Knowing the different parts of a tooth can help us better understand our teeth and hopefully take better care of them! Here are the different parts of a tooth.

Enamel

The outermost layer of your tooth is made up of enamel, which is the hardest substance in the human body. The visible part of your tooth that the enamel covers is called the crown of the tooth.

Tooth enamel is your tooth’s first defense against decay and bacteria. Although it can’t regrow once it’s been fully formed, it can re-mineralize, helping it remain strong against cavities that result from tooth decay.

Enamel is translucent, shiny, and protects your teeth from decay and sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures!

Cementum

Cementum is a hard tissue covering your tooth roots, or the part of the tooth that rests below the gumline. This material is typically a pale yellowish color.

Although not as sturdy as enamel, it does have a bone-like consistency. When cementum
becomes exposed due to gum recession, it can be extremely sensitive to hot and cold, making tooth sensitivity a symptom of receding gum tissue.

Dentin

Like cementum, dentin isn’t as hard as enamel. Unlike cementum, dentin makes up the majority of your tooth.

Dentin rests underneath your enamel and cementum and maintains a bone-like consistency
much like cementum. Dentin protects the inner chamber of the tooth, which contains the pulp, and can be extremely sensitive to both bacteria and temperatures if the enamel is not there to cover it.

This is why people who have compromised tooth enamel due to decay or teeth grinding tend to have more cavities and sensitive teeth.

Pulp

The pulp is in the heart of the tooth and contains the only soft tissue of the tooth. Everything the tooth needs to live is in the pulp, including its blood supply and nerves.
The pulp resides in two places: the pulp chamber, which is in the crown of the tooth, and the pulp canals, which extend down into the roots of the tooth.

The tooth’s pulp is an extremely sensitive area that is susceptible to infection if it becomes
damaged, which can lead to the death of the tooth. If this happens, you’ll likely need root canal therapy to keep your tooth, or an extraction may be required.

Understanding more about your tooth’s structure can help you better understand how decay works and how important it is to protect your teeth from damage. Eating a healthy nutritious diet and keeping up with your oral care routine can help your teeth do what they do naturally—resist bacteria and tooth decay for a healthy smile!

The post Smile 101: What Are the Different Parts of a Tooth? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Think again. It can be nearly impossible for even the best brushers to get all the plaque and food particles out of their teeth. This is because teeth such as the molars can be deeply grooved, making them the perfect place for bacteria to get trapped.

A professional cleaning does more than step up your brushing routine. Here’s why a dental deep cleaning is necessary for all of us!

Impossible to Get all The Spaces

How conscious are you of getting all the necessary spaces when you’re brushing your teeth? Each tooth needs to be brushed on every side. For the majority of your teeth, you won’t be able to reach every side of the tooth. This is where floss comes in to help remove plaque and food debris that may have gotten stuck from teeth that are next to each other.

During your two minutes of brushing, being aware of all the surfaces of your teeth is important. Your dentist can further facilitate a healthy mouth by doing a deep cleaning during your regular checkup and let you know what you’re missing, therefore helping you improve your brushing routine. Your dentist will also remove plaque from those tight spaces you can’t get to with your toothbrush to help prevent tooth decay and gum disease.

Plaque Can Turn into Tartar

Tartar is a mineral substance that builds up on your teeth when plaque is not removed. The plaque essentially hardens, turning into tartar. Once you have tartar in your mouth, it will need to be professionally removed.

Since tartar typically builds up just below the gumline, it can begin to irritate gums and even lead to gum disease. It can also cause cavities and tooth staining. Tartar gives plaque a better platform on which to grow, therefore making it more difficult to clean your teeth.

Many adults have tartar to some degree in their mouths, making a dental deep cleaning
necessary to remove the tartar so you can have a healthy smile again. Any place that you miss on your teeth while you’re brushing has the potential to get tartar!

You Want Healthy Teeth for Life

Your teeth are meant to last you your entire lifetime. Although teeth have the potential to
weaken as you get older if you have an underlying health condition, insufficient mineral intake, or poor oral hygiene, this isn’t what’s meant to happen to your teeth. Your teeth can remain strong and healthy for a lifetime with the right care.

Replacing a tooth can be costly and time-consuming when you factor in any additional
maintenance and dentist visits. Going to the dentist regularly can help prevent tooth loss, gum disease, sensitive teeth, tooth decay, and even catch oral cancer early.

Why put off the dentist now when you could have a healthy, worry-free smile for life?
Getting your teeth professionally cleaned is a habit everyone needs to make. From removing plaque to helping you improve your brushing routine to giving you a healthy smile for life, your professional dentist does more than simply remove stains during your deep cleaning. Make an appointment today to have your best smile!

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Are dental sealants right for you? Although these sealants are often used for children, adults can benefit from them as well. Here’s how you can determine if dental sealants might help improve your oral health!

If You Have a History of Tooth Decay

If you’re an adult who has a history of tooth decay, including having several cavities or having new cavities during each checkup, you may be a candidate for dental sealants.

Since dental sealants help protect teeth—usually the permanent molars in the back of the mouth—they can help prevent your teeth from getting any more cavities. You and your dentist can discuss if dental sealants would be a positive investment for your smile.

If you have a child who hasn’t experienced any tooth decay yet, your dentist still might consider dental sealants to protect the adult teeth. In the event that your child already has experienced tooth decay in either their baby or permanent teeth, dental sealants can help stop any future decay.

When You Want Extra Protection

Dental sealants work by protecting your tooth enamel—the shiny, outer layer of your teeth that protects the softer tissues inside—from harmful bacteria that can cause tooth decay. For adults who want extra protection on their back teeth, dental sealants could be an option.

The reason dental sealants are most often used for the molars is because these teeth tend to have deep grooves that are difficult to clean with a traditional toothbrush. When bacteria get trapped in these grooves, decay can result.

If you just want a little extra help taking care of your smile or protecting your smile for the future, dental sealants may be able to help!

A Simple, Effective Procedure

Dental sealants are ideal for people who have dental phobia or dental anxiety because they require no anesthesia and aren’t painful at all. Getting dental sealants is a simple, effective procedure that has been shown to be successful at preventing tooth decay.

Your dental sealants have the potentially to last for up to 10 years with the right care. They don’t require any food or activity restrictions after the procedure, and you’ll be able to continue on with your day after the material is professionally applied by your dentist.

For adults and children who want an easy way to help protect their teeth, dental sealants are a consideration. It’s crucial to remember that you still need to brush, floss, and visit your dentist even with dental sealants. They aren’t 100% effective at sealing out decay, so you need to do your part, too!

Could dental sealants be right for your smile? If you have a history of tooth decay, want some extra help taking care of your teeth, or just want your smile to be as healthy as possible, dental sealants could be for you. Schedule and appointment with your dentist today to discuss dental sealants!

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After eating these foods throughout the day, you might want to spend a little extra time
cleaning your teeth. This doesn’t mean hard brushing, just a gentle, detailed cleaning 30
minutes or more after consuming these items.

Dried Fruits

Although fruit is generally considered to be beneficial to your smile, dried fruit is deprived of
much of its water. Water helps balance oral bacteria as well replenish your saliva. It also acts as
a buffer between the sugar contained in the fruit and your teeth.

With dried fruits, their sticky nature and reduced water content make them harmful to your
teeth. The fruits can stick to your teeth and cause damage to enamel. Dried fruits have also
been shown to spike blood sugar in a way that fruits in their natural form don’t.

Soda

Sodas have a high sugar content while diet soda contains artificial sweeteners, which tend to be
acidic and harsh on tooth enamel. Soda that contains traditional sugar is a huge plaque
generator. Since soda is a liquid, this plaque can get in virtually all spaces between teeth and
cause plaque in hard-to- reach places.

Always wait a minimum of 30 minutes after drinking soda or consuming other sweets before
brushing. For a sugar-free, calorie-free soda alternative, try sparkling water!

Bread

Carbohydrates, especially simple carbohydrates such as those found in white bread and
bleached flour, have been known to create plaque on the teeth and are damaging to enamel. If
you eat bread regularly, opt for a whole wheat version. This can help reduce plaque and will
enable you to have an easier time brushing your teeth.

Alcohol

Alcohol is extremely corrosive to your tooth enamel. This drink can also cause more plaque. To
help minimize the effects of alcohol on your teeth, be sure to drink water along with your drink.
Never brush immediately after consuming alcohol, and always brush carefully to help remove
plaque before it turns into tartar!

Candy

Sticky sweets such as candy are, like dried fruits, one of the worst initiators of plaque. They not
only stick to your teeth, but also generate harmful bacteria that can eat away at your tooth
enamel. Candy should always be eaten in moderation, if at all. The worst candies are caramels,
sour candies, and gummy bears.

When consuming candy, drink water to help reduce damage to your tooth enamel. You can
gently brush away the plaque and floss as part of your normal oral care routine.

Although brushing immediately after you eat these foods isn’t necessary—and might even be
harmful—you will need to spend some extra time brushing. These foods can generate plaque
which you’ll need to safely and regularly remove from your teeth to be sure it doesn’t turn into
tartar!

The post Spend Some Extra Time Brushing After Eating These Foods appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Tooth enamel can be weakened through a variety of means, such as aggressive brushing, acidic foods
such as sugar, and genetics. Enamel can’t grow back or be replaced, so it’s imperative to protect your
tooth enamel while you can.

So how can you strengthen tooth enamel?

Cut Back on Sugar

Sugar is the enemy of your tooth enamel. It works quickly with the bacteria in your mouth to eat away
at tooth enamel. Sugar is present in sweets such as cakes and candy to simple carbohydrates such as
white break or crackers. Minimizing your sugar intake can be helpful to strengthening your tooth
enamel.

If you want to enjoy sweets from time to time, be sure to drink water with your food and rinse your
mouth out afterwards. Water can act as a buffer between your tooth enamel and the harmful acidic
sugar, so it can help curb damage.

Get Enough Nutrients

Having a nutritious diet is the pinnacle of having strong tooth enamel. Be sure to get an adequate
amount of calcium and vitamin D in your diet. Fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats can help keep your
tooth enamel healthy.

Fluoride, whether consumed in drinking water or in dental care products, can help strengthen your
teeth and protect against the cavities that often come with enamel damage. You can talk with your
dentist about your sources of fluoride and whether or not they’re appropriate for your smile.

Brush Properly

Although brushing your teeth is important to prevent oral health problems, brushing the right way is
essential. Here are some crucial tips to follow to protect your tooth enamel while brushing:

 Never brush aggressively. Hard brushing isn’t needed to get the plaque off. Be gentle!

 Wait 30 minutes to brush. If you’ve just eaten, wait at least a half hour before brushing your
teeth to prevent enamel damage.

 Use a soft-bristled toothbrush. Again, those firm bristles just aren’t needed to get your smile
clean.

In addition to all these things, you should brush twice a day and don’t forget to floss! Dental checkups
can also help you to have strong enamel.

Get Treatment

If you have any oral health problems, it’s essential to get treatment to protect your enamel. For
example, grinding your teeth is extremely damaging to your enamel. Your dentist can help treat this
problem to protect your smile. Gum disease, cavities, and other oral health issues can all impact the
health of your enamel. Whatever it is, getting treatment may be able to help protect your enamel from
further damage.

How healthy is your enamel? Your dentist can take a look at your smile and tell just how healthy your
tooth enamel is and if you need to take protective measures to keep it healthy. Everyone can
incorporate the above tips to strengthen enamel and have a stunning smile for life!

The post What Can I Do to Strengthen My Tooth Enamel? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Brushing your teeth is great, although unfortunately, it’s almost impossible to remove all the
plaque. Research shows that many people routinely miss certain areas of their teeth, and if
you’re not flossing or skip flossing regularly, you’re missing even more plaque. Built-up plaque
can turn into tartar over time.

Tartar is a hard substance that’s impossible to remove at home. Removing tartar and built-up
plaque regularly with professional teeth cleanings can help reduce your risk for cavities and
gum disease. Your dentist can talk with you about areas you’re missing during your visit to help
improve your brushing habits!

You May Be Predisposed to Oral Health Problems

Everything about us is the result of genes that we inherited from our parents. This is true for
tooth and gum health as well. You may be genetically predisposed to tooth decay and gum
disease, even if you brush and floss regularly. This is why it’s so important to visit your dentist
for cleanings. They can give you the extra help you need for preventative care when it comes to
your smile.

Some people also have a specific mouth structure that’s more difficult to clean than other
peoples’. This includes a smaller mouth with crowded or crooked teeth. These spaces are nearly
impossible to clean properly with home care, making a dentist visit every few months essential
to keeping plaque and tartar away.

Benefit from a Dental Exam

While you’re at the dentist getting your professional cleaning, your dentist can perform a
dental exam to assess your oral health. This includes an oral cancer screening, which should be
done annually starting at age 18, and other preventative measures. Your dentist can tell when a
cavity is in the works and together, you can put steps into place to prevent it.

Your dentist will also help you improve your home care habits to stop cavities and tooth decay.
Removing these bacteria regularly may help improve heart health by keeping bacteria out of
the bloodstream. Professional teeth cleanings also regularly remove surface stains on the teeth,
keeping your smile as bright as possible.

The verdict is in—cleaning your teeth daily is essential, but so are regular dentist visits with
professional teeth cleanings. This way, you have a 360 protection plan against harmful oral
diseases and cavities. To protect your teeth as much as possible, schedule a visit with your
dentist and keep up with your healthy brushing and flossing habits!

The post If I Brush and Floss Regularly, Do I Still Need Teeth Cleanings? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

When this happens, your teeth are absorbing a huge amount of pressure. Experts speculate
that the amount of pressure exerted by the jaw during teeth grinding is up to ten times that
which is normally exerted while chewing. As a result, this can wear down your tooth enamel.
Once tooth enamel is gone, it can’t be replaced, leading to sensitive teeth, cavities, and even
tooth discoloration.

Can Fracture or Chip Teeth

Teeth that are being ground against each other have an increased risk of being fractured or
chipped. This is especially true if they are repeatedly exposed to grinding, which can create tiny
fractures in the teeth that can eventually lead to chips and breaks.

A chipped or fractured tooth will need to be evaluated by your dentist as soon as possible, as it
can expose tooth roots and may lead to the need for root canal therapy if an infection ensues.
This will also require dental bonding or another form of treatment to restore your smile. Your
dentist will be able to tell if you grind your teeth and help you seek treatment!

Damages Gum Tissue

Although it might seem like teeth grinding wouldn’t impact your gums, the opposite is true.
Over time, the pressure of grinding your teeth can irritate your gum tissue and cause
inflammation. Your gums may even become irritated to the point that the ligaments that help
hold your teeth into place become threatened.

When gum tissue is damaged in this way, it can cause loose teeth and pockets of infection near
the gumline, therefore mimicking symptoms of gum disease. It’s essential to see your dentist to
uncover the root cause and understand why your teeth and gums are being affected so. Some
people grind their teeth while sleeping and are unaware of it!

Teeth grinding is a terrible habit that can affect your smile for life. Your dentist can not only tell
if you grind your teeth, but help you seek treatment for this condition. From wearing down
your tooth enamel to breaking your teeth to damaging gum tissue, bruxism should not be taken
lightly. Schedule an appointment with your dentist today if you suspect you grind your teeth!

The post How Does Teeth Grinding Impact Your Oral Health? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

The main causes of gum disease are usually easy to control and you can minimize your risk for
gum disease simply by taking care of them. What are some of the main causes of gum disease
and how can you minimize your risk?

Plaque Is the Number One Cause

Plaque is that colorless sticky substance that forms on your teeth a few hours after brushing. It
can make teeth feel “fuzzy” and is easily removed through regular brushing. Plaque is the
number one cause of gum disease when it’s not properly removed.

Brushing is the best way to remove plaque; however, many people don’t brush all the possible
surface areas of their teeth. If you neglect to floss, you’re missing nearly 50% of your mouth: all
the spaces in between your teeth are still subject to damage from plaque. Plaque can eat away
at tooth enamel and cause decay. If not removed, it can harden into tartar which can only be
professionally removed by a dentist.

Plaque eventually irritates the gum tissue and can cause your immune system to respond. As a
result, an infection can form which can cause a bad smell, bleeding, and sensitivity in your
mouth. These are all signs of gum disease!

Crowded Teeth or Teeth Grinding

When you aren’t able to clean your teeth properly due to crowding, this increases your risk for
gum disease. Fortunately, crowded teeth can be fixed through orthodontic treatment, which
will make it easier for you to clean your smile and remove all the plaque. In the meantime, visit
your dentist for a professional cleaning to help.

If you grind your teeth, this can cause trauma to your gums. Teeth grinding can cause gums to
become irritated and inflamed. Eventually the amount of pressure put on your teeth can cause
damage to ligaments that help anchor your teeth, which will lead to loose teeth.

Smoking and Poor Nutrition

If you smoke or chew tobacco, you have an increased risk of gum disease. Tobacco can cause
dry mouth and smokers have higher incidences of tartar. Patients who smoke also tend to have
gum disease that progresses faster and more severely than those who don’t smoke.

Poor nutrition also influences gum disease. Eating lots of processed foods as well as sugar can
cause bacteria to build up. This can lead to more plaque which will need to be removed through
careful brushing. Eating fresh, crunchy foods can actually help remove plaque and keep your
mouth moist, which cuts down on plaque growth.

Knowing the causes of gum disease can help you to avoid them. Always brush, floss, and visit
your dentist to cut down on plaque and keep your smile healthy. Seek orthodontic treatment if
you need it as well as treatment for teeth grinding. Quitting smoking and eating healthy can
help you avoid gum disease. You can have healthy gums to support your pearly whites for life!

The post What Are Some of the Main Causes of Gum Disease? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

These episodes can happen only few times a night or hundreds. Sleep apnea hugely affects your overall health, but fortunately, your dentist can help treat the problem. Here’s why you shouldn’t ignore sleep apnea and what your dentist can do about it.

Sleep Apnea Increases Risk for Chronic Disease

Sleep apnea is a dangerous, life-threatening condition. This is because your body is being deprived of necessary oxygen during the periods that you can’t breathe. Among its many health effects, sleep apnea can:

Put you at higher risk for high blood pressure
Increase your risk for heart problems including heart attacks and stroke
Raise your risk for depression and mood swings
Increase your risk for diabetes
Cause headaches

Since sleep apnea deprives the brain of oxygen, it can also impact your cognitive skills and ability to remain awake throughout the day. This increases your risk of being involved in an accident and your overall risk of death.

Not Getting Enough Sleep Impacts Your Entire Body

In addition to increasing your risk for serious health problems, sleep apnea also impacts your day-to-day life. This condition can cause weight gain, asthma, and acid reflux. Sleep apnea has also been found to be responsible for weakening the immune system, therefore making your body more susceptible to illness.

When it comes to cognitive performance, sleep apnea greatly impacts memory. It could lead to memory loss much earlier in life. When your body isn’t able to get a deep, restful sleep, it isn’t able to store and catalogue information as well as it might have if you’d not been woken up repeatedly.

Your Dentist Can Provide a Simple Solution

The good news about sleep apnea is that it usually has a simple solution, especially if you have the most common type, which is obstructive sleep apnea. During obstructive sleep apnea, your airway is suppressed by one or a combination of several different factors, including muscles that relax too much, being overweight, or the structure of your head and neck. Regardless of what’s causing your obstructive sleep apnea, you can combine oral sleep appliances with the necessary lifestyle changes your doctor recommends for treatment.

An oral sleep appliance is a custom-made, small device that fits easily in your mouth to keep your airway open while you’re sleeping. Patients usually find it much easier to wear than the traditional sleep apnea breathing mask. The best part is that it can alleviate your sleep apnea symptoms!

If you’re experiencing symptoms of sleep apnea, don’t ignore what could be a life-threatening condition. Your dentist can talk with you about your symptoms and refer you to a sleep specialist for diagnosis. You can continue treatment at your dentist office to start feeling good again!

The post Sleep Apnea Affects Your Overall Health, and Your Dentist Can Help appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

When Traveling, Pack the Essentials

Of course, you want to ensure you have the right clothes, sunscreen, bug spray, and whatever else you need for your trip. However, it’s also important to not forget the essentials for your mouth—toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss! If visiting friends or relatives, don’t assume they’ll have these things for you. Going to the store when you first arrive somewhere isn’t going to be ideal. It’s better to make sure you pack these items and have them with you when you arrive. Better yet, keep them in plain sight so that you remember to use them every morning and evening as you’ll be off your normal routine!

Keep Hydrated

There are lots of different beverages that are popular to consume during the summer—from iced coffee to energy drinks to margaritas, you’re going to have options when it comes to what you want to drink. However, drinking water rather than sugary alternatives not only keeps you hydrated, but also helps cut down on dental plaque. Keep water with you during the day so you can sip and provide your mouth with the saliva it needs to properly nourish your teeth and stop plaque from sticking to your teeth. If plain water gets boring, try seltzer water with some crushed fruit in it!

Choose Healthy Summer Snacks

It’s the time of year when you hear the ice cream truck, buy the kids French fries at the beach, and snack on popcorn at the movies. This summer, you can protect your smile by being choosy about your snacks. Watermelon is an excellent choice because of its water content. Ice cream, although it contains calcium, is packed with sugar. Other swaps to make include fresh fruit as opposed to prepackaged foods, frozen yogurt instead of ice cream, and sweet potato fries or kale chips as opposed to potato chips or French fries. By enjoying sugary foods in moderation, you can help protect your smile from tooth decay.

Visit the Dentist

The kids might be on summer vacation, but tooth decay and gum disease never take a break. This is the perfect opportunity to get your kids to the dentist while they’re out of school. Schedule an appointment to see how your kids’ teeth are doing. Your dentist can also tell you where they need to improve with brushing and motivate them to brush and floss daily!

When it comes to your summer this year, don’t put your oral care at the bottom of the list just because you’re on vacation. You can maintain a healthy smile by packing your toothbrush, drinking plenty of water, choosing healthy snacks, and visiting your dentist. Enjoy your vacation!

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