Our Blog

1.Cavities are a form of tooth decay

Tooth decay is a scary term. It brings up images of rotting, yellowing and crooked teeth that most of us don’t like to think about.

While it takes a lot of decay for teeth to end up like that, tooth decay does have adverse effects on our overall health. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, 26 percent of adults between the ages of 20 and 64 have some form of tooth decay that has been untreated.

When left like this, the decay can spread and cause a much bigger problem than a cavity and simple filling.

2.There are no age limits to cavities

Cavities can form as early as your first tooth and as late as your last tooth. For infant children who are first starting out with teeth, it is important to get them to the dentist within 6 months of their first tooth sprouting. A dentist will keep an eye on their tooth development and help teach you how to care for your infant’s teeth as they progress.

On the other hand, more mature patients are seeing an increase in the number of cavities in their teeth. This is oftentimes because of medicines that dry out the saliva in their mouth – and saliva protects the teeth from damaging bacteria.

3.Sugar (sort of) rots your teeth

Sugar and other carbohydrates often kick-start acid production from bacteria in your mouth. This acid is what wears down your teeth and their resistance to cavities. Surprisingly, carbohydrates can be found in almost anything but protein – so just take care of your teeth after you eat.

4.Prevention is your best defense against cavities

Once you have a cavity, the decay can be stopped and the tooth patched – but the decay cannot be reversed. That is why it is so important for you to maintain a good oral hygiene routine.

Brushing, flossing and using a mouth rinse will help ensure you are cleaning as much bad bacteria off of your teeth as possible. Regular check-ups at the dentist will help clean any areas you missed (and keep you adjusting your brushing and flossing to account for those missed spaces).

5.You cannot always tell when you have a cavity

In fact, if you wait until you think you have a cavity to sit in the dentist’s chair for a check-up, the decay has oftentimes done more damage than if it was caught when it started at a regular check-up. Dentists have years of training and practice looking for signs of tooth decay in your mouth. Plus, they can really examine every surface of your teeth up close.

Experts recommend you visit your dentist at least once every six months for a thorough cleaning and just to be sure there’s nothing that needs to be fixed.

Tooth decay can be scary – but it is controllable. With a proper oral hygiene routine practiced regularly, bi-annual check-ups at the dentists and treating cavities right away, your adult teeth can last you a long time without giving you any major problems. If you’re behind on your check-ups, give our office a call today!

Bad breath is very common. In fact, about 45% of people have some form of bad breath, according to The Bad Breath Insitute. Medically known as halitosis or malodor, bad breath is not a painful condition but it can have severe outcomes.

What Causes Bad Breath?

According to most dentists, bad breath can be the result of plaque on your teeth or tongue, stomach problems, tooth decay, and several other conditions.

The best way to solve this problem is, of course, to visit a dentist, who will inspect your condition and find the cause. This is important because you can’t get rid of bad breath until you know the real reason for it.

Sometimes it’s only due to poor dental hygiene, like not brushing or flossing regularly. Food particles left in the mouth can begin to rot, which causes bad breath and can lead to other serious dental issues as well.

Causes of Bad Breath Include:
•Throat or mouth infections
•Cavities
•Gum disease
•Tonsils
•Throat or mouth cancers
•Sinus infections
•Nasal polyps
•Diabetes
•Digestive system disorders
•Lung problems
•Liver disease

According to Statistics from the Journal of Natural Science, Biology, and Medicine, about 90% of the people who have bad breath have it as a result of an oral source, mostly cavities or gum disease, tonsils, and cracked filling.

Eating certain foods, such as garlic or onion, can also cause you to have bad breath, but the outcome is usually temporary and nothing to worry about. Other habits, such as smoking and chewing tobacco, can also cause you to have bad breath. The results of those habits can be long-term and you’ll have to quit them to have good breath again.

Why You Should Worry about Bad Breath

Bad breath can be tough on the people around you. You can’t always be sure if your breath smells good or not because you are used to it. However, people around you can always smell it.

Moreover, it can also often be a sign of something more serious. Bad breath can be an indicator of gum issues and other dental problems including cavities. So it’s important that you visit a dentist and get yourself checked to make sure there are no underlying causes.

How Can I Tell if My Breath Stinks?

As mentioned earlier, you can’t always tell if you have a bad breath. Remember that it is normal to have bad breath in the morning. It usually disappears once you brush. However, if it continues throughout the day then it may be a sign of something serious.

If you do not know how your breath smells, but you want to find out, you can ask a trusted friend or your family members for help. It may sound a little disgusting but it’s the best way to know how your breath truly smells.

In case you don’t want to ask someone to smell your breath, you can also opt for a self-test. Lick your hand, and then take a whiff. What you smell is your true breath. Blowing air and smelling it will not give you true results.

How to Get Rid of Bad Breath?

If your breath smells bad, it can be very hard for you to find the cause of it. So, we recommended that you visit a dentist and ask for a professional opinion.

We can help you not only find the cause of bad breath but also fight it. We’ll analyze your condition and give you the right tips to help get rid of bad breath.

In most cases, improving dental hygiene, changing toothpaste, and using a decent mouthwash can do the trick. However, if your bad breath is due to something serious then another treatment may be recommended.

Parents wait with great anticipation for their child’s first tooth, but few think about the proper care that tooth may require even before it makes its first exciting appearance. Teaching your children about proper dental hygiene from an early age can make it a fun and regular part of their daily schedule.

Cleaning Gums and Teeth

Even before your child has teeth, you will want to use dental wipes or a warm cloth to wipe their gums and mouth after nursing or bottle-feeding. This will prevent breast milk or formula (both of which contain sugars) from pooling on their gums and causing decay.
Once your child has sprouted teeth regular cleaning after meals with a soft toothbrush will help keep them strong and healthy.

Teaching children to rinse their mouth after a meal when they cannot brush is also a good way to instill good dental habits.

Proper Brushing Techniques

Since children can often be over zealous with brushing, you should guide them in proper techniques. Using up and down or circular motion is much more effective than vigorous side-to-side motions, which can cause gums to become sore and inflamed. Children should also brush for at least two minutes. If your child has trouble with this task, there are several timers or apps available, which can make it more fun and help them brush for the right amount of time.

Flossing Early and Often

Flossing can take some dexterity and children will not be ready to do it on their own until they have the fine motor skills to accomplish the task. However, you should introduce flossing as soon as children have teeth that are touching. This will not only help keep food and debris from building up between teeth but it will make flossing something that is familiar and expected.

Proper and Reliable Equipment

Starting with the soft cloth or wipes that are used for infants to the high-end electronic toothbrushes available for tweens and teens there is a variety of equipment for every stage of your child’s dental development. Musical toothbrushes or those that light up can help the child who is reluctant to brush and flavored floss is a wonderful way to introduce floss to a child who might be hesitant to try it.

Early and Regular Dental Appointments

Another important component is early and consistent dental care. Some dentists will see infants prior to their first tooth but in most cases, you should schedule an appointment within six months of the first tooth breaking through the gums. Appointments at this age will be short and ensure that teeth are developing properly. As children grow, you can expect to see cleanings and x-rays added in, but with early dental exposure, children should feel less anxious and see their dentist as a friend and not someone to be feared.
Remember, you are your child’s first teacher and it is up to you to set the standard and create a positive and healthy dental hygiene routine that will carry your child from first baby tooth to final permanent molar

They say, “nothing you wear is more important than your smile.” A great smile is worth a thousand words. It shows confidence, happiness, and fun. However, it does take a little work to keep it that way. Luckily, we provide some daily tips to help keep your teeth healthy and help you prevent dental problems.

Brushing your teeth is important. It helps to wash away germs and bacteria that can cause tooth decay and gum disease. The American Dental Association recommends you should brush your teeth at least twice a day, for two minutes each time. Use a soft bristle toothbrush, and brush both your teeth and tongue. For added germ-fighting protection, use a toothpaste with fluoride.

Make sure you brush every morning. Plaque builds up overnight causing bacteria that leads to bad breath. If you have a cup of coffee in the morning, wait at least 30 minutes to brush your teeth. Because of how acidic coffee is, it could cause a lot of damage to your teeth if you brush too soon.

You should also add flossing to your daily routine. Flossing helps remove food and buildup between the teeth and along the gum line that brushing misses.

Can Certain Foods Cause Dental Problems?

Certain foods you eat, whether or not you are a daily brusher/flosser, can break down the enamel, cause tooth decay, and other serious dental problems. Sugary beverages like soda cause acid in your mouth that break down your teeth’s enamel. When the enamel begins to break down, your teeth are more prone to decay. It is best to avoid soda, even diet soda.

Candy also isn’t the best choice if your goal is a healthy mouth. We aren’t saying to avoid it at all costs, but if you want to indulge once in a while, choose your candy wisely. Sticky and chewy candy like gummies, dried fruit, and suckers. Because it takes a while to eat these candies, they tend to stick to your teeth much longer, giving the acid and bacteria from the sugar more time to do its damage.

Can You Take Too Good of Care of Your Teeth?

Yes! It may sound silly but, you actually can overbrush your teeth. Brushing too many times a day or for longer than 4 minutes at a time, could begin to wear down the enamel of your teeth. As mentioned earlier, this makes your teeth more prone to tooth decay and other problems.

In addition to brushing too much, you also want to avoid brushing too hard. You can damage the enamel of your teeth or your gums. If you damage your gums, the tissue around your teeth can become weak, allowing bacteria to get into your teeth.

Taking good care of your teeth can help avoid future dental problems. Brushing twice a day, flossing, and avoiding high sugar foods and beverages can also help keep your teeth healthy.