dentistsmithfieldnc.mydentistsblog.comKevin Koebley DDS PA – Dr. Kevin Koebley | Smithfield North Carolina Dentist

Kevin Koebley DDS PA Dr. Kevin Koebley | Smithfield North Carolina Dentist Scroll down to content Posts Posted on May 13, 2024 Why cavities aren’t just for kids Tooth decay or cavities result from destruction of the tooth enamel and can lead to a range of problems from toothache to bad breath. Cavities occur when foods containing carbohydrates (sugars and starches) such as milk, sugared drinks, cakes or candy are frequently left on the teeth. Bacteria that live in the mouth thrive on these foods, producing acids as a result. Over a period of time, these acids destroy tooth enamel, resulting in tooth decay. Many people associate cavities with children but the changes that occur with aging make cavities an adult problem, too. Recession of the gums away from the teeth, combined with an increased incidence of gum disease, can expose tooth roots to plaque. Tooth roots are covered with cementum, a softer tissue than enamel. They are susceptible to decay and are more sensitive to touch and to hot and cold. The majority of people over age 50 have tooth-root decay. Decay around the edges of fillings is also common to older adults. As many of them did not benefit from fluoride and modern preventive dental care when they were younger, they often have a number of dental fillings. Over the years, these fillings may weaken, fracture and leak around the edges. Bacteria accumulate in these tiny crevices causing acid to build up which leads to decay. You can help prevent tooth decay by following these tips: – Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste – Clean between your teeth daily with floss or interdental cleaner – Eat nutritious and balanced meals and limit snacking It’s also worth asking your dentist about supplemental fluoride, which strengthens your teeth, and about dental sealants, a plastic protective coating which is applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth to protect them from decay. In addition, it’s important to visit your dentist regularly for professional cleanings and oral examination. Posted on May 6, 2024 How the food you eat can cause tooth decay When you put food in your mouth, it immediately meets the bacteria that live there. Plaque, for example, is a sticky film of bacteria. These bacteria love the sugars found in many foods. So, when you don’t clean your teeth after eating, the bacteria and the sugar can combine to produce acids which can destroy the enamel – the hard surface of the tooth. In time, this can lead to tooth decay. The more often you eat and the longer foods are in your mouth, the more damage occurs. Many foods that are nutritious and important in our diet contain sugars – such as fruits, milk, bread, cereals and even vegetables. So the key is not to try and avoid sugar but to think before you eat. When you eat is also important because each time you eat food that contains sugars, the teeth are attacked by acids for 20 minutes or more. This means that foods that are eaten as part of a meal cause less harm. More saliva is released during a meal, helping to wash foods from the mouth and reduce the effects of acids. Here are some tips to follow when choosing your meals and snacks. – Eat a variety of foods from different food groups – Limit the number of snacks that you eat – If you do snack, choose nutritious foods, such as cheese, raw vegetables, plain yogurt, or a piece of fruit It’s also important to brush your teeth twice a day and to clean between your teeth daily with floss or interdental cleaners. And of course regular visits to your dentist will help prevent problems from occurring and catch those that do occur while they are easier to treat. Posted on April 29, 2024 Making the most of your smile Your smile is a major factor in the impression people get when they meet you. And the good news is that you now don’t have to settle for a smile spoiled by stained, chipped, or misshapen teeth. Advances in dental treatment mean there is a wide range of choices to help you get the smile that you want. Here are some of the options: – Tooth whitening (bleaching) can help brighten teeth that have become discolored or stained. It can be done in the dental office or with a system the dentist can give you to use at home – Bonding improves the appearance of teeth that have become chipped, broken, cracked or stained. This is done by bonding tooth-colored materials to the tooth surface – Enamel shaping involves modifying teeth to improve their appearance by removing or contouring enamel – Veneers are thin custom-made shells of tooth-colored materials designed to cover the front side of teeth. They are used to treat spaces between teeth and teeth that are chipped, stained or poorly shaped. – Braces may be needed if teeth are crooked, crowded or do not meet properly – and not just for kids Even small changes can have a big impact on your smile and so make a huge difference to how you look and how you feel about yourself. If you’d like an even better smile, your dentist will be able to give you information about the options available. Posted on April 22, 2024 How cancer treatment affects oral health When someone is undergoing cancer treatment, it’s important that they involve their dentist in their program of care. They should schedule a dental exam and cleaning before the treatment actually begins and then repeat it periodically during the course of treatment. It’s important that they tell the dentist that they are being treated for cancer and that they also discuss any dental procedures, such as extractions or insertion of dental implants, with the oncologist before starting the cancer treatment. It’s therefore a good idea to ensure that the dentist and oncologist have each other’s details to enable them to discuss any issues to help the patient. And the dentist and physician should be informed about any issues such as bleeding of the gums, pain, or unusual feeling in the teeth or gums, or any dental infections. Maintaining excellent oral hygiene during cancer treatment is vital to reduce the risk of infection and to help aid the treatment process. Posted on April 15, 2024 Why your routine dental cleaning is not routine For many patients, the dental cleaning appointment may seem little more than a more complicated version of brushing your teeth. However, this appoinment plays a crucial role in patient education and prevention of dental disease. The appointment is called a dental prophylaxis,” or prophy” and it’s one of the most important steps in your dental care program. Here are some of the elements that it may include, depending on your needs: – Oral hygiene evaluation – Tooth brushing and flossing instructions – Scaling above the gum to remove plaque and tartar – Debridement of tartar beneath the gum – Polishing the teeth – Periodontal charting It’s important to remove plaque from the teeth as it ultimately forms a hard, rough sediment known as tartar or calculus, which must be removed by a dental professional to help prevent periodontal disease. Polishing the teeth removes stains and creates a feeling of fresh breath and a clean mouth. The hygienist or dentist may recommend a prophylaxis visit every two to six months. Although insurance may only cover two prophies a year, recall frequency depends on many factors and should be based on individual needs. These appointments can help you have much better dental health and could save you a great deal of time and money in the long run. Posted on April 8, 2024 Your saliva and why it’s so important You probably don’t give too much thought to the saliva in your mouth, but if you think of it like a bloodstream you’ll realize how important it is. Like blood, saliva helps build and maintain the health of the soft and hard tissues. It removes waste products from the mouth and offers first-line protection against microbial invasion that might lead to disease. Saliva is derived from blood and therefore can also be used to detect disease. Saliva enhances enamel protection by providing high...