Identalhub:RSS Feed For FAQs

Why does my mouth stink?

Thu, 22 Jan 2009 07:03:39 GMT

This is a common problem faced by many people. This may result in social isolation and depression.Our breath smells of whatever we eat or drink. Even the vitamins or multivitamins we eat are responsible for the foul smell. Due to lack of oral hygiene ,the food particles get entrapped in our mouth and result in tartar or plaque formation. This results in peridontal disease,another reason for bad breath. People eating spicy, non vegetarian food are also known to have smelly mouth. Some foods like onion, garlic are responsible for bad breath(temporarily). Stomach acidic reflux is also known to add to foul mouth smell. Eating processed and packed foods is another reason for bad breath. Dehydration is another common cause. Inspite of not eating the whole night our mouth stinks. The reason is Our saliva accumulates in our mouth while sleeping and bacteria feeds upon it. That is why our mouth stinks in morning.

What is Single Sitting Root Canal Treatment

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 19:57:22 GMT

Single sitting root canal treatment is becoming very popular these days. The single visit root canals are very common with the patients and dentists these days. Everyone wants to finish the treatment as soon as possible due to fast pace life style and less time. Also people finding the dental appointment not to be a pleasant experience want to get the work done at the earliest. The dentists also can earn big sum of money in less time therefore single sitting root canal treatments are gaining popularity these days. One-visit endodontics offers the advantages like more profitable for the dentist, less traumatic for the patient and also less time consuming and more cost friendly. But single-visit root canal treatment cannot be done in all the cases. In cases where the pulp is infected and associated with periapical infection and in cases of draining sinus of pus the root canals should be ideally cleaned and medicatements placed, and the canals filled at subsequent visits on elimination of the infection completely. Usually any single visit at a dentist could last about 30 to 60 mins.

used a temporary filling and my tooth is hurting worse than before want to know how to remove the filling got most but some still in tooth

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 23:35:20 GMT

If you are having pain after the temporary filling that means your tooth is infected. You will have to visit the dentist to get the treatment done. Your dentist will take the xray and decide about the treatment plan. May be you will need the Root Canal Treatment in that tooth. YOu can not remove the filling yourself and even if you are able to, the pain will not go.

Is Scaling (cleaning of teeth by dentist)harmful or good for teeth

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 20:42:16 GMT

Many people think that scaling is not good for teeth, it results in bleeding and loosening of teeth. But in actual scaling results in removal of hard deposits around the teeth and reduce the inflammation of gums, every person should get your teeth cleaned after every 6months.

My child’s permanent front tooth is coming behind his milk tooth,what should I do?

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 19:55:49 GMT

If the baby tooth are loose,there is no immediate reaction.Patience is recommended.This is a normal process.The tongue will push the permanent lower front teeth forward.If the teeth are not very loose,your should be seen to take x ray and evaluate the situation.

For how long the retainers have to be worn?

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 20:51:36 GMT

Retainers should be worn immediately after the braces are removed. Initially for about6 months they should be worn all the times except eating food and then gradually the time of wearing the retainers is decreased and it has to be worn only at night. In some cases where the malocclusion is very severe, the retainers have to be worn through out the life at night.

How do I know thumb / finger sucking is causing a problem?

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 05:55:34 GMT

V-shaped upper arch and/or open bite. Tongue visibly forward during eating or at rest. Tongue comes forward into cup when drinking. Lips apart during rest and/or while swallowing. Facial grimace and/or chin dimpling (like a golf ball) when swallowing. Child’s head bobs forward when swallowing.

I have a cold sore on my gum in the back of my mouth. The Dentist told me to rinse with saltwater, but not how often or for how long. Is the ratio really 1/2c water to 1tsp salt ? That seems really strong. I have a very sensitive palate. Will a little less salt really matter ?

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 23:29:26 GMT

you should rinse with half a glass of lukewarm water in which one teaspoon salt is added. You should do this minimum for 2 times but it is better if you can make it 3-4 times a day till the sore heals. The salt to water ratio should be the way I have told you otherwise if the salt is less it will not be effective. You just have to take mouthful of this water and swirl in the mouth and spit it. Keep doing this till whole of the solution is finished.The salt water rinses are not going to affect your palate even if you have sensitive palate. Warm Saline rinses is a hypertonic solution, which takes out any infection in the gums and as it is bit warm it increases the blood cirulation so it is the best mouthwash for any gum problem and it doesnot have any side effect.

I have a black spot on my teeth. Is is a cavity?

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 04:53:40 GMT

I am very sure it is a cavity. You can get x-rays done to be sure.

I have pain and swelling behind my last tooth and I am unable to chew anything?

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 04:38:20 GMT

Pain and swelling behind the last tooth can be due to your wisdom tooth.It might be possible that your wisdom tooth is erupting.Do warm saline rinses ,which will help to reduce inflammation and visit your dentist for further treatment.It may need removal if space is inadequate for the tooth to erupt

What are sclerosed canals?

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 04:48:44 GMT

) Manifests as an age change in the tooth. With increase in age the root canals goes on becoming thinner and thinner. These are called as the sclerosed canals. The significance is that it is very difficult to remove all dead tissue from the root canals if they become more and more sclerosed and tough to make way through as the age of the tooth increases or it becomes infected.

What can be done to stop thumb or finger sucking?

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 05:52:53 GMT

At age 3 begin planting the seeds for breaking the habit Your child must want to stop to be successful Change behaviors that are tied to thumb sucking (i.e. watching TV, holding a favorite blanket) Keep your child’s fingers busy at times of the day when they tend to suck their thumb play dough, koosh balls, silly putty, or legos are good at keeping little hands busy Give positive reinforcement and praise your child when the thumb is not in their mouth Designate a special place (their room) for thumb sucking. Everywhere else is a thumb-free zone A dental appliance can be placed in the roof of the mouth to remind/encourage your child to keep their thumb out

Why there is excessive salivation after wearing dentures?

Tue, 10 Feb 2009 06:46:31 GMT

Excessive salivation occurs only initially during denture insertion because whenever any foreign material enters the mouth, it is perceived as food and salivary glands start secreting saliva, but this is an initial reaction occurring in new denture wearers . It gradually decreases with time.

When should my child first visit the dentist?

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 19:50:26 GMT

Child’s first dental visit should be between 12 months and 18 months.

Can mobile(loose) teeth be saved?

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 03:49:44 GMT

First of all it depends on the cause and amount of mobility presents.Mobility can be due to trauma or bone loss(which can be due to infection in gums),if it is due to trauma teeth can be splinted(fixed with wire)or if it is due to bone loss it can be corrected by surgeries

What is the cause of gum disease?

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 20:36:16 GMT

It is caused by plaque. Plaque is a film of bacteria, which forms on the surface of teeth and gums everyday. Many bacteria in the plaque are completely harmless, but some of them are the main cause of gum disease. To prevent gum disease, you should remove all the plaque from your teeth everyday.Do brushing and flossing everyday.

I got the root canal treatment done for my first molar. My dentist has advised me for the crown.should I go for that ?

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 07:16:06 GMT

- yes, you should get your tooth crowned which is root canal treated as after root canal the tooth becomes brittle as the normal blood and nerve supply of the tooth is not there. So root canal treated teeth are more prone to fracture. These teeth should be protected by the crowns

What problems one can encounter after wearing the retainers?

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 20:52:39 GMT

Initially after the removal of braces you are given retainers you will encounter certain problems like You will not be able to speak properly but reading loudly or speaking loudly for one day will take care of that problem. You will have lot of saliva in the mouth, even this problem will be gone by the end of first day as you become used to the retainer. Some times the retainers do not fit properly or they cause tissue soreness in that case fix the appointment with your dentist and he will fix the problem Some people develop the habit of flipping the retainer with the tongue. This habit should not be developed as this will loosen the retainer and the chances of retainer breakage are there

How Dental Infection can cause Systemic Diseases

Sat, 13 Mar 2010 10:20:35 GMT

Dr Price, several times noticed that the rheumatic group lesions" as he referred them as were the main causes of dental infections. These terms went on to cause some kind of confusion in the minds of the patients with rheumatism and arthritis. There was a clear cut link between both of these diseases and dental infection. This is not that much prevalent as those in the form of heart and circulatory diseases. Dr Price several times referred to the high number of rheumatic group lesions as being caused due to dental infections at the end of Volume I of his Dental Infections, oral and systemic. Dr Price stated that as time goes by people will start speaking about these as degenerative diseases as they result in a loss of function with the structural degeneration of the various organs and tissues in the body. The government refers to them as old age diseases and many people are actually getting afflicted by these in their early thirties. The public in general has started using the terms widely and they have been referring to it as degenerative diseases. Dr Price throughout his entire book has referred to it as the rheumatic group. Before the book was written by Dr Price most people were of the impression that degenerative diseases occurred due to the exposure of the body to certain harmful organisms which went on to attack the kidney and the joints almost like how you would get any communicable disease. Even now most people do think on similar lines they have also come to realize that it could also be due to the nutritional deficiency and the metabolic disorders that can occur due to it. The most important thing in all of this was the work that Dr Price published that brought to notice in America and all over the world that many people have ill health and even an early death because of dental infections and concerns. The root cause of several health concerns are the infections that one harbors in one’s teeth and this can be seen from the rabbit’s experiments and the demonstration that if the tooth can be sterilized then the accompanying health concern can stop. Not only does the common man but even the medical fraternity has come to realize that the focal infections that occur in the teeth, gums and tonsils can reach all the way into the other organs and can go on to cause endocarditis in hearts, nephritis in kidneys, and a whole host of other devastating illnesses. While not all root canal treatments result in the transference of disease. Within twenty-four hours of removing the infected teeth the problem was solved. There were 24 million root canal operations that were conducted yearly and there were several surgeries to remove the infection from the teeth. Health care is an expensive pursuit and several families have reached the point of bankruptcy due to it. Therefore the dental professions under the aegis of Dr Prices study have been trying to make huge changes in the way dental health is administered so as to ensure that people do not have degenerative diseases because of the teeth infections. It has been widely brought to the public’s notice that people with better dental care and no gum disease are bound to be able to lead a healthy life with a healthier mouth. Bacteria that are found in the mouth are the same kind that can be extremely active in the other parts of the body and the organs too. Besides the maintenance of the dental care one must also consider the nutritional deficiency and the metabolic system and how all of these can go on to harm the immune system. Dr Price let everyone know that the number of cases with the root filled tooth and the tooth restored to normalcy were immediately able to find that their heart conditions too turned to normal. Doctors who go on to understand the important role that healthy teeth play in a patient’s life go on to give them that information and let them know that if they neglect their oral health it is going to be extremely harmful to them in the long run. Focal infections can lead to several different problems in the patient’s life.

How Dental Infection can lead to Kidney and Degenerative Diseases

Sat, 13 Mar 2010 10:08:17 GMT

When you consider getting dentures you would think that they are just like your normal teeth. The modern dentures look so very similar to the normal teeth that one is no doubt beginning to think so. However, dentures can be a good replacement they can never help you to masticate and chew food like normal teeth can. Although patients with dentures will try and prove hard that they can eat just like a person with normal teeth can. When dentists checked the dietary habits of patients who had dentures they realized that there were certain foods that they couldn’t chew and then these were eliminated from their diets. This then led to these people consuming only soft foods that were easy enough to chew and required little amounts of mastication on their part. And the soft varieties that were selected weren’t nutritionally high content. There are some patients who ask their dentist to pull out good teeth too so that they can have the right dental care and claim expenses on it. The dentists have found that patients with a poor nutritional diet in the form of low on vitamins and minerals had their gums shrinking and had to realign their dentures all the time. This meant that they had to get new dentures and yet they continued to binge on junk food. The gum ridge is the most important factor that supports chewing and if it were to get worn out all the time then the chewing would certainly become a difficult task. Eye infections were one such that could be transferred into rabbits and studied for the way the disease progressed. A woman had five eye inflammation attacks and they have been progressive over the two years that she had them. X-ray of her teeth was also checked and was found was that after the infected teeth were removed the patient had less infection and all her eye infection troubles disappeared within two days. This was seen in several other patients also with various different kinds of eye infections. Some of these eye infections were so very severe that a few rabbits even lost their eye sight. At the beginning researchers thought that there was a faint connection between kidney trouble and dental infections but then he was able to establish a clear cut link in both of them. The link could be clearly established between nephritis and the dental concerns. This could be proven by the tooth x-rays taken from rabbit skin and a patient with kidney trouble. A particular case is of a married 41 year old woman who had rheumatism and heart trouble along with kidney concerns. The extracted tooth was studied and the rabbit was inoculated with the culture. After just 49 days the rabbit died as the kidneys were enlarged. The patient has been able to control the two diseases by the removal of the infected teeth. Although the patient continued to maintain a busy lifestyle there was never any re-infection to be found. Another link that was clearly established was between stomach ulcers and teeth infection. A patient, a 43 year old woman had had nervousness and neuritis along with indigestion since a long time. There were alimentary tract infection and lesions. The entire digestive tract along with all the other organs seemed to have got infected.

Can I get denture immediately after extractions?

Sat, 23 Aug 2008 03:41:07 GMT

Yes, you can get denture after the extractions immediately. These are called immediate dentures. Normally after the extractions the patient is advised to wait for one to two months. But if you cannot wait even for a day then the immediate dentures are given. The immediate dentures not only restore the facial profile immediately but also help in the healing of the extraction socket. The immediate dentures act like a band aid and the socket does not come in contact with the food particles and does not get infected. You can get more knowledge on dentures from our article on Dentures.

Will my tooth discolor after the root canal treatment?

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 04:58:43 GMT

No, with all the new materials and latest techniques used during the root canal treatment, the tooth will not get discolored even after the treatment. When a tooth has already had a root canal treatment done but has lost the color let the dental professional has a close look at the tooth. At times the bacteria might have penetrated the old filling and cause discoloration showing it’s time for a new filling

How long do we feel numb after the root canal therapy?

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 05:00:04 GMT

The chewing or biting should be avoided till about at least 2-4 hours after the root canal treatment as several hours are needed for the effect of the local anesthesia to wean off, so lip, cheek or tongue will get bitten under the effect of local anesthesia. Drinking by straw is recommended.

Does Electric Toothbrush cause any harm?

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 23:16:33 GMT

Electric toothbrush vibrates at a very high frequency which makes us to think that it may cause damage to teeth and surrounding soft tissues. But there is no need to worry about that because it has been proved that an electric toothbrush does not cause any harm to teeth, adjoining gums, restorations in the teeth, crowns over teeth as well as to the oral soft tissues.

Why do I have bad smell in my mouth?

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 05:19:58 GMT

Bad Breath is a problem which one keeps experiences on and off. This problem may lead to social embarrassment and self confinement.Basically bad smell results from neglecting oral hygiene or by growth of bacteria in mouth. It can result from tooth decay,dry mouth, gum disease, throat or tonsil infection and bacterial activity on tongue.. So in order to avoid this one should brush thrice and floss at least once in a week. The person should also avoid heavy smelling foods like eggs, fish, onion, garlic etc. Another reason can be cavities in mouth, so one should get them checked from a dentist. One can try mouthwashes, but they give temporary relief from bad breath

How do fillings work?

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 04:18:42 GMT

. Goal of treating cavities involve -Removing the decayed portion of the tooth and rebuilding the missing tooth material with a suitable filling material. -Tooth is given a local anesthesia. -tooth is isolated from rest of the mouth. -High speed dental drill is needed to ramove the decay. -Liner is used to reduce sensitivity. -Then the tooth colored material is placed . Most fillings are completely comfortable within 2 weeks.

My child is three years old and has black spots on front teeth. What should I do?

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 20:19:15 GMT

The black spots on the front teeth of children can be dental decay or dental caries. Consult your dentist and make sure that they are restored with a suitable filling as soon as possible

How can a dentist detect cavities?

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 04:08:00 GMT

Common ways are clinical( hand on) and x rays examination .Dentist uses an explorer to probe the tooth surfaces for cavities. If the explorer catches, it means the instrument has found a weak, acid damaged part of the tooth(cavity).Visual examination can also be done. Teeth that are discolored( usually black or brown) can sometimes indicate dental cavity. X rays are also important in finding cavities.

The mouthwash which I use, hurts my gums, what can I do?

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 20:23:15 GMT

Some people do experience discomfort when using mouthwashes at full strength. Mouthwashes should be diluted with water by at least 50%. This will solve the problem.

what are the advantages of tongue cleaning?

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 05:25:00 GMT

- Daily hygiene of tongue is an important part of “total mouth care “in addition to brushing and polishing. It reduces the source of halitosis that is bad breath. Reduces the root caries. Improves the taste sensation because of which interest in different types of food is created especially in elders. It improves the confidence

What is the feeling after having a root canal treatment done?

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 05:04:15 GMT

Usually the severity of pain is subsided within the first 24-48 hours of the treatment. Sensitivity to hot and cold and even pain to cold air will vanish after the first sitting of the root canal treatment. But little pain or feeling of discomfort can stay for few days after the treatment and can be relieved by taking common pain-killers like aspirin. The main problem faced is tenderness on chewing but eating anything from the treatment side should be avoided till permanent restoration is done by the dentist. The negligence on the hands of the patient while eating can lead to treatment failure as the breakage of the remaining tooth structure before a permanent filling can lead to treatment failure. Actually a time period of 2-4 weeks is needed to fully recover from the initial discomfort after the root canal treatment so have patience

I've had a tooth exctracted about 3 days ago (right first molar). now I have a tingling sensation in my gums. Not near the extraction site but further towards the midline. What could be causing it? Also the extraction site has a foul odor...no matter how much I rinse with salt water. And I expeirence pain in my jaw up to my ear especially upon waking. Could that be dry socket?

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 23:04:46 GMT

If the pain is persisting after 3 days of extraction, it can be dry socket. The tingling sensation in the mid line is also because of infection in the extraction site. Dry socket is caused when after extraction, blood clot of the extraction site gets disturbed. This condition is quite painful but nothing to worry about. You will have to visit your dentist, how will prescribe some anitbiotics and give the dressing which will take care of foul odour and pain. Till then you keep on doing warm saline rinses for atleast 3 times a day.

I have a wisdom tooth that is grown and bad hole in the middle causing pain I like most am broke But can get a flat amount to get it done but I called more then 10 and none can even give me a ball park as to how much.What do I do?

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 23:25:08 GMT

you can go for Root Canal Treatment or extraction of wisdom tooth. Going for extraction of wisdom tooth is recommended as wisdom teeth does not have use and if they create problem they are always pulled out. Moreover getting them pulled out is much cheaper. I think it will cost you somewhere between $250-450 to get it pulled out. You can also try some dental school near your home where they will do it for much less

When will I be able to return to work after the root canal treatment?

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 05:01:02 GMT

Yes. Most patients are able to return to work soon after the root canal treatment. But the patient can tend to chose a light schedule of work and take ample rest on first few days following the root canal treatment.

I am suffering from bad breath do brush twice a day and use floss also. Please help?

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 05:21:37 GMT

You have not mentioned about tongue cleaning whether you are doing it or not. Coating present on the tongue is one of the most common reasons of bad breath. It is found that brushing the teeth reduces the bad breath by 25 %. Tongue cleaning alone reduces the bad breath by 75 % and cleaning the tongue and brushing the teeth together will reduce the bad breath by 85 %. So try tongue cleaning for the bad breath

How does dental pulp get infected?

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 04:46:54 GMT

The dental nerve tissue gets infected by the bacteria present in the oral cavity. The bacteria whish are a normal commensal of the oral cavity usually, when somehow reach the pulp through a breached tooth structure maybe due to a trauma, decay or even a broken filling; tend to infect the pulp causing inflammation. The time taken for this much damage may vary from person to person. It might be completely painless or highly painful and a patient may not perceive anything until it is significantly advanced

What happens if Gum disease is not treated?

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 20:39:33 GMT

It progresses painlessly, you may experience a burst of activity by the bacteria which makes your gums sore.This can lead to gum abscess and pus may ooze from around the teeth.Over a number of years ,number of teeth may become loose

How long do Crowns and Bridges Last

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 10:09:24 GMT

While crowns and bridges can last a lifetime, they do sometimes come loose or fall out. The most important step you can take to ensure the longevity of your crown or bridge is to practice good oral hygiene. A bridge can lose its support if the teeth or bone holding it in place are damaged by dental disease. Keep your gums and teeth healthy by Brushing by regularly for checkups and professional cleanings with fluoride toothpaste twice a day and flossing daily. Also see your dentist and hygienist regularly. To prevent damage to your new crown or bridge, avoid chewing hard foods, ice or other hard objects.

I have heard that removal of tooth effects one’s eyesight,is that true?

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 04:40:41 GMT

No that’s not true,that’s only a myth.It does not effects eyesight of a person at all

About a month or two ago i had a filling done in my front tooth. I went back to have it check and he did a cold test to which i felt nothing and has now advised me i nedd rct. What am i in for - will it hurt? How many visits will it take? I can't seem to find to much info on front teeth. Should i get it done sooner rather than later?

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 23:13:32 GMT

a normal healthy tooth reacts to hot and cold sensations. If we have to make a diagnosis whether a particular tooth is vital or dead, we do hot and cold sensation test. Your dentist must have felt something and due to this he did cold test and your teeth did not react to that. This implies that your tooth is non vital and treatment for non vital teeth is RCT. In my opinion, your dentist has given right advise to go for RCT. These RCT is done in a single visit. Front tooth has only one root and so only one root canal. On front teeth it is easier to do RCT than the back teeth which have 2-3 roots. Before going for the RCT, the dentist will numb the area and after that you will not feel any pain.

For the front tooth which crown is better –the metal fused to ceramic or the all ceramic crown and why?

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 07:17:44 GMT

Metal fused to ceramic crowns are usually given in back teeth and full ceramic crowns are given in the front teeth. Metal fused to ceramic crowns are very strong but as they have metal below the ceramic, opacifier have to be used to mask the color of the metal and because of that translucency is not there in the crown. It does not give very natural appearance and moreover a black metallic line is visible near the gum. All these things do not matter much in case of back teeth as the color of the crown matches with the adjacent teeth. But in case of front teeth, if the crown does not have the translucency and if the metallic line is visible that looks very bad. Moreover all ceramic crown have sufficient strength to be given for the front teeth

What happens during an endodontic consultation

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 04:45:52 GMT

Your dentist will ask about your complete past medical and dental history. Also a new dental x-ray is taken even though you might have one from the earlier dentist to get the latest picture of your problem. X-rays are taken at different angles to disclose various different problems like an abscess or deep caries. Also the dentist will perform various hot, cold and tap tests to come to a proper diagnosis as to whether you need a root canal treatment or not.

My child has tooth by birth, is this a matter of worry?

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 20:17:48 GMT

Sometimes an infant may have a tooth which is present at birth, those are called as natal teeth, and those which erupt from birth to 30 days are called as neonatal teeth. There is no need to worry .Consult your dentist if the tooth gives any problem to the child.

Don’t we need a root canal treatment if there is no pain?

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 04:53:44 GMT

Most of the teeth that need root canal treatment do not cause any pain as the nerve tissue has already become necrotic. So even if the tooth needing a root canal treatment does not cause pain it’s up to your dentist or an endodontist to decide the need for a root canal treatment. If you see a pimple or sinus tract near a damaged tooth refer a dentist. The pimple can come and go. Without treatment the infection can spread to nearby tissues.

How do I know that I have gum disease?

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 20:40:55 GMT

First sign is blood on the toothbrush or in the rinsing water when you clean your teeth. Gums may also bleed when eating, leaving a bad taste in the mouth.Your breath nay also become unpleasant.

How long does a root canal treatment take?

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 04:57:41 GMT

As said above a root canal can be a single visit procedure or a multiple visit therapy depending on the condition of the tooth, the extent of infection, number of roots and number of root canals. Also the accessibility to the area and the time available with the patient and the dentist matters. Each visit can take about 1-2 hours usually.

Why is a broken tooth more sensitive?

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 04:47:51 GMT

The enamel acts like an armor protecting the sensitive dentine beneath. If by any means the dentinal tubules get exposed to air or the chemical attack by a breach in the protective shield of the enamel of the tooth movement of fluid occurs inside the dentinal tubules which get tiny projections from the cells lining the inner side of the pulp tissue also called as the odontoblasts, so the movement of fluid in the dentinal tubules which can be sensed by the nerve endings that connect with the odontoblasts. This is the reason that the damaged or decayed teeth are more sensitive when touched or dried. If the decay reaches the nerve it gets infected and inflamed leading to severe pin and even swelling.

Why Does My Dentist Prescribe Medication

Sat, 27 Feb 2010 05:07:28 GMT

After certain procedures, you may notice that the dentist gives you a list of medications to avail. You may ask why? Your dentist recommends medications for various reasons. While some medicines are created to fight with oral diseases, others are formulated to prevent certain infections after surgical procedures like gum-surgery and tooth-extractions. Some drugs are used earlier to dental treatment. These drugs are used to fight with infections and to control existing situations like valve problems and heart murmurs. Your dentists will advice you what drugs you will be taking, and when will you take them or why. Your dentist prescribes pre-operational and post-operational medication after each procedure for a number of reasons as follows: •To Treat Possible Infections Dentists prescribe medication to prevent infections from hampering your recovery after the procedure. Anti-bacterial medication will help protect your dental health and hasten the healing of the treated teeth. •To Prevent Cardiac Problems Certain medications help counteract the ill effects of any dental procedures that may adversely your cardiac health. Some conditions that may happen due to dental procedures are irregularity in heartbeats and palpitations. •To Relieve Pain Given this, you must also remember some significant pointers before getting additional medication from your doctor. •First, you must never assume that the dentist knows your complete medical history. You must relate what you know of your medical information to your dentist such as allergies and prior dental and non- dental diseases that may affect your future recovery. •If you do this and practice full disclosure to your dentist, it will help the medical professional prescribe the appropriate medication to help you heal faster. •Secondly, it will also help the dentist to know enough about your dental habits to aid him or her in assessing the overall condition of your teeth. The frequency and regularity of your dental hygiene practices generally affects your dental condition and the dentists’ treatment plans as well. •In addition to this, knowing your medical history and dental habits will aid in prescribing the proper medication that will prevent unwanted side effects from occurring because of misdiagnosis and wrongful dissemination of drugs. •You must also make it a point to have knowledge as to which drugs you may be allergic to and how it affects you physically. Most people are allergic to certain medication and it is important for you to know which ones you are allergic to. •Lastly, you must also inform the dentist if you have been taking other medications due to a medical condition like kidney failure or a heart condition. This is because the medication you may be taking may react to any prescription the dentist may give. Some signs and symptoms of allergic reactions are as follows. •Coughing and Wheezing This may be due to a negative internal reaction between the dental medication and your enzymes, which then affects your lungs and breathing patterns. •Shortness of Breath As stated earlier, if the allergic reaction affects your lungs you will experience difficulty breathing. •Physical Manifestations Some allergies manifest physically. Examples of this are the red spots that may erupt on your skin. Some cases show skin blotching and peeling. These are just some of the symptoms of allergies. Having to undergo dental procedures requires you to take medication in order to hasten your recovery. This is why it is important for the dentists to know your medical history. It will therefore enable them to prescribe the proper drug to treat your condition.

Does smoking damage our teeth?

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 23:23:12 GMT

Yes,tobacco and tartar presents in smoke stain our teeth and gums,and excessive smoking results in white patches on mucosa.Tobacco chewing results in oral cancer if excessively used.

My teeth start paining whenever I take anything hot and cold,what can be the reason?

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 03:51:05 GMT

Your teeth are very sensitive to hot and cold.This can be due to any cavity in your mouth or due to harsh brushing (that has resulted in removal of upper most layer of your teeth) .Visit your dentist for the needful.

I got my tooth extracted 2 days ago. Can i eat something solid?I am afraid of dry socket?

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 05:07:51 GMT

You can eat anything but rinse it properly after eating.

Do dentures affect speech?

Tue, 10 Feb 2009 06:50:45 GMT

New denture wearers may initially have some problem in speaking certain troublesome words. They should practice by speaking troublesome words repeatedly and reading a newspaper or magazine aloud which will improve their speech with time.

Are antibiotics required always in case of a root canal treatment?

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 05:03:39 GMT

Not always, today we have a very rational approach towards the use of antibiotics. The prescription for the use of an antibiotic by the dentist is given depending from case to case. Usually when severe local or systemic signs to infection are present like swelling, fever, body weakness and even lymph node swelling (A Lymph node is an organ consisting of many types of cells, and forms a part of the lymphatic system. Lymph nodes are found all over the body, and act as trap cells for foreign bodies. They contain white blood cells and are important in the proper functioning of the immune system) the use of an antibiotic is advised. Even though very popular the antibiotics are recommended only when their use is unavoidable and not as a means of prevention

Is smoking after removal of wisdom tooth harmful?

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 04:39:20 GMT

Yes, smoking after dental extraction can increase the rate of complication.They include increase bleeding and increase likelihood of painful infection of the socket(dry socket).Stop smoking for atleast 24 hours after the procedure.

I have a single/multiple teeth missing, what can be done to restore the same?

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 04:30:21 GMT

If a single tooth is missing, it can be corrected either by removal or fixed prosthesis. The difference between fixed and removal prosthesis is that ,removable is cheaper and can be removed and cleaned by the patient and if case of fixed prosthesis, it is little costlier and they can not be removed once fixed by the dentist .

My toddler 3 1/2 yrs has a huge fear of dentists. he had to have his front tooth pulled. he may have a latex allergy he got red spots all over his face after an appointment. he kicks, screams and has smacked the dental hygentist. now he has two cavities on the back teeth. is there anything that can be done to ease the fear before and during his appointment? i am not sure what to do and don't really just want him strapped down or put to sleep.

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 23:33:14 GMT

if your child is not cooperating and you donot want him to be strapped or put to sleep then you can go for concious sedation. In this the child is concious and he responds but at the same time his reflexes are less. For concious sedation you can go for Nitrousoxide sedation which is also called as happy gas or laughing gas. In this during procedure the child becomes very cooperative and moresoever it is quite safe and recovery period is very less.

Should the denture be removed at night?

Sat, 23 Aug 2008 03:42:38 GMT

Yes the denture should be removed at night while going to bed and should be soaked in denture solutions overnight. These solutions are available at pharmacy stores. This will let your gums breathe and they will remain healthy. You can get more knowledge on dentures from our article on Dentures.

My child has one small tooth in between upper front teeth,is this a matter to worry?

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 04:43:07 GMT

It can be an extra tooth which is present in between the upper front teeth. No it is not a matter to worry unless the tooth gives any problem.This tooth is called as a Mesiodens.But it should be preferably removed as it does not looks good esthetically.

How are Crowns and Bridges Made

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 10:08:14 GMT

Before either a crown or a bridge can be made, the tooth (or teeth) must be reduced in size so that the crown or bridge will fit over it properly. After reducing the tooth/teeth, your dentist will take an impression to provide an exact mold for the crown or bridge. If porcelain is to be used, your dentist will determine the correct shade for the crown or bridge to match the color of your existing teeth. Using this impression, a dental lab then makes your crown or bridge, in the material your dentist specifies. A temporary crown or bridge will be put in place to cover the prepared tooth while the permanent crown or bridge is being made. When the permanent crown or bridge is ready, the temporary crown or bridge is removed, and the new crown or bridge is cemented over your prepared tooth or teeth.

What is Gingivitis?

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 20:31:38 GMT

It means inflammation of gums.This is when the gums around the teeth become swollen, showing that the area is inflammed. Often this swollen gums bleed when it is brushed during cleaning.

My front 2 teeth have a slight but obvious scrape. It can be compared to two some puddles but are yellow compared to the rest of my teeth. What is this and how can we fix it?

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 23:40:13 GMT

the puddle like appearance on your teeth is called abrasion. It is caused by either improper brushing or due to the acidity when the acid is more in the oral cavity. The yellow color is because of the visibility of the dentine whiich is below enamel and yellow in color as compared to enamel. For this you can get the composite restorative material filling done on the front tooth. This composite material filling is tooth colored and bonds to the tooth

Are there some other alternatives than removable and fixed to replace the missing teeth?

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 04:33:06 GMT

Yes, Dental Implants are used to replace missing teeth which are most commonly used these days. Implants are fixed within the bone with the help of surgery and they are just like natural teeth.

I have lost my lower front two teeth and do not want to go for fixed teeth. What is the other option available

Sat, 23 Aug 2008 03:43:58 GMT

: If you do not want to go for fixed teeth then you have the option of going for removable partial denture. The options can be Cast Metal Partial Dentures as these are the best partial dentures. These are stronger, less bulky and offer best fit but they are expensive. In this there is cast metal frame work on which the acrylic teeth are attached. The other option for you is Acrylic Partial Dentures. These are the most economical partial dentures. In this the base is acrylic on which the acrylic teeth are attached. They get retention from the adjacent teeth with small metal clasps.

Can tongue cleaning improves the taste sensation?

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 05:23:53 GMT

– Definitely tongue cleaning can improve the taste sensation and can create interest in different types of food. The taste sensation is impaired because of the thick coating which gets deposited on the tongue. if it is not cleaned, the taste buds present on the tongue are effected. So cleaning of the tongue helps I improving the taste sensation.

What is gum disease?

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 20:28:01 GMT

Gum disease is the inflammation or infection of tissues supporting the teeth. There are two main forms of gum diseases, Gingivitis and Periodontal disease.

Is there no pain after the removal of nerve tissue?

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 04:51:34 GMT

This is not correct. There is no more sensitivity or pain to cold or hot food or fluids. But for a few days, after the treatment the tissues around the tooth tend to remain swollen and be source of pain. In this case the dentist can provide you with some anti-inflammatory drugs till symptoms subside

What is the success rate of the root canal therapy?

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 05:02:00 GMT

The endodontic therapy has a high degree of success if done precisely and accurately by a well trained and qualified dental professional. The success of root canal procedure is also related to the clinical skill of the dentist, as well as the regularity in the follow up visits of the patient. The tooth to be immediately repaired. If done with great precision and accuracy a root canal treatment can last as long as the person is alive.

I have a canine which is brown at the gumline. Also i have bleeding gums. Is this brown spot because of some disease or blood?

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 05:35:31 GMT

Often bleeding gums lead to Gingivitis or Periodontal disease.It seems you dont brush or floss properly.If you have red gums then you have gingivitis.Bleeding is also one of its sign.

My child is over 1year old and has no teeth,shoud I worry?

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 19:52:31 GMT

Even though most children of that age have a number of teeth,some children may have delayed eruption.There is usually no concern about it. You can visit your dentist and if he suggests , the presense of teeth can be confirmed by taking X –ray’s.

Can I chew on the side of the treated tooth right after the root canal treatment?

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 05:05:08 GMT

It is not advisable to begin chewing or eating on the side of the treated tooth at once after the treatment as most of the times the tooth will be painful. Also even if the tooth is not painful one should avoid eating on that side till final restoration on the tooth is done by the dentist to save the tooth structure remaining. The unrestored tooth might not be painful but the chances of breakage and re-contamination there-after are increased a lot on chewing on the unfilled tooth which has become very brittle after the root canal treatment.To conclude it might be said that even though it is very important for the dental specialist to clean away the dead tissue and infected nerve tissue from the pulp space of the tooth, the ultimate line of success lies with the defense system of the body and to prevent endodontic treatment failure is to make completely sure that all the left necrotic and dead nerve tissue present in the tooth has been accurately sealed off at the root tip and any other if present openings in the root by well fitted and placed root canal sealing materials. So a root canal treatment perfectly done can last long time and therefore it is recommended to get a root canal treatment done without any fear and anxiety as soon as the need arises and to not to delay it in order to save the tooth and avoid any complications arising from the infected tooth.

How do I know that I have a cavity?

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 04:02:35 GMT

In large majority of the people,cavities are painless because our enamel (outer layer of tooth) has no nerves.When cavity enters the underlying dentin ,cavity may begin to feel sensitive .Common symptoms are increase sensation to cold, sweet food or beverages. Cavity weakens the tooth, and can easily fracture when biting down.

Do teeth become dead after undergoing the endodontic therapy?

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 04:50:42 GMT

Even the whole of the pulp tissue is cleaned away from inside the tooth during root canal treatment it does not kills a tooth and the tooth by no means becomes dead. After getting a successful root canal treatment, the tooth continues to receive the nutrition and blood supply from the neighboring tissues and surrounding bone. The defense and immune system of the body continues to recognize a root canal treated tooth as alive and healthy, just as it recognizes a normal non treated tooth. A tooth that has been endodontically treated as well as effectively restored is no more prone to fracture, decay, or gum disease like any other non treated tooth and forms an integral part of the arch.

Why is it necessary, to have a crown, on a root canal treated teeth?

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 04:56:46 GMT

As the age progresses the nerve tissue stops its formative function but still keep building the dentin of the tooth. During this phase of the development of the tooth the main function of the pulp is to nourish the tooth and keeps the dentin elastic. This elastic quality of dentin makes it act like a shock absorber therefore less prone to fracture. Once the nerve tissue is removed the dentin looses the elastic shock absorber effect getting more prone to fracture so a tooth that has been endodontically tooth needs to be protected by a well fitting crown. If the tooth is not restored with a crown the remaining tooth structure can break easily also leading the bacteria to enter the tooth and cause re-infection of the root canal treated tooth. If the tooth is not protected and the infection increases it can lead to treatment failure and can ultimately cause extraction of the tooth.

Do whitening strips help? Do they make or make the teeth look healthy?Can you tell some other ways of whitening?

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 23:36:41 GMT

The whitening strips can make your teeth more sensitive, One should always recommend using a sensitive toothpaste when whitening. At the dentist office they can make custom trays for you that are a little more less plastic-y than the ones that are store bought and they also fit your mouth better. I think the cost is around $360 for both trays. Other ways to get them whiter or keep them whiter... Try not to drink coffee or smoke... those are the most common things that make your teeth darker...

Why do we snore?

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 04:44:21 GMT

This question disturbs the person who snores as well as those who sleep with you(spouses, children, roommates).IN addition to social consequences one has medical problems as well. The person wakes up tired and hence remains restless throughout the day. To identify the exact reason one needs to administer Polysomnograph from a doctor.The doctors have attributed these reasons for snoring • Soft palate/uvula and long to obstruct the airway • Clogged nasal pathway for air • Heavy throat tissues Normally it has been found this problem is more prevelant among obese people and those who sleep on their back. Also if one props the head higher on a pillow. Our body muscles relax when we sleep. The muscles present in our nose, which normally remain tight to let the air pass uninterrupted. These muscles relax when we sleep, so the nasal pathway is obstructed. The air which passes in short bursts produces this snoring sound. The speed of the air increases as it passes through our nasalway. This air then hits the surrounding soft, flaccid tissues lining the throat and generating the snoring sound. As we age we snore more because the muscles become more heavy and loose.

what is the procedure for tongue cleaning?

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 05:22:38 GMT

Cleaning of the tongue can be carried out with a normal tooth brush, but preferably with the tongue scraper if a coating is established. This should be gentle cleaning to prevent the soft tissue damage. It is best to clean as far backward as possible because the back part of the tongue has the maximum coating. Tongue cleaning should be repeated until almost no coating material can be removed. Gagging reflexes can be there especially if tooth brushes are used, practice helps to prevent this. It can also be helpful to pull the tongue out with a gauge pad.

Can dentures be worn at night?

Tue, 10 Feb 2009 06:51:39 GMT

Dentures should be removed at night and stored in a covered container containing water. Removing dentures at night allows rest to the oral tissues and maintains their good blood supply which keeps them healthy.

Are metal braces stronger than clear ones?

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 05:01:42 GMT

Bracets have 4 clips which get broken with anything.Metal braces dont have this problem.There are certain clear braces which are polymeric and have a little better resistence.

Can front teeth of denture be used to bite on a object such as while eating an apple?

Tue, 10 Feb 2009 06:53:30 GMT

No, front teeth of denture should not be used to bite on a hard object. It may result in the soreness of underlying mucosa on the alveolar ridge.

What are the symptoms which points towards the TMJ disorder?

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 04:56:48 GMT

The various signs and symptoms of TMJ disorder are- There are many signs and symptoms of TMJ disorder but most common are • Patient complaints of pain in or around the ear which according to the patient spreads to the face. • Tenderness of the jaw muscles. • Patient complains of clicking or popping noise on opening or closing of the mouth • Patient has the difficulty in opening the mouth. • The jaws they get stuck or locks called as locked jaw. In this the patient is not able to close the jaw after opening. • Pain is there while opening the jaws widely, while yawning or while chewing. Patient complains of headaches or neck aches

What is Professional dental care?

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 02:19:22 GMT

Regular tooth cleaning by a dental professional is recommended to remove tartar (mineralized plaque) that may develop even with careful brushing and flossing, especially in areas of the mouth that are difficult to clean. Professional cleaning includes tooth scaling and tooth polishing, as well as debridement if too much tartar has accumulated. This involves the use of various instruments and/or devices to loosen and remove tartar from the teeth. Most dental hygienists recommend having the teeth professionally cleaned at least every six months[citation needed]. More frequent cleaning and examination may be necessary during the treatment of many different dental/oral disorders or due to recent surgical procedures such as dental implants. Routine examination of the teeth by a dental professional is recommended at least every year. This may include yearly, select dental X-rays. See also dental plaque identification procedure and removal.

I recently visited the only local dentist for an assesment of a tooth that was causing me extreme pain. After a total of about 5 minutes, which simply involved tapping the tooth with the end of the instrument and wriggling it with his finger, the dentist diagnosed me as needing a root canal on my maxillary first premolar. I don't have doubts that this is the treatment I require, but am concerned at his method of assesment. Is it normal practise to diagnose such treatmnet without having an x-ray? I have done a bit of research on this particular tooth and understand that it can have between 1 and 3 roots. My concern is that without the xray, how will I know if the tooth needs one or two root canals?

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 23:31:28 GMT

your dentist has just given you the diagnosis depending upon your history, signs and symptoms and clinical examination. He has not yet started with the treatment. Though I agree that he should have taken xray before making the diagnosis but before starting the actual treatment he will definately take the xray because without this the Root Canal Treatment is not possible. In the xray one comes to know, not only about number of roots but also the length of roots and extent of decay. He will take pre RCT, one during RCT and one post RCT xray to check the success of RCT.

What is the treatment for cavity?

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 04:01:00 GMT

Tooth needs to be repaired with a filling.If the cavity is allowed to progress without being treated,nerve within the tooth will ultimately become infected and then the tooth may require RCT or extraction.

What is periodontal disease?

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 20:32:39 GMT

Long standing gingivitis can progress to periodontal disease.There are number of forms of periodontal disease and they all affect the supporting structures of the teeth. As the disease progresses, the bone anchoring the teeth in the jaw is lost making the teeth loose.If this is not treated,the teeth may eventually fall out

Which dental materials are best for our teeth?

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 04:23:29 GMT

Earlier amalgam was used. They are considered unesthetic because they blacken over time and give teeth grey appearence.Now a days composite resins or white fillings are used. There are materials of choice for front teeth repair. But they cost more than amalgam.

my wisdom tooths are staring to come out 3 of them are out im waiting in one of them one of the gums around the wisdom tooth is on the bottom left is swoollen but no pain at all could it be infected

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 23:17:22 GMT

It is not clear from your question whether the gum problem is above the wisdom tooth which is not erupted or around the erutpted wisdom tooth. If it is above the unerupted tooth and pain is not there then there is nothing to worry, it will come out. But if it is around the erupted wisdom tooth then it may be due to food impaction which can not be cleared very easily from that area. For this you can do warm rinses 2-3 times a day and make a concious effort to clean that area properly with the brush while brushing your teeth

What is Dental anesthesia ?

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 03:35:39 GMT

Dentists inject anesthetic to block sensory transmission by the alveolar nerves. The superior alveolar nerves are not usually anesthetized directly because they are difficult to approach with a needle. For this reason, the maxillary teeth are usually anesthetized locally by inserting the needle beneath the oral mucosa surrounding the teeth. The inferior alveolar nerve probably is anesthetized more often than any other nerve in the body. To anesthetize this nerve, the dentist inserts the needle somewhat posterior to the patient’s last molar....

I regularly brush my teeth inspite of that my teeth are yellowish in color, but I want white teeth .What I can do?

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 04:57:19 GMT

Yes, you can have white teeth ,visit your dentist he/she can do bleaching of your teeth.

Is drinking lot of soda bad for teeth?

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 04:28:34 GMT

Yes, any sugar containing beverages can increase the risk of tooth decay.Drinking soda with frequent sips throughout the day is more harmful than drinking it at all once in one sitting. Every time sugary solution contacts the teeth, bacteria in the mouth can use that sugar to create damaging plaque acids. These acids cause dental cavities. If you drink soda,you shoud brush your teeth directly afterwards.

What is a cavity? Or what is a dental decay?

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 03:59:07 GMT

A hole in the tooth (caries) and is the process involving bacteria and sugar that weakens the tooth.A filling is required to restore the tooth to a sound structure for function after the decay has been initiated.

Can hard food items be eaten with dentures?

Tue, 10 Feb 2009 06:47:31 GMT

Dentures are the replacement of natural teeth , they cannot mimic God gifted natural teeth in every respect. Very hard food items cant be eaten with denture. Trying to bite on hard object may lead to fracture of acrylic teeth.

Which material is most commonly used to fill the cleaned root canal?

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 04:59:24 GMT

Gutta percha which is the only American dental association approved root canal filling material is the most commonly used material these days to fill the cleaned and shaped canals. It is the purified coagulated exudate (Clump of any substance that oozes out from the pores of diseased or injured plant tissue.) from a Malaysian rubber tree widely known as the mazer wood tree. The exudate is then properly manipulated and processed to form the original dental material.

Should denture adhesives be used always to keep dentures in place?

Tue, 10 Feb 2009 06:52:38 GMT

Dentures are constructed to fit in the mouth properly without the use of adhesives. But rare cases with excessive bone resorption may require continuous use of denture adhesive. So, they need not to be used by every patient regularly.

Why I have to wear the retainers after the removal of braces when I am happy with the new position of my teeth?

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 20:49:18 GMT

The braces have moved your teeth to the new position and you are happy with that but the bone, muscles and the tissues around the teeth are not adapted to the new position. Retainers help the teeth to settle in the new position and if retainers are not worn after the braces are removed chances of relapse are there

Do dentures improve the facial appearance?

Tue, 10 Feb 2009 06:48:37 GMT

Dentures if properly constructed provide adequate support to lips and cheeks, thus improve overall facial appearance. A great esthetic improvement is seen in patient’s smile while wearing dentures.

What should be done if one gets to know that he or she has a cavity?

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 04:09:04 GMT

Once you get to know about the cavity in your tooth, consult your dentist and get a suitable filling done.

How much time it will take to adjust with a new denture?

Tue, 10 Feb 2009 06:44:43 GMT

Usually patients take 1-2 weeks to adjust with a properly constructed denture. Certain sensitive patients and patients with psychomotor dysfunction may take more time to adjust with the dentures.

Is root canal treatment painful?

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 04:49:47 GMT

No the root canal treatment is usually painless. In fact the pain is due to the infection in the tooth and root canal treatment is done to get rid of that pain. A local anesthetic is used to completely numb the tooth. Many people may be afraid to have a root canal because they are anxious about having the dental work done. Calming medications like nitrous oxide or the laughing gas can be given by the dentist in this case. The usual post treatment discomfort can be easily controlled by taking easily available over the counter pain-killers for a few days after the treatment.

Is Home Tooth Whitening Effective?

Tue, 24 Feb 2009 06:41:36 GMT

It is wise to think before going for any invasive procedures like porcelain and composite veneering etc. Home tooth bleaching or whitening is considered as conservative, safer, economical procedure of removing the stains resulting due various reasons.

Should I give my child fluoride drops or tablets?

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 19:54:26 GMT

No, if the water supply of your area is fluoridated.If you are not sure about the water suplly,contact your local health department.

Is thumb sucking normal?

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 05:43:52 GMT

YES. Children are born with an instinctive suckling reflex. Many children begin sucking thumbs in uterus. Thumb/finger sucking soothes distress, illness, or fatigue However, after age 4 thumb sucking is a habit that needs to end. One-third to half of all 3-5 year olds suck fingers or thumbs when tired. Finger / thumb sucking occurs in 13% of children entering kindergarden. Finger / thumb sucking occurs in 6% of 7-11 year olds.

I have heard we are not supposed to have our teeth cleaned while pregnant.Is this true?

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 04:45:43 GMT

No that is not true.In fact hormonal changes during pregnancy can make the gums more susceptible to irritation and inflammation.Teeth should be professionally cleaned atleast twice during pregnancy

What is the treatment for TMJ disorder?

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 04:59:28 GMT

Treatment of the TMJ disordere depends upon the cause. For that proper diagnosis is made. First of all dentist tries to find out the causative factor , if the causative factor is some high filling or some problem in occlusion then that is removed. Surgery is done only when no other option is left. Elimination of spasm and pain- Fist of all the dentist tries to eliminate the muscle spasm or pain by applying moist heat on the face, by prescribing muscle relaxing medication or ointments, by massaging the muscles and asking the patient to take soft food. Counseling the patient- if the cause of TMJ disorder is the stress, then patient counseling helps. When the patient is under stress he either grind his teeth or clench the jaw causing muscle spasm. Correcting the way the upper teeth meet the lower teeth ( correcting the occlusion)- If the reason of TMJ disorder is the abnormal occlusion then that is corrected either by selective grinding or doing the orthodontic treatment (braces). Sometimes the dentist goes for occlusal bite plates also so that the teeth do not make contact at all. Surgery Surgery is recommended when the muscles are in spasm for too long and the damage is permanent or the joint is damaged by trauma. When the dentist feels that the conservative approach is not going to be effective at that time surgery is done

What are the causes of TMJ disorder ?

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 04:58:05 GMT

The main cause of the TMJ disorder is, any situation where the chewing muscles and TMJ does not work together properly. In such cases the chewing muscles go into spasm. This results in tissue damage, pain and muscle tenderness. Accidents, injury to the jaws or diseases such as arthritis also causes TMJ disorders. Oral habits like teeth grinding (bruxism) ,or clenching the teeth tires the muscles and they go into spasm causing TMJ disorder. In some case TMJ disorders are because the upper and lower teeth do not contact properly. This is called malocclusion. In this the teeth does not provide proper support to the muscles while chewing or swallowing. The muscles are always under stress. This causes the disorder. In this the patient may be having esthetically beautiful set of teeth but they do not close properly

How can I prevent cavity?

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 04:26:33 GMT

Brushing twice daily. Flossing of teeth. Reduce the amount and frequency of eating sugar

IS TEETH WHITENING PROCEDURE SUITABLE FOR ME ?

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 04:30:30 GMT

If you have any gum or gingival and tooth sensitivity then professional teeth whitening is not suitable for you. Sometimes the stains can not be removed by high concentration of in office bleaching agent i.e. if the staining is deep. In these cases the dentist recommends at home bleaching procedure or other options can be done – porcelain and composite veneering, bonding or porcelain jacket crowns. If with age your teeth have become little transparent. E.g. – basically anterior or front teeth.

Why encourage a 4 year old to stop thumb / finger sucking?

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 05:49:33 GMT

Prolonged vigorous sucking deters normal growth. Altered development of skeletal pattern, facial form, nasal cavity, tooth alignment, eruption, lip structure, palate, speech, breathing and swallowing functions. The more frequently and vigorously the fingers are sucked, the more growth is altered. As the mouth is propped open from the thumb, the back teeth can over erupt, causing an open-bite. The force of the thumb will push the upper teeth forward and the lower teeth back, causing an open-bite. The tongue is forced forward and downward by the thumb. The roof of the mouth (the palate) needs the tongue to form and shape it into a wide “U”. The muscles of the tongue that place it in the roof of the mouth fail to develop the muscles of the tongue that push it forward overdevelop. The pressure from the cheeks while sucking further narrows the developing palate causing: Not enough space for erupting teeth, especially in the front (narrow, crooked smile) Upper jaw may not fit over lower teeth, causing shifting on closing and cross-bites Tongue does not fit in the roof of the mouth, furthering its tendency to push forward Imbalance of facial muscles as those used for expression are now used in chewing and swallowing Poor air flow through the nose as the roof of mouth is also the floor of nasal cavity Possible TMJ dysfunction later in life Try putting your own tongue at the floor of your mouth and see what happens The jaw moves forward and down from normal position and the jaw muscles become strained The older the child and the longer the habit, the harder it is to break

How Harmful Bacteria Germs develop in Mouth?

Sun, 28 Feb 2010 07:54:29 GMT

The food that you consume at night and just before you go to bed is the culprit for the harmful bacteria in your mouth. There are certain foods that are bound to help the bacteria to thrive. These foods are cookies, coke, chocolates, any food with a lot of starch in it and dairy products such as milk and ice creams. What usually happens in our mouth is that the bacteria consume the fungi and therefore there is no build up of it on our tongues. The black furry build up that you see on the tongue is one of the problems if you use a lot of peroxide in your mouth. Mouth washes consist of a lot of peroxide and over use of these will leave you with a furry tongue. This can also be caused by having too many antibiotics and drugs which will go on a kill for the bacteria in your mouth too. this will increase the amount of fungi in them. If you were to be a germ how would it be like? Well, it would certainly be extremely interesting and that is for sure. A germ is so very small that travelling around and fitting in anywhere is not a major concern for them. There should be certainly a tap on the reproduction system of the germ. The way at which they reproduce, makes them super fast and within no time they are in huge numbers. They are able to produce one million of their brethren in an hour. They are so very sturdy that they can live without oxygen and food for days on end. Germs eat all day long and therefore they are feeding in your mouth round the clock. They are like tiny little terrorists and all the brushing, flossing and rinsing that you do can only go on to reduce them but not eliminate them completely. In fact, the best rinse that you could ever make is of salt and water. If you need something stronger than this then you will be told by your dentist.

Am I likely to suffer from gum disease?

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 20:34:13 GMT

Probably,most of the population suffer from gum disease.However,the disease progresses very slowly in most people and can be slowed down to a rate that should allow you to keep most of your teeth for life.

Can small children use mouth washes?

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 20:26:03 GMT

Routine use of mouthwashes is not recommended for children below 8 years unless directed by your dentist.

What is the life of denture?

Tue, 10 Feb 2009 06:55:16 GMT

Well kept and well made denture can last a long time. It may even last 10-20 yrs also but might need repair after few years due to continuous hard n soft tissue changes going on in edentulous mouth.

what will you do when your tooth got beak during the operation

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 23:37:58 GMT

If you mean by the tooth which broke while pulling it out then you have to get the full tooth extracted. Sometimes because of damage or when the tooth is root canal treated is being extracted, they broke. The crown part comes out and the root remain inside the socket. If it cannot be removed with normal procedure then you have to go for surgical extraction

I have Swelling on Gums While Undergoing Braces Treatment, What to do?

Thu, 23 Jun 2011 00:49:04 GMT

When you have braces on and they are tightened to get your teeth straightened out in a row. The orthodontist will always advice you to have the best of oral hygiene so as to ensure that you keep your gums healthy and infection at bay. The best of brushing and flossing techniques when used even with braces on will ensure that you have gums that are not swollen.

Gum swelling can also result in the gums bleeding. The first thing for you to realize it is quite common when you are new to braces to see the gums swollen. This could be the result of a gum infection called gingivitis. The first thing to do is to ensure that your teeth are perfectly clean of all tartar and plaque before you go ahead and have the braces put on. Ensure that you have an appointment with the dentist who will clean your teeth thoroughly of all plaque and tartar. Once that is done you need to ensure that you do brush and floss well so as to make certain that teeth and gums have no thriving bacteria on them.

Gum swelling need not be only because of the braces but other factors as well. It could even result from hormonal fluctuation and therefore, if the gum swelling persists it’s a good idea to rule all of these out.

In fact, lots of people notice that once they have the braces removed, the swelling automatically reduces and the gums get back into shape. The best way to keep your gums healthy, even with braces on and ensure that you don’t have to deal with Braces and Swelling Gums is to have a good toothbrush. The use of an electric toothbrush with braces on is a good idea as it will be able to reach every little corner of your mouth and ensure that no food particles remain embedded in them.

When you have Braces and Swelling Gums another indication is that you need to further take care of your gums and teeth. This is similar symptom to gingivitis which causes bleeding and swelling of the gums.

You can also try using a medicated mouthwash after every time that you brush and floss your teeth. This will reduce the swelling of the gums and make them healthier. Another thing that you need to keep a check on is that you aren’t brushing or flossing too hard. If you go on and brush hard enough it will irritate the gums and make them bleed, get infected and this will result in swelling. Dentists have specific booklets about how to go ahead and brush one’s teeth. This has the right brushing and flossing techniques.

Ensure that you brush and floss after every meal and you will notice that the gum swelling surely disappears. Good oral hygiene will certainly help you keep your teeth intact and soon after you will have the best smile possible.

Whether Posts weaken the Tooth?

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 08:44:12 GMT

Placement of post in the root requires removal of large amount of tooth structure from the root to create adequate space for the post which may weaken the root. Also after the placement of post the forces placed on the crown are transmitted along the entire length of root which has already become brittle after root canal treatment. So, there is risk of fracture of root. Therefore all the factors which determine the success of post and core are considered before making the decision to place post in the root canal treated tooth and prognosis of tooth is explained to the patient. If its prognosis is poor, patient is advised to get the tooth extracted and get it replaced by a bridge or an implant.

when i use any tooth paste or powder to brush my teeth,mouth will become dry within 5 minutes and it will remain for 8to12 hours. which leads to bad breath one hour after brushing.if i use only salt for brushing then problem of dryness is not there.but it doesn't give me freshness.th'out the day i feel that i didntt brushed.please give me any sugestion so that i can leave with fresh breath.

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 23:22:59 GMT

I would suggest you to use a different toothpaste as some toothpastes have more astringent and they make the mouth dry. Dentists donot recommend using tooth powder as they have more abrasive and cause tooth wear. After using the tooth paste you can use warm saline rinses and these will take care of your dry mouth and at the same time you will have freshness of brushing also. Warm Saline rinses doesnot have any side affect and they are good for gums also. If you have the problem of bad breath then you should go for tongue cleaning also

Whom do we refer to as the endodontist?

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 04:44:53 GMT

Endodontists are dentists who have specialized in this field; qualification as an endodontist typically requires an additional 2-3 years of training following dental school from a dental school having post graduation in the concerned field.

Are dentures unbreakable?

Tue, 10 Feb 2009 06:54:20 GMT

Although dentures are made up of unbreakable and durable material but high impact forces may fracture them.

Will my first denture be uncomfortable?

Tue, 10 Feb 2009 06:56:18 GMT

Like any new thing it takes time to adjust to new denture. It feels bulky and there is temptation to play with it all the time with tongue. Time and patience helps in adjusting.

My child has the habbit of thumb/finger sucking,what should I do to stop his habbit?

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 19:58:16 GMT

Most children stop sucking finger at age of 3-5 years. Sucking finger can have a significant effect on the bite.Flaring of upper teeth producing protrusion and backward positioning of lower teeth are common.Cross bite or narrowing of upper jaw can occur producing an open bite,where the front teeth do not touch.Amount of these bite effect depend on the frequency,how long the child does it each time and intensity of finger habit.If the child continues this habit past the time of eruption of his permanent teeth ,then it can have an effect on the adult bite.Infant should be given pacifiers ,as they will do much less harm than finger habits

WHICH STAINS ARERESISTANT TO IN OFFICE TEETH WHITENING

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 04:29:10 GMT

The inorganic stains: as these teeth will look even darker in comparison to the surrounding teeth which are whitened. Darkening caused due to trauma. Stains caused due to tetracycline (ingested during tooth formation ). Fluorosis due to increased concentration of fluoride.

For How Long Does The Home Tooth Whitening Lasts?

Tue, 24 Feb 2009 06:39:28 GMT

Mostly some people have much better experience from tooth whitening than others. Tooth whitening last for around 18 months to 3 years. At this time the color will change to the original shade slowly. The prognosis is poor in cases if the patient smokes, or he eat or drink things that can cause staining of the teeth.

What is Focal Point Infection Theory?

Sun, 28 Feb 2010 08:06:24 GMT

What have we been able to decipher in the years that have gone by from the theory of Dr Price and the contributions that have been made to mankind? The research shows that when you consider endodontic treatment, the time should be extensive and corroborate with what Dr Price has already stated and discovered. Nonetheless the new questions that have been raised by Dr Price continue to add a different perspective to the dental profession and the work that they do to save the teeth and overall health of the people. There are some major scientific research that has been backing the findings of Dr Price. These have been really huge openings and have made our understanding of the subject far better. What is there is the understanding of the technicalities such as the kind that dentists and physicians read about. This is because they want to know more about the subject or they need to know about the data. There are several different kinds of data that has been collected that ensure that the scientific research that has been conducted by Dr. Price stands validated. The following people contributed greatly to the improvement of the society. Milton J. Rosenau, M.D. was one of the greatest of medical minds and increased our information pool about the focal infections. He was the professor of Preventive Medicine and Hygiene at Harvard Medical School in Boston. In the year 1939 there was an article that was published in the Journal of the American Dental Association. This article mentioned the separation of the bacteria streptococci from an ulcer in the bowel. This patient was sick and already had mucous colitis the bacteria were put in the bowel using an intravenous injection and this was tested on several animals. There was a lot of experiential work conducted in order to find out the bowel infection mode and then he found a patient who had a crowned bicuspid along with a large abscess at the root. The cultures that were got from the infection filled area were put inside rabbits. After almost 72 hours the rabbit started bleeding and had necrosing colitis. This is the same strain of bacteria that was got from the patient’s tooth. However, the experiment that was conducted by Rosenau went on even after this. There was the teeth of a dog that were x-rayed and the x-ray showed abscesses. These were quite the same as those found in the patient and after about 16 months the dog got the same disease too. Furthermore, the doctor added to the teeth of the dog other bacteria from the streptococci family. This was taken from several different patients with varying diseases. These diseases were chronic, acute and affecting different parts of the body. Fifty dogs were chosen and other 1014 dogs were used as controls. Almost 47% of the animals to 75% got the same disease as the patient. There were several people who went on to talk against the doctor. The practice of moving the disease from the patient to the animals was not taken lightly. But the doctor said that the germs were the main cause for invalidism. Dr. Rosenau was the one who found out more about the streptococcus bacteria. These were the very same germs that went on to cause diseases that were degenerative. Franklin Billings, M.D. It was Frank Billings, M.D. Dean of the Faculty, Professor and Head of the Department of Medicine and Professor of Medicine at the University of Chicago, who found out about the first focal infection that occurred in the mouth. In the year 1914, Dr Billings mentioned that Focal infection is mostly found in the head but could also be in organs and tissues. The meaning was that the focal infection could be anywhere in the body. However it is most likely to start from the mouth. It is important to note that the movement of bacteria from the teeth and tonsils can go on to have an effect on the heart, bones, joints and even the kidneys. Thereafter, more and more noticeable connection between the germs in the teeth and the diseases all over the body were made. However, Dr Billings did not explain the first findings and then add on to it the other discoveries made. The key was that bacteria from the mouth could be transferred to any part of the body. Most people found this quite difficult to understand. These were the main reasons why the focal infection theory was launched in search of new discoveries. Finally, Dr. Billings said that almost all of the diseases that we encounter come from the mouth or the tonsils and teeth. That amounts to 99% of the diseases and just 1% comes from the other parts such as the lungs, sinuses, or other parts. Although, these bacteria could come from anywhere initially!

What is known as endodontics?

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 04:43:57 GMT

Endodontics, from the Greek endo (inside) and odons (tooth), is a one of the nine specialties of dentistry recognized by the American Dental Association, and deals with the tooth pulp and the tissues surrounding the root of a tooth. Therefore endodontic treatment is also called as the root canal treatment

How Long The Bleaching Procedure Takes?

Tue, 24 Feb 2009 06:38:05 GMT

Home bleaching is done during night for at least 1 – 2 weeks. It can be used two times a day. Dental office bleaching is done by dentist. It takes 30 – 60 minutes and around 3 – 4 sittings.

I just went to have my wisdom tooth removed. Doc said the process has taken a little longer than she thought so she prescribed me 16 Amoxicillin, (4 per day). I have read that antibiotics should be at least 10 days dosage. Should I be worried?

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 23:06:25 GMT

I advice you to have faith in your dentist. She is fully qualified to prescribe the dosage of Amoxicillin depending on your condition. From your question, it does not look like as you have any acute condition. Your surgery took longer, may be due the reason that the bony covering over the tooth was more dense or the tooth was more impacted. Dentist comes to know about these only while doing the extraction as the diagnostic xray sometimes does not give the clear picture. However in my opinion, there is nothing to worry and your dentist prescribed the Amoxicillin as a preventive measure so that the infection does not set in. If actue infection is not there, then 4 days of Amoxycillin is sufficient. 10 days of Amoxycillin is prescribed by dentist usually in high infection risk cases. But you should strictly follow the post operative instructions given to you by your dentist otherwise post extraction complications like Dry Socket, bleeding, pain, swelling or delayed healing can occur.

What can be done in case sensitivity to hot and cold is felt even after the placement of the medicatements under the filling?

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 05:02:45 GMT

If the sensitivity to hot and cold is felt even after the placement of the medicatements under the filling it means that the inflammation cannot be reversed i.e. is irreversible. The treatment indicated then is the Root Canal Therapy so the dental professional must give immediate notice to prevent the development of severe pain and pus.

Do I need to visit the dentist after I get the root canal therapy done?

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 04:55:48 GMT

One needs to make follow up visits after getting the root canal therapy done to have a filling or a crown put on the tooth. The filling placed after the pulp has been removed will protect the tooth from reinfection but a crown is must. Until told by the dentist a patient should visit a dentist as and well fine in about 2-3 weeks. It is very important to restore the treated tooth with permanent filling so that the remaining tooth structure can be saved, till then don’t eat from the side of the involved tooth.

Will the treated tooth be lost eventually?

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 04:52:40 GMT

No most root canals are a great success and tend to save the tooth lasting at times for entire life remaining.

Ritz I've always had pretty white teeth, but this year I've been drinking a mug of coffee each morning, as well as smoke a couple cigarettes a day (I'm not a heavy smoker). But I believe that coffee is the main culprit. I'm wondering what's the best over the counter whitening product I can purchase. Or if there is no hope, that I have to go to the dentist.

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 23:10:48 GMT

In my opinion, coffee is not the only culprit. Smoking also causes the stains. It is the stain which is bothering you. For that a visit to dentist to get the cleaning and polishing done will be enough. You need not go for whitening strips. These types of stains are called Extinsic Staining. The plaque or acquired pellicle present along the tooth surface adsorb the various non-metallic extrinsic tooth stains. The various causative agents are dietary components, mouthrinses, beverages, medicaments, tobacco etc.

My granddaughter is 19 1/2 months old and continuously sucks her thumb, when you tell her take it out she does listen, then by habit it is back in within 5 seconds. I see her teeth being affected and her thumb has a constant almost callous like mark on it. Other than staying on her to keep it out of her mouth is there any other normal remedy fix...no cayenne pepper or weird like I've read

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 23:12:24 GMT

we dentists consider the habbit of thumbsucking normal till the age of 3 years. Till date no treatment is given. Just try to distract the child or give her some activity so that her hands remain busy with acitivity like doing drawings, playing with the blocks. Some children themselvers stop the habbit after 3 years of age. Whatever effect the thumbsucking habbit is having on her teeth just now is self correcting when the permanent teeth comes. If she does not leave the habbit even after erruption of permanent teeth then we have appliance therapy. These appliances can be fixed or removable.

STAINS THAT ARE BEST REMOVED BY TEETH BLEACHING / TEETH WHITENING:

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 04:27:37 GMT

It removes mainly organic stains on teeth which are caused by The use of tobacco. The intake of certain foods: like coffee, red wine, tea etc. With ageing also the teeth color gets darker (can be brown, yellow, grey, etc)

I am 60 years old and I do not have any teeth in the mouth. I don’t want any surgical procedure in my mouth. What can I do?

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 04:34:43 GMT

In your case one can always go for complete dentures.Now a days light weight dentures are also available which are easy to wear

Do I get the roots of my tooth or the entire tooth removed during a root canal treatment?

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 04:54:46 GMT

To save the tooth and not to remove it is the main aim of the root canal treatment. Your tooth is not removed. The root canals are cleaned of infected pulp tissue and shaped from the inside only. The tooth is treated from inside only and not on the outside.

At what age should I take my child off the Nursing bottle?

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 20:01:43 GMT

Child should stop the bottle when they are old enough to hold a cup.This occurs at around 1year of age.After this age,child should not be placed to sleep with a bottle because it causes dental decay,and increased incidence of ear infection.Best way to stop the habit is ,place only water in the bottle.

What are the signs of teething? How do we make the child comfortable?

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 20:05:30 GMT

Signs of teething are drooling of saliva, restlessness, loss of appetite. Fever, illness, diarrhea are not the symptoms. If the later signs persist, go to a pediatrician. Have the child chew on cold or frozen rubber teething ring.

Can I Use Electric Toothbrush in Braces Treatment

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 02:50:45 GMT

When you have braces on, you do need the perfect way to brush and floss your teeth in order to keep bacteria away. The main reason is that no bacteria mean you won’t be left with any cavities and also no bad breath. However, braces make it difficult for the person to be able to reach the nooks and crevices and flush out the bacteria. Therefore, begins the hunt for the perfect toothbrush.

There are several different kinds of toothbrushes available but predominantly they are divided into two main categories which is manual and electric. The best kind of toothbrush for braces is one that cleans your teeth stringently and that is with the electric toothbrush. They have hair bristles that are soft and the rotator head that can reach every little corner in your mouth. This gives you the assurance that it is not going to harm your braces and at the same time go on and keep your clean sparkling.

The thing to keep in mind with Braces and Electric Toothbrush is that you go ahead and use bristles that are soft and won’t harm the wires and ligatures of the braces. If anything moves out of place while you are brushing then you will have to go and make a trip to the dentist once again. You need to brush around the brackets without knocking any of them.

The first thing to remember with Braces and Electric Toothbrush is that you should go ahead and ensure that you get the brushing technique right. They work really well for removing those stubborn pieces of food that can get embedded in between teeth.

It is surely extremely critical that you have the right toothbrush for yourself as there is no purpose in having teeth that are well aligned but filled with cavities in them. You can ask your dentist to go ahead and recommend the right toothbrush for you. There are so many of them available but a good try is the spinning electric toothbrush. They will be able to clean around the brackets as well. Also, once you have got the electric toothbrush you can take it to your dentist and ask them to demonstrate it for you. They will show you how you need to use it so as to ensure that you are using it the right way. Also, you will be told of the techniques that will enable you to get the right nuances of being able to brush around your braces. You need to ensure that you don’t harm the enamel of your teeth as well.

There are several times that people don’t consider Braces and Electric Toothbrush and then end up with spots on their teeth once the braces have been removed. This is surely an ugly sight and something that you wouldn’t want after you have gone through all the trouble of getting your teeth aligned in a perfect row.

Can Root Canal Therapy Endanger Your Health?

Sun, 28 Feb 2010 08:11:41 GMT

There are several times that people wonder about the mercury fillings that are there in their fillings. There is a lot of controversy surrounding this. Dr. George Meinig has gone into a lot of studying the works of Dr. Weston Price who is a scrupulous researcher. The work of the doctor showed that the germs that remain in our mouth are the kind that will be able to pump into your body from real great distance, the germs. The toxins that are released by these germs can harm all your vital organs be they the heart, kidneys, lungs, eyes, stomach, brain, and innumerable other body tissues. The germs can also get into the bloodstream and then spread to all the other parts of your body. Dr. Meinig mentions of Dr.Price's twenty-five years research and the inclusion of it in the American Dental Association's Research institute. Dr. Meinig found in the research that was conducted by Dr. Price that almost 70 years of non-believers had to be surpassed in order to come to this position. The dental and medical professions might not want to use the information. These studies have been necessary. However, people should be aware of the research that has been carried out by Dr. Price to decide what is right for them. By enabling the patients with knowledge of the Dr. Meinig's comprehensive study of Dr. Price's research will enable them to be able to make dentists rethink their techniques. Further than this, Dr. Meinig talks of Dr. Price's research on dental diseases in easy words. This information is priceless. If one wants to avoid poisonous effects of root canal therapy it can be done so. Dr. Price enables us to choose the correct path. Several dentists, health professionals and even individual who have ever had root canal therapy done were amazed at the results published in the book. It will be really difficult for those dentists who specialize in the art of root canals and are already a part of the American Association of Endodontics (AAE) to be able to understand why the book was written in the first place. There was a honorary recognition that was given to this book recently enough. The three people who were awarded this are the only people who are alive and they were the ones who started this about fifty years ago. The public at large and even other dentists are not familiar with the apprehensions and confusion that this has caused to those who attended the AAE a few years ago. At that point of time, the removal of the affected teeth was considered to be a standard procedure. Almost all the dentists were never taught how to save the affected teeth instead. When they were being taught this most of them had no focus and interest. The reason behind this is that none of them had ever been told about the nuances of saving the tooth. Even at that point of time the doctors ensured that they told everyone about the benefits of the root canal and how they could go on to save the affected tooth, the first stage in this was to help them avoid tooth decay and if there was a cavity to have it filled and root canal done if necessary. These doctors were successful enough in teaching how it is important to consider saving your teeth rather than having them pulled out. The AAE has about 4000 member and there was a paradigm shift as more than 20 million root canal therapies were performed last year. This will certainly surprise dentists and physicians to know that the infectious bacteria in the teeth can be controlled. But actually when the root canal treatment is performed, they are wiped out completely and killed. The areas that had been infected by them, after the root canal has been done, starts healing. Some dentists do not know that the bacteria that caused infections and are present in the root canal are locked in the tubules of the dentin of the teeth. Whatever recommendations that have been made in the book are supported by the twenty-five years of extensive study that was undertaken on the use of the root canal therapy. This is certainly one great medical discovery.

Why and How to have Healthy Gums

Sun, 28 Feb 2010 01:35:51 GMT

People ask questions about gum disease. This is because they are curious as to how to deal with this kind of condition especially if they have been brush their teeth for as long as they can remember. It is not easy to accept that even if you brush your teeth often, you still would be susceptible to the bacteria that cause gingivitis and other gum diseases. Here are some questions about gum problems as follows. Why is Teeth Cleaning Not Sufficient? The cleaning is not sufficient enough to battle gum disease because the diseases normally are connected to another part of your body that has entirely nothing to do with your teeth. Here are some of the problems that are connected with gum disease. • Heart ailments • Bacterial infection • Gastrointestinal diseases Aside from this, it can also disfigure your free because gum disease it can cause spaces between your teeth that can be very unsightly to look at. Also, it can cause your gums to bleed and have a red colouring. Gum disease can also create spaces between your teeth that can change the shape of your face. Gum Disease Prevention - The most basic thing you can do to prevent gum disease is to keep your mouth and teeth clean. This will prevent bacteria from ever attacking your mouth. If you do end up having gum disease, it is best to pay your dentist a regular visit so that he can clean your teeth for you when necessary. Also, he can give you all the recommendations as to taking care of your teeth. He can also tell you if you need other kinds of procedures right away. The Proper Way of Brushing and Flossing - You have to brush your teeth gently and pay special attention to the intersection between your gums and teeth. Use the tip of your toothbrush to brush the surfaces of your upper and lower teeth. As for flossing, place a thin strip of floss in between your teeth into shape of a C. Rub it 3 to 4 times on each of the gap. Do this as many times if you can before rinsing. How to Handle Early Stages of Gum Disease • Have an appointment with your dentist or hygienist to have your teeth cleaned of all the bacteria and plaque. • Brush your teeth and floss more frequently. • A periodontist is recommended in case of more severe problems. Root Planing - It is a more aggressive type of teeth cleaning. It cleans out the surface of the gums that will protect it from infection and bacteria. This also rejuvenates the gums because it removes the plaque from hard to reach parts of the teeth. The Healing Process -The process of healing after various dental procedures depends on how cooperative you are in following dental advices. You should reduce stress as well as other vices that may affect your oral cavity. Frenectomy - Frenectomy can be defined as the prices of removing the frenum or the soft tissue that lines the lips and passes through the gums. If this soft tissue interferes with the growth of the teeth and irritates the gums which may cause recession, removal is therefore necessary.

Are baby teeth important? Don’t they fall out?

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 20:07:29 GMT

Baby teeth serve the important function of eating, speech and aesthetics. They help in developing jaws, hold space for permanent teeth. Yes, they fall out. Last tooth falls at about 12 years.

Reasons Pain in Teeth after 24 Hours of Filling

Tue, 05 Jul 2011 03:48:45 GMT

Most patients are worried about going in for a dental filling because of the pain that they associate with it. now the question arises about how much Pain after Dental Filling is acceptable and when should one go ahead and visit the dentist once again and bring it to their notice.

What most dentists state is that after a filling has been done the particular tooth is going to remain sensitive for a day or two. Any kind of even mild aggravation to it and it could result in pain.

Pain after Dental Filling is quite to be expected since your tooth is being restored and preserved so as to not cause it any further harm. The Pain after Dental Filling could result out of two reasons predominantly. Firstly it could be experienced when a person bites something hard. This could extend over a period of time and get worst as time progresses. The main reason why this occurs is because the tooth filling that has been embedded in the tooth starts to interfere with the bite. Now, if the Pain after Dental Filling persists even after a few days then the filling might have to be either resurfaced or even redone.

The other reason why there could be Pain after Dental Filling is because of any kind of touch to that specific region. This could happen with fillings on both the jaws and when you chew the materials in them create a kind of electric shock and produce a kind of current. This is also known as galvanized shock.

The reasons for Pain after Dental Filling is the filling could not have been properly fixed into your tooth, or the material that is filled in could be the cause for allergy. There could be also other reasons for the Pain after Dental Filling besides these two main ones. These could be trauma that the site of the filling had to undergo during the filling work. The sudden shock the dental pulp of the tooth experiences could result in Pain after Dental Filling. Now, in some cases the pain may not subside even after a few days and then a root canal is in the offing.

The other reason for Pain after Dental Filling is that the filling might not be leveled well according to the jaw and the other surrounding teeth to be found there. The filling once it has been done needs to be polished well and also there has to be no hindrance that it can cause to the normal functioning of the teeth and the jaws. After the polishing has been done sometimes there still might be a persistence Pain after Dental Filling. In that case the filling needs to be looked into right away and maybe redone.

Another cause for toothache could be the surrounding teeth. Sometimes everything might be right with the tooth that has had the filling done but the other teeth around it might be the ones with the concern.

What is Dry Mouth Syndrome?

Sun, 28 Feb 2010 08:03:46 GMT

There are many people who complain about having the dry mouth syndrome all the time. They ask their dentist if they can have some vitamin or pill to make this disappear. If you are taking any drugs then this might have an impact on the dry mouth syndrome too. The saliva flow when hampered makes the mouth really dry. If you are on any drugs then you must be able to judge whether that is the right one for you. You must be able to have a diet that is really well fed on a lot of cereals and grains, low in fruits and vegetables along with liquids. People with vitamin A deficiency and along with B complex and B12 and a low thyroid rate will be the ones that will have low saliva output. If you always have a lower than normal temperature which is less than 97.8, then you need to have yourself treated for the thyroid malfunction. The vitamins in the right quantity and of the right kind help your wounds heal and they make your teeth firmly implanted in the gums. Scientifically it has been noted that if you do not have the right amounts of nutrients in your diet then you will be a prey to bacteria in the mouth cavity. Studies that have been conducted in the Dental School at the University of Alabama has done an experiment by making a small hole in the gum just above the tooth. The way this wound healed was studied closely and intense pictures were taken too.

Why Root Canal Treatment for Badly Decayed Tooth

Tue, 05 Jul 2011 03:55:04 GMT

If you have been advised a root canal treatment by your dentist, you might be wondering why is it needed. The reason behind why Root Canal Treatment is Needed are plentiful. How on earth would you know that no other treatment such as a filling is going to suffice but you do need a root canal treatment?

The first thing that you will need is for the tooth to be examined by the dentist. This will be the preliminary examination that will go on to decide whether a root canal treatment is required.

This might not be the only solution for you since this treatment with root canal work requires a whole lot of time and is quite expensive. Also, if you don’t follow up on the follow up work the treatment might not work out to be successful. That is why a thorough analysis has to be done before you opt for the treatment.

Why Root Canal Treatment is needed and how would you be able to determine that based on certain signs. There are several reasons why your dentist might go on to recommend that you go in for a root canal treatment.

The first sign that the patient certainly won’t be able to ignore is the toothache that emits from that particular tooth. The pain could be persistent or might disappear for a while and strike back again.

The other reason that you can sight is the gum tenderness and the ensuing swelling in the area around that particular tooth. The thing to keep in mind out here is that only a trained and certified dentist will be able to ascertain ultimately whether you do need a root canal treatment or not. The right dentist will be able to diagnose right away whether you do need a root canal treatment or not.

The thing to bear in mind is that if you go ahead and have the right diagnose done a the first step of pain and discomfort you will be able to seek treatment promptly for the root canal promptly and end up spending a lot less time and money on it. however, most patients do not do this and avoid going to the dentist at the first instant for several reasons.

The first stage of root canal treatment can work out to be simple, cheap and easy to work on. The first thing is to undergo and x-ray and find out the underlying concern.

The other reason why Root Canal Treatment is needed is if there is an exposure of the tooth’s nerve. This can be extremely painful and need immediate attention. The third reason for Root Canal Treatment is needed is a pimple on the gums that refuses to go away. This could slowly go on to become a lesion on your gums and cause infection.

All of these three reasons warranty that the dentist will go ahead and recommend a root canal treatment to the patient.

Can Braces Lead to Divorce

Mon, 20 Jun 2011 04:38:06 GMT

When one walks down the aisle, one expects it to last forever, however, divorce is a reality and how is it going to affect your braces or your child’s braces treatment.

Braces and Divorce can work out to be an expensive option. You might be paying your ex-partner a substantial amount already for the maintenance of the kids and now you are left wondering what your obligations for braces are.

The first thing that you need to keep in mind out here is that you need to ensure that you follow the courts orders. You need to pay your monthly support as per the court orders and look for any special stipulations that might be mentioned in it. if in case you mind medical and cosmetic payments inclusive, then you can end up paying for the braces treatment for your child.

There are dental plans for children and if you have one and have been up to date on the payment of the premium on it then you can get the braces treatment paid for. Child support can be halved with your ex and in that case you will end up paying half for the braces treatment.

Check your divorce decree carefully as that is the place wherein you will find who is responsible for the medical and dental bills. This will allow you to ensure that you end up paying the right amounts. Child support can work out to be an extremely thing and you don’t want to be in a position wherein you end up paying more than what is stipulated. Sometimes the court decree states that you are responsible for dental treatment payments as well.

If you feel that you aren’t able to pay for the braces and dental treatment then you will have to file decree with the court and the motion will have the decree modified.

A braces treatment is an extremely important and costly treatment. Most orthodontists charge almost $3000 for the entire treatment. It is a good idea if you can agree to split costs with your ex or at least get them to pay a part of it if you can’t afford the entire sum. Also, there are not many insurance companies that are willing to pick up the tab for braces since it is classified under the heading of cosmetic treatment.

If you can amicably settle for the braces treatment payment with your ex then nothing like it. However, if things don’t work out well then you will end up in the courts. The other option for you is to work out a re-payment plan with the dentist. This will make you feel more in control and empowered since you will know about the treatment and the amount that you have to pay for the braces. You might also find out that your dental insurance covers a part of the amount for braces and the remaining you can split with your ex.

Will Gum Problem Create Complication in Braces Treatment?

Wed, 22 Jun 2011 04:49:51 GMT

When you have braces on, you want everything to go just right with your teeth. After all you are pumping in so much of time, effort and money into the treatment in order to be able to showcase your neat straight row of teeth and fabulous smile to the world. But, what if all you did with your braces on ended in giving you gum problems.

Braces and Gum Problems can occur together since when you have braces on it is not that easy to clean your teeth. The one thing that you must ensure is that you clean your teeth as close to your gums as possible so that you are not faced with any accumulation of plaque and tartar.

Braces and Gum Problems can be a concern since this can lead to further problems with your teeth. Therefore, all dentists will recommend a stringent follow up of brushing and flossing regime along with regular visits to the dentist to weed out any concerns in the initial stages. In the first stages of any gum concerns that might arise and if proper care is taken for them, then it is reversible and you will be able to protect your teeth. What that means is that at the end of the treatment for your braces all that you will be left with is a great pearly white row of teeth and a fabulous smile to flaunt to the world.

Many people are of the misconception that gum disease can only occur in the elderly but that is a myth. Gum disease can strike anyone who does not take care of their oral health and keep bacteria at bay. It’s most embarrassing manifestation is in the form of bad breath.
The main reason why gum disease can occur is because of the buildup of plaque and tartar on one’s teeth. What one needs especially with braces on is to ensure that one brushes their teeth well so as to not allow the toxins that are created by these bacteria to go on and attack the teeth. The thing is that there are hundreds of different kinds of bacteria around and therefore to keep plaque and tartar away from your teeth is a great thing.

Braces and gum disease can go together since if you don’t keep your teeth clean with the braces on, you are inviting trouble to yourself in the form of plaque and gum disease. Moreover, gum disease is not something that you would want to take lightly since it can loosen the teeth and make them fall out. What sense will the teeth in a line be if you have missing teeth in between?

Therefore, the first sign up plaque and you need to battle it stringently. There are people who are at risk of gum disease more than the rest of the folks and people with braces on are on top of the list of them.

Reasons for Having Cold Sores in Mouth

Tue, 05 Jul 2011 03:51:47 GMT

You might come across someone who says that they have cold sores and it might leave you wondering what are cold sores? A cold sore can be known by several different names such as fever blisters. The one thing that sets them apart and makes them instantly recognizable as cold sores are small sores or blister-like lesions that erupt in the face area. This could be directly on the face or even inside the mouth. Cold sores are not something to be looked forward to since they are not only ugly to look at but they can go on to cause a lot of pain. They are usually accompanied by a lot of burning sensation, or itching. This is before they burst and a crust is formed over them. The regions that are common for cold sore to erupt on are the lips, chin, and cheeks, inside of the nostrils, and gums or the palate as well.

What are cold sores? We have answered that about. What cause these cold sores is the herpes simplex virus. There are several different strains of this virus that can go on to cause this.

There are times when people might be mistaken by cold sores and canker sores. The main thing is that canker sores are actually ulcers and are found in the soft tissue of the mouth. On the other hand cold sores never occur in the soft tissue. It is quite common for people to suffer from cold sores and sadly enough there is no cure or prevention them. The only way is to reduce the length of an attack and the frequency of it.

The virus that causes cold sores is absolutely contagious and can enter the body and remain dormant until the triggers that can manifest an attack. The triggers for one to get a cold sore attack are stress or an immune deficiency.
The moment the cold sore strikes a person the severity of it will depend on the individual and how their body reacts to it. In fact, there are some people who might harbor the disease germs but never ever fall sick as it might not affect them since their body will be able to fight it.

The severity of the cold sores might depend from person to person and last from one to two weeks. The cold sores outbreak may sometimes take as long as entire three whole weeks to get cured and out of your system.

Most adults have severe bad breath linked with cold sores and blisters around the mouth. A severe attack of cold sores might also go on to develop into ulcers which have crusts and grayish-yellowish centers.

There are times when children can get cold sores and this can continue right until adulthood as well. Cold sores can be quite irritating as they can put your life on hold and can be recurring as well. The thing is that this cannot be cured completely.