Dental X-Rays, What you need to know from the Dr Mariana Conant, Dentist Fairfield CT
Dental radiographs, which are commonly called x-rays, are extremely essential, preventative, diagnostic tools that will provide very valuable information that is not visible during a regular dental exam. Dentists and dental hygienists will use this information to safely and accurately detect any type of hidden dental abnormalities and to come up with an accurate plan of treatment. Without the x-rays, certain problem areas can go undetected for years.
Dr. Conant a Dentist Fairfield CT helps reveal a little about Dental x-rays…
- Any type of bone loss, abscessed teeth, or cysts.
- Cancerous and non-cancerous tumors.
- Decay between the teeth.
- Abnormalities in development of the teeth.
- Poor tooth and root positions.
- Problems inside of a tooth or problems below the gum line.
Detecting and treating many various dental problems at an early point can actually save you time, lots of money, and much unnecessary discomfort, and of course, it can save your teeth! Dr Conant’s is a dentist Fairfield Ct offering family and cosmetic dentistry.
Ask Dr. Conant a Dentist Fairfield CT if Dental x-rays are they safe?
There is natural radiation in our environment, and we are all exposed to it all of the time. The amount of radiation exposure from a series of full mouth x-rays is equal to the amount of radiation a person receives in a single day from natural radiation sources.
Dental x-rays produce such a low level of radiation that they are considered to be completely safe. Dentists take necessary precautions to limit the patient’s exposure to radiation when taking these dental x-rays. These precautions include the using of a lead apron, which shields the patient and to protect their body from the radiation, and also using modern, fast film that cuts down the exposure time of each x-ray.
Dental x-rays…Should be taken how often?
The need for dental x-rays depends on each patient’s individual dental health needs. The dentist and dental hygienist will recommend x-rays, only when they are needed, and based on the review of your medical and dental history, dental exam, signs and symptoms of possible problems, age, and risk for any diseases.
A full mouth series of dental x-rays is recommended for all new patients, and this full mouth series is usually good for three to five years. Bite-wing x-rays, which are x-rays of top and bottom teeth biting together, are only taken at re-call, or check-up visits, and are recommended once or twice a year to detect any new possible dental problems. Call Dr. Mariana Conant a Dentist Fairfield CT if you have any questions
Digital X-Rays
Digital radiography, or a digital x-ray, is the very latest dental technology, and it is used to take dental x-rays. The technique of digital x-rays uses an electronic sensor, instead of x-ray film, which captures and stores this digital image on a computer. Call Dr. Mariana Conant a Dentist Fairfield CT if you have any questions. This image can be instantly viewed and enlarged helping the dentist and dental hygienist to immediately detect any possible problems much easier. Digital x-rays reduce the radiation by a whopping 80-90% compared to the already low exposure of traditional dental x-rays.
Dental x-rays are certainly essential, and are a great preventative and diagnostic tool that will provide much valuable information, which is not visible during a regular dental exam. Dentists and dental hygienists will use this information to safely and accurately detect hidden dental abnormalities and to help them complete an accurate treatment plan. Without the use of x-rays, many problems can go undetected. Call Dr. Mariana Conant a Dentist Fairfield CT if you have any questions
For more infromation contact us at 203-255-5999 we look forward to see you. *Dr. Mariana Conant is a dentist fairfield ct that provides family dentistry.
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http://www.1305dental.com – Fairfield, CT - Cosmetic dentistry is very popular now, more than ever before, because many people all over the world realize that they can change the way that they look and feel easily with the help of an experienced and talented cosmetic dentist.
Most people mistakenly believe that the work that a cosmetic dentistry does is something that they cannot afford, and that dental work, in general, is very expensive. If you were to find a qualified cosmetic dentist that is willing to work with you, to formulate a specific plan that will improve your smile, it can be planned in a way that you can afford. For many people, they can only afford to have one procedure done a month or every couple of months and that is okay! Every little bit will add up, and eventually you will have a beautiful smile that you can feel proud of.
When searching for a great local dentist, you can actually do a Google search, and let’s say you were in Fairfield, CT…you could type Cosmetic Dentist Fairfield, CT into the box and then press “search.” Or you can put Family Dentist Fairfield CT and see what comes up if that’s what you need.
There are a huge variety of procedures these days that can help make your smile look more youthful. Of course, to have your teeth and gums cleaned is the obvious first step, because if your teeth and gums aren’t healthy they won’t ever look good. Starting out with clean teeth and gums and then moving on to the phase, will be taking the first step in the right direction! This will also give you the “green light” to move on to the more obvious cosmetic dentistry Fairfield…or elsewhere.
If your teeth are just stained and looking dull and lousy, then your CT Cosmetic Dentist will be likely just recommend some great tooth whitening procedures such as Zoom or at home whitening procedures. However, a cheap five dollar tooth whitening kit you buy at the grocery store is never going to accomplish what an actual dentist can do.
Professional Tooth Whitening can really change the whole look of your smile, even though it’s minimally invasive and doesn’t take much time at all. Brightening your teeth with a couple whitening treatments will have you looking and feeling so good, that you may feel like a whole new person! You will be able to smile that big beautiful smile without feeling self-conscious in the least!
A cosmetic dentist in Fairfield, or even in the South, may suggest that you use braces to straighten teeth, align teeth, or correct rotating teeth. Many people avoid smiling because their teeth are not as straight as they like, and they are ashamed of them. With just a little bit of time and effort your cosmetic dentist can easily make your whole mouth look beautiful, straight and ready to smile. If you couple the teeth straightening with teeth whitening, then you’ll really look your best, probably like a movie star!
Veneers are another fabulous yet common procedure that is used to change the look of the teeth altogether. Veneers are a bit more invasive, but some really great things can come from this procedure. People who have severely chipped or decaying teeth often benefit from the placement of veneers. When you have beautiful teeth to show off, you’re likely to smile, and porcelain veneers can give beautiful teeth back to people in just a little time.
Bonding your old, chipped, discolored teeth can make a huge difference for people who have been living with chipped teeth for a long time, and would just like to have their teeth finally look better again. Bonding the teeth takes very little time and it’s usually a very comfortable procedure for the patient. With just a bit of bonding work, a patient’s mouth can be completely “new looking” again! There will be no need to hold back from smiling after that procedure!
Cosmetic dentists Fairfield, CT can really help people break out of their shells and be the friendly warm people that they are inside. Ugly teeth sometimes keep people from getting the jobs that they want the most, and also can hurt when making friends, speaking to their friends and family members, and even from smiling or being intimate with their spouses. Single people with bad teeth can really have a tough time finding a mate or partner. Visit your cosmetic dentist right away to renew that great smile you used to have, and get on the road to feeling great about yourself again! Call Dr. Mariana Conant at 203-844-0607 today!
Oral Hygiene Importance
www.1305dental.com – Fairfield – Shelton, Connecticut – Adults over the age of 35 lose more teeth to periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, than from cavities. Three out of four adults are affected at some time in their life by this. The best way to prevent any cavities and any type of periodontal disease, is by daily brushing and flossing techniques.
Periodontal disease and tooth decay are both caused by bacterial plaque, which is a colorless film that sticks to the surface of the teeth at the gum line. Plaque constantly forms on the teeth, and by thorough daily brushing and flossing, these germs can be removed, which will help prevent periodontal disease.
How To Brush The Teeth
While brushing the outside surfaces of the teeth, position the brush at a 45-degree angle where the gums meet the teeth. Gently move the brush in a circular motion several times using small, gentle strokes. Use light pressure while putting the bristles between the teeth, but not so much pressure that there will be any discomfort.
When done cleaning the outside surfaces of all the teeth, follow the same directions while cleaning the inside of the back teeth.
To clean the inside surfaces of the upper and lower front teeth, hold the brush vertically. Make several gentle back-and-forth strokes over each tooth. Don’t forget to gently brush the surrounding gum tissue. Next clean the biting surfaces of the teeth by using short, gentle strokes. Changing the position of the brush often, is necessary to reach and clean all of the surfaces of the teeth. By watching in the mirror, make sure to clean each surface. When finished, rinse the mouth vigorously to remove any plaque that may have loosened while brushing. If any pain develops while brushing, or if you have any questions about how to brush properly, please be sure to call our office.
How To Use Dental Floss
Periodontal disease usually appears between the teeth where your toothbrush cannot reach. Flossing between the teeth is a very effective way to remove plaque from all of those surfaces. However, it is important to develop the proper technique. The following instructions will help, but remember that it takes time and practice.
Start with a piece of floss, preferably the waxed variety which makes it easier, and a piece about 18″ long. Lightly wrap most of the floss around the middle finger of one hand. Wrap the rest of the floss around the middle finger of the other hand.
To clean the upper teeth, hold the floss tightly between the thumb and forefinger of each hand. Gently insert the floss tightly between the teeth using a back-and-forth motion. Do not force the floss or try to snap it in to place.
Bring the floss to the gum line then curve it into a C-shape against one tooth. Slide it into the space between the gum and the tooth until you feel slight resistance. Move the floss up and down on the side of one tooth.
Remember there are two tooth surfaces that need to be cleaned in each space. Continue to floss each side of all the upper teeth. Be careful not to cut the gum tissue between the teeth. As the floss becomes soiled, turn from one finger to the other to get a fresh section.
To clean between the bottom teeth, guide the floss using the forefinger of both hands. Do not forget the backside of the last tooth on both sides, upper and lower.
After you are done, rinse the mouth vigorously with warm water to remove any loose plaque and food particles. Do not be alarmed if during the first week of flossing your gums bleed a little or become slightly sore.
If your gums hurt while flossing, it could be because you are doing it too hard or pinching the gum. As you floss daily and remove the plaque, your gums will heal and the bleeding should stop. It will also strengthen your gums.
Caring For Sensitive Teeth
Sometimes after any type of dental treatment, the teeth will be sensitive to hot and cold. This should not last long, provided that your mouth is kept clean. If your mouth is not kept clean, the sensitivity will remain and could become more severe. If your teeth are especially sensitive, you should consult with the dentist, who may recommend a medicated toothpaste or mouth rinse made especially for sensitive teeth.
Choosing Oral Hygiene Products
There are so many products on the market today that it may become confusing, and choosing between all of the products can be difficult. Here are some suggestions for choosing the right dental care products that will work for you.
Automatic and high-tech electronic toothbrushes are safe and effective for the majority of patients. Oral irrigators, such as water spraying devices, will rinse your mouth thoroughly, but will not remove any plaque. You need to brush and floss in conjunction with the irrigator.
We see excellent results with electric toothbrushes called Rotadent and Interplak. Some toothbrushes have a rubber tip on the handle; this is used to massage the gums after brushing. There are also tiny brushes, also called interproximal toothbrushes, that can clean between your teeth. If these are not used properly, then you can actually injure the gums, so be sure to discuss proper use of these brushes with the doctor.
When used in conjunction with brushing and flossing, some fluoride toothpastes and mouth rinses can reduce tooth decay by as much as 40 percent. Remember that these rinses are not recommended for children under the age of six. Tartar control toothpastes will help to reduce tartar above the gum line, but gum disease usually starts below the gum line so these products have not been proven to reduce the early stage of gum disease.
Anti-plaque rinses, which are approved by the American Dental Association, contain agents that may help bring early gum disease under control. Always use these in conjunction with proper brushing and flossing.
Professional Cleaning
Daily brushing and flossing will keep dental calculus, or tartar, to a minimum, but a professional cleaning every six months will remove calculus in places that your toothbrush and floss have missed. Your regular visits to our office are a very important part of your program to prevent gum disease, and to keep your teeth for a lifetime.
Nutrition
Good nutrition also plays a huge role in your overall dental health. Brushing and flossing help keep your teeth and gums healthy and strong, however, a balanced diet will help to boost your body’s immune system, leaving you less vulnerable to any oral disease. How often and what you eat have been found to affect your dental health.
Eating starchy foods such as crackers, bread, cookies, and candy causes the bacteria in your mouth to feed on it, and then they produce acids, which attack your teeth for up to 20 minutes or more. Foods that stick to your teeth or are slow to dissolve, will give the acids more time to work on destroying your tooth enamel.
Starchy foods:
- Crackers, Breads, Pasta, Cookies, and Candy
Sticky/slow to dissolve foods:
- Granola bars, Chewy fruit snacks, Dried fruit, and Hard candy
Sticky and starchy foods will create less acid when eaten as part of a meal. Saliva production increases at mealtimes, and will rinse away food particles, and neutralize harmful acids.
Foods such as nuts, cheese, onions, and some teas have been shown to slow the growth of decay-causing bacteria in the mouth
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Posted in Cosmetic Dentistry Dentistry by .
www.familydentistshelton.com - Hello its Ken from the dental office in Fairfield and Shelton Connecticut, If you need to have a dental procedure done, and it has been a long while since you last visited a dentist, you might not still have a regular dentist. Maybe you live in a new area, maybe your old dentist is retired, deceased, or has moved away, sometimes dentists even “go away,” as in “up the river.”
If you have to find a dentist, you will first want to determine what kind of care you need; dentures, braces, a tooth extraction, or something of the sort. You can do a bit of studying online, and there are various resources available for people to look up information about this or that. You can even go on the website of an actual dental office. For example, a Fairfield, Connecticut Cosmetic Dentist Office hosts a website with tons of information, and you can check out the resources at www.1305dental.com where you might read what you need.
When you are ready to find a dentist in your area, many people might not realize it, but you can be specific when typing things into Google. For example, you can type Dentist Fairfield Connecticut, or Plumber in Phoenix, and you should be able to get Google results for offices and businesses in your area! Then you can check out a few websites of the professionals listed and choose the one who you think will be best for you!
Use the power of the search engines, such as Google to find whatever you need, whether it’s a Cosmetic Gentle Dentist, or an aggressive karate instruction. Happy searching, and best wishes!
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Posted in Cosmetic Dentistry Dentistry by .
Hi It’s Paul from Dr. Mariana Conant’s Dental office in Fairfield, Connecticut. Every now and then I come across am interesting story that I would like to share with our patients in our monthly newsletter. Here is one I’m going to post on our Blog instead:
A Bite Out Of History
People of ancient times believed that the stabbing pain of a toothache was caused by a toothworm, which either had appeared spontaneously or had bored its way into the tooth. If the tooth pain was severe, it meant that the worm was thrashing about, but if the aching stopped, then the worm was resting. Cultures all over the world, many of whom had no contact with each other, held stubbornly to this myth. The folklore of the toothworm persisted from ancient times to the beginning of the eighteenth century.
Folk Cures
• Bee: Honey, a product of bees, was used to coat an infected tooth in the Middle Ages. People smeared their aching teeth with honey and waited all night with tweezers in hand, ready to pluck out the toothworm.
• Donkey: In ancient Greece, donkey’s milk was used as a mouthwash to strengthen the gums and teeth.
• Frog: Besides spitting in a frog’s mouth for toothache relief, these web-footed creatures were applied to a person’s cheek or to the head on the side of the ailing tooth.
• Onion: In the Middle Ages a slice of onion was applied to the ear on the side of the aching tooth.
until then if you are in need of a dentist call Dr Mariana Conant’s office at 203-255-5999
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Posted in Cosmetic Dentistry by .
Your smile can be extraordinary…
…offering exceptional leading-edge capabilities, technologies & unsurpassed experience.
Fairfield, CT - www.smileesthetics.com -The most important part of what defines our good looks is our smile and how our teeth look is a way that people perceive us. Not every smile is attractive or as confident as we would like it to be! When striving for beauty, it is important to have a great smile!
As we age, so do our teeth, and they can become dark, dull, rounded, cracked, or even damaged. Many things can cause us to lose a tooth. Many people have never felt comfortable with their smiles. Some people have inherited dental problems, trauma, and other medical disorders that can negatively affect the appearance of their smile.
Dr. Mariana Conant, in Fairfield, Connecticut says that you should find a gentle cosmetic dentist who offers personalized dentistry to meet your needs. She listens to her patients and encourages them to direct their own dental treatment in a way that makes sense to them. Wherever you are, you should find a dental office that has a pleasant atmosphere while offering the benefit of leading edge dental technology.
Dr. Conant has dedicated herself to improving people’s lives by creating smiles that are attractive, look natural and are well-designed. A highly trained dentist, Dr. Conant creates outstanding results for even the most difficult cosmetic, restorative, and reconstructive cases. Some of the residents in Fairfield, Connecticut are able to get the smile of their dreams by visiting Dr. Conant’s office, where she offers advanced cosmetic dentistry procedures such as dental implants, crowns & bridges, veneers, tooth whitening, dentures, and other cosmetic dentistry techniques. Her office provides the complete range of esthetic and restorative dentistry with total commitment to the needs of patients and the very highest standards.
Anyone who suffers from dental anxiety, or who dreads the thought of their next dental appointment, should find an office where they will understand you! Dental anxiety is the leading reason why people avoid going to the dentist. The good news is that Dr. Conant has several tools at her disposal, just as many modern-day gentle dentists do, to help make the anxiety of regular dental visits a thing of the past.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call our Fairfield, Connecticut Family & Cosmetic dentistry office at (203) 255-5999 or use our online appointment request form today at www.1305dental.com where you can also find a wealth of information about dentistry no matter where you live!
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Posted in Cosmetic Dentistry by .
Do you have questions about Gum Disease? We can help! |
| www.1305dental.com – Fairfield, CT - Dr. Mariana Conant understands there are a lot of questions about Gum Disease so this blog was set for people to better understand the benefits of having healthy teeth and do all the right things to keep their gums in shape, there are those who feel, “Hey, they’re only teeth.” The latter, while never volunteering to have their teeth removed, do not attribute any major importance to them. For instance, untreated periodontal disease may lower birth weights of newborns. Now studies find that periodontal (gum) infections may contribute to the development of heart disease, which is the nation’s number one killer. If that weren’t enough, gum infections pose a serious threat to anyone whose health is already compromised due to diabetes or respiratory disease.
Let’s first talk about how the gums relate to the heart. If you have a healthy heart, this doesn’t pertain to you. Getting your teeth cleaned or having a gum abscess does matter if you have a weakened heart valve, as in mitral valve prolapse or aortic stenosis. Why? Bacteria from the mouth find their way into the circulatory system. They may be introduced when your teeth are cleaned or can arise from an infection. In either case, these “circulating” bacteria are normally gobbled up by the white blood cells before they do any damage. Should they pass through the body and make it to the heart unscathed, the chance exists that they will colonize on a weakened valve and cause a severe problem (bacterial endocarditis). For this reason, patients with any of the above conditions are suggested to pre-medicate with antibiotics when receiving dental care. Researchers have found that people with periodontal disease are almost twice as likely to suffer from coronary artery disease as those without it and that diseased gums released significantly higher levels of bacterial pro-inflammatory components, such as endotoxins, into the bloodstream in patients with severe periodontal disease compared to healthy patients. Circulating bacteria can also impact on coronary artery disease. The walls of the coronary arteries can thicken due to the build-up of fatty proteins. Often blood clots form in these narrowed coronary arteries and normal blood flow activity is obstructed. This depletes the heart of the nutrients and oxygen it needs to function properly. Scientists now believe that bacteria found in the oral cavity can attach to these fatty plaques once they enter the bloodstream. Clinging to the heart walls, these bacteria may contribute to clot formation. When it comes to diabetes, gum disease cannot be ignored. The link between the two has been well-documented. We have always known that diabetics are prone to more infections and heal slowly. Now studies find that periodontal disease may make a pre-existing diabetic condition worse. It has been shown that diabetics require less insulin once their gum condition has been treated. Since periodontal disease is a risk factor for the progression of diabetes, physicians should consider the periodontal status of their diabetic patients who have difficulty with glycemic control. If you are experience any pain, swelling, bleeding or recession of your gums, make an appointment for an oral examination. For more information call Family & Cosmetic Dentistry at 203-255-5999 or visit www.1305dental.com |
Posted in Dental Education by .
Feb 10
21
Family Cosmetic Dentistry Fairfield asks do you need Dental Insurance? | dentist fairfield ct
Fairfield Dental Office Discusses Dental Insurance
Fairfield, CT – www.1305dental.com – Does one need Dental Insurance? The question could be asked of any kind of insurance. Well, insurance is a tool that offsets financial losses due to accidents or incidents or unforeseen circumstances. With this in view, insurance is always advocated but if one is young and healthy and doesn’t need to visit a dentist more than twice a year, dental insurance will not be a requirement, since the premium for such insurance may be more than the annual tooth maintenance bill.
People with a turbulent dental history are advised to purchase dental insurance for the simple reason that dental bills can turn out to be very steep. Millions of Americans are undergoing root canal and cavity procedures despite the fluoride in drinking water. Dental health in the USA has not been of very high standard over the decades. Dental health depends upon a variety of factors including dental hygiene, stress, personal eating habits, nutrition etc.
The programs of dental coverage available are Indemnity Plans, Preferred Provider Plans, HMO Plans, Discount Plans and HSAs
Dental Indemnity Insurance Plans
These are normal, traditional insurance coverage plans where you get a percentage of your dental bills covered for a monthly fee or premium. Normally a indemnity plan covers 100% of preventive services, 80% of restoration services and 50% of major treatment like orthodontics.
Dental Preferred Provider Plans
These plans cost an average of $40 per month and give you highly discounted rates of dental procedures within the specified network. A few benefits are available outside the network also. These plans are regulated by state insurance departments and fall in the insurance category.
HMO Dental Insurance
These insurance plans are also known as capitation plans. They operate like Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO). These are also regulated by state insurance department and cost between $20-$40 a month.
Dental Discount Plans
Discount dental plans are like clubs where you get the best deals when you show your membership card. These are again network based. They give best value to individual and family memberships. This membership is only purchasing a discounted access to a network dentist and is not considered insurance. Biggest issue with DDP’s is you need to go the dental office that offers the discount rates. This limits your quality of care!
Another option that is becoming very popular is HSA accounts. HSA’s provide individuals with a smart way to save money to help pay for their current and future qualified medical expenses on a tax-free basis.
If you’re looking for a new dentist or want to discuss your dental insurance Call us anytime at 203-255-5999
Posted in Dental Education by .
Personal Dental Care: Yes, You Have To Go To The Dentist
Fairfield, CT – Family and Cosmetic Dentistry Fairfield, CT – Even if you say that you take care of your teeth very
well, you still can’t evade the fact that you still have to go and visit your dentist at least twice a year.
Sure, it’s really not fun to go to the dentist but if you really want to achieve the best personal dental
care for your teeth, regular visits to the dentist would be of great help to you.
What Happens At A Typical Visit To The Dentist Going to the dentist every six months is considered more as
prevention against cavities, plaque build-up and other teeth and mouth-related problems.
The goal of dentists is to prevent gum disease, tooth decay, and other disorders that put the health of your
teeth and mouth in jeopardy.
A casual consultation with a dentist will usually consist of three parts: a medical and dental history
(this is where the dentist asks questions about tooth care and reviews past dental records), dental
examination and professional cleaning (oral prophylaxis).
The dentist will then examine the gums, teeth and other tissues surrounding the mouth. The joints of the
jaws may also be included in the examination to check for the over-all health of an individual’s mouth.
Dentists usually use a probe and mirror to check the crown (the visible part) of each tooth for evidence of
looseness, decay or plaque. The dentist may also check the quality of your bite and the way your teeth fit
together.
After checking the teeth, the dentist will usually proceed to examine the general condition of the gums.
Healthy gums are pink and firm – not swollen, soft or inflamed.
If the dentist can find deep depressions (or pockets), he or she might suspect that an individual has gum
disease.When the dentist is finished examining the visible parts of the mouth and teeth, the dentist will then
take X-rays that could possibly reveal abscesses, tooth decay, or impacted wisdom teeth.
Abscesses should really be discovered right away because it involves collection of pus surrounded by
tissues that are swollen. If it won’t be treated right away, it might be a source for other complications.
Why Professional Cleaning Is Better Than Normal Tooth Brushing Professional cleaning aims to remove hard
deposits with the use of a scraping instrument named a scaler.
Aside from a scaler, an ultrasonic machine may also be used by the dentist; it uses high frequency sound
waves to facilitate the loosening of plaque deposits. After cleaning, most dental hygienists will polish the
teeth. Polishing of the teeth smoothens and cleans the teeth’s surfaces, removing annoying stains and making
the teeth more resistant to plaque. There are also some dental hygiene package that consists of application of fluoride sealant or
compound to help prevent or slow down decay.
Going To The Dentist Isn’t So Bad After All Now that you are already aware of what happens during a regular
trip to the dentist, you would probably think that a trip to the dentist won’t be so bad, right?
If you want to promote personal dental care, you should be the first one to have the initiative to go
to the dentist. You can’t achieve the best personal dental care if you just depend on yourself and your resources at home.
Dentists are equipped with tools, machines and instruments that would surely make your teeth and
mouth cleaner, fresher and better.
If you’re looking for a new dentist Call us anytime and talk to an operator at 203-255-5999
Posted in Dentistry by .
Dentist Fairfield CT
Cavities -What’s In Your Mouth?
To understand what happens when your teeth decay, it’s helpful to know what’s in your mouth naturally. Here are a few of the elements:
- Saliva: Your mouth and teeth are constantly bathed in saliva. Although we never give much thought to our spit, this simple fluid is remarkable for what it does to help protect our oral health. Saliva keeps teeth and other oral tissues moist and lubricated, washes away some of the food particles left behind after we eat, keeps acid levels in the mouth low, and protects against some viruses and bacteria.
- Plaque: Plaque appears as a soft, gooey substance that sticks to the teeth a bit like jam sticks to a spoon. It is, in fact, colonies of bacteria, protozoa, mycoplasmas, yeasts and viruses clumping together in a gel-like organic material. Also in the mix are bacteria byproducts, white blood cells, food debris and body tissue. Plaque grows when bacteria attach to the tooth and begin multiplying. Plaque starts forming immediately after a tooth is cleaned; it takes about an hour for plaque to build up to measurable levels. As time goes on, different types of microorganisms appear, and the plaque thickens.
- Calculus: If left alone long enough, plaque begins to mineralize and harden into calculus or tartar because the plaque absorbs calcium, phosphorus and other minerals from saliva. These minerals form crystals and harden the plaque structure. New plaque forms on top of existing calculus, and this new layer can also become calcified.
- Bacteria: We have many different strains of bacteria in our mouths. Some bacteria are good; they help control destructive bacteria. When it comes to decay, Streptococcus mutans is the bacterial strain that does the most damage. It attaches easily to teeth and produces acid.
How Your Teeth Decay
You need food, particularly sweet and sticky food, for the bacteria in your mouth to produce acids that will attack the tooth enamel (outer surface of the tooth). Sugars, especially sucrose, react with bacteria to produce acid. The acid from the bacteria can decay your teeth.
It’s not just candy and ice cream we’re talking about. All carbohydrate foods, as they are digested, eventually break down into simple sugars, such as glucose and fructose. Some of this digestion begins in the mouth. Foods that break down into simple sugars in the mouth are called fermentable carbohydrates. These include the obvious sugary foods, such as cookies, cakes, soft drinks and candy, but also pretzels, crackers, bananas, potato chips and breakfast cereals. The sugars in these foods combine with the bacteria normally in the mouth to form acids. These acids cause the mineral crystals inside the teeth to begin to dissolve.
The dental caries lesion forms when these acids start to dissolve a tooth’s outer protective layer, the enamel. A cavity forms when the tooth decay breaks through the enamel to the underlying layers of the tooth. You can reverse a caries lesion (before it becomes a cavity) by using a variety of fluoride products. These include fluoridated water, fluoride rinses for use at home, and, of course, any commonly used fluoridated toothpaste.
Every time you eat, the bacteria in your mouth produce acid. Therefore, the more times you eat the more times your teeth are exposed to an acid attack.
Types and Stages of Decay
Dental decay, also known as dental caries, begins first inside the tooth. A white spot appears on the enamel where the tooth has started to weaken inside. At this stage, the tooth can repair the weakened area with the help of fluoride and minerals in saliva. But if the decay continues and breaks through the surface of the enamel, the damage is permanent. The decay must be cleaned out and the cavity filled by a dentist. Left untreated, the decay will worsen and destroy a tooth all the way through the outer enamel layer, through the inside dentin layer and down to the pulp or nerve of the tooth.
In young children, teeth that have recently emerged have weak enamel and are highly susceptible to acid decay. A type of decay called baby bottle tooth decay or early childhood caries destroys enamel quickly and is common in children. This type of decay can eat through enamel and leave a large cavity in a matter of months.
Older adults sometimes have chronic caries: cavities that don’t seem to get any worse or do so at a very slow rate. Teeth with chronic caries will tend to be darker in color because the edges of the cavities become stained from normal eating and drinking.
Root caries (decay in the roots of the teeth) is more common in older adults. Older adults are more likely to have gums that have receded from years of hard brushing or periodontal disease. They also are more likely to have dry mouth (xerostomia), which increases the risk of decay. Dry mouth is caused by many common medicines. Be sure to ask the doctor or pharmacist if any of your medicines cause dry mouth.
Decay can form beneath fillings or other restorations, such as crowns. Sometimes, bacteria and food particles can slip into a tooth if a filling hasn’t been placed properly or if the filling cracks or pulls away from the tooth, leaving a gap.
Preventing Cavities
Do you or your family members get cavities frequently? Dental research has identified factors that increase your risk of getting decay. Next time you visit the dental office, ask about your risk factors and discuss the best ways to reduce your risks and limit dental decay.
To prevent your teeth from decaying, you can do two things — strengthen your teeth’s defenses with fluoride and sealants, and reduce the number of bacteria in your mouth.
Fluoride strengthens teeth by penetrating the tooth structure and replacing lost minerals to repair acid damage. Everyone should brush with a fluoride toothpaste every day. Dental offices sometimes recommend additional toothpastes, gels and mouthrinses for both children and adults.
Sealants are protective coatings placed over the tops of chewing teeth — molars and premolars. They block bacteria and acids from sticking in the tiny grooves on the chewing surfaces of these teeth. Children should get sealants soon after their teeth erupt into the mouth.
Although you can never get rid of all the bacteria in your mouth, you can control bacteria by brushing regularly and flossing daily, seeing your dentist and dental hygienist regularly for a thorough cleaning and check-up, and reducing the number of times each day that you consume fermentable carbohydrates.
Some prescription mouthwashes (those that contain chlorhexidine) can help prevent decay by reducing the number of bacteria in the mouth. Chewing sugarless gums, especially those with xylitol, can help reduce decay and increase the flow of saliva.
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For more information on Dental care visit www.1305dental.com or call 203-255-5999 the office of Dr Mariana Conant, Fairfield County, General Family and Cosmetic Dentistry.
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