Sunnyvale Dentist
Preventive & Conservative Dentistry
Complete Oral Care including Invisalign
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877 W. Fremont Avenue, Suite A-2
Sunnyvale, CA 94087. Map it!
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(408) 524-5505
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Mon, Wed Closed
Tue,Thu,Fri 7:30-3:30
Sat 8:00 AM-4:00 PM
Sun 9:00 AM-4:00 PM
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Preventive Dentistry
What is preventive dentistry?
Preventive dentistry is the modern way of reducing the amount of dental treatment necessary to maintain a healthy mouth.
It helps you to keep your teeth. The two major causes of tooth loss are decay and gum disease. The better we prevent or deal with these two problems, the more chance people have of keeping their teeth for life.
The joint efforts of the dentist, the hygienist and the patient, can help to prevent the need for treatment, and so avoid the traditional pattern of fillings and extractions.
A course of treatment may be recommended to get your mouth into good condition, and a maintenance plan will be worked out to help you keep it that way.
Is prevention possible?
Yes. With modern dentistry and constant new developments, it is possible to prevent or considerably reduce dental disease.
Can everybody benefit from preventive dentistry?
Yes. Preventive dentistry will benefit anyone with some of their own
teeth. People who don’t have any teeth can also benefit because
conditions such as mouth cancer and denture stomatitis can be identified
and treated during regular visits to the dentist. It is excellent for
children and young people, but it is never too late to start.
What is involved?
Your dentist will first assess your teeth and gums, and discuss with you any treatment that is necessary. The main aim is to help you get your mouth really healthy, to try and prevent any dental problems returning. In a healthy mouth it is unlikely that decay or gum disease will continue to be a problem.
· The hygienist or dentist will thoroughly ‘scale and polish’
your teeth.
· The dentist or hygienist will show you the best methods of brushing
and flossing to remove the bacterial ‘plaque’ which forms
constantly on your teeth and gums. Plaque is an invisible film of bacteria
that forms constantly on the teeth and gums. When you eat or drink something
sugary, the plaque turns the sugar into acid, which will cause tooth decay.
Plaque will also cause gum inflammation if it is not regularly and thoroughly
removed. The hard tartar (calculus) which builds up on the teeth also
starts off as plaque.
· You will be advised which oral care products are the best ones
for you to use.
· The hygienist will probably discuss diet and any habits such
as smoking and drinking with you.
· Your dentist will also make sure that all your fillings are in
good repair and there are no rough edges to make cleaning difficult.
Will my dentist recommend treatment?
A ‘preventive dentist’ will often recommend treatment to
reinforce a tooth to make sure that it does not break. For example, if
the dentist sees that a tooth is cracked, or is weak and in danger of
breaking, they may advise a new filling or perhaps a crown or ‘onlay’
to protect it. This is always better than waiting till the breakage happens,
and then working out how best to deal with it, perhaps as an emergency.
What else can the dentist do to prevent tooth decay?
Fluoride helps teeth resist decay. If your dentist thinks added fluoride
would be useful, they may recommend the application of topical fluoride.
They may also suggest the use of fluoride rinses, tablets or drops as
an extra help against decay for use at home. Only use these if you have
been advised to do so, and follow the instructions carefully.
What are pit and fissure sealants?
The biting surfaces of children’s teeth can be protected by the application of ‘sealants’. These make the tooth surface smoother and easier to clean, and stop decay starting in the difficult to clean areas.
Can diet affect my teeth?
Food and drinks containing sugar cause decay. If you cut down on how
often you have sugary snacks and drinks this will help considerably. Foods
such as cheese, fruit, nuts and vegetables make good substitutes.
What is dental erosion?
Dental erosion is the loss of enamel caused by acid attack. When the
enamel is worn away it can lead to pain and sensitivity. After eating
or drinking something acidic, the enamel on your teeth becomes soft for
a short time. If you have too many acid attacks your teeth will not have
enough time to restore to their natural balance. Over time, you could
start to lose the surface of your teeth
Can I prevent dental erosion?
Acidic foods and drinks such as citrus fruit juices and all fizzy drinks such as cola can be harmful if taken often in large amounts. Try to limit acidic food and drinks to meal times.
It is also recommended that you do not brush your teeth for at least one hour after eating or drinking anything acidic, so that they can build up the mineral content again
Can smoking and drinking affect my gums?
Yes. Smoking can lead cause tooth staining, gum disease, tooth loss and mouth cancer. If you smoke you may need to visit the dentist or hygienist more often, but the best advice is to try and give up.
Some alcoholic drinks contain high sugar levels and some mixed drinks
may contain acids, so they can cause decay or erosion if they are frequently
consumed in large amounts.
What can I do at home?
It is very important that you keep up a good routine to keep your teeth
and gums healthy at home. We recommend that you
· brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste - this
will involve brushing as you have been shown
· floss your teeth – brushing alone only cleans up to about
60 percent of the surface of your teeth. There are other products you
can buy to clean between your teeth (they are called ‘interdental
brushes’).
· Use a mouthwash – this can help to freshen breath. It can
also help to dislodge any food debris.
Is there anything else I can do?
Yes. You can take other steps to help prevent tooth loss, decay and the
need for treatment.
· cut down on how often you have sugary snacks and drinks
· Use a straw when you have fizzy drinks - this helps the drink
to go to the back of the mouth and reduces the acid attacks on the teeth.
· Chew sugar-free gum - it stimulates saliva and stops your mouth
drying out and can help to prevent dental decay and erosion.
· visit your dentist at least once a year
What oral care products should I use?
There are now many specialised formulations of toothpaste available including tartar control, toothpaste for sensitive teeth and total care toothpastes.
Mouthwashes can be beneficial and again, there are many different types including ones with anti-bacterial agents.
It is usually recommended that adults use a toothbrush with a small- to-medium-sized head and soft to medium filaments (bristles).
Some people prefer a powered toothbrush. Powered toothbrushes have been proven to be at least 25 percent more effective than manual brushes at removing plaque. If you are unsure ask your dentist or hygienist for the one that best suits your needs.
How can I keep my mouth healthy?
To have a healthy mouth you need to
· brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste
· cut down on how often you have sugary snacks and drinks
· visit your dentist at least once a year
What are the best foods and drinks to keep my teeth healthy?
The main cause of tooth decay is the sugar that is in the foods and drinks you have. Every time you eat or drink anything sugary your teeth are under attack from the plaque acids for up to one hour. This is because the sugar mixes with the bacteria in the plaque to produce the harmful plaque acids. This is why it is important to keep sugary foods and drinks to mealtimes only.
If you are hungry in-between meals then you should choose foods that are kind to your teeth and do not contain added sugar.
Here are some foods that are kind to your teeth if you are
hungry in-between meals: wholemeal bread, cheese, crackers, breadsticks,
seeds, fruit and vegetables. When you are thirsty, plain water and plain
milk are the kindest drinks for your teeth. If you drink fruit juices
you should keep them to mealtimes only and add water to them.
Why is a healthy diet important for my oral health?
Every time you eat or drink anything sugary, your teeth are under acid attack for up to one hour. This is because the sugar will react with the bacteria in plaque (the sticky coating on your teeth) and produce the harmful acids. So it is important to keep sugary foods only to mealtimes, limiting the amount of time your mouth is at risk.
Acidic foods and drinks can be just as harmful to your teeth. The acid erodes the enamel, exposing the dentine underneath. This can make the teeth sensitive and cause them to decay far more quickly.
A diet that is rich in vitamins, minerals and fresh produce can help
to prevent gum disease. Gum disease can lead to tooth loss and cause bad
breath. The diagram below is a good example of what you should eat as
part of a healthy and balanced diet.
What is tooth decay?
Tooth decay damages your teeth and leads to fillings or even extractions.
Decay happens when sugar reacts with the bacteria in plaque. This forms
the acids that attack the teeth and destroy the enamel. After this happens
many times, the tooth enamel may break down forming a hole or ‘cavity’
into the dentine. The tooth can then decay more quickly.
What foods can cause decay?
All sugars can cause decay. Sugar can come in many forms, for example: sucrose, fructose and glucose are just three types. These sugars can all damage your teeth.
Many processed foods have sugar in them, and the higher up it appears in the list of ingredients, the more sugar there is in the product. Always read the list of ingredients on the labels when you are food shopping.
When you are reading the labels remember that ‘no added sugar’ does not necessarily mean that the product is sugar free. It simply means that no extra sugar has been added. These products may contain sugars such as those listed above, or the sugars may be listed as ‘carbohydrates’. Ask us if you are unsure.
What other foods cause tooth decay?
the pH number; the more acidic the product. Anything with a pH value lower than 5 may cause tooth decay. ‘Alkalies’ have a high pH number and neutralise the acid effects of sugars. PH 7 is the middle figure between acid and alkali.
· mineral water (still) pH 7.6
· milk pH 6.9
· cheddar cheese pH 5.9
· lager pH 4.4
· orange juice pH 3.8
· grapefruit pH 3.3
· pickles pH 3.2
· cola pH 2.5
· red wine pH 2.5
· vinegar pH 2.0
Can I eat snacks?
It is better for your teeth and general health if you eat 3 meals a day instead of having 7 to 10 snack attacks. If you do need to snack between meals, choose foods that do not contain sugar. Fruit does contain acids, which can erode your teeth. However, this is only damaging to your teeth if you eat an unusually large amount.
If you do eat fruit as a snack, try to eat something alkaline such as cheese afterwards. Savoury snacks are better, such as:
· cheese
· raw vegetables
· nuts
· breadsticks.
Can I eat sweets?
The main point to remember is that it is not the amount of sugar you eat or drink, but how often you do it. Sweet foods are allowed, but it is important to keep them to mealtimes.
To help reduce tooth decay, cut down on how often you have sugary snacks and drinks.
Sugary foods can also contribute to a range of health problems including heart disease and being overweight.
What should I drink?
Still water and milk are good choices. It is better for your teeth if you drink fruit juices at meal times. If you are drinking them between meals, try diluting them with water.
Diluted sugar-free squashes are the safest alternative to water and milk. If you make squash or cordial, be sure that the drink is diluted 1 part cordial to 10 parts water. Some soft drinks contain sweeteners, which are not suitable for young children – ask your dentist or health visitor if you are not sure.
Fizzy drinks can increase the risk of dental problems. The sugar can
cause decay and the acid in both normal and diet drinks can dissolve the
enamel on the teeth. The risk is higher when you have these drinks between
meals.
Should I brush my teeth after every meal?
It is important that you brush twice a day. The best times are before breakfast and last thing at night before you go to bed.
Eating and drinking naturally weakens the enamel on your teeth, and brushing straight afterwards can cause tiny particles of enamel to be brushed away. It is best not to brush your teeth until at least one hour after eating.
It is especially important to brush before bed. This is because the flow of saliva, which is the mouth’s own cleaning system, slows down during the night and this leaves the mouth more at risk from decay. Always use fluoride toothpaste.
Does chewing gum help?
Chewing gum makes your mouth produce more saliva, which helps to cancel
out the acid in your mouth after eating or drinking. It has been proven
that using sugar-free chewing gum after meals can prevent tooth decay.
However, it is important to use only sugar-free gum, as ordinary chewing
gum contains sugar and therefore may damage your teeth.
Does periodontal disease transmit to my
children and spouse?
Periodontal Disease Is An Infection. Periodontal Disease is an ongoing bacterial infection deep in the gums and bone around your teeth.
DNA Testing Indicates Periodontal Disease is Contagious. New DNA coding techniques have allowed researchers to trace the path of infection from one person to another. Periodontal disease was found to be transmitted by saliva contact between family members.
The Role of Saliva
Studies show periodontal disease bacteria travels from the pockets around your teeth into saliva. Transmission of the infection through saliva is influenced by how often a person is exposed to your saliva and their susceptibility to getting the disease. In family settings, saliva contact occurs quite often.
Some common ways that saliva contact occurs between family members are: • Kissing• Coughing• Sneezing• Sharing food• Sharing a cup or glass• Sharing utensils or drinking straws
Giving Periodontal Disease To Your Children
How did you get the periodontal disease in the first place?
Most of the time, the answer is “from your parents when youwere a child.” It is important not to pass along your infection to your children. In a recent study one type of periodontal infection was found 26 times more often in children younger than three years of age if the mother tested positive for this infection.
In another study researchers found periodontal infection in the children of one-third of families whose parents tested positive for periodontal infection, whereas no children harbored the infection in families whose parents tested negative for the infection.
Giving Periodontal Disease To Your Spouse
Husbands can give periodontal disease to their wives and wives can give it to their husbands. One study found that spouses of patients who have periodontal infections were 20-30% more likely to have the same infection.
In another study of 20 married couples, the spouses of patients with periodontal infections had worse periodontal disease than spouses of patients without infection.
How Can I Help My Family?
First, you must complete all recommended periodontal treatment. Studies have found that periodontal treatment gets rid of (or greatly reduces) the level of periodontal bacteria in your saliva. Second, you need to keep your periodontal cleaning appointments.
Research has found that, without periodontal cleanings, some bacteria in the saliva can return to pre-treatment levels within six months. They conclude that patients can significantly reduce their risk of re-infection (of themselves and their family members) through frequent periodontal cleanings.
Should I Have My Family Screened?
Researchers and dentists suggest that screening of spouses and children is important in many cases. The best dentist to detect and treat the beginning stages of periodontal disease is your general dentist.
If you have concerns about family members, we suggest you schedule anappointment for them to see your general dentist. If your dentist finds indications of periodontal infection he/she may recommend your family member: Do additional oral hygiene athome.• Have more frequent dental cleanings.• Receive periodontal treatment.
Why Is Transmission Of Periodontal Disease Serious?
Periodontal infection is responsible for 75% of all adult tooth loss. Lost teeth must be replaced with dental work which can be both expensive and less natural looking. As more teeth are lost, you will need more bridges, dental implants, partials and finally dentures. Dentures can rub painfully and give a prematurely old, “sunken-in” look. Periodontal infection has also shown to increase the risk of Heart Disease, Heart Attack and Stroke.