Common Causes of Tooth Decay

Tooth decay is occurred by germs(bacteria) in your mouth make acids that eat away at your tooth. Permanently damaged areas in teeth that develop into tiny holes. The hard outer layer is called enamel. The middle layer is called dentin. The center of the tooth is called the pulp. It contains nerves and blood vessels.

 

The more layers that are affected by decay, the worse the damage. Eating foods that are high in sugar and other carbohydrates, which feed the bacteria in your mouth. Not getting enough fluoride. Fluoride helps prevent tooth decay by making teeth more resistant to acids produced by plaque. As the bacteria feed, they make acids.

 

The acids attack the teeth for 20 minutes or more after you eat. Over time, these acids destroy tooth enamel which causes tooth decay. The more layers that are affected by decay, the worse the damage.

 

Common Causes of Tooth Decay are:

• Not brushing and flossing your teeth regularly
• Foods with high sugar along with carbohydrates causing bacteria
• Not enough fluoride
• Not enough saliva
• Diabetes
• Smoking

 

You can help prevent tooth decay by following these tips

Fluoride is a mineral that can prevent tooth decay from progressing. It can even reverse, or stop, early tooth decay. Fluoride works to protect teeth. It prevents mineral loss in tooth enamel and replaces lost minerals. It reduces the ability of bacteria to make acid.

 

If your dentist thinks you need more fluoride to keep your teeth healthy, he or she may apply a fluoride gel or varnish to tooth surfaces, prescribe fluoride tablets, or recommend using a fluoride mouth rinse.

 

Remember every time we eat or drink something that contains sugar or starches, bacteria in our mouth use the sugar and starch to produce acids. These acids begin to eat away at the tooth’s enamel. Our saliva can help fight off this acid attack. Brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste. Clean between your teeth daily with floss or interdental cleaner. Eat nutritious and balanced meals and limit snacking.

 

Visit your dentist regularly for professional cleanings and oral examination.

 

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Houston, TX 77002
(832) 304-2447
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How Long Will Dental Sealants Last

Even someone with a fastidious dental hygiene routine can be at risk for cavities. Certain people are simply more prone to dental caries due to the shape and structure of their teeth – not because they don’t brush regularly. If your dentist notices you (or someone in your family) is prone to advanced decay despite good oral hygiene, he or she may suggest using dental sealants to help keep the teeth healthy.

 

Of course, concerns are normal: How long do sealants last? Will the application hurt? Here’s a little more about why dental sealants.

 

Why Dental Sealants?

Dentists don’t suggest sealants to all of their patients. Rather, they’re usually reserved for individuals who are especially prone to cavities, such as teens and young kids – including those who still have baby teeth. Sealants are designed to fill the deep pits and grooves of your molars, which are uniquely susceptible to caries because they’re known to trap food particles in these areas of the teeth. When bacteria become trapped in this way, it’s often a recipe for cavities, so the sealants protect the tooth from caries altogether.

 

Applying sealants before decay starts, as noted by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), allows the sealant to block the area of bacteria and food particles from attaching to the surface of the teeth. This could be a great option for a cavitiy-prone individual.

 

Will They Hurt?

It’s understandable to be nervous about a dental procedure with which you have no prior experience. But dental sealants are virtually painless. The majority of them are made with liquid resin, which is then brushed onto the teeth so it can harden. The process only takes a few minutes, including application and drying. In fact, the procedure may be on offer in the dental center of some schools.

 

Once applied, the resin dries into a hard, plastic-like material in just a few seconds or when using a light to cure the sealant material. The material is invisible and won’t feel any different than the surfaces of your natural teeth.

 

How Long Do Sealants Last? Can I Extend Their Wear?

Once your sealants have been applied, the NIDCR estimates they can last up to 10 years with proper care. You won’t have to have them removed; instead, sealants gradually wear away over time, allowing you to receive new sealants as needed. Nonetheless, their hardened plastic material holds up remarkably well as long as you avoid behavior that puts undue stress on your teeth – such as using your teeth to open tough food packaging.

 

Once your sealants have been applied, your dentist will check on them each time you come in for a cleaning. He or she can even reapply if they seem to be wearing faster than usual, just to make sure your teeth are protected from the bacteria that can calcify into tartar when you’re not in the dentist’s chair.

 

Keep in mind sealants aren’t the only way to ward off cavities, and are definitely not a substitute for regular oral care. If you or your child is especially prone to cavities, use products such as Colgate® Cavity Protection, which contains sodium monofluorophosphate fluoride – proven to protect teeth from the common cavity.

 

If you’re wondering if dental sealants are the right choice for you or your child, ask your dentist about them during your next checkup. Provided you’re the right type of candidate, sealants may be an excellent solution for warding off cavities and keeping your smile healthy.

 

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Oral Hygiene for Teenagers

Oral hygiene for teenagers is the best way for teenager to keep a bright healthy smile. They should continue the great oral hygiene habits begin in early childhood. Maintaining healthy teeth and gums is very important for overall health at any age. Teenager’s care a lot about their appearance so help your teen understand that bad oral hygiene can lead to bad breath, stains, missing teeth and a lot of other dental problems. Whether or not you wear braces or other orthodontic treatment that’s very important is brushing and flossing your teeth daily.

 

Teenagers can be tough on their teeth. They may be so busy with school, jobs, sports and social activities that they don’t find time to brush. They also tend to eat a lot of junk food. Combine the two and you’ve got a situation ripe for tooth decay. Not surprisingly, many teenagers develop a lot of cavities.

 

Here are a few tips to help your child get through the teen years cavity-free:

• Encourage your teenager to take good care of his or her teeth. This means brushing at least twice a day and flossing daily. Teenagers care a lot about how they look. Help your teen understand that bad oral hygiene can lead to stains, bad breath, missing teeth and many other dental problems.
• Set a good example. If you take good care of your teeth, your teenager will see that good oral hygiene is important to you. Your talks and warnings will not seem hypocritical and will carry greater weight.
• Set a good example. If you take good care of your teeth, your teenager will see that good oral hygiene is important to you. Your talks and warnings will not seem hypocritical and will carry greater weight.
• Have plenty of oral health-care supplies on hand. Keep soft toothbrushes, colored or flavored floss (or plastic flossers) and good-tasting toothpaste out in the bathroom. You can even keep them in the kitchen for quick use when teens are in a hurry.
• Don’t buy junk food. Instead, keep lots of fruits and vegetables in the house for snacking.

 

 

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Bad Breath Halitosis

What bad habits cause bad breath?

If you don’t floss and brush your teeth daily, food particles can remain in your mouth, promoting bacterial growth between teeth, on the tongue and around the gums. This produces bad breath. Antibacterial mouth rinses also can help decrease bacteria.

In addition, food particles and odor-causing bacteria can cause bad breath if dentures are not properly cleaned.

Avoid chewing or smoking tobacco-based products also can cause bad breath, stain teeth, decrease your ability to taste foods, and irritate your gums.

 

What procedures and products can I use to eliminate bad breath?

An antiseptic mouthwash can help eliminate bacteria that cause bad breath. Ask your dentist about which product is best for you. If you wear dentures, remove them at night and clean to get rid of bacterial buildup from food and liquids. Drink plenty of water and swish cool water around in your mouth. This is especially helpful to freshen “morning breath.” Brush after every meal and floss, preferably twice a day. Replace your toothbrush every two to three months.

 

Arrange regular dental checkups and cleanings. Scrape your tongue each morning with a tongue scraper or spoon to decrease the bacteria, fungi, and dead cells that can cause odor. Hold the tip of the tongue with gauze to pull it forward in order to clean the back of the tongue.

Chew a handful of cloves, fennel seeds, or aniseeds. Their antiseptic qualities help fight halitosis-causing bacteria.

 

Chew a piece of lemon or orange rind for a mouth- freshening burst of flavor. (Wash the rind thoroughly first.) The citric acid will stimulate the salivary glands—and fight bad breath.

Chew a fresh sprig of parsley, basil, mint, or cilantro. The chlorophyll in these green plants neutralizes odors.Try a 30-second mouthwash rinse that is alcohol-free (unike many off-the-shelf products). Mix a cup of water with a teaspoon of baking soda (which changes the pH level and fights odor in the mouth) and a few drops of antimicrobial peppermint essential oil. Don’t swallow it! Yields several rinses.

 

 

Ask your dentist about which antiseptic mouthwash product is best for you.

 

 

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