeth. It is a cosmetic procedure that removes surface stains on the crown part of the tooth or above the gum line so teeth will look and feel cleaner and brighter.

Oral Hygiene – Good Brushing Techniques

At our dentist office the entire team is dedicated to educate you on toothbrush choices, tooth paste, floss, rinses and fluoride options.

Review dietary habits

Your eating habits play a very important role in your dental health. So as you can see, there are many good reasons to make regular visits to our office. We are committed to making each one of your visits a valuable and lasting part of your dental care regimen.

What should I do if I have bad breath?

There are times when bad breath can occur regardless of the dental health of an individual’s mouth. Bad breath in a healthy mouth is largely a result of microbial deposits on various locations of the tongue, especially the back. In many cases, simply brushing the tongue can reduce bad breath by up to 70 percent.

What may cause bad breath?

Morning-time

Saliva contains enzymes that cleanse the mouth of bacterial growth. During sleep, saliva production slows or even stops altogether, producing a dry-mouth effect and causing bad breath.

Certain foods

Certain foods contain compounds that have a strong natural odor, such as onions or garlic which, upon entering the blood stream, are transferred into the lungs, then exhaled through the mouth.

Poor oral hygiene habits

Food particles can remain in the mouth, promoting growth of bacteria.

Periodontal (gum) disease

Inflammation of the gums can often indicate bacterial infections and food particles collecting in hard-to-reach areas.

Dental cavities or ill-fitting dental appliances

Cavities in the tooth or ill-fitting appliances can foster bad breath by allowing hidden areas for bacterial growth and food particle collection.

Dry mouth (Xerostomia)

Dry mouth may result from certain oral medications, salivary gland issues, or sinus problems resulting in excessive mouth breathing. Tobacco products can also dry the mouth and contribute to bad breath. Drinking water throughout the day can keep the mouth clean and moist.

Dieting

Certain diets can cause ketosis in the body, which produces chemicals called ketones that may be released into the breath as the body burns fat.

Some medical conditions or illnesses

Bad breath can be the body’s response or simply a symptom of such conditions as liver or kidney problems, diabetes, chronic sinus infections, bronchitis and even pneumonia.

If you keep a journal of what and when you eat, you may be able to identify the cause of bad breath. Discuss your current medications, any recent surgeries, or illnesses with your dentist.

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What can I do to prevent bad breath?

Practice good oral hygiene

Brush at least twice a day with an ADA-approved fluoride toothpaste and toothbrush. Floss daily to remove food debris and plaque from in between teeth and under the gum line. Brush or use a tongue scraper to clean the tongue and reach the back areas. Replace your toothbrush every two to three months (more frequently if you are ill). If you wear dentures or removable bridges, clean them thoroughly and place them back in your mouth in the morning.

See us regularly

Get a check-up and cleaning at least twice a year. If you have or have had periodontal disease, we may recommend more frequent visits.

Stop smoking/chewing tobacco

If you are concerned about your breath and your overall good health, we may be able to recommend some ways to help you break the habit.

Drink water frequently

Water will hydrate your mouth, as well as your whole body, and will help wash impurities from your system.

  • Use carefully selected mouthwash/rinses
  • Some over-the-counter rinses taste and feel like they are effective, but have only a temporary effect. Ask your dentist which of the rinses will clean your mouth and kill the bacteria that cause bad breath.

How can I tell if I have gum disease?

Statistically speaking, four out of five people who have periodontal disease don’t even know it, because it is usually painless in the early stages. Having your dentist perform regular check-ups can go a long way to preventing any lasting occurrence of periodontal disease.

Periodontal disease begins with the accumulation of plaque, which is a sticky colorless film of bacteria, food debris, and saliva. When this film is not brushed away well each day, the accumulation of bacteria and food particles held in the plaque can inflame the gums and destroy the bone over time.

Infrequent brushing is only one of a few risk factors contributing to the development of periodontal disease. Other factors include:

  • Some medications: Steroids, cancer therapy drugs, blood pressure medications, and oral contraceptives
  • Systemic diseases such as diabetes and AIDS, etc.
  • Smoking or chewing tobacco: higher incidence of periodontal disease is seen in people who smoke or chew
  • Pregnancy or oral contraceptives
  • Life changes such as puberty
  • Positioning of teeth or crowding of teeth can make it very difficult to reach some areas regardless of proper brushing and flossing techniques
  • Ill-fitting crowns or other appliances, such as partials, can allow food to accumulate in specific areas, leading to periodontal disease regardless of good oral habits.

Signs you may have Periodontal Disease

  • Red, swollen, bleeding or even receding gums
  • Bad mouth odors
  • Loose teeth or large gaps
  • Tender or painful gums
  • Pus around gums or teeth
  • Receding gums (thinning gum tissue and/or pulling away from the tooth — which indicates bone loss)

Are amalgam (silver) fillings safe?

Because we are committed to providing the best dental care, our office has chosen not to use amalgam (silver) fillings, in most circumstances. Amalgam fillings require the destruction of larger amounts of healthy tooth than necessary. This, in return, can lead to cracking of the tooth and the possibility of needing a crown. Instead, we choose to use resin (tooth-colored) fillings. In addition to being more aesthetically pleasing, resins (also called composites) are bonded to the tooth. This allows the dentist to remove only unhealthy tooth structure.

Numerous options are available including gold, porcelain, and composite filling material and any such options can be made available on request. We will help you make the choice that is right for you and best for your unique circumstances.

Dr. Puentes & her staff is amazing! They’ll make you feel right at home. Thank you for taking care of my family & I.

The Silvas

 Dr. Puentes is highly professional and a knowledgeable dental practitioner with adults and children. Her staff is courteous, well-informed, and efficient. Excited to have found the perfect dental office for my family and me. 

Lisette V.

 very professional and efficient! always looking forward to the next appointment. 

Mike H.

ADA - American Dental Association Logo
Academy General Dentistry Logo
CDA - California Dental Association Logo
AAFE - American Academy of Facial Esthetics
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Call : (562) 861-3181

11116 Rives Ave, Downey, CA 90241

Working Hours

Monday:  9AM-5PM
Tuesday:  9AM-5PM
Wednesday:  9AM-5PM
Thursday:  9AM-5PM
Friday: Closed
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed

Consultation

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