Tooth Decay Tips

Your mouth is the breeding place for various bacteria. These bacteria use the sugar in food and turn them into acids. These acids then react with a tooth, gradually drilling a hole in it, which is infamously known as a tooth cavity.

You might wonder why exactly this happens. When your teeth are subjected to acid frequently, the repeated acid attacks on the enamel, the enamel starts losing its minerals. The first sign of tooth decay is when a white spot appears on the tooth. This white ...more

Those who have experienced it would vouch for the fact that toothache is one of the worst pains. There could be times when the attack happens out of nowhere and you are crying for relief.

The tooth has 2 parts - the visible part called the crown and the invisible part called the root which is embedded in the jaw bone and covered by the gums.

Both the crown and the root have 3 layers from inside out. The crown has enamel, dentin, and pulp. The enamel is the mineralized part of...more

Fluoride products for the teeth have immense importance in dentistry. Fluoride is one such chemical, the balance of which is highly required for strong and healthy teeth. However, there is an optimum amount of fluoride needed for teeth. Anything lesser than that or greater than that can cause harm and serious teeth and gum problems and tooth decay. The best option, therefore, is to get a fluoride-based toothpaste or mouthwash, which will keep on providing the teeth with the optimum quantity of i...more

A very interesting thing, that most people would have noticed during their visit to the clinic is the white light that is used on the teeth. This is laser light, which is used extensively over the last couple of decades in dentistry for a variety of treatments. The following are some procedures where the laser is commonly used.

Whitening teeth: In-office bleaching is done by applying the whitening agent on the tooth and activating it by laser light. This instant result is whiter teeth a...more

Maintaining good oral hygiene is the key to enhanced gum and dental health. Tooth erosion is characterized by the decay of the outer and inner parts of the teeth. It occurs when certain sugar-containing foods such as milk, candy and cakes leave behind residual quantities, thus, causing small food particles to get stuck to and remain in the teeth. These are then digested by the bacteria in the mouth and converted to acids. The acids in combination with saliva from a layer called plaque that cause...more

Almost everything you eat and drink has an impact on your oral health, especially your teeth. This impact is not just due to the food's nutritional value, but also because parts of the mouth come in direct contact with the food that is taken. For example, if the teeth come in contact with a compound that has a pH value lower than 5.5, the enamel of teeth can get softened. The following is a list of the foods, which are good for your teeth:
1. Dairy products
Milk and most other dairy pro...more

Sugar is an all-pervasive substance that is found in most food items although specific ones such as candies, colas and sweet delicacies tend to have more of it. While it may taste great on the tongue, it may not be so good for your body as well as your teeth. Teeth are especially affected by sugar as an ingredient in all items of food.

Some of the ways it affects your dental health are discussed below

Sugar from colas, sodas and other carbonated beverages: Sugar that gets int...more

Tooth decay is treated removing the damaged portion of your tooth and substituting it with fillings . Fillings can be made up of different materials such as silver amalgam, porcelain, gold or even plastic. Hence these plastic, tooth-colored, glass mixtures that are used to restore decayed teeth are known as composite fillings. Composites are also used for changing the color of or reshaping disfigured teeth.

How are they placed?
The dentist sets the composite in layers employing a...more

Pregnancy brings with it a whole lot of body system changes and oral health is no exception. Some simple careful planning, however, can help avoid a lot of oral health complications associated with pregnancy. The hormonal changes during pregnancy have a direct effect on oral health - higher incidence of decay, pregnancy gingivitis, and pregnancy tumours. Additionally, morning sickness affects regular oral care, leading to more plaque and decay.

Before pregnancy: If you are planning to g...more

When should you see a dentist for a toothache?

See your dentist as soon as possible about your toothache if:

You have a toothache that lasts longer than 1 or 2 days
Your toothache is severe
You have a fever, earache, or pain upon opening your mouth wide
How can toothaches be prevented?

Since most toothaches are the result of tooth decay, following good oral hygiene practices can prevent toothaches. Good oral hygiene practices consist of brushing regularly w...more