Why should I go to the dentist once in 6 months?

Many people do not see a dentist on a regular basis. They only go when they have a problem.  While these patients may feel they are saving money, it often ends up costing much more in terms of money and time. This is because many dental problems do not have symptoms until they reach the advanced stages of the disease. An example is tooth cavities. Patients usually say, “Nothing hurts… I don’t have any problems.”
Tooth decay often does not hurt until it gets close to the nerve of the tooth. It is not uncommon to see a patient with a huge cavity who has never felt a thing. The dentist can usually detect a cavity 3-4 years before it develops any symptoms. This early detection can help you prevent root canal treatment or even worse tooth removal.

Why should I do flossing?
Flossing reduces the number of bacteria in your mouth.  These bacteria live in plaque which can be removed by flossing. Brushing your teeth gets rid of some of the bacteria in your mouth. Flossing gets rid of the bacteria the toothbrush can’t reach. That’s the bacteria between your teeth. If you do not floss, you allow plaque to remain between your teeth. Eventually it hardens into calculus. Plaque can be removed by brushing. Only the dentist can remove calculus.
When anything is stuck between the teeth, people usually place sharp objects like pins or tooth pricks this will increase the space between the teeth and lead to more food lodgment but flossing will effectively remove the stuck food without increasing the space.

How can I get my kids to brush their teeth?
 If you are enthusiastic about brushing your teeth, your children will also be enthusiastic. Children want to do the things their parents do. If your children see you brushing your teeth and displaying good dental habits, they will follow. Refer to our blogs where in one of the blog we have given all the ways to encourage your kids for brushing
Getting your children to brush starts with taking them to the dentist at an early age. All children should be seen by their first birthday or 6 months after the eruption of the first tooth.

How can I prevent cavities?
Always spend two to three minutes brushing your teeth.  Do not brush too hard. It takes very little pressure to remove bacteria and plaque. Floss at least once a day. Flossing is the only way to get bacteria from between your teeth.
 Try to minimize the times during the day when sweets are eaten and brush your teeth afterwards.
If you cannot brush after a meal, rinse your mouth with water

Why does the dentist take X-rays?
Many diseases of the teeth and surrounding tissues cannot be seen when the dentist examines the mouth. An X-ray examination may reveal:
Small areas of decay between the teeth or below existing restorations (fillings)
Infections in the bone
Periodontal (gum) disease
Abscesses or cysts
Developmental abnormalities
Some types of tumors
X-rays can detect damage to oral structures not visible to naked eye.  Dentist will evaluate your need for X-rays based on your tooth condition.

What is fluoride how is it useful and harmful?
Fluoride is a mineral that occurs naturally in many foods and in water. If drinking water does not have fluoride, supplements are available.
The lack of exposure to fluoride places individuals of any age at risk for dental decay. Fluoride is important to dental health because it helps prevent tooth decay by making your tooth enamel more resistant to acid attacks from plaque bacteria in your mouth.
Pediatric dentist will do regular fluoride to your children as regular measure if you take your children for regular visits.
In case of excess exposure to fluoride during developmental stages, then there will be discoloration of teeth from yellow to brown based on severity of exposure.
Required level of fluoride ppm in water is 1ppm. Less or more level will cause damage to teeth.

What are PIT & FISSURE sealants?
According to American Dental Association, sealants are effective weapon against tooth decay. Sealants are a thin coating painted on chewing surfaces of molars and premolars. Dental sealants act as a barrier, protecting your teeth against decay-causing bacteria.
Sealants have proven effective with both adults and children, but are most commonly used with children.

My tooth came out in accident, can it be saved?
Oral injuries are often painful, and should be treated by a dentist as soon as possible.  To save it:
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.

What causes morning breath?
When you are asleep, saliva in your mouth decreases. Since your saliva is the mouth’s natural mouthwash, most people experience morning breath. Bacteria found on teeth in the crevices and on the taste buds of the tongue, break down the food particles, which produce sulfur compounds. It is actually these sulfur compounds which give our breath a bad odor.
Lot of food lodgments with poor maintenance of oral hygiene can also cause bad breath.
Long-term mouth odor can be a sign of more serious illness. See your dentist if this is a concern.

What can I do about sensitive teeth?
Sensitivity toothpaste, which contains strontium chloride or potassium nitrate are very effective in treating sensitive teeth. After a few weeks of use, you may notice a decrease in sensitivity. Highly acidic foods such as oranges, grapefruits and lemons, as well as tea and soda can increase tooth sensitivity, and work against sensitivity toothpaste. If you do not get relief by brushing gently and using desensitizing toothpaste, see your dentist. There are special compounds that can be applied in-office to the roots of your tooth to reduce – if not eliminate – the sensitivity. High-fluoride containing home care products can also be recommended to help reduce tooth sensitivity.

How long will the results of teeth whitening last?
 If you whiten your teeth, the length of time it will last may vary. If you smoke, drink red wine or coffee, or consume other acid-containing foods, your bright smile may begin to yellow more quickly than you expect. In general, a teeth whitening procedure can last up to a few years. And even though the results can fade, occasional touch-ups can be done.

Do whitening toothpastes work?
Commercial whitening toothpastes vary greatly in their ability to whiten teeth. They work by removing surface stains from the teeth with the use of mild abrasives.  Unlike professional whitening, whitening toothpastes do not alter the intrinsic color of the teeth. Toothpastes that are effective in removing stains can also destroy tooth enamel in the process. These toothpastes use harsh abrasives. With repeated use, harsh abrasives begin to damage tooth enamel and can contribute to increased tooth sensitivity. If you would like to try a whitening toothpaste, consult with your dentist first. 

What should I do about bleeding gums?
Usually, gums that bleed are a symptom of the onset of periodontal disease or gingivitis. But often, people stop brushing as frequently and effectively because it may be painful or it may cause the gums to bleed again. However, when gums are inflamed, brushing could help reduce the inflammation. More importantly, you should see your dentist to have a periodontal (gums and bone around teeth) screening in order to determine the level of disease present and the best treatment that should be done.
It is important to know that continuous dental pain and discomfort are signs of a problem.  Medicines may provide some temporary relief. But the problem will keep increasing and condition will deteriorate that may gradually lead to loosening of teeth
It is important to visit your dentist as soon as possible if your gums begin to bleed.

Why do my teeth darken?
Many factors work to destroy the naturally white smile you were born with. Tobacco, certain foods, and certain drinks actually stain teeth. Hot coffee and tea are especially hazardous to your smile Cutting down on coffee and tea can go a long way to creating a great smile. Foods that are slightly acidic are also dangerous to your white smile. These foods open up the pores of the tooth enamel allowing stains to move more easily into the tooth.

I have diabetes. Why is my dentist concerned?
Research has established that people with diabetes are more prone to gum disease. If blood glucose levels are poorly controlled you may be more likely to develop gum disease and could potentially lose teeth. Like all infections, gum disease can be a factor in causing blood sugar levels to rise and make diabetes harder to control.
In case of any treatment to be done, it’s important to keep your sugar levels in control because, uncontrolled diabetes may lead to delayed healing or induce infection in the treated area that will create more complications.
Bleeding will take more time to stop after tooth removal in case high blood sugars.
Diabetic patient is advised to have sufficient meal and take related and medication and come to dental appointments so that patient does enter state of hypoglycemia (low blood sugars) during treatment that may make the patient fall into coma.

I just found out I am pregnant. How can this affect my mouth?
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.
Its always advisable to have dental checkups before you plan pregnancy because if any teeth are to be treated. You can finish the treatments. If the tooth pain starts during pregnancy, no treatment can be done because that will harm the baby upto the time you stop feeding the baby.
No painkillers or antibiotics can be prescribed to subside the pain as it will cause damage to baby during pregnancy or during feeding the baby (chemicals will pass to the baby through milk)

Why do I have to take antibiotics before my treatment?
There are certain conditions that require pre-medication with an antibiotic prior to dental treatment to prevent adverse effects and infection that can be caused by bacteria that enter the blood stream during certain treatment.
Anesthesia does not work during severe infections, so we might advise the medication to reduce the severity

I am undergoing chemotherapy and/or radiation for cancer treatment, how can this affect my mouth?
Chemotherapy and Radiation can cause a number of problems in the mouth, some of which might include: mouth sores, infections, dry mouth, bleeding of the gums and lining of the mouth and general soreness and pain of the mouth. It can be harder to control these things while undergoing treatment as the immune system is generally compromised as a result of the treatment. There are some special mouth rinses that can be prescribed to help with discomfort during treatment. It is very important to see your dentist before treatment begins and then to continue with recommended follow-up care. These treatments can cause dry mouth, and recommendations might be made for additional care both in-office and at home.

I have dentures. Is it necessary for me to still see my dentist?
 Patients who wear dentures no longer have to worry about dental decay, they may have concerns with ill fitting appliances or mouth sores to name a few. Annual visits to the dentist (or sooner if soreness is present) is recommended. During these visits, an evaluation of the fit or need for replacement of the existing dentures can be evaluated.

I got pain after root canal treatment. Why and what should be done?
Root canal treatment is done to numb the tooth sensation by removing living tissue from tooth. Instruments used can reach only the tooth structure but not beyond it. Any reinfection beneath the tooth or within the tooth can cause pain. You may be advised to get a re-root canal treatment done or removal of tooth in case off poor chances of retaining or severe infection.
Always be in touch with your dentist even after completion of treatment. Regular follow ups may reduce the chances of re infection.

Tooth capping was done. Cap has come out even after permanent fixation. Why and how to prevent it?
Any artificial placement in mouth is always a foreign body. Poor maintenance of hygiene and abnormal forces applied on the cap can lead to breakage or dislodgment.
Regular follow ups are must even after capping. Immediately visit your dentist if cap is dislodged or broken.

Can getting my wisdom tooth removed damage my eye sight?
Wisdom tooth removal will not affect your eyesight. That’s completely a myth. Instead wisdom tooth is extra and useless tooth in mouth. When it’s causing any trouble to you or damaging adjacent tooth, your dentist will advise to get it removed to avoid further complications.
Sometimes when the tooth comes in sleeping/semi sleeping posture/ causes food lodgment/ during braces treatment if the movement of wisdom tooth may affect the teeth alignment in future, dentist may advise to get it removed as a precaution even when you don’t have any symptoms.