glendale az dentist – Dental Solutions

What are Anaerobic Bacteria?

Your mouth cannot naturally cleanse itself of oral debris (food particles, mucous, dead skin) when saliva flow is insufficient. Anaerobic bacteria thrive in dry, airless mouths full of protein-rich debris, creating rapidly multiplying layers of a biofilm called plaque that sticks to teeth and demineralizes dental enamel unless removed by a professional dental cleaning.

Although research shows anaerobic bacteria–not sugar–causes cavities, many people continue to assume tooth decay is caused by eating too much sugar. Instead, it is the biofilm composed of anaerobic bacteria that erodes teeth enamel, promotes gum disease, produces sulfuric gases responsible for bad breath and may even reduce your ability to taste and smell properly.

How Saliva Protects Your Teeth and Mouth

Oral anaerobic bacteria cannot live in oxygenated conditions. Nor can they live where there are no proteins to consume. Saliva is necessary to prevent the mouth from being overwhelmed with anaerobes destructive to tooth enamel and gum tissue. In addition, saliva:

Provides antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties that protect the mouth from teeth and gum disease

Contains acid neutralizing substances that directly attack plaque, a common cause of periodontitis

Contributes to the remineralization of tooth enamel by providing calcium and phosphorous

Enhances your sense of smell and taste

Saliva also helps prevent plaque buildup, a film of bacteria that adheres to teeth and protects anaerobes lying underneath the film from being exposed to oxygen. Plaque needs eliminated each day by brushing, flossing and using an oxygenated, alcohol-free mouthwash or it will harden into a harmful substance called tartar, a strong biofilm causing extensive cavities, tooth loss and chronic halitosis. Tartar accumulating in spaces where teeth meet the gums may cause gingivitis, a gum disease indicated by bleeding, swollen, receding gums.

Treatment for Dry Mouth

Keeping your mouth clean and hydrated between regular visits to your dentist for cleanings and examinations are the best preventative measures to take for preventing teeth and gum diseases caused by a dry mouth. Treatment for dry mouth depends on what is making your mouth consistently dry. Common methods recommended by dentists for reducing dry mouth symptoms include:

Limiting consumption of coffee, soda and other caffeinated drinks

Chewing sugar-free gum or candies containing xylitol, a chemical promoting saliva flow

Avoiding mouthwashes with alcohol (alcohol is a desiccant that naturally extracts fluids from tissues)

Avoiding tobacco use (chewing and smoking)

Drinking water at meals and in between meals

Using nonprescription saliva substitutes (mouth sprays and rinses are available)

Breathing through your nose only (nasal sprays and strips can help open clogged nasal passageways)

Running a humidifier to add moisture to dry bedroom air at night

If dry mouth does not improve or worsens, visit your dentist or doctor for a thorough examination. Underlying medical problems may be causing chronic dry mouth, such as low blood pressure, diabetes, an autoimmune disease or systemic dehydration.

The most common reason behind teeth hypersensitivity is gingivitis, a gum disease that causes gums to shrink away from the tops of the teeth and expose nerves not protected by tooth enamel and dentin. These root nerves are comprised of microscopic tubules extending into the center (pulp) of the tooth. When exposed to sweet, cold or hot foods, the tubules that are normally protected by gums and dentin allow this type of stimuli to irritate the pulp and cause pain that may feel like a toothache.

In addition to gingivitis, other factors may contribute to tooth sensitivity, such as:

Using a hard-bristled toothbrush or brushing vigorously enough to erode tooth enamel. Dentists advise brushing several times a day with a soft or medium-bristled toothbrush instead of once with an abrasive, generically constructed toothbrush.
Teeth harboring cracks and chips that allow destructive anaerobic bacteria to accumulate in dental indentations. Excess oral bacteria typically develops into a biofilm, a hard substance making it easier for plaque to irritate sensitive teeth pulp.
People who grind their teeth in their sleep. Bruxism (chronic teeth grinding) is usually caused by anxiety, sleep disorders such as sleep apnea or crooked/missing teeth. Unless treated, bruxism causes tooth sensitivity by eroding a tooth’s enamel and exposing pulp and dentin nerves.
Use of mouthwashes and toothpastes containing desiccants and detergents. Most brand name mouthwashes and toothpastes purchased in grocery and department stores contain abrasive, acidic ingredients that weaken dentin and also contribute to a high pH level in the mouth. For example, sodium lauryl sulfate is commonly used in toothpastes to create a foaming action when brushed against the teeth. However, SLS does not impart any benefits to oral health. In fact, this substance is found in many cleaning solutions and shampoos and has shown to severely irritate gums and mouth tissue due to its abrasive qualities.
Periodontal disease will cause tooth sensitivity since gingivitis and tooth decay precipitate periodontal disease. When dentists diagnose someone with periodontitis, this means they have found small spaces or “pockets” appearing between the teeth and at the gum line due to severe gum disease. Unless treated, periodontitis results in tooth loss, severe oral infection and possible jawbone deformities.

Treating Tooth Sensitivity

The best way to prevent tooth sensitivity is to maintain good oral hygiene practices that include brushing, flossing and rinsing twice daily with products that do not contain alcohol, saccharine or sodium lauryl sulfate. Other methods for reducing your risk of tooth sensitivity due to gingivitis, receding gums and worn enamel are:

Avoiding acidic and/or sugary foods that contribute to enamel erosion and exposure of tooth dentin
Treating bruxism by wearing a mouth guard during sleep to protect dental enamel
Using only oral rinses containing fluoride
Visiting a dentist every six months for a professional cleaning and oral exam

Using “desensitizing” toothpastes may temporarily alleviate tooth sensitivity pain but does nothing to treat the primary cause of the problem. Ingredients such as potassium nitrate and strontium chloride are often found in desensitizing toothpastes that inhibit transmission of nerve signals by restricting fluid movement in dentin microtubules. In addition, consumer research on desensitizing toothpastes indicates it generally takes several weeks of regularly brushing with the toothpaste before results (if any) are noticeable.

How Your Dentist Treats Tooth Sensitivity

Fluoride

Applying a fluoride varnish to overly sensitive teeth is one way your dentist can reduce pain and discomfort. Fluoride varnish strengthens dentin and enamel to prevent erosion and exposure of easily irritated nerve roots.

Protecting Root Endings

If exposed roots are causing tooth sensitivity, your dentist may use a dental sealant to cover particularly painful areas. By sealing exposed tooth surfaces with a bonding agent, your dentist can block exposure to hot, cold or sweet foods responsible for tooth sensitivity pain.

Root Canal

Severe and persistent tooth sensitivity may indicate teeth with infected pulps. Root canal treatment involving removal of infected pulp and replacing pulp with an enamel-like material called gutta percha.

Dental crowns and inlays may be able to reduce tooth sensitivity by repairing or protecting decayed spots on enamel. Surgical gum grafts can also relieve tooth sensitivity by removing tissue from the palate and grafting this tissue existing gum tissue so that roots are once again covered.