Tooth Decay
Tooth decay is a disease that damages and breaks down teeth Your teeth have a hard, outer layer, called enamel (e-NAM-uhl); a middle layer, called dentin; and a center, which contains the nerves and blood vessels, known as the pulp chamber. Tooth decay can affect each layer of your tooth, and the more layers that are affected, the worse the ...
Treating Cavities
What is a cavity? A cavity is a hole in your tooth that forms from tooth decay. When you eat and drink, bacteria in your mouth feeds on the sugars that are found in these foods and drinks. The bacteria create acids that break down the hard, outer layer of your tooth, called enamel (ee-NAM-ul). You can get a cavity on any ...
Should You Take Antibiotics Before Your Dental Treatment?
Most dental patients should not take preventive antibiotics before treatment Antibiotic prophylaxis (pro-fuh-LAX-is) is when patients take antibiotics before dental treatment to prevent infection. This step is recommended for very few patients. In the past, anyone who had an orthopedic implant like a hip or knee replacement, or metal plates or rods, used to take preventive antibiotics before certain dental ...
Mouthguards And Sports Safety
Dental Emergencies That Result From a Sport Injury Knowing how to handle a dental emergency can mean the difference between saving or losing your tooth. Here are some helpful tips: Knocked-out tooth Cracked or broken tooth Jaw possibly broken Objects caught between teeth Toothache Bitten tongue or lip Mouthguards, the MVP (Most Valuable Protection) When it comes to protecting your ...
Gum Recession Causes And Treatments
When your teeth are healthy, your gum tissue tightly hugs each of your teeth. But, when the gum tissue that surrounds the teeth wears away, or pulls back, exposing more of the tooth or the tooth’s root, it is called gum recession (re-SESH-un), or receding gums. Gum recession can happen at any age and can cause problems for your dental ...
Dental X-ray Exams
Answers to common questions Dental x-rays provide important information about your dental health. They are used to create images called radiographs. Your dentist uses the images to see your jawbones, the roots of your teeth, teeth under your gums and the areas between teeth. Why are dental x-ray exams needed? X-ray images help your dentist find problems that cannot be ...