Avoid Baby Bottle Tooth Decay: Gordon Dental Kansas City

Seven Tips to Avoid Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

Cavities – they're not just for adults. Streptococcus mutans, the bacterium that contributes to tooth decay, is a rather indiscriminate little purple menace, and is quite fond of teeth no matter if they're in your mouth or the mouth of your baby. Keeping their mouth as clean as you keep your own can help you stay ahead of early childhood cavities, and only read about baby bottle tooth decay instead of experiencing it firsthand.

With that in mind, here are seven tips that can help you in the fight against Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans), and keep baby bottle tooth decay at bay!

1. Limit Snacking: Whenever a person consumes any type of food or beverage, the pH level lowers and the mouth becomes more acidic to aid in digestion. This first step in our digestion process ends about 30 minutes after we eat, and the pH returns to normal to help protect our teeth. When we snack, though, our teeth remain bathing in this acidic environment, wearing down tooth enamel, and providing a breeding ground for S. mutans. The same, of course, is true with infants who feed continually, or without a long enough break. You can counter this effect by planning mealtimes with a reasonable start and finish time. Ask your dentist or GP for the best advice for your child.
2. Avoid The Sugar Dip: Some parents are prone to dipping pacifiers in substances like honey or sugar to acclimate a child to using the device. This is generally a bad idea. For the same reasons you wouldn't want to suck on a honey stick, you shouldn't give one to your child as well. Bad for the teeth.
3. Don't Share The Spoon: Here's a surprise! Did you know that tooth decay can be transmitted from one person to another? By sharing your child's feeding spoon, you can actually transmit S. mutans living in your mouth to your child. If you want to use a spoon to show your child it's okay to eat in this fashion, you're best off using your own spoon, and then doing a little slight-of-hand-swicheroo.
4. Keep A Washcloth Nearby: For children who currently do not have teeth, use a washcloth to clean their gums after eating. Think of this as tooth brushing 101.
5. Brush Away: And, for those lucky enough to have teeth already, use a child-safe toothbrush to clean away any food debris after a meal. It's good training for your child, and good for their teeth as well!
6. Fill The Bottle Wisely: Avoid putting anything in your child's bottle except formula, breast milk or milk. Anything sweet or sugary will just further promote decay.
7. Obey Naptime Rules: Restrict bottle usage prior to bedtime, or at least brush or wash their mouth prior to bed. Allowing a child to sleep with a bottle is considered to be the number one reason for baby bottle tooth decay as the bottle tends to continually drip into the child's mouth. For more on why this is important, see tip, #1.

As you can see, avoiding tooth decay in children is really quite simple, and involves many of the same rules we have to follow as adults. Good luck!

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Implant Dentistry-Gordon Dental Kansas City, Overland Park, Leawood Kansas

Implant Dentistry

With dental implants, people are rediscovering the comfort and confidence to eat, speak, laugh and enjoy life. Implants are designed to provide a foundation for replacement teeth which look, feel and function like natural teeth. A properly placed implant (or implants) can give you the ability to eat virtually anything and can smile with confidence, knowing that your teeth appear natural.

A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that a periodontist places into your jaw to hold a replacement tooth or bridge. Dental implants are an ideal option for people in good general oral health who have lost a tooth or teeth due to periodontal disease, an injury, or some other reason.

Advantages of Dental Implants over Dentures or a Bridge
Every way you look at it, dental implants are a better solution to the problem of missing teeth.

• Esthetic. Dental implants look and feel like your own teeth! Since dental implants integrate into the structure of your bone, they prevent the bone loss and gum recession that often accompany bridgework and dentures. No one will ever know that you have a replacement tooth.
• Tooth-saving. Dental implants don't sacrifice the quality of your adjacent teeth like a bridge does because neighboring teeth are not altered to support the implant. More of your own teeth are left untouched, a significant long-term benefit to your oral health!
• Confidence. Dental implants will allow you to once again speak and eat with comfort and confidence! They are secure and offer freedom from the irksome clicks and wobbles of dentures. They'll allow you to say goodbye to worries about misplaced dentures and messy pastes and glues.
• Reliable. The success rate of dental implants is highly predictable. They are considered an excellent option for tooth replacement.

What can Dental Implants do?

• Replace one or more teeth without affecting bordering teeth.
• Support a bridge and eliminate the need for a removable partial denture.
• Provide support for a denture, making it more secure and comfortable.

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Dental Implants: Gordon Dental Kansas City, Overland Park, Leawood Kansas

Dental Implants - Getting to the Root of Things

With regular dental care and some luck, you may never be a candidate for a dental implant, but knowing about them ahead of time will help inform your decision should the need ever arise. So, what are implants, how do they work, and who needs them?

How Does a Dental Implant Work?

Dental implants are artificial tooth “roots” that are placed into the jaw to help hold a replacement tooth, bridge, or even dentures, in place in the jaw.  Typically made of Titanium, which the jawbone will accept or fuse to, dental implants are most often used for patients who have somehow lost a tooth or teeth – whether through accident, injury, or even periodontal disease.  Implants can also help stop periodontal disease from forming by eliminating gaps in the mouth where disease and infection are likely to occur, and preventing the shifting of teeth which can cause more long-term damage.

There are two types of implants. “Endosteal,” or “in the bone” implants are typically screws, blades, or cylinders which are surgically placed directly into the jawbone. Generally used to support bridges or removable dentures, this type of implant is the most common. “Subperiosteal,” or “on the bone” implants are placed on top of the jaw with posts that protrude through the gum to hold a dental prosthesis in place. These types of implants are used for patients who are unable to wear conventional dentures. Sometimes an implant is used to anchor orthodontia in place as well.

An ideal implant candidate is usually in good health overall, and has good oral health as well.  Healing time varies, as do success rates – and general post-surgical care is a key component to success. Learning about what’s involved in an implant will help you in making your decision should the need ever arise for you. 

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