In this post from Future of Dentistry, we are going to review the complexity and importance of your saliva.

Don’t be squeamish! Your saliva is a finely balanced body fluid that not only helps maintains dental health but also helps with the digestion of your food.

So, without further ado, here are the main components of saliva.

• Water. No surprise here! Your saliva is comprised of water, for the most part.
• Enzymes. Enzymes are important biological catalysts that speed chemical reactions. The enzymes in saliva begin the process of digestion.
• Immunoproteins. These are powerful cells that fight invaders, such as bacteria. The immunoproteins in saliva curb the overgrowth of microbes in the mouth. This is crucial for avoiding gingivitis and keeping the appropriate pH balance in the mouth.
• Minerals. Saliva minerals aid in maintaining the protective enamel surface of the teeth.

Most people produce enough saliva, but some suffer from a condition called dry mouth, which is a lack of saliva. Dry mouth can be dangerous to your dental health, so be sure to speak with us if you are experiencing this.

Other factors can affect the quantity and quality of your saliva. These include the food and drinks you consume, as well as medications you take, even over-the-counter meds. Future of Dentistry’s team is always happy to discuss your unique oral care needs and risk factors. At your next cleaning and checkup, please ask us!

Saliva is also a powerful diagnostic tool. Future of Dentistry can use cutting-edge technology to determine whether you’re at risk for HPV-related oral cancers, periodontal disease, and even diabetes. For patients with persistent periodontal disease (advanced gum disease), we offer microbial testing that identifies the root causes of the condition. This allows us to resolve perio disease that doesn’t respond normally to traditional treatment.

At Future of Dentistry, we are committed to the dental health of every patient. Services include general and family dentistry, and cosmetic dentistry. Call us for an appointment today!

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Is an electric toothbrush better than a manual toothbrush for cleaning your teeth? Future of Dentistry recommends electric for most patients, but this article’s focus isn’t on our recommendations. We’re simply taking a closer look at the electric toothbrush.

Electric toothbrushes have been commercially available in the United States since the 1960s. But they first appeared in Switzerland, where they were invented. They caught on quickly, and have come a long way since then. With the modern electric toothbrush, there is a lot of choose from.

Those earliest electric toothbrushes did not have rechargeable batteries; you had to plug them in. That wasn’t really much of an issue, unless you like to walk away from the sink while you brush.

Rechargeable batteries are standard in most modern electric toothbrushes. In fact, they have features that those 1960s inventors probably never dreamed of. Some models have:

• Timers, so you can make sure you brush at least two minutes
• Digital alerts, to remind you it’s time for a new brush head
• Pressure sensors that tell you if you’re brushing too hard
• Multiple brush head capability, so different types fit
• Variable brushing features like pulsing and oscillating capability

Sonic

And then there’s the sonic toothbrush. Sonic toothbrushes take electric brushes to a whole new level. Toothbrush manufacturers consider them a subset of electric brushes, but we think they are in a class by themselves.

Sonic toothbrushes can deliver up to 40,000 strokes per minute. Compare that to an ordinary electric toothbrush, which deliver between 2,500 and 7,000 strokes per minute. That’s quite a difference. For some people, that’s over the top. But people who love them say that sonic toothbrushes out-perform any other type of toothbrush you can find.

When all is said and done, it depends on the person doing the brushing. A manual toothbrush used properly does a fine job cleaning your teeth. But you can always take it to the next level with a standard electric, or even a sonic, toothbrush.Our team has researched many products and we do have a sonic model that we recommend – please ask us if you’d like a suggestion.

At Future of Dentistry we want each of our patients to brush and floss their teeth twice a day. It’s the best way to ensure good dental health. Our services include general and family dentistry, and restorative dentistry. Schedule an appointment with us today!

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Millions of Americans experience tooth sensitivity to one degree or another, causing them to avoid certain foods and beverages. If this sounds like you, please talk to us about it at Future of Dentistry.

People with sensitive teeth are most likely to have problems with temperature. Hot or cold things, like coffee and ice cream, can be really difficult.

There is more than one cause of sensitive teeth, so it’s important to have a proper diagnosis. A common cause is worn tooth enamel. This can expose the dentin just beneath it. Enamel can wear down from using a hard-bristle toothbrush and brushing too aggressively. That’s why we always – repeat, always – recommend using a soft-bristle brush and a light touch.

Other causes:

• Tooth erosion from highly acidic foods and beverages
• Tooth decay
• Receding gums
• Bruxism (tooth grinding)

The treatment for sensitive teeth may involve filling a cavity or replacing a worn filling. If it’s caused by gum loss, you may need a graft.

Many cases respond very well to sensitive-teeth toothpaste. Our practice does extensive research on the best products for sensitive teeth and other needs. Please ask our team for a recommendation. Many people see results within a week or two.

The most important thing is to talk to us about it, at Future of Dentistry. Our services include general and family dentistry, and pediatric dentistry. Call to schedule an appointment today!

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