cavities Archives | Dr. Bruce Silva D.D.S.

June 9, 2016

You know candy and chocolate can be damaging to your healthy smile. But, what else? There are two main food components that are detrimental to your teeth: sugar and acid.

Bacteria feast on your plaque buildup created by your sugar consumption and produce lactic acid, which erodes your tooth enamel. Sucrose is the worst form of sugar because it adheres to teeth very strongly making it, and the bacteria, difficult to remove even when brushing.

Acids naturally occur in many foods, including fruit. Acidic foods eat away at your enamel and break down your teeth directly. You can wash away natural acids by just drinking water. However, brushing soon after consuming acidic foods or beverages can actually cause more damage because teeth are permeable, brushing softens them and makes them more susceptible to acid. Wait at least an hour before brushing after eating acidic foods.

Believe it or not, the following 10 foods can be the most damaging to your teeth.

Apples

Apples are very high in acid. Be sure to rinse your mouth with water or mouthwash shortly after.

Hard candies

Hard candies are especially harmful because we tend to hold them in our mouths longer.

Pickled vegetables

Pickles are made with vinegar, which is acidic. Vegetables may be healthy but the brine can damage your teeth. Remember to brush an hour later.

Bread

Many breads contain sugar, especially processed white breads. Bread is also sticky and gets between and behind your teeth.

Popcorn

Popcorn gets stuck in your teeth, and the areas between your teeth will build up more bacteria for that reason. Rinse your mouth with water and floss after.

Peanut Butter

Sticky and often made with sugar, peanut butter not only feeds bacteria but makes it easier for them to adhere to teeth.

Jelly

Just like peanut butter, jelly is loaded with sugar. Even the all-fruit brands contain natural sugars and encourage plaque and bacteria if not washed away soon.

Meat

Some meat products contain sugar as a preservative and gets stuck in between your teeth. While the amount of sugar may not be very high, any food that sits between your teeth can promote tooth decay.

Diet Soda

The acidity of diet sodas is very high, making it one of the worst products for your teeth.

Salad dressing

Salad dressings are composed of vinegar and sugar for flavor.

While many of these foods are healthy, you should try and care for your teeth soon after eating them. Drinking water with your meal and rinsing with an alcohol-free fluoride mouthwash or flossing and brushing with toothpaste reduces the risk of damage.

Furthermore, consider the length of time food is left in your mouth. The more time bacteria have to produce acids, the more damage will be done.

So, watch what you eat and drink and don’t forget to call us when you’re ready to schedule your dental cleaning appointment.

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May 23, 2016

A study conducted in 2013 stated that 63% of Americans are actively avoiding the consumption of soda on a regular basis. That’s a major increase from 2002, where only 41% of Americans were avoiding soda. Still, that leaves a lot of people consuming high-sugar soft drinks, which are closely associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes, and tooth decay. Soft drinks can have some negative effects on your teeth and here’s what you can do to prevent damage to your healthy smile.

There are two main effects of drinking soda: erosion and cavities. If you drink soda or other sugary drinks all day, your teeth are always under attack by the acids created by the sugars and the bacteria in your mouth. Erosion begins when the acids in soft drinks encounter the tooth enamel (the outermost protective layer on your teeth) and they begin to reduce the surface hardness of the enamel. Unlike sports drinks and fruit juices, sodas also affect the next layer, dentin, and even composite fillings. The damage done can invite cavities, which develop over time in people who drink soft drinks regularly. When combined with poor oral care, the results can be dreadful.

If you’re attempting to find a solution to prevent cavities, then stop drinking soda altogether. If you’re unable to quit soft drinks cold-turkey, then you do have other options. Drink in moderation. Don’t have more than one soft drink each day. Drink soda faster. The faster you drink, the less time the sugars and acids have to damage your teeth. If you use a straw, this will keep the acids and sugars away from your teeth. Rinse your mouth with water after drinking a soda but don’t brush your teeth. The friction against your sugar-coated teeth can do more harm than good. Instead, wait 30 to 60 minutes to brush. Don’t drink sodas at bedtime because this will keep the sugar and acids attacking your teeth all night. And finally, visit the dentist regularly.

If you feel your teeth have suffered due to sugary drinks, schedule an appointment HERE or call Dr. Bruce Silva today at (512) 605-0860 for more information on tooth decay.

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December 31, 2015

A New Years resolution that should be on everyone’s list for 2016: smile more! Smiling more often is proven to increase your quality of life, better your chances of success in your career, and help you catch the eye of that special someone. Many people hide their smiles because are embarrassed by yellowed or stained teeth. Teeth usually darken as we age, but other factors can cause teeth to become discolored as well including certain foods, drinks, medications, tobacco, and genetics. Though you can’t choose your ancestors, you can elect to do something about your own teeth.

Professional whitening is safe and can brighten your teeth up to ten shades lighter in just one visit! Over-the-counter remedies aren’t as effective and can take weeks to see results. They can also cause discomfort to people with sensitive teeth or gums when used long-term.
Start the year off right and schedule your teeth whitening consultation today. Reveal those pearly whites waiting to be uncovered!

Here are some benefits of teeth whitening:

Smile more
Boost your confidence
Remove stains from coffee, tea, juice, smoke, or medications
Elevate your outlook on life

At Austin Premier Dental, we offer several teeth whitening options, including an in-office procedure that can give you a brighter, whiter smile in as little as an hour. We also offer customized, take-home options as well. Whichever treatment you choose, you can rest assured that we’re the Austin dentists who will work with you to determine the most appropriate teeth whitening method for you.

Start the New Year with a new smile, a new look…and a new you! Call today for a consultation.

Source: Jefferson Dental & Popular Mechanics

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December 22, 2015

Happy Holidays to all of our patients and their families! With the celebrations beginning, you know that even those on Santa’s nice list can be tempted by the constant offerings of sweet treats like desserts, candies, cookies and other sugar plums. We don’t want to be a scrooge, though, we want you to have a good time and enjoy the season! The good news is you can have your cake (in moderation) and eat it too and still keep your oral health top of mind.

Remember, when you consume a lot of sugar, the natural bacteria in your mouth will create acids that can wear down the enamel of your teeth. When your enamel wears down, the tooth can soften and become more susceptible to decay. These acids and developing decay can cause gingivitis and other gum problems. During the holidays, when so many sweets are readily offered, your dental health can go from bad to worse. Here are some helpful hints in making the right choices without missing out on all of the fun.

Did you know cakes and cookies are better for your teeth than hard or chewy candy? Make the right choices when it comes to dessert.

If you can’t brush your teeth after you eat, try rinsing your mouth out with water. Even chewing sugarless gum can help add saliva to wash away that sugar.

Do keep a travel size toothbrush and toothpaste handy so that you can be prepared. Keep them for your children as well.

Increase your brushing at home. Spend a little extra time at the sink both morning and night. This may just be a habit you’ll want to keep all year! The recommended amount of time for brushing is 2-3 minutes. Maybe a timer will help, especially with the kids.

We hope you have a magical holiday season and look forward to seeing you at your next visit! Remember, if you suspect you may have a cavity or any other dental issue, give us a call!

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October 23, 2015

It’s finally October and that means Halloween is upon us. With the spooky season comes bags, buckets and pillow cases full of candy. Parents may feel torn about this predicament as they remember back to their days of carefree trick-or-treating and now having to be the responsible mom or dad who feels the need to limit their little goblin’s sugar intake. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be all or nothing. With a few little tips, you can instill in your kids the ability to make the right choices when it comes to their Halloween loot.

Easier said than done? Try this approach and mindset: it’s not about the limitation of the candy, but about the longevity of the candy. The deciding factor really should be about how long a piece of candy stays in your child’s mouth.

For probably the first time ever, you don’t need to tell your kids to slow down when it comes to enjoying their treats. The faster they eat them, the less time that sugar is left behind on their teeth. Chocolate sweets are less sticky and easier to consume than hard, sticky candy, especially a lolli-pop that kids may suck on continuously, coating their teeth with sugar.

Cavities are caused by bacteria that produces harmful acid. This bacteria is increased by sugar. So, keep that candy moving and follow it up with good brushing and flossing habits. If you don’t have a toothbrush and toothpaste readily available, have your child rinse their mouth out with water and have them chew some sugarless gum. This will help with saliva production, a natural way to rinse the teeth.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to call us. We’re here to answer your questions and to schedule a post-Halloween cleaning. Happy Haunting!

(source: kidsandcavities)

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July 26, 2015

Dental sealants are plastic coatings that are basically painted on the tooth. These coatings protect the hard to reach pits and grooves on the chewing surfaces of the tooth. This prevents bacteria from forming and ultimately, tooth decay. The procedure takes minimal time and has causes no pain though some patients may not like the taste of it. Sealants are mostly used on children’s new molars and we like to catch them as soon as they erupt so that we can protect them from the start. The first molars appear between the ages of six and eight and the second set show up when the child is around ten to twelve years old.

Sealants are not necessary, but they are very beneficial, especially for children who run a high risk of cavities. This risk is determined by genetics, dental habits, diet and oral history. If your child has had a cavity in the past three years, they are at high risk for more. You can prevent this from happening by having those sealants applied.

The only bad news is from the kids’ points of view. Sealants don’t wear well with sticky, crunchy candy-like substances. If the sealants get worn down due to the diet of the child, the risk for a cavity is increased and sealants may have to be reapplied.

NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Worst Food For Your Teeth

Your Teeth Will Decay if You Drink Soda All Day

A New Year-A New You! Get a Fresh Start With Teeth Whitening

Tips For Clean Teeth During the Holiday

Good Tips for Halloween Candy

Dental Sealants

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