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.

DETECTING ORAL CANCER

     When your dentist looks into your mouth, he puts all his powers of detection to work.  Tooth decay or unhealthy gums are easy to spot.  But he has to look closer than the obvious.  Mirror, light, x-rays and other instruments help.  So do his years of training and practice.
     Your dentist is a trained medical observer.  He'll be able to spot any suspicious lesions, lumps, discolored areas, or sores that might be malignant.  Early detection saves lives.
     Lips, tongue, cheeks, any part of the oral cavity are proper sites for inspection.  If there's any suspicion of oral cancer, a biopsy or sample of the tissue under suspicion can be sent to a pathologist for examination.  In most cases the suspect tissue may be found to be normal and not malignant.  It may be just a minor irritation that's causing the problem.
     But it's always best to be sure.  If there is a problem, it's so much easier to cure if discovered in time.  Your dentist is trained to spot other medical symptoms as well as give you the care you need for good dental health.

For more info, please visit our website http://www.andyjacksondds.com/

FIXED BRIDGE TO THE RESCUE!

     If you have one or more missing teeth creating gaps that should be filled, you may want to consider fixed bridgework, or implants. 
    Missing teeth can do more than affect the shape of your face.  They can also throw your teeth out of alignment and cause other serious dental problems.  If you choose fixed bridgework or implants to solve the problem, you'll have "new" teeth that will be permanently fixed in your mouth.  You won't have to take them out to clean them.  They can be brushed and flossed like natural teeth.
    Before your dentist recommends fixed bridgework or implants, he will check the overall health of your mouth; paying particular attention to adjacent or supporting teeth, gums and bone.  They will have to be strong and healthy enough to supportthe restorative work.
    If you feel you may be a candidate for this type of procedure, are curious or have any questions, please call 707-552-4110 or visit our website http://www.andyjacksondds.com/

WHEN DENTURES NEED A CHECKUP

     For most people, it takes awhile to get used to wearing full dentures.  Once they achieve a degree of comfort and usefulness, you may think you no longer need help from your dentist.  Far from true!
     The tissues on which dentures rest are changing constantly.  Sometimes the ridges that support dentures recede and shrink, causing the dentures to loosen.  When this happens, your dentures will have to be adjusted to fit properly  again.
     Dentures have to be kept clean and free of deposits or they can have an adverse effect on the health of the mouth.  This is another reason for regular checkups.  A minor irritation can cause infection and inflammation of the gums.
     Like anything that is subject to constant wear, it has  to be properly maintained.  Occasionally, dentures must be relined, and if your mouth undergoes major changes, it may be necessary for you to be fitted with new  dentures.  Full dentures solve the problem of missing teeth, but they need periodic  checkups,  just like real teeth.