Rotten teeth?

Fresh Ways to Combat Rotten Teeth

Rotten teeth affect millions of men, women and children the world over. People become susceptible to the factors causing rotting teeth virtually the moment that their first baby teeth appear. And while the primary cause of rotting teeth is as complex as it is pervasive, one thing is clear: left untreated, a rotting tooth is destined to become a dead tooth.

 

Rotten teeth are the result of the demineralization of tooth enamel by the acid-producing bacteria that normally grow the human mouth. The erosive power of this chemical process is why cavities and rotting teeth appear discolored and translucent. In so-called "best-case" scenarios, the acid responsible for rotting teeth will create a small dental cavity. In worst-case scenarios, the acid will eat through the enamel and dentin into the pulp of the tooth producing first a toothache and then a dead tooth.

 

The Sugar Connection

 

Research shows the consumption of sugar and starchy foods creates the perfect environment for the growth of the acid-producing bacteria responsible for rotting teeth. This partially explains the alarming number of children who experience decayed or rotten teeth. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 6 out of 10 children in the U.S. will have a least one cavity filled by age 5. Studies link this alarming statistic to three things: 1) the omnipresence of sugary snacks; 2) giving little ones pacifying bottles of juice, milk, or formula to drink during the day or overnight; and 3) inconsistent oral hygiene.

 

Preventing rotten teeth takes a little common sense and a lot of dedication. The key to avoiding rotting teeth is reducing the amount of cavity-causing bacteria and dental plaque in your mouth. This requires a real commitment to good oral hygiene, including

 

·        Brushing your teeth 2-3 times a day

·        Using tartar-control toothpaste with fluoride 

·        Flossing daily

·        Rinsing with a fluoride mouthwash

·        Cutting back on starchy and sugary foods

·        Increasing saliva flow by chewing xylitol gum

·        Regular dental cleanings by a dentist DDS, DMD or dental hygienist

Tooth Picks

Be Careful With Toothpicks

Most dentists agree that toothpicks should be used sparingly as a method of teeth cleaning and should never be considered a substitute for brushing teeth and flossing. Fact is they should be used only when a toothbrush or floss is not available, for example, when you are in a restaurant and have food trapped between teeth.

Toothpicks that are used overzealously can damage tooth enamel, lacerate gums, and even cause a broken tooth in severe cases. People who have bonding or veneers can chip or break them if they aren't careful. Overly aggressive use of toothpicks can severely wear the roots of teeth, especially in cases where gums have pulled away from the teeth and leave teeth with root surfaces exposed, notably in the elderly.

Toothpicks date back to 3,500 BC when the earliest known oral hygiene kit featuring a toothbrush was found at the Ningal Temple in Ur. In China, a curved pendant, made of cast bronze was worn around the neck and used as a toothpick. In 536 BC, the Chinese mandated a law that required the use of the toothpick because their armies suffered from bad breath. In the Old Testament, it is written that "one may take a splinter from the wood lying near him to clean his teeth."

Today, most toothpicks in the United States come from "toothpick trees" in Maine. The tree is a white birch which has its trunk cut into thin sheets that are cut again to the thickness and length of toothpicks.

Dentists can tell when they have a habitual toothpick user in their dental chair. There are the tell-tale signs of toothpick marks. So use them if you have too, but don't make it a habit. Brush and floss instead. Make sure you come in and see our hygienist and Doctor Vasquez every 6 months for your cleaning and exam. 

Dental Emergency

Dental Emergency

A dental emergency can strike anytime, anywhere, and without warning.  many kinds of activities could lead to a dental emergency from misplaced fly balls to popcorn seeds causing a painful bout of inflammation, there are many kinds of dental emergencies.

Here are some of the most common reasons for Dental Emergency visits.

A chipped tooth is the most common dental emergency. Small chips can be caused by food (seeds and nuts have sent many people to see the dentist); however, it's usually some sort of accident or injury that more often causes a chip. While you might be embarrassed to walk around with a gaping chip in your front tooth, it is easily fixed with a bond, crown, or veneer.

It might sound funny, but getting a piece of food lodged in the wrong place can result in a dental emergency. If something gets stuck deep in a crevice, it can cause pain and inflammation.

The loss of a filling happens more often than you think. When you lose a filling, you need to take care of it immediately. If you don’t, you may risk further damage to your tooth usually leading to more extensive and costly treatments.

Somehow you've managed to knock out a tooth. Whether it's the result of decay or because a result of a sports injury, when you lose a tooth, you need emergency dental care. If the tooth is salvageable, then it can be re-implanted into the socket, but this needs to be done within a very short period of time.

A broken tooth is more severe than a chipped tooth. When a tooth breaks, it might be due to a small or hidden chip. However, chances are the pain and discomfort will be more severe.

When you injure your teeth or mouth, you need to seek emergency care as soon as possible. In the event of a dental emergency, don't wait. Contact us immediately www.vasquezdds.com or 760-712-4128

The Best Dental Experience!

Hello I'm Ruby, the office Manager at Dr. Vasquez office the BEST Dentist in Oceanside!

Recently I had a family reunion; I was very excited and nervous to go.  Excited because it is always fun to spend quality time with my family and make memories especially for the younger kids, nervous because I haven’t seen some of my family members in a long time but when we arrived we were greeted as if the years have never gone by.  I always look forward to our family reunions; you are always welcomed with open arms and a warmth atmosphere, that’s how I feel when I come to work every day.  We are a family that provides our patients the same warmth atmosphere and make them feel right at home in our office, every patient is treated like family, and every visit to our practice is always a pleasant one.  All the staff works together as a team to assure each patient has the best dental experience; that is our commitment to you.