Did You Know?

     If you have a chipped, broken, discolored or decayed tooth - as long as the root is healthy and strong, there is still hope for restoring its natural appearance and function. A porcelain veneer or crown should do the job nicely. 

     A porcelain veneer is generally used on anterior teeth. It is fabricated by a dental laboratory to give us the exact shape, shade and contour for the best cosmetic result.  Crowns also are fabricated by a dental laboratory. Generally crowns cover and protect more of the tooth. 

     Your dentist evaluates the situation and determines the best restorative to be used, in order to achieve the best in function and aesthetics. 

If you have any questions, please call 1-707-552-4110

Did You Know?

     The most common of all tooth replacements is the partial denture. When some teeth are present, and some are missing, a partial denture may be used to replace the missing teeth. Good oral hygiene habits are particularly important for those who wear partial dentures.  If food residue and film are allowed to accumulate on clasps (which are food traps), the very important abutment teeth may decay. This creates other problems. 

     Regular check ups, and good oral hygiene are very important.  A decayed abutment tooth may require your partial to be remade, or worse yet, render it useless.  In that case, other restorative or prosthetic measures might be called for. 

     What I'm trying to tell you is, take the best care you can of your teeth. Brush, floss, and watch what you eat. 

Did You Know?

     Yes!  It really is necessary to replace a missing tooth with a fixed bridge, implant or partial denture. When a tooth is lost, the adjacent teeth and the teeth either above or below lose the support, strength and stability that the lost tooth once provided. The remaining teeth may be subject to problems such as drifting, abnormally exposed decay prone areas, and worst of all periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is the biggest cause of tooth loss in adults. 

     The loss of just one tooth, if not replaced, will more than likely cause problems ( possible tooth loss) with the adjacent or opposing teeth. The dental arch was designed by nature to have a complete set of teeth - one helping and protecting the other. 

Esthetics & function!

The Truth About Waterpiks

     Waterpiks kick butt!  They clean with tiny jets of pulsating water that cleans around the gums, between the teeth and under bridges and braces, where your toothbrush and even floss sometimes cannot reach.  The pulsating jets flush out food particles from difficult to reach spots.  If you have any questions about proper use of your waterpik, talk to your dentist or hygienist.  And remember, waterpiks will not remove plaque, only food particles.  Therefore it is a valuable part, but not the sum total of your home care.  Your dentist's recommendations of brushing and flossing still rings true.

Tooth Decay

  What is the world's most prevalent disease?  If you think it's the common cold - you're wrong.  Tooth decay is the most universal disease in the world.  Only a minute fraction of the world's population escape this problem.  Ninety-eight percent of Americans have fillings, cavities or both.

     A cavity is caused by the acid, which is produced when bacteria in the mouth metabolizes sugar.  This process starts very quickly after eating sugary or high carbohydrate foods.  When bacteria and sugar meet, acid is formed.  When acid contacts the tooth, it starts etching a hole in the tooth, thereby starting a cavity.

    

What to do?

 

Limit your sugary, high carbohydrate treats.  Brush after meals, and visit your dentis regularly.

Sugar And Your Teeth

    If you took an extracted tooth and dropped it in a can of soda, it would dissolve in about ten days.  This is because most sodas have a very high sugar content (sugar free is available).  Something else to consider is that some sodas have added citric or ascorbic acid.  In addition, they put the bubbles in soda by blowing carbon dioxide into the solution.  Carbon dioxide and water make carbonic acid (a mild solution).

     You can think of your soft drink as a sugary solution laced with acid, or an acidic solution laced with sugar - either one is very bad for your teeth.  Read the ingredients - if you can find something you like that is sugar free with no bubbles - you should be home free!

Teeth Are Tough!

     Did you know that enamel (the outside layer of the tooth) is the second hardest, naturally occuring substance.  Only diamonds are harder.
    It seems silly that such a hard substance falls such easy prey to decay.  Bacteria present in the mouth combined with high carbohydrate foods (sugars) that produce acids that make short work of tooth structure.  This can be an expensive and perhaps painful process.
    To hopefully avoid this situation, watch your diet.  Stay away from sweets and brush at the minimum, twice a day.  The most important being right before you go to bed.