Why Do You Get Cavities The Newest Research

We always thought that decay was due to lack of or improper tooth brushing. We now know there is a lot more to decay than just tooth brushing.  It has to do with your saliva, diet, sugar intake, how often you eat and how you protect your teeth.

   Acid reflux, commonly called heart burn, is a major causing factor.  Acid reflux causes acid to come up into your mouth and lower the PH of your saliva, resulting in your saliva becoming more acidic.  The bacteria that cause decay, thrive and multiply in a more acidic, lower PH environment. These bacteria stick to your teeth due to the presence of plaque and cause the teeth to decalcify.  The bacteria produce acid by eating the plaque and that acid is what causes the teeth to decay. Fluoride is a one of the most important things you can do to help strengthen your teeth. Fluoride tooth paste with Stannus fluroride, fluoride rinse and in office fluoride treatments are essential to keep your teeth healthy.

  Here are some top tooth decay causes you might not know about

Are Only Sugary Foods to Blame? Avoiding candy doesn’t mean you’re off the hook for getting decay. Most cavities come from hidden sugars like those in sports drinks, juices, sodas (even the diet ones) and diets high in carbohydrates (like crackers, bread, or other common snack foods.) 

Bad Nutrition: Harmful to Your Body and Your Teeth

If it’s “bad” for your body, it’s probably “bad” for your teeth. Remember, you are what you eat! Fresh foods are best. Fibrous fruits and vegetables clean your teeth while you eat them, and give your body plenty of nutrients to ward off infection. Omega 3 fatty acids can treat periodontist, as well as help with inflammation. Additionally, there is a possibility that cheese can prevent cavities while improving your overall oral health.

“But I Don’t Have Poor Oral Hygiene!”

What is good oral hygiene? Brushing twice a day? Flossing every now and then? Check to see that you’re using a soft toothbrush and brushing slowly, focused on the gum lines and only brushing one or two teeth at a time. Fast, rigorous brushing can leave large areas of biofilm behind. Always follow up with floss at least once a day — because tooth brushing can’t clean between — to remove the germs that cause cavities. Don’t forget to use a fluoridated toothpaste. If necessary you can come to our office and we can write a prescription for one that’s stronger.

Are Cavities or Teeth Grinding to Blame?

Maybe your teeth are starting to look broken, worn, or feel sharp to your tongue. It might not be cavities that are the cause — but bruxism — a teeth grinding habit that causes your enamel to break itself apart. Old fillings may even start to fracture and fall out, even if you have great oral hygiene. Wearing a protective guard at night or when you’re driving home from work can reduce the tension to your enamel, extending the investment of your restorative dental treatment and the life of your teeth.  Your teeth were not designed to last 100 years without being protected.

Finding an Out for Your Enamel Issues

“My parents had bad teeth. I’m bound to as well. ”This concept seems like an easy out, but it’s no excuse for neglecting your teeth. Working with a great dentist and hygienist can help you focus on areas that are more at-risk for cavities, such as demineralized surfaces or exposed roots. Even adding in extra fluoride can keep cavities at bay, when you would otherwise be looking at a future filled with dental work.

What Does Age Have to Do With Anything?  

There are a few factors at play when it comes to tooth decay causes. One of which is age. Take children for instance; their primary (baby) teeth are far less dense than the permanent counterparts. As such, cavities can spread far more rapidly, involving more than just one tooth.

Older adults see an increase in decay as well, usually because of aging fillings, gum recession, and dry mouth (due to medications.) As such, it’s vital for people of all ages to receive routine checkups so that decay can be intercepted at its earliest stage.

These top tooth decay causes can be the gateway to more severe issues with your dental health. By just tweaking your daily routine you can improve smile and your oral hygiene.  It is essential that you have regular dental checkup and discuss these issues with your dentist. At Diamond Dental Associates, we will help you prevent these problems and keep a beautiful sparkling smile.  Contact us at 908-838-0004.

“Changing lives one smile at a time”

Dental Sealants Reduce Decay

In the latest surveys of the American Dental Association, if 100 children were looked at and not have sealants applied to their teeth, 50 would get decay.  If sealants were applied to the children’s teeth, only 18 of the group would get decay. Clearly, dental sealants are an extremely beneficial procedure for children to have performed on their teeth.

Dental sealant is a thin, plastic coating painted on the chewing surfaces of teeth — usually the back teeth (the premolars and molars) — to prevent tooth decay. The sealant quickly bonds into the depressions and grooves of the teeth, forming a protective shield over the enamel of each tooth.

Although thorough brushing and flossing can remove food particles and plaque from smooth surfaces of teeth, they cannot always get into all the nooks and crannies of the back teeth to remove the food and plaque. Sealants protect these vulnerable areas from tooth decay by “sealing out” plaque and food.

Who Should Get Sealants?

Because of the likelihood of developing decay in the depressions and grooves of the premolars and molars, children and teenagers are candidates for sealants. However, adults without decay or fillings in their molars can also benefit from sealants.

Typically, children should get sealants on their permanent molars and premolars as soon as these teeth come in. In this way, the sealants can protect the teeth through the cavity-prone years of ages 6 to 14.

In some cases, dental sealants may also be appropriate for baby teeth, such as when a child’s baby teeth have deep depressions and grooves. Because baby teeth play such an important role in holding the correct spacing for permanent teeth, it’s important to keep these teeth healthy so they are not lost too early.

How Are Sealants Applied?

Applying sealant is a simple and painless process. It takes only a few minutes for your dentist or hygienist to apply the sealant to seal each tooth. The application steps are as follows:

1. First, the teeth that are to be sealed are thoroughly cleaned.
2. Each tooth is then dried, and cotton or another absorbent material is put around the tooth to keep it dry.
3. An acid solution is put on the chewing surfaces of the teeth to roughen them up, which helps the sealant bond to the teeth.
4. The teeth are then rinsed and dried.
5. Sealant is then painted onto the tooth enamel, where it bonds directly to the tooth and hardens. Sometimes a special curing light is used to help the sealant harden.

How Long Do Sealants Last?

Sealants can protect teeth from decay for up to 10 years, but they need to be checked for chipping or wearing at regular dental check-ups. Your dentist can replace sealants as necessary.

Dry Mouth A Common Problem and Commonly Undetected
Scott Chanin, DMD, FAGD,FASDA

Dry Mouth, commonly known as Xerostomia, is a medical condition that occurs
when your mouth doesn’t produce enough saliva or there is a change in the
quality of the saliva. It can have a significant impact on the quality of your life and
oral health if it is not discovered early and managed effectively.
Up to 65 percent of the population suffer from dry mouth. The causes are
numerous, from everyday medications to common health conditions, and people
who take multiple medications are more likely to suffer from it.

If you have the following symptoms it is time to talk to your dentist and discuss
treatment of dry mouth.
1. My mouth is and throat feel dry and sticky
2. I have an ongoing need to drink water to quench my thirst with temporary
relief
3. It is difficult to speak or swallow
4. My lips are dry and cracked
5. I have been told I have bad breath
6. There is a burning sensation in my mouth
7. My tongue is dry and rough
8. I am getting more cavities

Dry mouth makes it difficult to chew, taste, swallow and speak. It also increases
the risk of cavities. Dry mouth can silence you from speaking. If you have the
symptoms listed, talk to your dentist and hygienist about your symptoms. They
can help you fight back and get effective and convenient relief.

Dr. Chanin at Diamond Dental Associates can help you evaluate your dry mouth
conditions and symptoms. Then we can discuss treatment solutions and options
to relieve your dry mouth and protect your teeth from cavities. Don’t put it off,
get a solution today.