Enamel Erosion

Tooth enamel is the hard, outer surface of the teeth that protect against tooth decay and protect the nerves located underneath. Tooth enamel is considered the hardest mineral substance in the body, but this doesn’t mean that it’s indestructible. Regardless of strength, enamel can be eroded by sugars and harmful acids that attack the teeth when we consume food and beverages. Once enamel is gone, it won’t return, and Dr. Christopher Emuedue at Greenville Family Dentistry will need to take measures to restore it.

A common clue that enamel has eroded is increased sensitivity to taste, textures, and temperatures, as well as cracks, chips, or discoloration. Enamel erodes because of the food and beverages we eat, particularly, sugary, starchy, and acidic foods. This is why we encourage patients to put away the soda and sip on H2O because water cleans the mouth with every sip and protects enamel in the process. If you suffer from tooth sensitivity, Dr. Emuedue can suggest a few techniques to reduce the pain.

If you have questions or concerns regarding oral care or dental health, please give us a call.  To learn more about regular dental cleanings and all the services we provide at our practice, visit www.greenvillefamilydentistrytx.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Christopher Emuedue at Greenville Family Dentistry in Greenville, TX, call 903-455-6701.

Childhood Check-Ups

We highly value children’s preventive care at Greenville Family Dentistry. Everyone should get dental check-ups twice a year, but it’s especially important for children to keep up their oral hygiene. The consequences for them are particularly bad if they don’t.

Children are the primary demographic to suffer from cavities or caries, the little zones of decay in tooth enamel. Cavities are also the most common illness among children. Decay in both permanent and baby teeth is painful, making it a big problem for the child’s overall health. Young children suffering from tooth aches may have delays learning to speak. They also may avoid eating and be unable to sleep, leaving them tired and irritable in school and unable to concentrate on their lessons.

Cavities are easy to treat if they are caught soon enough, but through regular oral hygiene, they can be avoided entirely. If cavities are allowed to progress, however, the child may need replacement crowns or root canals. Regular dental check-ups also allow us to determine whether the child will need extractions or orthodontics in the future.

Dr. Christopher Emuedue operates Greenville Family Dentistry at 7215 I-30, Suite B, Greenville, Texas, 75402. To schedule an appointment, call 903-455-6701 or visit GreenvilleFamilyDentistryTX.com and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Sugar and Teeth

Dr. Christopher Emuedue of Greenville Family Dentistry can provide patients with a list of benefits that water gives teeth, but when it comes to sugar, there are none. Sugar plays a harmful role in tooth decay because sugar contains acid that attacks tooth enamel. It’s not the sugar itself that does the damage, but rather the chain of events that occur after consumption. Allow us to explain.

There’s a constant battle of bacteria that occurs in the mouth on a daily basis. This is because the teeth are frequently under attack by acids. When you consume sugar, the sugar latches onto tooth enamel, though saliva washes the sugar away, these acids can linger. We encourage you to reduce sugar intake to prevent cavities. Keep your mouth as clean as possible by brushing at least twice a day, flossing and least once a day and visit our office at least twice a year for dental checkups.

If you have questions or concerns regarding dental health, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.greenvillefamilydentistrytx.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Christopher Emuedue at Greenville Family Dentistry in Greenville, TX, call 903-455-6701.

Tooth-Colored Fillings

A composite filling is a tooth-colored plastic and glass mixture that Dr. Christopher Emuedue at Greenville Family Dentistry uses to restore decayed teeth. Composite resins, or tooth-colored fillings, provide good durability and resistance to fracture in small to mid-size fillings that need to withstand moderate pressure from the constant stress of chewing. They are an excellent choice for people who prefer that their fillings look more natural.

Many people are more conscious about the way they look, therefore they don’t want silver fillings that show when they laugh or smile. It generally takes longer to place a composite filling than it does for a metal filling and that’s because composite fillings require the tooth be kept clean and dry while the cavity is being filled. Composites bond to the tooth to support the remaining tooth structure, which helps prevent breakage and insulate the tooth from excessive temperature changes. Although no filling lasts forever, maintaining a proper oral hygiene routine can help your filling live up to its maximum potential.

If you have further questions about the type of fillings we offer, give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.greenvillefamilydentistrytx.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Christopher Emuedue at Greenville Family Dentistry in Greenville, TX, call 903-455-6701.

How to Prevent Tooth Decay

Tooth decay is the destruction of your tooth enamel, the hard, outer layer of your teeth. Hundreds of different types of bacteria live on our teeth, gums, tongue and other crevices in the mouth. Some are helpful, but some can be harmful such as those that play a role in the tooth decay process. At Greenville Family Dentistry, we want our patients to know that good oral and dental hygiene can help you avoid cavities and tooth decay.

When a tooth is exposed to acid frequently – for example, if you frequently eat foods or drinks containing sugar and starches – the repeated cycles of acid attacks cause the enamel to continue to lose minerals. This will cause a white spot to appear if the minerals have been lost. When this happens, this is a sign of early decay.

You can help prevent tooth decay by following these tips:

• Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.


• Clean between your teeth daily with floss or an interdental cleaner.


• Eat nutritious and balanced meals and limit snacking.


• Visit us at Greenville Family Dentistry for professional cleanings and oral examination.

If you need assistance maintaining your oral hygiene routine, give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.greenvillefamilydentistrytx.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Christopher Emuedue at Greenville Family Dentistry in Greenville, TX, call 903-455-6701.

Fluoride Facts

Here at Greenville Family Dentistry, we can provide patients with fluoride treatments to help protect our patient’s pearly whites. Fluoride is commonly called nature’s cavity fighter and there’s a good reason for this. Fluoride helps prevent tooth decay by making the entire tooth surface more resistant to acid attacks from the bacteria that live in the plaque on your teeth. Fluoride also promotes remineralization, which aids in repairing early decay before a cavity forms in the tooth. Here at Greenville Family Dentistry, we can provide patients with fluoride treatments to help protect those pearly whites.

Fluoride is found naturally in soil, water, foods, and several minerals. When present at the right level, fluoride in drinking water has two beneficial effects: preventing tooth decay and contributing to healthy bones. The type of fluoride we use here at Greenville Family Dentistry is called topical fluoride. Topical fluoride is applied directly to and absorbed by the surface of the teeth. It can be found in personal oral hygiene products such as toothpaste and mouth rinses, or may be applied as a foam or gel after a professional cleaning.

If you have further questions about fluoride treatment, don’t hesitate to give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.greenvillefamilydentistrytx.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Christopher Emuedue at Greenville Family Dentistry in Greenville, TX, call 903-455-6701.

What is a Cavity?

 

We all know that when we hear the word “cavity” that it isn’t necessarily a good thing, but what is it? Dental cavities, also referred to as caries, are holes in the teeth caused by the destruction of your tooth enamel. Two main factors contribute to cavities – bacteria in the mouth and a diet high in sugar. Here at Greenville Family Dentistry have a variety of options to fill cavities when they arise, however, we’d prefer that they didn’t. Here is how you can prevent your teeth from decay.

The most important thing you can do for cavity prevention is schedule checkups with your dentist regularly. Getting professional teeth cleanings and regular oral exams can spot them early and help prevent problems. You should also avoid foods and beverages that are high in sugar. If you don’t you should at least brush soon after eating them. Good oral and dental hygiene can help you avoid cavities. Brush your teeth at least twice a day and ideally after every meal, using fluoride containing toothpaste. To clean between your teeth, floss or use an interdental cleaner to reach where your toothbrush can’t. 

For more information about dental hygiene or how to schedule an appointment with Greenville Family Dentistry of Greenville, TX, call us at 903-455-6701 or visit our website, www.greenvillefamilydentistrytx.com. 

We all know that when we hear the word “cavity” that it isn’t necessarily a good thing, but what is it? Dental cavities, also referred to as caries, are holes in the teeth caused by the destruction of your tooth enamel. Two main factors contribute to cavities – bacteria in the mouth and a diet high in sugar. Here at Greenville Family Dentistry have a variety of options to fill cavities when they arise, however, we’d prefer that they didn’t. Here is how you can prevent your teeth from decay.

The most important thing you can do for cavity prevention is schedule checkups with your dentist regularly. Getting professional teeth cleanings and regular oral exams can spot them early and help prevent problems. You should also avoid foods and beverages that are high in sugar. If you don’t you should at least brush soon after eating them. Good oral and dental hygiene can help you avoid cavities. Brush your teeth at least twice a day and ideally after every meal, using fluoride containing toothpaste. To clean between your teeth, floss or use an interdental cleaner to reach where your toothbrush can’t.

For more information about dental hygiene or how to schedule an appointment with Greenville Family Dentistry of Greenville, TX, call us at 903-455-6701 or visit our website, www.greenvillefamilydentistrytx.com.