How To Stop Tooth Decay

I often get asked how to stop tooth decay. You'd think that keeping your teeth healthy by eating healthily & keeping them clean was about as easy as getting off a chairlift - wrong. This movie clip shows -
1) that getting off a chairlift isn't that simple

2) How bacteria form plaque on your teeth and

3) how that plaque ultimately leads to dental decay 

Decay & the subsequent hole that develops is actually a symptom of a disease process called caries. You can only have caries when certain acid-loving bacteria are established in large concentrations in the mouth (to date 60+ bacteria have been recognised to contribute to caries, tooth decay & subsequent cavity formation requiring fillings). This acid-loving bacterial colony is called an “unhealthy biofilm”. It is now possible, using medicaments in the form of mouth rinses & tooth gels & mouth sprays, to change the concentrations of these “bad” bacteria thus altering the bacteria living in your mouth to those that thrive in a more healthy neutral or alkaline environment (healthy biofilm). If this happens then the cycle of getting cavities & needing fillings should stop altogether or slow down.

 

 If you have - 

1) all your cavities restored
2) adequate saliva flow3) a healthy biofilm (good bacteria) &
4) you don’t encourage bad bacteria to “move back into your mouth” by feeding them food/drinks with refined & unrefined sugars

you should not suffer from caries & therefore should not get cavities.

I have compiled some general information & a prescription along with a treatment regime which will assist you. But first

How Tooth Decay Happens

Tooth Decay is caused by certain types of acid loving bacteria (e.g. mutans streptococci and lactobacilli etc) that live in the mouth. When they attach themselves to the teeth and multiply in dental plaque, they can do damage. The bacteria feed on what you eat, especially sugars (including fruit sugars) and cooked starch (bread, potatoes, rice, pasta, etc). Within about five minutes after you eat or drink, the bacteria begin producing acids as a by-product of their digesting your food. Those acids can penetrate into the hard substance of the tooth and dissolve some of its minerals (calcium and phosphate). If the acid attacks are infrequent and of short duration, your saliva can help to repair the damage by neutralizing the acids and supplying minerals and fluoride that can replace those lost from the tooth. However if you have many of these bacteria, or your saliva is defective; then the tooth mineral lost by the attacks of acid is too great and cannot be repaired. This is the start of tooth decay and leads to cavities. Smaller cavities are fixed with either dental fillings. Larger cavieties can be fixed with either dental fillings or stronger more long lasting dental crowns & overlays

Read how diagnosis of tiny dental cavities are found with the help of laser Diagnodent diagnosis & then treated in a minimally invasive manner using Dental Air Abrasion

 Methods of Controlling Tooth Decay

• 1.Diet: Reducing the number of sugary and starchy foods, snacks, drinks, or lollies can help reduce the development of tooth decay. That doesn’t mean you can never eat these types of foods, but you should limit their consumption particularly when eating between main meals. A good rule is 3 meals per day and no more than 3 snacks per day. Your last snack/meal of the day should be at least one hour prior to you going to bed.
• 2. Fluorides: Fluorides help make teeth more resistant to being dissolved by bacterial acids. Fluorides are available from a variety of sources such as drinking water, toothpaste, mouth rinses, and products prescribed by your dentist such as brush on gels used at home or gels and foams applied in the dental surgery. Daily use is very important to help protect against the acid attacks.
• 3. Plaque Removal: The most important thing that you can do at home is to clean your teeth at least twice daily for 2 minutes. The purpose of cleaning the teeth is to reduce the overall level of bacteria in your mouth as well as clean the biting surfaces and the sides of the teeth facing the tongue and cheeks. Brushing is also effective in reversing and preventing gingivitis, but in order to control and prevent tooth decay, you must use a toothpaste containing fluoride. However in order to clean between the teeth other oral hygiene aids must be used daily. E.g. Floss, interproximal brushes. Having a professional dental clean with one of our dentists or dental hygienist is a great way of removing dental plaque, dental calculus & scale that you may have missed
• 4. Saliva: Saliva is critical for controlling tooth decay. It neutralizes tooth decay acids and provides minerals and proteins that protect the teeth. If you cannot brush after a meal or snack, you can chew some sugar free gum. This will stimulate the flow of saliva to help neutralize the acids and bring lost minerals back to the teeth. (Sugar free candy and mints could also be used, but some of these contain acids themselves. These acids will not cause tooth decay, but they can slowly dissolve the enamel surface over time (a process called erosion)). Some sugar free gums are designed to help fight tooth decay and are particularly useful if you have a dry mouth (many medications can cause dry mouth). Some gums contain baking soda, which neutralizes the acids produced by the bacteria in plaque.
• Gum that contains xylitol as its first ingredient is the gum of choice. e.g.: Recaldent; Xtra professional or Xtra for kids
• If you have a dry mouth, you could also fill a drinking bottle with water and add 2 teaspoons of baking soda for each 8 ounces of water and swish with it frequently throughout the day. We also have Carifree boost oral spray (small spray bottles premixed to lubricate dry mouth & keep the oral PH around neutral) Toothpastes containing baking soda are also available from several companies.
• 5. Antibacterial mouth rinses: Carifree treatment & maintenance rinse to reduce the number of bad bacteria that cause tooth decay & encourage a healthy more neutral/alkaline biofilm.
• 6. Preventative resin restorations are plastic coatings bonded to the biting surfaces of back teeth to protect the deep grooves from decay. In some people, the grooves on the surfaces of the teeth are too narrow and deep to clean with a toothbrush, so they may decay in spite of your best efforts thus creating “reservoirs” of bad bacteria that subsequently seed the rest of your mouth causing cavities elsewhere. Sealants are an excellent preventative measure for children and young adults at risk.

Medicaments available in the form of mouth rinses, tooth gels, fluoride applications & mouth sprays are all available at Milford Dentists, North Shore Auckland.

General Prescription

• 1) Floss daily
• 2) Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste
• 3) Limit sugary snacks and drinks between meals
• 4) Chew xylitol chewing gum (Recaldent; xtra professional or xtra for kids) after meals or snacking when you cannot brush.
• 5) Drink more water
• 6) Have regular dental cleaning with your dental Hygienist or Dentist
• 7) Use a dental water pick

Please ask us which dental products are suitable to help improve the health of your mouth. 

posted by Andrea

Milford Dentists is proud to help the good people of the North Shore with all their dental requirements; especially in our mission to help you iradicate dental tooth decay - From Devonport and Belmont up through Takapuna, Castor Bay,Mairangi Bay & Browns Bay as well as Albany, Northcote, Hillcrest & the Whangaporoa Peninsula give us a call - 09 4896575.

Halitosis What Is It & What Can I Do About It?

Halitosis, (known more informally as bad breath ), is an unpleasant, chronic oral condition that can be embarrassing and in some cases cause anxiety as it continues to persist even when you’ve taken steps to avoid or reduce it.In response to this problem, when you step into stores, you’ll find shelves stocked to capacity with a range ofgum, mints, mouthwashes and other products designed to fight bad breath. However, many of these only offer a temporary solution and don’t address the causes of Halitosis.

There’s a full and comprehensive explanation of halitosis provided by Wikipedia here.

Halitosis Causes – What Are They?

For many, halitosis remains an unpleasant part of every day, as either a sufferer or living and working with others who have chronic bad breath. The causes of Halitosis are varied, but primarily the symptoms are a proliferation of anaerobic (non-oxygen breathing ) bacteria, thriving in biofilm (a sticky film created to protect and ensure their survival) which grows on surfaces within your mouth.

When the biofilm is left unchecked, it becomes dental plaque, which causes other dental and oral related problems. 

Other causes of halitosis can include

• breakdown of food particles in your mouth
• dryness of the mouth (xerostomia)
• smoking or tobacco products
• tooth decay

Learn more about the causes of bad breath here

Halitosis Cures or Remedies - How To Get Rid of Bad Breath?Although particular health conditions, habits, and foods are among the leading causes of halitosis, as a sufferer of bad breath, you can often improve or eliminate the symptoms with consistent attention to proper dental hygiene. 

Regular oral dental health routines recommended below not only combat halitosis or bad breath but also contribute to the long-term maintenance of a healthy mouth, teeth, and gums.

• Scheduling of regular dental checkups to identify and remove plaque or tartar.
• Brushing your teeth and using a tongue scraper twice daily. Eliminate odor-causing bacteria, as soon as possible after you eat.
• Rinsing or gargling with water or mouthwash daily. Supplement your routine with a mouthwash that limits the unhealthy bacteria and instead helps the communities of beneficial bacteria to thrive.
• Flossing your teeth or using an interdental cleaner at least once a day.  If using floss daily, make sure it’s between each tooth and along the gum line – where biofilms spread most often.
• Drinking plenty of water daily.Prevent a dry mouth, often a cause of bad breath.

But if regardless of how much teeth cleaning and rinsing with mouthwash, you continue to the suffer from Halitosis or other persistent bad breath problems, and this is something you are concerned about, don’t hesitate to contact us 

The New Zealand Fresh Breath Clinic

In 2013, Andrea Clarke set up the first Breath analysis clinic in New Zealand to treat those with bad breath or Halitosis problems.  The New Zealand Fresh Breath Clinic is hosted at Milford Dentists.

At Milford Dentists, our dental team can work with you to help identify the underlying causes of chronic bad breath and develop a treatment plan. At the New Zealand Fresh Breath Clinic, we feel your frustration and are here to help. Whether you want to rid yourself of Halitosis or are curious to see if you are suffering from bad breath, we are happy to accept all patients.

Posted by Andrea and Karen

Milford Dentists is proud to help the good people of the North Shore with all of your dental needs. From Devonport and Belmont up through Takapuna, Castor Bay, Mairangi Bay & Browns Bay as well as Albany, Northcote, Hillcrest, the Whangaporoa Peninsula and beyond – call us today to learn more:  09 4896575.

Children & Kids Cavities - Learn To How To Protect Your Toddlers Teeth

Tooth decay and cavities affect not only adults but also our children – and from a very early age. So to keep your kids smile happy and healthy, make sure you keep their teeth properly cleaned and flossed and include regular dental visits to reduce the likelihood of later treatments and unexpected costs. 

You may think your children will always have strong, healthy teeth but recent reports are showing tooth decay occurring at an earlier age than ever before, and the importance of teaching your children how they can have good oral health habits to last them a lifetime.

The incidence of tooth decay is occurring at an earlier age for children and even toddlers with international (and local) reports revealing children developing cavities in their primary teeth from ages 2 and up, according to USA’s National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research and the New Zealand Dental Association.

The National Institute’s research is a concern for parents because 42 percent of children ages 2 to 11 develop a cavity in their primary (AKA milk or baby) teeth, in addition to New Zealand surveys which have identified that more than 40% of 2-4-year-olds are not being seen by a dental professional and 44% of 5-year-olds have at least one decayed, missing or filled tooth.

Although dental decay remains the most prevalent chronic, and irreversible, disease in New Zealand with free dental care available for children up to 18 years, many parents don't see oral health as a priority and only take their children to a dentist in an emergency.

What Are The Causes of Tooth Decay in Toddlers?

In toddlers, tooth decay begins in the mouth as bacteria begin to eat away the primary teeth. A common cause of toddler tooth decay occurs when your child goes to bed with a bottle (AKA baby bottle tooth decay). When milk or juice from the bottle sits in your child’s mouth overnight it provides an ideal environment for breeding bacteria.

Unhealthy eating habits such as children sucking on sweets for prolonged periods or eating a lot of sugary foods can also contribute to tooth decay along with poor oral hygiene.

How Can I Prevent Tooth Decay in My Toddler?

Here in New Zealand, children have free dental care available, and it is recommended that parents make sure checks start from 9 months old (or before their first birthday).

To prevent tooth decay in toddlers, never allow your child go to sleep with a bottle or a sipping cup of milk or juice. If you provide your child a drink before bed or to sleep, use only water. Dental experts recommend that if your children do drink milk or sugary drinks, they should be consumed quickly instead of sipping them slowly (to reduce the exposure time of teeth to decay-causing sugars from the drinks in a bottle or sipping cup).

Be sure to floss daily and brush your child's teeth twice daily (avoiding sugary foods where possible). Highly acid foods, (eg. cola) or fruit juice, literally dissolve the enamel and subsequently make your child's teeth more susceptible to cavities.

Brush your toddler's teeth at least twice daily after eating sweets (or other foods) with a with a soft-bristled brush, but make sure fluoride toothpaste is only used when your child is capable of spitting it out without swallowing it.

To brush baby teeth correctly, either you or your child should hold the brush at a 45-degree angle, with gentle strokes covering the entire tooth surface for at least 2 minutes.

Treating Tooth Decay in Toddlers

If your child does develop tooth decay, to prevent the bacteria from spreading, dental work will be required (fillings to correct smaller cavities or a full crown if the damage is extensive). A tooth with decay throughout may require extraction to prevent the bacteria spreading to other teeth. If the decay is severe in primary teeth, pitting or staining in the secondary (adult) teeth can occur.

The habits you start early for your child's baby and adult teeth are important for long-term oral hygiene and health. Although your toddler's teeth will fall out, don’t ignore their care. For a healthy smile throughout their lifetime, make sure your children are protected from cavities at an early age.  Contact us now to discuss your children's dental health and how we can help.

Posted by Karen - Dental Therapist

The Tooth Decay Process: How To Reverse It And Avoid Cavities

No-one likes it, but we’re all used to it. Tooth decay and cavities can be avoided, yet most of us have experienced many painful trips to the dentist. Root fillings, tooth crowns, composite veneers – they’re no fun for anyone! If you want to keep your smile looking great for years to come, take care of your teeth before any problems arise. Here are five ways to reverse the tooth decay process.

Brush Twice Daily

Some of us are better at it than others, but we should all be brushing our teeth at least twice a day with good technique for 2 minutes. You know when you’ve crashed somewhere after a party, and your mouth is yuck and you scrape fuzzy stuff off your teeth? That’s plaque.

Plaque is the soft, sticky, bacteria-laden film that builds up on your exposed enamel. When left alone for too long, plaque can harden into tartar, which in turn can lead to gingivitis, an early stage of gum disease. Plaque can also cause tooth decay and – just as terrifying – bad breath.

Brushing your teeth regularly will remove plaque, leaving your mouth healthy and smelling fresh. Use a soft bristled toothbrush and brush in a gentle, circular motion. 

Floss Daily

Floss is an interdental cleaner, designed to clean the tight, hard to reach spaces in between your teeth. It may seem pedantic, but it’s really not. Brushing removes plaque from most of the surfaces of your teeth, but flossing removes plaque and food particles that are lodged in the parts the tooth brush doesn't reach.

Floss at least once a day.

 

Eat a Balanced Diet

A no brainer, right? What you eat affects your oral health. We all know that sugar causes tooth decay, but which foods are good for our teeth? Whole grains, fruits at main meal times, vegetables, lean sources of protein such as lean beef and legumes, and low fat and fat-free dairy foods are your friends.

But it’s not just what you eat – it’s how you eat it. Foods that are eaten as part of a meal do less harm to your teeth, as more saliva is produced during longer eating sessions. Saliva helps wash down food and lessens the effect of acids in food. If it’s not realistic for you to quit snacking, reach for something crunchy and fresh, like a stalk of celery!

Drink Plenty of Water

Did you know that saliva is 99% water? Having low levels of saliva causes a dry mouth, which leads to bad breath and all sorts of dental issues. As mentioned above, saliva washes down food and protects your teeth during meals. In fact, saliva is your mouth’s first defense against mouth decay.

Visit Your Dentist Twice a Year (Or More)

We recommend you visit a dentist twice a year for a regular check-up. If you are a smoker, pregnant or currently have a gum disease or are prone to mouth infections, you should make an appointment with your local dentist every 3-4 months. It’s cheaper to prevent tooth decay and cavities than it is to fix them, so be proactive and look out for your oral health!

Why Have I Got Toothache?

Toothache can range from a tooth being sensitive to cold, to pain on biting or even be a constant pain that mean people can't sleep properly! There are many causes of toothache and we will discuss some of these and different options available for how they can be treated. 

Dentine Hypersensitivity

This tends to occur in patients who's gums have shrunk back due to gum recession, leaving the roots of their teeth exposed. The roots of a tooth can become incredibly sensitive to cold, touch or even tooth brushing because they aren't protected by enamel which is the hard outer layer we have on the tops of the teeth. In these early stages we can take a non invasive approach, where a fluoride gel is placed on the exposed root surfaces and starting to use a sensitive toothpaste that you place on the exposed root surfaces before going to sleep and leaving on overnight to soak into the tooth.

Over time these root surfaces can become worn incredibly quickly as they are softer than enamel. As the wear progresses deeper the nerves in the tooth can become very inflamed and painful, to the point where toothache becomes more constant and worsened by heat in which case teeth may require root canal treatments or even extracting! So one option available would be to cover exposed root surfaces with a composite filling, which helps to protect the nerves in the tooth and treat the sensitivity to cold.

Reversible Pulpitis

This most typically occurs as a result of decay deep in a tooth, in close proximity to the nerves. This causes the nerves in the tooth to become painful in short bursts usually when something cold comes into contact with the tooth. At this stage treatment is based around removing the cause which is the decay deep in the tooth and placing a filling. However in the future the nerves in the tooth may die off as a result of the previous damage they have received in which case root canal treatment or extraction may be considered.

If left untreated reversible pulpitis will progress to irreversible pulpitis or to the point where the tooth becomes infected.

Irreversible Pulpitis

This again is most commonly caused by decay deep in the tooth but at this stage the nerves in the tooth have become so badly damaged that they are going through the process of dying. The nerves in the tooth can be constantly painful throughout the day even without any trigger which can worsen when heat is applied. At this stage treating the cause of the problem means removing the nerves in the tooth either by way of a root canal treatment or removing the tooth itself.

If left untreated the tooth will eventually become infected leading to further pain and possibly a facial swelling in the future.

Infected Tooth

At this point the tooth will usually be constantly painful through day and night, causing sleepless nights, which can be worsened when pressure is applied to the tooth when biting and chewing. Tooth infections can be present without experiencing any pain however if left patients risk bacteria entering their blood stream or facial swellings that interfere with breathing. The treatment options here involve removing the cause of the infection which is bacteria within the root canal system of the tooth through root canal treatment or removing the tooth.

Now it would be great if we can avoid these problems before they occur which is why we advise people to regular dental check ups and consider having fillings on decayed teeth before they get to this point.

What Would Happen if You Never Treated a Cavity?

Dental cavities can be a hassle for busy people who are short of time. Although ignoring the pain and discomfort of tooth cavities isn’t advisable. The outcome for ignoring a decaying tooth or cavity can only be further deterioration. Here is a guide to learning what happens when you leave a cavity untreated.

Further deterioration and decay

Ignoring a cavity means that it will inevitably grow in size. Additionally, dental decay will make tooth structure brittle and prone to cracking and the bacterial infection (tooth decay) is likely to compromise surrounding teeth as well.  At an early stage dental decay would would most likely result in a tooth filling, which is generally successful and straightforward.  

Severe nerve pain

A consequence of dental decay can be pain which can’t be conveniently ignored as a cavity progresses. The decay eventually reaches the nerve. At this stage, routine dental fillings won’t be enough to solve the problem. A solution would be either a root canal treatment or tooth extraction.

Bacterial infection

A bacterial infection may arise in the  jaw bone when bacteria destroy the pulp/nerve in the middle of the tooth.  This could lead to a change in the pain symptoms and sometimes swelling of the gum around the area. Also bacterial infection in the gum and bone can lead to systemic infections (ie infections and inflammatory damage elsewhere in the body like cardiovascular disease)

Serious illness and death

In the days before modern technology in western countries, serious illness and death as a result of a tooth cavity were more commonplace. Nowadays it’s rarer, but it’s still technically possible. Although this article isn’t an attempt to scare-monger it does aim to help people to consider real risks. The rule of thumb is that tooth cavities evolve and worsen quickly. The results to your health, well being and wallet can be disastrous.

Staying on top of your dental hygiene

The good news is that to mitigate against the damage caused by cavities, you can make some regular routinized changes to your life. When practiced daily, these changes will keep cavities at bay.

• Brush twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste.
• Clean in between your teeth daily with dental floss
• Eat nutritious, balanced meals and avoid sugary snacks between meals.
• Visit your dentist regularly for a general check-up. A regular oral examination will rule out the vast majority of problems. 

Having regular check-ups for cavities ensures that these horrible outcomes remain worst-case scenarios that only happen to other people. Speak with Milford Dentists about a broad variety of services we offer, including cosmetic dentistry, tooth whitening services, fillings, dental implants, orthodontics and braces. Our dental services cover the full spectrum of life-long care and our patients and their families are happy with our services.