Prevention is Better

We all host bacteria in our mouths so everyone is potentially vulnerable to decay and gum disease. Here are some facts that you may not know …

• Bacterial Infections – In caries (decay), Streptococcus mutans, is the major bacterium that uses sugar to produce acids that dissolve dental enamel, creating cavities. In gum disease, plaque – the soft thin film you feel on your teeth – is a biofilm which hosts many different bacteria.
• Transmissible – You can pass on gum disease and caries bacteria to the people you care about – even babies whose teeth have yet to erupt – by kissing, blowing on food or sharing utensils.
• Preventable – You can minimize your risk of caries by avoiding sugary carbohydrates and keeping saliva flowing. Saliva is your natural buffer against acid. Daily removal of soft plaque by brushing and flossing keeps it from building up then turning into hard tartar or calculus, promoting gum disease.
• Reversible – In the earliest stages when caries are white patches, remineralization (assisted by our saliva) can reverse the process. As the caries progressively become darker in color, treatment becomes more complex and invasive.

Gum disease can appear silently and we can reverse it with prompt treatment before it progresses to produce swollen, tender, bleeding gums and deep pockets of infection that can lead to tooth loss.

We have many effective strategies to prevent and treat these two diseases, so please, keep your regular appointments.