Frequently Asked Questions
Does mouthwash help?
Yes, mouthwash does help. However, It can act as a helpful adjunct in the following ways:
a) Reduces plaque, which can harbor bacteria that contribute to gum disease and cavities.
b) Prevents gum disease by fighting harmful bacteria and reducing plaque buildup. Some mouthwashes also have anti-inflammatory properties to reduce inflammation which leads to gum disease.
c) Fights cavities with antibacterial agents that kill bacteria that contribute to cavities. Some mouthwashes also contain fluoride which acts to strengthen teeth against that cavity formation.
d) Freshens breath by killing order causing bacteria, by moisturizing the mouth and by masking odors with flavoring agents.
Avoid alcohol-based mouthwashes which can dry the mouth and undo the previous mentioned benefits of mouthwashes.
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Some recommended mouthwashes: Listerine Antiseptic mouthwash, Crest Pro-Health Multi-Protection Mouthwash, Colgate Total Advanced Pro-Shield Mouthwash, Chlorhexidine Gluconate Mouthwash (Peridex, Periogard).
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What are the early signs of dental trouble?
It is important to see your dentist at the earliest signs of the following:
a) Pain, either constant or intermittent.
b) Sensitivity which is consistent and persistent or getting worse.
c) Red, swollen or bleeding gums.
d) Chronic bad breath
e) Any abnormalities. For example, if a tooth has a chip or stain on it, if there is a discoloration on the gums which looks different than the healthy pink coloration elsewhere, or if there is a bump that is new and different than any of the bumps on the opposite side of the mouth.
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Please do not wait until the symptoms become unbearable. Symptoms often get worse in the evenings when people are sitting or lying down and when the distractions of work or other activities distract them from the pain. It is easier to contact a dentist during working hours then at 6pm on a Friday night.
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​Are dental x-rays safe and needed?
Yes, the benefits of x-rays significantly outweigh any potential risk.
X-rays are crucial in the early diagnosis of cavities and in identifying infections. Without x-rays, a cavity can get larger and potentially lead to an abscess or an infection can be overlooked and lead to a more significant problem and more costly treatment. Infections can proceed fast, especially in kids, so early detection is crucial.
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With digital x-rays, focused x-rays and protection with lead aprons, the actual exposure is very minimal in today’s dental office.
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Do I really need to floss?
Yes, the areas in between the teeth cannot be reached with brushing and mouth rinses alone. The majority of cavities occur in between the teeth, so the action of flossing significantly reduces the chance of getting a cavity. Flossing can also reduce the plaque which leads to gum disease.
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How often do I need to brush my teeth?
Twice a day for 2 minutes. One advantage of an electric toothbrush is that it has a timer so that it keeps track of how long you are brushing.
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How can I prevent cavities/tooth decay?
To know how to prevent cavities, it is important to know the causes. The following are three main areas to consider:
a) Presence of cavity causing bacteria.
The best way to reduce the presence of cavity causing bacteria is to brush and floss twice a day. Adjuncts, such as mouth rinses, can also aid in killing these bacteria. It is also important to see a dentist on a regular basis to have your teeth professionally cleaned and to detect any early areas of decay. The ideal frequency for the average person to see a dentist is every 6-9 months.
b) Consistency of saliva and presence of sugar.
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Every time you eat, sugar is added to the mouth, which the cavity causing bacteria use to create an acidic environment. In between meals, your saliva acts to buffer this acidic environment. When the mouth is acidic, cavities form, so the more opportunity the saliva has to buffer this acidity the better. What this means is that if you eat regular meals (i.e. breakfast, lunch, dinner) the mouth has less time being acidic than if you snack frequently throughout the day, so don't snack :).
Based on what I mentioned above, the amount of saliva is very important. Medications can reduce the presence of saliva, so if your saliva production is compromised, you should look at ways to increase saliva or saliva substitutes.
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Examples of ways to increase the saliva are with xylitol containing gums or mints that stimulate the natural production of saliva. The other way is to add saliva substitutes, for example salogen.
c) The third aspect is the tooth structure. Some of this is out of an individual’s control as genetics plays a role in this, but there are ways to strengthen teeth. Fluoride has been proven to integrate into the tooth structure and make it more resistant to decay/cavities. When choosing a toothpaste, make sure you choose one that contains fluoride.
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​What should I do if I’m in pain and don’t have an appointment for a few days?
Don't delay, call your dental office as soon as symptoms arise. Don't wait for the symptoms to become unbearable. Like I mentioned earlier, most people become more aware of their symptoms in the evening or weekend when they are lying done and don't have the distraction of work to mask the pain. Also, let your dental office updates if the symptoms change so they can fit you in earlier if it is required.
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Here are a few options to relieve dental pain until you can see your dentist:
a) Advil and Tylenol are great at relieving some of the inflammation that may be contributing to the pain.
b) Warm salt water rinses are helpful for sore gums or areas of gum inflammation.
c) Clean the area thoroughly. Brush and floss the area and rinse with mouthrinse or warm salt water. Often debris like popcorn husks can get stuck in the gums and create the problem.
d) Ice packs to help reduce swelling. Use the ice packs 15 minutes on and 15 minutes off.
e) Apply orajel to the painful area to numb the gums and give temporary relief.
f) Abreva can help to relieve canker sores.
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What is a root canal?
The root of a tooth can die when the nerve is exposed (by a cavity or a fractured of part of the tooth) or when the blood supply to the nerve is disturbed (by trauma to the tooth or jaw). Bacteria proliferate in the root canal and the body is no longer able to fight the bacteria. Pain usually begins when the infection spreads out the tooth and causes pressure and pain in the bone. Antibiotics can temporarily relieve the infection outside the tooth, but the source of the infection (the bacteria in the tooth) can only be treated by removing the tooth or by cleaning out the bacteria in the root (ie. doing a root canal).
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Root canals have a bad name, but if the initial infection is treated with antibiotics or if the tooth is treated before the infection becomes painful, the root canal procedure should be very similar to having a filling done. The tooth is frozen with anesthetic, a rubber dam is placed, and the nerve canal space is cleaned out to remove bacteria and debris. It is then filled with an inert material (gutta percha) and a permanent filling is placed. Ideally a crown should be placed on all root canal teeth to protect it from fracturing as it becomes more brittle after the treatment.
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What type of toothbrush and toothpaste should I use?
If you like a manual tooth brush, make sure you use the one with the softest bristles you can find. Hard bristles can disturb the gums.
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Electric toothbrushes have many advantages over manual toothbrushes including a timer which makes you brush for the recommended 2 minutes as well as the ease of use for those with manual dexterity issues. The brand most recommended in our office is Oral B. For toothpaste, the short answer is any that has fluoride. I usually just buy the cheapest that contains fluoride. For sensitive teeth, I usually recommend sensodyne or prevident.
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How to whiten my teeth?
Whitening can be done in office or at home. The best and most natural way to keep your teeth white is to keep your teeth clean by regular brushing and flossing and routine cleanings at your dental office. The other natural option is to avoid diets that contribute to staining the teeth such as tea.
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Whitening tooth pastes and whitening products such as Crest White Strips can offer some degree of whitening, but the best products are those provided at a dental office. At our office we have 2 options .One option is to have custom trays made and whiten your teeth at home using the provide bleaching solution. The other option is to schedule an appointment to have your teeth whitened in the office. The in-office method involves having the teeth isolated, a whitening solution placed on the teeth and an ultra violet light shone on the teeth for varying degrees of time.
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When should my child’s first dental visit be?
The first visit is recommended 6 months after the first teeth are seen. This first visit usually just involves a brief look inside the child's mouth to make sure everything looks healthy and to get them used to coming to the dental office. After this, visits should be every 6 months or when the child complains of discomfort or when anything out of the ordinary is seen in the mouth.
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When will my child lose their teeth and when to expect adult teeth?
The first baby tooth usually comes in at 6 months of age, although it can vary a bit from child to child, with the lower front teeth being the first to erupt.
The first adult tooth to come in is usually the first molar at around 6-7 years of age. The is the tooth that comes in just behind the baby molars.
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The first baby teeth to fall out are usually the lower front teeth which happens at around 6-7 years old. This timeline is quite variable, so don't be concerned if it only happens at around 7-8 years old.