Five Signs You Have A Cavity (And What You Need To Do)

Cavities, or dental caries, are one of the most common health problems faced around the world, second only to the common cold. If not treated, cavities can cause infection, toothache and ultimately total tooth loss.  Wondering if you have one?  Here are five symptoms to watch out for:

1. Bad Breath
If tooth decay is ignored, bacteria will proliferate, causing bad breath.  If you are brushing and flossing regularly, yet still notice you have bad breath, you need a check up.

2. Bad Taste in your Mouth
If you notice a chronic bad taste in your mouth, get your teeth checked out as it may be a sign that a cavity needs to be cleaned and filled.

3. Tooth Sensitivity or Pain
A sensitive or painful tooth, even if it's only when exposed to hot or cold, can mean a cavity. Sensitivity and pain are usually evidence the cavity has progressed.  

4. Dark or White Spots
When cavities have progressed, they can become visible to the eye, appearing as a dark or white spot on the infected tooth.

5. Holes in Your Teeth
Sometimes you can see a hole on top of the tooth or feel it with your tongue.  This is not a good sign and you need to schedule an appointment right away for treatment.

6. Pus, Swelling or Extreme Pain
These symptoms may indicate an abscessed tooth. The pus is caused by a bacterial infection inside the tooth from untreated tooth decay. It can cause fever, pain and swollen glands and requires immediate medical attention as it will spread throughout your jaw.

The best time to catch a cavity is in the early stages, when there are few, if any, symptoms.  That's why a twice-yearly dental cleaning and exam is important. Unlike the common cold, your cavity will not get better on its own – it will only worsen, becoming more painful, time consuming and expensive to treat, and more likely to impact the integrity of your tooth. 

Good oral hygiene, which includes brushing twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste,  flossing once a day, and having regular dental cleaning and check ups, will keep you cavity free.   Is it time for your dental appointment? Call us at 919.755.3450 or schedule online.

Are Your Gums Receding? Learn More About Causes and Treatments

At the risk of being obvious, our gums, also known as the gingivae, are the moist pink tissue in the mouth that meets the base of the teeth. We all have two gums - one for the upper, and one for the lower set of teeth. The gums tightly surround the teeth and are firmly attached to the jaw bone. They cover and protect the delicate roots of the teeth.

But sometimes things go wrong and your gums start to receded. Think of a houseplant. If you were to take soil away from its roots, what would happen? Sooner or later, the roots would be exposed to air. They could no longer get the water and nutrients they need. Eventually, the plant would become weak, its roots would fall apart, and the plant would die.

Gum recession works much the same way. It’s a process where the gum tissue start to pull away from the teeth, exposing the fragile, sensitive tooth roots. Eventually, gums can shrink so much that the roots are almost completely exposed. This robs them of nutrients and leaves them open to attack by bacteria, as well as makes them very sensitive.  If left untreated, gum recession can become so severe that it is irreversible and can lead to tooth loss.

You Can See and Feel Gum Recession

The first sign of gum recession is often tooth sensitivity or sore gums. Also, if you run a finger over your gums you can often feel a notch where your gumline used to be. Another sign of receding gums is that your teeth appear longer or the spaces in between them appear bigger at the base.  Compare your gums to the pictures below.  The picture on the left shows healthy gums, and the picture on the right shows gums that are receding, with inflammation and spaces noticeable between the teeth.  Whether you feel or see the onset of gum recession, it’s time to call your dental office and schedule an appointment. 

What Causes Gum Recession?

• Poor oral health. Periodontal, or gum, disease is the most common cause of gum recession. Periodontal disease is caused by bacteria-laden plaque at the gum line. The bacteria produce acids that damage your gums resulting in the loss of this supporting tissue around the teeth. 
• Brushing or flossing too hard. Yes, brushing too hard is possible. Always use a toothbrush that is labeled “soft.” Be gentle on your teeth, and remember that taking care of them isn’t supposed to hurt. 
• Genetics. Like the rest of your body, your gums’ characteristics are influenced by your genetics. 
• Dental work. Yep - sometimes dentists don't get it right on the first try. You may have an improperly fitting crown or bridge that is impacting your gums and causing recession. 
• Abnormal tooth positioning. If your teeth are not in alignment with one another, gum recession is more likely.
• Grinding your teeth. Teeth grinding can cause a number of dental problems including gum issues. 
• Trauma to gums. Your gum tissue may recede due to a traumatic injury - this can include a lip or tongue piercing that impacts your gums. 

Healthy Gums Are A Team Effort

As always, prevention is the best strategy.  The simple steps you learned in childhood -  brushing twice a day, daily flossing, and having twice yearly dental cleaning and exams - will keep your gums healthy and prevent gum recession.  If recession has already started, you and your dentist need to identify and eliminate the cause.  In some cases this may be as easy as switching to a soft bristle toothbrush, correcting an improperly fitted bridge or improving your oral hygiene.  In other cases, for example, recession due to periodontal disease or trauma, your dentist may discuss some treatment options such as:

• Desensitizing treatments: Your dentist may use varnishes or other dental products to reduce any sensitivity that may have developed in the exposed tooth root. Treating the sensitivity helps patients continue their oral hygiene routine.
• Composite restoration: In some cases, your dentist may use tooth-colored composite resins to cover the root surface. 
• Orthodontics: If the recession is due to misaligned teeth, orthodontic treatment which re-positions the teeth can correct the problem.
• Deep cleaning. Your dentist or dental hygienist will use special tools to remove the plaque and tartar buildup on the roots where the gums are receding, a procedure known as root planing.
• Gum grafting. This involves taking the patient’s own healthy gum tissue from the roof of the mouth or using a gum grafting material to replace the missing gum tissue. Your dentist may recommend you see a periodontist.

Contact us with any concerns you may have, such as tooth sensitivity, or a change in the appearance of your gums - we want to see you sooner rather than later.  We can be reached at (919) 755-3450 or schedule online.

As always, thank you for reading our blog - feel free to comment or share it with friends or family members who may be concerned about receding gums.  

Most Common Place You Get Cavities

Perhaps one of the most dreaded phrases a child - or adult- can hear during a regular check-up is “You have a cavity.” At Jeff M. Morrison & Associates DDS, we never want to say these words! That's why our primary goal is prevention. But it's also helpful to know where you're most likely to get cavities - so you can target where you brush and floss. Here is a list of the places you're most likely to get a cavity.

In the Grooves

On the chewing surface of your back teeth there are many grooves (called fissures) that run in the teeth as well as small holes or pits. These are common places for cavities. 

In Between your Teeth

In a normal mouth, all the teeth touch each other except for the ones all the way in the back. In the area between the teeth, it is hard to fit a toothbrush and easy for plaque to grow and create a cavity, especially if you’re not flossing daily.

At the Margins

The margins of fillings, crowns, bridges, and other dental work aren't always as smooth as we’d like it to be. This area, between the restoration and the tooth, is an easy place for plaque to grow. 

Just Above the Gumline

This is a common place for cavities, especially for people who drink lots of energy drinks and soda because the acids in these drinks can pool around the gumline and attack the teeth, creating a cavity.

At the Roots

When you have periodontal, or gum, disease the bone and gums that surround the teeth gradually fall down. This exposes the root surface of the teeth. The root surface is much softer than the hard enamel shell that encases the tops of our teeth making it easier for cavities to occur on the root surface.

Next to a Partial

It's easy for food to get trapped between a partial denture and the natural teeth. Plus, there’s usually a metal appliance that fits around the tooth making it easy for plaque to grow. If you have a partial denture, Dr. Morrison or your Dental Hygienist will come up with an oral hygiene program tailor-made for you.

Under Fillings 

Fillings that have worn away, chipped, cracked or fallen out provide an entry point for the bacteria that cause tooth decay.

Good oral hygiene along, with a healthy diet, is the best way to avoid a cavity. Here are some tips:

• Good brushing.  Make sure you’re brushing the grooves and pits of your teeth. 
• Keep flossing. We recommend flossing every day. If you find you can’t get the floss to go down or come back up from between the tooth, give our office a call. 
• Fluoride: It's important for infants and children between the ages of 6 months and 16 years to be exposed to fluoride. Adults benefit from fluoride, too. New research indicates that topical fluoride -- from toothpastes, mouth rinses, and fluoride treatments -- are as important in fighting tooth decay as in strengthening developing teeth. 
• Regular cleaning and exams. With twice yearly cleaning and exams, you can often prevent a cavity from occurring, or catch one in the earliest stage - which is easiest (and less expensive) to treat. 

Worried that you may have a cavity? Don't wait! Give give us a call at (919) 755-3450 or schedule an appointment with Dr. Morrison online.



Source:

1. http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/dental-health-cavities

2. http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/fluoride-treatment