Facts About Fluoride

7 Facts About Fluoride

1. Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that is found in all sources of water. 


2. Fluoride can reverse the beginning stages of decay. In the extremely early stages of demineralization, fluoride that is applied topically can remineralize the enamel on your tooth, technically reversing the process of a cavity. 


3. Fluoride treats sensitivity. Using fluoridated dental products daily, such as a fluoride mouthwash or toothpaste, can help decrease sensitivity. 


4. 74% of the US population drinks fluoridated water. Fluoride is added into public water supplies for the purpose of preventing tooth decay, this is called "community water fluoridation".


5. Children benefit the most from ingesting fluoride because their teeth are forming underneath their gums.


6. Since WWII, community water fluoridation has been credited with reducing tooth decay by 50%-60%. 


7. Fluorosis is a condition that can happen when children between the ages of 3 months and 8 years are overexposed to fluoride, usually from swallowing too much toothpaste. Tiny white permanent streaks or spots appear on the enamel of the teeth. 

A Family Dental Care Center

2030 West Main St, Norristown PA 19403

www.drsethrosen.com

Oral Health and Your Diet

How Everything You Eat Affects Your Smile 

Recently, the AACD (American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry) released a free e-Booklet titled Recipes for a Healthier Smile including recipes for meals, snacks, drinks, and even homemade mouthwash that you can make at home. They are all created to improve or maintain good oral health in one way or another. So why does your diet affect your oral health? And what foods can you eat or avoid to maintain a healthy mouth?


Obviously, sugar-filled drinks and foods are bad for your teeth since they cause tooth decay, but they also often lack any nutritional value that is necessary in contributing to the health of your mouth. When your diet lacks certain nutrients it may be harder for your gums to resist disease, making them more susceptible to gum disease (and as we've mentioned plenty of times in this blog, gum disease can lead to a hoard of problems, including tooth loss). It is the belief of many researchers that people with poor diets may contract diseases easier and diseases may progress faster than healthier people. 


A good diet can insure that you have healthy gums, a lowered risk of tooth decay, and a generally healthier feeling mouth. Looking to improve your diet and your oral health? Look for foods that:


Balance your pH. Nuts, lemons, and yogurt can all assist in balancing the pH in your body and mouth, thereby protecting your teeth. 


Contain Vitamin C. A lack of Vitamin C can make your gums more susceptible to gum disease, so eat foods that contain a lot of it! Kiwi, citrus fruits, peppers, and pineapple are all good sources of Vitamin C. 


Increase saliva production. Crunchy vegetables, like carrots and celery, massage your gums and increase saliva production. Saliva helps wash away any food particles left over in your teeth, lowering your risk of tooth decay. 


Are high in Vitamin D. Salmon, milk, eggs, and mushrooms are all rich in Vitamin D, which is important in keeping your teeth strong and healthy. 


Contain catechin. Catechin is an antioxidant that can reduce the bacteria in your mouth that causes gingivitis. Catechin rich foods include: dark chocolate, cranberries, green tea, raw apples, pears, and raspberries. 


For more smile-healthy foods and recipes, check out the Recipes for a Healthier Smile e-Booklet!

A Family Dental Care Center: Dr. Seth Rosen, DMD

2030 West Main St. 

Norristown, PA 19403

www.drsethrosen.com 

MORE Dental Fun Facts!

9 More Dental Fun Facts!

1. A dentist in China built an 8 foot tall tower made out of 28,000 human teeth. You can watch a video of it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNp13PEOghA 

2. Like fingerprints, everyone’s tongue print is different.

3. In an entire human lifetime, the average person can produce 10,000 gallons of saliva. As people age, their salivary secretions decrease making them more susceptible to dental diseases.

4. To break a Guinness Book of World Record of "Most People Brushing Their Teeth Simultaneously", 10,800 students brushed their teeth for about three minutes simultaneously in Manila, Philippines. 


5. "Love Your Teeth Day" is a national holiday in China, celebrated on September 20th. Campaigns to promote oral health have been carried out every year since 1989.


6. Hundreds of years ago bad teeth were considered a "rich man's disease" since only rich people could afford sweets and usually had very decayed teeth. Queen Elizabeth I was known for having very bad teeth. 


7. In the dark ages, superstitions held that a person could cure his/her toothache or re-grow a lost tooth by obtaining a tooth from someone else- ideally a hanged criminal. It was believed that just the mere possession of a tooth would work.


8. A root canal is not painful. With modern technology, root canals are no longer anything to be afraid of and the procedure feels similar to getting a cavity filled. 

9. Sports, accidents and fights are the leading cause of tooth loss in people under the age of 35. Wear a mouth guard!  

Sensitive Teeth

What Causes Tooth Sensitivity and How Can You Treat It? 

Many people suffer from sensitive teeth- it's a common issue with simple solutions. Tooth sensitivity occurs when dentin, the underlying layer of your teeth, is exposed. Dentin is porous and allows hot, cold, sweet, and acidic substances to enter and stimulate the nerves and cells inside your tooth, resulting in discomfort. So...What causes sensitive teeth?


Worn Enamel. Brushing too hard, grinding your teeth, and eating lots of acidic food can cause the enamel of your teeth to erode. Enamel is the strongest substance in your body and protects your teeth. When your teeth lose their protective layer, dentin becomes exposed resulting in sensitivity.


Tooth Decay. Cavities and fractured teeth can cause sensitivity- if you have a sudden onset of sensitivity you should see your dentist right away and fix the problem before it gets worse.


Receding Gums. This can be the result of gum disease or brushing too hard. When your gums recede the root surface of your tooth becomes exposed- since there is no enamel on your tooth root, the dentin is exposed and causes sensitivity.


Whitening. Tooth whitening products are well known for causing sensitivity. As long as you stop using them, the sensitivity will disappear after a few weeks.




Now that you know what causes it, heres how to treat sensitive teeth:

Prevention. The best way to avoid sensitive teeth, and all oral health problems, is simply to take good care of your mouth. Brush at least twice a day, floss your teeth every day, and make sure to see your dentist every 6 months for a cleaning.

Desensitizing Toothpaste. Toothpastes, like Sensodyne, contain an FDA approved desensitizing ingredient (potassium nitrate) that desensitizes the nerve endings in dentin that cause sensitivity. When used over time, these toothpastes can build a protective barrier that blocks pain and sensitivity and keeps it from coming back.


Fluoride. Using fluoridated dental products daily, such as a fluoride mouthwash or toothpaste, can help decrease sensitivity. 


Use a Soft Toothbrush. Toothbrushes that are too hard can wear down your enamel and cause gum recession. Always use a toothbrush that is labeled as "soft" and never "hard" or "medium". 


See Your Dentist. When receding gums are causing sensitivity, your dentist can apply a seal to bond the tooth root. You may also have a cavity or cracked tooth that you are unaware of. In severe cases, a very sensitive tooth may need a root canal or other treatment to resolve the problem. 

A Family Dental Care Center: Dr. Seth Rosen

2030 West Main St. Norristown, PA 19403

www.drsethrosen.com