Have you ever felt pain or discomfort after a bite of ice cream or a spoonful of hot soup? If so, you’re not alone. While pain caused by hot or cold foods could be a sign of a cavity, it’s also common in people who have sensitive teeth. Tooth sensitivity, or “dentin hypersensitivity,” is exactly what it sounds like: pain or discomfort in the teeth as a response to certain stimuli, such as hot or cold temperatures. It may be temporary or a chronic problem, and it can affect one tooth, several teeth, or all the teeth in a single individual. It can have a number of different causes, but most cases of sensitive teeth are easily treated with a change in your oral hygiene regimen. Symptoms of sensitive teeth People with sensitive …
Can You Remineralize Tooth Enamel?
At first glance, “tooth remineralization” sounds like some sort of constructive oral surgery—but no worries—it’s just another term to describe strengthening your teeth against decay and cavities through increasing the minerals in your teeth. Tooth and enamel remineralization is a relatively simple process. Did you know that by maintaining the right pH balance in your saliva, avoiding certain foods, and choosing a decay-fighting fluoride toothpaste, you’re already working toward tooth and enamel remineralization? What is the Mineralization of Teeth? Before discussing methods for remineralizing teeth, it’s essential to understand the naturally occurring tooth remineralization process and demineralization. According to the …
The Facts About Fluoride Toothpaste
There are many different types of toothpaste on the market that are used to reduce tartar, prevent cavities, and improve gum health. Around 90 percent of these contain fluoride, a mineral found in relatively low concentrations in fresh and seawater. Depending on where you live, the water supply may also be fluoridated to reduce the risk of cavities, especially in kids. Fluoride toothpaste by far provides a higher concentration of the mineral than any other source. Fluoride's effectiveness in promoting dental health has been long established and is considered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to be "one of 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century." Despite this, there is ongoing debate as to whether fluoride …
The difference between Plaque & Tarter
WE OFTEN GET THE QUESTION from our patients, “What’s the difference between plaque and tartar?” Many people think they are the same thing. There is an important difference between the two, however, and it can help explain just why a daily oral hygiene routine is so crucial, as well as twice-yearly visits to your dentist. Your teeth are tough. Covered by enamel, the hardest substance in your body, your teeth can handle a lot of wear and tear. But if you allow plaque to build up and harden, you may be at risk of developing tartar. Tartar can wreak havoc on your dental health and lead to gum disease. That’s why it’s important to know the difference between plaque and tartar, how to prevent both, and what to do if you notice buildup on …
What is Tarter?
Tartar — also known as calculus — is an accumulation of plaque and minerals from your saliva that harden. Tartar can coat the exterior of teeth and invade below the gumline. Tartar feels like a crusty blanket on teeth. Because it’s porous, food and drink can easily stain tartar. Tartar deposits, which often settle behind and in between teeth, appear yellow or brown. Tartar, and its precursor, plaque, can both wreak havoc on your dental health. Tartar and plaque can: cause bad breath, from bacteria buildup destroy enamel, the hard outer layer of teeth, which can in turn, lead to tooth sensitivity, cavities, and even tooth loss promote gum disease Stop tartar by stopping plaque Plaque can harden into tartar in a …
What is Plaque?
Plaque is a sticky film that forms on your teeth every day: You know, that slippery/fuzzy coating you feel when you first wake up. Scientists call plaque a “biofilm” because it’s actually a community of living microbes surrounded by a gluey polymer layer. The sticky coating helps the microbes attach to surfaces in your mouth so they can grow into thriving micro-colonies. The difference between plaque and tartar When plaque isn’t regularly removed, it can accumulate minerals from your saliva and harden into an off-white or yellow substance called tartar. Tartar builds up along your gumline on the fronts and backs of your teeth. Although an attentive flossing may dislodge some tartar buildup, you’ll probably need to visit a …
Osteoporosis & Oral Health
Researchers have discovered that dental x-rays are highly effective in identifying patients who have osteoporosis as compared to patients with normal bone density. Since most people see their dentist more often than they see their doctor, your dentist may be the one to help identify low bone density. Low bone density is an indicator for osteoporosis. The older you get, the greater your risk for osteoporosis. What is Osteoporosis? Osteoporosis is a medical condition in which the bones lose density. This causes them to become brittle and fracture more easily. Osteoporosis means “porous bone.” If you’ve ever seen a pork or beef bone, you know how dense they are. You may have also noticed that they aren’t solid. In fact, they have a …
The Risks of Oral Piercings
Body piercing is a popular form of self-expression. Oral piercings or tongue splitting may look cool, but they can be dangerous to your health. That’s because your mouth contains millions of bacteria, and infection and swelling often occur with mouth piercings. For instance, your mouth and tongue could swell so much that you close off your airway or you could possibly choke if part of the jewelry breaks off in your mouth. In some cases, you could crack a tooth if you bite down too hard on the piercing, and repeated clicking of the jewelry against teeth can also cause damage. Oral piercing could also lead to more serious infections, like hepatitis or endocarditis. If you pierce your tongue, lips, cheeks or uvula (the tiny tissue that hangs …
Oral Cancer Risk, Symptoms & Prevention
Oral cancer is divided into two categories – those occurring in the oral cavity (your lips, the inside of your lips and cheeks, teeth, gums, the front two-thirds of your tongue and the floor and roof of your mouth) and those occurring in the oropharynx (middle region of the throat, including the tonsils and base of the tongue). Early detection may result in better treatment outcomes and may help keep you or someone you love from becoming one of the 10,030 people whose lives may be claimed this year by the disease. The 5-year survival rate of those diagnosed is approximately 60 percent. Where Can Oral Cancer Appear? The oral cavity includes your lips, cheek lining, gums, front part of your tongue, floor of the mouth beneath the tongue …
Mouthwash Types & Facts
While not a replacement for daily brushing and flossing, use of mouthwash (also called mouthrinse) may be a helpful addition to the daily dental hygiene routine for some people. Why Use Mouthwash? Just like dental floss, interdental brushes, and water flossers, mouthwash can get in between teeth. Reaching areas that your toothbrush can’t get to helps to reduce the risk of cavities and gum disease. Mouthwash can help: Prevent or control tooth decay Reduce plaque (a thin film of bacteria that forms on teeth) Prevent or reduce gingivitis (an early stage of gum disease) Reduce the speed that tartar (hardened plaque) forms on the teeth or to produce a combination of these effects Freshen breath Types of Mouthwash There …