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Is it an old wives’ tale that sugar causes cavities? Is it just an excuse parents use to scare children away from indulging in a bag full of candy?

As a parent, we want to make good choices for our kids, and maybe balance out all the no’s with a few yes’s every once in a while.

What is a Cavity?
A cavity, also called dental caries, is a hole in a tooth where tooth enamel has broken down due to decay. Decay is caused when plaque – a sticky bacteria that forms naturally in the digestive process – builds up on the tooth. When left for long periods of time, that plaque can cause decay, causing a cavity. Left untreated, a cavity can create a hole through the tooth and expose nerve endings creating significant pain. It can also create the need for a root canal or even result in tooth loss.

Does Sugar Cause Cavities?
No, sugar doesn’t cause cavities, bacteria cause cavities. But, sugar digestion does create bacteria, which, if not properly managed, will lead to not just cavities but also gum disease and may even result tooth loss. Whenever we eat food, acids are created by our body to break down the food to assist in digestion. These acids demineralize our teeth. Thankfully, our teeth are re-mineralized by brushing our teeth, drinking fluorinated water, and even our own saliva. The bottom line? It’s ok to indulge in some sugary treats as long as proper care is taken to reduce the presence of bacteria that cause cavities.

Cavity Prevention
To prevent cavities, you don’t need to give up sugar, but you do need to stay on top of good oral care; especially after holidays . For both kids and adults, the Indian Dental Association recommends brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing and rinsing with mouthwash daily, using sugar-free gum between meals, and seeing your dentist at least twice a year.

Encouraging children to eat less candy can help prevent cavities but also has other health benefits. Establishing good dental health practices in kids is a proactive way to help reduce future health concerns, including improved heart health, lower risk of diabetes, cancer, stroke, and more.

So you did it, you scheduled your next dental check-up. Well done! Regular dental check-ups are a critical part of keeping both your mouth and body healthy. Whether this dental check-up is a first for you, the first time in a long time, or after relocating to a new area, you may want a refresher on what to expect at your dental check-up. So, we’ve put together this quick resource to help you get prepared for your next dentist appointment.

Preparing for Your Dental Check-Up
Before that next dental check-up, there are some things you should be sure you do, especially if this will be your first visit at a new dental office.

Gather information about your health history, including medications you are taking and contact information for your most recent doctor and dentist.

Request your former dentist transfer your records to your new provider. Help foster the transfer so your new dentist has a complete picture of your dental history.

Let them know if you have health concerns such as pregnancy, diabetes, epilepsy, or special needs, so they can best support you.

Be sure to mention any concerns you have or accommodations you may require, including dental anxiety. Fear of the dentist is common and your dental team can help make your checkup more comfortable.

Follow your normal dental routine, and if you need to eat before your appointment, then eat. You can always brush your teeth at the dentist when you arrive if needed. Give yourself extra time to arrive for your first appointment so you can complete paperwork and be in a calm state of mind.

Bad breath, we all know what it is and we’ve all been embarrassed by our own from time to time. But what causes it? Knowing and understanding what causes bad breath can help you prevent it and the embarrassment that often accompanies it. Read on to learn more about what causes bad breath and quit being afraid of getting close.

Also called halitosis, bad breath can be caused by a number of issues.

Food
Some of the foods we eat can give us temporary bad breath. Garlic, onions, coffee, spicy or fragrant foods can leave your mouth less than fresh. Brush your teeth, chew sugar-free gum, or use mouthwash for a burst of freshness.

Tobacco
Smoking and tobacco use not only cause bad breath, they can create oral cancers, stain teeth and irritate your gums. Consider a tobacco free lifestyle to reduce the negative effects.

Dental issues
Bad breath can be caused by dental issues such as gum disease or cavities. Crowded teeth or ill-fitting dental appliances can also cause bad breath. See your dentist to rule out any oral care issues as a culprit.

Bacteria
Without proper brushing, flossing, and regular visits to the dentist, bacteria is not being removed from your mouth. The build-up of this sticky bacteria can lead to bad breath.

Dry mouth
Lack of saliva creates dry mouth, which may be a side effect of medications, smoking, or mouth breathing or it could be a symptom of an underlying health concern.

Disease
Sinus infections, tonsillitis, respiratory issues and even diabetes can result in bad breath. Your doctor may prescribe medication for these conditions which may make dry mouth, and resulting bad breath worse.

  What’s the deal with all of these different types of dentists? How do you know what it all means and who you should visit? Not to worry, we’re here to help make sense of the different types of dentists what it means for you as a patient.

Endodontist –
these dental specialists have received training to help patients address tooth pain while saving their natural teeth by performing root canal treatment – a procedure that treats the infected tissues within a tooth. In fact, the word “endodontic” comes from the Greek word “endo” meaning “inside” and “odont” meaning tooth!

Periodontist –
a periodontist is a dental specialist that focuses on caring for your gums and the supporting tissues and structure around your teeth. In most cases, a referral to a periodontist is made to help patients treat advanced periodontal (gum) disease. They also are trained to place dental implants.

Prosthodontist –
this dental specialist focuses on helping patients restore and/or replace lost or damaged teeth. Their goal is to look at all of the elements related to helping a patient achieve a functional, natural looking smile. Some of the treatment they perform can include dental implants, bridges & dentures.

While it may seem like an inconvenience to visit a dental specialist, it is in your best interest to to do so when referred.

Remember, your general dentist will always be your primary point of contact to help you with your oral health care needs. Do you need a new general dentist? 

If you have a drooling, grouchy infant at home, you are likely in the midst of baby teething troubles. Not to worry, as parents for decades before you have dealt with this developmental stage. Here’s what to expect of your teething infant as well as tips for soothing your baby during teething.

Baby Teething: What’s Happening 
Babies begin having their primary teeth erupt between 6-12 months of age, with teething signs appearing as early as 4 months of age. When the first tooth comes in, or your child’s birthday, is the recommended time for your baby’s visit to the dentist.

Baby Teething Symptoms and Signs
Not all babies will experience all the symptoms of teething, but most will experience at least one, including:

Red, tender or swollen gums

A low-grade temperature (less than 101 degrees)

Drooling

Desire to chew/bite

Crying, grouchiness, fussing

Changes in sleeping or eating

It is not normal, and a doctor should be seen if your baby experiences a rash, vomiting or diarrhea, coughing or a temperature as these can be symptoms of illness.

Soothing a Baby During Teething
To help your teething baby, there are several things you can do to reduce his or her discomfort. Remember to also take care of yourself and if you need time away to reduce your frustration, lay your baby in a safe place, such as their crib, and walk away. Make sure caretakers also know to never shake a baby.

Cold compress. Gum pain can be reduced with cold, whether in the form of a frozen teething ring, a wet wash cloth, or even a cold pacifier.

Pain relievers. Talk to your doctor or dentist about over-the-counter pain medication . Be sure to use no more than the recommended dosage and not for an extended period of time.

Gnawing. Allow your baby to have items to gnaw on such as clean toys or your fingers. The gnawing motion and pressure helps to relieve the pain as the teeth push through.

Cleanliness. Excess drool can cause chapping around your baby’s mouth, so keep the area clean and dry to limit further discomfort. Also, because they desire to chew on everything they can reach, be sure to have clean items for them to chew to reduce the spread of germs and disease such as thrush.

Baby Teeth Eruption
The bottom front two teeth are the first teeth to come in, in most cases, followed by the top two. After that, primary teeth fill in on either side, then molars and canines. Later, when your child begins to lose their baby teeth to adult ones, they will be lost in a similar order.

What’s the deal with all of these different types of dentists? How do you know what it all means and who you should visit? Not to worry, we’re here to help make sense of the different types of dentists what it means for you as a patient.

General Dentistry –  
Most often when you go to the dentist, you are seeing your general dentist who treats your overall oral health care needs. This includes diagnosing and treating problems such as gum disease, cavities, root canals, crowns, and bridges as well as preventative care, hopefully allowing you to avoid the need for our next types of dentists – the dental specialists.

Orthodontist –
A patient is referred to an orthodontist when a general dentist notices misalignments with the jaw and/or teeth of both children and adults. If there are extra teeth, missing teeth, or teeth are crowded, an orthodontist will treat the patient with solutions like braces, Clear aligners, and/or retainers. Don’t be surprised if your child is referred to an orthodontist as early as the age of seven.

Pediatric Dentist –
The types of dentists who work exclusively with children are called pediatric dentists or pedodontists. Much of their additional training focuses on building a positive association between children and their dentist and is based in child psychology. They work with children to build a base line for good oral health care and many work with patients who have special needs.

Oral Surgeon –
an oral surgeon specializes in the surgical treatment of disease, injuries and esthetic or functional areas of the mouth. They are the ones who remove wisdom teeth, handle dental implants, and biopsy suspicious spots in the mouth. They also have additional training in anesthesia to ensure the comfort of the patient when surgery is required.

While it may seem like an inconvenience to visit a dental specialist, it is in your best interest to to do so when referred.

Remember, your general dentist will always be your primary point of contact to help you with your oral health care needs. Do you need a new general dentist?

When your tooth is infected or diseased, it may seem like pulling it is the easy choice, especially if you’re in pain. But not so fast! Having that tooth pulled may be the easy choice, but it may not be the best choice. Most people are unaware of the benefits of saving your natural teeth. The choice to pull your tooth or save it is ultimately yours to make, but make sure you know all the facts before making that big decision.

What exactly are the benefits of saving your teeth? 
Natural teeth are stronger. Natural teeth are stronger, function better than artificial ones, and are easiesr to care for. While technology and materials are better than ever, fabricated teeth still don’t have the same strength that natural teeth do.
Avoid shifting of teeth. When a tooth is pulled, it creates a gap in your smile, allowing the surrounding teeth to shift. This shifting takes time and can eventually cause problems with chewing and bite alignment. These problems can create a domino effect of pain, poor nutrition, and reduced quality of life.

Maintain your youthful appearance. When teeth are pulled, the roots that support the jaw are pulled as well. When there is a gap in the bone, the surrounding bone will collapse in often making people appear older than they are.

No loss of confidence. If the tooth to be pulled is visible when you smile, the resulting gap can have a negative impact on your self-confidence. Time and again we see patients who have lost their joyful smile because they are embarrassed about their teeth.

Pull Your Tooth or Save It
Less pain. After a tooth is pulled, most patients report several more days of pain, especially if they experience dry socket. When the tooth remains in place through a root canal, the pain is addressed immediately when the infection is eliminated, and there is no chance of dry socket.

Fewer visits to the dentist. After a tooth has been pulled, a dentist may consider a crown, implant, bridge or other dental device to eliminate the problem of shifting teeth. This can mean more dental visits, more expense, and sometimes more pain.

Fewer costs. While you may think that pulling a tooth is cheaper than fixing it, the truth is that replacing the tooth costs more time and money. And choosing to not replace it will likely have physical and emotional costs.

Not only do you save your natural tooth, a root canal eliminates the pain and the recovery time is very brief.

While it is always preferable to save a tooth, there are times when extraction is a better option. When a tooth is cracked, especially if it is cracked below the gumline, or in several places, an extraction may be required. If the tooth is too weak to be restored, it may also be best to have it pulled.

You may have heard of teeth whitening services at your dentist office. No doubt, you’ve looked at your teeth and noticed they may not be as white as you would like them to be. You likely have an idea how to “fix” it, but do you know what causes teeth staining and how to prevent it? Our professional dental team is here to answer these, and more, of your questions about teeth staining.

What causes teeth staining?
There are a few reasons for tooth discoloration including: food, drinks, smoking, stain-causing particles within the tooth enamel, and even simply aging.

How can I prevent teeth staining?
Prevention is pretty easy when it comes to stained teeth. Avoid certain foods and beverages that stain your teeth, quit smoking, and keep up with good oral care routines including brushing twice daily, rinsing with mouthwash and flossing daily, chewing sugar-free gum between meals, and seeing your dentist at least twice a year.

What foods stain your teeth?
Foods that are bright or bold in color are the most likely to stain your teeth. Red pasta sauces, berries such as blueberries and raspberries, and bright curries all can contribute to teeth staining.
Picture of berries that cause teeth staining

What drinks cause teeth staining?
Like foods, drinks with bold colors are most likely to cause teeth staining. Avoid red wines, coffee and tea, and even dark sodas. Daily consumption can darken your smile.

Do braces stain your teeth?
Sometimes mild stains are visible once braces are removed, but it’s not the braces, it’s the way the teeth were taken care of while the braces were on. Follow the other suggestions for preventing stains, and avoid using whitening products while wearing braces so you don’t over whiten the area of your teeth surrounding the brackets.

Are all types of tooth stains reversible?
There are three primary ways teeth are stained: surface stains; under the surface stains; and age-related stains. All three can benefit from teeth whitening processes.

How do I know if I need teeth whitening?
If you feel your teeth could be more white, talk to your dentist about whether or not they recommend the treatment. The condition of your teeth, as well as the cause of the stains, will help your dentist determine your best options.

Is teeth whitening permanent?
No, teeth whitening processes are not permanent. You may need additional future treatments, or can choose to limit the cause of your stains to prolong the whitening effects and prevent stains.

Are there any side effects to teeth whitening?
Some patients may experience sensitivity with their teeth after a treatment to reverse teeth staining. Over or misuse of whitening products can damage enamel and cause permanent discoloration.

What are Removable Orthodontic Appliances?
Removable Orthodontic Appliances are used in correction of Malocclusion cases which are mild as the amount of force exerted by the appliances are not heavy and not constant as seen in Fixed Braces. So an Orthodontist plans for Removable Orthodontic appliances in selected cases and it comes with many limitations which have to be kept in mind before giving a removable appliance. Removable Orthodontic Appliances are given in three scenarios, pre-treatment ( habit breaking appliances), mid-treatment and post treatment (Hawley’s) to maintain the change achieved with fixed treatment. They are also used solely in mild cases, like mild rotation of single tooth where fingerprint etc can be used.

What are the Advantages of Removable Appliance?
• Easy for cleaning
• Relatively simple, can be handled by general practitioner
• Control is less complex
• If there is a problem, the appliance can be removed by patient
• Time required by clinical to active an appliance is less
• In case of unbearable pain or situation, you could remove them temporarily.
• In case of socially sensitive occasion, you could take them out.
• They are less conspicuous.
• They are easy to use and a general practitioner with adequate training can undertake them.
• Less expensive

How long is the Duration of Removable Orthodontic Treatment?
The length of treatment depends on the type of malocclusion, its severity, teeth crowding, jaw alignment, and so forth. In some cases, fixed and removable braces are used together. The orthodontist estimates the approximate treatment time in the initial appointment