Leave it to modern American society to mass market a healthy supplement in the form of candy. You may put your fair share of sugar in your coffee, eat a sugary cereal or a cinnamon roll to start your day, so what’s a little gummy vitamin, right? Unfortunately, all sucrose (AKA sugar) truly is a big deal, and it can add up. The germs in your mouth want breakfast too, after all. In fact, certain bacteria in your mouth are such fans of sugar that when they enjoy your meal with you, they respond with lactic acid production. This damages your tooth enamel and adds to the production of dental plaque which hurts your teeth as well as your gums. If you want your child to avoid cavities , you may want to think twice about gummy vitamins or any sticky fruit snacks likely to stay lodged in tooth crevices.
Vertical Tooth Fractures are No Fun
There’s a crazy name for tiny fractures which can end up in the surfaces of your tooth enamel: craze lines. Many people are amazed to find out that enamel is the hardest substance in their bodies, designed to protect teeth. Unfortunately, regular wear-and-tear and various traumas can compromise your translucent tooth enamel. North Richland Hills dentist, Dr. Steven M. Huffstutler will tell you what you can do if you have craze lines that are driving you crazy.
What Causes Craze Lines?
Craze lines are usually caused from various levels of stress being placed on one (or more) of your teeth. Some of the most common causes of dental fractures include biting your nails, using your teeth as a tool to open a hard object, chewing on ice, wearing tongue or lip piercings, traumatic injuries to the teeth, and/or bruxism (teeth grinding). Sometimes, vertical fractures can occur from simple daily use. Extreme temperature changes are also suspect when it comes to developing craze lines. For example, chomping on ice right after drinking a hot cup of coffee could potentially result in a tooth enamel crack. Once the fractures develop, staining can occur, which makes craze lines visible. Unfortunately, these visible vertical lines cannot be removed with regular brushing.
How to Deal with Craze Lines
The good news is that craze lines only scratch the surface of your tooth enamel. Over time, cavities could be a concern, but if you are (more…)
A Closer Look at Antibacterial Mouthrinses
Halitosis (chronic bad breath) can be a huge blow to your self-confidence and quality of life. Close interactions with other people can become embarrassing when obvious foul odors are emanating from your mouth. You might find yourself completely avoiding conspiratorial conversations, hugs, and smooches with your significant other. There may be times where you don’t realize you have bad breath, and the look on someone’s face when you speak closely to them tells you the sad but true story. What do you do? Gum and mints, and even brushing your teeth only offer temporary solutions for bad breath. North Richland Hills dentist, Dr. Steven M. Huffstutler, explains a study that pinpoints the most effective mouthrinses for fighting bad breath.
Bad Breath Causes
Just as with periodontal disease and tooth decay, germs in your mouth are responsible for most cases of chronic bad breath. These bacteria collect on your tongue, and produce hydrogen sulphide and other sulphur compounds. These smell similar to rotten eggs, and aren’t a great way (more…)
Tips for Maintaining Great Dental Health
If you skip brushing and flossing before bed more often than you care to admit, you are much more likely to have dental health issues. If you buy a large soda at the mini-mart near work on the way home and chomp on ice cubes for an hour in traffic, you are taking even more risks. There are many ways in which people play Russian roulette with their dental well-being. Tooth enamel is the strongest substance in your body, designed to protect your teeth from decay. Second in strength only to diamonds, enamel can block bacteria and plaque from the sensitive and delicate inner tooth and root structures. Unfortunately, tooth enamel doesn’t regenerate, so North Richland Hills dentist, Dr. Steven M. Huffstutler wants to remind you to break bad habits before your bad habits break your teeth.
Don’t Chew Objects that are Not Food
Tooth enamel may technically be harder than wooden pencils or plastic pens. However, acid can temporarily soften your enamel. If you eat sugary or high-carbohydrate foods, your teeth are more or less softer than they should be. When you chew on hard substances such as writing (more…)
Look Inside: Digital Dental X-rays
Examining your oral health requires more than a trained eye. X-rays have been a vital part of dentistry for decades, and have helped dentists gain a clear picture of patients’ teeth, gums, jawbones, and the structures surrounding their smiles. The clearer the picture, the more accurately your dentist can identify and diagnose the early signs of trouble. By addressing dental concerns in their early stages, you can often avoid the need for extensive treatment later. In his dedication to provide our patients with innovative, high-quality dental care, North Richland Hills dentist, Dr. Steven M. Huffstutler utilizes digital dental X-rays, which offer several advantages over conventional radiography.
X-Rays: Revealing
Your routine dental exam involves a thorough inspection of your oral cavity for signs of tooth decay, gum disease, dental damage, problems with your bite’s alignment, and abnormalities in your oral tissues that might indicate cancer. Unfortunately, not all signs are easily visible to the naked eye, and digital X-rays allow Dr. Steven M. Huffstutler to spot trouble as early as possible. For instance, the images produced by digital X-rays will show your tooth and jawbone underneath the gumline and can highlight impacted (more…)
The Evolution of Fillings and Crowns
Do you have a cavity? To get your teeth back in working order, your dentist will most likely use fillings or crowns. These common restorative procedures can strengthen and protect decayed teeth. Fillings and crowns have evolved through many changes over the years. This means that modern dental work has greatly improved compared to older tooth restoration techniques. North Richland Hills dentist, Dr. Steven M. Huffstutler, will highlight the evolution of fillings and crowns.
Metal Fillings and Crowns
In the past, dental fillings and crowns were composed of various metals. With pure gold and silver proving to be a bit too pricey, a popular filling material was an alloy of different metals called dental amalgam. There is controversy over whether these metal fillings are safe because of the metals used in the alloy which contain mercury. However, most dentists and the American Dental Association, claim they are safe. (more…)
General Dentistry Basics: Dental Checkups
Preventive dentistry involves you, your dentist, and your dental staff all teaming up to preserve the health of your teeth, gums, and jawbone. Preventing periodontal disease (AKA gum disease) and tooth decay (AKA cavities) starts at home with good oral hygiene and a balanced diet. In addition to x-rays and cleaning plaque and tartar off teeth, you will undergo screenings for oral cancer and other potential dental issues at regular six-month dental checkups. You have probably been to the dentist quite a few times over your life. Is it time for another checkup with North Richland Hills dentist, Dr. Steven M. Huffstutler?
Dental Cleanings
Dental x-rays at your preventive appointments help screen for tooth decay, as well as cysts, tumors, bone loss, and the position of roots. X-rays and careful examination help our dental team to rule out infections or signs of oral/pharyngeal cancer. Removal of hardened plaque (tartar) which has been left on the teeth for some time will usually be performed by a dental hygienist. Tartar forms below and above the gumline and should only be removed by a trained professional using special dental instruments. (more…)