Think that only sweet-tasting drinks and snacks are harmful for your teeth? Think again. Sugar isn’t the only dietary factor that can damage your smile. Foods and beverages that are high in acids wear away the enamel that protects your teeth, a process known as tooth erosion. This changes the appearance of your teeth and opens the door for bacteria that can cause cavities or infection. What Does Tooth Erosion Do to My Teeth? Tooth erosion is permanent. If your enamel has started to wear away, you may: Feel pain or sensitivity when consuming hot, cold or sweet drinks Notice a yellowish discoloration of the teeth Find that your fillings have changed Face greater risks for more cavities over time Develop an toothache, in …
Dental Erosion: Acid Reflux Effects & Prevention
Did you know your digestive health can affect your teeth? Frequent stomach upset can cause a gradual wearing away of the protective enamel on your teeth, a process known as tooth erosion. This can affect the appearance of your teeth and open the door for harmful bacteria that cause cavities. How Do Stomach Problems Affect My Teeth? Your stomach produces natural acids that help your body digest food. Sometimes, these acids travel up the throat and into the mouth, especially after a large meal. Ordinarily, our saliva rebalances the acid levels in our mouth and everything’s fine. But for those who suffer from gastroesophageal reflux, also known as acid reflux or GERD, gastric acids reach the mouth throughout the day. This process is …
Tooth Extraction & What to Do After
An extraction means to have a tooth removed, usually because of disease, trauma or crowding. If you need an extraction, our dentist will first numb the area to lessen any discomfort. After the extraction, your dentist will advise you of what post extraction regimen to follow. In most cases a small amount of bleeding is normal. Your mouth will slowly fill in the bone where the tooth root was through the formation of a blood clot. Here are some tips to follow to make recovery easier: Avoid anything that might prevent normal healing. Don’t smoke or rinse your mouth vigorously. Avoid drinking through a straw for 24 hours. Follow the diet your dentist suggests. For the first few days, if you must rinse, rinse your mouth …
5 Promises ADA Dentists Make to Their Patients
When it comes to choosing a dentist, character counts. In a 2015 survey by the American Dental Association, 69 percent of people polled said they were more likely to choose an ADA member the next time they were looking for a dentist. The reasons why are simple. Patients who took the survey said they appreciate the patient-first promise that ADA dentists make as part of the association's code of ethics. "To me, nothing matters more than doing what I do ethically, honestly and to the best of my ability," says American Dental Association spokesperson Dr. Matthew Messina. Here's a breakdown of the 5 pledges dentists make in the ADA Principles of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct and what you can expect at your next …
Endodontics
What is Endodontics? Endodontics is the specialty of dentistry that deals with the tooth pulp and tissues surrounding the root of a tooth. The pulp, which contains nerves; arterioles and venules as well as lymphatic tissue and fibrous tissue, can become diseased or injured and thus is unable to repair itself. The pulp then dies and endodontic or root canal treatment is required. General dentists may provide root canal therapy or they may refer difficult treatment cases to an endodontist for specialty care. Some of the procedures used in endodontics include: Root canal treatment - This is one of the most common procedures for treating the dental pulp in moderate-to-severe cases of tooth decay. The infected tooth is opened up at the …
Dry Socket
You probably think having a tooth pulled is not a particularly enjoyable experience. And you no doubt expect to have some discomfort afterward. But that's OK, you say. You can endure it when you need to. But if the pain becomes intense and perhaps even worsen after a few days, it may be a symptom of a condition called dry socket, or alveolar osteitis. Only a very small percentage -- about 2% to 5% of people -- develop dry socket after a tooth extraction. In those who have it, though, dry socket can be uncomfortable. Fortunately, it's easily treatable. The socket is the hole in the bone where the tooth has been removed. After a tooth is pulled, a blood clot forms in the socket to protect the bone and nerves underneath. Sometimes that …
Tips When Choosing a Dentist
The dental profession holds a special position of trust in the community and the best doctor-patient relationships are built on that trust. When you put your trust in an ADA dentist you’re choosing a dentist who has agreed to follow the ADA Principles of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct and made a professional promise to put your health and well-being first. What should I look for when choosing a dentist in Beaufort SC? You may want to call or visit more than one dentist before making your decision. Dental care is a very personalized service that requires a good relationship between the dentist and the patient. During your first visit, you should be able to determine if this is the right dentist for you. Consider the …
What is Gingivitis?
Gingivitis is a form of gum disease that happens when plaque, a naturally-occurring sticky film containing bacteria, builds up on teeth and causes the inflammation of the surrounding gum tissue. Plaque produces toxins that irritate the gums. This can cause the gums to become inflamed, making them red or puffy, or causing them to bleed. This harmful plaque bacteria can even lead to issues beyond gingivitis like weakened tooth enamel. Even with regular brushing, it's important to make sure you’re taking care of your gum line, because a healthy mouth starts there. Gingivitis occurs in 3 out of 4 of Americans during their lifetime, but with proper dental care early on, it’s easily reversed. If left untreated, gingivitis can develop into …
How Diet Relates to Your Dental Health
Your body is a complex machine. The foods you choose and how often you eat them can affect your general health and the health of your teeth and gums, too. If you consume too many sugar-filled sodas, sweetened fruit drinks or non-nutritious snacks, you could be at risk for tooth decay. Tooth decay is the single most common chronic childhood disease, but the good news is that it is entirely preventable. Tooth decay happens when plaque come into contact with sugar in the mouth, causing acid to attack the teeth. Foods that contain sugars of any kind can contribute to tooth decay. To control the amount of sugar you eat, read the nutrition facts and ingredient labels on foods and beverages and choose options that are lowest in sugar. Common …
How Diabetes affects your Oral Health
Did you know that 29.1 million people living in the United States have diabetes? That’s 9.3% of the population. Approximately 1.7 million new cases are diagnosed each year—and 8.1 million people living with diabetes don’t even know they have it. Diabetes affects your body’s ability to process sugar. All food you eat is turned to sugar and used for energy. In Type I diabetes, the body doesn’t make enough insulin, a hormone that carries sugar from your blood to the cells that need it for energy. In Type II diabetes, the body stops responding to insulin. Both cases result in high blood sugar levels, which can cause problems with your eyes, nerves, kidneys, heart and other parts of your body. So what does this have to do with that smile …