Tooth decay is one of the world’s most prevalent diseases — and one of the most preventable. We’ve known the primary prevention recipe for decades: brushing and flossing daily, and dental cleanings and checkups at least twice a year. But consistent oral hygiene isn’t enough — you should also pay attention to your overall health, […]
You’ve no doubt heard about certain foods and beverages that increase your risk for dental disease. These foods, often high in added sugar or acid, can lead to tooth decay or periodontal (gum) disease. But have you heard about foods with the opposite effect — actually protecting your teeth against disease? Many of these dental-friendly […]
Your teeth’s hard, enamel coating protects them from environmental dangers or disease. But although it’s made of the hardest substance in the human body, enamel isn’t invincible — prolonged exposure to acid can cause dental erosion, a condition in which the enamel’s mineral content permanently dissolves, a process known as de-mineralization. De-mineralization occurs anytime our […]
“Cut down on sweets, especially between meals” is perhaps one of the least popular words of advice we dentists regularly give. We’re not trying to be killjoys, but the facts are undeniable: both the amount and frequency of sugar consumption contributes to tooth decay. Our concern isn’t the naturally occurring sugars in fruits, vegetables, grains […]
It’s often said that there’s a first time for everything: Driving a car by yourself; getting your first “real” job; even… having a root canal? Now don’t get us wrong — we’re not wishing that anyone should go through a medical procedure, no matter how minor. Yet the fact remains: A root canal procedure is […]
In the early 1900s, a Colorado dentist noticed many of his patients had unusual brown staining on their teeth — and little to no tooth decay. What he unknowingly observed was the power of a chemical substance in his patients’ drinking water — fluoride. While commonplace today, fluoride sparked a revolution — and some controversy […]
One of your teeth’s best defenses against tooth decay is its hard, outer layer made of a mineral-rich substance known as enamel. This great protector, however, has an enemy — acid — from the foods and drinks we consume as well as the acid byproducts from bacterial plaque. A high acidic level in the mouth […]
If you have ever had tooth decay, you should know: Tooth decay is one of the most common of all diseases, second only to the common cold. Tooth decay affects more than one-fourth of U.S. children ages two to five, half of those ages twelve to fifteen, and more than 90 percent of U.S. adults […]
