Some people think that if they get a cavity their tooth would hurt, however that is not always the case.  In fact a large majority of cavities are completely painless.  The reason for this is that the outer tooth enamel has no nerves. It is only when the cavity gets larger enough that it starts to enter the underlying dentin that the cavity may begin to feel sensitive.

Therefore waiting to see a dentist only when you have dental pain is not good advise. By the time you feel pain from a cavity you may also have larger dental issues to address. This is because the cavity may have spread to infect the dental pulp, necessitating a root canal procedure or an extraction to eliminate the infection.    With regular dental check ups a dentist will be able to spot small cavities. It is far better to treat a small cavity than to wait until you have symptoms like pain.

The first is through the pits and fissures on molars and premolars, which are grooves that are visible on the top biting surfaces. These pits and fissures are thin areas of enamel that contain recesses that can trap food and plaque to form a cavity. The cavity starts from a small point of attack, and spreads widely to invade the underlying dentin.    In a smooth surface cavity, acid attack is from a smooth surface, which is between, or on the front or back of teeth. The acid must travel through the entire thickness of the enamel. The area of attack is generally wide, and comes to point or converges as it enters the deeper layers of the tooth.

Tooth loss from caries and periodontal disease is an outcome from complex, chronic conditions. Several biopsychosocial factors are involved, including accessing care. Individuals reporting dental anxiety may avoid dental care; and individuals with depression may be negligent in self-care. In this study, researchers examined a potential association of tooth loss with depression and anxiety.

If you stopped brushing your teeth plaque will start to build up on your teeth.  Plaque is a coating of bacterial film that produces acids that eat away tooth enamel and cause cavities, or small holes, to form. After a while plaque film gets harder and more resistant to scraping and brushing and becomes tartar (solid bits that irritate the gums).  One of the first signs of trouble is a condition called gingivitis, an inflammation of the gums brought on by the uncontrolled growth of plaque and tartar. It may cause bleeding and swollen gums, but it can be easy to ignore because it isn’t painful.

Yet gingivitis is still just a warning sign that worse things are let to come. When things really start to go wrong after not brushing for a while, a group of gum diseases called periodontitis develops.   Gum pockets form when irritated gums pull away from teeth. They collect decaying food particles and become a breeding ground for bacteria. Unchecked plaque growth in the pockets, on teeth and around the gum line leads to cavities, swollen gums, discolored teeth, bone loss, abscesses and very bad breath. However with all this going on things still can get worse.  Rampant tooth decay will start causing major dental pain. You will have pain just trying to eat anything. Abscess and infections will develop. Bacteria that is left developing in your mouth will start to  invade other systems in your body.

Although research is ongoing, poor dental health may contribute to a number of very serious conditions you’d never expect, like heart disease, stroke, and possibly even cancer.  It only takes around five minutes a day twice a day for good at home dental care habits. Combine that with seeing your dentist regularly and you can help to keep your teeth healthy for a life time.

Once your child looses a baby tooth you will want to provide a sterile gauze pad on the site of the extraction and gently have your child bite down to stop any excess bleeding.  Keep your child from rising her mouth or chewing hard foods for around 24 hours. Prevent your child from drinking anything hot. After around 24 hours help your child to gently rinse their mouth using warm salt water, then have him/her swish it gently in their mouth. Resume gently brushing their teeth while keeping the toothbrush bristles away from the extraction site.

Dr. Mohamed Bassiouny a professor of restorative dentistry at the Temple University School of Dentistry in Philadelphia stated that Methamphetamine, crack cocaine and soda-sweetened or not-are all highly acidic and can cause similar dental problems.

In his study, Bassiouny found that a woman in her 30s who drank 2 liters of diet soda daily for three to five years experienced tooth rot and decay remarkably similar to that suffered by a 29-year-old methamphetamine addict and a 51-year-old habitual crack cocaine user, according to US News and World Report.

The ADA had previously recommended the using water to brush toddlers’ teeth until they are two years old and then introducing pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste until they turn six-years old.

However a new study published in the Journal of the American Dental Association brushing with fluoride toothpaste can provide significant protection against decay and cavities, though using pea-sized amounts of fluoride toothpaste can lead to a condition known as dental fluorosis, where staining or changes in the color of the tooth’s enamel occurs in children younger than eight years old who consume large amounts of fluoride.

Even though permanent teeth are meant to last a life the they can and do fall out.  There are many ways in which you can loose a permanent tooth, one of the most common reasons to adult tooth lost is gum disease. Though even with gum disease poor oral hygiene and dietary habits play a causing factor. Other reasons for tooth loss, would include advance tooth decay, and accidental injury

Consuming dairy products is vital to maintaining good overall health, and it’s especially important to bone health. But there has been little research about how dairy products affect oral health in particular. However, according to a new study, consuming cheese and other dairy products may help protect teeth against cavities.

A dentist will need to trimmed or filed down the tooth having the dental crown in order for the crown to fit without it appearing to be too large and out of balance with the rest of your teeth.   Next an impression is made of all the teeth that are to be crowned. The dental crown is then made in a lab according to the measurements of the impression.

While you are waiting for your new crown to come back from the lab the dentist will put a temporary cap on the tooth to protect it.   Once the new crowns come back from the lab, they are ready to be placed over the teeth, they are cemented with a sturdy dental cement to ensure they will stay in place and be just like the natural teeth of the patient. With proper dental care, dental crowns can last a lifetime.

Prolonged exposure to soft drinks can lead to significant enamel loss, even though many people consider soft drinks to be harmless or just their just worried about the sugar content. However, the erosive potential of colas is 10 times that of fruit juices in just the first three minutes of drinking, a study last year showed. The latest research, published in Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) journal General Dentistry, reports that drinking any type of soft drink hurts teeth due to the citric acid and/or phosphoric acid in the beverages.

There are several uses for dental crowns.  Dental crowns help to strengthen teeth.  They can also be use to help improve the condition and appearance of your teeth.  Often times dental crowns are used for repairing teeth that are broken, chipped or cracked or become damaged by either age and decay.  There is a variety of different finishes that dental crowns are available in. These include metal, porcelain, and porcelain over a metal alloy, and they can make a noticeable difference in your smile.

Dental researchers have found the first long-term evidence that periodontal disease may increase the risk of cognitive dysfunction associated with Alzheimer’s disease in healthy individuals as well as in those who already are cognitively impaired. The study offers fresh evidence that gum inflammation may contribute to brain inflammation, neurodegeneration, and Alzheimer’s disease.

There are a few reason why your jaw can hurt when chewing or talking.  If you been noticing jaw pain talk to your dentist about TMD temporal mandibular joint disorder.  Also jaw pain can be a sign that you are clenching or grinding your teeth.  Many people do this when stressed.  If you are having high stress currently, try to be more aware of this.

People can also grind or clench their teeth while sleeping. In this case it can be harder for you to know if that is what you are doing. However normally your jaw can be more sore in the morning when you first wake up.   Consult with your dentist.  Regardless of why your jaw is hurting your dentist will be able to determine the correct course of treatment.

Your oral healthcare is very important so do not ignore the warning signs that are given when dental healthcare is in danger. Suffering from twinges, dental pain or bleeding gums is often times your mouth’s way of telling you that you need to see the dentist. Dental check ups should be no longer than every six months. But they might be more or less frequent depending upon what your dentist says.

Having white teeth helps many people be more confident with their smile. However, think twice about whiteness. If you are keen to have whiter teeth, first try a toothpaste with a gentle whitener that brings out your teeth’s natural whiteness. If you are think about having whitening treatments, visit your dentist to be sure that your are using the safest and effective treatment.

Many people know that part of good oral habits is brushing your teeth twice a day. However did you know when to brush is also important. Make sure to brush before you have breakfast and never straight after eating as acids can soften the outer layer of tooth enamel which you might wash away. After having breakfast of after eating you may want to rinse you mouth out with some water and or chew sugar free gum.

One simple healthcare tip is to change out your toothbrush: A worn out toothbrush can not clean your teeth properly. You will want to change your toothbrush every two or three months, or sooner if the bristles become splayed. Also avoid using hard bristle toothbrush unless advise by your dentist.

Dentist are not as quick to pull wisdom teeth, or third molars as they use to.  Generally speaking if  the wisdom teeth are not causing you any trouble then you should not have them pulled just to be pulled.   However if your wisdom tooth is starting to decay a dentist may advise to pull it if that is the best option.

Either way you need to see a dentist as soon as possible so the decay does not spread and become a much large issue.  If you do not have dental insurance currently, try getting either a dental HMO plan or a dental discount plan. These are the types of plans that normally do not have long term waiting periods and you will be able to save on average between 20 to 30 percent off an oral surgeon.

For the first time, a new study has shown it is possible to use low-power lasers to spur stem cells in the body to make new tissue, in this case to regenerate dentin in teeth. The Harvard-led team says their work lays the foundation for a wealth of new clinical applications for healing wounds, regenerating bones and teeth, and more.