How Does a Cavity Form Under a Crown?

A crown that has been improperly fit will not sit well below the gum line of the tooth it covers. Food particles become trapped in this area, allowing the tooth to become the target of bacteria and decay, since it is difficult to brush or keep this area clean. This will result in a cavity forming on the tooth, having a root canal' to remove the nerve endings of the tooth and adding a new crown.  Also as crowns age the crown margins will become open as a patient's gums tend to recede, becoming a food trap and place for patients to keep clean.

A cavity starts as a pin hole in a tooth and is caused by bacteria developing and resulting in decay. When the cavity is ignored, it gets larger and causes what was once a small spot of decay to grow and get larger or undermine underneath a crown. When the cavity is not cleaned out by the dentist, the decay eventually reaches the nerve and cause a toothache. At this point, the nerve will need to be removed during a root canal and the tooth replaced with a crown or replace the old crown with a new crown.

Removing the roots of a badly decayed tooth eliminates the pain and swelling within the tooth. This is is known as having a root canal procedure. The roots of the tooth are completely removed, and the top of the tooth is prepared for further care by the dentist.

When the root canal is fully healed and sealed, Dr. Steppler reshapes the size of the tooth, adds a post and core into the tooth area where the root has been removed and places the new crown on top of the prepared tooth.

Love Your Teeth This Valentine's Day

On Valentine’s Day, showing our love and appreciation for someone often is communicated with a heart-shaped box of scrumptious chocolate candy treats. Unbelievably, Americans buy more than 35 million heart-shaped boxes of chocolates each year. Here are some other statistics about Valentine’s sweets:

• Americans spend $345 million for Valentine’s candy each year
• Approximately 58 million pounds of chocolate are consumed around Valentine’s Day
• The average American consumes between 10 and 12 pounds of chocolate each year; more than 60 percent of all chocolates in America are enjoyed by women
• About 8 billion candy hearts are sold between Feb. 1 and Feb. 14

While most of us are aware that consuming large amounts of candy during this holiday can contribute to a larger waistline, we may not think about how sweets impact our oral health.

Impact of Sweets on Your Teeth

Each time bacteria come into contact with sugar in your mouth, acid is produced, which attacks your teeth for at least 20 minutes. And the bacteria that cause cavities thrive in sweets and sodas. Cavities are caused by tooth decay that destroys the tooth structures and can affect both the enamel and the inner layer of the tooth.

Sweets That are Tough on Your Teeth

Some foods and candies create more problems for your teeth than others, including those that are sticky, dissolve slowly or are sucked, such as lollipops, hard candies, toffee, gum drops, taffy, caramel corn, peanut brittle, dried fruit, chocolate-covered raisins and high-energy sports bars.

Keep Your Teeth Healthy

To maintain good oral health, brush your teeth at least twice a day, use floss daily, eat nutritious foods, limit snacks, including candy, pretzels, and chips, and visit Dr. Steppler regularly for cleanings and exams.

Facts About Sealants

What does it mean if  Dr. Steppler or Kathleen our hygienist tells you your child needs sealants? First of all, it’s an easy procedure with little to no discomfort – no numbing and if any drilling is done, it is minimal. And secondly, it’s one of the best proactive steps you can take to protect your child’s teeth against decay.

What we do is apply a thin coating of plastic or  composite in the grooves on the permanent back molar teeth. These “chewing surfaces” are the most likely places for children, and even teenagers, to develop tooth decay. The sealant or preventive restorative resin coats the tooth and helps keep food particles and germs from getting into the grooves. Think of it as locking down teeth with protective armor against the bacteria that would like to break in and do serious damage. Most sealants are clear, so you can’t even tell they are there, while some are tooth colored. Most children can barely feel the difference on their teeth.

While normally sealants are provided for children as soon as their permanent teeth come in, some adults may need sealants if they never received them as children or are at greater risk for cavities or decay.

Sealants can last for many years. Occasionally, we may need to touch up the sealant on one or two teeth.  But just because your child has sealants doesn’t mean you can slow down with brushing, flossing and fluoride rinsing. Sealants are just one part of a  comprehensive, smart dental prevention plan for growing children.