Author: PM Blogger

This post from Jeff Gray DDS | Espire Dental in La Mesa CA is about dental health and tooth decay. Your mouth has a thriving community of bacteria. There are from 200-300 types, but most don’t cause tooth decay.

Bacteria that cause tooth decay are in the mutans streptococcus family. The bacteria mix with sugar to create a powerful acid. The acid reduces the calcium in tooth enamel.

When the bacteria remains on teeth, it produces a yellowish substance called plaque. Plaque is brutally effective at drilling into tooth enamel and causing cavities. Minerals in saliva and fluoride help enamel re-mineralize.

The tooth decay bacteria can spread through saliva. People in close contact with one another are at risk. Sharing spoons or kissing are two avenues. Mothers, fathers, siblings, and caregivers can actually give the bacteria to babies.

Young children whose teeth are forming are at a heightened risk of decay. Daily oral hygiene, a healthy diet, and fluoride protect young teeth.

At Jeff Gray DDS | Espire Dental in La Mesa CA, we want all our patients to have healthy teeth and gums. People throughout San Diego, Alpine, El Cajon, and Santee come to us for comprehensive general and restorative dentistry. Contact us today!

Contact Jeff Gray DDS – Sedation & Cosmetic Dentistry:

619-337-7700

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

8555 Fletcher Pkwy Ste 102
La Mesa, California
91942

 

In this post from Jeff Gray DDS | Espire Dental in La Mesa CA, we address the unpleasant topic of halitosis, also known as bad breath.

While poor dental hygiene is the most common cause of halitosis, many factors can contribute to it, or even make it worse. One of these is the lack of saliva, or xerostomia.

Saliva and Oral Health

One of the functions of saliva is moistening the teeth and gums and removing odiferous dead cells. Saliva also neutralizes the ever-present acids on the tongue, gums, and cheeks and the minerals in saliva help to maintain enamel stability.

Immunoproteins in saliva curb the overgrowth of microbes in the mouth, thereby shielding the gums from gingivitis. Saliva also functions as a disinfectant by cleansing the mouth of leftover food, bacteria, and fungi. This protects against cavities and infections.

Most of us have a dry mouth now and then, like when we’re anxious or under stress. Limiting caffeine, chewing sugar-free gum, using over-the-counter saliva substitutes, and using a humidifier can add moisture to the mouth.

If you have occasional periods of dry mouth, there is probably nothing to worry about. Constant dry mouth, however, can result in additional oral and physical health problems.

If you are coping with either condition, be sure to tell us at Jeff Gray DDS | Espire Dental in La Mesa CA. We’ve helped patients throughout San Diego, Alpine, El Cajon, and Santee discover the source and guide them on treatment. Our services include general and restorative dentistry. Contact us today!

Contact Jeff Gray DDS – Sedation & Cosmetic Dentistry:

619-337-7700

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

8555 Fletcher Pkwy Ste 102
La Mesa, California
91942

 

Ever get something stuck between your teeth? Of course you have. At best, something stuck between your teeth is bothersome, especially if it takes a long time to remove it. At worst, it is painful, and a situation that requires professional attention, like what we provide at Jeff Gray DDS | Espire Dental in La Mesa CA.

Some people have narrow and tight spaces between their teeth. They seem more susceptible to getting things wedged in there. It can cause pressure and discomfort, and even pain.

Before you head to our office, there are some things you can try at home to dislodge what you have stuck between your teeth.

Tips

• It may be tempting, and it may even seem like it would work. But never use a sharp object to try to pry out something stuck between your teeth. Repeat, never. That includes toothpicks. You run the risk of damaging your gums, or even your teeth.
• Rinse your mouth out vigorously. Use lukewarm saltwater. You may need to repeat several times, but this is often enough to loosen whatever is stuck.
• Dental floss, especially waxed, is excellent for getting things from between teeth. Waxed floss slides easily into tight spaces. If it won’t go in, do not force it. Floss picks with tight strands of floss are useful. Also useful is tying a tiny knot into the floss, to snag the object and free it. But again, never force things.

If these methods don’t work, give us a call. At Jeff Gray DDS | Espire Dental in La Mesa CA, we have the tools and skills to help you out. We specialize in general and restorative dentistry, and have helped patients from San Diego, Alpine, El Cajon, and Santee. Contact us today!

Contact Jeff Gray DDS | Espire Dental:

619-337-7700

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

8555 Fletcher Pkwy Ste 102
La Mesa, California
91942

 

Toothaches happen. The best way to prevent them is to keep your teeth and gums healthy and clean. That means brushing and flossing twice a day, avoiding the sugary stuff, and having regular dental checkups. But they still happen sometimes, and when they do, see us at Jeff Gray DDS | Espire Dental in La Mesa CA.

Toothaches may be characterized by a dull ache, or by throbbing and a sore, tender mouth. If something prevents you from getting to our office right away, there is short-term relief available to keep the pain at bay.

Here are some tried-and-true home remedies for a toothache:

1. Cold Compress: An ice pack can do wonders to dull pain, especially when there is swelling. Another option is a bag of frozen vegetables (peas are really good because of their size). Hold it against the outside of your cheek just above the painful tooth. Alternate between several minutes on and several minutes off.
2. Saltwater Rinse: Dissolve a teaspoon of salt into a glass of warm water, then swish it around your mouth for about half a minute. Then spit it out. A salt water rinse can loosen debris stuck in cavities and can reduce swelling. Repeat the rinse as often as you like.
3. Garlic: Seriously, garlic. It might sound like hocus-pocus, but garlic has been used for medicinal purposes for centuries. It contains allicin, which has natural antibacterial properties. You can chew a piece of garlic or put diced bits on the tooth. Obviously, the downside is the smell!
4. Painkillers: Aspirin or ibuprofen can provide temporary relief from a toothache. There are plenty of brands to choose from. If you decide on aspirin, swallow it. Some people think, erroneously, that placing aspirin directly on the tooth will help. It won’t, and could even hurt the inside of your mouth.

Of course, the sooner you get professional treatment, the better. And the best thing is to get to Jeff Gray DDS | Espire Dental in La Mesa CA as soon as possible. We provide toothache relief and other general dentistry options. Patients from San Diego, Alpine, El Cajon, and Santee also come to us for dental implants. Schedule an appointment today!

Contact Jeff Gray DDS | Espire Dental:

619-337-7700

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

8555 Fletcher Pkwy Ste 102
La Mesa, California
91942

 

Your teeth can last a lifetime. With a few daily precautions and regular checkups at Jeff Gray DDS | Espire Dental in La Mesa CA, you’ll go a long way toward making sure they do.

If you do any of the following, we recommend that you stop:

• Chewing sugared gum all day. Cavities, a sore jaw, or compromised bridgework may result. If you must chew, select gum with Xylitol.
• Drinking soda and energy drinks. These sugary, acidic beverages are immensely efficient at eroding enamel.
• Chewing ice or hard candy. Your enamel is quite hard. But so are ice and hard candy, and head-to-head, occasionally they win, resulting in a cracked tooth.
• Skipping flossing. Maybe you think brushing is enough. Following brushing with a careful flossing job cleans away fragments of food and plaque between teeth.
• Using a firm bristled toothbrush. A soft bristled brush is the best tool for the job. Save your firm brush for cleaning the grout around your bathtub.

At Jeff Gray DDS | Espire Dental in La Mesa CA, our family dentistry will help keep your teeth and gums in excellent condition. People from San Diego, Alpine, El Cajon, and Santee come to us for regular checkups and for cosmetic and general dentistry. Request an appointment today!

Contact Jeff Gray DDS – Sedation & Cosmetic Dentistry:

619-337-7700

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

8555 Fletcher Pkwy Ste 102
La Mesa, California
91942

 

The condition known as dry mouth is fairly common, and has some equally common causes. It can be really uncomfortable, and is connected to several other dental conditions. At Jeff Gray DDS | Espire Dental in La Mesa CA, we want our patients to know: dry mouth is not a lost cause!

Common Causes

The medical term for dry mouth is xerostomia, which is pronounced zero-STO-me-ah. it can have a range of reasons, so our team has put together a list of the most common ones.

• Medications: It’s a common side effect of some drugs, which is a really good reason to read the labels.
• Lifestyle Choices: Physical exertion coupled with improper hydration can result in dry mouth. So can smoking or chewing tobacco, and alcohol. That includes alcohol-based mouthwash; another good reason to read labels.
• Aging: Estrogen, for example, drops in women after menopause, which may be linked to dry mouth.
• Asthma: Inhalers can result in dry mouth. So can mouth breathing, which is often seen in people with asthma.
• Type 2 Diabetes: Dry mouth is, in fact, a symptom of Type 2 diabetes.

Dental Problems Caused By Dry Mouth

One of the key functions of saliva is washing food debris from the mouth, and fighting the bacteria that cause cavities. A reduced saliva flow leaves you vulnerable to several dental problems. We have listed them below, so you can stay informed.

• Tooth decay.
• Gum disease.
• Difficulty swallowing.
• A condition called burning mouth syndrome.

The most obvious solution to dry mouth is to drink more water. That often does the trick, but not always. You can also avoid salty foods, beverages with caffeine and/or alcohol, and smoking.

Another good idea is to try artificial saliva. You can find it in most drug stores, and it comes in several forms, including an oral spray, swabs, dissolving tablets, and gel.

Above all, be sure to tell us about it at Jeff Gray DDS | Espire Dental in La Mesa CA. We can make a recommendation that is best for you. People from San Diego, Alpine, El Cajon, and Santee trust us with their dental health, and come to our office for general and cosmetic dentistry. Request an appointment today!

Contact Jeff Gray DDS | Espire Dental:

619-337-7700

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

8555 Fletcher Pkwy Ste 102
La Mesa, California
91942