Dr. Sarah Brent DDS and the team at KC Family Dental are pleased to provide professional and caring dental services to their patients from Fairway KS, Kansas City, Roeland Park, Prairie Village, Mission, The Plaza, Mission Hills, Shawnee and the surrounding communities. Our dental services include: adult, children's, cosmetic, family, general, implant, laser, orthodontic, preventive, restorative and sedation dentistry.
Below is an excerpt from an article found on MouthHealthy.org Is the satisfying fizz of your favorite sparkling water putting you at risk for tooth decay? Because any drink with carbonation-including sparkling water-has a higher acid level, some reports have questioned whether sipping sparkling water will weaken your tooth enamel (the hard outer shell of your teeth where cavities first form). So, Is Sparkling Water Affecting My Teeth? According to available research, sparkling water is generally fine for your teeth-and here's why. In a study using teeth that were removed as a part of treatment and donated for research, researchers tested to see whether sparkling water would attack tooth enamel more aggressively than regular lab water. The result? The two forms of water were about the same in their effects on tooth enamel. This finding suggests that, even though sparkling water is slightly more acidic than ordinary water, it's all just water to your teeth. Tips for Enjoying Sparkling Water-and Protecting Your Teeth
Sparkling water is far better for your teeth than sugary drinks. In addition, be sure to drink plenty of regular, fluoridated water, too-it’s the best beverage for your teeth. Water with fluoride naturally helps fight cavities, washes away the leftover food cavity-causing bacteria feast on and keeps your mouth from becoming dry (which can put you at a higher risk of cavities).
Be mindful of what’s in your sparkling water. Citrus-flavored waters often have higher acid levels that does increase the risk of damage to your enamel. Plan to enjoy these in one sitting or with meals. This way, you aren’t sipping it throughout the day and exposing your teeth over and over again to the slightly higher level of acid it contains.
Sparkling water brands with added sugar can no longer be considered just sparkling water. They are a sugar-sweetened beverage, which can contribute to your risk of developing cavities. So remember-sparkling or not-plain water is always the best choice.
“Laughing gas,” the name by which most people know nitrous oxide sedation, is regularly used to provide a more comfortable treatment environment. Inhaled through a mask, this type of sedation permits you to take in the medication by simply breathing and then induces a state of relaxation. Local anesthetic will be given in addition to nitrous oxide in most cases. And it wears off quickly enough to allow you to drive yourself home afterward. KC Family Dental Sarah Brent, DDS 4034 Shawnee Mission Parkway Fairway, KS 66205 Kansas City (913) 220-2209 KCFamilyDental.com
Some patients may not realize that the loss of even one tooth can allow your other teeth to shift and move around. Tooth roots stimulate the growth of healthy bone in the jaw, so as soon as that tooth is gone, bone begins to deteriorate. The post of an implant acts similarly to how the original tooth did, retaining that healthy bone. Filling that space helps prevent the loss of additional teeth. You know that “sunken” look people often get as they get older? This is due to that missing bone, as well as the missing teeth. So getting dental implants can help you keep your fresh young look longer! Plus, the crown placed on the implant can be created to look so natural next to your original teeth that even a dentist would have to look very closely to tell the difference. KC Family Dental Sarah Brent, DDS 4034 Shawnee Mission Parkway Fairway, KS 66205 Kansas City (913) 220-2209 KCFamilyDental.com
Keeping your teeth clean, smooth and beautiful... Proper oral hygiene is your key to a healthy, beautiful smile. Here are our and the American Dental Association's recommendations for at home care:
Brush 2-3 times every day with a flouride toothpaste (it doesn't matter which brand)
Floss once a day
Eat a healthy diet (fruits, vegetables, etc)
Limit consumption of sugary foodsand beverages. Soda drinks can destroy teeth faster than almost anything else
Eliminate or at least limit use of alchol, chewing tabacco, and cigarettes
We also recommend using an electric high-speed toothbrush in conjuction with a waterpik for your daily at-home oral care. And don't forget six-month professional cleanings and checkups. The American Dnetal Association recommends checkups every six months for those ages four and older. Professional cleanings by qualified hygienists will remove bacteria and plaque, which can cause serious dental problems if not kept in check. If you have not been seen recently call our office for an appointment!
Lately, there has been a lot of talk about flossing and if it is good or not! Kind of reminds me of coffee, some studies say is good for you and others say it isn't. Our dental office believes that flossing is beneficial to a person's general oral health. Our staff is trained to address the issues of proper flossing to our patients on an individual need basis. We promote many different tools used to effectively and safely clean between the teeth. If you are concerned with the recent news reports, please give our office a call to schedule an appointment. We will be happy to review your concerns and make sure you are properly caring for your teeth.
Is the satisfying fizz of your favorite sparkling water putting you at risk for tooth decay? Because any drink with carbonation-including sparkling water-has a higher acid level, some reports have questioned whether sipping sparkling water will weaken your tooth enamel (the hard outer shell of your teeth where cavities first form).
Nitrous Oxide Sedation
Some patients may not realize that the loss of even one tooth can allow your other teeth to shift and move around. Tooth roots stimulate the growth of healthy bone in the jaw, so as soon as that tooth is gone, bone begins to deteriorate. The post of an implant acts similarly to how the original tooth did, retaining that healthy bone. Filling that space helps prevent the loss of additional teeth. You know that “sunken” look people often get as they get older? This is due to that missing bone, as well as the missing teeth. So getting dental implants can help you keep your fresh young look longer! Plus, the crown placed on the implant can be created to look so natural next to your original teeth that even a dentist would have to look very closely to tell the difference.
Proper oral hygiene is your key to a healthy, beautiful smile. Here are our and the American Dental Association's recommendations for at home care:
Lately, there has been a lot of talk about flossing and if it is good or not! Kind of reminds me of coffee, some studies say is good for you and others say it isn't.