So why would a cavity form under your dental filling? Here’s how decay can creep in under your
filling and cause a new cavity.

The Filling Has Been Damaged

If your filling sustains any type of damage, whether it’s from everyday wear and tear or you
accidentally injure it, you open up your vulnerable tooth to bacteria that can cause a new cavity
to form underneath your filling.

Such activities that can damage fillings may include grinding your teeth, chewing on ice, or
chewing on hard, sticky foods, such as candy. A damaged filling needs speedy repair by your
dentist; although unfortunately, some people don’t know that their filling has been damaged,
which is why regular checkups are so important!

Your Dental Filling Is Dated

Filling materials can become damaged over time or worn out. Your filling does have a life
expectancy depending on its material. For example, silver amalgam fillings have a life
expectancy of 10-15 years while composite resin fillings have a lifespan of 5-7 years.

Fillings experience everyday wear from your regular mouth functions of biting and chewing.
This wear and tear can cause the seal that binds your dental filling to your tooth to wear down,
which can cause bacteria to slip underneath the filling and begin damaging the tooth again.
In addition, for some patients, the seal is not initially created properly, which can lead to a
shortened lifespan of the filling and the need for early replacement.

Your Filling Is Too Large

If your cavity was a large one and there wasn’t enough existing tooth structure to properly
support the filling, your filling may be faulty and allow for decay to begin forming again
underneath. Typically, fillings like these will instead require a dental crown.

If your dentist attempted to fill your cavity to protect the tooth when there should have been a
crown, you may be more at risk for the filling to allow decay to form—or your filling may simply
fall out—and you’ll need to get a dental crown at some point.

Are you concerned that a new cavity may be forming under your dental fillings? The best way to
determine the health of your dental fillings is to visit your dentist for an exam. These fillings are
best evaluated by a professional, and your dentist can tell you if your fillings are in good shape,
if they need repair, or if you have decay underneath. Getting your fillings examined can help
prevent cavities from forming underneath!

The post Can Cavities Form Under Dental Fillings? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Since there are many sugar-free options available, this may seem like the safest move away from sugar. However, growing evidence points to the fact that artificial sweeteners aren’t any better for teeth—and may contribute to cavity formation.

Artificial Sweeteners Are Acidic

When sugar is introduced into the oral cavity, it works with bacteria to release acids that can weaken tooth enamel and therefore lead to cavities. With artificial sweeteners, they work a little differently. Their ingredients can be extremely acidic, which means they still increase your risk for cavities.

Researchers have found there’s virtually no difference between drinks sweetened with real sugar and drinks sweetened with artificial ones. The acidity of these sweeteners can weaken and erode tooth enamel, therefore making your teeth susceptible to decay.

May Cause Dental Erosion

Dental erosion isn’t quite the same thing as enamel erosion. While enamel erosion specifically refers to tooth enamel, dental erosion refers to your entire tooth. Research has linked artificial sweeteners to dental erosion, meaning that they’re corrosive enough to actually wear away your teeth, similarly to the effects of teeth grinding.

How does this happen? Since artificial sweeteners are so acidic, they can eat away at the tooth even when plaque isn’t necessarily present to affect the tooth enamel. This can cause improper tooth wear and painful sensitivity. There’s a growing body of evidence that artificial sweeteners are not exactly tooth friendly alternatives!

What Can You Do?

Although it’s normally fine for most people to have sugar on occasion, your best bet is to avoid added sugar—including artificial sweeteners—altogether. Research is clear that these sweeteners really aren’t any better for your teeth and may, in fact, be worse.

This means choosing water over soda, carrots over candy, and only having a sweet treat once per day, or less. Introduce more whole, healthy foods into your diet and keep simple carbohydrates such as sugar or white bread to a minimum. To help curb cravings, keep fresh fruit on hand, but remember that fruit juice can be just as damaging as soda!

You can also protect your smile by getting regular dental checkups to ensure that your tooth enamel is safe and healthy, and that you aren’t increasing your risk for cavities with your oral care routine. Your dentist can help protect your tooth enamel through regular care and cleanings.

Remember that reducing your sugar intake or swapping out real sugar for artificial alternatives doesn’t always decrease your risk for tooth decay. While you might be tempted to reach for these sweeteners, the truth is that they’re not any more helpful to your smile than sugar is. You can keep your smile strong and healthy for life by skipping the sugar—both real and fake!

The post Do Artificial Sweeteners Cause Cavities? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

An oral cancer screening is a simple exam that your dentist performs in order to ensure you don’t have any signs or symptoms of oral cancer. Every year, nearly 50,000 Americans are diagnosed with oral cancer and of those, nearly 10,000 will die from this disease. Early detection can save your life—so schedule an oral cancer screening or ask about one at your next dentist appointment! What should you expect during an oral cancer screening?

Visual Exam

Your dentist will conduct a visual exam to examine your mouth for any white or red areas that could be sores indicative of oral cancer. Your dentist should also look at either side of your face for unusual lumps or changes in your facial structure. Your tongue will also be examined: this includes the top, bottom, and sides. Your dentist will also perform a physical exam in conjunction with the visual exam to check for oral cancer.

Physical Exam

A physical exam of your mouth, neck, and jaw is an important part of the oral cancer screening—any lumps or abnormalities may not be visible but be able to be detected through touch. Your dentist will also feel the inside of your mouth, including your cheeks, in order to ensure there are no abnormalities present.

Your lymph nodes can also be at risk to develop cancerous tumors. Your dentist will examine the lymph nodes that are present in your neck. Your lips will also be physically examined in addition to the place where your jaw hinges near your ears.

Questions

Your dentist will also ask you some questions during your oral cancer screening. He or she will ask if you’re experiencing any symptoms that you haven’t mentioned, whether or not you smoke, and how frequently you drink. Smoking and drinking are big risk factors that should be addressed.

People who consume alcohol in excess or smoke are more likely to get oral cancer than those who don’t. Be open and honest with your dentist so that he or she can advise you and help assess your risk for oral cancer as you age. Age is also risk factor for oral cancer!

The Symptoms of Oral Cancer

It’s important that you talk to your dentist about any symptoms you’re experiencing when it comes to oral cancer. Although some people experience no symptoms, especially in the early stages of cancer, other symptoms may include a sore in the mouth that doesn’t go away, a lump or swollen lymph nodes that don’t go decrease in size, or even facial numbness.

Since some of these symptoms are vague and difficult to notice, it’s best to get a check up with a professional. Your dentist can examine your mouth during your regular checkups to ensure no signs of cancer are present.

Have you ever had an oral cancer screening? Talk with your dentist during your next checkup about your risk for oral cancer. Prevention is the best medicine, and early detection of oral cancer can mean the difference between successful and unsuccessful treatment. Get screened for oral cancer with your dentist during your next visit!

The post What to Expect During an Oral Cancer Screening appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.