Dental Blog
Dr. Kathy Zuccarelli and Dr. Nicholas Berns have created this informative blog to help educate the community.
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Latest Posts:
| Senior Teeth Need Special Care to Keep Healthy |
Posted on 8/15/2019 by Crossroads Family Dental |
As you age, you will need to take special care of your teeth to keep them healthy. This is because, like every other part of your body, your teeth change as you get older. Here are a few changes, and what you can do to counteract them. Thinning Enamel As you get older, the hard outer shell of your teeth will begin to thin out. This shell, called the enamel, is the part of the tooth that is most resistant to decay and damage. As such, you should take care to regularly get dental checkups, which include a fluoride polish. In addition, be sure to use good toothpaste with fluoride added to it. The fluoride will help to strengthen the teeth and replenish the thinning enamel. Reduced Salivary Flow Another change you will notice as you age is the reduction of the flow of saliva in your mouth. You may not realize it, but your salivary glands are constantly producing saliva. The saliva, in turn, washes out the mouth, helping keep bacterial levels to a minimum. As you get older and this flow begins to diminish, it will become easier and easier for you to develop cavities. As such, you should take care to regularly drink water throughout the day. The water will help keep your mouth rinsed out, and the bacteria levels at a minimum. Decay of the Roots During your life, you may notice your gum tissue beginning to recede from the teeth. This can be from a number of factors, such as gum disease or brushing with a toothbrush with bristles that are too hard. Regardless of the cause, the exposed root is much more susceptible to decay than the tooth itself is. If you have receding gums, address the issue right away. This will help keep the roots covered and protected. Following these tips can help keep your teeth healthy as you age. Get in the habit of doing them today, and you'll be glad you did....
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| Do You Use the Right Amount of Toothpaste? |
Posted on 7/23/2019 by Crossroads Family Dental |
If someone asked you how much toothpaste you should use, you probably first think of the most recent toothpaste ad you've seen. These ads show a strip of toothpaste that takes up the entire brush. But that's not exactly the perfect amount of toothpaste. Instead, like many commercials, the amount shown in these ads is very photogenic, but it's actually more toothpaste than you really need to use. A Pea Sized Dab Of Toothpaste Is all You Need Many people follow what the ads show and put a long strip of toothpaste all down their brush, but that's actually much more than what you really need. An adult only needs to use about a pea-sized bit of toothpaste every time they brush. In fact, toothpaste isn't really that necessary at all. While today's toothpastes contain fluoride and other ingredients that help your teeth, originally, all toothpastes did was make your mouth feel fresh. It didn't actually do anything to help your oral health! Kids Need Less Children don't require even that much toothpaste. For infants, all you need is a very small amount. Children over five can use about half of the amount you would use on your own teeth. Using all that extra toothpaste doesn't really hurt anything, but it is wasteful. Toothpaste companies show off that nice swirl of toothpaste because it makes people think that's the normal amount to use. This makes them go through toothpaste more quickly. You do need to be careful that you don't use too much fluoridated toothpaste, though. That can actually over-fluoridate your teeth, which can lead to some issues. Simply stick to using a small dab and you'll not only keep your teeth healthy, but you'll also save money. Have questions about how much toothpaste is “a dab” or want to talk about brushing techniques? Give us a call today....
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| Decreasing How Much Sugar You Consume Can Improve Your Oral Health |
Posted on 7/13/2019 by Crossroads Family Dental |
Sugar is bad news when it comes to your teeth. Since childhood, you've probably been told that candy will rot your teeth, and while this isn't entirely true, sugar can contribute to cavities. Fortunately, by decreasing the amount of sugar that you consume, you can improve your oral health. The Mouth is a Bacteria Breeding Ground Your mouth is home to many different bacteria types. While some are good and even necessary, others can damage the teeth. Those harmful bacteria love sugar, which they quickly digest as soon as they encounter it. A byproduct of this process is the production of acids, which can remove minerals in the enamel – a process known as demineralization. Cutting Out Sugary Snacks You should always think before you grab a sugary snack, as studies have found that cavities are often the result of frequent sweet consumption. Frequent snacking on high-sugar snacks increases the amount of time that your teeth are exposed to acids, which lead to tooth decay. A recent study found that school children who snacked on chips and cookies were four times more likely to have cavities than kids who did not. Skipping Sugary Beverages Soft drinks, juice, and energy drinks are all liquid sugar, and combined with high acidity, these drinks are a main cause of decay. A Finnish study found that drinking 1-2 sugary beverages a day was linked to a 31% greater risk of cavities. Additionally, even the occasional sugary drink was connected to a 44% greater risk of losing 1-5 teeth, meaning that cutting back on your sugar intake could help you retain your natural teeth longer. Do you have questions about how sugar or your diet are affecting your oral health? Let's discuss it at your next dental cleaning and evaluation! Call us today to set one up....
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