| Seniors Get Cavities, Too |
If you are a senior, you might think that you are in the clear for cavities, but that is not necessarily always true. In many cases, seniors get more cavities as they age for two reasons; because of the lack of saliva that is produced, and receded gums leaves the dentin more vulnerable to decay. A lack of saliva is not a necessary component of aging; however, it typically occurs as a side effect of illness and medication. If you are suffering from dry mouth and suffer from an onslaught of cavities, there are things that you can do to help yourself prevent cavities in the long run.
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Be as vigilant as possible to keep the mouth lubricated. We recommend using a fluoride or dry mouth specific mouthwash to help keep your mouth moisturized, but please stay away from rinses with alcohol because they can dry the mouth out even more. |
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Drink water as often as possible. The recommended amount is eight 8-ounce glasses per day, but try to get as close to that as possible. |
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Watch your diet. The more caffeine, alcohol, or acidic foods that you consume, the drier your mouth will become. |
If these steps do not help, let us know and we can come up with a more individualized plan to fit your needs. Of course, it should go without saying, proper oral hygiene is essential. If you cannot brush your teeth after every meal, then at the very least, brush and floss your teeth twice per day to give your teeth the best fighting chance at avoiding tooth decay.
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| Why a Bridge Requires Two Appointments
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When you need a bridge, you will schedule two or more appointments to complete the process. Treatment begins with preparing your anchor teeth for the bridge. These are the teeth that will support the bridge. A detailed impression is then taken which is sent to the dental laboratory who will fabricate your bridge. While the bridge is being made in a dental laboratory, you will be fitted with a temporary bridge. The temporary is typically in place for 2-3 weeks. Once the permanent bridge is ready, it will be fitted and permanently cemented in your mouth. The fitting process assures proper appearance and function.
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| What Teeth Come First? |
Have you ever wondered which teeth you got first? The primary teeth come first starting with the central incisors. These are the top and bottom front two teeth. They erupt when a child is between 6 and 12 months of age. After the central incisors come in, children begin to get the lateral incisors, which are the teeth directly next to the central incisors. After these teeth are in, first molars emerge, which can be painful for a child. The next succession of teeth is the canines. Last, but not least, are the second molars, which do not erupt until between the ages of 2 and 3.
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