Tooth Sensitivity

If you feel a shooting pain through your teeth when you bite into something cold, that indicates a problem with your dental health. We’ve restored a lot of teeth at the Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group in Austin, so we know the warning signs of deteriorating enamel. If you want to protect your teeth and their function, read on.

Natural teeth contain a nerve in their pulp. Dentin, a yellow-grey porous substance, surrounds the pulp, and heat can easily be transferred through it out of the nerve. The crown of the tooth is mostly made up of enamel, a thick mineral substance that insulates dentin, while the tooth root is made of cementum, a thin substance that helps the root adhere to gum tissue. If enamel erodes or gum tissue recedes, the tooth will be more sensitive to sudden changes in temperature.

Although it is possible for enamel erosion to result from mechanical stress, most instances are caused by exposure to acid. Oral bacteria secrete acid as they metabolize sugar, and the acid becomes stuck in the gum pocket and in a natural tooth’s biofilm. Patients will have to improve their brushing to reduce sensitivity and switch to toothpaste with extra fluoridation. If they have a partial denture, they may also want to consult with us to ensure they are cleaning it correctly. (Oral appliances should not be cleaned with fluoridated toothpaste or they may get scratched.) Patients should also avoid drinks that are acidic, such as soda and citrus juice.

Frederick Shaw, DDS, operates the Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group at 1500 W 38^th Street, Suite 34, Austin, Texas, 78731. To schedule an appointment, call 512-451-7491 or visit Frederick Shaw DDS and fill out a contact form.

 

Examining Cracked Teeth

At the Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group, we’ve devoted our practice to assisting patients with cracked and chipped teeth. Cracks can cause many different kinds of damage, and depending on what has happened, different treatments will be needed. But it is often the case that it is difficult to determine exactly how severe a crack is without very thorough testing.

The least dangerous types of cracks are called craze lines. They look unpleasant, but occur naturally and are too shallow to compromise the integrity of the tooth structure. However, a tooth that is truly cracked at the crown or root requires urgent treatment. Often, cracks will not appear on x-rays. In order to determine how far down the tooth a crack goes, it may be necessary for a dentist to probe it and have the patient bite down on something and report their comfort while we observe their bite function. Sometimes, it may be necessary to remove fillings to get a better view. When investigating cracked roots, cutting a flap in the gum tissue may be necessary. While we sympathize with patients’ frustration with these tests, it is vital to their health to determine whether their dental pulp has become infected before a new dental crown can be made, as well as whether they will need a full implant. To avoid cracking, do not chew ice or anything similarly hard and ask your general dentist for help with nighttime tooth grinding.

Frederick Shaw, DDS, operates the Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group at 1500 W 38^th Street, Suite 34, Austin, Texas, 78731. To schedule an appointment, call 512-451-7491 or visit Frederick Shaw DDS and fill out a contact form.

Cavities in Adults

When we think of cavities, we often think of dental educational materials aimed at children. This makes sense since children are the demographic most likely to suffer from cavities (which scientific literature usually refers to as “caries” or dental lesions). However, the second-most likely demographic to get cavities is seniors, which is why the Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group wants adult patients to be aware of this issue.

According to information from the Centers for Disease Control in 2011, about one in five American adults had untreated tooth decay. Doctors debate why exactly cavities become more common in patients who had maintained good oral hygiene in middle age. It could be due to changes in diet, worsening dexterity, or loss of access to dental care. Other compounding issues are medication side effects, such as dry mouth, which reduce the body’s ability to fight off oral infections. Part of it could also be generational: people who are in the older age bracket now may not have had fluoridated water when their teeth were emerging, putting them more at risk when their oral care is compromised.

Regardless, it is especially important for seniors to maintain good oral hygiene. Toothpaste with extra fluoridation can be a big help to them, as can dental sealants, which reduce the area in which food debris can get trapped and become fuel for bacteria growth.

Frederick Shaw, DDS, operates the Shoal Creek Prosthodontic Group at 1500 W 38^th Street, Suite 34, Austin, Texas, 78731. To schedule an appointment, call 512-451-7491 or visit FrederickShawDDS.com and fill out a contact form.