Dental caries is a common oral disease, which can lead to cavities and a host of other dental problems without treatment. Historically, dental caries were largely ignored. Cavities were filled, and when new ones formed, they were filled. The process continued until the tooth structure was too badly damaged for a filling. Many dental offices continue to take this approach, but there is a better way. Dr. Mark Cruz practices advanced dentistry, based on the latest scientific knowledge and evidence. Therefore, he focuses on helping patients avoid cavities by understanding and reducing their caries risk factors. Designing a treatment plan … Read Full Article
Dental fillings repair cavities but don’t address the underlying cause. Cavities are a symptom of dental caries, a type of oral bacterial infection. It is a prevalent condition across all age groups. For many people, it is a chronic disease. Dr. Mark Cruz, of Dana Point, focuses on helping patients achieve and maintain optimal oral health, which means understanding and addressing the risk factors for caries. Caries begins with biofilm The mouth is host to millions of microorganisms, which colonize into a sticky layer. Known as biofilm, it is present even in the healthiest mouth. Current scientific research indicates that … Read Full Article
What is decay? This may seem like a rather simple question. Decay, cavities, and caries are all terms for the same thing, and it is something with which most people are very familiar. Unfortunately, many patients and dentists alike have been conditioned by an outdated way of thinking. A cavity is a hole in a tooth, and it needs to be filled in. This treatment model, known as the surgical or “drill and fill” approach, seems very simple and straightforward, but it does not address the most important questions. Why did the cavity form? Will more develop as soon as … Read Full Article
CAMBRA, means “Caries Management by Risk Assessment.” It is a technique used by a dentist to determine a patients’ risk for dental caries. Dental caries are the cavities or tooth decay that destroys teeth. Tooth decay is an infectious process that is caused by bacteria that is present in the mouth. Certain patients have a higher occurrence of dental caries. CAMBRA can help determine who has a higher risk and what steps should be taken to avoid future tooth decay. A CAMBRA evaluation can be performed by Dr. Cruz in Laguna Niguel. Dr. Cruz will look at your individual risk … Read Full Article
In the past it was thought that dental caries, or cavities, were the result of poor oral hygiene. While improper care of the teeth can lead to decay, it is not the only cause. Caries can be caused by many other conditions as well. Certain medications can change the pH in the mouth or cause dry mouth, leading to higher amounts of bacteria. A diet that is high in sugar or acidic foods can also cause problems for the teeth. Some habits and even heredity can be factors in increased dental caries. Your health is our highest priority and your … Read Full Article
If you’ve ever had a cavity, you have experienced dental caries. Dental caries, which is typically dubbed as “cavities” or “tooth decay,” is when the breakdown of dental enamel happens due to acid and demineralization that occurs on a tooth due to poor hygiene or excessive amounts of bacteria in the mouth. In recent research, there has been more speculation as to the reason for dental caries. In fact, researchers are finding that there are other factors than just poor hygiene involved in developing dental caries. Research shows that the pH levels in your saliva can affect your chances for … Read Full Article
Acid reflux, or GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) can wreak havoc on your teeth. While you might not immediately think of GERD as being a reason for poor oral health, it may help if you fully understand what happens with GERD. Reflux of food and gastric acid is prevented by 2 high-pressure zones in the esophagus – the Upper Esophageal Sphincter (UES) and the Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES), as well as by means of forward peristalsis. The upper esophageal sphincter is located at the cricopharyngeal muscle about 20 centimeters away from the maxillary dental arch. This means that the acid and … Read Full Article
Perhaps you are dealing with this scenario–you brush your teeth after every meal, floss at least once a day, and you are still experiencing cavities and tooth decay. Even after following all the “rules,” you still manage to suffer from cavities in your teeth. What’s going on? How do you figure out the cause for this excessive decay? One way you can learn about your risk for cavities is by having your dentist perform a CAMBRA examination. CAMBRA stands for “Caries Management by Risk Assessment.” This acronym represents a medical approach to the disease of dental caries. A tooth (locally) … Read Full Article
What are the Benefits of a CAMBRA Evaluation? If you are experiencing tooth decay and cavities even after following your dentist’s instructions on great oral hygiene, you may have something else working against you that you didn’t even know about. Dental caries is what causes tooth decay and cavities in your teeth, and are not just present because of bad oral hygiene habits. In fact, medications, genetics, and high acidity in your saliva can all be reasons why you experience more caries than others. This is why it is so important to be evaluated to determine your risks for dental … Read Full Article
Dental caries is another way to say cavities or tooth decay. This decay occurs when acid and demineralization breaks down the enamel of a tooth. This problem is not always caused by poor hygiene. As a matter of fact, there are some individuals who follow their dentist’s instructions strictly and still have dental caries. In some cases the problem is caused by poor food choices. Foods that are high in sugar or are very acidic, can lead to dental caries. Improper pH levels in the saliva or an inadequate amount of saliva (dry mouth), due to certain medications, can also … Read Full Article
