dr charles triassi Archives - St. Clair Toronto Dentist - West Village Dental Clinic

Understanding Tooth Decay: Causes, Effects & Prevention

by Dr. Charles Triassi | Sep 25, 2023 | Dental | 0 comments

Tooth decay, often called cavities, is a widespread dental problem affecting individuals of all ages. Understanding tooth decay and how to prevent it is crucial for maintaining good oral health.

What is Tooth Decay?

Tooth decay is a gradual breakdown of the tooth’s enamel, which is the hard outer layer of teeth. It occurs when harmful bacteria in your mouth produce acids that erode the enamel, creating cavities or holes in the teeth. Left untreated, tooth decay can lead to various dental issues, including pain, infection, and tooth loss.

Causes of Tooth Decay

Plaque Formation

The primary culprit behind tooth decay is dental plaque. Dental plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that forms on the teeth and gums. When sugary or starchy foods are consumed, the bacteria in plaque feed on these sugars, producing acid as a byproduct. This acid then attacks the tooth enamel, leading to demineralization and cavities.

Poor Oral Hygiene

Inadequate brushing and flossing habits can allow plaque to accumulate on your teeth, increasing the risk of tooth decay. Brushing and flossing help remove plaque and prevent its buildup.

Diet

A diet high in sugary and acidic foods and beverages can contribute to tooth decay. These substances promote the growth of harmful bacteria and increase acid production in the mouth, accelerating enamel erosion.

Dry Mouth

Saliva plays a crucial role in neutralizing acid and remineralizing teeth. Conditions such as dry mouth (xerostomia), which reduce saliva production, can make tooth decay easier.

Genetics

Some individuals may be genetically predisposed to tooth decay, with naturally weaker enamel or a higher susceptibility to plaque buildup.

Effects of Tooth Decay

Tooth decay can lead to several adverse effects, including:

Tooth Pain: As the enamel erodes and cavities form, you may experience tooth sensitivity and pain, especially when consuming hot, cold, sweet, or acidic foods and beverages.
Infections: Untreated cavities can allow bacteria to penetrate deeper into the tooth, causing infections, dental abscesses, and gum disease.
Tooth Loss: Severe decay can weaken the tooth structure to the point where the tooth becomes irreparable and must be extracted.
Compromised Oral Function: Tooth decay can affect the ability to chew food adequately, leading to dietary limitations and potential digestive issues.

Preventing Tooth Decay

Tooth decay is preventable with the right strategies and habits. Here’s how to keep your teeth healthy:

Maintain Proper Oral Hygiene

Brushing teeth at least twice daily with fluoridated toothpaste. Use a soft-bristle toothbrush and be gentle to avoid damaging your enamel. Foss daily to remove plaque and food particles from between your teeth.

Eat a Balanced Diet

Limit consumption of sugary and acidic foods and drinks. Try to consume a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains & lean proteins.

Drink Water

Drinking water helps to rinse away food bacteria and food particles and promote saliva production, which aids in neutralizing acids and remineralizing teeth.

Choose Sugar-Free Gum

Chewing sugar-free gum after meals stimulates saliva production and helps rinse away food debris and acids.

Regular Dental Check-ups

Visit your dentist for regular check-ups and dental cleanings. Dental professionals can detect early signs of tooth decay and provide preventive treatments such as fluoride applications and dental sealants.

Fluoride

Consider using fluoride mouthwash or getting professional fluoride treatments if recommended by your dentist. Fluoride helps strengthen enamel and make it more resistant to acid attacks.

Avoid Tobacco Products

Tobacco increases the risk of tooth decay and other oral health problems.

While common, you can significantly reduce your riskof tooth decay with proper preventive measures and a commitment to good oral hygiene. Understanding the causes of tooth decay and its potential effects empowers you to take control of your oral health and enjoy a lifetime of healthy, cavity-free teeth. Contact us to schedule your visit or consultation today!

What Is A Dental Abscess? Symptoms and Treatment

by Dr. Charles Triassi | Jun 6, 2023 | Dental | 0 comments

A dental abscess is a painful and potentially serious dental condition caused by a bacterial infection. It occurs when a pocket of pus forms within the teeth, gums, or surrounding tissues. Dental abscesses can lead to significant discomfort, and if left untreated, they may result in severe complications. Learn the symptoms associated with dental abscesses and the various treatment options available.

Symptoms of Dental Abscess

Toothache: The most common symptom of a dental abscess is a persistent and throbbing toothache. The pain may worsen when biting or applying pressure on the affected tooth.
Swelling: The area around the infected tooth or gum may become swollen, red, and tender to the touch. The swelling can gradually spread to the face, neck, or jaw.
Sensitivity: Increased sensitivity to hot or cold substances is another sign of a dental abscess. The affected tooth may become more sensitive to temperature changes and certain foods.
Bad breath and taste: The buildup of pus and bacteria can cause a foul smell in the mouth and an unpleasant taste.
Fever: In some cases, a dental abscess can lead to a fever, indicating that the infection has spread and requires immediate attention.

Treatment Options

Drainage of the abscess: The primary goal of treatment is to eliminate the infection and relieve pain. In most cases, the abscess must be drained to remove the pus. Your dentist will make a small incision in the abscess, allowing the pus to drain out. Once the area is cleaned, your dentist may prescribe antibiotics to prevent further infection.
Root canal therapy: If the dental abscess is caused by an infection in the tooth’s pulp (the innermost layer), root canal treatment may be necessary. During a root canal, your dentist removes the infected pulp, cleans and disinfects the tooth’s interior, and seals it to prevent reinfection. Root canal therapy is often followed by placing a dental crown to protect and restore the tooth’s functionality.
Tooth extraction: In severe cases where the tooth is extensively damaged or cannot be saved, extraction may be the only viable option. After removing the infected tooth, the dentist may recommend replacing it with a dental implant, bridge, or partial denture to restore oral function and prevent neighbouring teeth from shifting.
Antibiotics: Besides draining the abscess, dentists may prescribe antibiotics to help eliminate the infection. Antibiotics are typically used when the infection has spread beyond the abscessed area or when there is a risk of further complications.

Prevention

Prevention is always better than cure when it comes to dental abscesses. It is essential to address any dental issues promptly to avoid the development of abscesses. Maintaining good oral hygiene, including regular brushing, flossing, and routine dental check-ups, can help prevent tooth decay and gum disease.

Remember, your dental health is an essential part of your overall well-being. Maintaining good oral hygiene and seeking timely treatment can keep your smile bright and ensure a healthy mouth.

If you experience symptoms of a dental abscess, such as severe toothache, swelling, or persistent bad breath, it is crucial to seek professional dental care immediately. Early detection and treatment can prevent the infection from spreading and causing more significant complications.

How Can You Prevent Baby Bottle Tooth Decay?

by Dr. Charles Triassi | Apr 11, 2022 | Dental | 0 comments

The alternative name for baby bottle tooth decay is “early childhood caries,” which means cavities that form on baby teeth at a young age.

We know that healthy baby teeth lead to healthy adult teeth. They are space holders for the adult teeth and provide a healthy environment for the future adult teeth. Tooth decay in baby teeth can lead to pain, infections, missing teeth, difficulty chewing and speech and unnecessary stress.

What is Baby Bottle Tooth Decay?

This condition occurs when your child’s baby teeth are exposed to sugars, usually in the form of milk from a bottle or sweet drinks, and start to decay. The decay will typically present on the upper front teeth but can extend to any tooth in the mouth. This condition is most common when a bottle is used as a pacifier or when a baby is left with a bottle of milk overnight.

This is because their teeth will be bathed in sugary liquid for an extended time, increasing the risk for decay. Pediatricians recommend that the only liquid given at night in a bottle is water. Inadequate intake of fluoride can also lead to baby bottle tooth decay. Fluoride helps protect the baby teeth from decay and should be ingested by drinking tap water and using a small amount of toothpaste containing fluoride by the age of 3.

Tooth decay is caused by bacteria and, therefore, can also be passed from mother/father to baby by passing bacteria contacting saliva. This means that sharing a spoon or utensil should be avoided.

Signs & Symptoms of Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

Tooth decay may occur in its early stages without presenting any signs or symptoms. Small cavities between teeth may not show at all. They may show minor white or brown-stained patches between teeth as they progress and get larger. More advanced decay will look like chips or fractures between teeth and may be yellow, brown or black.

Your baby may also be experiencing pain or discomfort due to the decay. They may show this by being fussy, crying, or presenting with swelling and a fever. Taking your toddler to the dentist at an early age is vital at the onset of the first teeth. Your dentist can check areas of your toddlers’ teeth that you can’t access. If baby bottle tooth decay is left untreated, it can lead to pain, infection, loss of teeth, problems with the adult teeth and very costly dental treatment.

Preventing Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

Reducing the amount of sugar your baby consumes plays a vital role in reducing their risk. Try not to give your baby anything else to drink but water or milk. Make sure you do not leave them to sleep at night with a milk bottle, and do not use a bottle of milk as a pacifier.

Be sure to avoid sharing your own saliva with your baby. After feeding, clean your baby’s teeth and gums with a gauze and a small toothbrush. When your baby sleeps, their mouth must be clear from any sugars. Also, be on the lookout for signs and symptoms of baby bottle tooth decay.

Treatment of Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

If the decay is still tiny and in the early stages, your dentist can use fluoride treatment to remineralize the areas and prevent the decay from growing. Stronger fluoride such as silver diamine fluoride may be applied to areas of decay. Filling and dental crowns are possible solutions if the decay is more extensive and cannot be treated with fluoride. The decay will be removed and filled, and a crown will protect the tooth until it is ready to fall out.

The last resort is to have a severely decayed tooth extracted when there is no other option. In this case, a space maintainer may be used to hold the proper space for the future adult tooth. Treatment of decay on baby teeth, as mentioned earlier, is vital to the health of the future adult teeth and your child’s overall wellbeing.

Please contact us if you have any questions about baby bottle tooth decay.

Importance of Routine Dental Visits for Your Child

by Dr. Charles Triassi | Oct 5, 2020 | Dental | 0 comments

Routine dental visits are essential for all people of any age, starting around three years old. As long as there are teeth present, there is the possibility of cavities, gum disease and any other mouth or tissue abnormality.

What Happens at Your Child’s Appointment?

Your child is recommended to have a check-up exam and a dental cleaning at least every six months with their dentist and dental hygienist. During these appointments, your child’s teeth will be completely cleaned with various tools, stains removed with polishing, fluoride treatments provided to prevent cavities, oral hygiene instruction demonstrated and reviewed, and their teeth and mouths thoroughly checked over to assess for health.

A diagnosis will be made regarding their teeth and gums’ health, and any necessary referrals will be made, such as to an orthodontist. These visits are critical times to check in to make sure they are doing an adequate job with their brushing and flossing and to set new goals for them regarding keeping their teeth and gums healthy at home.

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Common Issues During Exfoliation/ Eruption

Several common issues occur in children’s mouths when they are losing baby teeth and getting adult teeth, and these issues are looked for and assessed each time your child comes in for their check-up. Periodically, x-rays will be taken to assess the adult teeth’ position under the gums and the health of the baby teeth. Listed below are several common issues that occur in children’s mouths that may affect future spacing and alignment:

Premature loss of a baby tooth
Delayed loss of a baby tooth
Eruption of an adult tooth behind a baby tooth
Ectopic (meaning out of place) adult canines or any other adult tooth under the gums
Hypoplastic enamel of adult teeth (meaning the enamel didn’t form properly)
Extra or missing adult teeth

A check-up exam and x-rays will give a precise diagnosis if any of these conditions arise, and the necessary steps can be taken. A referral may be made to an orthodontist. A baby tooth may need to be extracted to create space, etc. It is vital to catch these problems as early as possible to create a solution. Make sure to bring your child in every six months for their cleaning and check-up exam.

If your child is due for their cleaning and check-up exam, or you have any questions about the health of your child’s teeth, we encourage you to contact us today to schedule an appointment.

What is Toothbrush Abrasion & How to Prevent It

by Dr. Charles Triassi | Mar 4, 2020 | Dental | 0 comments

Toothbrush abrasion is tooth surface wear caused by overzealous tooth brushing over time. It usually appears as small indentations or notches along the gum line, mainly occurring on the front surface of the premolars and molars where it is easy to over brush.

Signs and Symptoms of Toothbrush Abrasion

Gum recession
Notched enamel at the gum line
Yellowing teeth at the gum line
Tooth sensitivity

Treatment Options for Toothbrush Abrasion

Sensitivity toothpaste can be used to prevent sensitivity associated with the abrasion. It is recommended to use sensitivity toothpaste twice a day while brushing, and it can provide instantaneous and long-lasting relief.
Fillings at the gum line to fill in the abrasion notches are another treatment option. White filling material is used to fill in the abrasion and helps prevent sensitivity by blocking the vulnerable tooth structure underneath. Fillings also help prevent further abrasion by blocking the vulnerable tooth structure from abrasive brushing.

How To Prevent Toothbrush Abrasion

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It is essential to use the correct brushing technique to prevent toothbrush abrasion. Make sure to use either a super soft or soft manual toothbrush or an electric toothbrush to brush your teeth. Never use a medium or a hard manual toothbrush as the bristles are too firm and contribute to damage to the gums and tooth structure. If you use an electric toothbrush, make sure not to apply too much pressure or to brush aggressively with it. Let the electric toothbrush do the work for you by holding it against a tooth for a few seconds and moving on to the next tooth. A helpful tool that some electric toothbrushes have is a pressure indicator that either activates a sound or a light when you are applying too much pressure. An electric toothbrush with a pressure indicator is recommended for patients who are prone to brushing aggressively. If brushing with a soft or super soft manual toothbrush, make sure to brush away from the gums in sweeping strokes and never scrub back and forth. If you notice the bristles of your toothbrush splaying, it is an indication that you are brushing too aggressively.

If you have any questions about toothbrush abrasion or believe you may benefit from treatment options for toothbrush abrasion, we encourage you to contact us to schedule an appointment.

If you have any questions, we encourage you to contact us today to schedule an appointment.