A common question

What Are Cavities?

When it comes to oral health, we hear the word “cavity” all the time. In general, the word cavity means a pit or hole. While that definition somewhat holds for tooth health, there’s a little more to dental cavities than a simple hole.

According to the American Dental Association, dental cavities (or caries, as they are called by dental professionals) are synonymous with tooth decay. A cavity can be anything from a small decay-containing pit in a tooth to a tooth that needs serious work.

Tooth decay is a destruction of the tooth enamel – the covering of the tooth. Once bacteria has penetrated this outer layer, the inner layers of the tooth, including the dentin, pulp and sometimes even the root. Decay is generally caused by the way we treat our teeth  (whether we have excellent oral care habits, brushing for 2-3 minutes twice daily, and flossing once daily) and the foods we eat. Eating carbohydrates leaves a feast on the teeth for the microscopic bacteria that live on our teeth. When the harmful bacteria munch on the bacteria, they produce acids that destroy the enamel, exposing the tooth to decay.

Minor cavities are simply cleaned out and filled with either an amalgam filling or a composite filling. Amalgam fillings are the traditional silver fillings that many of us have lingering from childhood. Composite fillings are more popular these days, as dental professionals are able to match the color of the filling to the teeth around it.

Tooth decay left untreated can lead to a destruction of so much of the tooth that a root canal is required.

Tooth Decay? Isn’t That Just Kid Stuff?

Actually, the majority of adults find that at sometime in their adulthood, they’ll be sitting through a routine dental cleaning and hear the dreaded words, you have a cavity.

If that’s you, don’t worry too much. Cavities in adults are common for those who didn’t have regular dental cleanings throughout childhood, and those whose water was not fluoridated.

Also, according to the American Dental Association, many adults experience mild decay around the perimeters of cavities filled during childhood. Over the years, amalgam fillings can weaken and fracture, or even leak around the edges. When fillings leak around the edges, decay-causing bacteria can slip between the teeth and fillings, causing further decay to a tooth that was treated long ago. Many dentists recommend getting fillings from childhood replaced when patients are in their late 30s to early 40s, depending on the quality of the original filling.

Preventing Adult Tooth Decay

There are many things that can be done to help prevent tooth decay – in both children and adults. Brushing and flossing are key. Most people don’t take flossing seriously, but it is key to removing bacteria and debris between teeth.

In addition to good routine oral care, addressing the balance of oral bacteria is a great way to support tooth health. Oral care probiotics can support the colonies of beneficial bacteria that naturally thrive in the mouth, which can help crowd out the harmful bacteria.

While tooth decay is common in both children and adults, good oral care is the best form of prevention. A few minutes of brushing at least twice daily and flossing daily can go a long way toward keeping your teeth cavity-free.

Dental Health Month

What’s 5 Times More Common Than Asthma and 7 Times More Common Than Hayfever in Children?

Dental Disease.

Each and every day, parents wake their kids and try their best to get them ready for school.

Dressed? Check.

Backpack ready? Check.

Lunch?  Sure.

Breakfast? Absolutely.

Teeth brushed? Here’s hoping!

Tooth decay is an important concern for most parents. And, according to the Surgeon General, it’s the cause of 51 million lost school hours each year.

According to the National Children’s Oral Health Foundation, pediatric dental disease is 5 times more common than asthma and 7 times more common than hay fever.

Dental and periodontal diseases have been linked to a hefty handful of major chronic conditions, such as heart disease, kidney failure, diabetes, strokes, osteoporosis and even Alzheimer’s, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Sometimes it’s really hard to know how well our kids are taking care of their teeth, but with so much at stake, it’s worth it to get involved to make sure your child is prepared for a lifetime of oral health.

Here are some ways you can help make sure younger childrens’ teeth are brushed well enough:

•    Teach proper brushing technique, which is to brush gently in small circles, with the brush angled away from the child’s gums.

•    Once your child seems ready to brush, let him try!

•    After he brushes for about a minute (which will feel like a long time the first few times!) you take over the brushing.

•    While you’re brushing, give lots of praise and encouragement for the great brushing your child has done.

•    If your child is consistently missing a certain spot, try teaching her from another angle. Sometimes standing behind the child, cradling her head in your arm and letting her hold the brush while you provide hand-over-hand assistance will show your child how to make brushing work from a better angle.

•    When you think it’s time to let your child do the brushing on her own, let her take over the morning or evening routine, but keep the other routine the same, so you can ensure that missed spots aren’t overlooked for too long.

Before you know it, you’ll have a pro-brusher on your hands!

What’s That? I Need A Breath Mint?

Do you think your breath smells? Do you know?

If you notice that lots of people are offering your breath mints or gum, it really might mean that you DO have bad breath. Like the old saying goes, never turn down a breath mint!

Bad breath, also known as halitosis, is one of the most common oral health complaints.

The Bad News Behind Bad Breath

Unfortunately, the bad news about bad breath is that you may be the last to know that you have it.

The other bad news is that most breath fresheners not only cannot be trusted to do their jobs, but they are also usually full of sugar which is the ideal food for the bacteria that are causing your bad breath in the first place.

Yep, that’s right. Not only do breath fresheners NOT make your breath fresher, they actually make your breath smell worse.

Why Don’t Most Breath Fresheners Work?

Here’s how it works: Inside your mouth, there are hundreds of different species of bacteria. Most of them are completely harmless – they just find the warm, wet, dark place that is the human mouth a good place to call home. A few are a little more worrisome.

The worrisome bacteria include the bacteria known to cause tooth decay and periodontal disease.
Then there are a few other bacteria in the mouth that are considered beneficial bacteria. Why beneficial? Because, by their very presence, they keep the bad bacteria at bay. They compete for space and nutrients, effectively crowding out the harmful bacteria.

So, who’s to blame for your bad breath?

You guessed it – the same bacteria that claims the blame for cavities and periodontal disease. You see, when these little guys feast on sugar (a common ingredient in most breath fresheners) and other food particles, they release Volatile Sulfur Compounds , which smell just as bad as they sound.

Oral Care Probiotics For Truly Fresh Breath

The only way to truly eliminate bad breath is to get rid of the bacteria that causes it. By using a probiotic mint twice daily, you can allow the beneficial bacteria to keep the bad bacteria in check, and finally kiss that bad breath goodbye!

Now that makes sense!

Say Boo! To Cavities

Understanding the Basics of Tooth Decay

If the abundance of sugary treats available at Halloween awakens you with nightmares of tooth decay, you’re not alone – many people think of tooth decay when they see bowls full of candies and trays full of donuts and cookies.

But how does sugar cause cavities, anyway? Let’s start from the beginning.

What is Tooth Decay?

Tooth decay is a breakdown of tooth enamel that only happens when foods containing carbohydrates (either sugars or starches) are left on the teeth. Harmful bacteria that naturally live in the mouth thrive on sugars and starches. When they consume these carbohydrates,these harmful bacteria produce acids that destroy tooth enamel and cause tooth decay.

Are Children the Only Ones With Cavities?

While children are at higher risk for cavities due to their diets and oral-care habits, adults are also at risk for developing cavities.
In adults, the areas exposed when the gums recede and also the areas surrounding old fillings are often the most susceptible to new cavities. These areas often provide the small spaces bacteria find ideal for growth.

How Can You Prevent Decay?

The following are some great tips for helping prevent tooth decay, according to the American Dental Association:

•    Brush your teeth twice a day.
•    Clean between teeth daily with floss.
•    Eat a balanced diet and limit between-meal snacks.
•    Visit your dentist regularly for professional cleanings and oral exams.
•    Ask your dentist about dental sealants, a protective plastic coating that can be applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth where decay often starts.

Taking an Extra Step to Support Tooth Health

For those who want to ensure that harmful bacteria don’t get the upper hand in their mouths, oral care probiotics are a great way to keep those harmful bacteria in check. Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that are natural residents of your mouth. By boosting their numbers, you are helping them in their fight against the harmful bacteria. Beneficial bacteria and harmful bacteria compete for both nutrients and places to live. When the beneficial bacteria have the upper hand, they successfully crowd out the harmful bacteria.

A Halloween Nightmare

Watch Your Mouth!

With extra candy, gum and other sugary treats lying around during the Halloween season, even the strongest-willed among us are inclined to do a little extra snacking. Who can resist a few nibbles of chocolate here, or a package of gummy treats there?

If you’re worried about your tooth health, and you just can’t (or won’t!) resist those yummy Halloween sweets, here are some ways you can protect your teeth.

Brush After Snacking

Of course, the most common sense rule is to brush your teeth after you indulge in sweets. Because the bacteria that are responsible for tooth decay love to snack on sugar, the best thing you can do to keep tooth decay at bay when you’ve been snacking on sweets is to brush that sugar away.

The other benefit to brushing is that it may slow down your snacking, if you’re the type to graze. You might be able to resist the candy dish (or your child’s bag of Halloween treats) if your teeth are freshly brushed.

Oral Care Probiotics

Using a probiotic mint, like EvoraPlus, can help crowd out the sugar-loving bacteria by competing with them for both space and nutrients. Using oral care probiotics supports gum and tooth health year ‘round, not just at Halloween!

Drink Water!

Drinking water between snacks helps rinse a little of the food – and sugar – from your teeth. It’s not nearly as effective as brushing your teeth, but if it’s the only thing you can do to clean your mouth after indulging in a little treat, it’s certainly better than nothing.

What’s That Smell?

Ready to Kiss That Morning Breath Goodbye?

Was it the onions on your salad? That cup of decaf after dinner? When you wake up with morning breath, the cause hardly matters. You want the bad taste in your mouth – and the stink that goes with it – gone, and fast, please!

If your morning breath is caused by foods like garlic, onions or even beverages coffee, it will probably linger even if you give brushing and flossing your very best shot. The breakdown of food particles in and around your teeth can cause a lasting foul odor. After foods like onions and garlic are digested and the pungent oils are absorbed into your bloodstream, they’re carried to your lungs and are given off in your breath until the foods are eliminated from your body.

Another major cause of morning breath is dry mouth. Not only do our mouths produce less saliva at night, if you are a mouth-breather or someone who snores through your mouth, you’re likely to have a very dry mouth at night. This can translate to some very smelly breath in the morning. Drinking alcohol can also lead to dry mouth.

If you suffer from periodontal disease, you may also have morning breath. Fortunately, this is something you can potentially avoid by brushing and flossing properly before bed each night. If you don’t brush and floss daily, food particles remain in your mouth, collecting bacteria that can emit chemicals, such as hydrogen sulfide — the compound that gives rotten eggs their characteristic smell. Over time, a colorless, sticky film of bacteria called (plaque) forms on your teeth.

If it’s not brushed away, plaque can irritate your gums, causing gingivitis and tooth decay, and eventually forming plaque-filled pockets between your teeth and gums called periodontitis.

The microscopic uneven surface of the tongue also can trap bacteria that produce odors.

In addition to carefully and thoroughly brushing and flossing your teeth before bed each night, consider using oral care probiotics. By flooding the mouth with good bacteria, oral care probiotics leave little room for smelly bacteria to thrive. But don’t think of it as a short-term solution like a piece of gum or a mouthwash. Used twice daily, oral care probiotics hit bad breath where it really counts, knocking out the bad bacteria in places that brushing and flossing alone simply can’t, like in the pits and crevices of the teeth, deep beneath the gums and in the surface of the tongue.

Now that you know what’s behind that stinky morning breath, don’t you think it’s time to go ahead and kiss it goodbye?

We’re always looking for great ways to inspire kids to take good care of their teeth, so we were super excited to stumble across this new video created by Uplift Comics.

See, as most parents know, there’s no one way to teach your kids to do anything. In fact, the best way to teach your children to do things is to show them a variety of ways to do something, and then repeat yourself often. We also know that kids tend to learn well when things are set to music, which is what makes video clips so great.

Enjoy!

Click here to watch now!

Talk About Teeth

Helping Your Kids Understand the Importance of Good Oral Hygiene

Do you find yourself nagging your kids to brush their teeth every day? Have you ever wondered why? It might be because your kids just don’t understand the importance of good oral hygiene.

What’s The Big Deal With Tooth Brushing?

Helping your kids understand the importance of good oral care will go a long way toward getting them motivated to not only brush their teeth every day (twice!) but also to do a good job while they’re at it. Here’s what they need to know:

Teeth are important. They give us beautiful smiles, and help us chew our food (think about how hard it is to take a good bite of food when you have a loose or missing tooth!).

If you don’t take care of your teeth, you can get cavities, and cavities HURT. Cavities can give you a tooth ache that can make it difficult to eat, talk and sleep.

Sometimes, if you don’t take good care of your teeth for a long time, you can lose your teeth, and that hurts too. When you lose your teeth from neglect (not brushing and flossing), it hurts more than it does when a baby tooth falls out.

What Can Your Child Do Take Good Care of His or Her Teeth?

Taking good care of your teeth is as simple as brushing twice a day for two minutes, and flossing once a day.

Chew a tasty oral care probiotic! Probiotics are beneficial (good!) bacteria that support the health of your teeth.

Knowledge is power. Empower your kids to make good choices when it comes to their oral care for a lifetime of healthy, beautiful smiles.

Things to Consider

Less Saliva Means More Cavities

Dry mouth is a common problem that could lead to an even more common – and more costly and painful problem – cavities.

A number of things can reduce the flow of saliva. The prevailing cause generally is medication. From antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications to diuretics, narcotics, antihistamines and blood pressure medications, many prescription and over-the-counter medications can quell your normal flow of saliva.

You may have also noticed that your mouth is dry at night. This is because when we sleep, salivary glands produce less saliva. Our salivary glands also tend to produce less as we age, so dry mouth is more common in older people. Not only that, the composition of our saliva changes as we age, making our saliva less protective as we age.

Unfortunately, any alteration in the quantity or quality of one’s saliva can reduce the benefits that saliva can provide. The presence of xerostomia, which refers to a state of diminished salivary flow, can tip the balance between tooth demineralization and remineralization in favor of tooth decay, or the forming of cavities.

Brush and Floss

Since salivary flow decreases at night, be sure to brush and floss at night before going to bed to ensure that you’re removing both food particles that may be left behind and as much harmful bacteria as possible.

Drink!

Those with chronically dry mouths should drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated, to moisten the mouth and to keep food and bacteria from staying lodged between teeth.

Try Oral Care Probiotics

Saliva isn’t the only thing that protects your teeth from harmful bacteria. The good bacteria that live in your mouth also help to protect your teeth and gums from the harmful bacteria that reside there. Oral care probiotics help replenish those residential beneficial bacteria to support gum and tooth health.

Chew Sugarless Gum

Since chewing increases the flow of saliva, chewing sugarless gum can help increase your flow of saliva without feeding the bacteria known to cause cavities and gum disease.

Healthy Foods for Healthy Smiles

Great Food Choices to Support Healthy Teeth

We want to have clean, healthy, white teeth. Here’s what we know we need to do:

1.    Brush our teeth twice daily.

2.    Floss once daily (ideally).

3.    Avoid sugary junk foods.

4.    Avoid tobacco products.

5.    Avoid drinking sodas and sports drinks.

But What Foods Should We Eat to Support Tooth and Gum Health?

Fresh Vegetables

Not only are fresh vegetables great for your overall health, they are great for your teeth. Eating vegetables – and a small amount of fruit, for that matter – stimulates saliva flow. Saliva washes away the harmful bacteria, leaving less to attach to your teeth or to populate beneath your gumline. Because of this, increasing natural saliva production is a good way to decrease your risk of developing cavities and developing periodontal disease and it’s also a great way to ward off bad breath.

Whole Grains

Whole grains are rich in B vitamins, which support gum health and can also keep toothaches at bay. Since B vitamins are water soluble (meaning they aren’t stored in the body), they need to be eaten regularly for you to continue reaping their many benefits. This group of vitamins includes B1 (thiamin), B2 (riboflavin), niacin, B6 (pyridoxine), folic acid, B12 (cobalamine), biotin, and pantothenic acid.

Milk & Cheese

Dairy products are alkalizing, meaning they reverse the harmful effects of acids. This is a fantastic thing in the mouth, as acid is the enemy of healthy tooth enamel. Acid erosion sets the stage for tooth decay. Cheese and milk are great alkaline foods.

Water

Not only does the water nourish your body, it helps clear food debris from your teeth without leaving behind any unwanted sugar molecules and without staining teeth, the way coffee and tea do.

Probiotics

In addition to a healthy diet (and daily brushing and flossing), oral care probiotics are a great way to support tooth and gum health. These beneficial bacteria come as a tasty, easy-to-use probiotic mint for adults or probiotic chew for children ages 3 – 11. Both dissolve quickly in the mouth to restore the good bacteria essential for good oral health.

When it comes to maintaining tooth and gum health, choose fresh, choose whole, choose alkaline, and choose water – and you will be making the best possible choices for your teeth and gums.