Oral Hygiene

Preschool and Cavities

Cavities, drillings and fillings aren’t just for adults anymore. According to a recent New York Times article, preschoolers are increasingly at risk for tooth decay.

Five years ago the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a study on overall American oral health and found, to the surprise of many, that preschoolers actually had more cavities than in the previous decade. The increase was even more shocking since childhood cavities had been on a steady decline since the 1970s.

Still more frightening is the fact that this trend is probably growing even worse. The dentists interviewed for the Times article agreed that they were treating more and more preschool patients with severe dental decay. And since little kids are unlikely to sit through lengthy and uncomfortable procedures, these dentists reported that they often have to resort to sedating young patients with general anesthesia. While most children undergoing general anesthesia suffer few side effects, some rare cases have resulted in brain damage and even death.

An alternative to general anesthesia are anti-anxiety drugs to relax the child coupled with a local anesthesia to reduce pain. However, even this option isn’t without health risks such as difficulty breathing. Some parents have opted to skip any sedating drugs and just have dentists administer the same local anesthesia that would be used for adults. This method, however, can be traumatic for many kids and result in a lifelong fear of the dentist’s office.

The best treatment, of course, is prevention. Severe childhood teeth decay is most often the result of lazy parenting. Parents should be aware of what their kids are eating and drinking. Juice drinks sold for kids are often full of sugar and should always be consumed in moderation. Snacking should be limited to specific times of the day and only in predetermined portions.

Kids should begin seeing the dentist at around one-years old and keep going back for regular appointments after that. Moreover, parents need to take an active approach to brushing their children’s teeth at home. Brushing should begin as soon as the first teeth appear. Many stores sell soft baby toothbrushes as well as sweet-flavored toothpaste that kids won’t entirely hate.

If you are concerned about your child’s oral health or need to set up a dental appointment for him or her call or contact Culebra North Dental Care today.

Famous People You Didn’t Know Were Dentists

There are no television shows following the adventures in a dentist’s office (though we wholeheartedly support creating an E.R. or Scrubs-type dentist drama). However, that doesn’t mean dentists don’t lead exciting lives. Several famous individuals have accomplished amazing things, all the while keeping teeth clean and free of decay. Here are a few famous people you may not have known were dentists:

• - Thomas Welch, the founder of Welch’s Grape Juice Company, spent most of his life as an American dentist. After he retired from his practice, he dedicated his efforts to making juice.
• - Fritz Pfeffer shared a cramped bedroom with Anne Frank while they were both in hiding from Nazi rule. Before the German occupation, he had been a dentist in Berlin.
• - Jim Lonborg pitched for the Red Sox, Brewers, and Phillies from 1965 to 1979, until he decided to pursue his real dream: dentistry. Now, he has a practice in Massachusetts.
• - Record breaking Olympian Mark Spitz was accepted to dental school but pursued swimming instead
• - Wild West icon “Doc” Holliday was a practicing dentist

Though our office doesn’t brag of any famous accomplishments, we guarantee that we’re the best dentists around. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.

What You Need to Know About Dental Instruments

To the untrained eye, dental instruments may look intimidating and dangerous; they are, after all, metal probes with sharp ends. However, in the hands of a trained dental professional, these tools are essential for oral health. We’ve compiled a list of the most common dental instruments so that you can better understand their importance and function.

• Mouth mirror: Perhaps the most easily recognizable dental instrument, the mouth mirror is a small, circular mirror on the end of a metal stem. A mouth mirror allows a dentist or dental assistant to see the nooks and crannies of your mouth.
• Dental explorer: Also known as a sickle probe, the dental explorer is a metal stem with a curved hook. The hook has a pointed end so that your dentist can “feel” the tooth. A “tacky” feeling is often an indicator of tooth decay, so a dental explorer is crucial in diagnosing areas of weakening tooth enamel.
• Periodontal scaler: Scalers look like a long stem that is curved slightly at the end. When plaque hardens on teeth and turns into tartar, your dental professional will use the scaler to scrape it off.

Though brushing and flossing your teeth daily is crucial for keeping your mouth clean, these professional tools are essential for oral health. To make an appointment with a dentist at Culebra, contact us today.

The 5 Best Tips for Preventing Tooth Decay

By the time a decaying tooth actually begins to hurt, the enamel of the tooth has already eroded significantly. Because there are few tooth decay “warning signs,” it’s important to be proactive about your oral health. Cavities form when bacteria metabolizes sugars from food, leaving behind acid that wears away at the outer layers of the tooth. Avoid aching teeth, fillings, and root canals with these simple tips.

• Brush and floss. We can’t stress it enough: brushing at least twice a day is essential to removing bacteria and plaque that erodes teeth. And don’t forget to floss—most cavities that develop on the sides of teeth occur because patients don’t floss between their teeth once a day.
• Limit sugar. If you consume sugary beverages or candy, try to brush soon after you finish eating. Also, avoid chewy candy—they tend to remain on your teeth for longer, allowing bacteria to thrive.
• Eat healthy foods. Fresh vegetables, like carrots sticks or lightly steamed broccoli, are healthy snack foods that can help clear bacteria from your mouth without leaving sugars behind. Also, be sure to get enough calcium to keep your bones, including teeth, strong.
• Get enough fluoride. Call your water supplier to see if fluoride is in your water. If not, purchase a fluoridated mouthwash or toothpaste. Fluoride helps to strengthen teeth and protect against cavities.
• Visit your dentist regularly. Visiting your dentist twice a year will help keep your teeth strong and clean. Your dentist can catch tooth decay early on and choose the least invasive treatment plan.

Finding the Best Toothbrush for You

Finding a good toothbrush seems like an easy task until you visit the toothbrush aisle. There are hundreds of different toothbrushes and it can be difficult to pick the right brand, size and bristles. Here are some tips for finding the right toothbrush to suit your needs.

• Brand: Choose a brand that is recommended by the American Dental Association.
• The bristles: Don’t choose a toothbrush that has hard, stiff bristles. Though you want your toothbrush’s bristles to be firm enough to remove plaque, bristles should also be soft enough to avoid irritating your gums.
• The head: Choose a toothbrush that has a medium- to small-sized head. Large heads make it difficult to clean the curves of your teeth.
• The handle: Whether the handle is padded, angled, long, or short is up to you. Choose a handle that is comfortable.
• Manual or electric?: Choosing whether to use a manual or electric toothbrush is up to you. Electric toothbrushes can be more expensive, but they can also make brushing easier. If you’re shopping for a child’s toothbrush, some electric toothbrushes have countdown timers to motivate children to brush their teeth for the recommended time.

Buying a good toothbrush is the first step to keeping teeth clean and healthy. If you want your smile to be bright and beautiful, contact Culebra today.

What To Do If You Have Bad Breath

Waking up with bad breath is normal, since bacteria grow in your mouth overnight. However, if you have bad breath that doesn’t go away, even after brushing teeth, it may indicate a more serious problem.

Persistent bad breath, or halitosis, affects about 1 in 4 individuals. It can be embarrassing and frustrating, particularly if you have taken measures to stop eating certain foods, step up your brushing and flossing habits, and use mouthwash, gum, or mints regularly. If your bad breath seems to be chronic, visiting a dentist will help identify the cause.

There are a few solutions you can try to help eliminate bad breath. First, make sure you are brushing every tooth and flossing once a day, as well as brushing your tongue. Also, drink enough water. Dehydration and mouth dryness can prevent saliva from washing away bacteria. Third, rule out lifestyle choices, such as a low-carb diet, tobacco use, or regular alcohol consumption, which all contribute to bad breath.

If your halitosis persists, you may be experiencing tooth decay or a cavity. Schedule an appointment with your dentist to discuss possible treatment options.