Dentistry in Bellevue

Cavities:

 

Regular check ups every 6months for folks without any periodontal disease or tartar build up, and 3-4mo for folks that build tartar or have or have had periodontal changes.

 

Here are some of factors that might be at play:

• Diet — especially sugar. Sugar is bad for your teeth whether you are 7 or 70. When you eat or drink sugar, bacteria in your mouth produce acid. That acid breaks down the protective enamel on teeth, allowing decay. Eating acidic foods, such as citrus fruits, also can damage enamel.

• Dry mouth. It's a side effect of more than 500 medications, including many commonly used by older adults, the dental association says. "Our saliva has a cleansing, anti-cavity effect," Boghosian says.

• Recessed gums. When you are "literally long in the tooth," decay is more likely to reach tooth roots, Jones says.

• Delayed care. Many people lose their dental insurance when they stop working and then stop going to the dentist, Jones says. Dental care is not covered by Medicare; Medicaid coverage varies state to state.

• Cognitive and health challenges. People with dementia may forget to brush or "don't care about it," and caregivers may not take up the slack, Downey says. Lost dexterity and other physical problems also can get in the way of dental hygiene, she says.

Cavity prevention, at any age, means brushing with a fluoride toothpaste at least two times a day, for two minutes at a time, plus flossing and regular dental visits.