If you brush and floss your teeth regularly but still experience tooth decay or problems with your jawbones, you may be deficient in phosphorus. Like calcium and vitamin D, phosphorus is a key mineral for strong teeth. The mineral also plays an important role in keeping your jawbones healthy and functional.
As much as 85 percent of your body's phosphorus content lies in your teeth and bones. You can become deficient in phosphorus if you don't eat a varied diet or if you have a health problem that affects how you absorb or use phosphorus and other minerals.
Here's how phosphorus protects your oral health and what you can do to get the most out of the mineral.
How Can You Become Deficient in Phosphorus?
Different things can affect the phosphorus levels in your body, including a poor or unvaried diet. Although dairy products, meat, seafood and vegetables contain sufficient levels of phosphorus, you can become deficient in the mineral if you don't eat enough of each food group or if you can't eat any of these types of foods.
Most adults over 19 years of age need about 700 milligrams of phosphorus to stay healthy. If you like to eat only one or two particular types of food for meals, such as chicken and broccoli, you might not obtain the milligrams of phosphorus you need each day. Proteins like chicken contain only 157 to 180 milligrams of the mineral per serving.
Conditions like celiac disease that affect how the body absorbs nutrients can interfere with how well your teeth and bones absorb calcium. Calcium needs phosphorus to help it work and absorb into your body. If you don't have enough phosphorus in your body, the calcium you do manage to obtain goes to waste.
It's also possible for your phosphorus levels to be reduced because you receive certain treatments or take certain medications, including diuretics and blood pressure medications. The medications can inhibit or prevent your body from absorbing or using phosphorus, or the drugs can interact negatively with phosphorus.
With the right steps, you can replenish the phosphorus in your body and protect your teeth and gums at the same time.
How Do You Get Enough Phosphorus in Your Diet?
Unless you have a health condition that limits what you eat, you can increase the phosphorus in your teeth and bones by adding more food groups to your daily diet. For example, instead of eating just chicken or beef for meals, try halibut, sardines or another type of fish. You can also opt for protein-based foods like beans and lentils.
Phosphorus is also plentiful in dairy foods, such as cottage cheese and cheddar cheese. You can always combine these foods with strawberries, kiwi and blueberries. If you have a health condition or take a medication that affects how you absorb or use phosphorus and calcium, ask your doctor for advice on what to eat.
Also, see a dentist about your tooth decay or jawbone problems. Cavities can become worse or lead to tooth loss, even in adults. Jawbone conditions like temporomandibular joint disorder can potentially lead to pain, inflammation and problems with eating.
A dental provider may be able to fill your cavities or place crowns on your teeth. The treatments restore and protect your teeth from future decay. If the decay is too bad, a dentist may perform a root canal treatment on your teeth.
To treat temporomandibular joint disorder, a dental provider may ask you to wear a mouth guard at night. The guard stabilizes and prevents pain in your jawbones. If necessary, a dentist may surgically repair the damage to your jaws.
You can learn more about phosphorus and why your teeth and jaws need it by contacting Wasson Family & Cosmetic Dentistry for an appointment.
As much as 85 percent of your body's phosphorus content lies in your teeth and bones. You can become deficient in phosphorus if you don't eat a varied diet or if you have a health problem that affects how you absorb or use phosphorus and other minerals.
Here's how phosphorus protects your oral health and what you can do to get the most out of the mineral.
How Can You Become Deficient in Phosphorus?
Different things can affect the phosphorus levels in your body, including a poor or unvaried diet. Although dairy products, meat, seafood and vegetables contain sufficient levels of phosphorus, you can become deficient in the mineral if you don't eat enough of each food group or if you can't eat any of these types of foods.
Most adults over 19 years of age need about 700 milligrams of phosphorus to stay healthy. If you like to eat only one or two particular types of food for meals, such as chicken and broccoli, you might not obtain the milligrams of phosphorus you need each day. Proteins like chicken contain only 157 to 180 milligrams of the mineral per serving.
Conditions like celiac disease that affect how the body absorbs nutrients can interfere with how well your teeth and bones absorb calcium. Calcium needs phosphorus to help it work and absorb into your body. If you don't have enough phosphorus in your body, the calcium you do manage to obtain goes to waste.
It's also possible for your phosphorus levels to be reduced because you receive certain treatments or take certain medications, including diuretics and blood pressure medications. The medications can inhibit or prevent your body from absorbing or using phosphorus, or the drugs can interact negatively with phosphorus.
With the right steps, you can replenish the phosphorus in your body and protect your teeth and gums at the same time.
How Do You Get Enough Phosphorus in Your Diet?
Unless you have a health condition that limits what you eat, you can increase the phosphorus in your teeth and bones by adding more food groups to your daily diet. For example, instead of eating just chicken or beef for meals, try halibut, sardines or another type of fish. You can also opt for protein-based foods like beans and lentils.
Phosphorus is also plentiful in dairy foods, such as cottage cheese and cheddar cheese. You can always combine these foods with strawberries, kiwi and blueberries. If you have a health condition or take a medication that affects how you absorb or use phosphorus and calcium, ask your doctor for advice on what to eat.
Also, see a dentist about your tooth decay or jawbone problems. Cavities can become worse or lead to tooth loss, even in adults. Jawbone conditions like temporomandibular joint disorder can potentially lead to pain, inflammation and problems with eating.
A dental provider may be able to fill your cavities or place crowns on your teeth. The treatments restore and protect your teeth from future decay. If the decay is too bad, a dentist may perform a root canal treatment on your teeth.
To treat temporomandibular joint disorder, a dental provider may ask you to wear a mouth guard at night. The guard stabilizes and prevents pain in your jawbones. If necessary, a dentist may surgically repair the damage to your jaws.
You can learn more about phosphorus and why your teeth and jaws need it by contacting Wasson Family & Cosmetic Dentistry for an appointment.
Gingivitis is a periodontal disease that affects your gums. It's a condition that roughly half of adult Americans have. When left untreated, it can cause infection, loss of gum tissue, and dental problems.
Knowing whether you have gingivitis or not can greatly affect your oral health. If you brush regularly and floss as often as you should, you are doing your part to keep periodontal disease at bay. Here are signs you have gingivitis, and what you need to do about it so your symptoms do not return.
Knowing whether you have gingivitis or not can greatly affect your oral health. If you brush regularly and floss as often as you should, you are doing your part to keep periodontal disease at bay. Here are signs you have gingivitis, and what you need to do about it so your symptoms do not return.
Changes in Your Gums
Gingivitis is caused by excess plaque on the teeth that has been left to harden. As the germ-laden plaque hardens on your teeth, it creeps into your gum line where it has a safe, hard-to-reach area to breed bacteria. Simple brushing does not make gingivitis go away once it is present, and your gums will react to the infection. Changes in your gums that can indicate periodontal disease include:
- Swelling
- Bleeding
- Pain when brushing
- Dark red, purple, or black gums
If you can gently push on your gums and cause them to bleed or they are painful to the touch, call your dentist right away for an oral exam. Gingivitis should be treated as soon as symptoms appear to reduce the amount of permanent damage the disease can have on your gums.
Changes in Your Teeth
As gingivitis progresses, it can cause changes in your teeth. Your gums react to infection by swelling and then pulling away from the infectious site, which is typically the root base of your teeth. As a result, your teeth may suddenly appear longer or with more exposed roots.
Your teeth may also start to appear discolored, being a darker hue on top and lighter at the base. This can be caused by a receding gum line just recently exposing fresh tooth enamel to the surface. Call your dentist right away if you notice your teeth becoming more prominent at the roots or if you have dental nerve pain. These are indicators that your gums and tooth base may be suffering from gingivitis or a more serious gum disease.
Your teeth may also start to appear discolored, being a darker hue on top and lighter at the base. This can be caused by a receding gum line just recently exposing fresh tooth enamel to the surface. Call your dentist right away if you notice your teeth becoming more prominent at the roots or if you have dental nerve pain. These are indicators that your gums and tooth base may be suffering from gingivitis or a more serious gum disease.
Changes in Your Breath
Infection that is breeding in your gums will cause your breath to become foul. You may even notice a bitter or sour taste in your mouth soon after brushing. If you find yourself self-conscious about your breath or you taste a bitter aftertaste in your mouth after eating, swallowing, or even brushing your teeth, gingivitis may be to blame.
A quick test you can do at home to test your breath is this: press a finger lightly to your gum line and pull your finger away. The pressure should release saliva from the impact that is flavorless and odorless. If you smell decay or taste foul spittle instead, then you may have gingivitis.
A quick test you can do at home to test your breath is this: press a finger lightly to your gum line and pull your finger away. The pressure should release saliva from the impact that is flavorless and odorless. If you smell decay or taste foul spittle instead, then you may have gingivitis.
What You Can Do About It
The best way to prevent gingivitis is to receive regular dental care. The most important part of gum health is professional cleaning, which should be done twice a year. Floss regularly by placing a dental floss under each tooth's root base to remove plaque before it hardens.
If you have gingivitis or periodontal disease, your dentist will want to do a deep cleaning of your teeth. This often involves numbing your gums so a hygienist can use a special tool to chip out hardened plaque and remove all signs of infection safely and comfortably. The process is typically performed over multiple visits to avoid over-taxing your mouth with this intensive cleaning.
Your dentist can give you further assistance in keeping gum disease at bay. At Wasson Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, your oral health is our first priority.
If you have gingivitis or periodontal disease, your dentist will want to do a deep cleaning of your teeth. This often involves numbing your gums so a hygienist can use a special tool to chip out hardened plaque and remove all signs of infection safely and comfortably. The process is typically performed over multiple visits to avoid over-taxing your mouth with this intensive cleaning.
Your dentist can give you further assistance in keeping gum disease at bay. At Wasson Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, your oral health is our first priority.
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Cracking a tooth is a painful and frightening ordeal. While your teeth are designed to put forth a lot of pressure, they can still get cracked or chipped with just the right amount of force. You can crack a tooth on a hard piece of food or even ice.
When you crack a tooth you may notice a sharp, stabbing pain. This is likely your tooth's roots and nerves being exposed to the air, which can be quite shocking. When you crack a tooth, it is important to know what to do until you can get to a dentist to avoid further injury. Here is a guide to help you.
Evaluate the Damage
If your tooth simply cracked on a piece of food or you lost part of a tooth that was already rotting, then you can simply apply ice to the area to reduce swelling and pain.
If your tooth was damaged due to an accident or head/face trauma, then you should see a medical doctor or go to the emergency room right away. You want to address all bodily damage in addition to your lost or fractured tooth.
Drop the portion of or whole tooth into a solution of saline, saliva, or milk to preserve it and take it with you to the medical care center.
Drop the portion of or whole tooth into a solution of saline, saliva, or milk to preserve it and take it with you to the medical care center.
A dental emergency is very serious. Call your dentist right away if you are experiencing severe pain, vomiting, dizziness, or other problems after chipping or cracking a tooth.
Keep the Area Clean
It's important that you keep the area clean after you chip, crack, or break a tooth. You do not want bacteria or debris getting into your tooth or gums, which can make the damage worse and cause infection. Do the following to keep your mouth clean until you can get to the dentist:
- Rinse with equal parts water and hydrogen peroxide
- Rinse with salt water
- Pack the affected area with clean gauze
Make sure to rinse after every meal and consult with your dentist
about how to brush your teeth until you can have your damaged tooth looked at.
Manage Your Pain
A cracked or broken tooth often comes with a lot of pain or swelling in the gums. To manage your pain at home until you can get to the dentist, place an ice pack over your cheek next to the affected tooth for a few minutes at a time, repeating several times a day.
You can also manage pain with an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen. Some home remedies you can place directly on the affected tooth include fresh crushed garlic or clove oil.
When using home remedies to manage your tooth pain, watch out for signs of infection that require immediate medical care, such as ongoing fever, swelling in the face or neck, ear or cheek pain, or a foul taste in the mouth. Discontinue use of home remedies and seek emergency medical care or call your dentist for an emergency appointment if you notice any of the above symptoms.
When you crack or chip a tooth, it is best to know how to immediately deal with the situation to avoid further injury or pain.
After you call your dentist to make an appointment, take care of your mouth by keeping your wound area clean. If you encounter worsening pain or other severe symptoms, seek emergency care immediately at your local hospital or clinic.
For all your dental needs, reach out to us at Wasson Family & Cosmetic Dentistry. We are able to treat all kinds of dental conditions and put your comfort and health first.
Breaking a tooth is a fear many people have. Be it in your sleep or at the dinner table, breaking a tooth an unfortunate accident. If you break a tooth, there are actions you can take to treat it.
Warm Water Rinse
For immediate pain relief, to wash away any residue, to clean the tooth to prevent infection, and to reduce pain and swelling, rinse your mouth with warm water.
Stop the Bleeding
If your tooth or mouth is bleeding, apply pressure to the area with a clean gauze pad. Be sure that there are no medical emergencies associated with the broken tooth (i.e. a busted lip).
Ice It
To continue to relieve the pain and reduce swelling around the broken tooth, place an ice pack on your face where the pain is.
Cover the Tooth
It’s important to keep the broken tooth and the gums around it from infection. Cover it with a dental cement (found at most drug stores) or a piece of sugar-free chewing gum.
Discontinue Use
It’s important to stop using the tooth. Do not chew with that tooth, or even that side of the mouth. Try to consume only liquids or soft foods until the tooth is repaired.
Take a Pain Reliever
You will most likely experience some pain or discomfort after breaking a tooth. Take an over-the-counter pain reliever to remedy this.
Call your dentist
Immediately call your dentist to schedule an emergency appointment. A broken tooth can lead to an infected tooth or gum area.
Wasson Family & Cosmetic Dentistry provides emergency dental care
to the Arden, North Carolina, area. We have after-hours services to treat your maladies. Call us at 828-247-2815 to seek help for your dental emergency.
Teeth bonding
works to cover gaps to provide you with a more even and aesthetic smile. It is an alternative to procedures, such as porcelain veneers.
Natural Feel and Look
The resin used in teeth bonding feels and looks much like your natural teeth. With the proper care, including avoiding staining foods and drinks and daily dental hygiene, teeth bonding lasts a long time and does not stand out against your natural teeth.
Simpler Procedure
Compared to procedures like applying porcelain veneers, teeth bonding is much simpler and there is less trauma to the teeth due to fewer steps in the process. There is also less preparation before bonding so you will spend less time at your dentist.
No Metal Used
Teeth bonding uses a dental resin to bond and does not use metals as part of the process. In fact, there are no potentially toxic materials, such as mercury, used as part of teeth bonding.
Stronger Teeth
Teeth bonding can help to strengthen the teeth. The bonding resin is strong and hard, helping to make the teeth it bonds more stable.
If you want to maintain a healthy and aesthetic smile, teeth bonding is an option. To learn more about the reasons to consider teeth bonding, call Wasson Family & Cosmetic Dentistry at 828-274-2815.
Your dentist may recommend dental crowns for various reasons. You may have a weak tooth that needs to be held together. The tooth may have a large filling that the natural tooth structure cannot contain. Perhaps you needed a root canal along with the filling. Your tooth may also have become highly discolored or you may simply wish to have a crown for cosmetic purposes.
What Are Crowns?
Crowns are fixed prostheses that are cemented onto existing teeth to cover damage so that the teeth are protected, and their appearance is improved. There are several types, including porcelain, ceramic, resin and stainless steel.
The First Appointment
In the first phase of the procedure, your dentist examines the affected tooth to ensure that it can support a crown and then files it down in preparation for a new crown. An impression of the tooth is made and sent to a dental lab, which makes the crown. You will have a temporary crown in place until the final crown is ready.
The Second Appointment
The dentist removes the temporary crown and replaces it with the new crown. An adhesive is used to fasten the crown to the tooth. The dentist checks your bite and may need to make minor adjustments.
Crowns are made to handle normal activity, such as chewing, biting and grinding. They will look, feel and work like a regular tooth over time. To learn more about what to expect when getting a dental crown , call Wasson Family & Cosmetic Dentistry at 828-274-2815.
Crowns are made to handle normal activity, such as chewing, biting and grinding. They will look, feel and work like a regular tooth over time. To learn more about what to expect when getting a dental crown , call Wasson Family & Cosmetic Dentistry at 828-274-2815.
Teeth whitening
can give you the confidence you need to move through life at a speed you are comfortable with. When you beam a smile at the right person, it makes the right impression and can improve your life significantly. Simply put, the right smile opens doors that were previously closed.
Whiter Teeth Mean Success for Many
People think twice about others who have damaged smiles. It may hurt the success of an adult depending on how they are judged for the health of their teeth, but it will be a factor for many. Caring for your teeth means caring about and for your potential success in life.
Never Forget, Starting off Teeth Whitening is Simple
If your life is nonstop, you can consider the option of whitening your teeth at home. A more professional job can be done at your preferred dentist’s office, however. You can also continue the whitening process at home after receiving a jump-start from a professional.
Whitening Will Help You in Life
If you are here and are ready for the teeth whitening process, it is worth it and may very well be to find out more. To get the information you are looking for, call Wasson Family & Cosmetic Dentistry at 828-274-2815.
Dental offices are becoming more high-tech with each passing year, and that technology can have a positive impact on your next visit. Do you want to know more about what changes have been made or may be on the horizon? Here are some of the latest trends to upgrade your dental care.
Dental Implants
General dentists and specialists alike are offering dental implants more frequently as an alternative to traditional bridgework as well as partial and full dentures. Implants are used as a replacement for lost teeth, and can work well with a patient’s remaining or healthy teeth. A dentist would need to evaluate patients for this treatment because it may not be an option for everyone.
Updated Software
Some offices have gone to software and even apps that make it easy for patients to update their medical histories or schedule appointments. These apps provide another opportunity for people who are on the go but still want to make sure they receive regular dental care.
CAD/CAM Technology
With computer-aided digital images, your dentist can create a more accurate impression of the oral structures than with a customary and messy impression. This technology can also be used to manufacture crowns in the office, usually with only one appointment.
These and other new technologies are making dental visits easier and more comfortable for many patients. If you want to know more about dental services contact Wasson Family & Cosmetic Dentistry in Arden.
At Wasson Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, we are dedicated to improving your total health through dentistry. Because of the overwhelming evidence that oral health and total health are connected – the mouth is part of the systemic whole – it’s important to understand how food affects your teeth and gums.
Food is not just sustenance, not just fuel and certainly not just a diversion. Food nurtures and heals. So the type of food you eat affects your health and well-being. The right foods help you feel energetic, sleep better and prevent sickness.
Generally, good nutrition is beneficial for oral health as well as total health. Fill your diet with fresh produce, nuts and seeds, legumes, lean meats and whole grains. These contribute to a more alkaline state in the body, which defends against bacteria and inflammation.
Avoid food with artificial preservatives, artificial sweeteners, food coloring, high-fructose corn syrup, refined sugar, refined flour and partially hydrogenated oils. These contribute to a more acidic state in the body, which increases bacteria and creates inflammation.
This list of 10 superfoods for great oral health will benefit your mouth. But they’re also good for the rest of you!
- Kiwi. Most fruits contain vitamin C, which is vital for the health of your gum tissue, but kiwis contain the highest amount. Without vitamin C, the collagen in your gums breaks down; the gums become tender and more susceptible to the bacteria causing periodontal disease.
- Cheese. High in phosphate and calcium, cheese helps balance the pH in the mouth, killing bacteria and preserving tooth enamel. This prevents cavities and gum disease.
- Celery. As a crunchy vegetable made mainly of water, chewing celery produces saliva, neutralizing the bacteria streptococcus mutans that causes cavities. It’s also a naturally abrasive food that massages gums and cleans between teeth.
- Green Tea. Enjoyed for centuries in Asia, green tea contains catechins that kill the bacteria leading to plaque while preventing gum disease and cavities. It also inhibits the growth of bacteria leading to bad breath.
- Sesame Seeds. High in calcium, sesame seeds preserve the bone around the teeth and gums. They also help slough off plaque while helping build tooth enamel.
- Onions. Onions have powerful antibacterial sulfur compounds, making them terrific for oral health. They are strongest when eaten fresh and uncooked.
- Shiitake Mushrooms. These mushrooms contain lentinan, a naturally occurring sugar that prevents mouth bacteria from forming plaque.
- Raisins. Sweet and tasty, raisins contain phytochemicals like oleanolic acid that inhibit two species of oral bacteria to prevent cavities and gum disease.
- Sweet Potatoes. Along with carrots, pumpkin and broccoli, sweet potatoes have high amounts of vitamin A, which is essential for tooth enamel formation and promotes healing of gum tissue.
- Water. Water is as effective as mouthwash at swishing away stuck particles and residue from teeth. It also keeps your gums hydrated while stimulating saliva – the best defense against bacteria.
