Adult's Dentistry

It's easy to ignore, but a little bit of tooth decay or gum disease always leads to more. The outcome of these untreated problems inevitably becomes pain, emergency treatment, and tooth loss. So why does this happen?

It's an infection.

Millions of bacteria swarm our mouths, many harmless and beneficial. But a few evil characters wreak havoc on many people's hard and soft tissues of the mouth. Like all living creatures, they need an energy source. Sugars are their snack of choice, and they use simple carbohydrates from our diet to manufacture energy.

Like all living creatures, teeth produce energy, but they also produce waste. These acidic wastes, deposited on the teeth, erode the hard enamel surfaces and form holes, known as cavities.

Some bacteria produce toxic waste that causes bleeding gums and destruction of the bone around the teeth. This is the leading reason people lose their teeth and have dentures. It's all part of an infection. Most infections can be treated with antibiotics, but mouth bacteria require a different approach. Regular checkups help us identify new cavities, and periodic cleanings remove mineralized deposits that harbor millions of harmful bacteria. Fluoride varnishes harden tooth surfaces, and high-risk patients benefit from customized approaches with our team.

The complex interaction of infection and inflammation extends beyond the gums and mouth. Research continues to uncover how problems in our mouths can reach critical areas of our bodies. For example, mouth bacteria penetrate through bleeding gums and enter the bloodstream. Like a river, blood flow carries the bacteria to the small vessels of the heart and brain. They can damage the intricate vessel lining, leading to vessel blockage. Heart attack or stroke results...all because of bleeding gums.

The exact process deposits mouth bacteria and toxins in other areas of our bodies and appears related to arthritis, diabetes, and some cancers. In the last few years, we've learned that a healthy mouth can affect our overall health in many ways.

A few tips for maintaining a healthy mouth:

• Brush and floss twice a day: Consistent daily habits remove sticky, bacterial plaque that starts the cascading events that lead to decay, gum disease, and other health problems. If you don't like to floss, consider toothpicks, brushes, or the magic of a Waterpik.
  
  
• Brush for at least two minutes each time: It sounds like a long time, but it makes a difference. Consider an electric toothbrush with a built-in timer or setting a timer on your phone.
  
  
• Rinse your toothbrush thoroughly: Bacteria linger on it, finding their way back into the mouth at the subsequent use.
  
  
• Keep sugary drinks, starchy foods, and desserts to a minimum: Foods high in starch and sugar fuel bacteria. Despite diligent brushing and flossing, sugary and starchy foods serve as catalysts for decay. Be moderate, and avoid snacking between meals.
  
  
• Drink sugary liquids through a straw: A straw helps keep sugar from bathing the teeth directly before swallowing.
  
  
• Drink water after eating: Swishing with water helps clean more extensive food deposits from your teeth. Plus, we all could use a little more hydration!
  
  
• Get cavities treated immediately: Cavities rarely hurt until they reach a critical stage. And don't forget: a little bit of tooth decay eventually becomes more.
  
  
• See a dentist every six months: The risk of critical dental problems diminishes significantly if you visit us twice a year. Patients who fit preventive dentistry into their budget typically enjoy fewer dental expenditures over time than those who wait for emergencies to develop.