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What Are Cavities and How Do They Happen? | Dentist in Riverside

Cavities are preventable and treatable; it’s important to be aware of what causes cavities and how dentists treat them. We have put together a quick guide on what can increase the likelihood a child or adult may develop a cavity, and the different treatments available depending on how advanced the decay is.

What Causes a Cavity?

Sugar– While sugar doesn’t cause cavities, like citric acid, it contributes to the likelihood you may develop one. Sugar is a harmful bacteria’s favorite food, so the longer sugar lingers on your teeth, the more likely that bacteria will begin to eat it. This weakens your enamel and creates opportunities for that harmful bacteria to hang around and cause a cavity.


Acidic Foods– Citric acid contained in lemons, limes and oranges also pops up as an ingredient in processed foods. Citric acid and others weaken teeth and put enamel in danger of erosion which in turn creates crevices for bacteria to stick and become a cavity. It would be difficult to avoid citric acid, so the best thing you can do is consume water throughout the day and keep the intake of acidic foods to a minimum.

Believe it or not, children are not more prone to develop cavities than adults, but there are factors that may put children and elderly individuals at more risk for tooth decay. Children tend to crave and eat sugary foods while doing a poor job brushing their teeth. The elderly tend to take medication that reduces the amount of saliva they produce thus reducing the neutralization properties of saliva.

Drinking water throughout the day and regular dental visits can help both children and their grandparents to reduce the chances harmful bacteria may cause a cavity.

What Are My Treatment Options?

If you wake up to a toothache or notice black spots on a tooth, you may have a cavity. Cavities are a common occurrence and dentists have several means of treating them. Treatment options vary depending on how advanced the tooth decay has become.

Simple Decay- Fluoride treatments and fillings are viable treatment options if the cavity is in its early stages. Your dentist will apply a solution to the decaying tooth to kill harmful bacteria and place a filling where the cavity was to seal the area to prevent further decay. This is a fairly simple and painless method for cavity removal, as well as the most common treatment option.

Serious Decay- If the cavity has progressed beyond the ability for a fluoride treatment to remove the bacteria, crowns, root canals and tooth extraction are a dentist’s next line of defense. Crowns are custom coverings for decaying teeth; typically made from porcelain, they work to strengthen your effected tooth once the bacteria has been removed. If the decay reaches the inner tooth, or pulp, your dentist will remove the pulp, medicate it to clear any infection and add a filling. Tooth extraction is a last resort option when the decayed tooth is beyond restoration. Your dentist may recommend a bridge or implant for the gap.

To set up an appointment, call Dr. Middleton’s office in Riverside, CA at 951-688-3442 or through the website. 

Dr. Gerald Middleton proudly accepts patients from Riverside and all surrounding areas.

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Crossbites: A Guide | Dentist in Riverside

Learning that you or you or your child may have a crossbite can be an intimidating moment. A crossbite can seriously impact one’s quality of life, and treatments can seem scary. Yet, questions like “How soon should a crossbite be addressed” and “What means of intervention might we take” are better addressed sooner than later.

What does it mean to have a crossbite?

Simply put, a crossbite is when your upper and lower jaws do not align properly. Your upper jaw may rest to the right or left of your lower jaw, causing an improper alignment. This can cause a variety of issues such as grinding down your teeth, temporomandibular joint disorder, inability to chew effectively, facial asymmetry, uneven jaw development, and biting your cheek or tongue frequently.

Treatment options

Opinions are divided about when to begin treatment for a crossbite, some suggesting at the time of diagnosis (for a child, this could mean around the age of three), while others want to wait until a child’s molars arrive (commonly around the age of six). No matter when you decide to begin treatment, dentists and orthodontists alike agree a cross bit should not be left untreated for the reasons mentioned above.

Depending on the kind of crossbite, and how severe the misalignment is, its likely treatment will involve dental appliances that work to correct the bite pattern. This can be in the form of braces, sagittal expanders, and retainers that all work to correct the alignment over time. These methods are commonly employed when the entire alignment is off. If misalignment is being caused by a single tooth, it is more likely that a dental face mask, clear aligners, or braces are employed.

While crossbites are not very common, they are generally considered a genetic occurrence. In the case of discovering your young child has a crossbite, it should be treated before they sustain permanent damage to their face and jaw. Listen to all the options provided by your dentist, and choose the course of action that best suits your child.

To set up an appointment, call Dr. Middleton’s office in Riverside, CA at 951-688-3442 or through the website. 

Dr. Gerald Middleton proudly accepts patients from Riverside and all surrounding areas.

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Communicate With Your Dentist: It Matters | Dentist in Riverside

Visiting the dentist is an essential part of your oral health. Many people are timid about regular cleanings and check-ins, but they help you notice warning signs sooner. You don’t have to wait until your next visit to discuss your concerns with your dentist, you can always call to gain clarity about the concerns you may have. 

If you are in person with your dentist or have been historically timid about sharing with your dentist, here are some things to consider sharing and why.

Any and All At-Home Concerns:

It’s important to remember that your dentist is on your team; they are open to answering your questions with knowledge and experience. If you have any concerns about your teeth, gums, or jaw, or are experiencing any pain it is important to share that with your dentist. It’s easy to turn to the internet for answers to these concerns, but lifestyle habits among other things are factors your dentist can consider with you. If any of the following apply to you, it is important to discuss them with your dentist before they potentially get worse:

  • Bleeding gums
  • Sores in the mouth that do not heal
  • Sensitivity or pain
  • Clenching your jaws
  • Grinding your teeth
  • Problems with brushing or flossing

If Have You Made Health and Lifestyle Changes:

If you make changes to your lifestyle, such as reducing or increasing medications or the consumption of coffee or nicotine, it’s important to let your dentist know. These seemingly nominal changes can have a huge impact on your oral health over time. The acid in coffee may weaken your enamel over time, whereas reducing consumption may allow it to remain intact. The potential impact of nicotine from cigarettes or chewing tobacco on your oral health is another important thing to share so your dentist can look for signs of change.

To set up an appointment, call Dr. Middleton’s office in Riverside, CA at 951-688-3442 or through the website. 

Dr. Gerald Middleton proudly accepts patients from Riverside and all surrounding areas.

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Don’t Forget to Floss | Dentist in Riverside

When traces of food remain tucked away between our teeth, it becomes a source of food for corrosive sugars to feed on; over time, this becomes the source of pockets in the teeth for bacteria to settle and the problem to compound. Flossing is a very important step for any oral care routine, and it’s usually one of the first questions posed during a visit. Routine flossing helps to ensure that the granules of residual food left after meals are removed to prevent cavities. If you haven’t maintained the best flossing routine, here are a few ways you can get into the habit:

1. Set a reminder

If it’s not currently part of your routine, or you have so much going on it’s hard to remember, setting a reminder on your phone or a notecard by your sink may help you begin to incorporate this practice until its second nature. If the technique of flossing is something you struggle with, employ this practice as a means to check in with helpful guides that walk you through the proper steps until you get the hang of it.

2. Explore Floss Options

Waxed, non-waxed, plush, disposable picks, threaders, and water flossers are all available options. If one type of floss doesn’t make you want to floss, it’s less likely you will do it. It’s important to find a way to floss that suits your tastes. The tried-and-true thin waxed threads may irritate your gums, so trying a plush thread may alleviate your disregard. If the notion of putting thread between your teeth is off-putting, a water flosser that shoots a stream of high-pressure water may do the trick.

3. Reward yourself

Marking off days on a calendar, watching an episode of your favorite show or brewing a cup of your favorite tea are all great ways to reward yourself for remembering to floss. As you go along, allow yourself a special treat once a week, every two weeks or once a month to reinforce the good hygiene habit you are forming. It takes about 21 days to form a habit, so whatever you do to encourage yourself to keep practicing for at least that long, will go a long way towards a lifetime of proper oral care.

To set up an appointment, call Dr. Middleton’s office in Riverside, CA at 951-688-3442 or through the website. 

Dr. Gerald Middleton proudly accepts patients from Riverside and all surrounding areas.

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How Essential are Dental X-Rays? | Dentist in Riverside

The ability of your dentist and hygienist to understand the position and general health of your teeth and jaws is paramount for your oral health. Having your x-rays taken may not be the thing you look forward to the most in your day, but here’s what you should know about x-rays.

The Basics

There are several types of x-ray images that you can expect to have taken. The bitewing will show how well your teeth align and may also show cavity development. Occlusal x-rays capture all your teeth in a single image and can help detect abnormalities in the anatomy of your mouth or palate. Panoramic images let dentists check your wisdom teeth, jaw, and any implants you may have. Periodical images show the entire tooth from root to crown.

X-rays are generally considered to be a safe, effective means for dentists to understand your unique oral structure and health. The perceived risk of radiation exposure or physical discomfort of holding the backing may make people uncomfortable, and that’s completely understandable. Thankfully, the physical discomfort passes quickly, and x-rays only release about the same amount of radiation as a day’s worth of sunlight exposure.

Preparation

While there is no official preparation to receive an x-ray, there are measures dentists take to ensure your safety and theirs. Whoever takes your x-rays will outfit you with a lead vest to protect your internal organs and other essential body parts from radiation exposure. It effectively blocks the radiation from your person without hindering the ability to produce an image.

To set up an appointment, call Dr. Middleton’s office in Riverside, CA at 951-688-3442 or through the website. 

Dr. Gerald Middleton proudly accepts patients from Riverside and all surrounding areas.

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Do You Think You Have Sleep Apnea? | Dentist in Riverside

Now that we are beginning a brand-new year, many of us have begun to make subtle lifestyle changes. One aspect that can really work wonders for our overall health is our sleep patterns. The more sleep we get, the more time our bodies have to heal and refresh. However, if you have a sleep condition, like sleep apnea, it is difficult to get those sleep benefits. For many of us, life’s stressors leave us sleepless more than we’d like. For others, the issue is far deeper than that. If you are one of these people, taking the time to figure out why you are having these issues and ways to improve those issues.

Facts are facts, one in five people have obstructive sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA, is a sleeping disorder that is caused by the constriction of throat muscles while you sleep, causing the inability to breathe. Once the brain realizes there is no breathing, it jolts the body awake to restart it. Breathing is restored, but sleep has been interrupted.

Unfortunately, it’s likely someone sleeping around you is more bothered by it than you are, but if you find you have the following symptoms, it’s time to get checked out:

  • Loud snoring
  • Sleepiness or fatigue during the day
  • High blood pressure
  • Choking or gasping during sleep witnessed by others
  • Headaches, sore throat, dry mouth when you wake
  • Frequent urination at night
  • Poor concentration, reaction time, and/or memory
  • Poor decision-making
  • Loss of motivation, moodiness, loss of sex drive and work efficiency

A sleep study is the surefire way to diagnose any sleep issues you may have. If they find that it is OSA, there are ways to help you get your good night’s sleep back.

To set up an appointment, call Dr. Middleton’s office in Riverside, CA at 951-688-3442 or through the website. 

Dr. Gerald Middleton proudly accepts patients from Riverside and all surrounding areas.

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What You Need to Know About Getting a Dental Crown | Riverside Dentist

Dental crown procedures are recommended to patients mainly because of the reasons: First, is that you have a weak tooth that requires a bridge or something else to hold it together; second is if you have a tooth has already been so discolored that it can no longer be fixed through conventional means; the third is simply for cosmetic reasons.

It’s important that you take the time to do research on the pros and cons of each type of dental crown, based on what is best for your teeth’s specific situation.

During the initial visit, the dentist will examine the problem tooth and make sure that it is still able to support a crown. After this, the dentist will begin filing it down in preparation of the crown. Though, in cases of severely damaged and broken teeth, the dentists may have to fill the tooth in first so that it’s large enough for the crown to fit in.

Once the dentist has finished filing or filling the tooth, the dentist will then take an impression of the tooth and its surroundings, then sent to a dental lab where a permanent crown will be made according to its measurements and a temporary crown is set.

Your dentist will notify you once the permanent crown is finished and ready. By then, you will have your second visit, where the temporary crown is removed and the dentist will then position, as well as fasten the permanent crown. To do this, dentists will use a special adhesive and take extra care to make sure that the crown is placed properly.

To set up an appointment, call Dr. Middleton’s office in Riverside, CA at 951-688-3442 or through the website. 

Dr. Gerald Middleton proudly accepts patients from Riverside and all surrounding areas.

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Custom Design Your Smile | Dentist in Riverside

Preventing tooth decay for a perfect smile

Now that we are in the midst of celebrating the holiday season with friends and family, is your smile everything you want it to be? After all, if there is a holiday party, chances are there are loads of photos being taken and laughter is filling the room. Have you ever thought about a smile makeover? Nowadays, there are lots of options when it comes to improving your smile – all it takes is a visit to the dentist to discuss a treatment plan.

Some of the more common cosmetic dental options are bonding and porcelain veneers. But what is the difference between the two? Because both bonding and veneers are used to cover dental imperfections, but the procedures are quite different.

Dental bonding uses a smooth tooth colored solution which is applied to teeth. It covers stains and fills in small chips and gaps. After the dental bonding solution has been applied and shaped a specialized dental light is used to harden the bonding material. Once the bonding solution is dried and cured additional layers may be applied depending on your situation. When the process is complete the tooth is then polished. Bonding is used on patients who need one or two teeth corrected.

Porcelain veneers are fabricated from a solid piece of porcelain. They fit over the front and underside of your tooth covering the entire surface of visible tooth. Veneers can be fitted to lengthen or widen teeth to close gaps or fill in chips. Porcelain veneers are generally used for patients who have several cosmetic problems or want their entire set of front-facing teeth made over.

So, as you can see, regardless of your dental ailment, there is a solution to remedy it. Time to schedule an appointment to discuss!

To set up an appointment, call Dr. Middleton’s office in Riverside, CA at 951-688-3442 or through the website. 

Dr. Gerald Middleton proudly accepts patients from Riverside and all surrounding areas.

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When It’s Time to Get a Filling | Riverside Dentist

When we don’t take care of our teeth, we can develop cavities. Now it’s time to get a filling. When it comes to what your filling is composed of, there are a few options. And one of these options is amalgam fillings.

Amalgam fillings consist of a combination of metals, including silver, tin and copper, but the mercury allows the filling material to be soft enough to mix and press into the teeth. The compound hardens quickly and is durable enough to withstand the constant pressure of daily activities, such as biting and chewing, making it ideal replacement material.

Dentists have used this combination of metals to restore teeth and fill cavities for more than a hundred years. While it no longer is the only material available, as tooth-colored materials have also become a popular alternative, mercury fillings remain a popular choice because it is generally cheaper and more durable.

In recent years, it’s been shown that as the mercury filling wears, which happens over time, very small amounts of mercury in the form of vapor are slowly released into the human body. Just how much this affects the human body, if it does at all, is debatable and there are experts that conclude that the amount of mercury released is very low to pose any threat. Still, there has yet to be any conclusion as to whether or not mercury fillings are truly safe.

Thankfully, there are alternatives. You can choose from a wide variety of materials, such as composite resin, porcelain and gold. There are also dental amalgams that contain both iridium and mercury, as well as high-copper dental amalgams, both of which contain much less mercury compared to conventional dental amalgams or mercury fillings.

To set up an appointment, call Dr. Middleton’s office in Riverside, CA at 951-688-3442 or through the website. 

Dr. Gerald Middleton proudly accepts patients from Riverside and all surrounding areas.

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Trust Us. You Don’t Want Gingivitis | Dentist in Riverside

There are loads of dental words that sends shivers down our spine. Dentures, root canals – so many words sound awful when presented to us during a dental checkup. It proves we aren’t holding up our share of the bargain and dropping the ball on our daily hygiene practices. And gingivitis is one of those words…

Gingivitis is a condition that falls in the gum disease family – an inflammation of the tissues surrounding and supporting the teeth most commonly a result of poor dental hygiene and characterized by red, swollen gums that bleed easily when teeth are brushed or flossed. However, there are other factors that increase the risk of developing gingivitis:

  • Smoking or chewing tobacco prevents the gum tissue from being able to heal.
  • Crooked, rotated, or overlapping teeth create more areas for plaque and calculus to accumulate and are harder to keep clean.
  • Hormonal changes in puberty, pregnancy, and menopause can causes the blood vessels in the gums to be more susceptible to bacterial and chemical attack.
  • Cancer and cancer treatment can make a person more susceptible to infection and increase the risk of gum disease.
  • Stress impairs the body’s immune response to bacterial invasion.
  • Mouth breathing can be harsh on the gums when they aren’t protected by the lips, causing chronic irritation and inflammation.
  • Poor nutrition will increase the formation of plaque, and a deficiency of important nutrients will impair healing.
  • Diabetes mellitus impairs circulation and the gums’ ability to heal.
  • Some medications promote gum disease.

If left untreated, gingivitis will often extend from the gums to the bone, leading to periodontitis. When the underlying bone gets infected, it will start to recede away from the teeth and form deep gum pockets, and more bone loss occurs.

To set up an appointment, call Dr. Middleton’s office in Riverside, CA at 951-688-3442 or through the website. 

Dr. Gerald Middleton proudly accepts patients from Riverside and all surrounding areas.