Recently, a woman interviewed me to determine if I would best qualify to become her dentist. Her proactive approach in selecting her healthcare providers impressed me. She shared her frustration that, despite her best efforts to prevent tooth problems, no amount of brushing, flossing, waterpiking or visits to the dentist staved off her dental problems. Every trip to the dentist revealed new decay and resulted in costly treatment. She had grown discouraged and desperately desired answers. It is for her and others like her that I share this information.
Last month, I provided an overview of a series of articles addressing the “Secrets to a Healthy Smile,” addressing primary contributors to gum problems and tooth loss. The primary contributor I will address this month is common causes of tooth decay.
Leveling the Playing Field
At our office, home of both Jason C. Campbell Cosmetic and Family Dentistry and the Advanced Prosthetics Institute (API), it is our goal that every patient walks away “knowing what we know” to be successful in preventing tooth decay.
Dispelling the Myth
People must understand that all tooth decay is potentially preventable, even in situations with plaguing issues because of genetics or developmentally soft teeth. It is true that some individuals may have more factors working against them than others; nevertheless, with the right understanding and regimen, tooth decay is avoidable. Once cause and prevention factors are understood, even the most discouraged patients have the potential for success.
Understanding Cause
The only cause of tooth decay is ACID. Developmentally, teeth are made up of a mineral compound of calcium phosphates and water in a structure we call hydroxyapatite. The mineral content of tooth enamel is 98 percent, whereas that of tooth roots (dentin) is only 20 percent. Exposed roots of teeth are much softer than tooth crowns. Acid on teeth and roots dissolves the minerals out of teeth and roots and leaves behind soft holes that must be repaired by your dentist. Therefore, in theory, if oral acid can be controlled, then, in fact, tooth decay is preventable.
Recognizing Oral Acid Sources
- Oral Bacteria: Each person’s mouth is inhabited by a strain of bacteria that has the ability to convert sugars from the diet into an acid byproduct. Bacteria hide in cracks and grooves in teeth. When we eat sugar, whether the source is sweet snacks or from carbohydrates, starch or milk sugars, bacteria will consume the sugar as a diet source, convert it into acid, and then defecate that acid into your mouth. I don’t know about you, but the thought of that makes me want to brush, floss and rinse right now! Oral bacteria can increase oral acids, resulting in tooth decay.
- Dietary Acids: What and how you are drinking may be eating your teeth’s minerals. Individuals who sip on coffee, tea, soda, sports and energy drinks, are at high risk for developing rampant tooth decay. While the acidity of a car battery is measured near a PH level of 1, these products measure a PH ranging from 2.3 to 2.7. WOW! In dental terms, that is a very expensive cup of coffee! The acid effect of dietary acid is an issue of time exposure. With that said, it is better to drink your beverage in five minutes rather than two hours and five minutes!
- Digestive Acids: There are many ailments that we accept as a normal part of everyday living, including, TMJ/TMD pain, migraine, inflammation illnesses, dry mouth, heartburn, acid reflux and various digestive disorders. What may not be understood is that many of these medical issues have dental origins or have negative effects on oral health and tooth decay. For example, digestive acids are very harmful to teeth and extremely aggressive in eating away tooth minerals.
In some instances, like the patient who inspired this article, digestive acids will destroy teeth enamel, despite the best daily hygiene efforts. The PH level of stomach acid ranges from 1.5 to 3, averaging a PH of 2. It’s like having a car battery in your “breadbasket.” Continuing to ignore issues, such as regular heartburn, acid indigestion and reflux is a recipe for disaster. Long-term exposure of acid outside of the stomach may also result in medical issues like Barrett’s esophagus, colitis and stomach, intestinal and esophageal cancers. Talk about expensive health problems to treat! We need to quit ignoring the negative dental effects of acid erosion. If you suspect you may have acid erosion and its going unrecognized, search online for “Photos of Dental Acid Erosion” to see related images. A visit to a dental care provider who is able to diagnose whether your tooth damage is caused by digestive acids may be in order.
- Medico-Dental Issues: Not all dental issues have a dental origin. Some have a medical origin. Suffice it to say, at both Dr. Jason C. Campbell DDS Cosmetic and Family Dentistry and The Advanced Prosthetics Institute (API), it is our priority to work diligently with physicians and support medical health care providers to get to the source of medically related dental issues and vice versa.
With the exception of a few rare genetic and developmental disorders, tooth decay is preventable and avoidable with the right understanding of its causes, contributors and the direction of a good dental team. Stay tuned for next month’s article, as we reveal the secrets to the right combination of products, treatments and preventive regimens to stop dental decay problems. QCBN
Learn more about our dental services at www.APIDentalRehab.com for comprehensive interdisciplinary dental care services, and www.MyPrescottDentist.com for general dentistry services. API also provides FREE community dental educational seminars. Our next API seminar is entitled “Are Dental Implants Right for You?” and is scheduled for 6-7:30 p.m., Thursday, May 14, at the Club at Prescott Lakes. Eligible attendees will receive a FREE 3D CT Scan and Consultation. Register for the API seminar online at www.APIDentalRehab.com/Register or call our office.
If you have immediate concerns and would like to schedule a consultation, please contact our office at 928-776-0239. We are conveniently open 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday-Friday and available for emergencies and walk-ins. Receive a FREE New Patient Exam and 7 Series Bite Wing X-rays when you mention this article while scheduling your appointment.
By Jason C. Campbell, DDS
The mission at the Advanced
Prosthetics Institute is to
provide full and partial mouth
restoration and dental rehabilitation
to produce a normal,
functional anatomy of the
mouth. Our focus is to provide
individualized personal care for patients with
malocclusions and biofunctional disorders who
are continuously plagued with unaddressed
oral health issues. API’s goal is to allow people
to feel whole again, or for the first time, while
establishing confidence in their esthetics and
ability to function normally. Learn more about
API at www.ApiDentalRehab.com. We are
committed to providing educational opportunities
to our community to empower you to
have the healthy smile you deserve! For more
information regarding our upcoming seminars
and/or to schedule a consultation, please
contact our office 928-776-0239. You can also
learn more about the general dentistry services
we provide through Jason C Campbell, DDS,
Cosmetic and Family Dentistry at www.
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