Saliva Protects teeth

Saliva protects teeth against cavities more than we thought

Mucus which is part of the 0.5% of saliva that is not water - contains salivary mucins, compounds that actively protect teeth from damage by the cavity-causing bacterium Streptococcus mutans, according to a new study.

The researchers found that salivary mucins do not alter levels of S. mutans nor kill the bacteria over 24 hours. Instead, they keep the bacteria suspended in a liquid medium, and this in turn reduces their ability to form biofilms on teeth.

Why Regular Dental Cleanings Are Important

So, some people don’t exactly enjoy going to the dentist on their scheduled 6 month intervals but what some people don’t realize is how crucial it is. It’s as necessary as seatbelts in your car. Regular visits to the dentist could save a lot of time and money by catching and avoiding health issues early. Here are a few imperative reasons to keep your biannual appointments.

1. Cleans Teeth

            This one is a no-brainer, but no matter how much you may brush or floss you can’t get rid of all the gum destroying plaque between your teeth and near your gumline. Regular checkups mean that the plaque and tartar buildup are properly removed in addition to stains from coffee, tea and tobacco. Polished teeth feel and look good and thats important to dentists and patients.

2. Bye Bye Bad Breath

            No one likes to get a whiff of death breath. Make sure you’re not the one emitting that awful odor with a cleaning. A regular cleaning will get bad breath under control and if not, a dentist can determine the underlying cause to manage and cure the issue.

3. Overall Physical Health

            Gum disease is linked to heart disease, pancreatic cancer and even strokes. Professional cleanings will keep your teeth and gums healthy and could reduce the risk of these major diseases.

4. Early diagnosis of Oral Health Issues

            Tooth decay, gum disease and oral cancer can easily be caught and prevented if discovered early. Tooth decay leads to extremely painful dental problems and gum disease is one of the leading causes of tooth loss in adults. These inflictions are avoidable and seeing a dentist may very well save your life!

Regular dental checkups are essential to maintaining your oral as well as overall physical health. Problems can be detected early and you can avoid the pain and costliness of letting an undetectable minor problem fester and grow into a major health issue. Whether or not your visit ends with a life-saving treatment or simply a filled cavity, walk out of your dentists office with brilliant pearly whites!

Healthysmile360

Dr. Michael Mostofi

Aliso Viejo Dentist