Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

Baby teeth aren’t built to last into adulthood. They are naturally weaker than their adult counterparts, which is what makes them so susceptible to tooth decay. That’s why children are more likely to get cavities than older individuals. It’s important to practice good dental hygiene with your children, including infants. Otherwise, they are at risk for Baby Bottle Tooth Decay. Drs. Joseph Dallessandro and Jiah Choi provide dental services for the entire family. Contact our office in Upper New York, NY, to learn more.

 

Baby Bottle Tooth Decay begins as all cavities do, with a surplus of oral bacteria. This is often caused by high sugar intake levels. The cause is right in your child's bottle. The American Dental Association recommends only giving your infant breast milk, formula, or regular milk. Do not fill bottles with sugary drinks like juice, soft drinks, and sugar-water. Older children should drink water. It naturally contains fluoride, a cavity-combating chemical.

 

It’s suggested that you don’t give your child access to a bottle in their crib or bed. This creates moisture in the mouth, leading to Baby Bottle Tooth Decay. Giving them clean pacifiers is also important. Don’t dip them in sugary substances like honey.

 

An infant’s parents, especially the mother, are big sources of bacteria. It is often transferred through the mother's saliva. This is done by sharing food or improper pacifier cleaning. Abstain from all unnecessary mouth-to-mouth contact.

 

Schedule your child’s first dental appointment with Drs. Joseph Dallessandro and Jiah Choi. We offer family-friendly services in the Upper New York, NY, area. To schedule an appointment, visit our website or call 212-988-1089.

Cavity Development

A cavity is a form of tooth decay that develops over a course of time. In this time, the patient likely didn’t practice adequate oral care, visit a dentist, or has a diet that is high in acidity and added sugars. Cavities are permanently damaged areas on the hard surface of your teeth that develop into tiny openings or holes. The best form of prevention is to visit Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro twice a year for an oral exam and routine cleaning.

Though cavities are common in children and teens, they can develop in adults, too. Cavities are caused by a combination of factors, including bacteria in the mouth, frequent snacking on junk food, and not brushing and flossing on a daily basis. To prevent cavities, it’s important to pay attention to the teeth by brushing at least twice a day for two minutes and flossing at least once a day. If you experience a toothache, pain when you bite down, or tooth sensitivity, give us a call.

If you have questions or concerns regarding tooth decay, dental health, or cavity prevention, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.josephdallessandro.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro in our New York, NY office, call 212-988-1089.

Why Sugar Is Bad For Teeth

Sugar has many labels – glucose, fructose, sucrose – but they all mean the same thing. It should be no secret that sugar is bad for your teeth, but Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro, DDS is here to explain why. Sugars are the main culprit when it comes to cavity development. This is because when sugars are ingested, acidity levels rise which can be too much for tooth enamel to handle, thus leading to the dissolution of enamel and dentin, causing cavities.  

Sugar takes on many forms and it can be found in almost anything. Without getting into too much detail, sugar is bad for teeth are because it creates acids that break down tooth enamel. Dr. Dallessandro doesn’t expect patients to give up sugar cold turkey, but there are replacement options. Take small steps by switching to sugar-free chewing gum and try to work your way up to reducing your sugary beverage intake.

If you have questions or concerns about dental health, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.josephdallessandrodds.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro, DDS in New York, NY, call 212-988-1089.

Water Benefits Teeth

Water keeps us hydrated and without it, we wouldn’t be able to survive. Saliva is the mouth’s primary defense against tooth decay and water replenishes saliva with every sip. By drinking more water, especially if it contains nature’s natural cavity-fighter – fluoride – this will protect you from dry mouth and tooth decay. Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro, DDS is here to give you more reasons to drink water.

Saliva is made up of 99% water. When we are low on saliva, our mouths will begin to feel dry and uncomfortable. This condition can make it hard to swallow and chew because saliva washes away leftover food. Water also washes away acids that have been left behind on the teeth that may cause cavities. Water doesn’t wreak havoc on your teeth like sugary beverages do. Sugar provides no nutritional value for dental health, but water provides many.

If you have questions or concerns about dental health, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.josephdallessandrodds.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro, DDS in New York, NY, call 212-988-1089.

Seal out Cavities with Sealants

Dental sealant is a thin, plastic coating painted on the chewing surfaces of teeth – usually the back teeth (premolars and molars) – to prevent tooth decay. At the dental practice of Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro, our staff applies dental sealants as a barrier to prevent cavities in pediatric patients. Though cavity prone adults can benefit from sealants too, the likelihood of developing pit and fissure decay begins early in life, so children and teenagers are primary candidates.

Although thorough brushing and flossing can remove food particles and plaque from smooth surfaces of teeth, they cannot always get into the grooves of the back teeth to remove the food and plaque. Sealants protect these vulnerable areas from tooth decay by “sealing out” plaque and food. The sealant acts as a barrier, protecting enamel from plaque and acids. As long as the sealant remains intact, the tooth surface will be protected from decay.

If you think you may benefit from dental sealants, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.josephdallessandro.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Joseph S Dallessandro in our New York, NY office, call 212-988-1089.