Composite Fillings

Cavities (also called tooth decay or caries) are permanently damaged areas on the surface of your teeth that eventually turn into holes. They’re one of the most common dental health issues in the world, and anyone who has teeth can get them—even very young children and infants. If cavities get large enough that they’re affecting the deeper layers of your teeth, they can cause infections, severe toothaches, and even tooth loss.

Regular brushing, flossing, and trips to the dentist are the best ways to prevent cavities from forming—but how do they form in the first place?

The Three Stages of Cavities

Cavities don’t just develop overnight; there’s a process that happens, and it begins with plaque.

Have you ever noticed a stick film coating your teeth, especially after eating sugary or starchy foods? This is dental plaque. Every time you eat, the bacteria in your mouth feed on the leftover food particles. Then, they secrete acids that turn into plaque. As plaque accumulates in your mouth, it traps acid, sugars, and bacteria up against your teeth; in turn, these start to erode away at the enamel and demineralize it.

After a while, small holes will start to develop in the enamel. This is the first stage of a cavity. Once the enamel is worn away, it makes it easy for bacteria and acid to reach the dentin, which is the next layer in your teeth. Unfortunately, dentin is much softer than enamel, and it doesn’t resist acid as well. At this stage, you may notice some sensitivity. As the cavity gets worse, the bacteria and acid continue to travel down to the next layer: the pulp.

The pulp is the inner part of your tooth that houses the nerves and blood vessels. As the bacteria and acids start to attack the pulp, it becomes inflamed and irritated. Since the pulp is trapped inside the tooth, it has nowhere to expand as it swells; this causes it to compress the tooth’s nerves—which can be very painful. If left untreated, deep cavities can lead to severe infections or tooth loss.

Factors that Can Increase the Risk of Cavities

There are several factors that can make your teeth more prone to cavities:

• Location. Cavities are more likely to affect the molars and premolars. This is because these teeth are harder to reach, and they have a lot of nooks and crannies to trap plaque.
• Certain foods and beverages cling to your teeth for longer, like dairy products, honey, cookies, hard candy, chips, and soda.
• Eating or drinking frequently gives the bacteria in your mouth a steady supply of food.
• Waiting too long to brush and floss after eating allows plaque to form and start attacking your teeth.
• Dry mouth caused by medications, medical treatments, or certain health conditions can increase the risk of cavities.
• Chronic heartburn (GERD) can cause stomach acid to wear away at your enamel

The thing to keep in mind with cavities is that they aren’t static—they grow and get bigger over time. If you don’t have any cavities yet, that’s great news! Make sure to keep up with your oral hygiene and dentist visits. If you do have cavities, it’s best to take care of them as early as possible to prevent them from getting worse. Schedule an appointment with Enamel Dentistry, and we’ll help you nip those cavities in the bud!

Charcoal toothpaste (also called black toothpaste) has been marketed as a healthy, natural way to whiten your teeth—but does it really make good on that promise?

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Activated charcoal, which is one of the main ingredients in this kind of toothpaste, has long been used to bind toxins; in fact, that’s one of the ideas behind putting it in toothpaste—binding and pulling bacteria, tartar, and stains from your teeth. Charcoal dental care isn’t a new idea; Hippocrates of Ancient Greece believed it was an ideal treatment for black gums and bad breath, and it was advertised as a way to freshen your breath and remove tobacco stains in the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries.

Natural Isn’t Always Better

The first thing to know about whitening toothpaste is none of them actually whiten your teeth; all they do is remove stains. The second (and more important) thing to know about charcoal toothpaste is that it’s highly abrasive, so even if it does absorb harmful compounds on your teeth, it’s also scraping away at the surface of your teeth every time you brush. One study found that tooth surfaces became significantly rougher after only a month of using charcoal toothpaste compared to regular toothpaste.

If roughened tooth surfaces sound like bad news to you, you’re right! The roughened texture means enamel loss. Once enamel is gone, it can’t be replaced—even worse, it makes your teeth much more vulnerable to decay. Also, most brands of charcoal toothpaste don’t contain fluoride, which is essential for preventing cavities. Not to mention, charcoal dental products aren’t backed by the American Dental Association or the FDA. 

Although charcoal toothpaste can help get rid of surface stains, it’s probably best to avoid it altogether. 

For a Whiter Smile, Turn to the Experts

The most effective way to get a brighter, whiter smile is with professional teeth whitening at Enamel Dentistry. We use custom trays that protect your gums from sensitivity and harsh bleaching agents, and we can whiten your teeth by up to 5-10 shades in a single office visit. To learn more, contact Enamel Dentistry or talk to your dentist at your next appointment. 

If you need emergency dental care in Austin, you may be wondering if it’s safe to see the dentist, and to come to Enamel Dentistry to get the treatment you need. In this blog, we’ll discuss a few of the precautions we’re taking to provide you with the treatment you need while protecting your health and well-being. Let’s get started.

We’re Taking COVID-19 Seriously & Protecting Our Patients And Staff

We have always adhered to the safety, sanitation, and infection prevention standards required by the ADA, CDC, and OSHA, including cleaning and sanitizing all dental tools, replacing plastic covers, sanitizing surfaces touched by patients and staff, and more.

However, we’re making even more efforts to prevent the spread of bacteria and viruses, such as wiping down counters, doorknobs, chairs, and other commonly-touched surfaces more regularly. Doing so will help protect you and protect our staff.

In addition, we’re taking extra steps to adhere to social distancing regulations within our office, such as seeing fewer patients each day and spacing out appointments to avoid crowds. We’ve also reconfigured our sitting areas to provide more space between each person.

Going To The Dentist For An Emergency Is Safer Than Going To The Emergency Room

If you need emergency dental care, you may think that you should go to the emergency room. But most ERs are not equipped to deal with dental emergencies. You should only go to an ER if you believe you have a life-threatening issue, such as a broken jaw. Otherwise, it’s usually best to see an emergency dentist at an office like Enamel Dentistry. 

In fact, it’s much safer to come to Enamel Dentistry than it is to visit the ER for treatment. As you may expect, most ERs and hospitals are treating multiple COVID-19 coronavirus patients, so being in the same area as these individuals could increase your risk of infection, even with the best possible precautions.

In contrast, Enamel Dentistry is doing its best to avoid exposing patients to COVID-19. We ask all patients about whether or not they’ve traveled, been around someone who developed COVID-19, and any symptoms they may have that could indicate COVID-19 infection. We’re taking every precaution we can to avoid exposing you and our staff members.

You Need Immediate Care For Dental Emergencies – Don’t Wait To Get Treatment 

Dental emergencies always demand immediate attention, and if you don’t get help right away, your condition could get worse. For example, a pulled-out filling or crown that’s not replaced could lead to a tooth infection.

If you think your condition counts as a dental emergency, the best thing you can do is contact Enamel Dentistry for an appointment right away. We’re doing everything we can to keep you safe during the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak, and our doctors will provide you with the dental care you need to resolve your emergency and restore your dental health.

So don’t wait. Contact us now to schedule an appointment at our offices in Parmer Park, South Lamar, or Lantana Place, and get the emergency care you need right away.