Simple Preventative Measures

The two best defenses against tooth decay and gum disease are a healthy, well-balanced diet and good oral hygiene, including daily brushing with fluoride toothpaste, flossing and rinsing. Most public drinking water contains fluoride, but if you are unsure of your water supply, then use a good quality mouth rinse containing fluoride.

A good way to help your oral health between brushing is chewing sugarless gum; this stimulates your body’s production of saliva, a powerful chemical that actually neutralizes plaque formation and rinses decay-causing food particles and debris from your mouth.

In some cases, our office can prescribe anti-cavity rinses or apply special anti-cavity varnishes or sealants to help fight decay.

What is Tooth Decay?

Plaque is one of the biggest causes for tooth decay.

It also causes your gums to become irritated, inflamed, and in some cases, bleed.

Brushing

Brushing is the best way to remove cavity-causing plaque and other debris from your teeth.

Plaque, a colorless, sticky substance, reacts with the bacteria and decaying food particles in your mouth and when left on the teeth long enough, begins to erode the enamel.

Flossing

Floss comes in a variety of materials and colors.

Essentially, it is a very thin cord you hold between fingers of each hand and insert between adjoining teeth. The cord, or floss, helps loosen debris by gently moving it up and down and back and forth between the teeth.

Fluoride Facts

Fluoride has been held in high regard by the dental community as an important mineral that is absorbed into and strengthens tooth enamel.

Just drinking public water will provide a certain measure of fluoride protection. But for years, health professionals have endorsed the practice of supplementing our intake with certain dietary products, and topical fluorides in many toothpastes and some kinds of rinses.

Mouth Rinses

Mouth rinses can have therapeutic benefits; others are only cosmetic in nature. Some have both attributes.

The Food and Drug Administration even classifies mouth rinses this way.

Sealants

Sealants are applied by first cleaning the tooth surface.

The procedure is followed by “etching” the tooth with a chemical substance, which allows the sealant to better adhere.

X-Rays

X-rays, also called radiography, provide an important tool that shows the condition of your teeth, roots, jaw, and overall facial bone composition.

X-rays can reveal the advanced nature of periodontal disease, as well as tumors and abscesses.

Denture Care

Dentures today are made from very advanced materials designed to give you a natural appearance.

However, keep in mind that just like your teeth, dentures should be cared for with the same diligence. This means daily brushing and regular visits to your dentist.

Emergency Care

A knocked out tooth or bitten tongue can cause panic in anyone.

But quick thinking and staying calm are the best ways to approach such common dental emergencies and prevent additional unnecessary damage and costly dental restoration.

Prevention Tips for Children

Every child grows 20 primary teeth, usually by the age of 3.

These teeth are gradually replaced by the age of 12 or so with a full set of 28 permanent teeth, and later on, four molars called “wisdom teeth.”

Women and Tooth Care

Women have special needs when it comes to their oral health.

That’s because the physical changes they undergo through life-things like menstruation, pregnancy and childbirth, breast-feeding and menopause-cause many changes in the body, some harmful to teeth and gums.

Seniors and Oral Health

More and more people today are avoiding the need for dentures as they grow older.

Bucking the notion that false teeth are a normal part of growing older. In fact, there’s usually no reason for you NOT to keep your teeth your entire life, providing you maintain a healthy balanced diet and practice good oral hygiene.

Nutrition and Your Teeth

It has long been known that good nutrition and a well-balanced diet is one of the best defenses for your oral health.

Providing your body with the right amounts of vitamins and minerals helps your teeth and gums-as well as your immune system-stay strong and ward off infection, decay and disease.