Posted on 4/25/2022 by Southern Family Dental Care
The term day mouth has nothing to do with the quality of your oral hygiene. Day mouth simply refers to the development of tooth decay that occurs while you are asleep, and while you're not thinking about it! This can be an unwelcome surprise when you wake up one morning and find that you have a nasty cavity in one of your teeth! But how does this happen? And what can you do about it? The answers are right here in this article on day mouth and cavities.
Facts about day mouth.
Day mouth is also known as gummy or sticky teeth. It is characterized by a buildup of plaque on tooth surfaces that comes from certain dental health habits and a diet high in carbohydrates (starches). Day mouth develops over time. The longer it persists, the more likely you are to have cavities developing underneath your gum line.
Causes of day mouth.
Day mouth is caused by an acid created by bacteria. This acid attacks your teeth during waking hours when saliva cannot neutralize it. Day mouth is not caused by sugar, but sugar may speed up decay if cavities are present. The breakdown of sugar by bacteria forms acids that attack tooth enamel and eventually break through to cause cavities. Because day mouth occurs during periods when you can't rinse or eat to help protect your teeth, a good daily fluoride treatment is recommended for healthy teeth and gums.
Differenciate between day mouth and cavities.
The two seem similar at first blush and they are related but day mouth refers to instances when your mouth gets tender because you've been chewing on ice cubes or eating really crunchy foods. If you feel pain in your teeth after eating these kinds of foods, then you might be suffering from day mouth. While it doesn't necessarily lead to cavities, it's a good idea to ensure that your day-to-day diet consists of softer foods. Regular visits to our dentist are essential.
About Us - Peachtree Corners, GA • Southern Family Dental Care At Southern Family Dental Care, we want our patients to maintain healthy, bright & beautiful smiles! Click here to learn more about us. Call to schedule! Southern Family Dental Care - Clint Baugham DDS, 3961 Holcomb Bridge Rd. Suite 100, Peachtree Corners, GA 30092 • 470-410-9774 • southernfamilydentalcare.com • 9/13/2024 • Page Keywords: dentist Peachtree Corners GA •
The term day mouth has nothing to do with the quality of your oral hygiene. Day mouth simply refers to the development of tooth decay that occurs while you are asleep, and while you're not thinking about it! This can be an unwelcome surprise when you wake up one morning and find that you have a nasty cavity in one of your teeth! But how does this happen? And what can you do about it? The answers are right here in this article on day mouth and cavities.