Are Cavities Contagious? Can You Catch A Cavity Like A Flu?

You can definitely catch a flu. But,

Can you ever catch a cavity?
Yes!

Children are most prone to catching cavities, primarily from the babysitter or from the mother. Additionally, adults, mainly couples are also prone to catching cavities.

So, in this post we will learn about:

The main culprit – “Streptococcus mutans” responsible for the spreading of cavities
How these bacteria spread from a person to another?
Study on the “Factors influencing oral colonization of mutans streptococci among children“
How to prevent the transferring of bacteria from an adult to a child?
As a parent what you must know?
Preventive measures for adults to avoid the spreading of cavities and gum diseases
How can a dentist help?

Contagious Tooth Cavities: The Real Culprits Are Bacteria, Called Streptococcus mutans

Research shows, bacteria that cause cavities can transmit from a person to another. Sugar, candies, and sweets are usually blamed for rotten teeth, but the real culprits are bacteria, called Streptococcus mutans, which are contagious. Just the way a cold virus can pass on from a person to another, cavity-causing bacteria can also move from one to another. They feed on food particles left in your mouth, and the acid they produce eats away teeth. The bacteria/bugs travel easily from person to person.

How It Spreads From A Person To Another?

These bacteria can spread from mouth to mouth via shared food and utensils, sneezing, kissing, and more. Studies has also shown many patients, who have clean, healthy mouths, discover a couple of cavities after entering into a relationship with a partner who has cavities, gum disease or hasn’t been to the dentist in many years.

Food For Thought: As an adult, you’re less susceptible to bacteria spread than children because they haven’t built up immunity yet.

Research On The Spreading Of Streptococcus mutans

A 2007 study found that cavity-causing bacteria was found in the mouths of 30% of 3-month-old babies, 60 percent of 6-month-olds, and more than 80% of 24-month-olds with primary teeth. Most common way bacteria is transferred to infants and children is mom putting the pacifier in their mouth when they want to “clean” it and then put it in their child’s mouth. Another very common way is by tasting the food themselves to make sure it’s not hot before feeding their child, or using the same spoon that mom ate from. This could also be the babysitter or any other person that is taking care of your baby.

Read More: Key factors involved in oral colonization of the cariogenic group of bacteria, mutans streptococci (MS)

How To Prevent Transferring Bacteria From Adult To Child

No sharing food or utensils.
Do not kiss your baby/child on the lips if you have cavities.
Clean your baby’s gums with a wet gauze.
Avoid giving kids sugary juices, especially at bed time.
Teach your kids that there is no kissing on the play ground.
Once they have teeth, use a small baby toothbrush to brush their teeth.
If there is not a way to wash the pacifier, don’t use your mouth to do so.
Teach your child that there is no sharing food or utensils with other kids.

As A Parent, What You Must Know?

The Use Of Power toothbrushes

Until children are about the age of eight they don’t have the manual dexterity to brush all of the plaque off by themselves.

The Use Of Sealants

Prevent four out of five cavities in children under the age of 15. Sealants are clear resin protective coatings for the chewing surfaces of your children’s teeth. Dentists usually start applying sealant as the permanent teeth start coming in but in especially cavity-prone kids, dentists are beginning to apply sealants to the children’s primary (baby) teeth to stop the chain of dental disease even earlier.

Must Follow Oral Care Practices For Parents:

You need to brush and floss regularly.
You need to keep your regular check up and cleanings every 6 months.
Make your children aware about the importance of flossing and brushing.

Tips in preventing spread of cavity and gum infection in an adult:

Chew sugar-free gum between meals.
Good home care: brushing and flossing.
Go to your dentist for regular check up and cleanings.
Make sure your partner does not have cavities or gum disease.

How can your dentist help?

First, your dentist can make sure your mouth is free of decay and infection. After that, there are a couple of preventive measures listed below that are especially effective against these bacteria:

The use of antimicrobial rinses

A prescription rinse like Chlorhexidine can permanently disrupt the cell membrane of these bacteria reducing the levels of bacteria in your mouth thus preventing its transmission to your child or partner.

Fluoride application

Every 6 months your dentist can apply fluoride on your teeth for protection.

Using sealants

Usually applied on the chewing surfaces of permanent molars. Also, if there are cavities, a dentist might go for administering dental sealants to check further ailments.

Xylitol

Xylitol is a non-cavity causing sugar substitute found in some chewing gums that makes it almost impossible for Strep mutans to adhere and cause trouble.

Additional Info on Xylitol

Xylitol may be safely used in foods for special dietary uses, provided the amount used is not greater than that required to produce its intended effect.
Approved under: Code of Federal Regulations Title 21
CITE – 21CFR172.395

Finally,

Paying a visit to your dentist can help you understand and know the reason behind catching a cavity or a gum disease. Since cases can differ from individual to individual, a consultation can greatly help you to get started and grab an overview of the treatment process and its costs. If you are in need of immediate help, feel free to call us today!

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How Searching For ‘Saturday Dentist Near Me’ Can Be Beneficial?

Finding a Saturday dentist in Dallas, TX is not always easy and can provide a challenge, with so many dental offices out there. If there is one in the community you live in, locating him or her should not be that difficult. It is good to know that there is a dental practitioner you can visit on the weekends if you or one of your children develops a pain or has an emergency.

Why Look For a Saturday dentist?

If you take a quick look through the telephone directories available online, you will probably find very few dental providers who are available on weekends. Most tooth doctors work regular hours during the workweek and that is it. It is well worth your time and effort to seek out a dentist who is open on Saturdays. You just never know when a problem could crop up in your mouth and put you in a dental emergency. There are plenty of oral problems that cannot wait for Monday to come around.

Experience The Convenience

One reason to look for a Saturday dentist is because of the level of convenience it offers. While some individuals work shifts or work on the weekends, the Monday to Friday workweek is the most common schedule for the majority of working adults. If yours is a traditional schedule, it can be very inconvenient to book an appointment to have your teeth attended to. You might finish your workday too late to have your teeth examined and cleaned.

Locating a dentist for off hours can offer the convenience that you need, in order so you do not have to rearrange your schedule to squeeze in some time to care for your oral needs.

Complete Peace Of Mind

You want peace of mind when it comes to caring for your teeth by a professional. Some workplaces are understanding and accommodating to their employees when it comes to dental appointments. However, some are not and do not want to give their people time off to take care of their personal needs during company time.

There are some jobs though that make it difficult for employees to leave work early, come in late or take a longer lunch break. If you opt to find yourself and your family a Saturday dentist, you will never have to worry about asking your boss for time off to visit the dental provider.

Saturdays Are Generally Relaxing

The atmosphere of going to a health care provider for your teeth and gums on a weekend is often more relaxed and laid back than that of visiting one during the week. Most people do not relish the thought of sitting in a dental chair on a Saturday because they have so many other things to do, such as errands, shopping, outdoor activities and visiting with family and friends. That paves the way for you to have a more peaceful experience seeing the oral care provider. For those who get anxious when having their mouth examined, going to a Saturday dentist on a day that is not jam packed with other patients can help to reduce the stress.

Finally,

So, have you been hunting for a Saturday Dentist in Duncanville, TX? Dr. Paul Hung – our chief dentist at Village Family Dental of Dallas, TX offers Saturday dentistry services on appointments. If you need to visit Dr. Hung, we request you to schedule your appointment with us at the earliest. For more info, please call us at (972) 780-1919 or write to us through our contact us page. We look forward to seeing you and helping you achieve the smile of your dreams.

When And Why Should You Visit An Emergency Dentist?

Any situation that compels you to visit an experienced emergency dentist can be deemed as a dental emergency. A dental emergency is bound to make you suffer from intense pain and discomfort. Unbearable toothaches and intense pressure on the jaw are some natural outcomes of a dental emergency.

According to a recent report published by the American Dental Association, there are many causes of a dental emergency.

Listed below are some of the common situations when dialing the number of an emergency dental care provider becomes necessary.

Broken Or Chipped Tooth

If your teeth suffer from any kind of shock or injury, then there are high chances for the nerve of your tooth to get exposed. An exposed nerve is highly sensitive to temperature changes, especially to cold. This again can lead to a wide array of diseases in the long run. Thus, if you ever notice that you are having a broken or chipped tooth, you should contact an emergency dentist immediately.

A Severe Toothache

The swelling of the pulp present in the central portion of the teeth results in massive pain in the teeth and jaw. And if the pulp remains swelled for a prolonged period of time, you will face difficulty in performing even the day to day activities of life, including speaking and chewing your favorite food.

Loss Of Dental Filling

Dental fillings play a critical role in covering the cavities of the teeth. But the sad part is, they often come out due to recurrent decay, external injury, and micro-leakage. You will start suffering from massive pain and swelling soon after these fillings come out. Placing the fillings back in position remains the only option, which is not possible without the help of an experienced dentist.

Knocked Out Tooth

If your teeth undergo an accident or any other kind of mechanical injury, then there are high chances for them to get dislocated from their position. It can also leave the temperature sensitive nerve exposed, thereby resulting in intense pain and suffering.

Profuse Bleeding

Periodontitis and low platelet are the two main reasons that result in intense bleeding. If you notice that your gums are continuously bleeding, then you must contact an emergency dentist without wasting any time. A situation like this is a clear case of dental emergency and must be dealt with by experienced emergency dentists.

Severe Gum Infection

Gum infection, such as an Abscess, can severely affect your oral health. Dentists all over the world have concluded the facts that Abscess is a grave dental disorder that severely affects the health of the gums and teeth. Thus, it must be attended without wasting any time.

Therefore, if you are a resident of Dallas, TX, and looking for an experienced emergency dentist who would be able to provide you relief from an acute toothache and bleeding, then your search ends at Village Family Dental. Our highly experienced emergency dentist, Dr. Paul Hung, has been dealing with emergency dental situations for quite some time now and has been providing relief to patients all over Texas.

It doesn’t really matter what kind of dental emergency has left you in pain and worry, our dentist will treat you with utmost care and dedication. You can call us at (972) 780-1919 or send us an email at [email protected] to book an appointment with our experienced dental team. You can also choose to visit us directly at 4041 W Wheatland Rd #202, Dallas, TX 75237, USA to schedule an appointment with our dental team.

Why Is Wisdom Teeth Extraction Necessary?

Wisdom teeth are the third and the final set of molars that appear mostly in late teens or early twenties. There is a common misconception among people that wisdom tooth extraction becomes necessary as soon as they appear. But, the fact of the matter is quite opposite. Wisdom teeth are required to be extracted only when necessary.

We have cited 4 such situations when extraction becomes essential:

When They Are Causing Gum Problems

It has been observed that wisdom teeth often crowd other teeth and cause immense pain and swelling. When wisdom teeth partially erupt, there are high chances that it will crowd the remaining teeth. A partially erupted tooth even causes tooth infection, cysts, or tumors in the gum tissue and jawbone.

According to the dentists, these are serious problems having grave effects on the oral health of the patients. Additionally, a partially erupted tooth creates deep pockets around themselves allowing the disease-causing bacteria to build up. This again leads to infection in the gum and tooth root in the long run.

Their Growth Is Damaging The Neighboring Teeth

Bacterial plaque, calculus, and food particles often get deposited in and around the deep pockets surrounding a partially erupted wisdom tooth. There are high chances of cavity formation in those areas. If the dentists find that cavities have developed in those areas, then there remains no other way for the dentists other than recommending wisdom tooth extraction.

After extraction, the pockets around the partially erupted teeth are cleaned for preventing the spread of decay. In this way, the entire set of teeth is saved from the attack of harmful disease-causing bacteria.

The Position Of The Tooth Is Hindering The Movement Of The Jaw

If the dentists notice that that the position of the wisdom tooth is affecting the movement of the jaw, then they instantly opt for extraction. Sometimes, food particles get trapped under the gum tissue around the wisdom tooth. This leads to immense pain and swelling of the gums.

Dentists in such a situation opt for wisdom tooth extraction in order to relieve patients from such intense pain and worry. Additionally, if they see that the wisdom tooth is scrapping the soft tissues in the mouth, or causing difficulty in chewing, then also they opt for wisdom tooth extraction.

It Is Understandable It Won’t Erupt Fully Or Will Cause Pain

If the dentists understand that the wisdom tooth won’t appear fully or is growing in an opposite direction, then they immediately opt for wisdom tooth extraction. It is done so that it doesn’t come in contact with the opposing tooth.

Dentists say that wisdom tooth moves within the jawbone as they try to erupt. But if the direction of the movement is opposite, or towards the adjacent tooth root, then quite naturally it will lead to immense pain and worry. In order to save the patients from such a situation, extraction remains the only feasible way. They also opt for extraction if they understand that the tooth won’t erupt fully or it will be functionally useless.

Therefore, if you are a resident of Dallas, TX and a victim of immense pain and worry due to a partially erupted or misaligned wisdom tooth, then we, at Village Family Dental can definitely help you out. Our lead dentist, Dr. Paul Hung has immense experience in wisdom tooth extraction and always uses the latest tools and equipment so that the patients don’t suffer from any kind of pain during the course of extraction. Additionally, his staffs are highly trained and have vast experience. You can dial (972) 780-1919 or can send a mail at [email protected] to book an appointment with him. You can also visit him directly at 4041 W Wheatland Rd #202 Dallas, TX 75237.

Why Are Dental Sealants Important?

Dental sealants are also known as sealants. They consist of a plastic material that is placed on the chewing area of the permanent teeth, mainly in the molars and the premolars. Placing a sealant on the molars and the premolars help to remain protected against bacteria and acids responsible for tooth decay.

Before, you go for dental sealants, you should be aware of how sealants can be helpful.

As the doctors suggest, one should always go for thorough brushing and flossing. This cycle helps in preventing deposition of food particles and plaque from the smooth surfaces of the teeth. But, it has to be kept in mind that toothbrushes do not reach everywhere, through the grooves and the depressions to take out every kind of deposition. The fluorides present in your toothpaste helps in protecting the teeth but a dental sealant can add further to the protection.
The chewing areas of the molar and the premolar have grooves. This, in turn, make them susceptible to decay. Moreover, these fissures are often located deep inside and cleaning, therefore, becomes difficult. They are also narrower than even a single bristle of a brush. So, you can imagine, how difficult it is to clean them. Thus, plaque and germs easily accumulate in these areas. Acids coming out of the bacteria attack these portions easily and affect the enamel. Thus cavities can develop. Sealants provide greater protection for these grooved and pitted areas.
Dental Sealants are usually advisable for children as they are more into eating chocolates and other harmful food. They tend to get tooth decay more easily. It is better to wait for their permanent set of molars and premolars to come out which is around the age of 12. The sealants are most effective if they are applied shortly after the occurrence of the permanent molars.

It is not that the sealants can be applied only to the children. They can be designed for patients of all ages as the likelihood of occurrence of fissure or pit development can be in any age group, though it starts from a young age mostly. Other than children, adults can also benefit from dental sealants.

This treatment is a very powerful weapon against cavities and tooth decay. Flossing daily and brushing the teeth at least twice with an appropriately sized toothbrush and approved toothpaste will ensure minimum chances of tooth decay. One should also limit the use of sugary foods, snacks and other junk food. A healthy and balanced diet also helps in having healthy teeth.

But no one can deny the fact that sealants do provide a very good protection against tooth decay. Hence, if guaranteeing a perfect oral health regimen is what you want, you can definitely come and visit us at Village Family Dental of Duncanville. Immense benefits along with world-class services from our doctors is our primary objective. Do call us at (214)643-8146 for a wonderful set of teeth.

Flossing Can Be Effective In Several Ways As It Enhances Your Dental Health

It is a known fact that you might miss cleaning 35% of the surface of your tooth if you avoid flossing. A lot of people don’t consider flossing a mandatory dental habit due to which, the trapped food particles remain stuck in between the teeth and trigger several dental problems with time. Brushing alone won’t be effective enough because flossing is an extremely important part of your oral routine.

We have spoken about the significance of flossing in this write-up today. Let’s understand how the dental habit can be beneficial if done every day

The dental plaque which gets accumulated near or around your gum line can easily convert into tartar which might get quite difficult to remove. But, regular flossing will prevent the emergence of plaque by eliminating the trapped debris. Plaque is one of the main causes of gum disease which can lead to inflammation, bleeding, receding gums, tooth loss and other severe dental conditions. You can prevent such severe oral diseases by flossing every day.

The food particles which get trapped in between your teeth has bacteria which eventually lead to halitosis or bad breath. Not flossing on a regular basis can cause persistent bad breath.

The bristle of your toothbrush might not reach every corner of your mouth due to which your oral hygiene may remain incomplete. But when you slide a floss in between your teeth and move it upwards and downwards, it cleans the area thoroughly. Therefore, brushing alone might not be of any help.

An unhealthy mouth can easily lead to a decayed tooth. Hence, emphasize the importance of flossing. A throbbing toothache can be unbearable if the seriousness of the condition escalates. Thus, pay extra heed to your oral health.

Flossing and brushing twice in a day will definitely enhance your dental hygiene but, along with that, you must also scrape your tongue. Bacteria reside on your tongue as well and a thick coating may form on it if you avoid cleaning your tongue every day. Make sure not to scrape too hard, it may lead to bleeding or other discomforts.

Our adept dentists at Village Family Dental will do their utmost to meet your expectations and also make sure you receive the best possible care. We strongly believe, a beautiful smile can change the entire personality of an individual, therefore, we work towards restoring your teeth.

Contact us today to Schedule your appointment @ (972) 780-1919 .

Know Why A Dental Abscess Could Have An Impact On Your General Health

A dental abscess occurs when the pulp in the teeth which is composed of nerves, blood vessels and tissues get infected and the infection emerges due to debris and dead white blood cells.
It is a pocket of pus that takes place within the tooth and extends to its root tip. An unhealthy mouth can not only trigger dental issues, but also other health problems, likewise, a dental abscess can also have an impact on your overall health.

Here’s How Dental Abscess Can Have an Effect on Your General Health

Any dental disease which is severe could affect your general health and a dental abscess can turn out to be something extremely serious if kept untreated. The infection could have its impact on other parts of your body.

- A dental abscess can cause bacterial endocarditis which means the infection enters the bloodstream to reach the heart lining. Thus, a dental abscess can have a huge impact on your heart.

- The dental disease can even give rise to brain abscess by spreading the infection through the blood vessels so that it reaches the brain.

- Sinus infection emerges when the cavities near the nasal passages become swollen and lead to an excruciating pain. And a dental abscess could be the reason behind sinus infection as well.

- A dental abscess can even be the cause of Osteomyelitis which causes inflamed bones. This can take place if the infection of a dental abscess spreads to the nearby bones. The indications could be nausea, immense pain in the bones or hip, night sweats, fatigue, chills and fever.

- A severe dental abscess can also trigger Ludwig’s angina which takes place on the floor of the mouth. It can develop rapidly and its symptoms could be bilateral lower facial oedema, posterior displacement of the tongue, painful neck swelling, general malaise and fever.

- If the condition of a dental abscess elevates, it can even cause breathing problems and could make swallowing difficult for you.

Here’s How A Dental Abscess Can Be Prevented

Following a proper oral hygiene will restrain your tooth from getting decayed which will further restrict the occurrence of a dental abscess. Follow these steps to prevent a dental abscess.

- Religiously brush and floss twice in a day.

- Clean your tongue every day.

- Replace your toothbrush after every two to three months.

- Cut down on your intake of acidic foods and beverages.

- Don’t skip your dental visits.

Is your dental problem bothering you a lot? Give us a call today at (972) 780-1919 to get it cured or visit our office at 4041 W Wheatland Rd #202, Dallas, TX 75237, USA. We believe in providing class apart dental services to our patients.

Deep Cleaning Can Give Your Oral Health A Boost, Know Its Benefits

Dental plaque emerges due to the bacteria that live in your mouth, it is a sticky film which accumulates near your gum line and makes your teeth look discolored. Plaque can even convert into tartar which becomes quite difficult to get rid of but a deep cleaning treatment can help remove such rigid plaque and tartar.

We will be talking about the advantages of deep cleaning today. Opting for it can help you achieve a healthy mouth and prevent dental diseases.

Dental Deep Cleaning Can Prevent Gum Disease from Occurring

We have already elucidated above that dental plaque can lead to discoloration, but did you know that it can even give rise to gum disease? The early stage of it is called gingivitis which causes swollen and red gums. Your gums may bleed while brushing if the severity escalates. With time, you can even start losing your teeth as the bone that holds them can get damaged. However, a deep cleaning session will hinder dental plaque from forming and prevent gum disease. Therefore, consult your dentist today if you are unable to get rid of dental plaque.

It Can Protect the Mouth from Further Damage

Deep cleaning protects your gums which saves the mouth from several diseases and gives your oral health a boost. However, you must not stop maintaining your dental hygiene after getting done with a deep cleaning treatment. Take utmost care of your mouth to prevent it from getting affected.

It is a Non-Invasive Procedure to Clean Your Teeth

Some of you might be still frightened to visit the dentist, but the level of fear diminishes if the treatment is performed well. Dental deep cleaning is a non-invasive procedure which involves root planning and deep scaling. Thus, you might not face any discomforts during the treatment. Root planing removes the tartar while deep scaling scrapes off the plaque which form below and above the gum line.

Contact us today if you are looking for a dental office which provides free dental consultancies. Get in touch with us at (214) 643-8146. We are situated at 4041 W Wheatland Rd #202 Dallas, TX 75237. Our clinic is open from Monday to Thursday, we are also available on Saturdays.

Scraping Your Tongue Can Enhance Your Oral Hygiene, Know Why it is Important

Bacteria reside in our mouth and feeds on the trapped food particles. These biological cells can escalate with time if you don’t look after your mouth properly. Brushing and flossing are definitely a part of your oral hygiene but, along with that, you must also know the importance of scraping your tongue.

Our tongue is one of the most perfect places for bacteria to reside, they transfer to your teeth and give rise to tooth decay and other oral problems.

Here are some of the primary reasons why you must scrape your tongue every day.

Your Taste Can Improve:

There could be a white layer on your tongue if you don’t scrape it. The food particles, bacteria and dead skin accumulate on the tongue which further affects the taste buds. You might not get the exact taste of the foods that you eat if your tongue is not clean. But, scraping can help improve your sense of taste.

Tongue Scraping Can Prevent Halitosis:

You can also experience bad breath due to the bacteria that harbor on your tongue. Cleaning your tongue every day along with brushing and flossing can help get rid of halitosis.

It Can Prevent Gum Disease

The bacteria on your tongue can also play a major role in triggering gum disease. The initial symptoms could be swollen and red gums which can later turn into something severe called advanced periodontitis. You may end up losing your teeth at this stage. However, scraping your tongue on a regular basis can not only prevent gum disease but, can also restrict the occurrence of several other oral diseases.

Your Overall Health Might Improve

Your dental health has a connection with your overall health. For example, people experiencing periodontal diseases can be prone to heart related diseases. A tongue that is not clean can certainly lead to many dental problems but, the emergence of oral diseases can be restricted if you maintain a proper dental hygiene which also includes scraping your tongue. A clean tongue can play a role in boosting your overall health.

Now that you know how important it is to keep your tongue clean, don’t miss out on scraping it. A clean tongue can do wonders to your oral health as it has several benefits. Also, remember not to scrape your tongue with the bristles of your toothbrush as it might not be of any use. Therefore, you must only use a tongue scraper.

Are you looking for effective and class apart dental services in Duncanville? Then, get in touch with us right away at (214) 643-8146.