What is tooth decay, and what causes it? Tooth decay is the disease known as caries or cavities. It is not life threatening and is although it is highly preventable, it will affect most people to some degree during their lifetime. Tooth decay occurs when your teeth are frequently exposed to foods containing carbohydrates (starches […]
Tag Archives | cavities
Baby Teeth Q&A
Answers to some frequently-asked questions: Q: Why do we have two sets of teeth? A: A child needs teeth long before his or her jaw is big enough to accommodate the full set of adult teeth. Baby, or deciduous, teeth are “starters” in every sense of the word. Q: Why worry about cavities if baby […]
Custom Made Prevention
Above average? Me? You may be five-foot-four, a C student, never starred at sports. And yet you may be ABOVE average—in your need for dental check-ups. While two visits a year is average, more appointments should be scheduled when either the mouth builds up tartar fast, cavities multiply like bunnies, or teeth or gums experience growing […]
Putting the Squeeze on Toothpaste
Why is brushing with it important? Brushing with toothpaste is important for several reasons. First and foremost, a toothpaste and a correct brushing action work to remove plaque, a sticky, harmful film of bacteria that grows on your teeth that causes caries, gum disease, and eventual tooth loss if not controlled. Second, the toothpaste contains […]
A Metal Free Mouth
Is Yours to Choose! The esthetic result is beyond compare: your teeth will look as fresh, white, and natural as when they first grew in. Chewing puts incredible stresses on teeth. That’s why, in the past, filling cavities and restoring damaged teeth involved a tradeoff—usually between strength and good looks. You don’t have to be […]
Dental Sealants to Block Out Decay!
A simple, preventative procedure that can save you the trouble of future cavities. It’s the dreaded news that nobody wants to hear after a routine dental cleaning, you have some cavities that will need to be filled. And who could blame us for feeling a bit apprehensive? The dental drill has always carried negative associations, […]
Crowns – Dental Workhorses
Crowns are natural looking, comfortable and stable… Most dentists will agree that crown restorations are at the heart of general dentistry. We’ve all studied crowns in dental school, and some of us have done our best work replacing missing teeth and saving the rest. Research has given us the wherewithal to achieve virtually ideal restorations. […]
Dental Sealants: Are They Worth It?
What are dental sealants? Dental sealants are a thin, liquid coating that hardens onto teeth to cover their high-risk, vulnerable areas. Commonly used as prevention in children and adolescents, the sealants are applied to the chewing surfaces of teeth. (Particularly the large, rear teeth called molars.) The sealant itself is a composite resin. We apply […]
Wisdom Teeth: Should They Stay Or Go?
Why Get Rid of Wisdom Teeth? Wisdom teeth are the third set of molars at the very back of the mouth. They appear in late adolescence, at about ages 17 to 25, depending on the individual. The problem is that most people simply don’t have enough room to accommodate these extra teeth. When wisdom teeth […]
Getting An Electric Toothbrush
Should I switch to an electric toothbrush? Or is my old toothbrush doing the job? For many people, making any change is a big decision. Maybe you make a list of pros and cons, carefully weighing benefits and potential drawbacks. Especially for significant changes that will affect your long-held daily habits, we understand that change […]
