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What is dental floss?
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With all
of the wonders of modern man available to you there
is no better way to clean the sides of your teeth
than dental floss. Inexpensive, readily available
and easy to use. A modern wonder, maybe not. But
it is and has always been an excellent tool in the
fight against dental decay and periodontal disease.
There are many types of dental floss available in
your local drugstore.
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How do I floss my teeth?
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You should
floss under both sides of each flap of gum tissue
between your teeth. The following technique has
proven to be very effective: Break off about 18
inches of floss and wind a good bit of it around
one of your middle fingers. Wind the rest around
the middle finger of the other hand. Grasp the floss
with the thumb and forefinger of each hand, leaving
about an inch of floss between the two hands to
work with.
Pull the floss taut and use a
gentle sawing motion to insert it between the two
teeth. When the floss reaches the tip of the triangular
gum flap, curve the floss into a C Shape against
one of the teeth. Then slide the floss gently into
the space between the tooth and the gum until you
feel resistance. Holding the floss tightly against
the tooth, scrape up and down five or six times
along the side of the tooth. Without removing the
floss, curve it around the adjacent tooth and scrape
that one too. Repeat on the rest of your teeth.
Don't forget the far sides of your rear teeth. When
the floss becomes frayed or soiled, a turn of each
middle finger brings out a fresh section of floss.
After flossing, rinse vigorously with water.
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How often should I see a Dentist?
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Effective
maintenance against periodontal disease and decay
requires quarterly professional cleanings. Cleanings
every six months allowed the same degree of breakdown
as yearly cleanings. Most dental associations recommend
a routine check-up once every six months. We recognize
that each person is unique and we will let you know
if your particular situation requires being seen
on a different schedule.
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When should I throw away my toothbrush?
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Replacing
your toothbrush frequently helps reduce the transmission
of bacteria, which cause colds, flu, bronchitis,
and upset stomach -- not to mention cavities and
gum disease. If you or anyone in your family gets
sick, replace your toothbrush three times. Use a
new one when you become ill, another when you begin
to feel better, and a third after recovery.
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What are the types of food that
might adversely affect my teeth?
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It is always
advisable to minimize the consumption of foods and
beverages that are high in sugar content. Sticky
foods such as caramels, dates and crackers should
generally be avoided. Foods that stick to teeth
cause more dental disease than sugar in less sticky
forms or in liquids. Frequent consumption of sugar-rich
foods without adequate brushing is a sure request
for dental disease.
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My breath smells bad. What should
I do about it?
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Halitosis
(bad breath) can come from a number of sources.
Chronic illness and certain foods can result in
odors coming from the stomach, lungs or sinuses.
These sources, however, account for less than ten
percent of all cases. Ninety percent of bad breath
comes from the mouth. The first step in reducing
and eliminating bad breath is restoring decayed
teeth and treating any periodontal disease you might
have. Additionally, proper brushing and flossing
is essential not only to improve and maintain your
oral health, but also to control the growth of volatile
sulfur compounds (VSCs - that have a characteristic
"rotten egg" smell) producing bacteria.
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How frequently should X-rays be
taken and why?
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Xrays (Bitewings)
are recommended every 12-18 months and are taken
to diagnose the presence of interproximal caries
(i.e. cavities between teeth). A full mouth or Panoramic
x-ray should be taken every 36-60 months. This x-ray
shows the entire mouth, and any abnormalities of
the hard tissues that may exist. Once they are identified,
appropriate treatment can be given. It also provides
us a way to evaluate the level of bone, any abscesses
or abnormalities that should ordinarily not be present.
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Is chewing gum good for me?
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Sugar-free
gum, when chewed immediately after meals, has been
clinically proven reduce the incidence of caries.
But, chewing gum is not advised for patients wearing
orthodontic braces.
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Is there any treatment for grinding
and clenching?
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Unfortunately,
these days, grinding and clenching is all too common.
Grinding is referred to as bruxism and is more a
"nocturnal" habit (night-time). Clenching,
on the other hand, is a "diurnal" habit
(day-time). It appears to be a stress induced response,
and one which is invariably treatable by utilization
of a simple splint, which is custom made for the
patient to wear. Usually this method of treatment
obtains good results.
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My teeth are becoming increasingly
sensitive - what can I do to help reduce the sensitivity?
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When gums
start to recede, either due to periodontal disease
or as one grows older, nerve endings which are housed
in the covering of the root (the "cementum")
become exposed, and when stimulated, illicit a response.
They are generally sensitive to cold, sweet or acidic
foods. Sensitive responses are also obtained in
teeth which show evidence of wear.
There are a number of treatment methods that
can be used to help reduce or eliminate the discomfort.
The simplest method would be to use desensitizing
toothpaste. Regular usage, twice a day for 8-12
weeks, should show signs of improvement. If that
doesn’t work, then desensitizing medications
(prescription) can be topically applied in the
office and a prescription given for home use.
They are generally quite effective and offer immediate
results. If the areas of tooth wear at the gumline
(cervical erosion) are deep, then a tooth colored
restoration can be bonded to eliminate both the
sensitivity as well as the tooth defect.
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What are some of the causes of
bad breath? What can I do about it?
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Scientifically
referred to as ‘Halitosis’, unpleasant
mouth odor has many causes. Most frequently we think
certain food such as onion and garlic causes bad
breath. However, poor dental hygiene can cause odour
too. This can be the result of many conditions,
such as periodontal breakdown, ill-fitting restorations
(fillings or crowns), digestive problems, sinus
infections, nose disorders, certain foods, especially
those high in sulfur content, to name a few. Food
which is trapped under defective crowns or bridges
or is stuck in-between teeth with ill-fitting, broken
restorations, decompose and ferment and gives rise
to a very foul taste and smell. Sometimes the presence
of pus may also lead to bad odour. Treatment measures
should include improved oral hygiene, a complete
oral examination with x-rays, evaluation of existing
restorations and replacement of defective restorations.
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My mouth is always dry - what
causes Dry Mouth?
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Xerostomia
(dry mouth) can be a result of aging, salivary gland
problems, certain pre-existing medical conditions
(eg: Sjogrens), numerous medications etc. This condition
can influence speech and cause an increase in cavities.
Saliva substitutes (available with a doctors prescription)
should be used frequently and treatment to reduce
or eliminate the cause should be done.
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When should I take my child for
his first dental visit?
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Ideally,
a child should visit the dentist before his third
birthday. According to the American Dental Association,
an early visit can help identify problems and begin
a lifelong habit of good dental care.
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What should I do if my child’s
baby tooth is knocked out?
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Contact your
pediatric dentist as soon as possible. Baby teeth
are usually not put back but the child should be
seen by the dentist to check if any roots remain
or other teeth have been injured.
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What should I do if my child’s
permanent tooth is knocked out?
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Find the
tooth and rinse it gently in cool water. Do NOT
scrub it or clean it with soap, just rinse with
water! If possible, replace the tooth in the socket
and hold it there with clean gauze or a wash cloth.
If you can’t put the tooth back into the socket,
place the tooth in a clean container with milk,
saliva, or water. Get to the pediatric dental office
immediately, or call your dentist’s emergency
number if it is after hours. The faster you act,
the better your chances of saving the tooth.
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Is it common to have dental problems
associated with pregnancy?
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Pregnancy
gingivitis is most common. Here, the gums are usually
red and swollen, bleed easily and become very sore
or sensitive. There seems to be a direct correlation
between the rise in the levels of progesterone and
estrogen and the level of gingival inflammation.
This increased gingival inflammation is usually
first seen about the second month and reaches its
maximum around the eighth month of pregnancy. During
this time there is an increase in the level of circulating
progesterone and estrogen. The usual decrease in
inflammation in the ninth month follows a decrease
in the level of these hormones.
The best way to avoid gingival problems during
pregnancy is to practice excellent oral hygiene
techniques. This includes a thorough brushing
at least twice daily and careful flossing at least
once daily. Rinsing with mouthwash or warm salt
water can help soothe the tissues but you should
be careful not to swallow it.
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Is chewing ice harmful to teeth?
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Chewing ice
on a regular basis can cause damage to teeth. The
main problem I see in my patients who chew ice,
is ‘fracture lines’ in their teeth.
Fracture lines are not unusual, especially as we
grow older but I see an unusually large amount of
fracture lines in "ice-chewers". These
fracture lines can cause teeth to be sensitive to
cold and/or biting pressure. Once these symptoms
appear, the best treatment is to place a crown on
the tooth. Occasionally, if these cracks are deep
enough, they "kill" the nerve in the tooth,
making root canal treatment necessary. It may occasionally
be necessary to extract the tooth.
Chewing ice can also cause a piece of the tooth
to completely fracture off. Again, this is treated
by placing a crown on the tooth. This habit can
also cause the enamel to wear away more quickly
as we see in people who grind their teeth (bruxism).
This makes your teeth more susceptible to decay.
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