What is tooth sensitivity?

Tooth sensitivity is pain or discomfort as a response to hot and cold stimuli. This can be anything from hot foods to cold air.

What causes tooth sensitivity?

Let’s look at the anatomy of a tooth. The strong outer layer of a tooth is called enamel. The more enamel is worn down the more sensitive the tooth becomes. 

There are many factors which could contribute to tooth sensitivity such as:

-brushing too hard

-Acidic foods

-Teeth grinding

-Tooth decay

-Gastrointestinal issues such as GERD

How to care for sensitive teeth?

First and foremost visit a dentist for a full exam. A cleaning and professional exam can help detect any deeper issues which could be causing your sensitivity or any other oral health concerns. Your dentist may recommend fluoride treatments to help protect and rebuild your enamel. They may also recommend alcohol- free mouthwash and a toothpaste specialized for sensitive teeth. Specialized products often have desensitizing ingredients to help block discomfort and limited irritating ingredients. 

Maintaining a strong, consistent oral health care routine at home can do wonders for your oral health. Invest in products which can help rebuild and protect enamel. Practice a healthy diet and try limiting acidic foods. Frankel Dentistry wants to help you achieve and maintain optimal oral health care. Visit us on our other online platforms to learn more about your oral health.

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The post Struggling with Tooth Sensitivity? first appeared on Toledo Dentist News.

There are dozens of habits and behaviors which may contribute to mouth cancer development but we’re here to bring awareness to the signs and help encourage preventative care. Cancer of the mouth may develop due to smoking, poor eating habits, and poor oral hygiene, untreated sores or ulcers and more. 

Did you know at Frankel Dentistry during your comprehensive dental exams performed by our doctors, we take the time to look for any signs of cancer. We will work with you every step to ensure we can provide the best care for your needs. 

Any dentist will tell you smoking can damage not just your lungs but mouth and throat. As a preventative care suggestion, putting a stop to all tobacco products can help limit the amount of carcinogens you are exposed to. We also advise you to establish a strong and efficient oral care routine to promote a healthier lifestyle.

If you have any concerns regarding your oral health or dental health needs please call our Toledo or Maumee office to schedule an appointment today.

The post Oral Cancer Awareness Month first appeared on Toledo Dentist News.

Flossing is the most effective way to remove bacteria plaque and food from in between your teeth. Technique is as important as frequency. Here’s what we know.

-Floss your teeth as least once every 24 hours.

-Do not see-saw back and forth against the gums.

-Pull the floss tight against the tooth.

-Gently slide the floss up and down the length of the tooth.

The patients at Frankel Dentistry have shared a few valuable hints regarding their use of dental floss.

-Find a floss you like. Some of our favorites are Cocofloss, Dr. Tung’s, Glide and Expanding or stretchy floss.

-Use a mirror. Several patients prefer magnified cosmetic mirrors.

-Make it a habit.

-Enjoy a healthier smile.

The post Where is your floss? first appeared on Toledo Dentist News.

A Cafe Mocha to start your morning. A cookie as a mid morning pick-me-up. Lunch. A piece of candy from the bowl on your desk. Another coffee loaded with cream and sugar to get you through the 3 o’clock hour. Dinner. A late night snack.

Yes, too many of us know that routine. But did you know that frequency of when you eat and drink play a larger role in your oral health and the formation of cavities? Sugary foods in particular change the pH levels in our mouths. When we eat or drink, the bacteria in our mouths use the sugar as fuel and produce acid as a waste product. This acid is hazardous to our teeth and can start eating away at tooth enamel in as few as five minutes.

The problem actually gets more complicated. It takes 20 minutes for the saliva in your mouth to fight the acid and return the pH levels to normal. This means that that Cafe Mocha you have been sipping on all morning or that piece of hard candy you have been sucking on all afternoon is constantly feeding the bacteria, causing more acid to sit on your teeth, leading to decay.  YIKES!

But Dr. Frankel has just the tip for you. Rinse with “high quality H2O.” Water helps your body produce saliva. Saliva naturally helps protect teeth and keeps your mouth the acids more neutral (or pH balanced). A balanced mouth is a less than favorable place for bacteria to grow and multiply. Why? Without getting into all the basic chemistry of it, water is neutral on the pH scale. Swishing water in your mouth for 30 seconds and spitting it out allows your body to get rid of nearly 30% of mouth bacteria, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.

Don’t only swish with water, DRINK IT TOO.  For a healthy body, it is recommended that we drink at least 64 oz of water a day. These amount also goes into the formation of saliva. A dry mouth is a place where acid and cavity-causing bacteria flourish, causing not only tooth decay but bad breath. Therefore, be sure that you are drinking enough water daily to keep your pearly whites strong and your entire body healthy. A healthy mouth really does promote a healthy body!

The post pH Balanced? Here is Your 5 Minute Warning first appeared on Toledo Dentist News.

Understanding Bacterial Plaque

The moment you finish brushing, flossing and scraping your tongue it starts up. Even right away, after a professional teeth cleaning when things are feeling smooth and squeaky clean, it begins. The biofilm begins to grow on your teeth. The bacteria move in, colonize and grow. Minimal management requires mechanical removal by brushing and flossing twice a day.

It is Getting Harder by the Day

In the areas you miss with your toothbrush and floss, the sticky biofilm and bacterial colonies not only grow in number and variety, they mineralize. The once easy to remove plaque becomes a hardened layer of tartar or calculus. Layer upon layer builds up until your next dental visit. Sometimes it is visible. Often it is in between the teeth and under the gum tissue.

Stain and More

Some of the bacteria in plaque are green, orange, yellow or even red. Often the rough surface of the calcified tartar or calculus attracts stain from coffee, tea, red wine even dark berries can be the culprit. Smoking leaves its mark. As you count off the days until your next dental visit, keep in mind regularly brushing and flossing can prevent staining.

Food Spoils

Okay this gets pretty disgusting. Chunks of food get stuck in the bacterial plaque. Materia alba once a delectable meal or snack now feed the bacteria. The colonies grow secreting acid and nasty chemicals that eat away teeth and cause inflammation of the gums.

http://youtu.be/KGB3UHeVvSg

The post Wait. What is that stuff on my teeth? Four Oral Health Tips first appeared on Toledo Dentist News.