Common Dental Questions

Fresh GreeneryWhat is Laser Dentistry?

A Laser is a highly focused, narrow beam of light that is used in surgical procedures. It safely provides greater precision and reduces the amount of time needed for some procedures. Patients are amazed at the quiet and comfort of the Laser. Healing time is also reduced. Enjoy the benefits of laser dentistry in our office.

What are Digital X-rays?

Digital X-rays are one of the newest techniques around. With digital radiographs, film is replaced with a small electronic pad. The X-rays hit the pad the same way they hit film but instead of developing film in a dark room, the image is sent directly to a computer where it appears on a screen. The saved image can then be compared against previous images to spot any changes. Read more about digital x-rays in our office.

What are Dental Implants?

A dental implant is an anchor for replacing small bridges, removable partial dentures and even missing single teeth. The success rate of dental implants is very high. People who have reasonable health and enough bone in the area of the missing teeth, are excellent candidates for dental implants. Some people are missing all their teeth but most of them are still excellent candidates for implants. Read more about our dental implant services.

What is the TMJ (TemporoMandibular Joint)?

The TMJ connects the lower jaw (the mandible) to the skull. The joints allow motion for biting, chewing, swallowing, speaking and facial expressions. TMJ diseases and disorders are a collection of conditions that cause pain in the jaw area and limits jaw movements. Injury and conditions that routinely affect other joints in the body, such as Arthritis, also affect the TMJ. Many TMJ problems are caused by dental conditions which can be assessed and treated at the dental office. Learn more about our TMJ treatment.

What are Dental Crowns?

A crown is a cover that restores a tooth to it’s normal shape and size and makes it stronger. Crowns are placed for a variety of reasons. Learn more about our the crowns we offer.

What is Plaque and Periodontal (Gum) Disease?

Food causes the bacteria in your mouth to produce acids which harden as plaque. Plaque also irritates the gums, making them red and tender and causes them to pull away from the teeth. If the gums are not treated, the bone around the teeth can decay. The teeth may become loose or have to be removed. In fact, periodontal disease is a main cause of tooth loss in adults. You can prevent tooth decay and periodontal disease by regular brushing, flossing and routine dental visits. Eating a balanced diet and limiting the number of between-meal snacks also helps. Read more about our Periodontal Disease treatment.

What are Some Tips for Daily Oral Care?

  • The best way to remove decay-causing plaque is by brushing your teeth twice a day, with a soft-bristled brush and flossing between your teeth every day.
  • The size of your brush should allow you to reach all areas of your mouth. Use a toothpaste that contains fluoride.
  • Flossing between teeth daily removes plaque from areas where a toothbrush can’t reach and it helps prevent periodontal (gum) disease.
  • With proper hygiene, eating a balanced diet and regular office visits, you can have healthy teeth and an attractive smile your entire life.

How Do I Care for My Child’s Teeth?

  • Begin daily brushing when the child’s first tooth erupts. Use a non-fluoridated toothpaste until age 3 to prevent too much fluoride ingestion by your child. By age 5 or 6, children should be able to brush their own teeth twice a day with supervision.
  • When teaching children to brush, use a soft bristle brush in gentle circular motions. Brush the outer surfaces, the inside surfaces and the chewing surfaces of each tooth. Finish by brushing the tongue to help freshen breath and remove bacteria.
  • Flossing should begin when any two teeth touch and include the back side of the rear teeth.

What Can Be Done With Broken Teeth?

For teeth that need more than a filling, a crown is the most common restoration. There are other restorations that will protect the tooth against further damage (onlays or 3/4 crowns), but a full crown has the additional advantages of looking nice, lasting longer, and protecting against decay.

Why is My Breath Bad?

Many people do not know they have bad breath and some people think they have bad breath, but do not. “Morning mouth” is common to everyone to a certain extent. The mouth is a warm, moist environment with a sufficient supply of organic nutrients to maintain oral bacteria. Regular brushing, flossing and rinsing should help greatly. Untreated tooth decay can also cause a foul odor.

You should discuss this issue at your next dental visit. We will be able to determine whether there is a dental cause for bad breath and provide some remedies.

What are Wisdom Teeth?

Wisdom teeth (third molars) are the last teeth to erupt — usually between 17 and 25 years of age. Sometimes they erupt much later or they may not erupt at all. Most jaws are not big enough for all 32 teeth so wisdom teeth, erupting last, can get stuck when space is tight.

Wisdom teeth that cause problems should be removed. Problems include pain in the surrounding gum, pain if the tooth is decayed, pain in the adjacent tooth, or pain where the wisdom tooth has erupted too far or is digging into the cheek.

Under most conditions removal is painless, however there will be some discomfort and swelling for a few days afterward.

 

Have questions? Call us at (219) 365-9750