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- Why
do I feel an unpleasant sensation in a particular tooth when I
have a cold drink?
- I
have a great deal of pain in one tooth. Someone told me that it
could be an abscess. What is an abscess?
- I
lost a tooth while biking; someone told me that a bridge could
be an option. What is a bridge?
-
What is a crown?
- Are
all artificial crowns the same?
- What
should I do if I lose a crown or filling?
- What
is a root canal and root canal therapy?
- Why
should I have a root canal? Can’t my dentists just remove
my damaged tooth?
- I’ve
read the term “caries” on my tube of toothpaste. What
does this term mean?
- How
many baby teeth do children have and when do they begin to fall
out?
- I
have a four-year-old child. Since she doesn’t have her permanent
teeth yet, should I take her to the dentist?
- How
often should I visit my dentist for a regular check up?
- Why
is flossing so important?
- What
type of floss is better to use, waxed or unwaxed?
- What
causes bad breath?
- Do
cavities always cause pain?
- I
am an adult. Can fluoride help me?
- Why
do I feel an unpleasant sensation in a particular tooth when I
have a cold drink?
You may have exposed dentin from recession of the gum tissue exposing
the roots of one or more teeth. This could be a sign of gum disease,
trauma from incorrect brushing, or bruxisim (grinding of the teeth).
Dentin can also be exposed by caries (tooth decay). Cold sensitivity
may be an early sign a cavity is approaching the nerve of the
tooth. In order to be sure, however, a visit to your dentist is
the best course of action.
- I
have a great deal of pain in one tooth. Someone told me that it
could be an abscess. What is an abscess?
An abscess is an acute or chronic, localized inflammation with
a collection of pus associated with tissue destruction that is
usually secondary to infection. If this does not have a way to
drain, it will cause pain from built-up pressure. Swelling will
usually follow. If you think you may have an abscess, you should
see your dentist.
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- I
lost a tooth while biking; someone told me that a bridge could
be an option. What is a bridge?
A bridge is a prosthetic replacement of one of more missing teeth
attached to the point of contact of the restorations on the teeth
or implants that are adjacent to the space of the missing teeth.
A bridge is an option, but your dentist may be able to help you
explore other possibilities.
-
What is a crown?
The word crown in a dental office has a variety of meanings. A
natural tooth is described as having two sections, the root and
the crown. The root is normally under the gum tissue and the crown
is the part you can see. A more precise term in this example would
be clinical crown. Technically, the portion of the
tooth that is covered by enamel, which may be partially under
the gum tissue, is the anatomical crown. When there
is a significant amount of tooth structure that has to be restored,
an artificial crown, often referred to as a cap,
can be made in a variety of ways. If the artificial crown is used
for a bridge, then it is further designated an abutment
crown.
- Are
all artificial crowns the same?
No. Crowns come in three basic types: all tooth color, all metal,
or a combination of both, tooth color and metal. Then, there are
sub groups of each of these. The tooth color type of crowns may
be resin or porcelain. Base, noble, or high noble metal content
categorizes the metal types. The high noble will be comprised
of 40% or more gold content. The combination crowns are extensions
of both of the other categories. Your dentist can help you determine
which crown is best for you.
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- What
should I do if I lose a crown or filling?
Contact your dentist as soon as possible to schedule an appointment.
Do not attempt to replace that crown or filling. In doing so,
you may damage the tooth, alter your bite, or even swallow it.
Be sure to bring the crown or filling with you to your dental
appointment. In the meantime, keep the tooth clean with normal
brushing and flossing.
- What
is a root canal and root canal therapy?
A root canal is the chamber within the root of the tooth that
contains the pulp. Root canal therapy is the treatment of disease
and injuries of the pulp and other associated conditions.
- Why
should I have a root canal? Can’t my dentists just remove
my damaged tooth?
It is much better to keep as much of your natural teeth as possible.
When teeth are extracted and not replaced, teeth near the empty
spaces may begin to shift. This can hinder chewing ability, allow
you mouth to cave in, and alter you facial appearance. In many
cases, it may also make it easier for plaque to accumulate. It
is much more time-consuming and expensive to replace missing teeth
than to save them.
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- I’ve
read the term “caries” on my tube of toothpaste. What
does this term mean?
Caries is the technical term for tooth decay or decomposition
of tooth structure.
- How
many baby teeth do children have and when do they begin to fall
out?
The usual number of baby or primary “deciduous” teeth
is twenty. These teeth become loose and begin to be replaced by
permanent teeth around age six or seven.
- I
have a four-year-old child. Since she doesn’t have her permanent
teeth yet, should I take her to the dentist?
Yes. Although your child doesn’t have her permanent teeth,
it is important that a dentist evaluates the teeth, gums and overall
health of a child’s mouth. Problems with primary teeth can
affect the permanent teeth that are developing under the gums.
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- How
often should I visit my dentist for a regular check- up?
Most patients should go a for a checkup every six months. However,
a patient undergoing a “focused” treatment should visit
the dentist every three to four months.
- Why
is flossing so important?
Brushing your teeth at least once a day removes the film layer
that allows plaque and calculus to attach to your teeth. But brushing
alone cannot remove the film that forms between your teeth. Flossing
is helpful in ridding the spaces between your teeth of the film
layer and most food residuals. This allows flossing to prevent
cavities and is an effective way to combat bad breath.
- What
type of floss is better to use, waxed or unwaxed?
Any floss is better than no floss at all. Wax acts as a lubricant
and can sometimes make flossing easier for those who have tight
contacts. The wax residue can be left behind binding the floss
together. Unwaxed floss tends to fray. As the fibers of the floss
come apart, more of the plaque is removed and carried away.
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- What
causes bad breath?
Bad breath is also called halitosis. One of the causes of halitosis
is simply poor brushing and flossing. If the bacterial plaque
is allowed to accumulate on any surface of the teeth, the germs
can generate an unpleasant taste and odor. Bacteria that accumulate
on the tongue can also generate odor. I always recommend that
when you brush your teeth, you also brush or scrape your tongue.
Periodontal disease and/or tooth decay may also lead to bad breath.
Periodontal disease creates defects in the tissues surrounding
the teeth, which allows more plaque and food debris to accumulate
below the gum line. Cavities in teeth can harbor bacteria in the
rotting tooth structure. These defects make it much more difficult
to do a thorough job removing the plaque. Sometimes halitosis
can be caused by an underlying medical condition. If methods recommended
by your dentist do not eliminate the problem, a consultation with
your physician may be the next step.
- Do
cavities always cause pain?
No. Some cavities and tooth decay can go into the pulp nerve of
a tooth and be asymptomatic and cause pain. Fixing cavities early
is better for your tooth. Early intervention conserves tooth structure
and often prevents more extensive and expensive restorations.
A small fix now can save you from a major restoration later.
- I
am an adult. Can fluoride help me?
Yes, fluoride can strengthen teeth in adults as well as children.
Sometimes, incipient caries, very early decay, can be reversed
with added flouride.
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