Tips To Reduce Cavities

Cavities, decay or caries are not only the same kind of dental pathology, but also one of the most common in the world. Cavities form on tooth surfaces due to certain bacteria in the mouth metabolizing sugars and producing acids that essentially break down or demineralize tooth structures. These bacteria typically live in the plaque that builds up on teeth. Dental plaque is a biofilm, usually a pale yellow, that develops naturally on the teeth. Like any biofilm, dental plaque is formed by colonizing bacteria trying to attach themselves to the tooth's smooth surface. Here are some useful tips to reduce the incidence of cavities:

1) Limit sugars and starchy, sticky foods- By doing this you are not feeding the bacteria and in turn less acids are produced.

2) Brush twice and floss once a day- This will physically remove the plaque(and bacteria) from all the tooth surfaces.

3) Use fluoridated products- Fluoride is a naturally occurring chemical that can reverse the process of cavity formation by remineralizing tooth structures. We recommend fluoridated toothpastes and mouthwashes. In-office fluoride treatments after professional cleanings are extremely beneficial.

4) Visit your dentist regularly- Biannual exams and cleanings will ensure that all plaque and/or calculus is removed, hygiene practices can be reviewed and fine tuned and any pathology present can be discovered early and treated. 

5) Chew sugar-free gum- this practice has been proven to clean tooth surfaces and reduce cavity formation.

If you follow these directions carefully, you are a lot less likely to develop cavities in the future.

The Human Connection

As a certified general practitioner and prosthodontist, I've been providing quality dental care for twenty two years. I love what I do and get a lot of satisfaction from helping people with their dental needs and wants. What I do is very detail oriented and quite often the outcome of a case depends on many technicalities. Things like a good preparation, a detailed impression, excellent lab work and many other nuances. When all these steps are done well, you end up with a highly satisfactory result.

However, through all these years I've come to realize that most important is that human connection between myself and the patient. Recently I completed a fairly sophisticated full mouth case. As usual we got a clinically excellent result. What made it so much more special was the rapport that had developed between myself and our patient. We had become more friends than doctor/patient and I found that this personal connection is much more gratifying than a purely clinical happy ending.

In conclusion I would add that the best possible scenario consists of both a clinically superior approach and a more emotional connection!

       

Sugar is the Enemy

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Not only does laughter make you feel good, but it is also good for you......

Here are some unexpected benefits:

Your child's first visit to the dentist.

In the United States, approximately 4 million preschoolers are living with tooth decay. You can help your children prevent this serious condition by scheduling regular dental checkups for them every 6 months.

This infographic from a pediatric dentist explains more....

Prevention

Prevention is absolutely key in maintaining a healthy mouth!

The vast majority of dental pathologies are preventable. Most dental problems including dental decay and gum disease start out small and if not addressed will slowly progress into bigger problems. The more advanced these problems become, the more complicated it will be to treat them. It is a cascade of events that will eventually lead to tooth loss and compromised function. Once some irreversible damage has occurred there is no going back. This is exactly why prevention is so very important.

The good news is that a large part of prevention is actually a very simple regimen of home care and hygiene. Things like brushing regularly, flossing regularly and smarter diet considerations when adopted early on are guaranteed to ensure a lifetime of oral health.. The most common pathologies of the mouth are caused by plaque and certain oral bacteria. In other words if plaque and bacteria are not cleaned from surfaces of teeth eventually they will cause tooth and gum breakdown. I've been in private practice for over twenty years and it is completely amazing to me how such simple practices can prevent such debilitating and life changing damage. The general public can have a hard time accepting responsibility for their dental woes. I have heard often how people tend to blame their oral problems on everything but themselves. Where in actuality it was their own negligence that got them in hot water. Unfortunately many people don't realize the importance of prevention until it is partially too late.

For those who have had some issues already, it is not too late to change your ways. No matter how bad things have gotten, one can still take control and create a better future!