Have you ever had a tooth cavity? Hurts...right?!

Have you ever had a tooth cavity? Hurts...right?!

Most people will be unaware of a cavity forming in their tooth.  The earliest signs of a cavity will be a small chalky white spot on the surface of their tooth. This is where tooth enamel is demineralizing and is referred to as a white spot lesion, or "micro cavity".

In some cases, at this early stage, cavities can be reversible, but left untreated, the white spot will quickly progress and turn brown. This is indicative of the demineralization process and in some cases can rapidly occur.

At this point, your tooth enamel and dentin become destroyed and the cavity will be more noticeable. The affected areas of the tooth change color and become soft to the touch. 

Once the cavity reaches the nerve, most people will know they have a cavity!

What are the signs of a cavity?

• pain or sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures.
• sensitivity to sweet drinks
• toothache
• tender when biting down or applying pressure to the tooth
• bad breath

Below is a photo montage that shows the rapid progression of a tooth cavity.

How to prevent tooth cavities

Some of this goes without saying.... proper hygiene is a huge factor.

• Oral hygiene - daily brushing and flossing!
• Change your diet! Cut down on sugary drinks, eat foods high in calcium
• use a fluoride toothpaste
• Visit your dentist twice a year for routine preventative dental exams

Always remember that your oral health directly affects your overall health. A good dental routine will help make you have a healthy smile!

It's that time again! Back to School…Get an A+ on Dental Health

It's that time again! Back to School…Get an A+ on Dental Health

As a kid, i hated the middle of August. It was time for my parents to point out that i was hitting the books soon and going back to school. I would have to follow along while we went "back to school shopping" for school supplies, new clothes, new shoes and everything my parents could think of to make me ready to get off the couch and back to the classroom.

One thing, looking back that would have made perfect sense, would be to also schedule in a dental visit. Routine dental checkups, should be scheduled twice a year and your dentist will not only clean your child’s teeth but also do a thorough screening for any problems. Any dental issue that is caught early can usually be fixed quickly which will eliminate the need for costly dental procedures and possibly prevent any larger dental issues.

Dental checkups should be a routine not a once in a while task

Having a family dentist who can monitor your children’s teeth as they grow is essential for dental health. They can suggest areas for improvement and can give you the tools to maintain and improve your child's oral health. During your child’s dental checkup, we will review any dental and medical history and then examine the teeth, jaws and oral tissue. The teeth are then cleaned and polished and a fluoride solution is applied.

Teaching your kids how to take care of their teeth is as easy as  1..2..3~

It’s very important to teach your children great dental hygiene habits at an early age. This will help instill dental routines and will better equip them for a lifetime of  good oral health. Most people don’t know that good oral health greatly improves your overall health. 

Make sure your children:

1.  Know when to replace an old or worn out toothbrush. Toothbrushes, when worn out are not as effective at cleaning teeth and can also carry bacteria.
2. Floss…floss….floss. Flossing should follow brushing and should be a daily part of your child’s healthy dental routine. Make it fun…have your kid count how many teeth they have while flossing or get use the flossing dental pics to make it an easier task but try to make this a daily habit.
3. Mix it up….try a different flavored toothpaste each month. there a re many new brands that have kid-friendly flavors and bright colors. 

Good dental Habits will improve your child’s overall health and give them a lifetime of great smiles!

Please schedule your visit today at my Philadelphia Dental office: 215-627-1995

check out my website for more info: Philadelphia Dentist, Dr. Richard Eidelson

*For more tips and interesting articles checkout my google+ page

Cavity Prevention: Toothbrush, Floss & Red WIne?

Cavity buster!

I just read an article that made me happy! I know that there are health benefits to drinking red wine that include fighting heart disease - but did you know that researchers have found that red wine helps fight off bacteria that can cause cavities?

WOW!

Apparently, from the article provided by the American Chemistry Society, researchers grew cultures of bacteria most responsible for common dental diseases as a biofilm. They tested under realistic conditions by dipping the biofilms in different liquids for several minutes. They tested red wine, with and without the alcohol, red wine including grape seed extract and water.

The comparison produced amazing results!
Red wine either with or without the alcohol as well as the wine with grape seed extract were the most effective at getting rid of the bacteria. Good news for the 60-90% of people globally who encounter dental issues.

Tonight i plan to brush my teeth, floss and enjoy a nice merlot….not necessarily in that order ;-)!

For my established patients and perhaps new patients, i can't stress enough the importance of a regular dental checkup which includes a thorough teeth cleaning. Please refer to my dental hygiene page on my website for more information and schedule an appointment with Heather!

Are women more likely to get routine dental care than men?

Not sure why, but yes, women are more likely to get their routing checkups and dental exams than men. I recently read an article that they are 33% more likely receive preventive dental care, such as regular checkups. WOW. 

So who were the other groups that were less likely to go to the dentist on a regular basis? 

• people with no dental insurance
• smokers

It is a fact that dental care increases overall health. Maybe all Americans should take the queue

 of women and get routine dental care!

My staff includes great detail hygienists who do a full, thorough and gentle job of making sure your teeth and gums are healthy and clean. Please schedule an appointment and take care of your smile! 

;-)

Dentist in Philadelphia provides fast results for perfect smiles

I met someone recently who had to have a tooth removed. She went to a dentist in the suburbs of Philadelphia and had to wait nearly 2 months to have a custom bridge made. At my office, I try to provide my patients with the fastest care available.

Many dentists have to use outside labs to create custom dental bridges and implants. At Philadelphia Main Street Dental, we actually have an on-site lab. We use 3-D computer generated views of your teeth to create a perfect dental match. Some procedures are done on the same day or next day, limiting your discomfort.

Please visit our  dental office on South Street in center city Philadelphia to learn about the state of the art procedures we provide.

professional teeth whitening - do i need it?

With so much information at our fingertips, it's hard to get an objective overview of  the effectiveness of
teeth whiteners. Just visit your local drugstore or grocery store…there are so many different teeth whitening products!

You may be aware of over the counter teeth whiteners readily available, but did you know that many teeth whitening products are sold purely through marketing hype? Some products will guarantee a whiter smile in x amount of days, with little or no verification or proof of success to back up that claim.

So what should you do if you want a whiter smile? Trust that your dentist can give you an honest assessment of the many different opinions as well as addressing the benefits or concerns of whether that product is the best option for you.  Remember… some teeth whitening products have no definitive proof of actually working... or worse, they can be too abrasive and actually damage to your teeth and tooth enamel.

I have tried many different teeth whitening products over the years and have stuck with what i consider the most effective, safe and affordable options for my patients. If you want fast and proven results, then professional teeth whitening done by your dentist, is the best option for you.

Our dental office uses an advanced technology called "Zoom!" -- in one session you will see immediate results that will last longer than over the counter products and are absolutely safe for your teeth and gums.

Call our office today at: 215-627-1995 OR check out our current teeth whitening specials!

Curious about how you might look with a brighter smile? Check out this link to a teeth whitening simulator

Should Sugary Drinks & Soda have a Warning Label?

I just saw a video that said the state of California is wanting to add warning labels to all sugary drinks and sodas which will warn consumers of tooth decay risks and obesity among other health risks.

What do you think?

I have seen videos and tests done on soda showing it erode metal on contact. It is a no brainer when you see that! What is it doing to your teeth and stomach? Food for thought.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/videos/661470.htm