- I notice almost all dentists claim they do "cosmetic dentistry", like veneers. How do you choose the right office for this type of treatment?
Cosmetic dentistry is not a recognized specialty in dentistry, like oral surgery or orthodontics. It is an "emphasis of practice" within a general dental practice. You need to go to an office that simply does a great deal of this type of treatment.
When calling an office that advertises "cosmetic dentistry", it might be helpful to ask them if they do digital imaging so you can see exactly what you would look like after treatment and also if they have before and after photos of their actual patients.
Make an appointment for a free consultation to meet the Doctor and his staff. Most of our patients tell us that they just "know" they're in the right office after the first few minutes. And, there's nothing more rewarding than hearing "thank you for my beautiful new smile" after treatment is completed.
We would enjoy meeting with you, listening to what you would like to accomplish dentally and then putting a treatment plan together for you. Call our office today to take the first step to attain your goals.
- What causes tooth decay?
Decay occurs when plaque, the sticky substance that forms on teeth, combines with the sugars and / or starches of the foods that we eat. This combination produces acids that attack tooth enamel. The best way to prevent tooth decay is by brushing twice a day and flossing daily. Eating healthy foods and avoiding snacks and drinks that are high in sugar are also ways to prevent decay.
- How often should I brush my teeth?
According to the American Dental Association, you should brush your teeth twice a day. Brushing your teeth helps to remove plaque which causes tooth decay and can lead to gum disease.
Always use a soft bristled toothbrush with a toothpaste that contains fluoride. Make sure that the toothbrush fits inside of your mouth so that you can easily reach all areas. When brushing, use gentle back and forth strokes, brushing all sides of the teeth. Always brush your tongue to remove any bacteria and keep your breath fresh.
- How often should I change my toothbrush?
Adults and children should change their toothbrush every 3 months because they become worn out and are not as effective as they once were. Exceptions to this would be if you were using an electric toothbrush, and the manufacturer states otherwise. Some electric rechargeable toothbrushes have very good brush heads that only need to be changed every 6 months. If you have gum disease, you should change your toothbrush every 4 - 6 weeks because bacteria can harbor in the bristles. You should always rinse your toothbrush out with hot water after every use and change it after you have been sick.
- What causes bad breath?
According to dental studies, about 85% of people with persistent bad breath (also known as halitosis) have a dental condition that is to blame. These conditions could be one or more of the following:
- gum disease
- cavities
- poor oral hygiene
- oral cancer
- Dry Mouth (xerostomia)
- bacteria on the tongue
If bad breath is the cause of a dental condition, mouthwash will only mask the odor and not cure it.
- I suspect I may have bad breath. What can I do about it?
Whether you call it bad breath or halitosis, it's an unpleasant condition that can be very embarrassing. The culprits most responsible
for bad breath are bacteria that reside in your mouth, especially on the back part of your tongue. If teeth and dentures are not cared for
properly they can also be part of your problem. Although bad breath caused by disease is less frequent, it is possible. There are
many solutions to your problem and the best thing to do is seek professional help. Call our office today for an appointment.
If your problem is due to an oral condition, we can develop a treatment plan to eliminate it.
- How often should I floss?
You should floss your teeth at least once a day. Flossing in between your teeth removes food debris and plaque from in between the teeth that a toothbrush can't reach. Plaque causes tooth decay and can lead to gum disease. Another great reason to floss is that recent studies have shown that flossing helps to prevent a heart attack or stroke.
When flossing, be sure to gently insert the floss in between the teeth, without snapping, which could damage the gum tissue. Gently move the floss up and down into the spaces between the gum and teeth. Floss the sides of all of your teeth, even if there isn't a tooth next to another one. There are a number of dental products available that are designed to make flossing easier, such as disposable dental flossers.
- What is periodontitis?
Periodontitis is the serious and advanced stage of gum disease which includes bone loss. Periodontitis is irreversible. The gum tissue and bone that surround and support your teeth could become seriously damaged and the teeth affected could become loose and fall out. Periodontitis occurs when the early stage of periodontal disease, gingivitis, is left untreated.
Periodontitis has also been linked to serious health problems such as an increased risk of stroke and heart attacks. Periodontitis could also cause higher blood sugar levels.
Some researchers have even suggested that gum disease can cause premature birth and low birth weight.
- Why is oral hygiene so important during pregnancy?
Pregnancy is a very exciting and busy time. There are so many changes going on in your body and your mouth is no exception. Good oral hygiene is extremely important during pregnancy because the increase of hormone levels during pregnancy can cause dental problems to be intensified.
One of the most common dental problems associated with pregnancy is a condition known as pregnancy gingivitis, which usually occurs during the first trimester. Symptoms of pregnancy gingivitis are usually bleeding, swollen, red and tender gums.
Good oral health during pregnancy could also be important to your fetus.
Tooth sensitivity is a common problem that affects millions of people. Basically, tooth sensitivity means experiencing pain or discomfort to your teeth from sweets, cold air, hot drinks, cold drinks or ice cream. Some people with sensitive teeth even experience discomfort from brushing and flossing. The good news is that sensitive teeth can be treated.
- What toothbrush is the best? Manual or Electric?
With all the bells and whistles and hundreds of toothbrushes on the market, you've got to wonder, which is really the best toothbrush to buy - manual or electric?
According to the Academy of General Dentistry, the best toothbrush that you can buy is the one that you will actually use. That's it. Yes, it's really that simple. While both electric and manual toothbrushes have some pros and cons, the bottom line is which one you will use. The American Dental Association recommends brushing your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes.
If you're not sure which type of toothbrush you would use the most, I have provided some pros and cons of both:
Manual Toothbrush:
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Most have an easy grip handle
- Some come with a tongue scraper
- Easy to travel with
Cons
- No built in timer to tell you when two minutes are up
- Can be difficult for some people to hold onto firmly
Electric Toothbrushes
Pros
- Most have larger ergonomic handles
- Some have built in timers that let you know when you have brushed for a full two minutes
- The feel and buzzing of an electric toothbrush feels good to a lot of people
- Some electric toothbrushes dispense toothpaste
Cons
- Some electric toothbrushes can be quite expensive
- Most electric toothbrushes require charging or battery replacement
Since everyone is different, I think it's really good to have a large variety of dental products to choose from.
- My mouth is dry. Is this a problem?
Dry mouth (xerostomia) happens when salivary glands do not work properly. Saliva plays a major role in preventing tooth
decay by rinsing away food particles, neutralizing harmful acids and keeping oral tissues healthy. Dry mouth puts you at a
serious risk for cavities and gum problems, which could lead to tooth loss. It can appear when you are upset or stressed.
And, it sometimes appears due to the aging process or when taking certain medications or treatments. In fact, studies have
shown 400 prescription and over-the-counter medications can contribute to dry mouth.
Visit your dentist as soon as possible to be evaluated and placed on a regimen that will best address your situation.
In the meantime, brush and floss twice a day, chew sugarless gum, avoid alcohol, smoking and caffeine, and drink plenty of water.
Most importantly, remember that dry mouth could be a sign of a serious health condition and shouldn't be ignored.
- I occasionally suffer from mouth sores. Is there anything I can do about this?
There are certainly a number of things that can be done about this problem. Mouth sores can be painful, annoying and unsightly. Some
appear inside the mouth, others like cold sores, can appear outside the mouth, around the lips, under the nose and on the chin.
There are many reasons they appear. They can sometimes be caused by oral cancer or bacterial, viral or fungal infections. Other causes
include: Irritations caused by dentures that do not fit properly, loose orthodontic wires or the sharp edge of a broken tooth or filling,
sensitivity to ingredients found in toothpastes or rinses, medication or from specific skin oral or systemic diseases.
Although there are many types of mouth sores, the most common are canker sores, cold sores, leukoplakia (a thick white or gray patch)
and candidiasis or thrush (a fungal infection).
People may experience occasional discolored, painless spots in their mouth. Most are harmless and will disappear on their own.
However, some sores or spots can be serious and need the attention of your dentist or physician. That's why regular dental
checkups are important. In our office we do a thorough oral cancer screening at each visit using the Velscope, the latest
technology in the detection or oral cancer. It is important that you address any mouth sore or spot that fails to heal
within two weeks by calling dentist for an appointment. In fact, call your dentist if you notice any change in your mouth.
For oral cancer, early diagnosis and treatment can increase your chance of a cure.
- Is it true that pressure changes that occur while flying or scuba diving can be harmful to teeth and cause an abscess?
The word Barotraumas describes a physical injury caused by a rapid or extreme change in air pressure.
If you have a leaky filling or an already abscessing tooth, scuba diving will exert pressure on any air trapped in the nerve canals or under faulty fillings. When flying, the trapped air would expand and could cause intense pain.
Seeing your dentist to examine your dental work with the use of digital x-rays prior to your next flight or dive would be the way to avoid any undo discomfort to ruin a vacation or business trip.
Call our office and we'll be glad to accommodate you for an appointment prior to your trip to insure your dental comfort.
- I've been told that I have Periodontal disease and need surgery. Is there any alternative?
We've recently introduced a new non-invasive treatment for Periodontal disease. Each patient has different needs, but generally treatment involves the wearing of a type of mouth piece and the use of a special antibacterial solution. Safe, comfortable and convenient. We've been very pleased with the results. Theories indicate that the mouth may be a portal for bacteria to spread to the rest of the body.
Bad oral health may lead to other diseases such as: Heart Disease, Respiratory Disease, Blood Clots, Strokes & Alzheimer's Disease. So call our office for an appointment for evaluation to determine if you're a candidate for this treatment. Give yourself the gift of good oral and general health.
