Children’s oral health is affected by a lot of problems such as tooth decay, thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, lip sucking, and early tooth loss. Although baby teeth (or deciduous teeth) are eventually replaced by permanent teeth, a baby’s overall health and well-being can be assured by keeping baby teeth healthy. Studies have shown that oral health affects our total wellness, and babies are no exception.

One of the most common problems affecting the oral health development of very young children is baby bottle tooth decay—which is also known as childhood caries, nursing caries, or nursing bottle syndrome. When a baby’s teeth have constant contact with sugars from carbohydrates provided by various liquid formulas, tooth decay ensues. On the other hand, a mother’s breast milk can also cause tooth decay. If a baby’s teeth are not cleaned properly, the bacteria produced by these sugars can cause tooth decay.

Baby teeth serve as space savers for permanent teeth. If they are damaged or destroyed prematurely, they will not be able to guide permanent teeth into their proper position. This can result in crooked or crowded permanent teeth. In addition, badly decayed baby teeth can also lead to infections, which can spread to other parts of a baby’s vulnerable body. Parents can always consult dentists Knoxville patients rely on to guide them in the proper care of their babies’ teeth.

There are many ways to prevent baby bottle tooth decay. Foremost among these preventative measures is substituting plain water or pacifiers for sugary liquids or milk. Many parents give their infants sugar liquids or milk to calm them down when they are upset. Also, at bedtime, parent shouldn’t put their babies to sleep with a bottle filled with sugary liquids, as plain water will suffice. Most importantly, parents should use a wet cloth or gauze to wipe the baby’s teeth and gums after each feeding.

Aside from these measures, parents should also seek the assistance of the dentist Knoxville TN parents consider trustworthy, not just to monitor their children’s tooth development, but to provide fluoride as needed. This is especially important if your drinking water is not fluoridated. Dental care has no age limit, and monitoring the health and development of deciduous teeth will ensure healthy permanent adult teeth later on.

One of the more common oral health concerns is tooth sensitivity. It affects at least 40 million adults in the United States at some point in their lives. The problem is caused by nerve irritation when the hard enamel is worn down. Tooth sensitivity is also exacerbated when the gums have receded, which exposes tiny tubes in the dentin that contain the inner pulp. This results in pain when hot or cold foods and beverages make contact with the teeth. Moreover, tooth sensitivity can make eating and drinking—once such pleasurable experiences—extremely uncomfortable ordeals. Even breathing in cold air on a cold day can be rather painful.

Another factor that contributes to tooth sensitivity is an individual’s brushing habits. You may be brushing too hard or you’re using a tooth brush with hard bristles which can harm the enamel on your teeth as well as your gums. To avoid this, one should use a brush with soft bristles and use gentle strokes when brushing.

Another contributing factor is the diet—acidic foods such as tomato sauce, lemon juice, grapefruit, pickles, and the like can put your teeth at risk. They can cause erosion of the enamel which exacerbates tooth sensitivity. Most dentists Knoxville TN patients rely on advice their patients to maintain proper eating, drinking, and brushing habits to avoid this problem.

Other factors that exacerbate tooth sensitivity include grinding the teeth (which damages the tooth enamel), and using the wrong kind of whitening toothpaste (which may contain chemicals that cause tooth sensitivity). Additionally, if you gargle with mouthwash excessively, it can expose your teeth to sensitivity problems. Moreover, gum disease and receding gums due to old age can also contribute to tooth sensitivity.

The presence of too much plaque (which can be avoided by regular flossing) can also cause tooth sensitivity, since it weakens the hard enamel which protects the teeth. Fortunately, there is hope, as tooth sensitivity is actually treatable. The Knoxville dentist patients rely on can easily remedy tooth sensitivity with the right procedures and treatments.

Causes and Risk Factors of Gum Disease

Oral bacteria, mucus, and other particles form a sticky and colorless plaque on the teeth and gums. While regular brushing and flossing help remove plaque, these practices may not effectively clean all surfaces of the teeth and gum tissue, allowing bacteria to invade and damage the gums. Risk factors such as smoking, diabetes, and medications can also affect gum health, consequently promoting the development of gum disease in your mouth.

Gingivitis and Periodontitis

Bacteria living in your tooth grooves and surfaces cause gum inflammation called gingivitis. Red and swollen gums bleed easily, especially during brushing or flossing. This mild form of gum disease can be reversed by proper brushing and flossing and through regular oral prophylaxis. Periodontitis, on the other hand, is an advanced form of gingivitis where the gums pull away from the teeth and form spaces that eventually become infected. A Knoxville dentist might resort to extracting loose teeth from patients with periodontitis.

Symptoms

Apart from red or swollen gums, gingivitis and periodontitis involve tender or bleeding gums, receding gums, and loose and sensitive teeth. If you have bad breath that simply won’t go away, you can visit Dr. Kim Norman and have your oral health checked. These symptoms may indicate a serious problem and should be immediately addressed to prevent further complications. The dentist will ask about your medical history to determine the risk factors and to decide which type of treatment suits your oral condition.

Non-surgical Treatments

A licensed and professional dentist can prescribe antibiotics if your periodontitis is not advanced. Topical antibiotics in the form of mouth rinses, threads, and gels can reduce infection-causing bacteria in your teeth and gums. Scaling and root planning can also treat periodontitis in its early stages.

Surgical Treatments

If your gum disease did not respond to non-surgical treatments, you may need to undergo surgery to preserve your teeth and gum health. Flap or pocket reduction surgery, soft tissue grafts, and bone grafting are some of the surgical treatments for advanced periodontitis. Visit your dentist in Knoxville TN to have your gum condition monitored and to determine the necessary treatments for any periodontal concern.

Vitamin A: beta-carotene

Vitamin A is often associated with clear eyes, due to the substance it contains: carotenoids. However, eating foods rich in vitamin A can also help with maintaining a healthy set of teeth, as carotenoids such as beta-carotene are also antioxidants. Antioxidants get rid of free radicals that are usually proponents of decay in the body. Yellow fruits and vegetables like mangoes and squashes are excellent sources of vitamin A.

Vitamin B: brothers in arms

Vitamin B is a family of eight nutrients: B1 for thiamine, B2 for riboflavin, B3 for niacin, B5 for pantothenic acid, B6 for pyridoxine, B7 for biotin, B9 for folic acid, and B12 for cobalamin. They work under one vitamin category to provide benefits for the teeth and gums, such as protection from inflammation and cracking of the oral cavity. Whole grains and legumes provide a reliable source of the B-complex vitamins—these “brothers in arms.”

Vitamin C: ascorbic acid

Unlike fat-soluble vitamins such as A and D, ascorbic acid is water-soluble. This means the body will expel excess vitamin C in urine once it has enough in the system. Ascorbic acid has a pivotal role in oral health just as much as in the immune system. It repairs and maintains the connective tissues in the body like the gums. Dentists Knoxville residents rely on recommend a daily Vitamin C intake of 500 mg.

Vitamin D: sunshine

Vitamin D is a unique vitamin because it requires ample sun exposure to be synthesized for body use. Studies show that at least 15 minutes of exposure twice a week can produce a sufficient amount of vitamin D. This fat-soluble vitamin helps the teeth absorb other essential nutrients, such as calcium and phosphorous. Milk, eggs, sardines, and tuna fish are excellent sources of vitamin D.

Of course, the friendly dentist Knoxville TN has to offer like Dr. Kim C. Norman, DDS never rules out oral hygiene. It can be said that protecting and maintaining healthy teeth and gums works two ways: a balanced diet and oral hygiene.

If you are in need of one or more of the excellence services offered by the dentists in your area, you can begin your search of locating the perfect dental match for your family by talking to others in the neighborhood. Patients can give you all of the details and opinion on which dentist is right for you. If you are new to the area and do not know many people at this time, there are several online services and directories that can aid you in finding the dentist that best suits your needs. The first place to check would be the phonebook. If you cannot find what you are looking for in the phonebook, do not be afraid to search for dentists online. Websites are available with listings of Bothell dentists, many with reviews from patients, which can assist your search.