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Are you battling with tooth plaque? Feel that layer of gunk that coats your teeth and makes them a little fuzzy and not quite clean? Your pearly whites are our first priority, and plaque can cause long lasting dental damage. We’re here to help you attack that plaque to ensure you have your best smile possible, 24/7!
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Tooth decay can take a significant toll on your dental health and cause not just serious problems such as loss of teeth. It can also make daily tasks such as eating and drinking difficult. Additionally, it might cause you to feel self-conscious about how you look when you smile or talk. To prevent these problems, it is essential to tackle tooth decay. Here are some ways to ensure that tooth decay does not take a toll on your health.
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Your dentist gives you tips about good dental hygiene, so why might there be information offered that you would consider unexpected? Because these tips may be different from what you might expect to hear from your dentist. Let’s review them:
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We all know the basics of dental hygiene, brush and floss at least twice a day, avoid hard foods that could crack your teeth, and stay away from lots of acid to keep your enamel strong. One of the biggest issues many of us have that we don’t even always notice is grinding. It can ruin your teeth, and lots of people do it in their sleep without knowing! Dr. Lattinelli and the rest of our staff put together a little guide to help you find out if you’re grinding your teeth and what to do to prevent it.
Diabetes is a serious disease which can affect many parts of your body. Your mouth, teeth, and gums should not be ignored if you have high blood sugar. Diabetes can impair your body’s ability to fight infections, so it is imperative to pay attention to any signs of dental issues. These can include:
We all know that we’re supposed to brush twice a day, floss, and visit the dentist regularly for checkups, but we like to remind our patients of all the things that are important to avoid as well! Here are ten of the worst things you can do for your teeth:
After you have lost your baby teeth, you assume your days of having loose teeth are over. So when an adult tooth becomes loose, it is a reason to worry. Having loose adult teeth can mean that a ligament, which normally suspends the tooth, isn't functioning properly. There might also be damage to your gums or jaw bone, according to Dear Doctor.
So how does this damage happen? Why do teeth become loose? Dear Doctor claims there are three reasons for ligament damage.
The alarm buzzes, you apprehensively hit snooze and with effort bring yourself out of bed and onto your feet. Your day does not begin until you have that much-needed cup of coffee in the morning. You have your cup at home, take it on the go with you, stop at your local coffee shop on the way to work or brew it at the office. And so your Daily Grind begins. So what happens to your dental heath with each cup?
As a coffee drinker, you could receive unpleasant effects from drinking coffee. Effects such as teeth stains, enamel erosion, and bad breath A.K.A coffee breath. Drinking a high caffeinated black cup of coffee can destroy the bacteria in your mouth that is responsible for plaque build-up. There’s a positive!
One of the most noticeable and common impacts on the mouth that drinking coffee can cause is staining. Because your teeth enamel is porous, that dark-colored coffee can penetrate and create stains. Having regular dental cleanings will help eliminate some of these surface stains.
Another not so great effect coffee has on your mouth is enamel erosion. Over time, your enamel can begin to have erosion due to the acid in your coffee. A way to help prevent or lessen the amount of erosion is to drink your coffee through a straw and swish your mouth with water after drinking coffee. You may want to brush but because your enamel will be vulnerable after drinking the coffee, it is best to wait at least one hour prior to brushing. This will help prevent any damage that brushing could cause while your enamel is weak.
The caffeine in coffee can dry out saliva in your mouth. The result is bad breath. Bacteria grows more quickly in the mouth when there is no saliva to cleanse the bacteria. This can lead to that unpleasant coffee-breath. Chewing a sugar-free gum can help get rid of that unwanted lingering bacteria.
On the plus side, coffee high in caffeine may actually help destroy certain bacteria that causes dental plaques. But only if you drink it black.
As with anything there are pros and cons. You can still enjoy your coffee and have a healthy smile.
Visiting Dr. Lattinelli and Associates for routine dental office check-ups will ensure you have a healthy mouth and happy smile while still being able to enjoy your daily cup of coffee. We have an experienced team to treat all of your individual dental needs. Give us a call to schedule your check-up today!
Our dentist is interested in more than just your teeth. Your entire mouth is under our care. That’s why, during your checkups, our dentist will check for any signs of oral cancer. The American Dental Association has recommendations to help your dentist check for signs of oral cancer. If any symptoms are present, you will probably be seen again in a few weeks and if symptoms persist, be referred to a specialist.
Our dentist look for:
Be sure to tell our dentist about any of these symptoms right away.
You can avoid many of the risk factors associated with oral cancer. Smoking puts you at risk, as does drinking more than two drinks a day. Even smokeless tobacco products can increase the risk of oral lesions. A diet low in fruits and vegetables also seems to increase the chances of oral cancer. Excessive exposure to the sun can cause lip cancer. It’s best to avoid these behaviors to decrease your risk, and be sure to visit our dental office regularly.
No one wants cavities, or to have to have their teeth drilled and filled. Tooth decay is caused by bacteria and acids, which cause plaque that clings to the teeth. The acid in the plaque dissolves tooth enamel, leading to cavities. They are unsightly, painful, and expensive, so the best method to prevent cavities is by preventing tooth decay with regular visits to our dental office.
One great way to start preventing tooth decay is by avoiding sugary and starchy foods, like cereals, soda, fruits, cakes or candy. Carbohydrates such as pretzels and chips can remain on the tooth surfaces. Eat nutritious and balanced meals and limit snacks. Make sure you brush your teeth regularly, at least twice a day. The American Dental Association recommends using fluoride toothpaste while brushing after each meal and before going to bed. You also should clean between your teeth using floss or interdental cleaners.
Visiting our dentist regularly for professional cleanings is essential in preventing tooth decay. You should see our cosmetic dentist Hygienists at least twice a year. After your oral exam, your dentist might recommend a dental sealant to prevent tooth decay. This is a plastic protective coating that is applied to your chewing teeth. Your dentist may also recommend the use of supplemental fluoride, or a fluoride rinse. Taking these easy steps will help you prevent tooth decay, and keep you in good oral health!