Landero Dental Clinic

13/02/2026

Tooth decay goes beyond sugary diets or missed brushing—it’s also an infectious process. The main culprit, Streptococcus mutans, produces acids that gradually erode enamel, making teeth vulnerable to cavities.

Interestingly, this bacterium isn’t confined to one mouth. Research from the University of Louisville shows that caregivers can unknowingly pass S. mutans to children through shared spoons or by cleaning pacifiers with their mouths. Everyday interactions, like close contact with family members, can be a source of transmission.

Even casual interactions can spread these bacteria. A study in Microbiome revealed that a 10-second French kiss can transfer up to 80 million bacteria. Simple habits like avoiding sharing utensils and practicing good oral hygiene can reduce this hidden risk.
Source: University of Louisville; Microbiome Journal.

29/01/2026

Como clínico dental, quiero hablar contigo sobre la periodontitis, la complicación más peligrosa y subestimada de la enfermedad de las encías.

Periodontitis no es "solo encías sangrando. ”
Es una infección destructiva crónica que ataca silenciosamente los tejidos y los huesos que sostienen los dientes, y una vez establecida, es irreversible.

Comienza en silencio.
Las bacterias en placa se acumulan a lo largo de la línea de encías
El sistema inmunológico responde.
La inflamación persiste.

Con el tiempo, las encías se separan de los dientes, formando profundos bolsillos periodontales.
Estos bolsillos se convierten en reservas de bacterias agresivas, toxinas y mediadores inflamatorios.

A medida que avanza la enfermedad, el hueso alveolar es destruido permanentemente.
Los dientes pierden sus cimientos.
La movilidad aparece.
La pérdida de dientes se vuelve inevitable.

Pero el daño no para en la boca.

Cuando las bacterias periodontales y las moléculas inflamatorias entran en el torrente sanguíneo, provocan una carga inflamatoria sistémica ligada a:

• Enfermedad cardiovascular y aterosclerosis

• Pobre control glucémico en la diabetes

• Aumento del riesgo de resultados adversos de embarazos

• Empeoramiento de las afecciones respiratorias e inflamatorias

La periodontitis se reconoce ahora como una enfermedad inflamatoria crónica con consecuencias para todo el cuerpo.

Clínicamente, la periodontitis se presenta con:

• Sangrado persistente en las encías (espontáneo o cepillado)

• encías hinchadas, rojas o retrocediendo

• Mal aliento que no mejora con la higiene

• Descarga de pus de encías

• Movilidad dental y espaciado

• Pérdida gradual, a menudo indolora de dientes

A diferencia de las caries, la periodontitis rara vez causa dolor temprano.
Ese silencio es lo que lo hace tan peligroso

La administración no es cosmética, es médica.

El tratamiento requiere terapia periodontal profesional, mantenimiento a largo plazo y control estricto de factores de riesgo como fumar, diabetes y una mala higiene oral.
En casos avanzados, la intervención quirúrgica es necesaria.

El mensaje más importante:

La periodontitis se puede prevenir en gran medida cuando se detecta temprano, pero devastadora cuando se ignora.

Recordatorio esencial:
Este contenido es solo con fines educativos y no reemplaza a la consulta médica o dental profesional.
Si experimentas hemorragia de encías, mal aliento o movilidad dental, busque la evaluación de un profesional dental calificado sin demora.

27/01/2026

The Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group on Monday warned the public against availing of unusually cheap dental services online, saying low-cost offers for braces are often a red flag for unlicensed or “quack” dentists.

Click the link in the comments for the full story.

22/01/2026

Ignoring a missing tooth can trigger a domino effect that compromise your entire oral health.

When a tooth is lost, the impact extends far beyond the visible gap in your smile. Neighboring teeth immediately begin to migrate into the open space, disrupting the natural alignment of your bite and creating uneven pressure during chewing.

This shift can even cause the opposing tooth to overgrow, as it no longer has the necessary resistance to stay in its proper position. These changes are not just cosmetic; they represent a fundamental breakdown of your oral architecture that can lead to chronic discomfort and further dental instability if left unaddressed.

The most significant long-term risk of untreated tooth loss is the gradual shrinkage of the jawbone. Without the tooth root to provide vital stimulation, the bone in that area begins to deteriorate, which can eventually alter your facial structure and lead to a sunken appearance. Proactive replacement through implants or bridges is essential for preserving bone density and maintaining the integrity of your remaining teeth. By addressing the gap early, you ensure your smile remains functional and healthy while avoiding more complex and costly reconstructive procedures in the future.

source: American Dental Association. (2022). Missing Teeth: The Impact on Your Health. MouthHealthy.

18/01/2026

11/12/2025

👉 Chromogenic stains are a frequent finding in pediatric and adolescent dental practice and often generate significant concern among parents due to their dark appearance.

These stains typically present as black or brown lines along the cervical third of the teeth, particularly on the lingual and buccal surfaces.

LINK https://www.odontologiavirtual.com/2025/12/chromogenic-stains-in-dentistry.html

10/12/2025

A tooth that feels manageable during the day can suddenly become extremely painful at night. There are clear biological reasons for this change — and they all make nighttime pain feel more intense.

Here’s what happens when you lie down:

🔹 Increased blood flow/pressure in the head and teeth
When lying flat, gravity no longer helps pull blood downward, so more blood pools in the head and jaw.
Inside an inflamed tooth, the pulp (the soft tissue containing nerves and blood vessels) is swollen but trapped inside rigid dentin.
More pressure on the already irritated nerve endings = stronger pain signals.

🔹 Fewer distractions, more focus on pain
During the day, your brain is occupied with noise, activity, and visual input — which reduces attention to minor pain.
At night, in a quiet, dark environment, the brain has fewer distractions and focuses more on internal sensations, making pain feel more severe.

🔹 Inflammation becomes worse
Pain and inflammation follow a circadian rhythm.
Cortisol — the body’s natural anti-inflammatory hormone — drops at night, while inflammatory mediators become more active.
This increases swelling and heightens nerve sensitivity inside the tooth.

🔹 Sinus pressure increases (especially upper teeth)
If you have congestion, lying down can worsen sinus pressure.
The roots of upper molars lie very close to the maxillary sinus floor, so pressure in the sinus cavity can amplify or mimic tooth pain.

🔹 Nerve sensitivity peaks at night
With less sensory competition and nighttime changes in hormones/neurotransmitters, pain pathways become more reactive.
Even mild stimuli can feel much more intense.

10/12/2025

Many parents instinctively blow on a baby’s hot food to cool it down. It feels harmless, but tiny saliva droplets can carry harmful oral bacteria. The main concern is Streptococcus mutans — the primary bacteria responsible for dental caries (tooth decay). When this bacteria is transferred into a child’s mouth before their natural oral microbiome is fully developed, it can start colonizing early.

Once S. mutans establishes itself, it feeds on sugars from milk, juice, or snacks and produces acids that damage enamel. This significantly increases the risk of Early Childhood Caries — one of the most common and preventable childhood diseases. Babies and toddlers are especially vulnerable because their enamel is thinner and still developing.

Simple prevention steps matter. Allow food to cool naturally, use separate utensils, and avoid sharing spoons, bottles, or pacifiers. These small habits support healthier oral bacteria balance and protect your child’s smile from preventable decay.

22/11/2025

👉 Antibiotics alone cannot resolve a dental infection. Definitive dental treatment—such as drainage, root canal therapy, or tooth extraction—remains essential.

Antibiotics serve as an adjunct to control the spread of infection and systemic involvement.

04/11/2025

If gums bleed while brushing, it’s like your skin bleeding when touched — a clear sign of inflammation, not “brushing too hard.”

Bleeding gums are an early symptom of gingivitis, caused by bacterial plaque that irritates gum tissues and weakens the fine capillaries beneath. Healthy gums never bleed — even slightly.

When left untreated, gingivitis can advance to periodontitis, where infection damages the supporting bone. This can lead to gum recession, loose teeth, and even tooth loss — often without pain until it’s severe.

The solution isn’t to brush harder. It’s to get a professional cleaning (scaling), improve brushing technique, and floss daily. Once the infection subsides, the bleeding stops — and that’s the real sign of gum health.

🔹 This post is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional dental advice.

28/10/2025

When a pacifier habit continues beyond the age of two, it can begin to reshape how the jaws and teeth grow. The constant sucking pressure changes the balance between tongue, lips, and muscles — gradually pushing teeth and bones out of their natural alignment.

Over time, this can cause what dentists call an open bite — when the front teeth don’t meet even when the mouth is closed. It can also narrow the upper jaw, make teeth protrude, and affect the way a child swallows or speaks.

These changes don’t happen overnight. They develop silently, while the pacifier seems harmless on the surface. But once the jaw and bite adapt to this prolonged pressure, correcting it often requires orthodontic treatment later in life.

Pediatric dentists recommend weaning off the pacifier by 18–24 months to allow natural oral muscle balance and healthy jaw growth. Early awareness can prevent long-term dental complications and support normal speech and facial development.

📄Source: PMC2791560

🔹 Disclaimer: This post is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional dental advice.