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When acids are allowed to erode tooth enamel long enough to leach calcium and other minerals from your enamel and dentin, a process called demineralization occurs. This rapidly leads to tooth decay unless reversed by good oral hygiene and professional dental cleanings at our Albuquerque office. Acids responsible for tooth decay come from the wastes of mutans streptococci and lactobacilli bacteria that thrive in dental plaque, a substance that is the leading cause of periodontitis.

Where do demineralizing acids come from?

Dietary sugars comprise the bulk of tooth-decaying acids, including table sugar, cooked starches, fructose, glucose, and lactose. In fact, as soon as you bite down on a sugary cookie or into a French fry, bacteria start digesting sugars, breaking them down and eventually excreting them as demineralizing acids. As this bacteria colony grows and becomes organized, plaque develops and forms that tough, yellowish coating you often see on the tops of teeth at the gumline.

Plaque is the Problem

Dental plaque is a filmy type of nesting place for bacteria that also keeps acids pressed against tooth enamel. Since plaque cannot be removed by brushing, it is important that a person who suffers tooth decay visit Twohig Dentistry immediately so we can use special tools to scrape and thoroughly clean teeth.

Signs of Tooth Decay

Early tooth decay and cavities remain asymptomatic until demineralization creates a hole deep enough to reach the tooth’s inner tissues and nerve endings. Eventually, tooth decay will cause tooth sensitivity, toothache, vague pain when biting down on the affected tooth, and possibly pus seeping around a tooth’s gum line if the decay creates an infection. If treatment is delayed long enough, a decaying tooth may loosen, crumble, and ultimately fall out, which leaves an empty or partially empty socket.

Preventing Tooth Decay

Getting regular checkups with Drs. James and Mary Rose Twohig, brushing and flossing twice a day, and eating fruits or crunchy vegetables at snack time instead of a candy bar or doughnut are the three best ways to keep your teeth healthy, white, and where they should be: in your mouth.

YES!  Studies have shown a correlation between gum disease and heart disease, underscoring the importance of good oral health care. Cardiovascular disease remains American’s leading killer, claiming more lives than the rest of major causes of death, according to our friends at the American Heart Association. In fact, an estimated 80 percent of American adults currently have some form of gum disease, also known as periodontal disease.

Studies suggest that people with gum disease are believed to have an elevated risk of heart attack and stroke. Since most patients are not regularly visiting a heart specialist, their regular visits to our Albuquerque office can help detect early warning signs of heart issues, prevent gum disease, or at the very least catch it at its early stage. We’d also like you to know your numbers: blood pressure (less than 120/80), cholesterol (less than 200) and BMI (less than 25).

There are many benefits to visiting Twohig Dentistry in addition to maintaining your dental health. If it has been a while since your last visit, please give us a call!

When it comes to straightening your smile, our team at Twohig Dentistry knows that having a mouth full of metal braces may not be your idea of fun. Luckily for you, Drs. James and Mary Rose Twohig can offer a cosmetic alternative: Invisalign!

Using a series of clear, comfortable, and completely customized aligners, you can get the smile you’ve always wanted without traditional braces.

Since Invisalign aligners are discreet, they’re hardly noticeable when you speak and smile, and because they’re removable, you can eat and drink whatever you want. Just remember to brush and floss before putting your aligners back in! Treatment with Invisalign is just as effective as with metal braces, and the results are just as amazing!

If you want to know more about Invisalign, contact our Albuquerque office to schedule an appointment.

Happy July from Twohig Dentistry! The team of Twohig Dentistry is excited to get out and enjoy summer to the fullest, all while social distancing of course. There are still so many fun summertime activities to do outside and away from crowds in our beautiful city of Albuquerque.

In Albuquerque, we are lucky to be surrounded by a lot of natural beauty for us to explore. Our team hopes to get out in the mountains and hike in the days ahead. One of our personal favorites is Tent Rocks! It’s a great hike in the morning before it gets too hot. When the team is out and about during the summer they always make sure to have five essential items on them: toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, phone to use google maps, and family members.

You might not be aware but living a healthy lifestyle goes hand in hand with maintaining your dental health. The team of Twohig Dentistry strives to eat healthy, well-balanced meals, and exercise often. Diet also plays a crucial role in health. During the summer months, so many delicious fruits are in season like plums, nectarines, and peaches. If you and your family do decide to indulge in some ice cream remember to brush and floss afterward.

We hope everyone is having a safe summer!