What Is Tooth Decay
And What Causes It?
Tooth decay is the
disease known as caries or
cavities. Unlike other
diseases, however, caries is
not life threatening and is
highly preventable, though
it affects most people to
some degree during their
lifetime.
Tooth decay occurs when your
teeth are frequently exposed
to foods containing
carbohydrates (starches and
sugars) like soda pop,
candy, ice cream, milk,
cakes, and even fruits,
vegetables and juices.
Natural bacteria live in
your mouth and form plaque.
The plaque interacts with
deposits left on your teeth
from sugary and starchy
foods to produce acids.
These acids damage tooth
enamel over time by
dissolving, or
demineralizing, the mineral
structure of teeth,
producing tooth decay and
weakening the teeth.
What
Can Be Done For Ulcers Or
Canker Sores In The Mouth?
Ulcers are very difficult
to treat. There is no proven
technique that will
eliminate ulcers or speed
the recovery time once they
appear. There are a few
medications that will give
temporary relief from the
pain, but they need to be
started as soon as symptoms
appear. Ulcers will
generally diminish and
disappear in two weeks.
How Can I Stop Grinding My
Teeth At Night?
Grinding your teeth can
be very damaging to the
teeth and also difficult to
stop. If vigorous grinding
occurs at night, teeth can
be worn down to the gumline
because the instinctive
reflex to stop does not work
while you are sleeping.
Grinding due to stress can
only be cured by removing
the stress trigger. If
grinding continues, a
nightguard may be prescribed
to prevent ultimate damage
to the teeth.
What
Causes Bad Breath And What
Can Be Done About It?
Bad breath is primarily
caused by poor oral hygiene,
but can also can be caused
by retained food particles
or gum disease. Proper
brushing including brushing
the tongue, cheeks, and the
roof of the mouth will
remove bacteria and food
particles. Flossing removes
accumulated bacteria, plaque
and food that may be trapped
between teeth. Mouth rinses
are effective in temporary
relief of bad breath.
Consult your dentist and/or
physician if the condition
persists.
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How Do I Control Bad Breath?
It is important to
practice good oral hygiene,
such as brushing and
flossing your teeth at least
twice a day. To alleviate
the odor, clean your tongue
with your toothbrush or a
tongue scraper, a plastic
tool that scrapes away
bacteria that builds on the
tongue. Chewing sugar-free
gum also may help control
the odor. If you have
dentures or a removable
appliance, such as a
retainer or mouthguard,
clean the appliance
thoroughly before placing it
back in your mouth. Before
you use mouth rinses,
deodorizing sprays or
tablets, talk with your
dentist because these
products only mask the odor
temporarily, and some
products work better than
others.
What Causes Gum Disease?
Bacterial plaque - a sticky,
colorless film that
constantly forms on the
teeth - is recognized as the
primary cause of gum
disease. Specific
periodontal diseases may be
associated with specific
bacterial types. If plaque
isn't removed each day by
brushing and flossing, it
hardens into a rough, porous
substance called calculus
(also known as
tartar).Toxins (poisons)
produced and released by
bacteria in plaque irritate
the gums. These toxins cause
the breakdown of the fibers
that hold the gums tightly
to the teeth, creating
periodontal pockets which
fill with even more toxins
and bacteria. As the disease
progresses, pockets extend
deeper and the bacteria
moves down until the bone
that holds the tooth in
place is destroyed. The
tooth eventually will fall
out or require extraction.
What
Are The Warning Signs Of Gum
Disease?
Signs include red,
swollen or tender gums,
bleeding while brushing or
flossing, gums that pull
away from teeth, loose or
separating teeth, pus
between the gum and tooth,
persistent bad breath,
change in the way teeth fit
together when the patient
bites, and a change in the
fit of partial dentures.
While patients are advised
to check for the warning
signs, there might not be
any discomfort until the
disease has spread to a
point where the tooth is
unsalvageable. That's why
patients are advised to get
frequent dental exams.
How Do
You Prevent Gum Disease?
Removing plaque through
daily brushing, flossing and
professional cleaning is the
best way to minimize your
risk. Your dentist can
design a personalized
program of home oral care to
meet your needs. If a
dentist doesn't do a
periodontal exam during a
regular visit, the patient
should request it. Children
also should be examined.
More
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