Achord Dentistry

Don’t Let Cavities Wear Down Your Dental Plan

By now the story of our health problems in the South is well known. Obesity, heart disease, diabetes all have their way with a large share of our population in Mississippi and across the region. The effects of these diseases start young for many and last for a lifetime, with tragic results.

But what many of us don’t realize is that dental health can also impact overall health, that how well you treat your teeth has a direct effect on how healthy you are in many other ways. At Achord Family Dentistry the focus is on early stage dental treatment and care so that long-term health is maintained and preserved.

One important step for patients is knowledge of how dental decline begins and how to be pro-active in preventing it. For instance, cavities—or caries, as dentists call them—occur when the enamel begins to be eroded by acids produced by bacteria in the mouth. As these bacteria and plaque build up on the tooth surface more acid is produced and decay continues until ultimately reaching the inside of the tooth, often causing pain, though pain isn’t always present. It may take several years for tooth decay to penetrate the enamel of the tooth but once inside the tooth progression through the next layer (the dentin) occurs more rapidly.

In less than a year decay can move through the dentin and into the innermost portion of the tooth called the pulp. In the pulp are the nerves, blood and lymph supply of the tooth. Once decay and bacteria have reached this point the nerve is involved and pain occurs, resulting in either an extraction or root canal. This is the point when irreversible damage has occurred.

To help prevent tooth decay Dr. Andrew Achord recommends a robust routine of good oral hygiene, including regular brushing three times a day after meals and before going to bed, and flossing daily. The use of fluoridated toothpaste is important, as is supplemental fluoride in drinking water. Regular dental visits that include a dental cleaning and exam are also imperative.

A healthy diet is also important. Sugars and carbohydrates provide an ideal environment for harmful bacteria to grow. How long the sugar is allowed to stay on the teeth helps determine how much damage is done. Dr. Achord recommends a diet low in sugar and nutrition-deficient carbohydrates.

To help prevent cavities and other dental related diseases and conditions, put your dental plan into place at Achord Family Dentistry. They are located on Lakeland Drive in Flowood, Mississippi. Dr. Andrew Achord also holds a degree in immunopathology. His areas of focus include restorative dental care, diseases of the mouth and their effects on the rest of the body, and dental treatment of patients undergoing radiation and chemotherapy.

For more information please visit www.achorddentistry.com or call (601) 664-0492 to schedule an appoint.