Smiles By Glerum

While each dentist may focus on different priorities in their practices, we all preach the same mantra: Take care of your teeth, and they’ll take care of you.

Teeth begin to develop before birth, and throughout our lifetime are responsible for allowing us to process the foods that will keep us healthy, while enabling us to speak properly, have a more attractive appearance and even place higher on a social level. In fact, research shows that a beautiful smile can make you appear more intelligent, interesting, successful and wealthy to others!

A beautiful smile begins with healthy bones, gums and strong teeth. Covered with enamel, the hardest substances in the body are teeth, which are necessary for tearing, cutting and grinding food in preparation for swallowing and digestion. Each type of tooth is responsible for a specific function in the eating process. Starting at the front, the incisors — the front teeth — cut food when you bite into them. The longer, sharper canines beside them tear the food, while the premolars behind them grind and mash the food with their flatter surfaces. The molars, at the back of the mouth, make sure food is well chewed before entering the digestive track.

Knowing the specific function of each type of tooth, you can understand why it’s so important to have a full set of healthy teeth, to ensure you’re able to eat all the right foods to keep your whole body healthy. Good general health starts with good nutrition. This is the reason we constantly stress the importance of taking care of your teeth through daily flossing and brushing, and regular dental visits.

If you haven’t already reserved a convenient time to come in for your next dental checkup, please take a minute to call us now. We look forward to helping you improve and maintain, not only your beautiful smile, but your overall health, too!

Protect Your Teeth Against Enamel Erosion

Enamel is the hard, protective outer layer of your teeth. If it erodes, it can be very uncomfortable, with symptoms ranging from tooth sensitivity and discoloration, to painful cracks in the teeth. What is tooth erosion caused by, and how can you prevent it?

The acid in the foods and drinks we put in our mouths can cause tooth enamel to wear away. While the calcium contained in your saliva will help remineralize (strengthen) your teeth after enamel is exposed to small amounts of acid, saliva alone is not enough to fight a constant barrage of acids from carbonated drinks, fruit juice or wine, or even the effects of acid reflux or frequent vomiting.

Follow these tips to help avoid the destructive effects of acid on your tooth enamel:

• Reduce or eliminate drinking carbonated drinks.
• If you do enjoy an occasional carbonated or acidic drink, have it pass through your mouth quickly — don’t sip it over an extended period of time — and use a straw, when possible, to reduce the liquid’s exposure to your teeth.
• Rinse your mouth with water after consuming an acidic drink, and wait an hour before brushing, to allow the enamel to remineralize.
• When you do brush, use a soft toothbrush, and fluoridated toothpaste.

Please ask us to discuss the causes, effects and steps necessary To fight enamel erosion in order to maintain the most healthy, comfortable and attractive smile possible.