Park
Cities Dental
"The
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Got a hole in your tooth causing pain?
You probably have Tooth Decay - Cavities...
There is hope!!!
Click to see our free, no-obligation Dallas
Dental Cavity Report.
What is tooth decay, and what
causes it?
Tooth decay is the disease known as caries. Unlike other diseases,
however, caries is not life threatening and is highly preventable, though
it affects most people to some degree during their lifetime. Tooth decay
occurs when your teeth are frequently exposed to foods containing carbohydrates
(starches and sugars) like soda pop, candy, ice cream, milk, cakes, and
even fruits, vegetables and juices. Natural bacteria live in your mouth
and form plaque. The plaque interacts with deposits left on your teeth
from sugary and starchy foods to produce acids. These acids damage tooth
enamel over time by dissolving, or demineralizing, the mineral structure
of teeth, producing tooth decay and weakening the teeth.
How is caries prevented?
The acids formed by plaque can be counteracted by simple saliva
in your mouth, which acts as a buffer and remineralization agent. Dentists
often recommend chewing sugarless gum to stimulate your flow of saliva.
However, though it is the body's natural defense against caries, saliva
alone is not sufficient to combat tooth decay. The best way to prevent
caries is to brush and floss regularly. To rebuild the early damage caused
by plaque bacteria, we use fluoride, a natural substance which helps to
remineralize the tooth structure. Fluoride is added to toothpaste to fight
cavities and clean teeth. The most common source of fluoride is in the
water we drink. Fluoride is added to most community water supplies and
to many bottled and canned beverages. If you are at medium to high risk
for caries, your dentist may recommend special high concentration fluoride
gels, mouth rinses, or dietary fluoride supplements. Your dentist may also
use professional strength anti-cavity varnish, or sealants- thin, plastic
coatings that provide an extra barrier against food and debris.
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Laser Cavity detector, Diagnodent.
Who is at risk for caries?
Because we all carry bacteria in our mouths, everyone
is at risk for caries. Those with a diet high in carbohydrates and sugary
foods and those who live in communities without fluoridated water are likely
candidates for caries. And because the area around a restored portion of
a tooth is a good breeding ground for bacteria, those with a lot of fillings
have a higher chance of developing tooth decay. Children and senior citizens
are the two groups at highest risk for caries.
What can I do to help protect
my teeth?
The best way to combat caries and cavities is to follow
three simple steps:
1. Cut down on sweets and between-meal snacks. Remember, it's these sugary and starchy treats that put your teeth at extra risk.
2. Brush after every meal and floss daily. Cavities most often begin in hard-to-clean areas between teeth and in the fissures and pits- the edges in the tooth crown and gaps between teeth. Hold the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle and brush inside, outside and between your teeth and on the top of your tongue. Be sure the bristles are firm, not bent, and replace the toothbrush after a few weeks to safeguard against reinfecting your mouth with old bacteria that can collect on the brush. Only buy toothpastes and rinses that contain fluoride (antiseptic rinses also help remove plaque) and that bear the American Dental Association seal of acceptance logo on the package. Children under six should only use a small pea-sized dab of toothpaste on the brush and should spit out as much as possible because a child's developing teeth are sensitive to higher fluoride levels. Finally, because caries is a transmittable disease, toothbrushes should never be shared, especially with your children.
3. See your dentist at least every six months for checkups and professional cleanings. Because caries can be difficult to detect, a thorough dental examination is very important. If you get a painful toothache, if your teeth are very sensitive to hot or cold foods, or if you notice signs of decay like white spots, tooth discolorations or cavities, make an appointment right away. The longer you wait to treat infected teeth the more intensive and lengthy the treatment will be. Left neglected, caries can lead to root canal infection, permanent deterioration of decayed tooth substance and even loss of the tooth itself.
Sources: The medical management of dental caries, by Burton L. Edelstein, DDS, Journal of the American Dental Association, Jan. 1994; How severe is the threat of caries to old teeth? by M.l. MacEntee, et al., Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry, May 1994; Tooth decay, American Dental Association, 1994; Modern management of dental caries: the cutting edge is not the dental bur, by Maxwell H. Anderson, DDS, et. al., JADA, June 1993; Changing paradigms in caries management, by Maxwell H. Anderson, DDS, Periodontology and Restorative Dentistry, March 1992; Preventing dental caries: breaking the chain of transmission, by Ernest Newbrun, DMD, JADA, June 1992; Prevention of dental caries, by Andrew J. RuggGunn, Dental Update, Jan/Feb 1990; Preventive dentistry: dental caries, by John C. Greene, DMD, et al., Journal of the American Medical Association, Dec. 22/29, 1989. This information was compiled for you by the Academy of General Dentistry Your dentist cares about long-term dental health for you and your family and demonstrates that concern by belonging to the Academy of General Dentistry As one of the 36,000 general dentists in the United States and Canada who are members of the AGD, your dentist participates in an ongoing program of professional development and continuing education to remain current with advances in the profession and to provide quality patient treatment.
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Send comments to: Dr. J. Eric Hibbs