Sugar plays a significant role in tooth decay and enamel destruction. The mouth contains a great number and wide variety of bacteria, which coats the surface of the mouth. Some intraoral bacteria form lactic acid, which decreases the pH in the mouth. This is when the hydroxylapatite crystals of enamel demineralize. When that happens, it allows a greater bacterial invasion to sink deeper into the tooth. Tooth morphology shows that the most common place for dental caries to develop is in the deep grooves, pits, and fissures of enamel. This is because these places are impossible to reach with a toothbrush and let the bacteria live there. As the enamel continues to demineralize, it becomes unable to prevent the takeover of bacteria, and then the underlying dentin becomes affected too. When dentin is destroyed by decay, the enamel can no longer compensate for its brittleness and breaks away from the tooth easily.

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Xylitol is a sweetener that comes straight from Mother Nature herself. It can be found, for instance, in foods like fruits, vegetables and mushrooms. But the most common source of Xylitol comes from birch wood. Xylitol differs from other sweeteners because it is not actually a sugar but it is an alcohol sugar. What sets it apart from other sweeteners is that xylitol molecules have 5 carbon atoms instead of six. Because most bacteria’s in mouth are unable to make use of such sugars, this is one reason why xylitol helps prevent decay.

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Did you know that maintaining your babies’ oral care is just as import as your own? Like adults, even small children can develop gum disease, halitosis, infections, and tooth loss if there gums aren’t properly cared for. Scientific research is telling us the importance of setting good and healthy examples for our children and oral health is no exception. As a parent you want the best health for your baby. With these simple steps you can start them out in the right direction.

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Xerostomia is commonly called dry mouth. It is also known as pasties, cottonmouth, or dough mouth. Dry mouth occurs when there is a lack of saliva. Saliva? Why is that important you might be wondering? Well saliva acts as the “front line” against chemical, infectious, and mechanical attacks. It also helps us digest food, protects our teeth from decay, and helps prevent infections by controlling the amount of bacteria in the mouth. Does everyone get dry mouth? It is normal for people have dry mouth from time to time, especially if they are nervous, upset, or stressed out. Even while you sleep, your body naturally decreases the amount of saliva it produces. Chronic dry mouth can have a negative impact on your oral health.

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Teeth whitening is an amazing way to help boost your confidence and one of the most common dental procedures performed today. Now you can get great results just as easily from home as it can be in your dentist office. Why whiten, you ask. Well why not? Your smile is one of the first things people notice about you so why not let it shine! Over time, the enamel on adult teeth becomes less porous which causes the teeth to darken. Other contributors that discolor teeth are bacteria pigments, certain medications, foodstuffs, and tobacco. Even everyday habits like drinking coffee, tea, red wine, and soda can cause tooth discoloration. But don’t worry; there are many ways to keep your teeth looking white and bright. Here are the top two ways: bleaching gel and light assisted bleaching.

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You are not alone if have “not so fresh” breath.  Most everyone has experienced bad breath, and probably realized that it can make you self conscious and prevent you from smiling. Effective cures for bad breath do exist, but it is always a good idea to first look at what is causing the problem.

Bad breath is the result of anaerobic bacteria in your mouth and on your tongue. Just like us, bacteria consume and produce waste. The waste that bacteria produce are volatile sulfur compounds which give off a malodor. Volatile means that the compounds evaporate readily and can be smelt right away. When someone says it smells like a “rotten egg”, it is the hydrogen sulfide that the bacteria give off that we smell.

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Although the pH levels of foods you consume most likely do not cross your mind, they can be very important concerning your teeth. In children particularly, tooth surface loss is becoming more of a concern.  Dental erosion is irreversible and is not the result of bacteria, but acid. Because of this, it is very important to read early signs of erosion to minimize the effect it has in the long run.

We have known for a long time now that carbonated sodas are bad for our overall health and dental health, but now there are other products you should try to avoid in long durations. Acidic fruits and juices also increase your risk for dental erosion. The acid in food and drinks softens the enamel on the tooth. Neutral pH in your saliva is around 7. Below 7 is more acidic and above 7 is more basic. It has been found that foods and drinks high in acidity are causing more tooth erosion.  With other factors involved, below is a chart of some drink’s erosion potential.

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What is the #1 cause of tooth loss?

Did you guess cavities? If you did, you are not the only one. However, it is not the correct answer. Periodontal disease is the #1 leading cause of tooth loss. And leading research has linked periodontal disease with heart and respiratory diseases; pre-term, low birth weight babies; stroke; osteoporosis and diabetes.

Periodontal disease is a bacterial disease that continually decreases the supporting bone around your teeth, which then can lead to tooth loss. There are very common signs for this disease and one that you may often over-look. Bleeding gums are not normal and should be taken as a warning sign of disease. Just think…if you washed parts of your body and they just started bleeding, would you think that was normal? It is very important for you to be aware of the health of your gums before it leads to more serious problems. (more…)