What You Need to Know About Cavities - Part I

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The pain definitely tells us when we have cavities, but few of us understand why we get them. You likely know that poor dental hygiene causes cavities, but do you understand why not brushing or flossing causes cavities?
In order to understand all that's involved in the making of a cavity, you've got to first understand the key players. Those players include saliva, pellicle, plaque and calculus and each resides in the mouth.
Saliva is really important when it comes to protecting teeth and keeping our mouths healthy. Saliva keeps teeth, gums and other tissues inside the mouth lubricated and moist. Saliva helps break food down while eating, and afterwards it washes away some of the bits of food that get stuck on teeth. Saliva also can neutralize acids which lowers the amount present in the mouth. Interestingly, it can even help protect us against certain viruses and bacteria.
If you've ever noticed a slippery feeling on your teeth right after you brush, that's the result of proteins in saliva called pellicle. Pellicle coat teeth after brushing by absorbing into the surface. The pellicle gives teeth an extra layer of protection against decay-causing acids. Unfortunately, bacteria and microorganisms can easily attach to the pellicle and this is actually the stage during which plaque begins to develop.
If you were to look at the white sticky substance on your teeth through a microscope, you'd realize that plaque consists of yeast, microorganisms, bacteria, protozoa, mycoplasmas, white blood cells, food particles, body tissues and viruses.
If people realized that, surely they'd do a better job brushing and flossing! Several hours after brushing is when plaque starts to develop and in just one hour, a good amount will accumulate. If left untouched other microorganisms join the mix, thickening the plaque and turning on its destructive powers.
Bacteria are in the mouth too and they're always present in both good and bad form. The good bacteria help us fight colds and other illnesses. The bad intensify the tooth decaying process. Streptococcus mutans is the worst, producing acid while attaching to teeth. Lactobacillus only can attach to plaque so it doesn't do quite as much damage. Several other bacteria located inside the mouth contribute to tooth decay and periodontal disease.
To summarize, decay begins when bacteria start attaching themselves to the pellicle. Six or so hours later, plaque begins to form. The bacteria present in your mouth produce acids, and these acids, by throwing the pH balance of your mouth out of balance, cause tooth decay. In the case of tooth decay, a process called demineralization begins when the pH level inside the mouth drops below 5.5.
Remember, this chain reaction begins the moment you finish brushing your teeth. But brushing is what continually returns the pH level in your mouth back into the range of 6.2 and 7.0, which is considered neutral. That's why brushing and flossing are so important in fighting tooth decay.

Part II will further elaborate on the importance of a neutral pH level in preventing tooth decay.

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Dr Conant is a general dentist located in Fairfield, CT / Her passion is Smile Makeovers including veneers, crowns and much more! Visit her website at http://www.drconant.com/

Dental Insurance in the United States

http://www.1305dental.com/ Fairfield, CT Dental office -In the United States, dental care is not something that the government offers to all of its citizens. There is government assistance available to those who qualify such as those whose income falls below a certain level and the elderly.
But aside from those few programs, an individual's dental care is either partially or fully covered by an insurance plan. Or, if the individual has no insurance coverage, the individual assumes the responsibility for paying all dental care costs as well as any costs assumed by his or her family.
Available dental care options vary widely and depend on the individual's personal situation. If employed, the employer might offer some type of dental coverage plan. Unfortunately, the cost of providing dental insurance to employees is high and many employers are finding it difficult financially to offer dental coverage as a benefit.
When employers do offer their employees dental coverage, costs typically are shared between employee and employer. Those Americans who are self-employed or whose employers do not offer dental coverage can purchase a dental insurance plan on their own, for which there is generally an associated monthly fee. Or they can forgo the purchase of a dental plan and instead pay all costs for dental services as they are incurred.
There is no general answer to what is covered by a dental plan. What is covered by one dental plan may or may not be covered by another. And while one dental plan might cover 100% of the costs of a particular service, another might only cover 70% with the remaining 30% to be paid for by the patient.
Most dental plans will offer some level of coverage for preventative dental services such as 2 check-ups per year. Services covered at a twice-yearly dental exam typically include cleaning, examination, x-rays and a fluoride treatment.
Under the terms of most dental plans offered in the US, any follow-up work that may be needed as a result of such examination will only partially be covered by the plan. Examples of those services include but are not limited to fillings, crowns, root canals, anesthesia and sealants.
As far as what is not covered by dental plans in the United States, most will not cover any type of service considered cosmetic. That includes such services as teeth whitening, orthodontic work, dental implants and, unless they're deemed medically necessary, crowns.
If an employer is offering dental coverage, the employee will complete the application form at the place of employment. After completing the application the employee will have coverage according to the company's enrollment policy.
If an individual is purchasing his or her own dental plan, the Internet is a good place to start the search. There it's easy to compare the costs and coverage of the various dental plans offered to individuals. Application typically can happen online, or the individual can call a special number to apply. After paying the applicable fees and upon approval, that individual can begin making appointments for dental services.
For more information on this post or other dental health information please contact us at http://www.1305dental.com/ or by calling 203-255-5999