FAQs
Q: Why is oral health so important to me as a diabetic?
A: Periodontal disease (gum disease) is a bacterial infection that, left untreated, may increase in severity. As a diabetic, you are at higher risk for developing these types of infections, which can impair your ability to process and/or utilize insulin. This may cause your diabetes to be more difficult to control and your infection to be more severe than a non-diabetic.
Q: What is periodontal disease?
A: Periodontal disease, commonly known as gum disease, is a bacterial infection of the gums, bone, and attachment fibers that support the teeth and hold them in the jaw. The bacteria are found in dental plaque, a sticky, colorless film that constantly forms on the teeth. If the plaque is not removed carefully every day by brushing and flossing, it hardens into a rough, porous substance known as calculus or tarter. Toxins or poisons, produced by the bacteria in plaque, irritate the gums, causing infection.
Q: How do you diagnose periodontal disease?
A: If you schedule regular dental checkups, your dentist can detect developing periodontal diseases before the gums and the bone supporting your teeth are irreversibly damaged. Periodontal diseases are most often progressive – left untreated, the condition often becomes worse. During a checkup, the dentist examines your gums for periodontal problems. An instrument called a periodontal probe is used to gently measure the depth of the spaces between your teeth and gums. A normal reading is from 1-3mm. Dental X-rays also may be taken to evaluate the condition of bone supporting the teeth and to detect other problems not visible during the clinical examination.
Q: How are periodontal diseases treated?
A: The first non-surgical step usually involves a special cleaning, called scaling and root planing. This is sometimes referred to as “periodontal” or “deep” cleaning. Scaling is used to remove plaque and tarter beneath the gum line. A local anesthetic may be given to reduce any discomfort. This procedure helps gum tissue to heal and periodontal pockets to shrink.
Q: Do some factors increase the risk of developing periodontal diseases?
A: Yes, some factors can increase the risk of developing periodontal diseases. If one or more of the following apply to you, it is especially important that you practice good oral hygiene and follow your dentist’s advice to maintain healthy teeth and gums: Smoking or chewing tobacco, systemic disease, many medications have dental side effects, ill fitting bridges, crooked teeth, pregnancy or use of oral contraceptives.
Q: What can I do to monitor my oral health?
A:
You should contact your dentist if you notice any of the following symptoms: Bleeding gums during brushing, red, swollen or tender gums, gums that pull away from the teeth, persistent bad breath, pus between the teeth and gums, loose or separating teeth, a change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite, a change in the fit of partial dentures.
Q: What are the risks of Oral Piercing?
A:
A mouth piercing can interfere with speech, chewing, or swallowing. That may seem like a mere inconvenience until you consider that it may also cause: Excessive drooling, infection, pain, swelling,
chipped or cracked teeth, injuries to the gums, damage to the fillings, increased salivary flow, hypersensitivity to metals, scar tissue and nerve damage. The harmful effects can happen during the piercing, or soon after, or even long after the procedure.
Q: What causes decay?
A:
Decay is caused by dental plaque, a thin, sticky colorless deposit of bacteria that constantly forms on everyone’s teeth. When sugar is eaten, the bacteria in plaque produce acids that attack the tooth enamel. After repeated acid attacks, the enamel breaks down, and a cavity (hole) is formed.
Q: What is a sealant?
A:
A sealant is a clear shaded plastic material that is applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth (premolars and molars), where decay occurs most often. This sealant acts as a barrier, protecting the decay-prone areas of the teeth from plaque and acid. Although children receive significant benefits from sealants, adults can also be at risk for pit and fissure decay and thus be candidates for sealants. Your dentist can advise you about the need for sealants.
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Q: Why do you need a filling?
A:
Plaque, a sticky almost colorless layer of bacteria that forms on your teeth, mixes with the sugars in food to produce decay-causing acids. When decay creates a cavity, the dentist usually fills it with a durable material, most often a composite (tooth colored material), a metal alloy called amalgam or gold. It takes one visit to complete a filling. The filling will last from five years to a lifetime depending on its location, the material used, and the care you give your teeth. Gold has the longest lifespan, followed by amalgam, and then composites.
Q: What is a crown (cap)?
A: Crowns and caps are the same thing. They are used to cover teeth that have been weakened by decay around fillings or that are severely damaged, decayed, chipped, discolored, cracked, or misaligned. Crowns may also be required after a root canal or when a tooth cracks or breaks. The most common materials used for crowns are metal (gold), porcelain, or porcelain fused to metal. It takes 2 visits to complete and the crowns usually last from five to more than fifteen years depending on material used and the care you give your teeth. Your crown will be shaped to look just like a natural tooth.
Q: Why do I need a bridge?
A:
A bridge is a restoration that replaces or spans the space where one or more teeth have been lost. It is cemented or bonded in place – only a dentist can remove it. A bridge helps maintain the natural shape of your face and may help support your lips and cheeks. The loss of a back tooth may cause your mouth to sink and your face to look older. Also, when a tooth is lost, nearby teeth may tilt toward the empty space, or the teeth in the opposite jaw may shift up or down toward the space. This can alter your bite and place unusual stress on both the teeth and tissues in your mouth. The gums tissues and the bone that hold teeth in place, can break down from the resulting gum disease.
Q: What is a root canal?
A: If a tooth’s pulp, which contains nerves and blood vessels, becomes infected or damaged because of decay or injury, root-canal treatment is often the only way to save your tooth and repair the damage. The pulp becomes damaged and infection spreads to the bone and tissues. An abcess forms at the roots. After the tooth is numbed, the dentist makes an opening in the tooth to reach the chamber. The infected pulp is removed and cleaned out. Once clean and free of infection, the pulp chamber and root canal(s) are filled with a rubber-like material. The tooth is then filled. The tooth may then need a post and core and crown for additional support.
Q: What is tooth whitening?
A: Tooth whitening is a bleaching process that reverses discoloration of enamel (the outside layer of the tooth structure) to create a whiter, brighter appearance. No natural tooth structure is lost, and no anesthetic is required. In our office, we use an at-home system. This means we take a mold of your teeth and make custom trays to fit over your teeth. Bleach is dispensed in the trays and worn for 30 minutes to 2 hours each day. The process takes about 7-10 days to complete depending on the shade of your teeth. The effect is permanent but may need to be touched up as we age. The only side effect is slight sensitivity for a short time.
Q: What is Invisalign?
A:
Invisalign is an alternative to traditional braces used to straighten teeth. They are invisible, removable, plastic trays worn all the time that gradually move your teeth. You wear each set of trays (Aligners) for 2 weeks and have a dentist check them every 6 weeks. They are comfortable and easy to wear. You take them out to eat but must be worn all the time. Insurance that covers traditional braces also covers Invisalign to the same extent. Visit
www.invisalign.com for more information.
Q: What other options are there for straightening my teeth?
A:
Our office provides several other options for straightening your teeth. We do traditional braces, in both metal and ceramic brackets. We also use a large variety of appliances that, when used early or in combination with braces, reduces time in braces or sometimes prevents the need for braces. We can do isolated treatment too. We offer free consultations to see what would be the best treatment for you.
Q: What is conscious oral sedation? Or sleep dentistry?
A:
Our office provides conscious oral sedation. By taking the appropriate medication orally, you can “sleep” through your dental appointment without any memory of the sounds, tastes, or smells associated with dental treatment. This allows for many procedures to be done at one time instead of several visits saving time for busy adults or making a dental visit a “wonderful” experience, even for the most apprehensive patient.
Q: What changes will there be in my mouth during pregnancy?
A:
During pregnancy, there is a special need for good oral hygiene because pregnancy may exaggerate some dental disorders. Any hormonal increase exaggerates the way gum tissues react to the irritants in plaque. The important point to remember is that plaque, not fluctuating hormone levels, is the major cause of gum disease. Many people believe that a tooth is lost for every pregnancy. This is NOT true. You must brush after meals with a fluoride toothpaste and floss thoroughly every day to remove harmful plaque. Some drugs and anesthetics can be used during dental treatment. Your dentist will consult with your physician and use expert judgment to determine what drugs can be given at different times during pregnancy. Only X-rays that are needed for necessary treatment will be taken. Routine x-rays will be rescheduled.
Q: When should my child start coming to the dentist?
A:
The American Society of Dentistry for Children recommends that your child have their first dental screening at 1 year old. At this screening, we will examine their mouth for any developmental abnormalities, arch development and check for cavities. Then, when your child is 2 ½ - 3 years old, we will examine your child’s teeth and gums, record tooth and arch development, take any necessary x-rays, and polish their teeth. Then, they are placed on regular maintenance appointments. For most children, this proves to be an interesting and fun occasion.
Q: When do baby teeth come in?
A:
Your child’s primary teeth generally make their appearance when he or she is six or seven months old, though it can be as early as birth. There are 20 primary teeth, followed by 32 permanent teeth that will eventually replace them. Your child should have his or her primary teeth at age three and will keep them until age 5 or 6 when they begin to loosen and fall out. This process lasts until the child is 12 or 13.
Q: Why are primary (baby) teeth important?
A:
It’s important to take good care of your child’s primary teeth. Children need strong, healthy teeth to chew their food easily, to learn to speak clearly, and to look good to themselves and their friends. The primary teeth also help to reserve space in the jaw for the permanent teeth. If a primary tooth is lost too early, the teeth beside it may drift into the empty space. When it’s time for the permanent tooth to come in, there may not be enough space for it to assume its proper position. This can make the teeth crooked or crowded, which can affect the child’s dental health and appearance.
Q: What is baby bottle tooth decay?
A:
Baby bottle tooth decay is a dental condition that can destroy the teeth of an infant or young child. The teeth most likely to be damaged are the upper front teeth, the ones that make such a difference in your child’s smile, but other teeth may also be affected by this condition. It is caused by the frequent exposure of a child’s teeth for long periods of time to liquids containing sugars. Among these liquids are milk, formula, fruit juice, and other sweetened liquids. Letting your child fall asleep with a bottle during naps or at night can do serious harm. During sleep the flow of saliva decreases, allowing the liquids in the nursing bottle to pool around the child’s teeth for long periods.
Q: Why is brushing with toothpaste important?
A:
Brushing with toothpaste is important for several reasons. First and foremost, a toothpaste and a correct brushing action work to remove plaque, a sticky, harmful film of bacteria, that grows on your teeth that causes caries gum disease, and eventual tooth loss if not controlled. Second, the toothpaste contains fluoride, which makes the entire tooth structure more resistant to decay and promotes remineralization, which aids in repairing early decay before the damage can even be seen. Third, special ingredients in the paste help to clean and polish the teeth and remove stains over time. Fourth, toothpastes help freshen breath and leave your mouth with a clean feeling.
Q: What type of toothpaste should I use?
A:
As long as your toothpaste contains fluoride, the brand you buy really does not matter, whether or not it is in paste, gel, or even powder form, or containing a certain flavor. All fluoride toothpastes work effectively to fight plaque and cavities and clean and polish tooth enamel. Your paste should bear the ADA (American Dental Association) seal of approval on the container.
Q: How much toothpaste should I use and how often should I brush?
A:
Simply squeeze on a pea-size dab of paste on the top half of your brush. If you brush correctly holding the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle and brush inside, outside and between your teeth, the paste should foam enough to cover all of your teeth. Children under 6, however, should only be given a very small baby pea-sized dab of dentifrice on their brush. Brushing after every meal and before bedtime will help prevent any cavities and gum disease.
Q: What causes dry mouth (Xerostomia)?
A:
Dry mouth is caused by decrease in the amount of salvia in the mouth when the salivary glands do not work properly. The salivary glands help keep your mouth moist, which helps prevent decay and other oral health prolems. Dry mouth may be a sign of a serious health condition or may occur when a person is upset or experiences stress. It also can be caused by aging, radiation therapy and chemotherapy, medications, or diseases such as AIDS, diabetes, or Sjogren’s Syndrome. Dry mouth can cause difficuly in tasting, chewing or swallowing. It also allows plaque to build up on your teeth faster, leading to a higher risk of cavities. Your dentist will want to know if you have difficulty swallowing, difficulty with speech, oral sorness or a dry throat. Here are some recommendations to ease your discomfort: Brush and floss twice a day, chew sugarless gum, avoid alcohol and caffeine, avoid smoking, avoid citrus juices, avoid dry foods and salty foods, drink plenty of water, use over-the-counter moisture replacement therapies and make regular dentist visits.
Q: How common and how serious is oral cancer?
A:
Oral cancer, the sixth most common cancer, accounts for about 3.6 percent of all cancer diagnosed, with roughly 40,000 new cases of oral cancer reported annually in the United States. The vast majority of oral cancers occur in people older that 45 years, with men being twice as likely as women to develop the disease. The most frequent sites are the tongue, the floor of the mouth, soft palate tissues in the back of the tongue, lips, and gums. If not diagnosed and treated in its early stages, oral cancer can spread, leading to chronic pain, loss of function irreparable facial and oral disfigurement following surgery, and even death. Your dentist will perform a thorough screening for oral cancer.
Q: What causes oral cancer?
A:
Scientists aren’t sure of the exact cause of oral cancer. However, the carcinogens in tobacco products, alcohol and certain foods, as well as excessive exposure to the sun have been found to increase the risk of developing oral cancer. Rick factors for oral cancer may also be genetically inherited. Watch for red, white or discolored lesions, patches or lumps in or around the mouth. They are typically painless in its early stages. As the malignant cancer spreads and destroys healthy oral tissue, the lesions or lumps become more painful. See your dentist immediately if you observe: any sore that persists longer than two weeks, a swelling, growth or lump anywhere in or about the mouth or neck, white or red patches in the mouth or non the lips, repeated bleeding from the mouth or throat, difficulty swallowing or persistent hoarseness. Your dentist may want to biopsy the lesion to confirm a diagnosis.
