IT’S TRUE THAT EVERY ASPECT OF OUR HEALTH IS AFFECTED TO SOME DEGREE BY OUR GENES. And yes, some people just seem to be more predisposed to getting cavities. But it’s probably not a matter of “soft teeth” versus “hard teeth.”

“I Do Everything Right And I Still Get Cavities”
Does this sound like you? If so, you’re the rare exception—and although it isn’t typical, we understand. That’s why it’s SO important that you pay particular attention to the basics if you feel you have soft teeth.

You Probably ARE Inheriting Your Oral Bacteria
There’s good bacteria and bad bacteria. That unique mix, in your unique mouth, and how your mouth reacts to that mix may be what you’re really inheriting from grandpa. This video talks about oral bacteria mix or imbalance:

BY THE WAY… If you watched the video above, Josh says, “All you have to do is brush.” Hey Josh… We have one criticism of your video. You need to floss too! When you skip flossing, you’re missing up to 35% of your tooth’s surface area!

You May Have Inherited A Tendency Toward Dry Mouth
Are you a mouth breather? Was everyone who attended last summer’s family reunion a mouth breather too? Our saliva is a critical primary defense against tooth decay. Dry mouth may be a problem you need to be aware of and treat.

You May Be Inheriting A Few Eating Habits
Some of us emulate our parents when it comes to the way we eat. That may include a tendency to snack a lot, an affinity for soft drinks, etc., which may be detrimental to our dental health.

You’ve Probably Inherited An Oral Hygiene Mindset
How faithfully do you brush and floss? How consistently do you schedule regular dental checkups? Do you avoid (or even fear) dentists? How aware are you of the connection between your oral health and whole body health? Often, these things are priorities/attitudes passed by parents to children (consciously and sub-consciously).

We Can Help You Troubleshoot
As you know, we love talking about this stuff. So if you’re unsure why you’re more cavity prone than you should be, let’s visit. We can help figure it out and suggest solutions to keep your mouth healthy.

Before We Go… Just For Fun…

As always, thanks for the trust you place in Stadium Dental Center in Jefferson City, Missouri!

If all our teeth were properly formed and arranged, we’d have a lot less fuss with our teeth. The reality is that for most of us, things go wrong with our teeth for reasons such as wear and tear, disease, trauma, heredity, diet, etc. When such things affect the building blocks of our smiles, dental restorations such as crowns can restore the useful function, toughness, and appearance of lost or heavily weakened or damaged tooth structure. At Stadium Dental Center in Jefferson City, MO, we want you to know your options when it comes to crowns.

What is a crown?

A crown covers (or “caps”) the visible part of a tooth to restore its ideal shape and size, strengthening and improving the appearance of the tooth. People often ask, “Can you just fill the tooth instead of using a crown?” in order to save time and money. Fillings work dependably when enough sides of a tooth are present and strong enough to retain the filling material. When the sides of the tooth are lost or badly weakened, a crown is the longest lasting solution to restoring a tooth to useful function. Crowns can protect weak teeth from fracturing and prevent a cracked tooth from greater damage. They also correct discolored or misshapen teeth for a more visually pleasing smile.

What’s involved in having a crown made?

Receiving a crown usually spans two dental visits in our Jefferson City dentist office. During the first visit we do an examination of the tooth to see how it should be restored and shape the tooth for the crown. If the tooth lacks sides with enough height, a core build-up (sometimes including a post), is done to ensure the crown stays securely on the tooth during normal use. A provisional crown is produced and temporarily cemented on after making an impression or mold of the tooth for the laboratory. Next comes the insertion of the final crown, produced in a laboratory, a couple of weeks later.

What’s a post and core build-up?

We add a filling material to create a more ideal shape for supporting and retaining a crown (core build-up) when decay or fracture shortens or weakens the tooth’s sides. When much of the visible portion of the tooth is missing, a root canal treatment may be recommended to allow use of a small peg or post within the root to retain the buildup supporting the crown.

Will a crown look natural?

It can, depending on the type of crown you choose to have made. A crown can be fabricated from ceramic, from precious metal, or from a combination of ceramic and metal. A ceramic crown can look so much like a natural tooth you’d swear it was the ‘real thing’. The material chosen for your crown depends on location, visibility, wear patterns on the teeth, underlying color, and perhaps other factors, too.

How should I take care of my crown?

Crowns are very tough and durable, but they’re not completely indestructible, so it’s wise to avoid chewing extremely hard foods and ice. Grinding or clenching your teeth can damage either crowns or the teeth they oppose. It’s always advisable to brush twice a day, floss once a day, and visit our Jefferson City dentist office regularly for checkups and hygiene treatment. If you’ve invested in a crown, you want to protect that investment!