Why So Sensitive?

Does eating ice cream or taking a sip of hot coffee or tea make your teeth hurt? Is brushing or flossing uncomfortable? If so, you may have sensitive teeth.

Various causes of sensitive teeth include:

• Tooth decay

• Fractured teeth

• Old fillings

• Gum/periodontal disease

• Worn tooth enamel

• Exposed tooth roots

Normally, a layer of enamel protects the crowns of your teeth above the gum line. Under the gum line, a layer called cementum protects the tooth root. Underneath both the enamel and the cementum is a layer called dentin. 

Dentin is less dense than enamel and cementum and when dentin loses its protective covering of enamel or cementum, microscopic tubules in the dentin layer allow heat or cold or certain types of food to reach the nerves and cells inside of the tooth. Dentin can also be exposed when gums recede, resulting in hypersensitivity.

Sensitive teeth can usually be treated, depending on the cause of the sensitivity. Your dentist may suggest one of a variety of treatments:

• Desensitizing toothpaste. This type of toothpaste contains compounds that help block transmission of sensations from the tooth surface to the nerve.  This usually requires several applications before the sensitivity is noticeably reduced.

• Fluoride gel. An in-office technique which strengthens tooth enamel and reduces the transmission of sensations.

• A crown, inlay or bonding. These types of restorations may be used to correct a flaw or decay that results in sensitivity.

• Surgical gum grafting. If gum tissue has been lost from the root, this will protect the root and reduce sensitivity.

• Root canal. If sensitivity is severe and persistent and cannot be treated by other means, 

Why You Should Visit the Dentist Regularly

Ever wonder why dentists recommended you be seen every six months, even if your teeth don’t hurt or if you don’t usually have your teeth cleaned that often?  Some believe the reasons are financially driven, and that couldn’t be further from the truth; well sort of (I’ll explain more later).
 
The truth is, regular dental visits are essential for achieving optimal oral health, including your teeth and gums.  Depending on your treatment needs, you may even need more frequent visits for certain teeth cleanings, possibly every 3 to 4 months.

A Routine Dental Visit

Checking your teeth for cavities is just one part of a routine dental examination.  A dentist (or dental hygienist) will complete the following procedures during your visit:

• Examine the gums• Check for evidence of gum disease• Check for loose teeth• Examine your tongue• Check your bite• Looking for visual or radiographic evidence of tooth decay• Check for broken teeth• Check for damaged fillings• Evaluate any dental appliance you have• Check the contacts between your teeth• A Routine Cleaning
 
Another important reason for a routine dental visit, is to have your teeth cleaned thoroughly, beyond what a toothbrush or floss can do for you at home.  

If not removed, soft plaque can harden onto your teeth and irritate the gum tissue and possibly lead to periodontal disease.
 
Food or beverages and tobacco can stain teeth as well and can be removed by polishing your teeth.  A dentist or hygienist will also review important information about proper oral hygiene techniques and answer any questions you may have, general or specific, about your mouth.

Alcohol and Your Teeth

Seeing as how St. Patrick’s Day is a holiday know for “festivities” involving alcohol, let’s take a look at the effects of alcoholic beverages on your teeth.  

For this month’s blog topic, we’ll take a look at how alcohol can affect your entire oral cavity, including your gums and teeth.  

Most alcoholic beverages contain a large amount of sugars and acids which are harmful to your mouth.  Acids in these beverages can demineralize/soften your teeth, and when sugars combine with natural bacteria in the mouth they also form an acid that attacks enamel. 

This is especially true when the teeth are constantly exposed to sugars and starches in alcohol without any breaks.

Much like smoking, alcohol can also dry out your mouth. Because saliva is a powerful tool in reducing the incidence of cavities and maintaining a proper pH in your oral cavity, a dry mouth can accelerate the damage caused by the sugar in alcohol.

Heavy drinking can lead to:

• Irritation of the gums, tongue and other oral tissues
• Poor healing following a  dental surgery
• Poor overall dental hygiene habits
• Increase in tooth decay
• Increase risk of periodontal (gum) disease

We at Beachside Dental hope everyone has a happy and safe St. Patrick’s Day, and enjoys the first month of Spring!

The Mouth and Heart Connection

With Valentine’s Day approaching and hearts and cupids seemingly everywhere, let’s take a look at the connection between your mouth and heart.  Unfortunately, many people often ignore the fact that oral health can have a dramatic effect on your overall health.  
Countless scientific studies have show that the relationship between your mouth and your heart is undeniable.

It has been proven that poor oral health can have a direct effect on your cardiovascular system.  For example, people with moderate or advanced periodontal (gum) disease are more likely to suffer from heart disease.  This is important, because 80% of adults have some form of periodontal disease!  

Some researchers have suggested that the bacteria involved in gum disease are able to travel through the bloodstream, attaching to blood vessels and causing clot formation.  
It has also been suggested that the inflammation of the gum tissues in periodontal disease, can also trigger clot formation and potentially be a cause of elevated blood pressure or even a heart attack.

Warning signs of gum disease may include: 

• Red, swollen, tender gums
• Gums that bleed easily
• Gums that are receding
• Chronic bad breath
• Loose teeth

If you have any of these symptoms, it is important to make an appointment with us at  
Beachside Dental, so that we can evaluate your gums, and screen you for any potentially harmful conditions such as heart disease.
   

Flossing Facts

Flossing Facts...

Thank you for your interest in our new monthly blog!  For this month's topic, I'd like to share some interesting information about flossing your teeth.  Many of my patients either do not floss at all, or are confused about flossing and its benefits.  It's time we address this important issue...

According to the Academy of General Dentistry, flossing is the SINGLE most important thing a person can do to help prevent plaque buildup.  Plaque is the sticky/yellow biofilm that will build up on all surfaces of a tooth.  Flossing your teeth is the ONLY way to prevent plaque build-up on the surfaces where two teeth touch one another, known as the interproximal contact.

Flossing also helps prevent tooth decay.  I would say that more than 50% of the cavities I treat are located in the interproximal contact, and flossing would help prevent this by removing debris or food particles which are major sources of tooth decay.

A common complaint that many patients have is that flossing causes their gums to bleed.  In fact, if flossing causes your gums to bleed, it is a sign that you have active periodontal disease (inflammation of gum tissues and the bone).  In addition to having your teeth cleaned professionally every 6 months, flossing is an easy home remedy for controlling periodontal disease.

There are many types of dental floss.  You can try both waxed or unwaxed floss, flavored or unflavored.  There is traditional floss that you can unroll or there are floss sticks that are much easier for younger patients to use.  There are also special types of floss that make it easier to floss underneath "bridges" or other hard to reach areas.

If you have any questions regarding the benefits of flossing, please do not hesitate to contact Beachside Dental at (805) 308-6998 or info@beachsidedds.com.