Tag Archives: cavity

5 of the Worst Food and Drinks for Your Teeth

Sure, brushing and flossing help get rid of all of the bacteria that sticks to your teeth after eating and drinking, but some food and drinks are way worse than others. While you should always brush and floss, here are some of the food and drinks you should try to consume in moderation to protect your teeth.

  1. Lemon, Grapefruit, and Citrus in General. Many people turn to fruits when they think about a healthy snack that has nutritional value. However, although these fruits are so packed with vitamin C, they are also extremely acidic which is bad for your enamel. We’re not saying you have to cut them out completely but maybe think twice before sipping on your water with lemon all day or snacking on fruit constantly. Also, the bacteria that cause cavities love an acidic environment! 
  2. Sour Candy. Candy is bad for your teeth; this is a known fact, but sour candy can be even more detrimental. First, many sour candies are also chewy, which can get stuck between your teeth and cause problems. Also, they can contain a higher level of acidity which makes them more hazardous to your teeth. You’re better off with a chocolate bar that you can brush away easier (lesser of two evils though!)
  3. Ice. Because water is good for your oral health, you might be inclined to think that ice is also good. Water might wash away bad bacteria and help clean out your mouth, but no one just sucks on a piece of ice. It’s the crunch that becomes a problem for your teeth because crunching on ice can cause your enamel to chip or crack. The pros of water don’t outweigh the cons of ice. 
  4. Soda. Soda makes this list for a multitude of reasons. First, the color of soda makes it a candidate to stain your teeth and make them less white. Second, the amount of sugar in a can of soda is always very high. Third, soda with carbonation makes it more likely to stick to your teeth and also dry out your mouth -especially one with caffeine (dehydration). Saliva is essential to your oral health as it naturally clears your mouth of bad bacteria. Lastly, the acidic pH is very harmful to teeth and bacteria that cause decay!
  5. Bread. You probably expected to see sour candy, soda, and maybe even ice on this list but bread? Bread made the list because of its texture. Bread can easily get stuck between your teeth. Once your saliva breaks down the starch, it turns to sugar which can increase the risk of decay. Other starchy foods like chips, crackers, and pasta, are also lumped into this category. 

We’re not suggesting that you never eat any of these foods again. We’re just suggesting that you think about eating them less often, change the WAY you eat them, and remember to brush your teeth right after consuming them. There is no cure for tooth decay but we can help you fight that battle! If you have any questions about diet changes, keeping your teeth healthy, or need to come in for a checkup exam with Dr. Banik and professional cleaning with one of our expert hygienists, contact us as soon as possible.  Don’t wait until it hurts or breaks! 

How to Handle Dental Emergencies

According to the American Dental Association, 2 million people visit the emergency room each year for dental emergencies. The problem with this is that most emergency rooms don’t have dentists to provide treatment, and most physicians aren’t able to provide dental care. Believe it or not, it is illegal for anyone other than a dentist to pull a tooth or fill a cavity, so they are only able to prescribe antibiotics or painkillers – which are only a temporary solution. 

If you are experiencing severe pain or swelling that spreads into your face and eyes or have jaw issues, then definitely head to the ER, otherwise here are some ways to deal with dental emergencies until you can get to your dentist or an emergency dentist.

  • Toothache

Toothaches are fairly common. Most dentists would advise against heading to the ER for a toothache unless your pain is unbearable. You should brush and floss your tooth to get rid of any excess food that could be causing the irritation and then rinse with warm water. You should then set up an appointment with your dentist, so they can get to the bottom of what’s causing your pain and discuss further steps. 

  • Knocked-Out Tooth

If your tooth is knocked out it’s important to save the tooth. When handling the tooth, try not to touch the root and clean it off. Next, try to put it back in the socket until you can get to your dentist. If you can’t keep it in the socket, put it in milk or in your mouth next to your teeth to keep it moist until you arrive at the dentist.

  • Facial Trauma

Trauma to the face can also cause dental injuries. If you experience facial trauma, you should ice the area to keep swelling down. A trip to the ER may be necessary before seeing your dentist to ensure that no bones are broken and you didn’t experience any other severe injuries. After taking care of other injuries caused by the trauma, consult your dentist to see if any further steps for your teeth are required.

The best way to prepare for a dental emergency is to try to prevent them if possible. Set an appointment to see your dentist every six months to avoid cavities, wear a mouthguard during sports, avoid chewing ice or other hard foods, and opening things with your teeth. If you do experience a dental emergency, stay calm and contact us so we can be there for you every step of the way.

5 Myths About Cavities and How You Can Prevent Them

There’s tons of misinformation about teeth and dental health out there, so we’re here to set the record straight. Here are five myths about cavities and how you can prevent them.

Cavity Myth #1: Only sugar causes cavities. 

We’ve always been told that cavities come from overeating candy and sweets, but sugar isn’t the only culprit. Cavities come from bacteria left on your teeth after eating, which turns into plaque. This bacteria often comes from sugary foods like cookies and candy but can also come from healthy foods like whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. So, cavities can form after eating a wide range of foods, and you should develop the habit of brushing your teeth after every meal to avoid them.

Cavity Myth #2: Only brushing my teeth will prevent cavities.

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels

Brushing your teeth is an essential step in an oral hygiene routine, but it won’t prevent cavities alone. You can still get cavities if you skip flossing, mouth rinse, and your bi-yearly teeth cleaning and checkup. Be sure you are flossing, brushing, and using mouth rinse at least twice daily to avoid oral health problems. 

Cavity Myth #3: Kids get more cavities than adults. 

This might come as a surprise to some, but kids are not prone to getting more cavities than adults. Children have historically gotten cavities at a higher rate than adults, but not because their teeth are more prone. This myth was busted when the rates of cavities in older adults skyrocketed in recent years. 

Cavity Myth #4: You’ll know when you have a cavity. 

Unfortunately, the only way you’ll know that you have a cavity is if it has advanced far enough to be painful. If you are going to your bi-annual dental cleaning and checkup, your dentist should catch problems before they become painful. That’s just one reason you should visit your dentist for checkups. 

Cavity Myth #5: Placing aspirin next to a cavity will help with the pain.

This one is definitely a myth. First, you must swallow pain relievers for them to work, so don’t use this as a healing method. Instead, call your dentist. If you have a toothache, it might be a cavity or something else. It’s best to address the issue as soon as possible. 

If you are experiencing tooth pain, or have missed your six-month checkup, contact our office