Author: Dr Susan Pan, DDS

They include amalgam (silver), composite (tooth-colored), gold, and ceramic.

Brush and floss daily, avoid chewing hard items, use a low-abrasive toothpaste, and see a dentist for regular check-ups.

A cap that covers a damaged, decayed, or aesthetically compromised tooth, restoring its shape, strength, and appearance.

Consider needs like fighting plaque, gum health, fresh breath, or fluoride content. Look for ADA seal and consult with a dentist.

They’re restorative fillings made of composite or porcelain that fit into or onto the tooth, often used when a standard filling isn’t suitable.

Over time, fillings can wear down, chip, crack, or fall out, or decay might form around them.

Numerous factors can stain teeth, including foods, tobacco, poor oral hygiene, certain medications, age, trauma, and genetics.

Factors include foods, drinks (like coffee or red wine), tobacco use, medications, trauma, age, and genetics.

Evolutionarily, they might have helped our ancestors grind plant tissue. Now, with modern diets, they often don’t fit well in the mouth.

Rinse with salt water, avoid spicy/acidic foods, apply a topical oral gel, and consult a dentist if persistent.

Sugar-free gum can actually be beneficial because it stimulates saliva production, which helps neutralize acids. However, gum with sugar can contribute to cavities.

They replace missing teeth, prevent bone loss, provide a stable foundation, improve oral function, and maintain facial aesthetics.