Eating during the holidays can be hard on more than your waistline; it can also take a toll on your teeth. Patricia Meredith, DDS, joins me now by phone to tell us what foods might not be good for our teeth. Dr. Meredith is a general dentist at in the Department of Hospital Dentistry, located at UI Hospitals and Clinics.
Why are the holidays different from any other time of the year in terms of our teeth?
During the holidays, we may eat foods high in sugar and some particularly sticky foods are not normally a part of our diets. These foods may enhance the possibility of tooth decay or cavities.
Brushing after we eat is always recommend, why is it more important after eating sweets?
Foods high in sugar provide nutrients for the bacteria that cause cavities. Removing sweets from the teeth decreases the chances that these decay causing bacteria can harm your teeth.
Are there certain foods we should avoid, or eat in moderation, to avoid damaging our teeth?
During the holidays there seem to be more hard foods and candies that might break your teeth. This time of year, I typically see several patients with teeth broken on peanut brittle. My advice here is, don’t give up your favorite peanut brittle, just moisten the piece in your mouth a little first to soften it up before your bite down and remember to rinse your mouth with water or chew sugarless gun if you can not brush after eating sweets.
What are the signs or symptoms of a cracked tooth?
A cracked tooth will typically hurt after biting on something hard. It usually does not hurt on its’ own and sometimes it will hurt with chewing for a period of time then stop hurting and start hurting again once you bite on something hard again.
How is a cracked tooth repaired?
Most often a cracked tooth will require a crown otherwise known as a cap.
Traditionally what are the steps taken for a crown?
A traditional crown requires two separate appointments- one to prepare the tooth, make an impression and make a temporary crown and then the second appointment to cement the permanent crown.
I understand there is same-day procedure available in the Department of Hospital Dentistry, how does that work?
We have technology called Cerec 3D. This is a single appointment crown. We prepare the tooth. Then we use a camera to make an image of the tooth. This is like scanning your tooth. We use the scanned image to design the crown on our computer. Then we send the image wirelessly to a unit in our clinic the mills the crown from a block of porcelain.
Who is a candidate for a Cerec 3-D procedure?
Certainly, not every tooth is right for this technology. The best way to find out if your tooth is a candidate is to visit your dentist and have an evaluation.
What makes the Cerec 3D so great?
Cerec technology offers three advantages over traditional crowns. The procedure is all done in one appointment so the patient is only numb once, there is no impression and no temporary to wear.
If someone wants to learn more or make an appointment for a possible crown, who should they call?
Please call Hospital Dentistry in the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. The number is 356-2743.
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