Your Smile is Important

Learn what the American Dental Association has to say about why your smile is important.

The above video is found on the American Dental Association YouTube Channel.

SeaSide Dentistry 
Donna M. Gentry, DDS 
1165 Cedar Point Blvd, Suite P 
Cedar Point, NC 28584 
(252) 764-2784 
SeaSideDentistryNC.com

Surprisingly Simple Food Tips for Healthy Teeth

Below is an excerpt from an article found on Colgate.com that was written by Donna Pleis

You already know the value of regular tooth brushing and flossing to the prevention of tooth decay and gum disease, but what you eat can help too. Here are a few tips for healthy teeth involving simple foods that may be more helpful to your dental health than you thought they were.

An Element of Strength
The mineral, fluoride, plays an important role in building strong teeth and bones, and ultimately protecting your teeth against tooth decay. This is why fluoride has been included in toothpastes like Colgate Cavity Protection and many community water supplies. But did you know it's also found naturally in many foods? Any fluoride you ingest is absorbed and distributed throughout the body, according to the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), though most of it deposited into your bones and teeth.

So, to give you and your family's teeth an extra bit of strength now and then, serve up foods with naturally high concentrations of fluoride. Most seafood is a good source of this because oceans are full of natural sodium fluoride. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), tea and gelatin contain fluoride as well. Carrots, beets, canned pork and beans also have significant amounts (who would've thought?), as well as infant formula, juices, canned tomato products and cheeses. And if you like baked potatoes, don't peel off the skin; that's where most of the fluoride is found. You can identify more fluoride-rich foods at the USDA National Nutrient Database.

To read the entire article visit Colgate.com.

The remainder of the article details the following:

• 'Moo're Dairy Please
• Swish and Swallow
• Candy and Chewing Gum
• Nature's Toothbrush

SeaSide Dentistry 
Donna M. Gentry, DDS 
1165 Cedar Point Blvd, Suite P 
Cedar Point, NC 28584 
(252) 764-2784 
SeaSideDentistryNC.com

You May Have Acid Erosion on Teeth

Below is an excerpt from an article found on Colgate.com that was written by Jennifer Mitchell

Tooth enamel isn't just strong; it's the hardest substance in your body. It isn't indestructible, however, and can be eroded by substances that are stronger. Acid exposure can come from many sources, but with the help of your dentist, you can keep your enamel strong and healthy.

Symptoms 
Acid erosion on teeth can lead to a variety of symptoms that should be evaluated by a dentist. As the outer layer of your teeth wears away, you may experience tooth sensitivity. This sensitivity often leads to pain when you consume hot or cold foods and drinks.
Your teeth may also become discolored. This is because the enamel is white, unlike the sensitive, yellow tissue underneath is known as dentin. As the enamel erodes and exposes more of your dentin, your teeth begin to show more of its yellow color.
The appearance of your teeth can change in other ways as a result of acid erosion, depending on the case. The bottom edge of your front teeth may start to look transparent instead of its natural opaque. You may also notice your teeth look smaller or thinner than they used to. If you notice any of these symptoms, you may have acid erosion, and should see your dentist right away for an evaluation.

Causes 
There are just as many possible causes of acid erosion. Your favorite beverages, for example, may also be to blame for the initial sensitivity: According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), soft drinks are the most frequent source of erosive acids, most damaging due to their low pH levels. Other popular drinks, such as fruit juices, sports drinks and energy drinks, can also damage your teeth due to their acidity.
These liquids aren't the only possible cause. Frequent vomiting introduces highly acidic stomach contents to your mouth and can lead to acid erosion. This is a particular concern for pregnant women suffering from morning sickness, as well as those who struggle with bulimia or related eating disorders. Similarly, gastroesophageal acid reflux disease (GERD) is a condition that makes acid from your stomach back up into your throat and mouth involuntarily. This leads to frequent heartburn and, ultimately, the erosion of your tooth enamel. If you suffer from GERD, make sure your dentist is aware of your condition.


To read the entire article visit Colgate.com.

The remainder of the article details the following:

• Prevention
• Treatment

SeaSide Dentistry 
Donna M. Gentry, DDS 
1165 Cedar Point Blvd, Suite P 
Cedar Point, NC 28584 
(252) 764-2784 
SeaSideDentistryNC.com

Teeth without Enamel: Causes, Treatment and Care

Below is an excerpt from an article found on Colgate.com that was written by Katriena Knights

Enamel is the hardest substance in the human body, and is therefore vital to the health of your teeth. Not everyone's is the strongest, though, and still others have teeth without enamel at all. Without enamel to protect the softer interior parts of your teeth, they can't stand up to the stress of natural biting and chewing. These abnormal developments require special care and treatment.

Enamel Hypoplasia
Teeth can come in without enamel as a result of inherited issues or because of exposure to certain substances while the teeth are erupting. Baby teeth and permanent teeth can both emerge with enamel that is weak, improperly formed or missing altogether. One of these conditions is enamel hypoplasia, which literally means "underdeveloped enamel." A disorder that causes the teeth to develop with thin, deficient enamel, it sometimes manifests as a pit in the tooth ñ or even a hole. In advanced cases, there is no enamel at all, leaving the more sensitive dentin exposed.
Under normal conditions, per the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), special cells in the teeth called ameloblasts form the cells of the tooth enamel. If these ameloblasts are damaged or do not fully develop, the enamel can't develop normally either.

What Causes It
Many factors can cause enamel hypoplasia. These include:

• Poor nutrition during pregnancy or infancy.
• Infection during pregnancy or infancy.
• Genetic disorders.
• Trauma to the teeth or jaw.
• Exposure to certain substances during pregnancy or infancy.

Nonetheless, it's often difficult to determine exactly what caused the teeth to develop abnormally.

To read the entire article visit Colgate.com.

The remainder of the article details the following:

• Enamel Hypomineralization
• How to Treat It

SeaSide Dentistry 
Donna M. Gentry, DDS 
1165 Cedar Point Blvd, Suite P 
Cedar Point, NC 28584 
(252) 764-2784 
SeaSideDentistryNC.com

Ask the Dentist by the ADA: 'How Can I Help My Elderly Parent Brush Her Teeth?'

The American Dental Association has created informative videos called Ask the Dentist. Here is their video on: 'How Can I Help My Elderly Parent Brush Her Teeth?'

The above video is found on the American Dental Association YouTube Channel.

SeaSide Dentistry 
Donna M. Gentry, DDS 
1165 Cedar Point Blvd, Suite P 
Cedar Point, NC 28584 
(252) 764-2784 
SeaSideDentistryNC.com

Ask the Dentist by the ADA: 'How Can I Get My Child to Brush Her Teeth?'

The American Dental Association has created informative videos called Ask the Dentist. Here is their video on: 'How Can I Get My Child to Brush Her Teeth?'

The above video is found on the American Dental Association YouTube Channel.

SeaSide Dentistry 
Donna M. Gentry, DDS 
1165 Cedar Point Blvd, Suite P 
Cedar Point, NC 28584 
(252) 764-2784 
SeaSideDentistryNC.com

Ask the Dentist by the ADA: 'Does Your Dentist Know If You Lie About Brushing and Flossing?'

'Does Your Dentist Know If You Lie About Brushing and Flossing? '

The above video is found on the American Dental Association YouTube Channel.

SeaSide Dentistry 
Donna M. Gentry, DDS 
1165 Cedar Point Blvd, Suite P 
Cedar Point, NC 28584 
(252) 764-2784 
SeaSideDentistryNC.com

Diet, Food Choices and Healthy Gums

Below is an excerpt from an article found on Colgate.com that was written by the ADA 

Can food or drink choices help a person have healthier gums?

Japanese researchers studied a group of nearly 950 adults to determine whether consuming dairy products with lactic acid like milk, yogurt and cheese, had a lower risk for gum disease.

Participants' periodontal health was evaluated through two measurements - periodontal pocket depth and clinical attachment loss of gum tissue. Researchers found that participants who consumed 55 grams or more each day of yogurt or lactic acid drinks had significantly lower instance of periodontal disease. They found that consuming milk or cheese was not as beneficial to periodontal health.

Researchers theorize that the probiotic effect of Lactobacillus bacteria could be related to healthier gums. Another Japanese study showed that adults who drank green tea might also lead to healthier gums, because its antioxidants have anti - inflammatory properties.

To read the entire article visit Colgate.com.

SeaSide Dentistry 
Donna M. Gentry, DDS 
1165 Cedar Point Blvd, Suite P 
Cedar Point, NC 28584 
(252) 764-2784 
SeaSideDentistryNC.com

What is Dry Mouth?

What is Dry Mouth?
Dry mouth means you don't have enough saliva, or spit, to keep your mouth moist. Everyone has a dry mouth once in a while, especially if you're nervous, upset or under stress. But if you have a dry mouth all or most of the time, it can be uncomfortable and can lead to more serious health problems or indicate that a more serious medical condition may exist. That's because saliva does more than just keep the mouth wet -it helps digest food, protects teeth from decay, prevents infection by controlling bacteria in the mouth, and makes it possible for you to chew and swallow.

There are several reasons that the glands that produce saliva, called the salivary glands, might not function properly. These include:

• Side effects of some medications - over 400 medicines can cause dry mouth, including antihistamines, decongestants, pain killers, diuretics and medicines for high blood pressure and depression.
• Disease - diseases that affect the salivary glands, such as diabetes, Hodgkin's, Parkinson's disease, HIV/AIDS and Sjogren's syndrome, may lead to dry mouth.
• Radiation therapy - the salivary glands can be damaged if your head or neck are exposed to radiation during cancer treatment. The loss of saliva can be total or partial, permanent or temporary.
• Chemotherapy - drugs used to treat cancer can make saliva thicker, or "ropey," causing your mouth to feel dry.
• Menopause - changing hormone levels affect the salivary glands, often leaving menopausal and post-menopausal women with a persistent feeling of dry mouth.
• Smoking - many pipe, cigar and heavy cigarette smokers experience dry mouth.

To read the entire article , please visit Colgate.com

SeaSide Dentistry 
Donna M. Gentry, DDS 
1165 Cedar Point Blvd, Suite P 
Cedar Point, NC 28584 
(252) 764-2784 
SeaSideDentistryNC.com

Lifestyle & Your Oral Health

Learn more about how your lifestyle can affect your oral health.

The above video is found on the American Dental Association YouTube Channel.

SeaSide Dentistry 
Donna M. Gentry, DDS 
1165 Cedar Point Blvd, Suite P 
Cedar Point, NC 28584 
(252) 764-2784 
SeaSideDentistryNC.com

Your Smile is Important

Learn what the American Dental Association has to say about why your smile is important.

The above video is found on the American Dental Association YouTube Channel.

SeaSide Dentistry 
Donna M. Gentry, DDS 
1165 Cedar Point Blvd, Suite P 
Cedar Point, NC 28584 
(252) 764-2784 
SeaSideDentistryNC.com

Best and Worst Halloween Candy Options for Children’s Teeth

Halloween is just around the corner, and although candy consumption is almost unavoidable this time of year, the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) wants parents and children to know that there are both good and bad candy options, both of which may find their way into children's trick-or-treat bags this fall. 
  
"Of course, dentists do not advocate that children eat large amounts of sugary treats, but it is that time of year, so we want to clarify for parents which treats are better for their kids' teeth and which ones may increase the risk of developing cavities," says AGD spokesperson Cynthia Sherwood, DDS, FAGD. 

To read the entire article, visit: KnowYourTeeth.com

SeaSide Dentistry 
Donna M. Gentry, DDS 
1165 Cedar Point Blvd, Suite P 
Cedar Point, NC 28584 
(252) 764-2784 
SeaSideDentistryNC.com