Tooth decay is a spot on a tooth where enough of the mineral content has been lost and a hole has formed. The process of deminerali-zation takes place because of the presence of acids on a tooth’s surface.

The acids that cause cavity formation are produced by specific types of bacteria that live in dental plaque. The bacteria that cause tooth decay utilize sugars as their food source. The waste products created from digesting these sugars are the acids.

Decreasing Tooth Decay
Fluorides have been used worldwide to fight cavities. In the United States, many cities have fluoridated drinking water. Additionally, our office is equipped to provide specific fluoride treatments.

An Ounce of Prevention

• Avoid sugary sodas – Refrain from constantly sipping on sugary drinks. This bombardment of sugary solution bathes your teeth and creates the perfect food source for cavity causing bacteria. It’s much better to drink a serving of a sugary beverage in one sitting and then brushing your teeth or rinsing your mouth. Another option is to switch to sugar free diet drinks.
• Snack on an apple - Substituting fresh fruit or vegetables as a snack instead of soft and sugary foods can help to prevent dental decay. The friction of the chewing process helps break up bacterial colonies living on your teeth and this makes them easier to wash away with a simple glass of water.
• Brush Often - It’s always a good idea to brush your teeth after every meal, but we all know that in our busy society, time for teeth brushing isn’t always available. Another option is to rinse your mouth after eating or drinking cavity promoting foods. A simple swig of water can help to protect your teeth and prevent cavity formation.
• Chew sugarless gum – Another cavity fighting step is to chew sugar-less gum. Chewing gum encourages natural saliva production and helps keep tooth surfaces free of bacterial buildup. Keep a pack of gum handy for use after meals or sugary snacks.
• Regular dental visits – Regular dental visits go a long way in preventing tooth decay. Many procrastinate and put off their trips to the dentist for a number of reasons. However, dental techniques have changed for the better and regular dental care can help prevent the onset of cavities and dental disease.

We would like to share with you our special patient of the month story and the joy we brought to her!

One would be hard pressed to perform the teeth in one day surgery without the recently completed specialized training and the help of our fine support team including Mariela and Advanced Dental Studio’s Igor.

While the patient was sedated using DOCS protocol, we used a virtually generated guide for dental implant placing, we placed 6 implants and converted an exist-ing acrylic removable denture into a fixed prosthesis. (Below are the photos taken immediately after surgery)

The phrase “treat your patient as your family” was literally true  this time as the patient was my grandmother Tema who will turn 90 years old in a few weeks.

Due to issues with a gagging reflex, she could not use the denture and has been on a soft diet for the last 2 years. The fact that she was able to bite and chew food just hours and days after surgery was very rewarding.  One should add that she has no recollection of pain and the duration of the surgery due to the “magic” of Sedation Dentistry. Experiences like this make modern dentistry amazing and make patients very happy.

As I was waiting to see the dentist, a patient came out of his office smiling. Nodding to me, she said, “Thank good-ness my work is completed. I’m so glad to have found a painless dentist and one who’s so gentle and under-standing too.” When it was my turn in the dentist chair, I related the incident to the doctor. A smile lit his face and explained, “Oh that was just my mother!”