Family Dentist in Mobile AL

Family Dentist in Mobile AL

Sparkling Water, Bad For Your Teeth?

Popular drinks are becoming sugar-free sparkling water.  Switching from sugar-sweetened sodas and juices to this water is obviously a great change.  The adverse effects that sugary drinks cause to the teeth are well-known, so waves of people seem to be making the switch to sparking water and other sugar-free fizzy drinks.  According to the USA Today report, 574 million gallons of sparking water were sold in 2016.

It is assumed that sparkling water is a healthy choice for your diet but there are those out there that say it is not as great as it seems.  And then what about the teeth?  Is this sparkling water bad for your teeth?  Here’s what you need to know.

Soda and the Teeth

Sugary sodas pack a huge punch against your teeth.  They are full of sugar, which leads to tooth decay and cavities plus most carbonated drinks are higher in acidity.  Acidic foods and drinks are more likely to contribute to tooth erosion than non-acidic foods. 

Because soda has a negative effect on the teeth, the ADA recommends choosing other beverages.  The beverages recommended are water, milk, and unsweetened sparkling water. 

Sparking Water and the Teeth

Sparkling water doesn’t contain sugar, but it is carbonated.  There have been a few studies that have examined the acidity of various drinks, and this includes sparkling water.  One of these studies was published in the Journal of the American Dental Association.  This study measured the pH of almost 400 beverages.  The drinks were a mixture of sweetened sodas, sports drinks, juices, teas, and sparkling water.  Family Dentist in Mobile AL

The scientists who performed this study ranked the erosiveness of drinks based on their pH levels.  Drinks that had a pH under 3.0 were labeled as “extremely erosive”.  Drinks that have a pH between 3.0 and 3.99 were “erosive” and any drink with a pH above 4.0 was “minimally erosive”.  The majority of sports drinks were rated as extremely erosive.  Certain sparking waters were ranked as minimally erosive. 

Another researcher at McGill University conducted a similar study.  She tested the pH of nine different brands of sparkling water.  She tested the drinks at refrigerator temperature and room temperature as well as carbonated form and decarbonated form.  In all the tests the water has a pH above 4.0.  Family Dentist in Mobile AL

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Family Dentist in Fairhope

Family Dentist in Fairhope

family dentist

Family Dentist in Fairhope:

 

Once you start having a family it is important to begin seeing a family dentist as soon as possible. Everyone needs to have a family dentist that they can go to to get their teeth cleaned at least once a year. Some dentists cater to a specific group and may not accept families as patients. If your dentist is one of these dentists or if you do not have a family dentist here are some tips to help you find the right family dentist in Fairhope, AL for you.

Call around and ask. Some dentists will not advertise what groups they cater to so you may need to call them and ask them what they are accepting so you know. After you have called all the dentists in your area you can begin to narrow down your list by going by other factors that also play a role in your decision. For example, if you have dental insurance and you choose a dentist in your network, chances are you will not pay anything out of pocket for routine yearly cleanings and x-rays and you will pay minimal amounts out of your pocket on any procedures. If you go to a dentist who is not in your network, you may pay just as much for the services as others who do not have insurance at all.

Next, you want to check on the dentist’s hours. Sometimes a dentist that is open on the hours that you need them, is available. If you work a day shift and your children are in school, you may have to miss work and take them out of school to make a dentist appointment so it is important to also find out what hours they keep as well.

You will want to see how much dental work the dentist can perform in their office. Sometimes when a dentist is a general dentist they will refer patients to other dentists who are qualified to perform cosmetic procedures. This can be more expensive and take more time, especially if you have to drive a long distance to reach them. You must choose a family dentist who can handle some cosmetic procedures as well. For example, if you have children, they may need braces when they get older so make sure that the family dentist that you choose can offer this service in their own office.

Creating a relationship with your family dentist in Fairhope needs to start early in life. You need to feel comfortable with your family dentist because you will entrust him or her to take care of your children as well as your spouse in the future. When you find a good family dentist who has everything you need and want, you can ensure that he stays there by posting a review about him to let others know how he caters to your hours, accepts your insurance, and more. Other families are also looking for a good family dentist and your choice may be what he needs.

Family Cosmetic Dentist Spanish Fort, AL

Family Cosmetic Dentist Spanish Fort, AL

dental extractions

Tooth Extraction

When a tooth is removed, it is a surgical procedure.  There is mild discomfort, even after a simple extraction.  Some research shows that taking drugs like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, etc) can help to decrease the pain after tooth extraction.  Take the recommended dose, 3 to 4 times a day.  It’s best to take the first pills before the local anesthesia has had a chance to wear off.  Continuing to take the medication for 3 to 4 days.

A surgical extraction usually is more painful than a simple extraction.  How much pain?  Well, that usually will depend on how difficult it is to remove the tooth.  Pain medication may be prescribed for several days. 

Here are some ways to help minimize discomfort and to speed up recovery.

Ice packs on the face to help reduce swelling.  Leave them on for 20 minutes at a time and then remove them for 20 minutes.  If your jaw becomes stiff or sore after the swelling as reduced, try a warm compress.

Eat only soft and cool foods for a few days.

Gently rinse your mouth with warm salt water, starting 24 hours after surgery.  This keeps the area clean.  Use ½ teaspoon of salt per 1 cup of water.  Usually swelling and bleeding will end within one day or two after the surgery.  Complete healing can take up to two weeks. Family Cosmetic Dentist Spanish Fort, AL

Do not smoke, use a straw, or spit after surgery.  These actions will pull the blood cot out of the hole where the tooth once was. 

If stitches are needed, your doctor may use the kind that dissolves on their own.  They can take 1 to 2 weeks to dissolve.  Rinse your mouth with warm salt water, this will help them to dissolve.  Some stitches are placed that will need to be removed by the dentist or surgeon.  Family Cosmetic Dentist Spanish Fort, AL

 

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Family Cosmetic Dentist Robertsdale, AL

Family Cosmetic Dentist Robertsdale, AL

Mouth Sores and Infections

Here are some common soft-tissue issues that can arise and also some advice on what you can do about them!

 

· Burning Mouth

This is a painful burning sensation that occurs in the mouth, tongue, palate, gums, inside cheeks, and throat.  It can last for months or even years.

· Candidiasis

We know this one as “thrush”.  It is a fungal infection that happens in the mouth or throat because of an overgrowth of yeast.  Symptoms include white spots inside the mouth or on the tongue, sore throat, trouble swallowing, and cracking around the corners of the mouth. 

· Canker Sores

These often develop as a small white or yellow center lesion with a red border.  They develop inside the mouth; tongue, cheeks, lips, gum line, and even the throat area.  They are not contagious.  They can come as one or several.

· Cold Sores

Also known as fever blisters, first appear as a cluster of red raised blisters outside the mouth, usually around the lips.  They can develop under the nose or the chin.  A cold sore is highly contagious and can break open.  If this happens, the fluid in the blister will leak out and spread the infection.  They will scab over until they heal. Family Cosmetic Dentist Robertsdale, AL

· Leukoplakia

White or gray area that will develop on the tongue, inside the cheek, or on the floor of the mouth.  This is not usually painful or contagious.   Family Cosmetic Dentist Robertsdale, AL

 

Check out our next article on what causes some of these mouth sores and infections. 

 

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Family Cosmetic Dentist Near Me Fairhope AL

Family Cosmetic Dentist Near Me Fairhope AL

Jagged Teeth

 

A jagged tooth that is scratching your mouth or when you find yourself constantly hiding your teeth behind your hand, it’s time to stop.  Whether your teeth are naturally jagged, chipped, or broken, your dentist can help with ways to make it straight and even again.  Reshaping, bonding, veneers, and extraction followed by replacement are just some of the treatments that are available for jagged teeth.

Natural Teeth Shape

Not everyone is blessed with neat and even lined pearly white teeth.  The teeth can grow unevenly and even some canines can be pointy and protruding.  Anyone can have uneven teeth, but in some cases, it is caused by extra cusps (the pointed parts of the teeth).  The bony spikes that grow out of a tooth are called talon cusps.  This name comes from the similarity with an eagle’s talons.  Talon Cusps can be removed by just grinding down or even removing a section of the enamel and then sealing the tooth with a desensitizing agent. Family Cosmetic Dentist Near Me Fairhope AL  A naturally crooked tooth or pointed tooth can also benefit from orthodontic treatment. 

Broken/Chipped Teeth

If you break or chip a tooth it looks jagged.  If the tooth nerve becomes exposed, the chipped area can be very painful.  Falling, being hit in the mouth, or biting something hard can result in a broken or chipped tooth.  Teeth can also break when they are weakened by cavities or old fillings.  See your dentist right away to help prevent nerve damage. Family Cosmetic Dentist Near Me Fairhope AL

 

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Family Cosmetic Dentist Near Me Daphne AL

Family Cosmetic Dentist Near Me Daphne AL

Cosmetic Dentist

Ebner Glands

Our spit (saliva) plays a very large role in our overall health, especially in the oral cavity.  Saliva protects our teeth and gums from bacteria and acids.  It also lubricates the mouth and helps to begin the digestion process.  It also plays a significant role in the complex process of taste.  There are six major salivary glands and many more minor glands found in the cheeks, lips, bottom of the mouth, tongue, palate, and pharynx.

The Von Ebner Glands (Serous Glands) are minor glands and are located on both sides toward the back of the tongue.  Part of their job is to secrete amylase which is a digestive enzyme that helps to break down food as you chew.  It is unique among the glands in the mouth for its other role: aiding with taste. 

 

Salivary Glands and Taste

The tongue has over a thousand tastebuds.  They are located on the spongy bumps; papillae.  There are four kinds: filiform, fungiform, foliate, and circumvallate.  The Ebner Glands are near the foliate and circumvallate papillae.  This is on the back and sides of the tongue.  When you drink liquid or eat, the liquid the glands secrete will wash food particles over these protrusions sending flavor onto the taste receptors and then into the gustatory portion of the brain. Family Cosmetic Dentist Near Me Daphne AL

Research has found that von Ebner Glands also secrete a protein unlike any other that is found in the mouth.  This protein is similar to a protein found in the nasal cavity that helps the olfactory receptors.  This research has scientists thinking that Ebner Gland may play an even bigger role when it comes to connecting flavors to the taste receptors.  Family Cosmetic Dentist Near Me Daphne AL

 

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