Electric toothbrushes are not essential, but they do make it easier to brush your teeth properly, especially for children. People who don’t brush for the recommended two to three minutes are good candidates for an electric toothbrush. Be sure to ask us if you are not sure which brush is best for you.
First, don’t feel bad. Whether it’s been 4 months or 4 years, now is the best time to get back into a routine.
Call us and we will set up an appointment for you for a thorough and educational exam. There are lots of people like you who have put off going to the dentist, and they are always relieved when they come in and get their teeth and gums taken care of. We love our patients and look forward to making you happy to see us.
Even with proper brushing, teeth can still accumulate a sticky bacterial film called plaque. Plaque builds up over time and can solidify into a cement-like substance called calculus or tartar that can only be removed by a dental hygienist. A six month interval has been found to work well for most people to keep the plaque and tartar off the teeth and allows potential problems to be found and treated earlier.
Some people have a faster rate of calculus buildup and may need their teeth cleaned more frequently. We will work with you to determine what schedule best fits your teeth and gums.
Pregnancy causes changes in hormone levels, which can cause healthy gums to feel swollen and irritated and appear red. This is called “Pregnancy Gingivitis.”
During this time you want to make sure dental infections don’t get missed, which can cause bigger problems later on. We will try to postpone any major treatments until after the baby is born, but in case of emergencies, it is best to get dental work done after the first trimester.
Getting their first tooth can be difficult for an infant, causing inflammation and subsequent congestion, drooling and discomfort.
Many infants get their first tooth between five and seven months, but it’s still considered “normal” for children to get their first tooth before or after this. Some children may have their first teeth come in as early as one month of age, and others may not see any teeth until they are one-and-a-half years old. Usually the lower teeth in the front come in first. Girls will also usually have their teeth come in sooner than boys.
Cavities often lead to disease and decay which usually cause pain and infection. Children will also be reluctant to eat healthy food that requires chewing with a mouth full of cavities. Cavities that are left untreated also cause bacteria to increase in the mouth. As permanent teeth come in, they are more likely to develop cavities because of the higher bacteria count.
Baby teeth are also needed to hold the space in the mouth for the permanent teeth to come through. If the baby teeth have to be pulled because of decay, space maintainers are required to maintain the space of the baby teeth, otherwise the permanent teeth are more likely to need braces to put them in the right place in the mouth.
Teeth have pits and grooves that are teardrop shaped which can easily be missed when brushing. This becomes a place for opportunistic decay.
Sealants are applied to the chewing surfaces of teeth. These thin coatings seal off the grooves and help keep bacteria and debris from getting into the small pits and grooves on the teeth.
Sealants work especially well as a preventative measure in young children because decay has not set in. Children’s teeth also tend to have deeper and less calcified pits and grooves in their teeth that are protected by the sealant.
Dental problems usually only hurt in advanced stages when you usually have less options for fixing them. Rather than waiting for pain to force you to the dentist, come for your regular exams so we can diagnose any problems and treat them early. You’ll also find we go the extra mile to help you enjoy your visits, so you don’t have to keep putting off getting your teeth taken care of right.
Amalgams have been in use since the early 1800’s and have been approved by the FDA, CDC and World Health Organization. However, some have been concerned about the mercury in amalgam so the FDA continues to evaluate the available information on dental amalgam and keep the information updated on their site here: http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/ProductsandMedicalProcedures/DentalProducts/DentalAmalgam/ucm171094.htm
Those who are concerned about using amalgams can use composite resin fillings instead. We can discuss both options with you at your visit.
How much radiation do I get from a dental x-ray and how does it compare to other medical procedures?
Dental X-rays are much safer today than they were in the past with radiation reduced by an additional 90%. For example, a mammogram gives off about 60 times more radiation than a dental x-ray. Dental x-rays give you about the same amount of radiation as eating about 50 bananas.
Fortunately, knocked out teeth can often be re-implanted, but you need to follow these instructions:
- First determine if the tooth broke or if the entire tooth and root came out.
- Locate the tooth, teeth or broken pieces of teeth and rinse gently with warm water. Avoid touching the root if at all possible.
- Place and transport the tooth in milk or the person’s saliva
- Rush the injured person and their tooth or teeth to the dental office.
We see emergencies the same day if called in before noon. If after noon, we will do everything possible to still see you. If the accident happens after hours, go to your nearest Urgent Care or Emergency Room. The quicker you act, the more likely you will be able to save the tooth.
Unfortunately tooth pain doesn’t always happen during office hours. Here are some things you can do to help with your emergency at home until you can see your dentist:
Toothache: You can try rinsing your mouth with 1 cup warm water mixed with 1 teaspoon table salt and gently brush and floss to remove any trapped debris or food. Over the counter pain medications can help soothe the pain. Topical gels (such as Orajel) can help sometimes, but usually just for a short time. Even if you are able to reduce the pain with these methods, call and make an appointment as soon as possible to make sure your conditions doesn’t return or worsen.
When a Crown Comes Off: If the tooth is painful, you can place denture cream or toothpast inside the crown and gently fit it back into place until you can get to the dentist. Avoide leaving the crown out for more than a few days because your teeth can shift and make it difficult to re-cement later.
Missing teeth can cause the remaining teeth to move towards the open space, causing other issues in the mouth. Dental implants, bridges or a partial denture are all options for taking care of missing teeth issues.
There are benefits and drawbacks to all the options for missing teeth, but we can help you know which option works best for you. Call for a free consultation before your missing tooth becomes a bigger issue for you.
Lack of saliva is the main cause of dry mouth, but what causes a lack of saliva? Diseases of the salivary gland, medications, and aging can all cause a decrease in saliva. The decreased saliva can then lead to other dental problems, such as tooth decay, mouth infections and gum disease.
Easy ways to deal with a dry mouth are to use sugar free gum and drink plenty of water. Don’t use sugar drinks or candy as they can lead to rapid dental decay when saliva levels are low. There are also some over the counter products that can help with dry mouths. If you have dry mouth, contact us so we can help determine what is causing your low saliva levels and the best way to deal with it for you.
Diabetics are often afflicted with infections, receding gums and periodontal disease. This is because Diabetes impairs the body’s ability to fight off infections, decreases blood flow and circulation to gum tissue, and often raises the sugar levels within the mouth.
Diabetics need to be especially careful to use good oral hygiene with proper brushing, flossing and keeping healthy glucose levels.
The bones in your mouth support your teeth, but your teeth also support the bone. When the teeth are missing from the bone, the bone over time changes and atrophies in the mouth. This is why dentures that fit your mouth a few years ago may not fit now.
People may try to compensate for the changes in their mouth by using more denture adhesive, but this can cause faster loss of bone and an even worse fit.
There are other options to ill-fitting dentures than new dentures. Relining your existing dentures could be a viable option. Call an make an appointment so we can discuss what works best for you.
Dentures will become loose as the mouth changes over time, often causing sores and infections. It is best to address poor fitting dentures before they become a bigger problem. Periodic checkups will help prevent problems from ill-fitting dentures. There are different options for dealing with loose dentures, such as relining or remaking them. Call Veera Family Dentistry so we can make sure your dentures keep your mouth healthy and your smile beautiful.