Little Rock Family Dental Care Blog

Don’t Forget To Clean Your Tongue!

July 25, 2014

When your busy meticulously cleaning your eight incisors, eight premolars, eight molars and four canines, it’s easy to overlook your tongue. Besides, how much food debris and plaque can a tongue really hold? While dentists continue to debate over the effectiveness of tongue cleaning vs. regular brushing of the teeth, there’s strong evidence suggesting it can fight bad breath (halitosis) and neutralize bacteria.

The practice of tongue cleaning dates back to the ancient Roman Empire, but it didn’t spread beyond Europe until the 18th century. By the turn of the 19th century, tools were invented specifically for cleaning one’s tongue. These tools were often crafted of materials like silver, ivory, bone, and turtle shells.

Modern-day tongue cleaners may differ from 19th century models in terms of style and design, but their purpose remains the same: to remove buildups of food, bacteria, plaque and other unwanted “remnants.” A typical modern-day tongue cleaner looks similar in appearance to a toothbrush, but the head is larger and flatter with more bristles. This ergonomic design offers the highest level of comfort while effectively eliminating food debris on the tongue. (more…)

Can Chewing Gum Help Fight Cavities?

July 15, 2014

Chewing gum can either promote cavities or protect against them, depending on the variety used. Several clinical studies have found that chewing sugarless gum after snacks and meals can protect against tooth decay. To reap the full cavity-fighting benefits of gum, though, there are a few things you should know.

So, how exactly does chewing gum—a favorite among children—prevent tooth decay? Chewing gum triggers the saliva glands in the mouth, which subsequently rinses out bacteria-ridden food and debris while neutralizing germs. Those small pieces of food left in the back of your mouth from your most recent meal may seem harmless enough, but they can harbor millions of decay-causing germs. Chomping down a piece of sugarless chewing gum will promote more saliva in your mouth to wash away this food debris.

Certain varieties of sugarless chewing gum also contain chemicals which neutralize cavity-causing bacteria in the mouth, adding another barrier of defense against tooth decay. Aspartame, xylitol, sorbitol, and mannitol are some of the most common ingredients used in sugarless gum. (more…)

How Wisdom Teeth Impact Dental Health

June 17, 2014

The third molars, or what’s more commonly referred to as wisdom teeth, typically erupt through the gums in children and adults between the ages of 17 and 25. Having one’s wisdom teeth removed has become a “rite of passage” or sorts, with an estimated 5 million Americans undergoing the procedure each year. But this begs the question: do wisdom teeth really need to be removed?

Only a qualified and licensed dentist or oral surgeon can determine whether or not a patients wisdom teeth should be removed. However, the American Dental Association (ADA) recommends the procedure when one or more of the following symptoms are present:

Cysts
Tumors
Pain
Damage to nearby teeth
Potential to damage nearby teeth
Periodontal
Gingivitis
Tooth decay

(more…)

The Importance of Wearing a Mouthguard In Youth Sports

May 29, 2014

More than 35 million children participate in some type of sport each year. Whether it’s football, baseball, softball, soccer, lacrosse, etc., playing sports is a fun and rewarding experience that helps children develop social skills while keeping them physically fit. However, certain types of sports can leave children vulnerable to tooth loss, gum damage, and tongue injury when precautions are not taken.

A mouthguard is simple piece of plastic that plays an important role in protecting young athletes from tooth loss and mouth injury. Also referred to as mouth protectors, they are designed to fit in between the upper and bottom teeth. When the child bites down on the mouthguard, it offers greater stability and protection against blows to the mouth. (more…)

Baby Bottle Tooth Decay: A Warning To Parents

May 16, 2014

Baby bottle tooth decay is the term used to describe dental decay in young children. The term itself is somewhat of a misnomer since the use of a bottle alone does not lead to tooth decay.

Regardless, tooth decay in young children is serious problem that parents should be aware of. Even though a child’s baby teeth will be replaced by permanent ones when he or she is older, they still play a role in the child’s ability to eat solid foods, talk, and smile.

Common Causes of Baby Bottle Tooth Decay:

Exposure to sugary drinks for long periods of time
Mother cleans a pacifier by placing it her mouth before giving it to her child (the mother’s germs are passed on to the child)
Lack of fluoride
Fruit juice
Child falls asleep with bottle

It’s not uncommon for parents to dip their child’s pacifier in fruit juice or some other sweet substance before giving it their child. Yes, this will typically encourage the child to take it, which in turn may cause them to go to sleep, but it also increases the risk of baby bottle tooth decay. As the baby sucks on the pacifier, their teeth are exposed to abrasive, cavity-causing sugars. (more…)