Dr. Henry Ward

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How Does Sugar Affect Dental Health?

Your diet can greatly effect the health of your teeth. There are many studies that show if you consume large amounts of sugar-filled foods and sweetened drinks, this can have a negative effect on the teeth. Specifically it promotes cavities and provides more opportunity for cavities to occur.

The most common oral diseases are cavities and periodontal diseases. Both have a very direct connection to the build up of plaque and bacteria in the mouth. Bacteria feed on sugar. The more sugar you consume, the more fuel the bacteria in your mouth have, and thus the bacteria can multiply much faster. Plaque is made up of bacteria. It is literally defined as a biofilm or mass of bacteria that grows on surfaces within the mouth. So, the more sugar you eat, the more the plaque can grow in your mouth!

Of course, it is not necessary to cut all sugar out of the diet. But it should be borne in mind that the more sugar you eat, the more this bacteria in your mouth can grow and cause problems. The proper cleaning of the mouth is imperative to anyone who eats food period. You should see your dentist every six months for a regular checkup and cleaning to ensure that you do not build up to much bacteria and plaque in the mouth.

How Does Your Drinking Water Effect Your Dental Health?

WaterWe all know that water is important to your overall health. It is important to keep hydrated so that your body can work properly, and get rid of wastes etc. There is another benefit to drinking clean water–dental hygiene.

There have been many studies about the effect of fluoride on dental health. Some studies say that fluoride doesn’t effect tooth decay and others do. But, in looking over these studies, you can clearly see that fluoride in your water does have a positive effect on tooth health.

Clean drinking water also has an effect on dental health. There are many studies on areas without clean drinking water. There is a study in Indonesia of an area that does not have access to clean and safe drinking water and the children in this area from 5 to 7 years old, predominantly had some form of tooth decay. The water had no fluoride, high manganese, and high acidity, which all contributed to the poor dental health in this area.

So, it is important to ensure that you drink clean and safe drinking water for your dental and overall health.

Silver vs Composite Fillings

Silver fillings are actually made up of a silver amalgam with silver-tin alloy, copper and mercury. Silver fillings have been being used for over 100 years. There have been many studies on the mercury in these silver fillings. It is true that mercury is released when chewing and grinding, but it has been found that the amount of mercury that is released from 5 fillings is the equivalent of a tuna fish sandwich. Silver fillings last longer than composite fillings, and they cost less. Over time, silver fillings will corrode which may allow decay under the filling. Also, these fillings slowly expand and may cause tooth fracture, and the need for a bigger filling or crown.

Composite fillings are made up of a resin and inorganic materials. These fillings are natural looking, they often make the tooth stronger and they bond to the tooth creating a better seal than with silver fillings. Like silver fillings, these composite fillings will dissolve over time, and they will discolor.

It’s more common now for dentists to use composite fillings, although silver fillings are approved by the ADA and FDA.

How Does the Weather Affect Tooth Sensitivity?

Many people suffer from tooth sensitivity. In fact, 50% of the population have sensitive teeth. If you have sensitive teeth, you know that eating ice cream or drinking iced tea can be shocking. But, cold weather can also provide that same discomfort.

There are reasons for tooth sensitivity, and it can be eliminated by finding the reason behind it and fixing that.

Why Would I Have Sensitive Teeth?

1. Cavities- this can make your teeth more susceptible to cold sensitivity.

2. Defective fillings- fillings can fall out or become loose over time. Also, metal fillings can be more susceptible to change in temperature, causing pain when it is cold.

3. Gum disease- when bacteria start to decompose the teeth and gums, your mouth can become much more sensitive to extreme temperatures and more susceptible to pain.

4. Teeth grinding- some people unwittingly grind their teeth when they sleep. This can cause erosion and cracking of your enamel, which can leave your teeth more prone to temperature sensitivity.

5. Brushing too forcefully- if you brush with a toothbrush that has hard bristles it can cause irrigation and inflammation of the gums which can increase their sensitivity.

As always, it is very important to see the dentist and get a professional opinion. If you think you may have one of the above , please give your dentist a call.

Manual Vs. Electric Toothbrush–Who Will Win?

The toothbrush as we know it today was invented in 1938 but there were many early forms of the toothbrush since 3000 BC. But, there have been some developments in the manual toothbrush, and so we now also have the electric toothbrush.

Well, many people don’t fully understand the pros and cons of the manual and electric toothbrush. Today I want to go over this fully so you can choose which option is the best for you.

Manual Toothbrush

Pros

1. You can get great results with a manual toothbrush as long as you use proper brushing techniques and brush for 2 minutes at a time.

2. There are many different styles, sizes and types of bristles, colors, etc. to choose from.

3. They are easy to transport for traveling.

4. There aren’t any batteries for charging.

5. They are inexpensive and easy to replace.

Cons

1. They are more work than an electric toothbrush.

2. There is no timing on them to ensure that you do brush for 2 minutes.

Electric Toothbrush

Pros

1. These toothbrushes are easy to use. You only have to turn it on and put the toothbrush at a 45 degree angle to your teeth.

2. Studies have shown that the electric toothbrush clean your teeth, remove plaque and prevent gingivitis better than a manual toothbrush.

3. They are easier for children to use.

4. They have a built in timer so you don’t have to think about it. The toothbrush literally turns off after 2 minutes.

Cons

1. You have to charge the toothbrush or replace the batteries.

2. They are much more costly so be prepared to pay much more than you are used to.

3. Traveling with an electric toothbrush is more involved. They are much more bulky and you have to drag along a charger.

4. Dropping an electric toothbrush can be costly as they are more easily broken.

I hope that you have learned something from this article. Please ask Dr Henry-Ward if you have any questions no how to properly brush your teeth.

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