Xylitol Dental Benefits

If you are prone to cavities but refuse to put down the sweet treats, our staff at Cadena Dentistry recommends incorporating some xylitol into your diet. Xylitol is a naturally occurring alcohol found in most plant material, including many fruits and vegetables. It tastes sweet but, unlike table sugar, it is not converted in the mouth to acids that cause tooth decay. If you have no desire to change your diet don’t worry, xylitol can conveniently be delivered to your teeth via chewing gum, tablets, or even candy.

In addition to reducing the development of cavities, xylitol also reduces plaque formation and increases salivary flow to aid in the repair of damaged tooth enamel. It also provides one-third fewer calories than sugar and may be useful as a sugar alternative for people with diabetes. So next time you’re strolling through the candy aisle at a convenience store, you may want to look for a label that mentions this sugar substitute.

If you have questions about xylitol and the dental benefits it provides, please give us a call. To learn about our services that we provide at the practice, visit www.cadenadentistry.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Cadena Dentistry in Del Rio, TX, call 830-775-3322.

Tips for a Camera-Ready Smile

Do you hide from the camera because your teeth are any shade but white? If you’ve answered yes, our staff at Cadena Dentistry can provide you with a wide variety of whitening services to give you the bright smile that you desire. However, if there is any reason you can’t go the cosmetic route at this moment, we can provide you with some tips that will give you a photogenic smile.

• Be natural – when it’s picture time, smile gently. That way, your face looks relaxed. Your mouth opens slightly, and your lower lip matches the curve of your upper teeth.


• Check your teeth and gums – getting your smile camera-ready sometimes calls for a little behind the scenes prep work. If your pearly whites have yellowed with age, try an over-the-counter whitening product or pay us a visit! Also, don’t forget about taking care of your gums. They play a critical role in your nice smile. So keep them in good shape by brushing, flossing, and rinsing with a mouthwash every day.


• Practice – your perfect smile may not happen overnight, but if you have a big photo event like a wedding or a graduation coming up, it doesn’t hurt to try out your grin in front of the mirror!

If you have questions about our whitening services, please give us a call. To learn about our services that we provide at the practice, visit www.cadenadentistry.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Cadena Dentistry in Del Rio, TX, call 830-775-3322.

Veneers for a Perfect Smile

When you notice you are hiding your smile, it may be time for a cosmetic change. Patients are often pleasantly surprised at how improving their smile can boost their confidence. At Cadena Dentistry in Del Rio, TX, we offer dental veneers to improve dental imperfects big and small.

Veneers are fantastic for instantly improving the look of gaps, cracks, discoloration, misaligned teeth, and more; all without major any dental work. Veneers are porcelain shells that are bonded to the fronts of your existing teeth. All that is needed is some light preparation.

Veneers are strong, long-lasting, and stain-resistant. You can eat anything you want wearing veneers and they are permanent, so you do not have to worry about taking them in and out. With good care including brushing, flossing, and routine dental cleanings, dental veneers can last for over ten years.

First, we will prepare your teeth by taking off a small amount of enamel. This amount of enamel is what will be replaced by the veneers. Then we take impressions of your teeth so that a dental laboratory can create a set of veneers that is completely customized for you. During the creation process, we will have you wear temporary veneers. When the permanent veneers are ready, we bond them into place. The next time you flash your smile, you will have something to be proud of!

If you are ready to show your smile off, consider dental veneers. To schedule a consultation with Cadena Dentistry in Del Rio, TX, call our office at (830) 775-3322. Appointments may also be made through our website, www.cadenadentistry.com. 

Types of Teeth and Their Functions

At Cadena Dentistry, our staff not only takes care of the teeth, we take pride in educating you on the purpose they serve in your mouth. The numbers of teeth us humans have varies by age however, we all have the same types of teeth. If you’ve ever wondered what these types of teeth are and the purpose they serve in your mouth, allow us to inform you.

The types of teeth and their functions are:

• Incisors – located at the front of the mouth, these teeth have a sharp biting surface and are used for cutting or shearing food into small chewable pieces.


• Canines – located at the ‘corners’ of the dental arches, these teeth have a sharp pointed biting surface. Their function is to grip and tear food.


• Premolars – Unlike incisors and canines, these teeth have a flat biting surface. Their function is to tear and crush food.


• Molars – The molars are the largest teeth in the mouth and they too have a large flat biting surface. The function of these is perhaps the strongest of all as they chew, crush, and grind food.

If you have questions about your pearly whites, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.cadenadentistry.com for more information. To schedule a consultation at Cadena Dentistry in Del Rio, TX, call 830-775-3322.

Different Reasons for Tooth Extractions

At Cadena Dentistry, we want our patients to keep their permanent teeth for a lifetime. However, that isn’t always possible. When it comes to dental procedures, tooth extraction is among the patients’ most dreaded fears. Before our doctors at Cadena Dentistry consider extraction, every effort will be made to try to repair and restore your tooth. However, sometimes a tooth extraction is necessary.

Aside from wisdom teeth removal, other reasons for extractions may include:

• Severe tooth damage/trauma – some teeth have such extensive decay and damage (broken or cracked) that repair is not possible.


• Orthodontic treatment – people getting braces may need teeth extracted to create room for teeth that are being moved into place.


• Some teeth may need to be extracted if they have the potential of becoming infected.


• Extra teeth – extra teeth may block other teeth from erupting, therefore, will require extraction.

If you suspect that you may need a tooth extracted, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.cadenadentistry.com for more information. To schedule a consultation at Cadena Dentistry in Del Rio, TX, call 830-775-3322.

How Does Invisalign Move Teeth?

At Cadena Dentistry, we offer Invisalign to our patients who desire a straighter smile without a mouth full of metal. Using a custom-made series of aligners created for you and only you, Invisalign takes a modern approach to straightening teeth. Wearing the aligners will gradually and gently shift your teeth into place, based on the exact movements our doctors plan out for you. But how do these plastic aligners give you a brand new smile? Allow us to explain.

The first part of the process is that of our doctors will take X-rays, pictures, and impressions of your teeth, and then use that information to create a treatment plan. Through the use of Invisalign’s patented thermoplastic design, Invisalign aligners move your teeth through the appropriate placement of controlled force. The biggest difference is that the aligners not only control the force, but also the timing of the force application. During each stage, only certain teeth are allowed to move.

If you would like to discuss the Invisalign orthodontic method, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at our office visit, www.cadenadentistry.com for more information. To schedule a consultation at Cadena Dentistry in Del Rio, TX, call 830-775-3322.

Can You Rebuild Tooth Enamel?

The tooth consists of four layers: enamel, cementum, dentin, and pulp. The enamel, cementum and dentin are hard and calcified, while the pulp in the center of the tooth contains nerves and blood vessels. Tooth erosion happens when acids wear away on the enamel of the teeth. Enamel erosion can be caused by several factors including excessive soft drink consumption, a diet high in sugar, and environmental factors such as friction and stress. The enamel is not living tissue, so your body can’t rebuild it once it’s damaged. However, to rebuild tooth structure and protect teeth from further erosion, our doctors at Cadena Dentistry may recommend tooth bonding or dental crowns.

Enamel helps protect your teeth from daily use such as chewing, biting, crunching, and grinding. Although enamel is a hard protector of teeth, it can chip and crack. Unlike a broken bone that can be repaired by the body, once a tooth chips or breaks, the enamel is gone forever. Because enamel has no living cells, the body cannot repair it once it’s been damaged.  

If you have a chipped or broken tooth and would like to discuss your treatment options, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at our office visit, www.cadenadentistry.com for more information. To schedule a consultation at Cadena Dentistry in Del Rio, TX, call 830-775-3322.