Tooth-colored restorations have been used in dentistry for a long time. Several variations of these materials have been used in front teeth for many years. The newest generation of tooth-colored filling materials (resins) is also used to restore cavities in back teeth. This is especially true when the restoration would be easily visible when you talk or smile. The use of silver amalgam filling materials in small- to medium-sized restorations is declining. These posterior (back) tooth-colored resins can be expected to last for several years. A reasonable estimate at this time is approximately 10 to 12 or more years. Longevity of the resin fillings (and silver fillings) is a function of the position and size of the filling, the care the patient gives it, and the foods the patient eats...

Bacteria are the culprit in periodontal disease. Imagine you’re in a jungle. It’s warm and moist and there is plenty to feed on. It is also crawling with hundreds of diverse species of living beings. Many are harmless and some are even beneficial to the environment. However, one group can be described as predators, attacking their immediate environment and wreaking havoc far and wide. To stop the wild beasts, you need weapons. What should you grab? A toothbrush and floss. Okay, we’re not talking about the Amazon Rain Forest, we’re talking about your mouth, but it really is a jungle in there...

Teeth begin forming in children very early in life, as early as the first month of the second trimester of pregnancy. That is why it is so important for pregnant women to follow a proper diet. It is not only to have a healthy baby, but to ensure the proper formation of the teeth. When the hard tissue (the future enamel) of the tooth is forming, minerals and nutrients are taken up by the teeth and incorporated into the structure of the enamel. Good nutrition makes the teeth stronger. Poor nutrition can interfere with proper enamel formation. Eat wisely. Consult your physician about needed vitamin supplements and before taking any medications...

Most adults can expect to have 32 teeth. The four third molars, or “wisdom” teeth, are often extracted because they do not grow into the mouth well or there is not enough room for them to remain in proper alignment. It is very unusual to have wisdom teeth replaced. But the other 28 teeth are needed. Your mouth, jaw, and body developed together over millions of years. They are designed to operate together at peak efficiency. When you lose a tooth, the efficiency decreases and function suffers...