When the enamel coating surrounding healthy teeth breaks down, tooth decay is the result.  Tooth decay leads to the destruction of tooth structure and the development of cavities, or holes, in the teeth.  Tooth decay affects millions of people, yet is easily prevented.  The following are some of the easy steps everybody should take to avoid and prevent tooth decay.

The most crucial steps to preventing tooth decay involve the removal of plaque and debris from the teeth through brushing and flossing.  According to dental associations, all people over three years old should brush at least twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste, and should floss at least once daily to remove food remnants from in between the teeth.  An antimicrobial mouth rinse can also help to reduce plaque and decay.

In addition to maintaining a healthy oral hygiene routine, it is important to visit the dentist twice a year for a thorough cleaning and mouth examination.  Even people who are devoted brushers and flossers can’t clean their teeth as thoroughly as a professional can, and dentists can detect and eliminate early signs of decay.

A healthy diet is also an important factor in the fight against tooth decay.  Foods and drinks that are high in sugar are likely to form the acid that promotes tooth decay by attacking the enamel coating on teeth.  To improve oral hygiene and limit tooth decay, it is important to limit sugar and carbonated snacks.

If you’ve ever felt a shooting pain when you eat something cold or hot, drink cold or hot liquids, or breathe in really cold air, you could be experiencing tooth sensitivity.  Sensitive teeth are a very common problem, and one your dentist can effectively treat at your next appointment.
Why are my teeth so sensitive?

The sensitive interior parts of your teeth are normally protected by your gums and the enamel on the outside of your tooth.  Tooth sensitivity is usually caused by either receding gums or damaged enamel.

Damaged Enamel
The enamel on the outside your teeth, the hardest substance in your body, protects all parts of your tooth above the gumline.  Though very strong, enamel can be damaged in a number of ways.   Tooth decay can weaken it, trauma can break it or crack it, and chewing, clenching, or an improper bite can wear it down over time.

Receding Gums
Your gums help protect everything below the gumline by forming a tight strong seal where the teeth meet the gums.  Gum disease and overly vigorous brushing can both cause gums to recede, or pull away from their normal position against the teeth.

When these protections fail, the softer interior dentin layer of the tooth gets exposed.  Dentin is softer than enamel and has pores and tubules that lead to the sensitive nerve of the tooth.
How can my dentist treat my sensitive teeth

Damaged enamel can be treated with bonding, a filling or a crown.  If receding gums have caused the sensitivity, your dentist will address the gum disease issues or instruct you on proper brushing technique.  Your dentist can also discuss specialized tooth pastes that can help by either desensitizing the teeth or by filling the pores and tubules in the dentin.  Discuss all these options with your dentist at your next appointment.

The two most important steps to keeping your teeth strong and healthy are regular dental visits and proper dental hygiene.

Proper Dental Hygiene
Proper dental hygiene is all about the fight against plaque.  Since brushing and flossing are your best defenses against plaque, it is important to learn the right techniques and get into good habits.  Your dentist recommends that you use a soft bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day.  You should also floss to make sure you get the spaces between teeth a brush can’t reach.  Ask your dentist or hygienist to show you the right way to brush and floss so you can prevent tooth decay before it happens.

Regular Dental Visits
Most people need checkups twice a year.  These regular dental visits usually consist of a thorough cleaning and a dental exam. The cleaning helps remove any plaque or tartar buildup that your regular brushing missed.  If you are prone to tartar buildup, or have had gum problems in the past, your dentist may suggest more frequent cleanings.

Most dental problems are very treatable if they are caught early. The dental exam is extremely important because it can help identify small issues before they become big concerns. During these visits your dentist is also able to do an oral cancer screening.

Gum disease is caused by bacteria that harm not only the gums surrounding a tooth, but also the connective tissues and bone structure beneath the gums. When these tissues and bone are extensively damaged, tooth loss is the result.  In fact, gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss amongst adults.

Gum disease is most effectively and conveniently treated in its earliest stages. An early diagnosis of gum disease can mean the difference between non-surgical treatment and invasive gum surgery. There are a number of symptoms of gum disease which, if present, should be immediately addressed by a dentist or periodontist. Common symptoms of gum disease include:

• Bleeding gums
• Bad breath
• Sensitive, swollen, or red gums
• Loose teeth
• Increased space between teeth
• The formation of pus between teeth
• Mouth sores

Though nearly 75 percent of adults suffer from some form of gum disease, this affliction is easily prevented. The leading cause of gum disease is improper oral hygiene: plaque must be removed daily through thorough brushing and flossing, and a deep cleaning should be performed by a dentist every six months. Hormonal changes, such as those experienced during pregnancy, puberty, and menopause can affect the chemical balance in the mouth and encourage the growth of disease-causing bacteria. Certain medical conditions, such as diabetes and kidney disease, as well as certain medications, can also lead to gum disease.

Early stage gum disease is known as gingivitis. This is often treatable with non-surgical treatment such as prescription mouthwash, tooth scaling, and root planning, all of which help to clean the affected tooth root surface. Once gum disease advances, however, gum surgery is often the only viable treatment option.

Gingivitis is an infection in the gums, also known as a periodontal infection, and it is most commonly caused by poor oral hygiene.  In its early stages, gingivitis is easily treated.  If left untreated, gingivitis can lead to more serious gum infections like periodontitis, tooth loss, and even loss of jaw bone structure.  Gingivitis is a common condition amongst children as well as adults, and is the most common cause of adult tooth loss.  A recent study found that nearly 75% of adults have some form of gingivitis or gum disease.

Gingivitis does not often cause pain, so many people are not aware that they have it.  Gingivitis is caused when the bacterial deposits known as plaque build up at and below the gum line.  A proper dental hygiene routine is often enough to prevent gingivitis, and a twice-annual thorough dental cleaning is also an important factor in gingivitis prevention.  Common symptoms of gingivitis include red or swollen gums, chronic bad breath, mouth sores, a bad taste in the mouth, loose teeth, and gum recession.

In the majority of cases, gingivitis can be stopped and even reversed with a thorough professional dental cleaning and a good oral hygiene routine, which includes brushing at least twice a day, flossing daily, and using an antiseptic mouth wash.  If gingivitis has progressed, a dentist or hygienist may perform a procedure called scaling, during which tartar and plaque are removed from the teeth, both above and below the gum line.

A family dentistry practice is designed to serve patients of all ages, from small children to senior citizens.  Similar to general dentistry, family dentistry is primarily preventive in scope and focuses on maintaining the patient’s oral hygiene and tooth health.

Patients of all ages require slightly different dental care.  For example, the primary concern with young children is to help them develop strong oral hygiene habits and to protect their young teeth with fluoride treatments and sealants.  For senior patients, however, reconstructive and tooth replacement options such as dental bridges, dentures, and dental implants may be of primary importance.  Adult patients may need more restorative dental procedures, such as dental crowns, to repair damaged teeth.  A family dentist is trained in the areas of general, preventive, and restorative dentistry, but may also have pursued additional training in cosmetic dentistry.

Because family dentistry practices are designed to provide general, convenient care to family members of all ages, patients may need to seek specialized care for some issues.  For example, if a family doctor finds signs of gum disease, he or she may refer that patient to a periodontist.  Likewise, if a teenage patient wishes to straighten his or her teeth, he or she will be referred to an orthodontist.

A strong oral hygiene routine is essential to maintaining healthy teeth and gums for patients of all ages.  Accredited dental associations recommend that patients over the age of three visit a general or family dentist every six months for a thorough examination and professional cleaning.

Dental associations recommend that all patients over the age of three visit their family or general dentist every six months. During this visit, patients undergo a thorough dental cleaning and an in-depth examination of their teeth, gums, and entire mouth. The following procedures can be expected during a twice-yearly dental examination.

Tooth Examination
The dentist or hygienist will use a small mirror and pick to examine every surface of each tooth in search of cavities, fillings that may need to be replaced, calcification, and to test the strength of the enamel coating your teeth.

XRAYS
X-rays will always be taken on a patient’s first visit to a dental practice, and they may be repeated during subsequent visits if new issues (broken teeth, infection) arise. The X-ray allows the dentist to examine the health of portion of teeth below the gum line as well as the overall health of the mouth and jaw structure.

Gum Examination
The dentist or hygienist will gently probe the patient’s gums for swelling, discoloration, or pockets (where the gums pull away from the teeth), all of which could be signs of gum (periodontal) disease.

Head and Neck Examination
The dentist may feel the glands in the patient’s neck to detect any potential issues or abnormalities. The dentist may also inspect the area where the jaw meets the skull (just below the ear) to test for TMJ disorders.

The final step in a dental examination is a one-on-one consultation, during which the dentist discusses any issues discovered during the exam and advises the patient on the best oral hygiene practices for that particular patient.

Aside from regular cleanings and examinations, most dentists leave room in their schedules for emergency procedures.  They also provide contact numbers for after-hours dental emergencies, which could include lost, loose, or fractured teeth.  Here are some guidelines on how to react in the case of common dental emergencies.

A lost or knocked-out tooth requires immediate emergency dental attention.  If addressed properly and quickly enough, the tooth can most likely be reinserted and saved by a dentist.  When a tooth is knocked out, it is important never to handle the root (bottom) of that tooth.  Rinse the tooth gently and try to place back in the socket, trying to bite down to make sure it is fully inserted.  If the tooth cannot be replaced into the socket, the best thing to do is to soak the tooth in milk until a dentist can be reached.

If a tooth is simply loose or has been knocked out of alignment, it is still important to make an emergency dental appointment immediately.  Try to put the tooth back in place using a finger and very light pressure, and bite down to keep the tooth from further shifting before receiving the attention of a dentist.

If a tooth is severely chipped, cracked, or broken to the extent that it causes pain, this is a dental emergency.  In many cases, the damaged tooth can be saved with a filling or perhaps a crown if addressed quickly enough by a dentist.  In the meantime, clean the mouth by gently rinsing with water and apply a cold compress to the face if the fracture is a result of facial trauma.  Use acetaminophen to alleviate pain, but never use a topical dental anesthetic, which could burn gum tissue and make saving the damaged tooth impossible.  In some more severe cases, the tooth cannot be saved and should be removed immediately by a dentist.

With the progression of time, plaque combines with minerals naturally occurring in the mouth to form tartar (also known as calculus). Tatar is much harder than plaque, and much more difficult to remove. Tartar adheres to the rough surfaces of a tooth, especially to the tooth roots, and is an excellent breeding ground for the bacterial plaque that leads to decay, gum disease, and tooth loss.

Dental scaling is the first, non-surgical treatment for gum (periodontal) disease.  To begin the scaling procedure, the dentist, hygienist, or periodontist usually numbs the area to be treated to maintain patient comfort.  He or then uses a special instrument or an ultrasonic scaler to scrape below the gums and remove the tartar that leads to gum infection, tooth decay, and tooth loss.

Scaling can leave the tooth surface slightly rough, so it is usually followed by root planing. During planing, the dentist or hygienist carefully planes the root surfaces to smooth them and prevent further tartar buildup. Not only does root planing help prevent future buildup, but it also gives the gums a smooth surface on which to heal, which reduces post-scaling irritation.

Scaling and root planing are sometimes referred to as deep cleaning. Some dentists may recommend scaling and root planing as preventive treatments that should be repeated yearly to prevent tartar buildup, even in patients who show no signs of gum disease.

Professional Dental Cleaning
Experienced dental professionals recommend that all people over the age of three brush their teeth three times a day and floss once daily. In reality, many people have busy schedules that make brushing three times daily difficult, but at the very minimum all adults should brush at least twice a day and floss once to remove the buildup of plaque and bacteria from the teeth and gums.

Even the most dedicated brusher and flosser simply cannot remove every bit of plaque and tartar from his or her teeth.  For optimal oral health and cavity prevention, it is important to receive a professional tooth cleaning at the dentist’s office twice every year.

The dentist or hygienist will use scalers, curets, and in some cases ultrasonic scalers to thoroughly clean the entire surface of each tooth, including the portion below the gum line. Once the teeth have been cleaned, the dentist or hygienist will gently polish each tooth using toothpaste or a combination of baking soda and water. The last step in a thorough dental cleaning is a protective fluoride treatment.

When too much tartar has built up under the gum line, the dentist or hygienist may recommend tooth scaling and root polishing if the early signs of gum disease are present. Some dentists consider dental scaling and root planing to be “deep cleaning” and these procedures are performed yearly on their patients as a way to prevent gum (periodontal) disease.

Professional Dental Polishing
Tooth polishing is commonly one of the final steps in a professional dental cleaning. To polish the teeth, a dentist or hygienist will use a rubber cup-shaped instrument and an abrasive toothpaste or a mixture of baking soda and water to make teeth appear shiny and smooth.

Not only does tooth polishing lend a brilliant shine to the teeth and remove staining, but some believe it also eliminates any rough spots on the tooth surface where plaque and bacteria may accumulate. According to dental research, however, tooth polishing is an entirely cosmetic procedure with no other benefit. In fact, many patients who undergo tooth polishing believe that this is a thorough cleaning, which is a fallacy. The truth is, recent studies have shown that regular brushing and flossing at home can produce results similar to a professional tooth polishing.