Madison Family Dental

Myth Busters

Whitening toothpastes really work!

Actually, whitening toothpastes DO NOT work. Whitening products in toothpastes are not bleaches, they are polishing agents that only remove surface stains; they do not change the color of your teeth. In addition, the ingredients they contain can make your teeth temperature sensitive and cause your gums to be irritated.

Whitening products only work if there is a sufficient concentration of peroxide agents and the product must be in contact with your teeth for an extended period of time in order to work. That is why at Madison Family Dental, we recommend take-home custom tray whitening to whiten your teeth.

Learn more about Whitening services.

Chewing gum is bad for your teeth!

Actually research is demonstrating that chewing gum containing 1-2 grams of xylitol 3-5 times a day for 5 minutes will help with preventing cavities.
The xylitol in the gum does the following:
-Blocks the bacteria from producing the acids that cause tooth decay
-Decreases the level of cavity-causing bacteria
-Stimulates protective, saliva flow

In order for the gum to have a cavity preventing effect, the concentration of xylitol in the gum must be sufficient. We have Omni mints and gum available for you to purchase and recommend them for any individuals who are at high risk for cavities.

The over-the-counter products like Trident gum with xylitol will enhance your saliva flow which is beneficial; however, the concentration of xylitol is not enough to have an antibacterial or anticavity effect.

I only drink diet soda so that isn’t bad for my teeth!

Actually diet soda is harmful to your teeth. While opting for diet soda can reduce some of the dental trouble associated with sugary drinks, it doesn't totally put you in the clear. That's because diet soda still contains the same amount of acid as regular soda. (This goes for sports beverages, fitness waters, energy drinks, any carbonated beverage, bottled teas etc. many of these beverages also contain sugars as well). Sugar in soda combines with bacteria in your mouth to form acid. Diet or "sugar-free" soda contains its own acid. Acid in soft drinks, whether they contain sugar or not, is the primary cause of weakening tooth enamel. The acid attacks your teeth, and each acid attack lasts about twenty minutes. The acid attack starts over again with every sip. Ongoing acid attacks weaken your tooth enamel. Bacteria in your mouth cause cavities when tooth enamel is damaged. If you have a receding gum line, acid does more damage below the gum line than above it. This is particularly a concern for adults.

The best way to prevent tooth decay is to drink soda only occasionally, as a treat. Drink a can and be done with it; don't sip on a bottle of soda throughout the day; this prolongs the sugar and acid attack on your teeth. Use a straw to keep sugar away from your teeth. When you're finished with the soda, rinse your mouth with water; this will halt the acid's attack on your tooth enamel more quickly. Never drink soda or juice before bedtime because the liquid pools in your mouth and coats your teeth with sugar and acid. Read labels - look for sugars and acids on the label. Sugars and acids are bad for your teeth. Get regular dental checkups. Brush and floss daily using a fluoride toothpaste. It's critical for your oral health and your overall health! Cut back on the consumption of soda, sports drinks, and other sugary beverages. Everyone, from children to adults, should choose healthy drinks like milk and water.

SUGAR & ACID = DOUBLE TROUBLE

In a healthy mouth the pH is around 6.2 to 7.0, while a pH of 7 is neutral. When the pH is less than 5.5, the tooth is in an acidic environment and starts to demineralize (lose calcium and minerals from the enamel). As the enamel loses its minerals it starts to break down. This is the start of a cavity. The table below shows the pH value and sugar content of many popular beverages.

Beverage pH Sugar Content Pure Water pH 7.0 (neutral) 0 tsp Barq’s Root Beer pH 4.0 11 tsp sugar Minute Maid (R) Orange Juice pH 3.8 9 tsp sugar Propel (R) Fitness Water pH 3.4 1 tsp sugar Red Bull (R) pH 3.3 10 tsp sugar Sprite (R) pH 3.3 10 tsp sugar Mountain Dew (R) pH 3.3 12 tsp sugar Diet Coke (R) pH 3.1 0 tsp Sierra Mist pH 3.1 10 tsp sugar Full Throttle Energy Drink pH 3.0 11 tsp sugar Diet Pepsi (R) pH 3.0 0 tsp sugar Gatorade (R) pH 2.9 5 tsp sugar Sunkist (R) Orange Soda pH 2.9 13 tsp sugar Dr. Pepper (R) pH 2.9 10 tsp sugar Vault Energy Soda pH 2.9 12 tsp sugar Amp‚ Mountain Dew (R) pH 2.8 11 tsp sugar SoBe (R) Energy Citrus pH 2.6 12 tsp sugar Minute Maid (R) Lemonade pH 2.6 10 tsp sugar Pepsi (R) pH 2.5 11 tsp sugar Diet Schweppes Tonic Water pH 2.5 0 tsp Coca-Cola (R) Classic pH 2.4 10 tsp sugar Battery Acid pH 1.0 0 tsp

** 4.0 grams = 1 teaspoon sugar
Resources:
* Laboratory tests, Dr. John Ruby, University of Alabama, Birmingham School of Dentistry, 2007.

Minnesota Dental Association, Sip All Day, Get Decay, c 2002.

I brush every day, so I can't get cavities!

Actually tooth brushing and even flossing alone will not necessarily prevent you from getting cavities, but they will help. There are many factors that play a role in whether or not you get a cavity. Tooth brushing and flossing are certainly things that you should be doing to help prevent cavities. Utilizing fluoride-containing toothpastes and getting fluoride in your drinking water are beneficial, as are xylitol containing gums and mints. You also need a diet that is low in sugars and acids. Don’t sip on sugary or acid-containing beverages all day. Medications that you take, or medical conditions that you have, can alter your saliva flow and make you much more prone to getting cavities. Let your dentist know if you feel you have a dry mouth. Your teeth will be examined for cavities at every preventive visit so we can catch problems when they are small.

Once I get a cavity there is nothing I can do!

Actually early demineralization of the tooth enamel can be slowed or reversed by the use of several products, including high-concentration prescription fluoride toothpastes, calcium and phosphate pastes (MI paste), and therapeutic concentrations of xylitol containing gums and mints.

These products must be used regularly and will only reverse or delay very early stage cavities. It is also important, if possible, to eliminate or reduce the consumption of sugars and acids in your diet in order for these products to work. See your dentist regularly so we can examine your teeth for signs of decay. If you have a high cavity risk, your dentist may prescribe some or all of these products for you.

My dentist has recommended I have a tooth removed. It is way in the back so I don't need to replace it!

Actually, your teeth provide several important functions. Teeth allow you to chew, they assist in speech, and they support the muscles of your face. Your first molars provide about 60% of your chewing power. If a tooth is lost, the remaining teeth can shift and drift into the space leading to an altered bite, cavities, and gum problems. Your Madison family Dental dentist will recommend the appropriate treatment which may include an implant or a bridge.

Learn more about Bridges.
Learn more about Implants.

My dentist recommended treatment but nothing hurts, so I don't think anything needs to be done!

Actually most dental problems like cavities and gum disease do not have symptoms until they reach the advanced stages in the disease process. Patients usually don’t realize they have a cavity until there is a large hole in the tooth or until the cavity is close to the nerve and then it does hurt!

By that time, often the tooth needs a root canal treatment followed by a buildup and crown. Also, with gum disease there are typically no symptoms until later in the disease process when teeth become loose, and at that point they may need to be removed. Regular checkups and proceeding with recommended treatment is important so that small simple problems are treated before they become big and often costly problems.

Learn more about Periodontal Disease.

Ask the Expert

Why are my teeth sensitive?

Teeth can become sensitive when the root surface of the tooth is exposed, which occurs when your gums recede. Gum recession is usually caused by aggressive tooth brushing and scrubbing along the gum line, or by poor oral hygiene. When plaque builds up around your teeth and gums, it hardens into tartar. Bacteria in tartar cause gingivitis and periodontal disease. Gum recession can result. Exposed roots are made up of microscopic tubes that lead directly to the nerve of the tooth. When the tooth is exposed to cold or pressure the tooth nerve is stimulated and you feel discomfort.

While sensitivity is often caused by root surface exposure, it may be a sign of a more serious problem, so it is important to see your dentist to evaluate and recommend appropriate treatment.

How can I treat my sensitive teeth?

Over the counter sensitivity toothpastes, which contain potassium nitrate or strontium chloride, are often very effective in treating sensitive teeth. It may take several weeks of continuous use before you notice a decrease in sensitivity.

Foods that are highly acidic such as soda, sports beverages, and citrus fruits can increase tooth sensitivity. If you are consuming these foods regularly, they may work against a desensitizing toothpaste. If you do not get relief by brushing gently and using a desensitizing toothpaste, it is important to see your dentist to rule out other problems. In addition, there are desensitizing products that we can prescribe for home use, and there are also special compounds that can be applied directly to the root surface to reduce your sensitivity.

How do I know if I have gum disease and what should I do about it?

It is possible to have gum disease (periodontal disease) and have no warning signs. This is one reason why regular dental checkups and periodontal examinations are very important. However, several warning signs can signal that you may have periodontal disease, including:

-Bad breath or bad taste
-Bleeding gums
-Red, swollen, or tender gums
-Loose teeth or teeth that have moved
-Sensitive teeth
-Pus coming from around the teeth
-Pain on chewing
-Any changes in the way your teeth fit together

In addition there are several factors that can increase your risk of developing periodontal diseases:

-People who smoke or chew tobacco
-People with systemic diseases such as diabetes
-Many medications such as steroids, anti-epilepsy drugs, cancer drugs,
calcium channel blockers, and oral contraceptives
-Dry mouth due to medications or diseases
-Crooked teeth or dental work that has become defective
-Pregnancy

You can link directly to the American Academy of Periodontology website and take their Periodontal Disease Risk Assessment Test. This tool will provide you with more information about gum disease and its risk factors

As a patient at Madison Family Dental, your dental healthcare team which includes your dentist, your hygienist, and sometimes the periodontist, will annually measure your gum tissue health and recommend appropriate therapy when needed.

Learn more about Periodontal Disease.

My dentist has diagnosed a crack in my tooth. Why is that important, especially if it doesn't hurt?

Cracked teeth show a variety of symptoms, from no discomfort to erratic pain when chewing, possibly with release of biting pressure, or pain when your tooth is exposed to temperature extremes. In many case the pain may come and go. Unlike a broken bone, the fracture in a cracked tooth will never heal and almost never can be detected on an x-ray. In spite of treatment, some cracks may continue to progress and separate, resulting in loss of the tooth. Early diagnosis and treatment are extremely important. Like cracks in a windshield, cracks in teeth often start small and progress slowly. The sooner a crack is detected and treated, the better the chance of saving your tooth. Placement of a crown on a cracked tooth provides maximum protection and reduces the likelihood that the crack will worsen. Once treated, most cracked teeth will continue to function and provide years of comfortable chewing. Talk to your dentist about your particular diagnosis and treatment recommendations.

Learn more about Crowns.

My teeth are crooked, but I don't want to wear braces. Is there anything else I can do?

Yes - for a smile that can transform your appearance, Invisalign is your answer. Invisalign aligners are practically clear, so hardly anyone will know you are straightening your teeth, and the aligners are very comfortable and won't interfere with your day to day life.

Invisalign is removable. Unlike braces, you have the flexibility to eat and drink what you want during treatment by simply removing the aligners. And you can also remove the aligners to brush and floss as you normally would for fresh breath and good oral hygiene. ln addition to improving the appearance of your smile, Invisalign can also improve the health of your mouth as well. Straight teeth allow for easier cleaning, which will help keep your gums healthy and prevent cavities. Straight teeth make chewing easier and prevent excess stress on the teeth and supporting tissues. So if you are ready to take a look at the benefits of a properly aligned smile, our two certified Invisalign provider's, Dr. Veerman and Dr. Julian-Hoernke, would be happy to meet with you to help determine if Invisalign is right for you.

Learn more about Invisalign®.

How can my jaw help me perform better in sports?

No one ever told you that your jaw could help you perform better. That's because no one knew. Hundreds of years ago, a few people were on to something: Ancient Greek athletes who bit down on leather straps for an edge during competition; Viking and Roman warriors who clamped down on leather bits for focus on the battlefield. They knew something here worked, but the concept itself never evolved. Until now. Under Armour Performance Mouthwear TM has been engineered to unlock your power and potential. It's all in you, but blocked by one of the human body's instinctive reflex systems - teeth-clenching. With safe, custom-built UA Performance Mouthwear, athletes in any sport - from football to golf to hockey - can capitalize on innovation that makes you stronger, faster and better. Whether you need protection in contact sports or you just want to improve your game, Under Armour Performance MouthwearTM, with ArmourBiteTM Technology, gives every athlete an edge.