1 . Why should I go to the dentist regularly? (Crisis treatment vs. preventive treatment)
Many people do not see a dentist regularly. They visit when they have a problem. This results in spending more time in my chair, and can be associated with higher costs. I have heard this a million times “But I don’t have any pain”. That is the problem by the time you have pain its almost too late. By not catching the decay early we may have allowed a small procedure to turn into a large time consuming and costly one. Restoring a small cavity preserves the surrounding tooth structure. A large restoration leaves the remaining walls on the tooth susceptible to fracture in the future leading to further dental work and expense. Another common statement is “I haven’t been to the dentist in years, you will probably find that I need a ton of work. That’s why I put it off for so long”. In many cases it is not as bad as the patient may think. Make an appointment today. Knowledge is power. Put your mind at ease.
2. Why should I floss, isn’t brushing enough?
Mom was always nagging you to brush your teeth when you were a kid! Flossing not so much… Moms are super heroes but they can only do so much. There are 400 to 500 species of bacteria in our mouths, most of them are benign. Some of the bacteria are beneficial, and 9 or 10 of them are the “BAD GUYS”. They form symbiotic relationships, which means they need each other to live and grow. It takes the bacteria about 36 hours to get organized into colonies. Once colonized they multiply and give off waste, some of the waste is acidic and this is what contributes to decay. Some of the waste is toxic and this is what promotes gum disease, which can lead to tooth loss. Our mom’s taught us well and most of us brush at least twice a day. When we brush we don’t get rid of the bacteria, we don’t want to, some of them are good. Brushing disrupts these “BAD GUYS”, they can’t reach the 36 hour period, we break the cycle. They can’t organize and therefore can’t release the acid and toxins.
Why floss? Our toothbrush can’t reach between our teeth it is like only washing half of your face. The mechanical motion of the floss between your teeth allows you to disrupt the bacterial colonies where your brush can’t reach. I know what Mom would say”, Only floss the teeth you want to keep”!
3. Why does the dentist take X-rays?
Why does the dentist take x-rays?
Radiographs are a diagnostic tool. They help me make a diagnosis, they let me see where I can’t see clinically.
AN X-RAY EXAMINATION MAY REVEAL:
- small areas of decay between the teeth or below the existing filling.
- infections in the bone
- periodontal (gum) disease
- abscesses or cysts
- developmental abnormality
- some types of tumors
How often you need x-rays can vary with age, risk for disease, or for evaluation of growth and development. Patients often express their concern regarding undo exposure to radiation and rightfully so. With any medical proceedure the risk vs. benefit need to be taken onto consideration. At present the risks with dental x-rays have been greatly diminished. Over the years the speed of the x-ray film has increased to such a degree that exposure has been decreased even more so. With the advent of digital x-rays that exposure has decreased once again. I have peer review studies at my office that show that the amount of radiation you are exposed to during a full mouth series of dental films (18) exposures is less than what you would receive on a cross country flight from Los Angeles to New York. My advice get the film. Why risk needing that root canal therapy or worse, missing that growth that goes undetected.
4. Which toothpaste should I buy?
The one that is on sale. As long as the toothpaste has fluoride, they are all pretty much the same. Toothpaste is a way of exposing your teeth to fluoride on a daily basis. Some have added features such as whitening or sensitivity protection. Commercial whitening toothpaste vary in their ability to whiten teeth. They do so by using mild to harsh abrasives. These abrasives if used over a long period of time can erode the enamel on teeth. Professional whitening (bleaching) uses a concentrated hydrogen peroxide gel which does not destroy the enamel on teeth. Sensitivity toothpaste which contains strontium chloride or potassium nitrate are very effective in treating sensitive teeth. If you do not get relief by brushing gently using a sensitivity toothpaste we can address the problem in our office. There are special compounds that can be applied to your teeth to reduce if not eliminate the sensitivity. Prescriptions of high fluoride containing home care products can also help.
5. What are sealants?
The American Dental Society points out that sealants are an effective weapon in the arsenal against tooth decay. Sealants are a thin coating of dental resin that is flowed onto the chewing surface of molar and some pre-molar teeth. You know the part of you teeth you just have to brush after eating Cheetos? The sealant when placed acts as a barrier in the nooks and crannies of teeth and protect against decay causing bacteria. Sealants have proven effective with adults and children, but most commonly used with children as their teeth are softer and more susceptible to decay. Sealants are about 1/3 the cost of a filling.
6. I knocked out a tooth, can it be saved?
Oral injuries are often painful, and should be treated by a dentist as soon as possible.
- Attempt to find the tooth
- Rinse, do not scrub, the tooth to remove dirt or debris.
- Place the clean tooth in your mouth between your cheek and gum or under your tongue
- Do not attempt to replace the tooth into the socket as this could cause further damage.
- Get to the dentist. Successful re-implantation is possible only when treatment is performed promptly
If it is not possible to store the tooth in the mouth of the injured person, wrap the tooth in a clean cloth or gauze and immerse it in milk.
7. I just found out I am pregnant, how can this affect my mouth?
First of all congratulations! We advise that you continue with your regular dental cleanings after the first trimester. There are several reasons for this.
About half of women who are pregnant experience a condition called pregnancy gingivitis. This condition can be uncomfortable and cause swelling, bleeding, redness or tenderness in the gum tissue. A more advanced oral health condition called periodontal disease (a serious gum infection that destroys attachment fibers and supporting bone that hold teeth in the mouth) may affect the health of your baby. Studies have shown a relationship between periodontal disease and preterm, low birth-weight babies. In fact, pregnant women with periodontal disease may be seven times more likely to have a baby that’s born too early and too small. The likely culprit is a labor-inducing chemical found in oral bacteria called prostaglandin. Very high levels of prostaglandin are found in women with severe cases of periodontal disease.
Oh, and don’t forget to pester junior to brush and floss as he gets older. You are, after all going to be a Mom and therefore a superhero. See: Why should I floss?
8. What is Periodontal Disease?
The periodontium is defined as the tissues and structures supporting the teeth. These are mainly the gums and bone surrounding the teeth among other things. Most of us think of periodontal disease as “gum disease.” This is true but the end result of this disease is the destruction of the bone around the teeth. Untreated periodontal disease has been linked to increased risk for conditions such as heart disease, stroke, low birth weight babies and preterm deliveries, respiratory disease, and prostate cancer.
In, “Why should I Floss?” I discussed the fact that there are 400-500 species of bacteria living in our mouths. Some of these bacteria produce toxic products that cause our immune system to be activated. Our bodies send these immune cells located in our blood stream to fight these toxic compounds. This inflammation response causes the building of extra capillaries around the site to get these soldiers to the battle. These capillaries are fragile and burst very easily. That is why the first sign of periodontal disease is often bleeding gums. If I were to touch your hand and you started to bleed you would immediately think something was wrong. Well, it is the same with periodontal disease. When we brush or floss our gums should not bleed.
As this disease progresses over time our immune system tries to help the gums get away from the toxins. This is evidenced, by what is called receding gums. In order for this to occur some cells are sent to destroy our own bone around the teeth. Over several years we lose more and more bone. Think of it as removing the dirt from around a fence post. Remove enough dirt and the post falls down. The loss of enough bone causes these teeth to become loose. The deep pocket of gum tissue where the bone was is crowded with the same bacteria that started the disease. This creates a vicious cycle of inflammation and further bone loss. All of these factors can lead to severe infection, pain, and tooth loss.
Periodontal disease can be treated and prevented successfully. The early stages of periodontal disease; can be treated by daily flossing, regular cleanings, and following some simple oral hygiene instructions given here at our office. The patient usually sees results in about two weeks. In more severe cases there are other treatments that can stop or significantly slow the progress of the disease.