Caries is the deterioration of the tissues that make up a tooth. This deterioration or destruction has its origin in acids that cause the bacteria that make up the plate. That white and viscous substance that is attached to the surface of the teeth and around the gum. These bacteria destroy the enamel, which is the hard layer that covers them; and it can also affect the underlying layer called dentin.

Properly stated, decay is a bacterial infection in a tooth. It is, in fact, the most common chronic childhood illness. It affects the so-called “milk teeth” of approximately 40% of children.

Cavity process

If the plaque is not removed, it sticks to the tooth; adhering strongly as a hard substance called Cavities tartar or calculus. When this happens, the gums become irritated and inflamed, giving rise to gingivitis and periodontitis.

The aggression of the acids erodes the enamel, creating carved areas called caries. In general, these do not hurt and therefore are not detected, unless they are very large; the tooth is badly damaged or the nerve is affected. When they hurt, they are already in an advanced stage and carry consequences such as the famous «phlegm on» or dental abscesses.

A caries that is not treated in time reaches the soft interior of the tooth or pulp. Then it is necessary to practice an excision of the nerve so that it does not hurt; and sometimes, only the solution remains as a solution.

Types of cavities

• Of crown. Crown caries are the most common type. It is the one that occurs in the chewing area of ​​the tooth.
• Radicular. Root caries is the one that occurs when the gums retract and leave part of the tooth root exposed. The root is not enameled, so it can be easily affected.

Recurrent caries is formed when there is something between the teeth that can adhere plaque; as are the crowns or  the seals.

Healthy gums do not bleed. Gingival bleeding is a clear sign that there is a problem in our oral health: periodontal diseases, infections … But, why do gums bleed?

It is something that has happened to all of us: when brushing the teeth, the gums bleed slightly. Although it is something much normalized among patients, it is actually a symptom to pay special attention to our smile. These are the causes that, together, cause gingival bleeding:

• Accumulation of oral biofilm. It is the main cause of bleeding gums. The lack of oral hygiene causes plaque to accumulate between the teeth and gums.
• Bad brushing technique. In other cases a very aggressive brushing technique damages the gums, causing their bleeding.
• Bleeding is one of the first symptoms of periodontal disease. In the case of gingivitis, it is the first stage, which, if not treated, evolves to periodontitis.
• In many cases (especially among children) the cause of gingival bleeding is a minor stroke or trauma.

Normally, gingival bleeding is accompanied by other symptoms, such as inflammation and redness of the gums.

Tips to avoid gingival bleeding

What to do if my gums bleed? The first step is to go to our trusted dentist. Sometimes the bleeding is mild and punctual, but if it persists it is very important to go to the consultation. Gingival bleeding can alert us to pathologies that, if not detected in time, will compromise our oral health. The dentist can advise a professional dental cleaning, in case the cause of bleeding is the plaque buildup.

Maintaining good oral care at home is essential after the review and treatment. To avoid gums bleeding during brushing, it is essential to have a good toothbrush and toothpaste. Regarding the brush, there are many professionals who recommend the use of the electric brush. According to different studies, it eliminates more oral biofilm than the conventional brush.

But it is important to bear in mind that both brushes tend to wear and that it is convenient to renew them every so often. Regarding toothpaste, it is advisable to choose a type of pasta that suits the needs of our mouth. There are several indications to choose toothpaste that is most suitable for our teeth and gums.

In addition to specific brushes, there are other interproximal hygiene techniques. The most common are the use of dental floss and mouthwash. For a deeper cleaning, the use of oral irrigator is recommended. All these techniques eliminate with depth the remains of bacteria to avoid their incrustation and hardening. In this way you will be able to show a healthier and also more aesthetic smile.

The Saliva is necessary to moisten and cleanse the mouth and help digest food; it also prevents infections, controlling fungi and bacteria, but when the mouth is dry, it is a very uncomfortable situation, which can be caused by the following causes:

• Surgical removal of the salivary glands.
• Tobacco can affect the production of saliva, which together with continuous breathing with the mouth open, especially at night, aggravates the problem.
• Dehydration, which produces fever, excessive sweating, vomiting and diarrhea.
• Nerves damaged in the head or neck, by surgery
• Diseases , such as Jorgen’s syndrome, HIV / AIDS, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, anemia, cystic fibrosis, rheumatoid arthritis, hypertension, stroke and viral infections such as mumps.
• Medical treatments, which can damage the salivary glands, such as radiation or chemotherapy.
• Certain medications. Dry mouth is a common side effect of many medications, such as those used to treat depression, anxiety, pain, allergies and colds; as well as urinary incontinence, bronchodilators, Parkinson’s disease, sedatives and muscle relaxants.

The professional tooth whitening has become in recent years one of the most popular dental treatments in dental clinics. Thanks to this type of treatments it is possible to achieve white and radiant smiles in a very short time. Of course, it is very important that the patient follow some guidelines of dental hygiene, which will enhance the results obtained in the clinic.

The options in terms of teeth whitening are very diverse, since it is possible to resort to several formulas that can ensure a healthy denture and free of blemishes or discoloration. Obviously, depending on what you intend to achieve, the dentist will recommend the most appropriate option. For this, it will take into account the parameters and specific factors of each case.

The best dental whitening

First of all, it is important to talk about porcelain or composite dental veneers. The placement of these fine pieces will allow a whiter and more functional smile. This treatment, in addition to correcting stains or coloring of natural teeth, also provides functionality. This is so, because the veneers are perfect for correcting dental alignment problems, among other things.

However, if you are looking for whitening teeth to remove stains or the yellowing that can appear over the years, LED teeth whitening is a very successful option. In these cases, the dentist will perform a professional whitening in the dental clinic, using powerful technologies based on LED light and the use of professional whitening agents. The sessions of these treatments will not last more than an hour and it is possible that teeth whiten in various shades.

In addition, there is the possibility of resorting to combined teeth whitening. That is, the execution of LED dental whitening in the dental clinic and a specific outpatient treatment at home. For this, the dentist will perform a complete session that will whiten the patient’s teeth in an optimal way, but will also prescribe splints with bleaching agents so that the patient is placed at home in the recommended periods. This will achieve is to lengthen the duration of tooth whitening, maximizing the results of it.

On the other hand, it is very important to maintain proper dental hygiene at all times. This, in addition to prolonging the results of whitening will have a healthy mouth, away from serious dental problems. In this sense, it is essential to brush your teeth at least twice a day. In addition, using dental floss and a good mouthwash will guarantee optimal results.

With professional teeth whitening, smiles are greatly enhanced, guaranteeing lasting and satisfactory results. But through oral hygiene you can prevent any more serious dental condition. However, periodically visiting the dentist’s office is also very important to optimize the results of any treatment carried out and to prevent possible dental pathologies.

Most people have had cavities at some point in their lives but do you know what they are and how can you prevent them? Today we explain the “secrets” of tooth decay so that you know the enemy better.

Dental caries is an infectious disease that causes the destruction of the tissues of the teeth. Its origin is in dental or bacterial plaque, an accumulation of bacteria and food debris that adheres to the surface of the teeth and gums. It is a soft, matt and yellowish white substance. If not removed in time, the plaque hardens and forms the so-called tartar, which can no longer be removed with a simple brushing.

Caries occurs when the bacteria present in the plaque produce acids that destroy the minerals in the tooth. The main bacteria responsible for this process are Streptococcus mutants and Lactobacillus acidophilus. The destruction first affects the enamel and then the dentin, finally reaching the tooth pulp.

The majority of caries appear in the molar and premolar teeth, since its irregular surface favors the accumulation of food debris. They also tend to form cavities between the teeth and near the gums.

The first symptom of tooth decay is the appearance of a spot on the tooth, which may be whitish or darker. When the decay progresses towards the dentin, the spot becomes grayish in appearance. Finally, the enamel breaks and the lesion becomes much more evident.

Other symptoms of cavities are sensitivity to cold and heat, bad taste in the mouth, bad breath and pain. When caries is not treated properly, a phlegm on can be produced.

Caries have several causes, but one of the most frequent is food. Some types of carbohydrates facilitate the demineralization of the tooth and the development of bacteria, while carbonated drinks contain acids that can erode the enamel.

Do you want to prevent cavities? The toothbrush is your best ally! Regular dental hygiene habits with a brush and a suitable toothpaste prevent the excessive accumulation of bacterial plaque and with it the formation of cavities. Although you should brush your teeth after every meal, remember that the most important brushing is before bedtime. Thus, the bacteria do not have time to accumulate during the night.

Caries is an infectious and transmissible disease of the teeth, which is characterized by the progressive disintegration of dental tissues due to the action of microorganisms on carbohydrates from the diet. And children also suffer from it.

Dental caries does not depend exclusively on the interaction of factors such as tooth or host, diet, microorganisms, but the generation of the disease requires the additional intervention of other factors such as: time, age, general health, and the administration of fluorides, the degree of instruction, the socioeconomic level, or the past experience of caries. That is to say that factors that are outside the oral cavity are taken into account.

Microbial colonization in a child’s oral cavity can occur only after the eruption of the teeth. However, it is known that transmission can be generated from the mother to the child through saliva, when they share toothbrushes, cutlery, glasses, etc. This disease, if not treated, can lead to pain, and endanger the quality of life, nutritional status and development of young children.

The role of diet

The claim that diet plays a central role in the development of dental caries is unquestionable. The mechanism by which diet affects dental caries is quite simple. The bacteria attached to the teeth, called microbial plaque, has the ability to generate acids, product of its metabolism, and consequently the acidity of the dental plaque can reach the point of demineralizing the teeth.

How are the caries recognized?

If the demineralization of the enamel predominates and the tooth begins to lose minerals, clinically in this initial stage, you can observe a whitish, matte dull spot that is known as the “white spot injury.” At this stage the lesion it could recover minerals, that is to say demineralize, if the cariogenic environment decreases thanks to the use of fluorides, as well as the reduction of carbohydrates in the diet.

Why should we take care of primary (milk) teeth?

Because healthy primary teeth serve as an eruption guide to the permanent teeth to achieve a harmonic position within the dental arch.

Formerly it was thought that fluoride acted mainly by strengthening the teeth during the development of children, however recent studies mention that all people without exception can benefit from products such as mouth rinses, toothpastes and fluoride treatments to prevent tooth decay.

Some more frequent cases that give rise to caries:

Experts recommend those who are ingesting drugs that cause dry mouth or suffer from any disease that causes them, it is important to keep in mind that they are susceptible to caries, because before the low salivation is even more difficult for our mouth to neutralize the acids and eliminate food waste.

A more common case of caries occurs in those who use orthodontic appliances (braces), so experts mention that it is important that extreme dental hygiene to prevent tooth decay, since these orthodontic appliances trap many bacteria that can reach to provoke it.

After these examples it is important that if you suffer or not the aforementioned disease or use or not some oral attachment, it is important that from today you begin to take care of the fundamental pillars on which the prevention of dental caries is based that we list below:

• Control of diet (reduction of sugars)
• Application of fluoride (gels / toothpastes, etc.)
• Oral hygiene
• Toothbrush
• Tooth brushing technique
• Use of dental floss
• Toothpaste with fluoride

It is important that we seek dental hygiene that helps us prevent not only cavities but also any disease or infection, before it is visible or becomes even more complicated.

Did you know that the sound that the brush makes when brushing our teeth can make brushing more effective? This is the conclusion reached by a group of Japanese scientists who have discovered that the efficiency with which we clean our teeth can be related to the sound that the brush bristles make against tooth enamel when we brush.

Boredom, one of the causes that leads to not brushing teeth

As explained in his study Take Hashish and Hiroyuki Kajimoto of the University of Electro-Communications, brushing is something basic to maintain good oral health but many people do not carry out this important action because it bores them. They only remember its importance when they discover that their teeth are affected by some oral pathology. In addition, in many cases that same boredom causes the “quality” of brushing to be worse. The scientists tried to find a formula that would improve the effectiveness of cleaning and, in addition, its frequency.

In their experiment they placed a small microphone on a toothbrush so that they could record the sound of the bristles on contact with the enamel. This sound was reproduced through headphones in a group of volunteers while brushing. The scientists also manipulated the frequency and intensity of the sound to see the effect it had on those volunteers.

And the effect, as we have anticipated, was surprising since the volunteers who had brushed their teeth listening to that sound felt that the comfort and quality of brushing had improved. That is, they had the perception that they had been more comfortable cleaning their teeth and that they were also cleaner.

Motivate users interactively

This brush prototype incorporates headphones which, applied to daily brushing in real life, could be very uncomfortable and impractical. The prototype could evolve in its design and incorporate bone conduction speakers, which function as a kind of vibrating loudspeaker. These are used, for example, in pillows that allow you to listen to music or the radio while you sleep without the need for headphones.

In the “brush 2.0”, this speaker would allow to reproduce the amplified sound of the brushing, which would be amplified in the mouth. The sound would vary its frequency to improve user satisfaction before brushing.

It is always recommended to consume foods that contain it and its importance is indicated for the strengthening of bones. But do you know how important calcium is to your teeth? 99% of the calcium that exists in our body is found in bones and teeth. The remaining 1% is in the blood, in the extracellular and adipose tissue. But its benefits to the teeth go further.

The dentist explains that the first thing to consider having healthy teeth and gums is that the bones that support them – mandibular and maxillary – are also healthy. When fully enriched with calcium, the maxillary and mandibular bones remain strong and stable, which not only allows us to have healthy teeth, but also to prevent periodontal disease.

It indicates that the main function of calcium in the teeth has to do with nutrition. As an essential part of the teeth, calcium is the basis of adequate chewing, which is very important for the proper digestion of nutrients, because it provides stiffness to the teeth and gums?

The deficiency of calcium in the teeth is known in dentistry as dental decalcification, although it affirms that the correct term would be demineralization, because when losing calcium also other minerals such as phosphorus are lost. Dental decalcification usually manifests itself in the first years of teething.

What is the problem?

Deficiency of vitamin D and, consequently, of calcium, can lead to different diseases such as late eruption of the teeth, increased sensitivity, tooth decay, tooth fragility and generalized periodontal disease.

Given this, avoid self-medication, consult the doctor to indicate calcium you need.

The amount of calcium in our body depends directly on the amount we ingest. It is important to include the foods that contribute this mineral to our diet, such as dairy products (milk, yogurt, ice cream, cheese …), white bread, cookies, green leafy vegetables and fruits.

Bulimia is an eating disorder that involves compulsive eating, then self-induced vomiting, in order to eliminate everything ingested.

This practice, which is repeated numerous times a day, not only leads to serious psychological consequences but also affects the body in its entire composition.

This type of illness that is more frequent during adolescence and is linked to a problem of self-esteem and the desperate need to lose weight, in addition to affecting the nutritional status brings severe complications to oral health, which are often irreparable, and they are not taken into account, ignoring the relevance that it has in a good diet and digestion.

The induction of vomiting repeatedly causes stomach acids to cross the mouth and erode tooth enamel, causing decay, discoloration and even the loss of some teeth.

The weakness of the teeth makes them more sensitive to cold and heat, while the salivary glands swell and the tongue dries. The processes of vomiting cause redness of the glands of the oral cavity and, in certain occasions, can begin to notice fissures in the corners of the lips, ulcers, blisters and gingivitis.

All these symptoms, which begin to manifest themselves from the beginning of this disease but are hidden by patients, result in severe problems swallowing food, as a result of swelling in the cheeks, chin and neck, which also cause pain at the time of The digestion.

For this reason, periodical dental control is important, since as the teeth can appear worn and of a yellowish color, it is perhaps this specialist who first notes evidence that the person is going through some type of eating disorder.