Q : 1. How often should I see the dentist for a checkup and cleaning?
A : Regular check up and cleaning twice a year is highly recommended to maintain good oral health and to keep gum and teeth healthy. People at a greater risk for oral diseases should have dental checkup more than twice a year but dentist will take into consideration on deciding how often you need to have dental checkup and cleaning.
Q : 2. When should I bring my child to see Dentist for the first time?
A : You should bring your child to see dentist when the first tooth came out or no later than their first birthday. Baby teeth are important for helping child to chew naturally and speak normally and clearly. It also maintains a place for permanent teeth to erupt properly. There are usually 20 baby teeth which begins to be loosed around the age of 6.
Q : 3. What is Gingivitis? How to prevent gingivitis?
A : It is the inflammation of the gums caused by irritation from plaque buildup. The gum may feel tender and swollen, you also may see some bleeding when brushing your teeth. Gingivitis can be reversed with having regular dental check up, dental cleaning at least once a year and proper home care like brush and floss twice a day. If the gingivitis is untreated, it may turn to a serious periodontitis. Please refer to the next question for "What is Periodontitis".
Q : 4. What is Periodontitis, How to prevent and treat periodontitis?
A : It is the irreversible and advanced stage of gum disease and the untreated gingivitis may result to Periodontitis. It occurs when plaque buildup causes an infection below the gums that result in connective tissue and damage supporting bone around the teeth. Untreated periodontitis will cause loose, shifting teeth and even a probability of tooth loss. Poor oral hygiene is the most common cause of periodontitis. If you are suffered from periodontitis, you must visit your Dentist to perform Periodontitis treatments including Deep Scaling and Root Planing. You are highly recommended to have daily home care and dental cleanings, regular dental checkups at least once a year. Regular and proper brush and floss twice a day are the main keys.
There are Signs and Symptoms of Periodontal Disease :
Red and puffy gums – Gums should never be red or swollen.
Bleeding gums – Gums should never bleed, even when you brush vigorously or use dental floss.
Persistent bad breath – Caused by bacteria in the mouth.
New spacing between teeth – Caused by bone loss.
Loose teeth – Also caused by bone loss or weakened periodontal fibers (fibers that support the tooth to the bone).
Pus around the teeth and gums – Sign that there is an infection present.
Q: 5.What does heart disease and other medical conditions have to do with periodontal (gum) disease?
Many people are unaware that having periodontal disease (the destruction of gum tissue and bone that hold our teeth in place) can affect your overall health. Periodontal disease is one of the most common infections; often more prevalent than the common cold! Periodontal disease is not only the number one reason people lose teeth; it can also affect the health of your body!
Periodontal disease is a bacterial infection, and in its earliest stages, it’s called gingivitis. It starts when an accumulation of plaque (a colony of bacteria, food debris, and saliva) is NOT regularly removed from the gums and teeth. The bacteria in plaque produce toxins/acids that irritate and infect the gums and eventually destroy the jaw bone that supports the teeth. When periodontal disease is not treated it can eventually lead to tooth loss!
There are numerous studies that have looked into the correlation between gum disease and major medical conditions. These studies suggest people with periodontal disease are at a greater risk of systemic disease and indicate that periodontal disease may cause oral bacteria to enter the bloodstream and travel to major organs and begin new infections. Research suggests that periodontal bacteria in the blood stream may:
- Contribute to the development of heart disease
- Increase the risk of stroke
- Compromise the health of those that have diabetes or respiratory diseases
- Increase a woman’s risk of having a preterm, low-birth weight baby
To ensure a healthy, disease-free mouth, we recommend the importance of regular dental check-ups and cleanings, which include a periodontal evaluation. Also, diligent home care and a proper diet can help reduce the plaque and bacteria in the mouth.
Remember….the mouth body connection! Taking care of your oral health may contribute to your overall medical health!
Q : 6. Why is my mouth so dry ?
A : It is because the reduced flow of saliva. It is also called xerostomia and could be a symtoms of a particular medical condition or the side effect of using certain medications. For examples: Blood pressure medications, decongestants, muscle relaxer, anti depressants, etc. You can try Sugar-free gum, which can increase saliva flow or request saliva substitute prescription from your dentist if necessary.
Q : 7. Does whitening tooth paste work to brighten my teeth?
A : Whitening tooth paste contains mild abrasives agent and may have additional polishing agent including special chemicals that are more effective to remove surface stains than regular tooth paste does. It can make your teeth brighter by getting rid of stains but they do not actually bleach your teeth. If you decide to use a teeth whitening tooth paste, choose the one contain fluoride for extra protection against tooth decay.
Q : 8. Should I use electric tooth brush instead of manual one?
A : Deciding whether to use an electric or manual tooth brush basically comes down to what the user desires as far as the comfort, convenience and price. Both electric and manual tooth brushes have some pros and cons, If you normally brush too hard or too softly, an electric toothbrush can help guiding you to apply the right pressure. If you don' t brush for an enough time period (at least 2 minutes), the built in timer will let you know the time you have been brushing. Whichever tooth brush you decide to use, you are recommended to have a regular check-up for teeth cleaning at least once a year by our Dentists or Hygienists.
Q: 9.How often should I brush and floss?
A: Brushing and flossing help control the plaque and bacteria that cause dental disease.
Plaque is a film of food debris, bacteria, and saliva that sticks to the teeth and gums. The bacteria in plaque convert certain food particles into acids that cause tooth decay. Also, if plaque is not removed, it turns into calculus (tartar). If plaque and calculus are not removed, they begin to destroy the gums and bone, causing periodontal (gum) disease.
Plaque formation and growth is continuous and can only be controlled by regular brushing, flossing, and the use of other dental aids.
Q: 10.Why is it important to use dental floss?
A: Brushing our teeth removes food particles, plaque, and bacteria from all tooth surfaces, except in between the teeth. Unfortunately, our toothbrush can’t reach these areas that are highly susceptible to decay and periodontal (gum) disease.
Daily flossing is the best way to clean between the teeth and under the gumline. Flossing not only helps clean these spaces, it disrupts plaque colonies from building up, preventing damage to the gums, teeth, and bone.
Plaque is a sticky, almost invisible film that forms on the teeth. It is a growing colony of living bacteria, food debris, and saliva. The bacteria produce toxins (acids) that cause cavities and irritate and inflame the gums. Also, when plaque is not removed above and below the gumline, it hardens and turns into calculus (tartar). This will further irritate and inflame the gums and also slowly destroy the bone. This is the beginning of periodontal disease.
Q : 11. How often should I replace a new tooth brush?
A : Adult and children should replace a new tooth brush every 3 months. It is because when the brushes are worn out, it will not be as effective as they were. Only some electric tooth brushes are required to replace new brush heads every 6 months. If you have gum disease, you should replace a new tooth brush in every 4 - 6 weeks because bacteria can harbor in the bristles.
Q: 12.Are amalgam (silver) fillings safe?
A : Over the years there has been some concern as to the safety of amalgam (silver) fillings. An amalgam is a blend of copper, silver, tin and zinc, bound by elemental mercury. Dentists have used this blended metal to fill teeth for more than 100 years. The controversy is due to claims that the exposure to the vapor and minute particles from the mercury can cause a variety of health problems.
According to the American Dental Association (ADA), up to 76% of dentists use silver containing mercury to fill teeth. The ADA also states that silver fillings are safe and that studies have failed to find any link between silver containing mercury and any medical disorder.
The general consensus is that amalgam (silver) fillings are safe. Along with the ADA’s position, the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the World Health Organization, the FDA, and others support the use of silver fillings as safe, durable, and cost effective. The U.S. Public Health Service says that the only reason not to use silver fillings is when a patient has an allergy to any component of this type of filling. The ADA has had fewer than 100 reported incidents of an allergy to components of silver fillings, and this is out of countless millions of silver fillings over the decades.
Although studies indicate that there are no measurable health risks to patients who have silver fillings, we do know that mercury is a toxic material when we are exposed at high, unsafe levels. For instance, we have been warned to limit the consumption of certain types of fish that carry high levels of mercury in them. However, with respect to amalgam fillings, the ADA maintains that when the mercury combines with the other components of the filling, it becomes an inactive substance that is safe.
There are numerous options to silver fillings, including composite (tooth-colored), porcelain, and gold fillings. We encourage you to discuss these options with your dentist so you can determine which is the best option for you.
Q : 13. What is an implant?
A : A dental implant is a small man-made device made of compatible pure titanium and is used for the replacement of the root portion of a missing tooth or teeth. The implant is placed in the bone of the upper or lower jaw and allowed to bond with the bone and serve to support the natural-looking teeth, enabling the patients to restore their natural smile, chewing efficiency and their speech.
Q : 14. Why should I have dental implants to replace missing teeth?
A : Dental implants can replace your missing teeth, providing a very good combination of appearance, security, and confident. At the same time, without harming your remaining healthy teeth and gum tissue. Missing or damaged teeth are a common problem for many of the people. In the past, most of the cases are replaced by conventional methods, including fixed bridges or removable partial or full dentures, but problems still arise. Dental Implants are effective, natural-looking replacements for missing teeth that you may forget you ever lost a tooth. They can be described as today' s best alternative to natural teeth.
Q : 15. Am I a candidate for dental implants?
A : Any person who is missing one or more (even all) of their teeth due to injury, disease or decay, may be a candidate for dental implants. If you' re healthy enough to have a tooth extracted, you' re probably healthy enough to receive dental implants. Your dentist will determine if you are a candidate for dental implant after a detailed evaluation of your dental and medical health history. If one or few of your teeth are missing, implants in conjunction with a crown or bridge can be made. If all or most of your teeth are missing, then implants may be placed to anchor a denture.
Q : 16. How long has implant treatment been performed?
A : Professor Branemark of Sweden placed his first osseointegrated implant in his patient in 1965 and today still function perfectly. With all the recent advances in dental implantology, patients should expect their implants to remain in function for many years.
Q : 17. Is there any pain or discomfort involved?
A : Under most of the circumstances, implant placement are done commonly with just local anesthesia. Most patients report that there is very little discomfort and they were much more comfortable following the procedure than they anticipated.
Q : 18. What is the usual cost?
A : It depends on several factors, including the number of teeth being replaced and the number of implants required to support the replacement teeth. To obtain a specific fee estimate, it is necessary to have a doctor examine your mouth. After a diagnostic examination, your dentist will recommend the treatment that is best for you and what your investment would be for the procedure. As a high quality option, dental implant is considered to be the most "good money for value".
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