Dental fillings are used to seal the gaps in your teeth to prevent further infection. However, some materials may work better than others, as an article over Health24 states:

“New findings by researchers from the SYSTEM Initiative based in Wits University’s Department of Community Dentistry/Faculty of Health Sciences indicate that there is no evidence that high viscosity glass-ionomers are inferior to silver amalgams.

This has challenged the supremacy of silver amalgams in dentistry and the widely held believe that these amalgams make better and more lasting tooth fillings than high viscosity glass-ionomers.

Experts have for decades spoken out against dentists’ choice to use of glass-ionomers instead of silver amalgam or composite resin materials for load bearing posterior tooth restorations. But their beliefs have been based on clinical evidence that, when closely examined, holds little scientific weight.”

Utahns, as anyone else, may need a bit more information about the filling materials that may work best for their teeth. The state has its own health program administered by the local Health Department offering support for many procedures. If you decide to push ahead with having your teeth sealed up with fillings but don’t know which material is optimal, an expert Sandy Dentist like Alpenglow Dental’s Dr. Brandon Woodward will work it through with you.

Aside from the above two, dental fillings also may comprise gold alloy and resin composite. Amalgam fillings have been previously certified by the Food and Drug Administration as safe for patients at least six years of age, despite having a small percentage of mercury mixed in with tin and copper.

High-viscosity glass ionomer fillings are used for load-bearing posterior cavities in permanent teeth. In determining the notability of glass ionomers vis-à-vis amalgam fillings, the researchers scoured for information from English and foreign-language databases around the world. The conclusion reached was that using glass ionomers do not need drilling for filling application, making it easier to retain existing filling material.

Plugging gaps in your teeth is essential to prevent further infection. A dentist from Sandy from the Alpenglow Dental crew, for instance, can make the procedure as safe and comfortable for you.

(Article Information and Image from Glass-ionomer fillings not inferior to amalgams, Health24, 9 January 2014)

Most people know that our early ancestors suffered from tooth decay because they had yet to realize ways to preserve good oral health. Surprisingly, however, one of the main reasons why tooth decay was accelerated in those times was because of all the nuts they ate. An article from Smithsonian Magazine explains further:

“… As people grew more plants around 10,000 years ago, the thinking went, they ate more fermentable carbohydrates and created a favorable oral environment for Streptococcus mutans, a type of bacterium that delights in causing tooth decay. Now, however, new evidence has emerged to refute the idea of hunter-gatherers with pearly white teeth. Thanks to a diet high in nuts, some hunter-gatherers’ rotten breath and cavity-filled teeth rivaled those of their agriculturally-inclined descendants.”

Most people try their best to see their family dentist in Salt Lake City once every six months. Although that practice greatly helps preserve good oral health, there are a few common habits that surprisingly reverse all the good a dentist has done for a person’s teeth. Some of these habits include:

Alcohol Consumption

Consuming alcohol is bad for your teeth because of its acidic nature. Wine is particularly bad because it is made from grapes (an acidic fruit), and has the tendency to stain teeth.

Consuming too much of any type of alcohol ruins your teeth in more ways than one. When you throw up, your teeth are exposed to hydrochloric acid that weakens tooth enamel.

Immediate Brushing

The ideal is to brush your teeth after every meal. However, dental experts like Dr. Faerber from Alpenglow Dental in South Jordan, Utah warn against brushing immediately after a meal because your teeth have been weakened by the acidic properties of the food you just consumed. Brushing too early can cause your toothbrush to scrape away the softened enamel. Dental experts recommend waiting at least 30 minutes after eating before brushing your teeth.

To maintain good oral health, be sure to follow extra good oral hygiene habits like flossing and gargling antiseptic mouthwash. Also, see a family dentist in South Jordan or Salt Lake City once every six months for proper cleaning.

(Article Information and Image from Hunter-Gatherers Ruined Their Teeth by Eating Too Many Acorns, Smithsonian Magazine, January 8, 2014)