While we know the importance of brushing, flossing, and maintaining proper oral health, there are times when pesky tooth decay creeps in and a cavity needs to be filled. If a cavity is ignored, it can cause bacteria to continue to grow, adding additional concerns and issues in your mouth.
It’s safe to say that the past months have been challenging for us all. The way we have been living is unlike anything we have experienced during our lifetime up until this point. Staying at home for months at a time, working from home, virtual learning, holiday celebrations cancelled, among many other adjustments are adding stress to all of our lives.
The fall is a time where it is easy to allow poor eating habits to overcome your good judgement, between the Halloween candy and Thanksgiving festivities, not to mention all of the deliciousness that is awaiting you in December. While it is important to be mindful of healthy eating to maintain proper physical and mental health, it is just as important for your oral health. Continue reading to find out how you can improve your eating habits during the holiday season to maintain proper oral health.
Periodontitis, or gum disease, is a common condition that affects up to 47% of American adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Receding gums are one of the signs of this prevalent disease and can increase the risk of tooth decay, as well as tooth loss. Gum recession occurs when the gum tissue around the teeth is worn away, exposing the root of the tooth. Pockets are created between the gum line and the teeth, allowing bacteria to build up and cause gum infection.
When you hear the word ozone, you might think of the ozone layer in the atmosphere. It is made up of a naturally-occurring gas that protects us from harmful sun rays that can cause cancer. Due to its sterilization properties, here on land, cities across the world have used ozone to sterilize their public water systems and the European medical community has been using it for decades to heal wounds faster. We use it as part of our holistic dentistry practice to sterilize and heal, as well.
When a patient gets a cavity, it’s important to seal that opening with the help of special materials that will help prevent infection, pain, and the eventual loss of the tooth. The mouth is a very unique environment, though: it’s constantly moist, there’s a lot of motion, and bacteria accumulates pretty quickly. The material of choice, therefore, needs to be very resilient.
