Sugar isn't the only dietary factor that can have damaging effects on your smile. Consuming foods and beverages high in acids wear away the protective layer of enamel from your teeth. This process, commonly known as tooth erosion, can quickly change your teeth' appearance and can cause cavities and tooth decay to form.
You can balance the pH level in your mouth by following these seven tips. In doing so, you will make your saliva more alkaline and less acidic, which quickly translates to better oral health.
Why Regulating The pH Of Your Mouth Is Important
The pH scale starts at 1 for being the most acidic and ends at 14, being the most alkaline. Various factors cause acidic pH levels in your saliva, and an acidic saliva pH level lower than 7 can result in significant damage to your teeth. Acidic saliva often leads to one suffering from acid erosion, which can ultimately lead to enamel loss, tooth decay, and cavities.
Tooth erosion is permanent, and once your enamel has started to wear away, it can't be replaced. Enamel erosion can leave you:
Feeling pain or experiencing sensitivity when consuming hot or cold foods and drinks
Noticing a yellow discoloration on the surface of your teeth
Finding rough spots on your teeth that used to feel smooth
Facing more significant risks of developing cavities
Experiencing tooth loss in extreme situations
Focus on a High Alkaline Diet
Watching the foods you eat and the beverages you drink is the most straightforward way to adjust your saliva's pH levels.
Ideally, the more alkaline you can make your saliva, the better your oral health will be. Alkaline pH levels in the mouth of 7.5 or higher will help to remineralize enamel and fight against cavity-causing bacteria. By limiting the acidic foods in your diet and eating foods that are high in alkaline properties, you can increase your saliva pH level and improve your mouth health, too.
Eat More Vegetables
Eating more vegetables is excellent for both your dental and overall health. Many vegetables are alkaline and will help to neutralize the pH in your saliva.
Incorporating the following vegetables into your diet will do great things for your body and your teeth:
Broccoli
Kale
Asparagus
Spinach
Green beans
Red bell peppers
Limit Bread and Sugar
One of the most simple ways to make your diet more alkaline is to limit bread and sugary sweets. Carbohydrates take the form of sugar or starches soon after digesting, which lowers your pH levels and makes your saliva more acidic.
Avoid Artificial Sweeteners
Artificial sugar alternatives are ok in moderation, but some are better than others. Xylitol, beet sugar and honey are all acidic on the pH scale. Swap these sweeteners for Stevia to support an alkaline saliva pH.
Reduce Your Alcohol and Caffeine Intake
Alcoholic beverages and drinks that are caffeinated all have acidic properties. Limiting your wine intake and only drinking one cup of coffee in the morning is an easy way to keep your saliva pH alkaline. Reducing your intake is a helpful start in making your saliva more balanced.
Incorporate Seeds and Beans
Most seeds and beans are alkaline foods, and they can help to eliminate acidic saliva. A few great options to incorporate into your diet are lima beans, soybeans, sesame seeds, and navy beans.
Wash Away Acidic Foods By Drinking More Water
If you find yourself eating or drinking something with acidic properties, we recommend rinsing your mouth with water immediately afterward. Drinking more water throughout the day can help to keep your saliva balanced and acids under control.
Knowing how the foods and drinks you consume will affect your teeth can help to keep your smile bright and healthy for a lifetime.
Teeth are strong, white and store calcium, just like bones. Due to these similarities, you may be wondering: are teeth bones?
What Are Bones Made Of?
Bones are mostly made of collagen, a type of protein, explains Pranita Karkala and her co-authors in an article published in 2016, called Collagen as a Biomaterial in Dentistry. Calcium phosphate, a mineral, is the other main component of your bones. Collagen gives the bones a soft framework, while calcium phosphate is what makes them hard and strong.
Bones are made of living tissues, so throughout your life, they are constantly remodeled. Old bone tissue is broken down and removed allowing the creation of new tissue, to replace the old. This cycle keeps your bones strong and healthy.
What Are Teeth Made Of?
Enamel – the hard, outer layer of your teeth – is made of minerals like calcium phosphate. Enamel is harder than your bones. In fact, it is the hardest substance in your whole body. However, unlike your bones, your enamel doesn't contain any living tissues.
Dentin is the tissue underneath your enamel. This bone-like tissue makes up most of your teeth's structure, and it is very susceptible to the bacteria that cause tooth sensitivity and cavities. The soft core of your tooth is called a pulp. The pulp is a living tissue that contains connective tissues, nerves and blood vessels.
Functional Differences
A big difference between a tooth and a bone is how they heal. When you break a bone, your body begins the healing process right away and cartilage starts forming after just a week's time. A soft callus (cartilage) made of collagen forms on the broken tissue, and later, a hard callus forms as new bone tissue is produced.
In comparison, broken teeth don't have the ability to heal themselves. Since your enamel does not contain any living tissue, it can not make a callus to heal itself. So, if your enamel gets cracked or chipped, it will stay that way until your dentist repairs it. Similarly, if you develop a cavity, your tooth can not grow new enamel to fill the decayed area. You will need to see your dentist to get it treated.
Protecting Your Teeth
Since your teeth do not regenerate, it is very important to protect them. Fortunately, maintaining a great oral hygiene routine can help keep your enamel in tip-top shape.
It is vital to control the oral microflora that cause cavities, according to a 2016 publication by the Department of Microbiology at Andhra University in India. Remember to brush your teeth twice per day to remove bacteria from teeth, tongue, cheeks and gums. Floss once per day, too. See your dentist regularly so that if you do develop a cavity, it can be repaired promptly, before it gets worse.
Are teeth bones? The answer is no. While teeth and bones may look similar, they are very different. Your bones can heal themselves when they get broken, but your teeth can not, so it is important to see your dentist if there is tooth decay or if your teeth are cracked or fractured.
There are a lot of fad diets out there that claim to be the best and fastest ways you can lose weight. One diet that's created a lot of buzz is the ketogenic diet (or "keto diet" for short). Aside from helping you drop a few pounds, these diets can have some unwanted side effects to go along with lower digits on your scale. The keto diet, in particular, can cause your breath to have an unpleasant odor. There's even a name for it – ketosis breath. If you're planning to go on the keto diet, we'll let you know what it is, what side effects you can expect, and how to manage the ketosis breath you may experience.
What is the Keto Diet?
According to a review of studies on the keto diet in the journal StatPearls, before the introduction of antiepileptic agents into the medical field, the keto diet was used to help children who had epilepsy. Now, it's used to lose weight fast and has shown to be effective. However, there are short-term side effects, and long-term effects are unknown.
According to an article published by Harvard Health Publishing, the keto diet encourages low carb intake and eating large amounts of saturated fat in the form of butter, lard, and oils. So much so that fat makes up 90% of your daily calories.
Side Effects of the Keto Diet
Harvard Health Publishing recommends that your saturated fat intake not exceed 7% of your daily calories. Eating so much more than that could increase your risk of:
Heart disease
Nutrient deficiency
Kidney issues
Constipation
Liver problems
Clouded thinking
And, of course, ketosis breath.
If your weight is causing health problems for you and a nutritious diet and exercise has been difficult to sustain, speak with your healthcare professional about the keto diet and ask if they have any other weight-loss recommendations for your specific needs.
Ketosis and Your Breath
If you do go forward with the keto diet, you're probably wondering why it would cause you to have foul-smelling breath. The answer is in how your body breaks down fats. After swapping a typical carb-heavy diet for one that promotes fats and protein, your body goes into something called ketosis, a process where your body begins to burn fat for energy.
While in ketosis, your body converts fat cells into three types of ketones. One of these ketones, called acetone, is essentially worthless for your body to create energy. Therefore, your body releases it through your urine, sweat, and breath. Acetone is what gives your breath that distinctive "ketosis" smell, which, according to Medline Plus, can be compared to an overly sweet, fruity scent (not in a good way).
Getting Rid of Ketosis Breath
The best way to get rid of keto breath is to stop the diet. Because the scent you're giving off is coming from your lungs, practicing good oral hygiene (which is always a good idea regardless of diet) will simply be covering up the smell, not fixing it. If you've noticed that you have keto breath and you still want to continue your diet, consider some of these methods to deal with the smell:
Chew sugar-free gum to help stimulate saliva and freshen your breath.
Adjust your intake of complex carbohydrates, such as leafy green vegetables and whole grains, while continuing to avoid refined carbs.
Fill a water bottle and sip throughout the day.
Add fresh herbs to water and tea. Herbs such as clove, cinnamon, mint, and fennel are natural breath fresheners.
And, of course, continue practicing good oral hygiene. Brush at least twice a day. Clean between your teeth with interdental brushes or water flossers at least once a day. Consider using other helpful products like an antimicrobial mouthrinse and a tongue scraper.
Be sure to speak with your healthcare professional about any major changes you plan to make in your diet to achieve rapid weight loss. While it's true that a keto diet may offer benefits for your weight and overall health, it has drawbacks as well. Whatever you end up doing to drop some pounds, we hope you and your healthcare professional can find a regimen that helps you fulfill your goals and makes you smile!
Calcium is a nutrient that can benefit a person’s teeth and bones. A calcium deficiency may have adverse effects on a person’s dental health.
This article explains everything a person needs to know about calcium deficiency and how it can affect the teeth.
What is the relationship between calcium and teeth?
Calcium is an important nutrient that people need to consume for strong bones and teeth.
When a person does not consume enough calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D, they can develop weaker, less-dense bones and teeth. This can lead to osteoporosis and other health complications, such as tooth decay and tooth loss.
According to the New York State Department of Health, females living with osteoporosis tend to have fewer teeth than those of a similar age not living with the condition. They also note that if the jawbone weakens or thins, it may no longer support the teeth properly, leading to tooth loss.
Symptoms of calcium deficiency in teeth
Calcium deficiency can cause bones throughout the body to become less dense and more fragile. When this occurs, it can make a person more susceptible to losing teeth.
According to an older study, researchers found a direct correlation between not getting enough calcium and losing teeth. The researchers found that people who did not take in enough calcium each day were much more likely to lose at least one tooth within a 2-yearTrusted Source follow-up period.
Other symptoms of calcium deficiency
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH)Trusted Source, the signs of calcium deficiency may not become apparent for several years because a person’s body will pull calcium from their bones when there is a deficiency.
Over the long term, calcium deficiency can cause:
low bone mass, also called osteopenia
an increased risk of osteoporosis
higher risk of bone fractures
The NIH also state that severe cases of calcium deficiency can cause:
convulsions
numbness or tingling in the fingers
abnormal heart rhythms
Prevention
A person can take steps to strengthen their enamel and prevent calcium deficiency and its symptoms before they happen.
Everyday habits
People can take steps to keep their teeth healthy by:
taking care of the gums and teeth with regular brushing, flossing, and dentist visits
replacing the toothbrush at regular intervals
limiting alcoholic beverages
avoiding smoking
consuming 600–800 international units of vitamin D per day
eating or consuming 1,000–1,200 milligrams of calcium each day through food or supplements
maintaining a moderate weight
eating a diet with plenty of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean proteins, and low fat dairy
getting regular exercise
visiting the dentist immediately if discomfort or other symptoms occur in the mouth
using caution to avoid falls
What to eat
The American Dental Association (ADA) recommend that people add more calcium-rich foods to their diet.
There are various dietary sources of calcium, including nondairy and vegan options. They include:
dairy products, including milk, cheese, and yogurt
soy milk
tofu with added calcium
dark green, leafy vegetables
almonds
beans
orange juice with added calcium
canned fish
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recommend that a person eat foods rich in vitamin C and phosphorus in addition to calcium. Vitamin C helps promote gum health, while phosphorus, which is in foods such as beans, eggs, and meats, is important for strong teeth.
According to the ADA, lost teeth can lead to nutritional issues. They say that a person who has experienced tooth loss is more likely to eat a soft diet that may not include necessary nutrients. This can lead to other complications, such as obesity.
The ADA also recommend that a person talk to their dentist about replacing missing teeth. They say that having properly fitting dentures can make a difference in helping a person maintain a regular, healthful diet.
Calcium in food vs. supplements
In a 2015 studyTrusted Source, researchers linked low calcium intake with an increased risk of both oral cancer and oral disease. They identified that people in the at-risk group ate more protein and drank more soft drinks than others.
Consuming enough calcium is an important part of preventing bone density loss. However, people should try to get their calcium and other nutrients from foods rather than supplements.
The researchers behind a 2013 studyTrusted Source stated that doctors should avoid prescribing or recommending calcium supplements due to the minimal effect they have on preventing fractures. They also found that taking calcium supplements may increase the risk of heart attack, kidney stones, and acute gastrointestinal events.
Another studyTrusted Source, this one from 2017, also advises people to get their calcium from the diet. The researchers recommend that doctors discourage people from using calcium supplements.
When to contact a dentist or doctor
A person should talk to their doctor or dentist if they lose a tooth, suddenly break a bone, or show other potential signs of calcium deficiency.
A person living with osteoporosis should consider talking to their doctor or dentist about the possibility of tooth loss, as well as how to help prevent it.
Anyone with missing teeth should talk to their dentist. The dentist can fit a pair of dentures to help the person maintain the full function of their mouth.
Summary
Calcium deficiency can lead to poor bone health and other health conditions. It can also negatively affect the teeth.
When calcium levels are not sufficient, a person’s body will start to draw on calcium stores in the bones. As this occurs, their bones can become less dense and weaker, leading to several potential complications, including tooth loss.
Lack of calcium may also make a person more susceptible to cancers and diseases in the mouth. Some people may be able to prevent complications by getting enough calcium and vitamin D in their diet or through supplements.
In general, people should aim to consume calcium through the diet rather than in supplement form because some research suggests that taking calcium supplements may increase the risk of certain adverse health effects.
A person should talk to their doctor if they experience symptoms of calcium deficiency or are concerned about preventing it.
A number of conditions could result in a bleeding tongue. Some of these conditions are serious while others pose no long-term health risk.
The most common causes of a bleeding tongue include:
sudden harsh biting of the tongue
mouth sores
injuries from dentures or braces
eating sharp or hard foods
radiation treatment for cancer
This article provides a brief overview of the possible reasons for a bleeding tongue, how to diagnose and treat the condition, and when it is advisable to see a doctor.
Causes
There are many reasons why a tongue might start bleeding. Some of these will be obvious, for example biting it too hard or injuring it with a sharp piece of food.
Other causes may be less clear though. These include various infections and sores that can affect the tongue.
Some less obvious causes of tongue bleeding include:
Mouth ulcers or blisters
Ulcers or blisters that develop in the mouth, including on the tongue, are also known as canker sores. These can develop as a result of hormonal changes or genetics or can be triggered by certain health conditions, such as vitamin B-12 deficiency or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
They are rarely a cause for concern and tend to heal on their own. However, irritants such as sharp food or a harsh toothbrush may injure these sores and result in a tongue bleed.
Diagnosis
A doctor or dentist is likely to make a diagnosis by examining the mouth. If they suspect an underlying infection or another medical condition, they will ask for a mouth swab or other tests.
Treatment
There is no quick fix for mouth ulcers and blisters, but they usually clear up within 1 to 2 weeks.
Some treatment options that may reduce symptoms and prevent infection include:
antimicrobial mouthwashes, gels, and sprays
lozenges containing corticosteroids
If the problem persists for more than 3 weeks, it could be a sign of an infection and should be checked by a doctor.
Oral infections
Fungal or yeast infections in the mouth are fairly common, but if they are left untreated then they can progress to cause tongue bleeds.
Infections such as oral thrush (candidiasis) may result in hard mouth sores that cause pain while eating, drinking, and swallowing.
Many healthy people have yeast in their mouth, but only some go on to develop an infection. Those with a higher risk of getting these infections include:
newborns
people who have HIV
people undergoing radiation therapy or chemotherapy for cancer
people taking antibiotics
Diagnosis
As with mouth ulcers, doctors tend to diagnose oral infections by visual examination.
A doctor may recommend taking a mouth swab to work out which germ is responsible for the infection. Knowing this will help the doctor decide how best to target it with a specific treatment.
Treatment
Depending on the type and extent of the infection, people can use both creams and oral medicines to treat an oral infection.
Oral herpes
Oral herpes is a contagious condition caused by the herpes simplex virus. This virus can survive in the human body for years without causing any problems. However, certain triggers, such as stress or hormonal changes, may activate the virus to cause an infection.
Oral herpes initially appears as cold sores in the mouth. If present on the tongue, these sores are prone to bleeding on sudden injury or contact with certain trigger foods.
Diagnosis
Oral herpes is not easy to diagnose as it tends to cause either symptoms that are similar to those of other medical conditions or no symptoms at all.
Common signs include:
pain
itching
redness
blisters that burn
The best way to diagnose oral herpes is by taking a tissue sample from the affected area, which a doctor can test to check for the presence of the virus. A blood test can also be used to detect the virus.
Treatment
There is no cure for a herpes infection, but medications are available to treat its symptoms. The most common treatment option for oral herpes is antiviral medication, which can be in the form of pills or an injection.
Other treatments that help manage symptoms include antiviral ointments, topical anesthetics, and over-the-counter (OTC) anti-inflammatory agents.
Blood vessel abnormalities
Sometimes a collection of excess blood vessels known as a hemangioma develops on the face, head, mouth, or neck. This will generally be present at birth or develop in early childhood.
Tongue hemangiomas, though rare, can cause bleeding, pain, and difficulty eating. They are more common in women than in men.
Diagnosis
Doctors diagnose a tongue hemangioma through a physical examination and by studying a person’s medical case history.
Treatment
Various treatment options are now available to treat tongue hemangiomas. Depending on the individual’s age and physical condition, a doctor may use the following methods to treat these blood vessel defects:
surgery
corticosteroids
radiation treatment
cryosurgery, where extreme cold is used to destroy cells
laser treatment
radiofrequency, a technique that uses heat to trigger a healing response
In many cases, tongue hemangiomas go away on their own over time.
Tongue cancer
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCCA) is the most common type of tongue cancer. It gets its name from the type of cells that are affected, which make up the lining of the mouth, nose, voice box, thyroid, and throat.
Symptoms of tongue cancer include:
unexplained bleeding of the tongue
persistent pain when swallowing
a sore spot or lump on the tongue
a feeling of numbness in the mouth
Other medical conditions can cause these symptoms, but it is worth visiting a doctor if they appear.
Diagnosis
Early detection of tongue cancer is important to prevent it from spreading to other parts of the body.
A biopsy is the best way to confirm the presence of tongue cancer. It involves examining a small sample of tissue under a microscope.
Treatment
As with most cancers, the stage and extent of the tongue cancer will determine how it is treated. For example, a different approach may be needed if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
Surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy are all used to treat this type of cancer.
Prevention
People can help prevent a bleeding tongue by being aware of the risk factors.
While it is not possible to prevent many of the health conditions that can cause a bleeding tongue, people can change certain habits or lifestyle factors to reduce their risk.
Risk factors for tongue bleeding include:
poor oral hygiene
excessive alcohol consumption
excessive smoking
poor use of dentures, floss, and other dental apparatus
Taking care while eating will also make mouth injuries less likely.
Home remedies
Some easy home remedies can provide relief and may temporarily stop the bleeding. These include:
Placing ice cubes on the affected area of the tongue, either directly or in a clean napkin or gauze. Repeat two or three times a day if this provides relief.
Gargling several times a day with an antiseptic mouthwash or warm water.
Stirring a teaspoon of salt or baking soda into a cup of warm water and rinsing the mouth three to five times a day.
Avoiding foods or liquids that could trigger or worsen a mouth sore or ulcer. These include spicy foods and foods that are sharp in texture.
Taking an OTC painkiller to reduce pain and swelling.
Allowing the tongue to heal. Avoid chewing on the affected side of the tongue and do not poke it.
When to see a doctor
If a person continues to experience tongue pain, tingling, or bleeding for longer than 2 weeksTrusted Source, or has mouth sores that persist for more than 3 weeks, it would be wise to see a doctor.
It is a good idea to make a note of any signs and symptoms ahead of the appointment in order to communicate these clearly with the doctor. This information will help them make a more accurate diagnosis.
Outlook
A bleeding tongue could be the result of many conditions, and may sometimes heal on its own.
If the symptoms persist, a doctor will be able to recommend a specific course of treatment.
You may brush your teeth twice a day (and if you do, good for you!), but chances are you don't think too much about what's in your toothpaste. Next time you're in the toothpaste aisle of your local grocery or convenience store, take a look at how truly diverse the options have become.
It brings up lots of questions! Do you really need a toothpaste with micro-cleaning crystals, or one made solely with natural ingredients? I consulted Dr. Keith Libou, chief clinical officer at Delta Dental of New Jersey, to find out more about the differences between regular and special formula toothpaste.
"Toothpastes start with similar ingredients in order to provide the protection we need," said Dr. Libou. "They have a mild abrasive to scrape away debris and stains, a detergent that creates a foam, and flavor to provide taste. They also contain a thickening agent and an ingredient to prevent water loss. Fluoride toothpastes, of course, also contain fluoride to help prevent tooth decay."
"There are instances when special formulations include features that provide additional benefits," Dr. Libou said. He shared some examples.
Sensitive Formula
Whitening Formula
Plaque/Gingivitis Control
Tartar Control
Bad Breath Control
Fluoride
Dr. Libou advises patients to choose a toothpaste that has the American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Approval. "That means you can be sure that the toothpaste has met the ADA criteria for safety and effectiveness," he said.
"Both regular and special formula toothpastes will do a good job cleaning your teeth, so it's really up to your personal preference, and be sure to speak with your dentist on what will work best for you," Dr. Libou added. "Whichever you choose, make sure to brush and floss twice daily because that's what will help make a real difference in your oral health."
It’s important to maintain a healthy, soft food diet in the days following your appointment and refrain from chewing directly at your surgical sites.
What Exactly Can I Eat After Oral Surgery?
To help you plan for your upcoming oral surgery, here’s a list of 5 foods that are safe to eat after such procedures.
1. Smoothies
Probably one of the healthiest soft food choices you can make after your oral surgery in our Belmont offices is to have smoothies. Just grab your favorite blender, some ice, and pour in your favorite combinations of fruit, juice, or water. For an extra boost, add a protein supplement.
Smoothies are a great food choice for oral surgery patients because they’re easy to eat, healthy, and rich in all the vitamins your body needs as it’s recovering from your procedure. An important word of caution, though, is to avoid using a straw for drinking if you’ve had wisdom teeth extracted or general tooth extraction in preparation for dental implants. Sucking on a straw after tooth extractions can lead to an uncomfortable recovery complication called dry socket. These occur when the membrane that immediately forms over a tooth socket’s exposed jaw bone tissue gets broken. And once this healing membrane is gone, it won’t regrow, and you’ll require additional follow up appointments so our dentists can pack the tooth socket with a dressing to allow your tooth socket to heal properly.
Instead of using a straw, gently spoon-feed your smoothies if your surgery included a tooth extraction of any kind.
2. Soups
Another healthy choice for post-op dental patients is soup. Now’s the time to enjoy some chicken noodle soup, minestrone, or a Belmont favorite – New England clam chowder. As with the precautions for drinking smoothies, make sure you don’t slurp your soups down if you had a tooth extraction; instead, carefully spoon-feed small portions to yourself.
3. Mashed Potatoes
Forget counting carbs. When you’re recovering from oral surgery, one of the easiest food to eat is some good, homemade mashed potatoes! This downhome favorite is easy to prepare in bulk, reheat when you’re hungry, and we won’t judge you if you add extra butter in the mix or top it off with some gravy or sour cream.
4. Yogurt
Another healthy, easy to grab option for Belmont patients is pre-packaged yogurts. You can stock up on your favorite flavors during a grocery trip before your big appointment, and grab a container and dig in when you’re hungry during recovery time.
5. Applesauce
Finally, applesauce is a great food to eat when you have a tender surgical site healing in your mouth. Just make sure not to eat the pouches of applesauce, which require you to suck the applesauce out and may lead to dry sockets if you had a tooth extraction. Instead, buy a package of individual servings or a large jar so you can dish out your desired serving size when you’re hungry.
The process of removing decayed tooth material and replacing it with artificial material, called a dental filling, has been a successful way to fight against cavities for thousands of years. A cavity typically occurs when acid wears away the tooth structure and creates a hole in the enamel. Cavities are often painful, but they can sometimes go unnoticed for months before symptoms arise.
It is essential to treat tooth decay as quickly as possible. When left alone, cavities often progress and can lead to many complications, including:
Weakened tooth structure
Infections
Gum disease
The spread of decay to other teeth
Tooth loss
In these situations, much more extensive dental work will likely be needed. However, a routine dental filling is often all that is required to treat most cavities. Over time, there have been many evolutions in the technology and materials used for dental fillings, but to this day, they remain a common practice and efficient way of treating tooth decay.
Commonly used dental fillings
Presently, you have three main options to consider for your dental filling: gold, amalgam, and tooth-colored. Each type has benefits and drawbacks to think about regarding its color, cost, and durability, so consult your dentist to decide which is right for you.
1. Gold
Gold fillings have been around for hundreds of years and for good reason. Gold is a very durable metal, so gold fillings hold up well under long-term use. These filings are also one of the more expensive options available since gold is a precious metal and comprises over 50% of most gold fillings. Color is something to consider with gold fillings too. The highly visible coloration is a turn-off for some and a desirable quality for others. Some people see it as an advantageous status symbol and others as a noticeable sign that they have imperfect teeth.
2. Amalgam
Amalgams are also called silver fillings because they are dark silver in color. Dental amalgams are metallic fillings made from a combination of mercury and other metals such as silver, tin, zinc, and copper. Many people express concern about the mercury in the filling, but there is no conclusive evidence that it is unsafe for the majority of people. Pregnant women, nursing women, people allergic to mercury, and people with certain neurological disorders may want to choose another filling option though. An amalgam dental filling is still often a good option. They are quite strong and fairly inexpensive in comparison to other options. However, a significant number of people find the dark coloring unpleasant.
3. Tooth-colored
There are three main options for tooth-colored filling materials; composite resin, ceramic, and glass ionomer. The one great advantage these fillings have is that they are made to blend in with the tooth, so they are not easily detected by the naked eye. They range in toughness and cost as well. Ceramics are very tough but quite costly. Glass ionomer is fairly fragile and needs to be replaced around every five years but is usually less costly overall. Composite resin fillings sit in the middle of the other two in both their stamina and price. Glass ionomer fillings also have a unique advantage in that they are designed to be able to gradually release fluoride which helps strengthen teeth and prevent future cavities. Dentists often choose a glass dental filling for children because of this quality.
Conclusion
It is important to treat cavities as soon as possible to prevent unnecessary oral health problems. Routine visits to a dentist help ensure that tooth decay is caught in the early stages and easily treated with a filling. All three dental filling options work well to fill in the space left behind by tooth decay removal and have their advantages and disadvantages.
To choose which option is the one for you, there are many factors to consider, including appearance, location of the filling, budget, age of the patient, and more. You should carefully discuss them all with your dentist beforehand. A professional can offer insight into which selection may be appropriate for your individual situation.
If you suspect that you may have tooth decay and are developing a cavity, do not hesitate to seek professional dental care right away. Waiting too long will likely make matters worse. Treating a cavity with a dental filling is a routine procedure that can significantly improve your dental health, regardless of which type of material you choose.
Understanding The Basics And Importance Of Preventive Dental Care
As the name suggests, preventive dental care refers to a type of dental care that helps you maintain a healthy mouth. Through a combination of professional dental checkups and good at-home oral hygiene, you can completely avoid cavities, gum disease, and a variety of other oral health issues.
This is why preventive care is so important. It’s always better to prevent oral health issues completely, rather than treating them when they do occur. By taking good care of your mouth, you will keep your teeth healthy, save time and money by avoiding common oral health issues, and get peace of mind.
Tips For At-Home Preventive Care – Keep Your Mouth Healthy
Preventive care doesn’t just happen at the dentist. In fact, at-home oral hygiene is an extremely important part of maintaining a healthy mouth. So here are a few tips and steps you should take to maintain good oral hygiene at home.
Brush twice a day for two minutes – Brushing thoroughly twice per day is one of the best ways to keep your mouth healthy. We recommend brushing once after breakfast, and again after the final meal of the day. Make sure to clean all of your teeth thoroughly.
Floss once per day – Flossing helps keep your teeth clean and reduces your risk of gum disease. Floss at least once per day to keep your gums and teeth healthy.
Use fluoride toothpaste – Fluoride is essential for a healthy mouth. It attracts minerals that strengthen your teeth, which helps prevent tooth decay.
Maintain a tooth-healthy diet – Avoid sugary beverages, and drink water instead. You should also reduce the amount of sugary and starchy processed foods you eat. Try to eat more fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, healthy dairy, and lean meat.
Make lifestyle changes – Certain lifestyle changes like quitting smoking or tobacco use or reducing your alcohol intake can help improve your oral health. Dr. McCue can give you more information after your appointment at our office.
You Need To See A Dentist For A Checkup Every Six Months
Seeing a dentist for a checkup every six months ensures that you can catch any potential oral health issues early. Even if you take great care of your mouth, you should come and see Dr. Shaun McCue for a checkup every six months.
Getting a checkup gives you peace of mind, and ensures that you don’t have any hidden oral health issues. You’ll also be able to discuss your overall oral health with Dr. McCue, and learn more about the steps you can take to improve and protect your oral health.
No matter how many times you swish with mouthwash per day, you can't get rid of the bacteria in your mouth for good. In fact, you likely have around 20 billion microbes in your mouth or more if you ever skip brushing and flossing.But that's not always a bad thing. In moderation, the right bacteria can actually provide benefits.
But in many cases, beneficial bacteria are outpaced by pathogenic bacteria, which cause gum disease, cavities, bad breath, tonsil stones, and other problems.So how can you reap the benefits of the unavoidable bacteria in your mouth while avoiding the harmful effects? Here are some strategies for managing the bacteria in your mouth.
Preventing Pathogenic Proliferation
The first step in the process is to keep bacterial overgrowth from getting out of hand. One reason cavities are so rampant in the modern era is because the sugary and starchy foods that make up many modern diets are the main food source of pathogenic cavity-causing bacteria.The main cavity-causing bacteria process sugars and simple starches directly into acids, meaning that the frequency of your consumption of these foods correlates directly to how often your teeth are bombarded by the eroding forces of these acids.But you don't have to swear off sugar completely.
If you keep sugary and starchy foods limited to mealtimes, you can reduce the number of acid attacks your teeth experience throughout the day. And you can reduce the impact of those attacks by swishing with a PH neutralizing mouthwash directly after eating or by chewing a piece of xylitol gum.
Banishing Biofilm
Once plaque has formed on your teeth, you can use mechanical means to remove it again. This is where brushing and flossing come in. Your toothbrush doesn't have to scrub hard to remove the biofilm; plaque is quite soft and toothpaste typically includes a gritty substance to boost scrubbing power.However, brushing only reaches some of the tooth surfaces that need to be cleaned.
Flossing on a regular basis will allow you to reach an additional 40% of the tooth surface. Just because your toothbrush doesn't reach a surface doesn't mean the bacteria won't colonize there; on the contrary, bacteria love to form plaque in undisturbed spots, which is why flossing is so critical.
Boosting Beneficial Bacteria
One approach to the presence of pathogenic bacteria is to blast them with chlorhexidine mouthwash regularly, but this also kills beneficial bacteria. A more balanced approach could involve using a PHneutralizing mouthwash, since pathogenic bacteria love to grow in an acidic environment and many beneficial bacteria prefer a more neutral or alkaline PH.
Or you could focus on repopulating your mouth with beneficial bacteria, so the bad bacteria don't have as much space to grow. Although they're a relatively newer product, oral probiotics have some promising studies that indicate they may help keep bad bacteria populations down when taken regularly.Talk to your dentist about whether oral probiotics are right for you. Some foods, such as kefir and liveculture-containing yogurt, may also help add good bacteria to your mouth.These strategies can help you attack the problem of bacterial imbalance from both ends. You can keep levels of bad bacteria lower by keeping your mouth scrupulously clean and forming strategic eating habits, and you can help boost good bacteria with probiotics or naturally probiotic foods.
