Healthy news and information from Exquisite Smiles / 2019 September Issue
We all know water is great for our bodies—but do you know how important water is for your teeth? Take a look at these three fascinating ways that water benefits our pearly whites.
1. It washes away debris. Why does this matter? Some drinks aren’t just high in acid—they’re high in sugar also, both which can leave its mark on your teeth. Not only is water refreshing, it helps to wash away the residue left behind after sipping something sweet.
2. It keeps your teeth strong. How? Most municipal water contains fluoride, which is often referred to as “nature’s cavity fighter.”
3. It fights dry mouth. Saliva is necessary to help fight tooth decay as it helps to wash away leftover food. But when your supply of saliva runs low, dry mouth runs rampant. Reaching for a cool glass of water to fight dry mouth can help take the place of saliva until we can help you reach a permanent solution.
Considered the sagest among their companion choppers, wisdom teeth are the upper and lower third and final set of molars. They’re named “wisdom teeth” because they usually emerge in the late teen years to the early 20s — a time when one is considered old enough to have obtained some knowledge.
Not everyone will need his or her wisdom teeth removed. If there’s sufficient room in the mouth for the wisdom teeth to come into a proper position, then they may not need to be extracted. If the teeth are misaligned or impacted, or you have pain, infection or other changes to the mouth, they may need to be taken out.
Through X-ray analysis we can determine if your wisdom teeth are impacted. If they are, we can recommend removal options. Novocain, a local ansthesia, or a type of general ansthesia can be used to lower discomfort. Let’s discuss your options.
With so many nooks and crannies on our teeth, bacteria-causing cavities have plenty of places to wreak havoc in the mouth. Fortunately, sealants are an excellent way to keep decay at a distance.
Composed of plastic, sealants are a thin liquid coating that is painted on the chewing surfaces of the teeth. They’re often used on children’s teeth to help prevent tooth decay, but adults who are more prone to decay may benefit from them too.
The application of sealants is painless. We will first clean the surface of the tooth. Sealants, which harden quickly, can last for about a decade as long as teeth are properly cared for.
While brushing at least twice a day and flossing one or more times a day are essential oral hygiene habits, sealants provide extra protection against plaque. Contact us to determine if you or your children would be a good candidate for sealants.
