Remineralizing your teeth is easier than you might think

Remineralizing your teeth is easier than you might think

The enamel on our teeth is made out of calcium phosphate, which are minerals. When you eat or drink flavored beverages, the bacteria in our mouths metabolize what been consumed and makes acids. These acids demineralize the teeth by removing minerals on the enamel.

In order to remineralize the enamel on our teeth and help protect it from cavities, we really need to do one thing: spit. The minerals in your saliva will allow that remineralization to happen. Saliva has calcium and phosphate in it and some other buffers that will help buffer that acidic state.

If our mouths produce saliva, then why do we get cavities at all? The answer, in part, is due to the way—and frequency— in which we eat and drink. If while sitting at our desks, we nurse a couple cups of iced-coffee all day, never giving our mouths the chance to return to that neutral state, then we leave our mouths freaking out on acid, so to speak— an intense state that compromises tooth health.

It takes a little over a half hour for your mouth to go from an acidic state after eating or drinking a flavored beverage, to a neutral state, in which the saliva can exercise its healing power. If you’re sipping coffee, and you take another sip, then you’re starting at square one again. And this all-day exposure to acidic foods or drink is what leads to cavities.

Optimally, we should take a two-hour break after eating a meal or finishing a drink in order to allow our saliva to remineralize teeth. If you want to accelerate your mouth’s healing time, the American Dental Association points to studies that show using Xylitol gum or mints (Spry) after meals can lower instances of tooth decay, by increasing saliva flow.

While our bodies are self-equipped to remineralize teeth, this biological auto-correct isn’t enough to ward off tooth decay and cavities on its own. Maintaining proper dental hygiene, including flossing once a day and brushing twice a day for two-minutes increments is vital.

Bottom line: keep your mouth off acid between meals, take some time with brushing and your teeth will find their way back to their mineral-hardened state—no hand-churned toothpaste or high-maintenance diets required.

For more information about what you can do to protect your teeth, click here.

Tooth-Colored Cosmetic Dentistry

When you need a tooth repaired, you have the option to restore your smile with treatment that is made to match the color and luminosity of real dental enamel. Tooth-colored dental treatments make it easier to enjoy long-lasting care that doesn’t detract from the appearance of a naturally beautiful smile.

Tooth-colored dental treatments include:

White dental fillings – Cosmetic dentists can use white composite resin to fill in cavities, instead of silver metal amalgam. The result is a tooth that looks free of damage and doesn’t contain metal and mercury.

Porcelain, ceramic, or zirconia crowns – Standard dental crowns are often a layer of porcelain over a base of metal. While these crowns are sturdy, they don’t age well and look less like natural teeth over time. Crowns made from all porcelain, ceramic, or zirconia mimic the qualities of real teeth and blend into your smile seamlessly.

Porcelain veneers – A veneer is a tooth-shaped shell of porcelain that is used to hide cosmetic flaws, like cracks, gaps between teeth, and severe discoloration. Like porcelain crowns, veneers are custom made for each patient and made to look as natural as possible.

Tooth-colored cosmetic restorations are excellent for repairing teeth that are in your smile line. Thanks to the wide-spread use of stronger materials (like zirconia), cosmetic restorations are durable and can support improved oral function. If you have decayed or flawed teeth, you can choose cosmetic treatment options that will look just as natural as your own teeth.

If you have questions about tooth-colored cosmetic dentistry, contact Dr. Kinsel for more information about available treatments and the work performed by his in-house master ceramist.

The Healthy Impact of Dental Implants on Jaw Structure

Dental implants help you get a natural-looking and complete smile after the loss of one or more teeth. While this is certainly important for your oral health – strong replacement teeth support better oral function – the way implants are secured has a positive impact on bone in your jaw.

Bonding to Bone

The body of a dental implant looks like a small screw, or post, and is made of titanium. When placed into bone in your jaw, the post of the implant naturally bonds with the bone. This processed, called osseointegration, actually helps maintain healthy bone density levels.

The presence of your natural tooth root keeps your jaw bone dense, but the lack of a natural root from a missing tooth causes bone to shrink, changing the shape of your face.  The post of a dental implant, however, takes the place of a real tooth root and prevents bone from diminishing. 

Stimulating Bone

As you bite and chew, your tooth root actually stimulates bone in your jaw. This stimulation is necessary to keep bone strong and healthy. However, as we mentioned above, the absence of a natural tooth causes problems for bone, especially because it’s not getting the stimulation it needs.

Your dental implant extends into jaw bone and stimulates it in much the same way as your real tooth root. Other dental restorations, like bridges and removable dentures, do not touch bone and cannot provide the same benefits.

By choosing dental implants for teeth replacement, you’re able to maintain strong and dense bone, which enables you to maintain facial structure and enjoy full oral function. If you have questions about what dental implants can do for you, contact our Foster City dental office to speak to our implant dentist.

Men’s Health Considers Common Toothbrushing Mistakes

Men’s Health Considers Common Toothbrushing Mistakes

Men’s Health reported on common toothbrushing mistakes, including doing at the improper time of day, using the wrong type of brush, not using correct technique, not rinsing with mouthwash, not brushing the tongue, and not replacing the toothbrush frequently enough. The article cites the American Dental Association throughout, noting that the ADA recommends purchasing a new toothbrush every 3-4 months.

Oral Health Shares Close Link With Overall Health, Well being

In a lengthy article, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports on the intimate link between oral and overall health, noting that people “should really give your pearly whites more attention.” The article notes that just 28 percent of people report flossing daily, and many people also over-consume junk food and sugar, “which, when combined with a lack of flossing, is a recipe for oral health problems.” In addition to gum disease, cavities, poor oral health “has also been shown to cause sleeping issues, hurt your self-esteem, and diminish your ability to chew and digest food properly,” the Journal-Constitution adds.