Is Nail Biting Bad for Your Teeth?

Nail biting is a relatively common habit that affects people of all ages. There are many theories as to why people bite their nails, but most agree that it often stems from stress or may be an activity that is picked up as a child. At Cadena Dentistry, we want you to be aware that nail biting can cause dental problems and as much as we love to see you at the office, we’d like to save you from costly invasive procedures in the future.

When you bite your nails, your teeth are constantly chewing and this can interfere with dental occlusion. Your teeth may shift out of proper position, become misshapen, wear down prematurely, and become weakened if you bite your nails over time. The Academy of General Dentistry estimates that frequent nail biters may rack up $4,000 in additional dental bills over the course of their lifetime, so think twice before you put those fingers in your mouth.

Patients might find that wearing a mouth guard can reduce nail biting and help prevent further damage to teeth. If you are a nail biter, give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about the services we provide at the office, visit www.cadenadentistry.com for more information. To schedule a consultation at Cadena Dentistry in Del Rio, TX, call 830-775-3322.

Diet and Your Dental Health

 

For healthy living and for healthy teeth and gums, it’s important to know that what you eat and drink and how frequently you eat and drink can affect your dental health. In fact, if your nutrition is poor, the first signs often show up in your mouth. Bacteria in the mouth convert sugars to carbohydrates from the foods that you eat to acids, and it’s the acids that begin to attack the enamel on your teeth, starting the tooth decay process. Here at Cadena Dentistry we can’t monitor your diet, but we can suggest foods that will benefit your overall oral health.

The best food choices include those from each of the five food groups. These include cheeses, chicken or other meats, nuts and milk. These foods are thought to protect tooth enamel by providing the calcium and phosphorus needed to remineralize teeth (a natural process by which minerals are redeposited in tooth enamel after being removed by acids). Other food choices include firm/crunchy fruits (apples and pears) and vegetables (carrots and celery). These foods have a high water content, which dilutes the effects of the sugars they contain and increases saliva flow which helps protect against decay.

If you have further questions about how your diet relates to your dental health, give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at the office, visit www.cadenadentistry.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Cadena Dentistry in Del Rio, TX, call 830-775-3322.

For healthy living and for healthy teeth and gums, it’s important to know that what you eat and drink and how frequently you eat and drink can affect your dental health. In fact, if your nutrition is poor, the first signs often show up in your mouth. Bacteria in the mouth convert sugars to carbohydrates from the foods that you eat to acids, and it’s the acids that begin to attack the enamel on your teeth, starting the tooth decay process. Here at Cadena Dentistry we can’t monitor your diet, but we can suggest foods that will benefit your overall oral health.

The best food choices include those from each of the five food groups. These include cheeses, chicken or other meats, nuts and milk. These foods are thought to protect tooth enamel by providing the calcium and phosphorus needed to remineralize teeth (a natural process by which minerals are redeposited in tooth enamel after being removed by acids). Other food choices include firm/crunchy fruits (apples and pears) and vegetables (carrots and celery). These foods have a high water content, which dilutes the effects of the sugars they contain and increases saliva flow which helps protect against decay.

If you have further questions about how your diet relates to your dental health, give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at the office, visit www.cadenadentistry.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Cadena Dentistry in Del Rio, TX, call 830-775-3322.

 

Periodontal Disease and Pregnancy

 

Pregnant women are particularly prone to periodontal (gum) disease due to hormonal changes associated with pregnancy. Pregnancy may cause unexpected oral health changes due to hormones – particularly an increase in estrogen and progesterone – which can exaggerate the way in which gum disease reacts to plaque. If you are planning to become pregnant or suspect you are already pregnant, it’s important that you visit a dentist at Cadena Dentistry right away. 

When plaque isn’t removed, it can cause gingivitis – red, swollen, tender gums that are more likely to bleed. If you already have gingivitis, the condition is likely to worsen during pregnancy. It is very important for expecting mothers to take treatment steps quickly if they have gum disease because they have a six times greater risk of having preterm and low-birth weight babies. To control the amount of plaque in your mouth and to prevent gingivitis, brush your teeth regularly, at least twice a day for two minutes and floss your teeth every day. 

If you are pregnant, please let us know at your next dental appointment. If you have questions about pregnancy and oral health, give us a call today. To learn more about the services we provide at the office, visit www.cadenadentistry.com for more information. To schedule a consultation at Cadena Dentistry in Del Rio, TX, call 830-775-3322.

Pregnant women are particularly prone to periodontal (gum) disease due to hormonal changes associated with pregnancy. Pregnancy may cause unexpected oral health changes due to hormones – particularly an increase in estrogen and progesterone – which can exaggerate the way in which gum disease reacts to plaque. If you are planning to become pregnant or suspect you are already pregnant, it’s important that you visit a dentist at Cadena Dentistry right away.

When plaque isn’t removed, it can cause gingivitis – red, swollen, tender gums that are more likely to bleed. If you already have gingivitis, the condition is likely to worsen during pregnancy. It is very important for expecting mothers to take treatment steps quickly if they have gum disease because they have a six times greater risk of having preterm and low-birth weight babies. To control the amount of plaque in your mouth and to prevent gingivitis, brush your teeth regularly, at least twice a day for two minutes and floss your teeth every day.

If you are pregnant, please let us know at your next dental appointment. If you have questions about pregnancy and oral health, give us a call today. To learn more about the services we provide at the office, visit www.cadenadentistry.com for more information. To schedule a consultation at Cadena Dentistry in Del Rio, TX, call 830-775-3322.

 

What Are Dental Cavities?

Dental cavities are holes in teeth caused by tooth decay. Cavities are permanently damaged areas in the hard surface of your teeth that develop into tiny openings or holes. Cavities, also called caries, are caused by a combination of factors, including bacteria in your mouth, frequent snacking, sipping sugary drinks, and not cleaning your teeth well. You can prevent these cavities by scheduling regular dental every six months with one of our dentists at Cadena Dentistry, reducing your sugar intake, as well as brushing twice a day and flossing daily.

If cavities aren’t treated, they get larger and affect deeper layers of your teeth. Finding cavities in the teeth can be tricky, which is why a dentist should always be involved in diagnosing for cavities. Sometimes, cavities can go unnoticed for weeks or months and your dentist will find them during your regular exam. If you experience sensitivity in your tooth as well as visible holes and pits, give us a call right away to discuss your treatment options.

Regular dental visits and good brushing and flossing habits are your best protection against cavities and tooth decay. To learn more about the services we provide at the office, visit www.cadenadentistry.com for more information. To schedule a consultation at Cadena Dentistry in Del Rio, TX, call 830-775-3322.

Smoking and Dental Health

Smoking is unhealthy at all costs. It not only can lead to oral and lung cancer in the long run, but its early effects can be cosmetic too. When you smoke, you inhale at least 30 different burning chemicals besides nicotine and tar. These include ammonia, carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide. The residue leaves a stain and gradually it becomes noticeable, causing your teeth to harden and turn yellow. Of course the best solution to this problem is to quit smoking, but when you can’t quit cold turkey our staff at Cadena Dentistry can offer a variety of options to esthetically enhance and restore your smile.

People who smoke are more likely to produce bacterial plaque, which leads to gum disease. The gums are affected because smoking causes a lack of oxygen in the bloodstream, so the infected gums don’t heal. Smoking causes people to have more dental plaque and causes gum to disease to get worse more quickly in non-smoking.

If you smoke, it’s important to visit our dental team regularly. People who smoke are more likely to have stained teeth, and therefore may need appointments with the dental hygienist more often. To learn more about the services we provide at the office, visit www.cadenadentistry.com for more information. To schedule a consultation at Cadena Dentistry in Del Rio, TX, call 830-775-3322.

Cleaning Your Dental Implant

Dental implants are a very common procedure to replace missing teeth. Implants are replacement tooth roots that provide a strong foundation for fixed (permanent) or removable replacement teeth that are made to match your natural teeth. Because the implant is secured within the jawbone, cleaning your dental implant is critical to avoid infection. Here at Cadena Dentistry our dentists will discuss implant maintenance care once the implants are placed.

Cleaning implant-supported tooth replacements is just as important as cleaning natural teeth, as both depend on healthy surrounding tissues for support. To ensure that the implant lasts as long as they should, some special techniques and efforts are required to keep the implant clean and free of dental plaque. Plaque has the ability to cause infection in the tissues around the implant which will lead to its ultimate failure. Dental implants require the same care as real teeth, including brushing, flossing, and regular dental checkups.

During your professional cleaning, our dental hygienists play an important role in keeping your dental implant infection free. To learn more about dental implants and other services provided at the office, visit www.cadenadentistry.com for more information. To schedule a consultation at Cadena Dentistry in Del Rio, TX, call 830-775-3322.

ZOOM! Teeth Whitening

There are several causes of tooth discoloration, from the type of food you eat/drink to environmental sources such as excessive fluoride levels in water, toothpaste, etc. Inadequate brushing and flossing to remove plaque and stain-producing substances like coffee and tobacco can also cause tooth discoloration. Here at Cadena Dentistry our dentists can help eliminate tooth discoloration and provide you with the smile of your dreams with the ZOOM! whitening system.

First, one of our dentists will examine your teeth to determine whether or not you are a good candidate for ZOOM! If you proceed, the dentist will then treat your teeth with a light-activated hydrogen peroxide gel. Next, an ultraviolet light apparatus called the ZOOM! Whitespeed, breaks the peroxide down, encouraging penetration. This combination allows us to provide you with teeth that are 6-10 shades whiter in about an hour.

Teeth whitening is an excellent way to restore the natural color of your teeth. If you are searching for a brighter smile, call our office today to discuss your options. To learn more about ZOOM! teeth whitening, visit www.cadenadentistry.com for more information. To schedule a consultation at Cadena Dentistry in Del Rio, TX, call 830-775-3322.