Q. How many times a day should I brush my teeth?
A. Most dental professionals recommend that you brush your teeth at least twice a day. Brushing after every meal (& flossing at least once a day) is also
a good way to maintain dental health.
Q. Is it important to floss your teeth?
A. Yes. Flossing once a day prevents the buildup of plaque & deters the onset of gingivitis & periodontal disease.
Q. What are dentures & who needs them?
A. Dentures are a partial or complete set of artificial teeth used to occupy the upper or lower jaw, usually attached to a plate. Simply put, dentures are a set
of false teeth. If you have lost most or all of your teeth, you are a perfect candidate for complete dentures. If you still have some natural
teeth remaining, a partial denture is recommended to help improve chewing ability, speech, & support for facial muscles.
Q. What are the treatments for periodontal disease?
A. If periodontal disease is caught at an early stage (when it has not progressed beyond the point of gingivitis), it can be treated with scaling and
root-planing (removing plaque around the tooth & smoothing the roots' surfaces). If the disease progresses to a later stage, the
patient may need surgical treatment, which involves cutting the gums, eliminating the hardened plaque build-up, & repairing the damaged
bone.
Q. What causes oral cancer & what are some of the warning signs?
A. Tobacco (cigarettes, pipes, cigars, chewing tobacco, and snuff) is the most common cause of oral cancer. Combining tobacco use with heavy drinking
can also foster the development of oral cancer. Bad hygiene, prolonged irritation of the oral cavity, & extended exposure to strong
sunlight on the lips are among other causes of the disease. Many dentists believe vitamins A & E can help prevent the acquisition of
oral cancer. Early symptoms of oral cancer include: a sore on the lip,
in the mouth, or in the throat that does not heal; a lump on the lip,
in the mouth, or in the throat; a red or white patch found anywhere in
the mouth; unusual pain or bleeding in the mouth; swelling of the
mouth; & any difficulty or discomfort felt in chewing or swallowing.
Q. What causes tooth loss?
A. Tooth decay &
periodontal disease are the most common causes of tooth loss. Tooth
decay takes place when most of the tooth's mineral makeup has been
dissolved away & a hole (cavity) has formed. While tooth decay
primarily affects children, periodontal disease, or gum disease,
affects mostly adults. Periodontal disease is an infection of the gums
caused by the buildup of plaque, & its earliest stage is known as
gingivitis.
Q. What is a root canal?
A. Root canal is
necessary when the nerve or blood supply of the tooth (also known as
the pulp) is infected due to injury or decay. Root canal treatment
involves removal of the diseased pulp, followed by the cleaning and
sealing of the pulp chamber & root canal.
Q. What is cosmetic dentistry?
A. Also known as
"aesthetic dentistry" cosmetic dentistry is a branch of dentistry that
implements many different procedures to improve the beauty of your
smile.
Q. What is gingivitis?
A. Gingivitis is
inflammation of the gums around the roots of the teeth. It marks the
early stage of periodontal disease & it is characterized by red,
swollen gums.
Q. When should a child have his/her first dental appointment?
A. A child should
have his first dental appointment no later than his third birthday.
Many dentists recommend a child have his first appointment when the
first tooth comes in.
Q. Who needs to have their wisdom teeth extracted?
A. Anyone who is in
danger of developing impacted wisdom teeth (third molars that only
partially erupt or get trapped or stuck in the jaw) should have them
removed so that they do not damage adjacent molars & cause other
oral problems. In addition, anyone who is getting dentures should have
their wisdom teeth removed.
