Pinhole gum grafting and traditional gum grafting are two different techniques used in periodontal (gum) surgery to treat gum recession and restore gum tissue. While they’re used to treat the same problem, pinhole grafting is a less invasive alternative to a traditional gum graft.
Here at Manhasset Dental Arts, Dr. Elizabeth Abrams, Dr. Michael Abrams, and our team have the expertise and experience to offer pinhole gum grafting. Let’s explore why this might be your best option.
How pinhole gum grafting and traditional gum grafting are different
In addition to being less invasive, the pinhole gum grafting technique can also be used to treat a few areas in a single session. Smaller and less invasive treatments also mean shorter recovery times and less risk of complications like infection and bleeding.
Pinhole gum grafting involves gently repositioning your gum tissue around your affected tooth using small needles and proprietary tools to loosen the existing gum tissue and cover the root to restore the gumline.
The pinhole “graft” is reinforced using platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) to stimulate healing and rejuvenation.
Since it doesn’t require an incision, you don’t have to worry about stitches or a painful and extended recovery period. You can also cut down the time it takes to restore your gumline — and your oral health — if you have multiple areas of gum recession.
How traditional gum grafting works
With a traditional gum graft, the root is covered with surgically placed donor tissue. This means that the donor tissue will have to be removed from either your palette or another piece of your own gum tissue or a tissue bank.
The graft is surgically attached, so you’ll need an incision and stitches to secure the graft in place (including the incision to remove the tissue from your palette or gums).
The post-op recovery period after a traditional gum graft may be more involved and require that you take specific steps as your incisions heal.
Unlike the pinhole procedure, a traditional gum graft only treats one area at a time.
Is a traditional gum graft or pinhole gum grafting right for me?
If you’ve experienced gum recession and have one or more roots exposed, it’s important to get treatment as soon as possible to prevent long-term damage and manage your risk of developing advanced gum disease (periodontitis).
At our practice, we perform a comprehensive dental exam and review your oral health history before recommending the best treatment for you. If you have mild to moderate gum recession, pinhole gum grafting may be a good option for you.
Depending on the severity of gum loss and your overall oral health, a traditional gum graft may be a better option in some cases.
If you have other oral health issues like gum disease or tooth decay, we may recommend treatment for them before your gum graft.
How to protect your overall oral health
The best way to protect your smile and your oral health is to practice good oral hygiene, eat a healthy diet, avoid tobacco products, and get regular preventive dental care to catch problems as quickly as possible. If it’s been more than six months since your last dental exam, schedule an appointment as soon as you can.
Problems like gum recession and early gum disease can be hard to miss and may not always produce symptoms until they’ve advanced, so it’s important to come in for regular checkups and care.
There's no doubt that your dentist or dental hygienist has mentioned plaque to you before. Bacterial plaque, also known as biofilm, is a white substance you try to get rid of through your rigorous at-home oral care routine and dental checkups. But even with a top-notch routine, you may still have questions about how plaque can cause tooth decay and gum disease. Bacteria thrive in a moist, dark environment with lots of sugars for nourishment. This is why your mouth makes the ideal home! And when bacteria overstay their welcome and create a sticky buildup of plaque on your teeth, dental problems can develop. Let's go over how this happens and how you can prevent it!
Bacterial Plaque
So how exactly does plaque cause tooth decay? There are several steps involving bacteria, plaque, tartar, and then decay. Bacteria in plaque flourish by living in communities that can easily accumulate in your mouth. If plaque has the chance to collect on your teeth, it starts to use the foods and drinks you consume to produce acids. These acids can adhere to your teeth because of the plaque's stickiness. When the acid sticks to your teeth, it breaks down the enamel, thus setting the process of tooth decay into motion. After you eat food is when most acid production occurs, according to MedlinePlus. So every time you eat a meal or snack, your teeth are prone to plaque buildup within a few minutes.
Tartar Buildup and Gum Disease
The same bacterial acids that destroy tooth enamel can start an infection of the gum tissue and bone surrounding your teeth. When you don't remove all the plaque from your teeth, it turns into a harder substance known as tartar. While bacterial plaque is the cause of gum disease, tartar buildup gives the plaque a place to thrive. It's a layering effect - the more plaque that adheres to your teeth, the more tartar that will form. Thus leading to more plaque sticking to this tartar, and so on!
In the first stage of gum disease, also known as gingivitis, your gums become red, swollen, and bleed easily. The plaque that adheres along the tooth and gumline causes inflammation around the teeth. If you let plaque and tartar settle at the gumline and underneath your gums, bacterial toxins will attack the bone and ligaments surrounding your teeth. This causes a more advanced phase of gum disease, like periodontitis.
There are several key aspects of preventing tooth decay and gum disease, which we'll highlight below:
Fluoride Sources
If you have weak tooth enamel, your teeth are less likely to resist the bacterial acids in your mouth. But there's a simple way to keep your tooth enamel healthy and strong! You can use fluoride toothpaste to strengthen and protect your enamel. And ask your dental professional about other fluoride sources for your family, such as mouthwashes, supplements, or fluoridated water.
Toothbrushing
Skimping out on personal care will only hinder your ability to reverse gum disease and tooth decay, and it starts with toothbrushing. Bacteria build up more quickly when it isn't regularly brushed away. We recommend brushing your teeth with a soft-bristle toothbrush at least twice daily. Pay particular attention to the plaque that gathers around the gumline. Replace your toothbrush or toothbrush head often. Worn and frayed brushes don't clean thoroughly, and they harbor old bacteria – the culprit you're trying to get rid of!
Flossing
Interdental cleaning once a day is a must! Because your toothbrush cannot reach all of the food and bacteria trapped between your teeth, using floss or a water flosser to get into these hard-to-reach areas helps combat gum disease and tooth decay. The best time to clean between your teeth is before bed so that your mouth has fewer bacteria while sleeping. But if you prefer to do it in the morning, that's okay too! While using floss is the typical way to clean between your teeth, some people find flossing awkward. Ask your dental professional about floss holders or other interdental cleaning devices that are available.
Regular Professional Cleanings
Bacteria that hardens into tartar isn't removable with a toothbrush. Hence, visiting your dentist and dental hygienist for cleanings and checkups are also necessary. During these appointments, your dental professionals will detect and treat any decay or gum problems early, before more serious dental problems have a chance to take hold.
Healthy Eating
When you reduce your carbohydrate intake, especially refined sugars, you reduce the bacteria's ability to produce acids that cause decay and gum disease. The American Dental Association stresses the importance of eating a healthy diet with lots of whole grains, proteins, dairy, and fruits and vegetables. Replace sugary snacks and drinks with cheeses, yogurt, and natural peanut butter. This helps reduce the number of acid attacks your teeth are exposed to during the day.
Bacterial plaque is the bad guy when it comes to dental disease. You already know this since you put time, effort, and care into keeping you and your family's mouths healthy. But it's helpful to understand the exact ways plaque and then tartar can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. We believe that knowledge is power! The more you know about preventive measures in your control, the more likely you'll be to implement them! With a vigorous personal oral care routine, consistently seeing your dental professionals, eating a healthy diet, and using the right products that work for you, know that you're doing everything in your power to keep your mouth healthy and bright!
Tooth enamel is the hard mineral calcium phosphate that protects the teeth from decay. It is the hardest tissue in the body, but it cannot regrow once it is depleted. Tooth enamel starts to deteriorate with age, dehydration, sugary and acidic foods, and accumulation of harmful bacteria. It is important to recognize if the enamel is starting to weaken so you can stop it because it is too late.
Although you cannot really restore tooth enamel that has disappeared, you can still restore its health to prevent it from further deteriorating. To do so, it is important to focus on remineralization, which happens in the mouth daily and strengthens weakened enamel. Here are some tips to help you promote remineralization at home.
Lessen the intake of sugary or acidic food and beverages.
Because sugary and acidic foods weaken the enamel, avoiding these kinds of foods can significantly help prevent weakening and decay. You can lower your soda intake or opt for juice or water instead. If you like coffee or citrus fruits, try to reduce your intake of these drinks. You can still enjoy the occasional sugary or acidic food but try to moderate it, as some people might find it hard to completely eliminate it from their diet.
Rinse your mouth after eating sugary or acidic foods.
If you consume any food or beverage that is sugary or acidic, you can still protect your enamel by immediately rinsing your mouth afterward. This should help rinse away the sugar and acid that can cling to your teeth’ surfaces and cause damage.
Eat foods with high amounts of vitamins and minerals.
Be proactive and focus more on consuming foods rich in essential vitamins and minerals. Focus on eating dark leafy greens, along with fresh fruits and vegetables. These food items can help promote the remineralization process by making your saliva produce the necessary minerals to keep the enamel strong and healthy.
Stay well hydrated all throughout the day.
Your saliva is one of your best defenses against enamel erosion, so it helps to promote saliva production. Drinks lots of water throughout the day and try to avoid dehydrating substances like caffeine. If you do drink caffeinated drinks, make sure that you replenish the lost water afterward. A dry mouth can affect the remineralization process. It helps to invest in a good hydrating mouthwash to help you.
Brush twice a day using fluoride toothpaste.
Brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes and floss at least once daily to promote good oral hygiene. Do so gently but thoroughly, and take enough time to clean every tooth to brush away unwanted bacteria. Fluoride is known to promote remineralization, so using fluoride toothpaste makes for a great extra step in protecting the teeth.
Augment oral care with a fluoride mouthwash.
Because fluoride is very effective in protecting the tooth enamel, it should also help to add a fluoride-based mouthwash to your hygiene regimen. Fluoride will help promote the remineralization of your enamel and maintain its strength and health.
Visit your dentist twice a year for professional cleaning.
Even when you have a solid oral care regimen, you can still experience a buildup of bacteria and plaque in the mouth that can erode the enamel over time. The best way to really make sure that your teeth are clean and healthy is to regularly visit your dentist for cleaning and checkup. Use this chance to let a professional check your mouth and dental hygiene habits.
Oral health is something that is easy to ignore until there is a problem. When a problem arises, however, the discomfort that it causes has us looking for answers right away. Often, the issues that arise do have warning signs that can alert us to an emerging concern if we know what to look for. So, what are our teeth and gums telling us about our diet and their health? Here are some things to consider about your oral health.
Texture on Teeth and Gums
If you are feeling grit or texture on your teeth and gums throughout your day, your mouth has something to say about the foods that you’re eating and the state of your hygiene regimen. Textures found on the teeth and gums most likely point to an overgrowth of plaque bacteria in your oral cavity. Plaque bacteria is naturally occurring in the mouth but is kept in check with regular brushing and flossing and a diet low in sugars and starches. Sugars and simple carbohydrates, however, are likely to cause a flourishing of these bacteria. These bacteria consume the sugars from the foods that we eat and excrete acids in the mouth as these sugars digest. These acids have corrosive properties that attack the teeth and irritate the gums. If you are finding that this grit is found in your mouth quite frequently between meals, it may be time to evaluate your nutritional habits.
If you are consuming foods like chips, white bread and candies regularly this is likely to result in plaque overgrowth. Consider reaching for more whole foods such as fruits and vegetables and avoid consuming sweets regularly. Brushing the teeth between meals is another great way to reduce the production of acidic byproducts in the mouth and uncomfortable film. Reaching for healthier foods and increasing the frequency of brushing and flossing is likely to clear the problem up.
Bleeding While Flossing
If you are experiencing bleeding when you floss, you might think that this is an indication that the floss is irritating the tissues and should be discontinued. In fact, the opposite is true. Bleeding of the gums indicates that plaque bacteria and resulting acids are causing inflammation of the soft tissues, and you are likely to notice a reddening of the gums along with bleeding. If you are not flossing regularly, it is time to start. Manual flossing or using an irrigation tool are the only ways to effectively clean the forty percent of your tooth’s surface area that is not accessible to your toothbrush. Since this is such as significant surface area, it makes sense that many of the cavities that your dentist treats are not found on the visible surfaces of the teeth, rather, they are often found between the teeth where bacteria hides. In order to treat this condition, which is an early sign of gingivitis, we recommend an increased brushing and flossing regimen (after each meal) until the evidence of irritation has subsided.
Pain in the Jaw
Are you waking in the morning with jaw pain, temple pain, or headaches and muscle tightness in the neck and shoulders? Does your jaw click and pop when in use? If so, your teeth are likely telling you that you have developed a nighttime habit of clenching or grinding your teeth. Once this habit begins, it can be hard to stop since it is an unconscious habit. Chronic grinding can result in micro fractures along the teeth or even full cracks or breaks. Not only is it hard on the tooth’s surface, but it puts significant strain on the ligaments that anchor your tooth’s root. Addressing this concern is important for your long-term oral health.
Your dentist will best know how to treat this concern and which option is best for you. Of the treatment options available, the least invasive involves being fit for a night guard. A night guard is a custom-made dental appliance that covers a portion of the upper or lower teeth and does not allow the upper and lower arches to meet. Other options include medications that can encourage muscle relaxation and discourage unconscious grinding. Medications are most often prescribed for those patients whose grinding is causing significant discomfort including chronic headaches that do not improve since the muscles are stimulated every night. A combination of medication, night guard, relaxation techniques and massage can be helpful in overcoming this discomfort.
Being aware of the condition of your mouth is the first step in your ability to rectify the concerns. So, take your time while brushing and flossing and pay attention to how your mouth feels throughout the day. Small steps taken daily result in significant improvement of oral health over time, so be sure to reach for healthy foods wherever possible and keep up your oral care routine!
There are barbeque grills. Automobile grills. Bar and grills. And then there are dental grills. Popular. Trendy. Shiny. It's easy to see why you'd want to upgrade your smile with a few more carrots, er carats. The American Dental Association (ADA) actually says no studies have shown grills as harmful. But they also haven't found any studies that have proven them to be safe either. So if you're considering adding a bejeweled accessory to your mouth, get all the facts first to make sure this bling is for you.
What Are Teeth Grills?
Sometimes referred to as fronts or "grillz" as they're widely shared, dental grills came onto the popular culture scene thanks to hip hop artists and famous athletes donning them out in public and social media. Often removable, grills are:
Made from gold or silver
Encrusted with jewels
Fitted over a single tooth or snap over multiple teeth
Sometimes mistaken for crowns that resemble grills.
Usually constructed by your dentist.
Found online or at jewelers as a more affordable DIY option
If you're serious about getting fit for teeth grills, see your dentists for their expertise.
What Are The Dental Risks with Teeth Grills?
There are a variety of risks that you take on should decide to get teeth grills.
Food, debris, and bacteria: They can all be tightly packed and trapped between your teeth and grill, which can lead to tooth decay, gum disease, and bad breath
Glue: Any glue adhesive containing certain chemicals needed to attach a grill to your teeth could cause harm to your teeth and gums
Abrasion: Grills could easily scrape away the enamel needed to keep your teeth healthy
Allergies: You may be allergic to the metal and other materials that make up your grill
Chewing and speaking: A large grill in the wrong position could negatively affect your chewing and speaking.
How Do You Care for Your Teeth Grills
You can take a few steps to make sure your grills and mouth are both clean and healthy.
Remove your grill before eating and cleaning your teeth.
Along with thorough brushing, floss daily to help remove trapped food and plaque.
Clean your grill daily to rid it of bacteria and debris
Wear your grill sparingly as needed
Follow the advice your dentist has on your grill materials, allergic reactions, and cost.
They say, 'trends come and go, but style is forever.' So is your beautiful smile. Make sure, with your dentist's blessing, that you're confident a dental grill is right for you and your smile.
Most people probably don’t know that the American Dental Association (ADA) has very specific guidelines concerning oral health. Most people probably don’t know that the ADA exists, period. So here it is:
Brush twice a day
Use fluoride toothpaste
Brush on a sweeping motion away from the gums
Brush for two minutes
Don’t rinse for 30 minutes after brushing
ADA approved toothpastes will have the official ADA stamp of approval on the back. There are some impostors out there, but approved products will all have the full Ada stamp. These products have all been submitted for ADA approval and have passed their rigorous testing.
ADA approved toothbrushes will all be soft bristled, in safe to use. Brushing the full 2 minutes ensures you’ve hit all surfaces thoroughly and have worked the food and bacteria off of the teeth and gums.
The toothpaste, specifically, will contain at least 1,000 parts per million of fluoride. Abstaining from rinsing for at least 30 minutes after brushing ensures that this fluoride does not get washed away. This active ingredient needs to be absorbed into your gums and teeth fully for it to be effective.
Flossing
Flossing works. It’s been proven. But we still don’t like to do it. Flossing can reduce your risk for cavities by up to 40%. 40% is also the amount of tooth surface area you’re ignoring if you do not floss.
The reason flossing is so helpful is because hit helps scrape away plaque and food from in between your teeth – an area your toothbrush cannot reach.
Floss has also been shown to be more effective in removing bacteria from between your teeth then mouthwash.
Hygiene Products
Toothpaste is not the only product to hold the ADA stamp of approval. in fact, all in dental hygiene and oral care products are eligible to be submitted for and hold this certification.
Be wary of products with wild claims or unfamiliar active ingredients. If there is no ADA seal, these claims are untested by a reputable source. They may cause more bad than good.
Reduce Stress
Reducing stress to improve oral health may seem like a stretch, but there is a very strong relationship between the two.
Emotional and psychological stress can lead to physical symptoms like nausea, anxiety, or headaches, but It can also lead to jaw and tooth pain resulting from grinding and clenching. You may not even know this is happening as most people experience these symptoms during sleep.
We all know stress eating-happens. Well, aside from the physiological damage that can cause, the increased intake of sugar, carbohydrates, and fats doesn’t number on our enamel.
Stress is also a known leading cause of cold sore outbreaks. Your immune system is weaker when you are experiencing stress. This lack of immune support lets other viruses present in your body take over. It’s not just cold sores. People also experience outbreaks of eczema and hives during periods of high stress.
Maintain Regular Checkups
You should be seeing your dental hygienist and dentist for a cleaning and oral exam every six months. This gives our professionals enough time to catch any problems before they’ve caused irreparable damage.
Holiday time can be tough on the waistline thanks to all the treats available at home, work, and cozy gatherings. It can also be hard on teeth and gums. Why? All that sugar adds up, and your Greenwich, CT dentist was not kidding with all those warnings about sweeteners and cavities. However, tooth decay is not the only problem associated with nibbling on candies, pies, cookies, and cakes all day. Another issue is development of gum disease.
How Gum Disease Begins
Gum disease starts as an infection in the gum tissues. In its earliest stage, which is called gingivitis, bacteria begin growing and attacking the surrounding healthy, pink gums. Without special intervention by a dentist, gingivitis will progress to moderate and advanced stages of periodontitis. At that point, the bacteria begin to destroy not just soft tissues but tooth and bone as well. Periodontitis left unchecked almost always leads to widespread tooth and bone loss.
It should be noted that gum disease influences other parts of the body and not just the mouth. Gum disease has been linked to cardiovascular events like stroke, an increase in risk of diabetes, and certain cancers, among other concerns. This illustrates how important it is to catch gum disease as early as possible, because the condition can be completely reversed if professionally addressed at the gingivitis stage.
What Is the Candy-Gum Disease Association?
How do candy and sugary snacks contribute to the potential development of gum disease, though? The connection is that when sugars are allowed to sit on the teeth and gums, they can cause a build-up of plaque. Excessive plaque may encourage bacteria to breed between the teeth and gums, setting the stage for gingivitis.
How Can Someone Tell If They Have Gingivitis?
It can be hard to notice the earliest signs of gingivitis because they might seem vague or occasional. Yet any changes in the health or performance of your mouth deserves a call to your dentist, Dr. Alexander Volchonok, in our office in Greenwich, CT. Some of the most frequently reported indicators of potential gingivitis include constant bad breath, bleeding gums, red gums, swollen gums, tender gums, and receding gums.
You can still indulge in occasional candy canes, pieces of fudge, and bites of homemade brownies, of course. Just make sure to properly floss and brush immediately afterwards.
Good oral hygiene habits can often prevent calcium — or tartar — from building up on your teeth. But you'll need the help of your dentist and dental hygienist to remove the buildup once it develops. Read on to learn what these calcium deposits are, how your dental professional removes them, and how to prevent them.
What are Calcium Deposits on My Teeth?
"Calcium deposits"— known more commonly as tartar or calculus — are a hardened layer of plaque or dental biofilm. Tartar is made of calcium phosphates, among other compounds, and looks white or off-white, so you may hear it called calcium.
Tartar can form anywhere on the tooth surface. It can be especially troublesome when it builds up between the teeth because many people neglect to clean between their teeth with floss, water flossers, or other interdental cleaners. Tartar irritates the gums and serves as a rough surface where disease-causing bacteria can collect, leading to periodontal disease and even inflammation in other parts of your body.
How Does Tartar Form?
Tartar buildup occurs when the accumulated bacteria that grows on teeth hardens on the tooth surface. Tartar is typically found on the inner surface of the front teeth and the outer surface of the upper molars next to the cheeks. These are common areas because salivary duct openings continuously feed saliva (which includes calcium) into the mouth.
Removing Calcium Deposits
Only a dental professional can remove tartar buildup on your teeth. They will scale the teeth with instruments specifically designed for this purpose. These tools can be metal-tipped hand instruments or ultrasonic tools that use specific wavelengths to remove tartar. If it's been a while since you've visited your dental hygienist, scaling may take more than one visit. If the tartar on the tooth surface is deep below the gumline, you may need deep cleaning with local anesthesia to ensure your comfort.
Dental hygienists are trained and knowledgeable about working with patients, and they provide optimal oral health preventive care. You should never try to scale your teeth at home, whether with store-bought dental kits or household objects like toothpicks. Trying scaling at home may damage your enamel or lead to further inflamed or bleeding gums.
Preventing Calcium Buildup
The best way to prevent calcium buildup on teeth is to keep them clean by thoroughly brushing and cleaning between your teeth every day and having your teeth cleaned professionally at least twice a year. Some people build up tartar more quickly and need more frequent dental hygiene treatment, but following your dental hygienist's care plan will improve your oral health.
Brushing with toothpaste helps prevent plaque, gingivitis, tartar buildup, cavities, and bad breath. Faithful daily oral hygiene practices and regular visits to your dental professional will help minimize dental problems and keep your mouth healthy.
Are you considering dental implants, but are wondering if they’re going to be worth the investment?
If you’ve asked the question, “Are dental implants permanent,” we’ll tell you:
Yes! Dental implants are permanent.
It’s the most modern restorative dental service that’ll mimic the function and aesthetics of your natural teeth.
However:
You play a crucial role to ensure your implant’s permanent lifespan.
So, in this blog post, we’re going to cover:
How long dental implants really last
Whether or not they get cavities
If the procedure is painful
How to determine if you’re a candidate
But, first – let’s dive into what dental implants actually are.
What are dental implants?
Dental implants are the leading restorative service to replace a missing, broken, or decayed tooth.
A dental implant is made up of three parts:
Titanium implant post
Abutment
Crown
It’s a true tooth replacement.
The titanium implant post is inserted into your jawbone, which allows it to fuse with your bone to act as a natural tooth root. The abutment serves as the attachment point for your dental crown.
Then, your dental crown will be shade-matched to blend in with your surrounding teeth!
The best part?
No one will know you received dental work with this natural-looking restoration.
How long do dental implants last?
The titanium implant post can last a lifetime, and your dental crown will last anywhere between 10 to 30 years.
Although your dental implant post is made with high-quality and durable materials, you also play a significant role in how long your restoration will last!
Make sure to brush, floss, and visit your San Francisco, CA dentist for routine cleanings to keep your dental implants in tip-top shape.
Do dental implants get cavities?
No!
Your dental implant is made from an artificial material. Even though it looks and acts like a natural tooth, cavities aren’t a concern.
But:
You still need to take care of your gums and teeth around the implant area like you would with your natural teeth.
Keeping your gums and teeth healthy ensures the longevity of your restoration.
Are dental implants painful?
Many patients report that their dental implant procedure doesn’t hurt.
Typically, periodontists will administer local anesthesia to eliminate stress and pain.
With modern technology and training, your periodontist will work with you to ensure you’re completely comfortable before beginning your restorative work!
Am I a candidate for dental implants?
Some factors determine if you’re a candidate for dental implants.
It includes:
Age: Dental implants are usually recommended for individuals who’ve finished the stage so of facial growth and development! It’s around 16 years old for females and 18 years old for males.
Health: Your health is vital in determining how your body will respond to dental implants. For example, heavy smoking, chronic diseases (diabetes, etc.), or radiation therapy around your neck or head area will require further evaluation by your periodontist.
Jawbone amount: Dental implants need a certain amount of supporting bone around the implant area. You may require bone grafting if you don’t have the necessary amount.
Scheduling a consultation with your dental provider is the only way to know whether or not you’re a dental implants candidate.
Our body is a complex machine. The foods we choose and how often we eat them can affect our general health and the health of our teeth and gums, too. If we consume too many sugar-filled sodas, sweetened fruit drinks or non-nutritious snacks, we could be at risk for tooth decay and gum disease. Tooth decay is the single most common chronic childhood disease, but the good news is that it is entirely preventable.
Why is a healthy diet important for my oral health?
So, does my Diet affect my Oral Health? Every time you eat or drink anything sugary, your teeth are under acid attack for up to one hour. This is because the sugar will react with the bacteria in the plaque (the sticky coating on your teeth) and produce harmful acids. So it is important to have sugary foods or drinks just at mealtimes, limiting the amount of time your mouth is at risk.
Acidic foods and drinks can be just as harmful. The acid ‘erodes’ or dissolves the enamel, exposing the dentine underneath. This can make your teeth sensitive and unsightly.
Acidic food and drinks can cause erosion – the gradual dissolving of the tooth enamel. The lower the pH number, the more acidic the product. Anything with a pH value lower than 5.5 may cause erosion. ‘Alkalis’ have a high pH number and cancel out the acid effects of sugars. pH 7 is the middle figure between acid and alkali.
Foods that contain sugars and acids of any kind can contribute to tooth decay. To control the amount of sugar we eat, we should read the nutrition facts and ingredient labels on foods and beverages and choose options that are lowest in sugar. Common sources of sugar in the diet include soft drinks, candy, cookies and pastries. The physician or a registered dietician can also provide suggestions for eating a nutritious diet. If your diet lacks certain nutrients, it may be more difficult for tissues in your mouth to resist infection. This may contribute to gum disease. Severe gum disease is a major cause of tooth loss in adults. Many researchers believe that the disease progresses faster and is potentially more severe in people with poor nutrition.
Therefore, a diet that is rich in vitamins, minerals and fresh fruit and vegetables can help to prevent gum disease. Gum disease can lead to tooth loss and cause bad breath.
Foods to Avoid
Oranges, grapefruits, lemons, limes and similarly common fruit items are as acidic as they are healthy, which is why it’s important to consume them with water to ensure they don’t harm the enamel of your teeth. However, these products aren’t the only foods out there known for their low pH level. Others include:
Pickles pH 3.5
Cranberry juice ph2.5
Tomato products (pasta sauce, ketchup, salsa, hot sauce) 6ph
Coffee pH 5
Wine 3.5
Cheddar cheese pH 5.9
Lager pH 4.4
Orange juice pH 3.8
Grapefruit pH 3.3
Cola pH 2.5
Red wine pH 2.5
Vinegar pH 2.0
Why do our teeth hurt?
When the acids in the foods you eat and drink cause tooth enamel to wear away, teeth can become discoloured as a result. And when tooth enamel weakens in this way, demineralization has started to occur – leaving your teeth’s dentin exposed and prone to sensitivity. Brushing after a meal is generally a good idea, but avoid doing so right after consuming acidic foods. Acid softens your enamel, and brushing too soon will only speed up tooth wear before the enamel has time to settle again. Unfortunately, demineralization can lead to tooth decay.
How to Lessen Dental Erosion
Try eating any acidic foods alongside foods that have a higher pH level, and are therefore low in acidity. Some of these foods include nuts, cheese, oatmeal, mangos, melons, bananas, apples, eggs, vegetables, brown rice and whole grains. Fish and lean meats also have low levels of acid. These foods may actually help protect your tooth enamel, giving you a nice double benefit. They do this by neutralizing acids in otherwise acidic saliva, and by providing the calcium and phosphorus needed to put minerals back in the teeth.
Eat healthy snacks – Does my Diet affect my Oral Health?
It is better for your teeth and general health if you eat 3 meals a day instead of having 7 to 10 snacks so “does my Diet affect my Oral Health” does ring true?. If you do need to snack between meals, choose foods that do not contain sugar. Fruit does contain acids, which can erode your teeth. However, this is only damaging to your teeth if you eat an unusually large amount. Try not to have a lot of dried fruit as it is high in sugar and can stick to your teeth.
If you do eat fruit as a snack, try to eat something alkaline such as cheese afterwards. Savoury snacks are better, such as:
Cheese
Raw vegetables
Nuts
Can I eat sweets?
The main point to remember is that it is not the amount of sugar you eat or drink, but how often you do it. Sweet foods are allowed, but it is important just to have them at mealtimes.
To help reduce tooth decay, cut down on how often you have sugary foods and drinks and try to have sugar-free varieties. Confectionery and chewing gum containing the artificial sweetener Xylitol may help to reduce tooth decay.
Sugary foods can also cause a range of health problems including heart disease and being overweight.
Should I brush my teeth after every meal?
It is important that you brush last thing at night and at least one other time during the day, with a toothpaste containing fluoride.
Eating and drinking foods containing sugar and acids naturally weakens the enamel on your teeth. Brushing straight afterwards can cause tiny particles of enamel to be brushed away. It is best not to brush your teeth until at least one hour after eating.
It is especially important to brush before bed. This is because the flow of saliva, which is the mouth’s own cleaning system, slows down during the night and this leaves the mouth more at risk from decay.
Does chewing gum help?
Chewing gum makes your mouth produce more saliva, which helps to cancel out the acid in your mouth after eating or drinking. It has been proven that using sugar-free chewing gum after meals can prevent tooth decay. However, it is important to use only sugar-free gum. Ordinary chewing gum contains sugar and therefore may damage your teeth.
See your dental professional twice a year for dental cleanings to answer Does my Diet affect my Oral Health? Our body is a complex machine. The foods we choose and how often we eat them can affect our general health and the health of our teeth and gums, too. If we consume too many sugar-filled sodas, sweetened fruit drinks or non-nutritious snacks, we could be at risk for tooth decay and gum disease., These play an important role in maintaining your oral health by helping to identify dental erosion in its early stages. If there is a need, they can counsel you on making healthy dietary choices to stop dental erosion if your eating habits are contributing. Outside the dental chair, keep your mouth moist by drinking plenty of water so saliva can cleanse your mouth of these acids regularly. Use a fluoride toothpaste. Swishing with a fluoride mouthwash will also help to lessen the severity of dental erosion. Be sure to floss once a day in your daily oral health routine.
