decay Archives - Robert Mitchell DDS Blog

Valentine’s Candies and Cavities

February 8, 2016

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: brush your teeth, brushing, candy, cavity, cavtities, check up, cleaning, decay, dental cavities, dental decay, enamel, february, floss, flossing, love, teeth cleaning, tooth decay, valentines, valentines candy, valentines day — @ 3:52 pm

dental-teeth-sugar Halloween isn’t the only cavity holiday. Heart shaped boxes of chocolates, candy hearts, peanut butter hearts, and M&Ms are just a few popular candies every Valentine’s Day. These treats have concentrated amounts of sugar. Whenever sugar comes in contact with the bacteria in your mouth, an acid is produced that attacks teeth and can cause cavities.

Each tooth is covered by a hard mineral substance called enamel. The enamel helps to protect your teeth, but because it’s a mineral, it can break down when it makes contact with the acids in your mouth. This is one of many reasons why drinking water is really good for the health of your mouth. It washes over your teeth and gums along with your saliva, helping to combat the acid and buildup of bacteria. Sugars and starches are the main enemies here, because bacteria thrive on them.

Once enough bacteria builds up, it’s going to form into plaque and then tartar, two or more enemies of your enamel. If you fail to take care of your teeth by brushing, flossing and drinking plenty of water, then the tartar and plaque will eventually eat away at the enamel, forming tiny holes that compromise the hard surface. This is what’s known as tooth decay. If enough acid builds up over time, these tiny holes get a little larger until they eventually become cavities.

So what to do this Valentines Day???

Some foods and candies create more problems for your teeth than others, including those that are sticky, dissolve slowly or are sucked, such as lollipops, hard candies, toffee, gum drops, taffy, caramel, peanut brittle, and high-energy sports bars. Make wise candy choices this Valentine’s Day or do indulge in your Valentine’s treat but make sure to maintain good oral health. Brushing with fluoride toothpaste twice daily, flossing once per day, drinking lots of water and rinsing with an alcohol-free mouthwash are all excellent preventative measures. You can also avoid sugary or starchy foods and, of course, visit your dentist twice a year for regular, professional cleanings. (http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/oral-care/problems/how-do-cavities-form.htm)

If you need to schedule a cleaning or check-up please do not hesitate and call today (972-233-1311)

❤️❤️HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY FROM DR. MITCHELL & STAFF ❤️❤️

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Root Canal Therapy in Dallas, TX

January 18, 2016

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: abscess, Cosmetic Dentist, cosmetic dentist dallas, Cosmetic Dentist Dallas Tx, Cosmetic Dentist in Dallas TX, DALLAS DENTIST, Dallas TX Cosmetic Dentist, Dallas TX Dentist, decay, Dental, dental anxiety, dental fear, healthy teeth, pulp, root canal, sedation dentistry, tooth, tooth decay, toothache — @ 11:24 am

*Actual Patient*

Has your dentist or endodontist told you that you need root canal treatment? If so, you’re not alone. Millions of teeth are treated and saved each year with root canal, or endodontic, treatment. Learn how root canal treatment can relieve your tooth pain and save your smile.

Your teeth contain several layers: the outer protective enamel, a secondary layer of sensitive dentin, and an inner pulp that contains components commonly referred to as the “nerve” of the tooth. Each pulp chamber branches off, forming canals that lead toward the tooth root tip. These infamous root canals provide a means for the tooth to absorb what it needs from the blood and get rid of toxins or other unnecessary materials via the blood stream. A deep cavity, traumatic injury, or tooth fracture can make the canal susceptible to bacterial infection, which can kill the pulp, stimulate increased blood flow, and create pressure within the tooth. This can cause severe tooth pain and may initiate bone degeneration, tooth loss, and even more acute pain. If you see a dentist in the earliest stages of this condition, the tooth may be saved with a root canal. Otherwise, it should be extracted and replaced with a prosthetic.

Will root canal therapy hurt? Not with today’s advanced analgesics and technology. In fact, the entire process can be so comfortable that many patients doze off. Oftentimes, root canal therapy can be completed in a single appointment. We simply clean out the diseased canal, fill it with a biologically-inert substance, seal it from further infection, and you’re on your way. While some patients experience post-procedural soreness or slight tissue inflammation, these are controllable with over-the-counter analgesics. Follow-up care involves thorough home hygiene and regular dental visits for cleanings and check ups.

Before Root Canal After Root Canal

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