Is it tooth sensitivity or a cavity?

Posted on April 29, 2022 by admin.

It’s a warm, sunny day and you’ve decided to treat yourself to a nice, cold iced frappuccino.

You take that first, refreshing sip and OUCH!

You feel a shocking pain in one of your teeth.

Yikes. Could that be a cavity? Or just some sensitivity from a cold, sweet drink?

Is it something that could be fixed by switching up your toothpaste, or do you need to schedule an appointment with your dentist?

Any kind of tooth pain can be bothersome and scary, but it’s important to understand the difference between cavity symptoms and sensitivity so you know the best course of action to take.

What’s the difference?

A cavity is a hole in the surface of the tooth caused by decay.

Tooth sensitivity is nerve pain in a tooth or several teeth due to exposed dentin (the layer under your enamel.) Usually, sensitivity is triggered by hot, cold, or sweet food or beverages.

What are the causes?

Plaque buildup specifically from sugary foods and drinks wears away at the enamel of the teeth and eventually leads to decay which causes a cavity to form.

Sensitivity is caused by either wearing down of the enamel or recession of the gums. Enamel wear can happen from aggressive brushing, teeth grinding, or consuming acidic foods. Gum recession can be due to gum disease, aging, or overly aggressive tooth brushing.

What are the symptoms?

If you have a cavity, you may not experience any symptoms initially. Over time, however, you might start to feel a dull ache in your teeth or jaw with occasional sharper pains with no obvious cause.

Sensitivity usually feels like short, sharp nerve pain localized to one or a few teeth usually triggered by hot, cold, sweet, or sour foods and drinks.

What are the treatments?

Cavities must be treated professionally by a dentist. Depending on the severity, your dentist might recommend a filling or a crown to fill the hole in your tooth. If the tooth decay affects the nerve, a root canal may be necessary. If you suspect you have a cavity, schedule an appointment with your dentist before it progresses!

Tooth sensitivity can be treated by something as simple as switching your toothpaste to a sensitive formula. Be sure to mention your tooth sensitivity and the triggers to your dentist for more personalized recommendations on the best treatment.

How do I prevent cavities and sensitivity?

The best way to prevent cavities and sensitivity is to make sure you have a consistent routine of brushing and flossing twice a day as well as regular dental check ups. It’s also helpful to brush after eating foods that are particularly acidic or sugary.

If you’re experiencing any of the signs and symptoms of cavities or sensitivity, request an appointment with our office today. We will take a deeper look into your symptoms and make a personalized plan of action to treat and prevent cavities and sensitivity.

References:

https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/c/cavities
https://www.dentalhealth.org/sensitive-teeth

The Progression of Gum Disease

Posted on February 18, 2022 by admin.

February is Gum Disease Awareness Month and here at 5 Star Dental Group, we believe in educating our patients so they feel empowered to make the right choices for their dental health.

Gum disease is a serious condition that can cause chronic long-term issues. But with the right knowledge, it can be prevented or even reversed in the early stages.

Cartoon graphic of gums and 3 teeth showing an example of healthy teeth and gums

With proper regular dental care, your teeth and gums will stay healthy.

What is gum disease?

Gum disease begins with inflammation of the gums due to plaque buildup and if left untreated, it can affect the bones supporting the teeth and eventually lead to tooth loss.

The stages of gum disease:

Stage 1: Gingivitis

Plaque buildup at the gumline that isn’t removed by regular brushing and flossing can produce toxins that irritate the gums and cause gingivitis.

Fortunately, gum disease can be improved at this stage since it hasn’t progressed into the bone or connective tissue.

Stage 2: Periodontitis

At this stage, the disease has progressed into the bone and fibers that support your teeth. The diseases is now irreversible, but with proper dental care, you can usually prevent it from progressing further.

Stage 3: Advanced periodontitis

When gum disease has progressed to this stage, the fibers and bone supporting the teeth are destroyed. The breakdown of the bone and fibers can cause teeth to loosen and shift. Teeth may even need to be removed if dental treatment can’t save them.

Early symptoms of gum disease

Noticing gum disease at the earliest stage is key in preventing progression.

Early symptoms may include:

Red, puffy, swollen gums
Bleeding from the gums during brushing or flossing
Receding gumlines
Gums separating from the teeth creating a pocket
Changes in bite
Pus secretion from between the teeth and gums
Bad breath and/or a bad taste in your mouth

How is it treated or prevented?

Proper and regular dental habits like brushing and flossing daily will prevent plaque buildup.

Once plaque has hardened into tartar, professional dental cleaning is the only way to remove it. Your dentist will scale your teeth to remove the hardened plaque around the gumline and help give guidance on next steps for continued care and prevention of progression.

Regular dental check ups and daily habits are the best way to avoid progression of gum disease and keep your smile healthy and glowing.

4 Surprising Tips to Becoming a Pro At Flossing

Posted on August 27, 2021 by admin.

Everyone knows you should do it, but why is it so hard to actually get in the habit of flossing?

Maybe you start flossing a few days before your dentist appointment to avoid the shame of your dentist knowing you don’t floss regularly (spoiler alert: they still know), or maybe you flossed for a few weeks as a New Year’s Resolution, but the habit never seems to stick.

The good news is, it’s not because you lack willpower, it’s because you’re probably approaching the habit completely wrong.

Just like taking daily vitamins, getting into an exercise routine, and eating more vegetables, starting a new habit of flossing your teeth requires setting yourself up for success using the science of behavior change.

Here are some tips to help you make flossing a daily part of your routine so that next time your dentist asks, “do you floss?” you can say “YES! Every day!”

Make it more enjoyableThe science of habit change says that people don’t make long-term changes when the change feels bad, we change when we feel good! We change when we perceive the change as more positive than staying the same.When it comes to flossing, something as simple as trying a few different brands and types until you find one that’s comfortable for you and makes the process as simple and easy as possible will make a huge difference in the likelihood of you sticking to the habit.
Don’t get too caught up in what’s the “best” kind of floss— the best kind is the one you’re most likely to use every day!
Anchor it to an existing habitThis one is pretty simple because you’re (hopefully) already in the habit of brushing your teeth at least twice a day.So, if you brush your teeth in the morning and the evening, ask yourself which time you are most likely to be able to spend an extra 60 seconds flossing your teeth.
If you feel more energized and motivated in the mornings, and you are usually dragging yourself to bed and lucky if you wash your face at night, then morning might be your best time to add the habit of flossing!

Or if you’re constantly rushing out the door in the mornings after pressing snooze 7 times, but you typically have slow, relaxing evenings, then nighttime might be your best time to add the new habit.

The best option is whichever one makes the most sense for YOU.

Once you decide on the time of day, put your floss next to your toothbrush so that every time you pick up your toothbrush, you’re reminded that it’s time to floss, too.
Start smallThis may sound a bit silly, but breaking your new habit down into a SUPER small habit is the best way to ensure it sticks.In his book, Tiny Habits, Dr. BJ Fogg writes about his struggle to get into the habit of flossing his teeth.
After analyzing why the habit was so difficult for him, he realized that “flossing my teeth” was too big and ambiguous of a habit.

So, he broke it down as tiny as possible and told himself, “every morning, after I brush my teeth, I will floss ONE tooth.”

Sounds a little ridiculous, right? What difference will flossing one tooth make?

But as he explains in the book, tiny changes make BIG differences because flossing ONE tooth is so ridiculously easy and doable that he will ACTUALLY do it every day.

And guess what? When you break out the floss and floss one tooth, you’re much more likely to keep going.

But if some days all you do is floss one tooth, you haven’t failed at your new habit!
Make it a part of your identityYes, we’re still talking about flossing.It might sound ridiculous in the context of flossing your teeth, but habit change studies have shown that when we focus on “who must I become?” rather than “what do I have to do?” we are much more likely to change for the long-term.
When you start to identify as the type of person who flosses their teeth every day, you’ll find the habit much easier to stick to.

Start by painting a clear mental picture of the version of yourself who flosses their teeth daily.

What other things might you become better at when you floss regularly?

How good will it feel knowing you are taking care of your dental health?

How proud will you be when your dentist looks at your teeth and doesn’t have to ask if you floss because he can tell?

Again, we know it sounds a bit silly, but this is the same approach you would take if you were trying to eat healthier, exercise more, or drink more water, so use the power of shifting your identity to become a regular flosser.

The benefits of flossing go far beyond just cleaning food out from in between your teeth. Keeping a clean healthy mouth aids in overall health and wellbeing.

So, next time you go to the dentist you’ll be proud of yourself for sticking to the habit of flossing!

How Vegetables Can Support Your Oral Health

Posted on June 17, 2021 by admin.

You know from childhood that eating vegetables is crucial to a long, healthy life. But you might not have been told all the ways vegetables support your oral health as well. Dr. Gilberto Tostado and our team at 5 Star Dental Group are exploring a few of the oral health benefits of eating vegetables and the positive impact they can have on your smile.

Fresher breath

No one wants their breath to stink, but sometimes it seems like there’s not enough gum or mints in the world to banish bad breath. Most don’t realize that they can get natural, lasting breath fresheners in the produce aisle.

That’s right — vegetables (especially crunchy ones like carrots and celery) are a sort of all-natural toothbrush. As you munch on them, they scrub your teeth clean and work to dislodge any bad-breath-causing food particles.

Less plaque & bacteria build-up

Crunchy vegetables and their scrubbing also rid your teeth of harmful bacteria and plaque build-up. Additionally, vegetables that are rich in vitamin A like red bell peppers and broccoli create a hostile environment for bacteria, reducing your risk for a variety of oral health problems.

Improved saliva production

Another way eating vegetables can support your oral health is by stimulating your body’s natural ability to produce saliva. Adequate saliva production is crucial to a healthy mouth. Saliva acts as a built-in mouth wash, clearing away bacteria and keeping your mouth moist. Snacking on raw carrots, for instance, stimulates your gums and kicks your mouth into saliva production mode.

Whole-mouth support

Just like the rest of your body, your teeth and gums need the support only vitamins can give to stay strong and healthy. In fact, the American Dental Association (ADA) found that there is a link between nutrition and oral health. Often, a healthier diet means that you have a healthier mouth. That’s because vitamin A from carrots and celery, vitamin B from leafy green vegetables, and vitamin C from tomatoes and cucumbers all stimulate cell growth, support your teeth, and promote a healthy mouth.

Our team is excited to answer your questions and give you the guidance you need to make healthier choices that improve your oral health. We also offer comprehensive dentistry services, including teeth cleanings. Call our office in San Antonio, Texas, or head to our website to request an appointment online today.