FAQ’s

Frequently Asked Questions

We’ve included the answers to the questions we are most often asked by our dental patients. If your question is not answered here, please feel free to ask it at your next appointment or contact us if you need an immediate answer.

Are “whitening” toothpastes safe and effective?

Whitening toothpastes can be either safe or effective, but not both. In order to be effective, any whitening toothpaste must include a very high percentage of bleach in order to whiten the hardest material in the body, the tooth enamel. Unfortunately, such a potent bleach (which is found in WhiteStrips and Zoom) would also burn the gums and make any exposed root surfaces very sensitive. It is very important to apply any bleaching agent only to the enamel. In order to be safe, most whitening toothpastes have a very low percentage of bleach, and are not any more effective than ordinary toothpastes.

Instead, the doctors and hygienists at Southern Dental recommend toothpastes that feature tartar-control and fluoride. These have been shown to be just as good at removing stains as the “whitening” toothpastes on the market.


What is the largest cause of tooth decay today?

Fifty years ago, the largest culprit in tooth decay was sugar consumption, mostly in candy and cereal. Fortunately, we have become a lot more diet-conscious and recognize the health risks of excessive sugar in our food. Fluorides in the water supply, toothpastes and mouthrinses have been very helpful in the fight against tooth decay, which is the most widespread disease that affects mankind.

However, the factor that is most responsible for tooth decay today is acid. Carbonic and phosphoric acids are found in soft drinks, Gatorade, Kool-Aid, and “power” drinks. Even excessive consumption of lemon water and orange juice, which contain citric acid, can weaken your teeth and promote decay. It does not matter much if soft drinks are “sugar-free” because the acid in the drink is doing most of the damage.
The worst thing that you can do to your teeth is to sip on soft drinks while playing on the computer or watching television. Every time you take a sip, you are exposing your teeth to an acid “bath” that quickly softens your enamel. If you add sugar to this mix, it is like pouring gasoline on a fire.


Why do some people grind their teeth in their sleep? What harm can it do?

Tooth clenching and grinding is a naturally-occurring habit of many animals, not just humans. It is thought to be brought about by increased periods of stress, but it also occurs in children during teething. Anthropologists know that our prehistoric ancestors ate a much tougher and gritty diet that required heavy chewing and strong muscles. This resulted in extreme wear of the biting surfaces of the teeth. Fossil remains indicate that it was not unusual in primitive societies to have the teeth completely worn down by the age of 45.

Our modern bodies have not forgotten our old chewing patterns and are not challenged by our softer diets. But subconsciously, old habits die hard. When you are sleeping, the natural reflexes take over, and clenching and grinding occur. Add modern stress levels, and it is not unusual for many people to awake in the middle of the night or in the morning with headaches in the temple areas on both sides of the head. This is due to excessive clenching or gritting of the teeth.

Other people awake with an inability to open their jaw right away, and have to wiggle their jaw from side to side to get it to “unlock.” They also report pain in front of their ears where the jaw joints are located. Clicking, popping, ringing in the ears and stuffed-up ears are common complaints. These people often report vivid nightmares that their teeth are “loose” or “falling out.” This is due to grinding their teeth, which is a great deal more damaging than simply clenching.

What is the solution to these habits? Eliminating stress in our modern, busy lives is the best solution, but that is easier said than done. Avoidance of stimulants such as caffeine is recommended. Medications such as Valium or muscle relaxants help, but result in dependence on the drugs and other undesirable side effects such as drowsiness and muscle weakness. Dentists know that night-guards can help to protect the teeth and muscles during sleep and can be constructed in such a way that the muscles are ”tricked” into relaxing. In some cases, the patient’s bite is the problem and may require adjustment of the biting surfaces of the teeth to “balance” the bite. In severe cases, orthodontics or jaw surgery may be needed.

One point to remember: if you are clenching your teeth when you are awake while at your job or at home, you are probably clenching or grinding in your sleep as well.