Archives for May 2017

Reasons You May Have Cavities

Cavities are caused by tooth decay which is most commonly caused by the buildup of plaque on the tooth. This plaque reacts with sugars in the foods that we eat producing harmful acids that weaken the enamel which protects our teeth. This weakened enamel makes it much easier for cavities to develop. If you notice that you have a cavity, get it filled as soon as you can because if left untreated, the decay can then spread to other teeth. Cavities are most commonly caused by:

Poor Oral Hygiene Habits

This includes brushing, flossing, and even properly using mouthwash. You should brush your teeth after every meal for at least two minutes. Try to set a timer while you brush to make sure you are brushing for long enough. As for mouthwash, although it is not necessary to your daily oral hygiene routine, it is very beneficial. Use a fluoride rinse and gargle for at least 45 seconds to prevent plaque buildup and stop cavities from forming.

Sugary Food And Drinks

Again, the sugar in the foods we eat react with plaque causing harmful acids in our mouths that weaken our enamel, the hard surface on our teeth. It is suggested to brush your teeth after every meal because this reaction happens multiple times within one sitting. These sugar dependent germs can be cleaned out using a fluoride toothpaste. Often times, there is also fluoride found in water so try swapping out that soda or fruit juice for a water next time.

Acidic Food And Drinks

Unlike sugary food and drinks, acidic foods immediately attack and begin to harm the teeth. Some foods to limit or avoid due to high acidity include grains, sugar, some dairy products, fish, soda, other sweetened drinks, and high-protein foods. There are also many fruits that are highly acidic such as pomegranates, grapefruits, grapes, and even blueberries.

Issues With Dry Mouth

The saliva in our mouths helps to prevent the growth of plaque. Saliva contains certain components that help to offset the plaque acids but can also help in repairing tooth damage and decay if in the early stages. When people experience issues with dry mouth, the lack of saliva can generate tooth decay. Dry mouth is often caused by certain medications, certain medical conditions, and even smoking or chewing tobacco. If you think your dry mouth is caused by a medication you are taking, talk to your doctor about an alternate medication or an adjustment to your current prescription. Stay hydrated, visit your dentist regularly, and try chewing sugar free gum, it can accelerate saliva production by 10 times the normal rate!

Brushing Too Much

While not brushing enough is a problem, so is brushing your teeth too much. This can cause accelerated damage to the tooth enamel which in turn easily allows for decay to occur. Brush after every meal or at least two times a day but keep in mind that over brushing is also harmful to your teeth.

Reasons You Should Consider Dental Implants

Though your adult teeth are meant to last a lifetime, countless people experience tooth loss. For a long time, the only solution to replace missing teeth were dentures and bridges; however, thanks to the advances in modern dentistry, there is a more permanent solution to tooth replacement: Dental implants.

Dental implants are attached to the jaw bone, making replacement teeth a permanent fixture in your mouth. Because of their permanence and the any benefits that they offer, dental implants have become the gold star standard in tooth restoration. Whether you are missing teeth as a result of decay, an injury, periodontal disease or an illness, you might want to consider dental implants over bridges or dentures.

Here’s a look at just some of the reasons why you will love dental implants.

They’re Comfortable

Unlike dentures, which can shift around in your mouth and cause pain, dental implants become a part of your jaw, which means that they won’t move around. As a result, you will enjoy much greater comfort with implants than you would with dentures

Better Speech

Dentures and bridges can slip out of place, which can cause slurring and mumbling. With dental implants, you won’t have to worry about having your replacement teeth move around, which means your speech will be much clearer.

Eat Whatever You Want!

Dentures and bridges can slip and slide inside your mouth, which can make eating a challenge, especially when it comes to tougher food that requires more chewing. Since dental implants are just as secure as your natural teeth, if not more so, you can eat whatever you want without any worries. You won’t have to shy away from your favorite foods, like corn on the cob, apples and steak.

Easy Cleaning

Food particles and other debris can get trapped in bridges, which makes cleaning them a challenge. Dentures have to be taken out and soaked in order to give them a thorough cleaning, and even then, they don’t always come completely clean. Dental implants, on the other hand, are as easy to clean as your natural teeth. You can brush, floss and gargle with mouthwash just as you would with your real teeth, which means a cleaner, healthier smile.

They’re Extremely Durable

Dental implants are far more durable than bridges and dentures. With proper care, they can last for years, or even a lifetime! As a result, you won’t have to worry about having fittings for new replacement teeth, which is not only more convenient, but also makes them a more cost-effective restorative solution.

Improved Self-Esteem

Your smile is one of the first things that other people notice about you. If you are missing teeth, you probably feel self-conscious and hide your smile. With dental implants, you won’t have to hide your smile, but instead, you can show it off with pride, which will give your self-esteem a big boost.

Greater Peace of Mind

Since dental implants are a permanent part of your mouth, they don’t shift and they never have to be taken out. This means that you will have greater peace of mind knowing that you won’t have to take them out for medical exams or traveling, and you don’t have to worry about them falling out or shifting, which means you won’t ever have to deal with an embarrassing situation.

These are just a handful of the reasons why you will love dental implants. If you are looking for a permanent and practical solution to your missing teeth, implants are an option that you are definitely going to want to consider.

To learn more about dental implants and to find out if you are a candidate, give us a call today! We will gladly answer any of your questions and provide you with detailed information regarding tooth restoration with implants.