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Why should I go to the dentist if I’m not having any problems?
Routine family dental care is important to overall health. Brushing and flossing
regularly keeps your teeth healthy and your smile bright. Regular dental care is
the key to protecting yourself from tooth decay and gum disease, which can lead
to other health problems if left untreated. Staying on top of your dental health
care could add years to the life of your teeth -- and your body, too!
I have a toothache—what could be the cause?
"Toothache" usually refers to pain around the teeth or jaws. In most instances,
toothaches are caused by tooth or jaw problems, such as a dental cavity, a
cracked tooth, an exposed tooth root, gum disease, disease of the jaw joint, or
spasms of the muscles used for chewing. The severity of a toothache can range
from chronic and mild to sharp and excruciating. The pain may be aggravated by
chewing or by cold or heat. A thorough oral examination, which includes dental
X-rays can help determine the cause, whether the toothache is coming from a
tooth or jaw problem.
Sometimes, a toothache may be caused by a problem not originating from a tooth
or the jaw. Pain around the teeth and the jaws can be symptoms of diseases of
the heart, ears (such as inner or external ear infections), and sinuses (air
passages of the cheek bones). For example, the pain of angina (inadequate supply
of oxygenated blood to the heart muscle because of narrowing of the arteries to
the heart) is usually located in the chest or the arm. However, in some patients
with angina, a toothache or jaw pain are the only symptoms of their heart
problem. Infections and diseases of the ears and sinuses can also cause pain
around the teeth and jaws. Therefore, an evaluation by a dentist is invaluable
in diagnosing medical illnesses causing "toothache."
I have a lot of anxiety about going to the
dentist—is there anything you can do to help me?
Dental fear can keep patients away from the dental chair, but the longer you
wait to see a dentist, the worse your dental problems can get. Dental anxiety
affects millions of Americans, so remember that you're not alone. Many fearful
patients are learning that modern dental treatment has taken the pain out of
dentistry. With dental technology, sedation dentistry and a gentle, caring
dentist, you can get over your dental fears -- and get on with the dental work
you need.
What is sedation dentistry? What kinds of sedation
are available?
Anti-anxiety agents, such as nitrous oxide, or sedatives may help you relax
during dental visits and often may be used along with local anesthetics.
Dentists also can use these agents to induce "minimal or moderate sedation," in
which the patient achieves a relaxed state during treatment but can respond to
speech or touch. Sedatives can be administered before, during or after dental
procedures by mouth, inhalation or injection.
More complex treatments may require drugs that can induce "deep sedation,"
causing a loss of feeling and reducing consciousness in order to relieve both
pain and anxiety. On occasion, patients undergo "general anesthesia," in which
drugs cause a temporary loss of consciousness. Deep sedation and general
anesthesia may be recommended in certain procedures for children or others who
have severe anxiety or who have difficulty controlling their movements.
How do I take the fear out of the first dental visit
for my child?
Your child should visit a dental professional by age 1. You can make the first
visit to the dental office enjoyable and positive. Before the visit, tell your
child that someone will look at and clean his or her teeth. Allow the dentist
and other members of the dental staff to introduce other dental health
procedures. Your dental professional will examine your child's mouth for early
signs of cavities or other dental health problems. He or she will also tell you
many of the things you'll need to know about helping your child grow up free of
cavities.
Will I need to get X-rays?
How do dental X-rays work?
When X-rays pass through your mouth during a dental exam, more X-rays are
absorbed by the denser parts (such as teeth and bone) than by soft tissues (such
as cheeks and gums) before striking the film. This creates an image called a
radiograph. Teeth appear lighter because fewer X-rays penetrate to reach the
film. Tooth decay, infections and signs of gum disease, including changes in the
bone and ligaments holding teeth in place, appear darker because of more X-ray
penetration. The interpretation of these radiographs allows the dentist to
safely and accurately detect hidden abnormalities.
How often should I have X-rays taken?
How often X-rays should be taken depends on the patient's individual health
needs. It is important to recognize that just as each patient is different form
the next, so should the scheduling of X-ray exams be individualized for each
patient. Your dentist will review your history, examine your mouth and then
decide whether you need radiographs and what type. If you are a new patient, the
dentist may recommend radiographs to determine the present status of the hidden
areas of your mouth and to help analyze changes that may occur later. If you
have had recent radiographs at your previous dentist, your new dentist may ask
you to have the radiographs forwarded. The schedule for needing radiographs at
recall visits varies according to your age, risk for disease and signs and
symptoms. Recent films may be needed to detect new cavities, or to determine the
status of gum disease or for evaluation of growth and development. Children may
need X-rays more often than adults. This is because their teeth and jaws are
still developing and because their teeth are more likely to be affected by tooth
decay than those of adults.
What are the benefits
of a dental radiograph examination?
Many diseases of the teeth and surrounding tissues cannot be seen when your
dentist examines your mouth. An X-ray examination may reveal:
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small areas of decay between the teeth or below existing restorations
(fillings);
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infections in the bone;
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periodontal (gum) disease;
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abscesses or cysts;
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developmental abnormalities;
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some types of tumors.
Finding and treating dental problems at an early stage can save time, money and
unnecessary discomfort. It can detect damage to oral structures not visible
during a regular exam. If you have a hidden tumor, radiographs may even help
save your life.
What are cavities?
Cavities are holes in the teeth resulting from acid attack. They generally start
in the enamel, but can spread to the softer inner layer of the tooth. Tooth
cavities are caused by decay that can occur when foods containing carbohydrates
become trapped between teeth, and are not completely removed with brushing and
flossing. Bacteria living in the mouth digest these foods, generating acidic
byproducts that can eat away at tooth enamel.
How can I prevent cavities?
Fluoride, which is found in most public drinking supplies, some mouth rinses,
and Crest toothpastes, helps prevent tooth cavities by slowing the breakdown of
enamel and speeding up the remineralization process. The new enamel that forms
is harder and more resistant to acid. Check with your dental professional to see
if your drinking water is fluoridated. If it isn't, he or she may recommend that
you use high concentration fluoride treatments.
To help strengthen weak spots, and help prevent the early stages of tooth decay,
brush regularly with a fluoridated toothpaste, floss daily, and visit your
dental office regularly for professional cleanings.
How are cavities treated?
First, the dentist will numb the area around the tooth to be worked on with a
local anesthetic. Next, a drill, air abrasion instrument or laser will be used
to remove the decayed area. The choice of instrument depends on the individual
dentist's comfort level, training, and investment in the particular piece of
equipment as well as location and extent of the decay.
Next, your dentist will probe or test the area during the decay removal process
to determine if all the decay has been removed. Once the decay has been removed,
your dentist will prepare the space for the filling by cleaning the cavity of
bacteria and debris. If the decay is near the root, your dentist may first put
in a liner made of glass ionomer, composite resin, or other material to protect
the nerve. Generally, after the filling is in, your dentist will finish and
polish it.
Several additional steps are required for tooth-colored fillings and are as
follows. After your dentist has removed the decay and cleaned the area, the
tooth-colored material is applied in layers. Next, a special light that "cures"
or hardens each layer is applied. When the multilayering process is completed,
your dentist will shape the composite material to the desired result, trim off
any excess material and polish the final restoration.
What types of filling materials are available?
Today, several dental filling materials are available. Teeth can be filled with
gold; porcelain; silver amalgam (which consists of mercury mixed with silver,
tin, zinc, and copper); or tooth-colored, plastic and glass materials called
composite resin fillings. The location and extent of the decay, cost of filling
material, patients' insurance coverage and your dentist's recommendation assist
in determining the type of filling that will best address your needs.
Will I need anesthesia? What kinds of anesthesia are
used?
Non-narcotic analgesics are the most commonly used drugs for relief of toothache
or pain following dental treatment. This category includes aspirin,
acetaminophen and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Ibuprofen.
Narcotic analgesics, such as those containing codeine, act on the central
nervous system to relieve pain. They are used for more severe pain.
Topical anesthetics are applied to mouth tissues with a swab to prevent pain on
the surface level. Your dentist may use a topical anesthetic to numb an area in
preparation for administering an injectable local anesthetic. Topical
anesthetics also may be used to soothe painful mouth sores.
Injectable local anesthetics prevent pain in a specific area of your mouth
during treatment by blocking the nerves that sense or transmit pain and numbing
mouth tissues. They cause the temporary numbness often referred to as a "fat
lip" feeling. Injectable anesthetics may be used in such procedures as filling
cavities, preparing teeth for crowns or treating periodontal (gum) disease.
What is a “root canal?”
A root canal is a treatment used to repair and save a tooth that is badly
decayed or becomes infected. During a root canal procedure, the nerve and pulp
are removed and the inside of the tooth is cleaned and sealed. Without
treatment, the tissue surrounding the tooth will become infected and abscesses
may form.
"Root
canal" is the term used to describe the natural cavity within the center of the
tooth. The pulp or pulp chamber is the soft area within the root canal. The
tooth's nerve lies within the root canal.
A tooth's nerve is not vitally important to a tooth's health and function after
the tooth has emerged through the gums. Its only function is sensory -- to
provide the sensation of hot or cold. The presence or absence of a nerve will
not affect the day-to-day functioning of the tooth.
I have very sensitive teeth—what is causing this?
In healthy teeth, porous tissue called dentin is protected by your gums and by
your teeth's hard enamel outer layer. Dentin can become exposed due to receding
gums, fractured or chipped teeth or erosion. Microscopic holes in the dentin,
called tubules, connect to the nerve, triggering pain when irritated by certain
foods and beverages. Other factors that can cause tooth sensitivity are:
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Brushing too hard:
Brushing too hard or using a hard-bristled toothbrush can cause gum recession
and root exposure over time
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Gum disease:
Inflamed or sore gum tissue may lead to tooth sensitivity by exposing the root
surface leading directly to the nerve of the tooth
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Your age:
Because enamel can erode with age and expose dentin, sensitivity can increase
with age
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Acidic foods:
Eating acidic foods and beverages on a regular basis can cause enamel to erode,
increasing the likelihood of sensitivity
What is gingivitis?
Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gum tissues surrounding the teeth, and is
an early stage of gum disease. If left untreated, gingivitis may progress to
periodontitis, which can be a major cause of tooth loss in adults. Gingivitis
can sometimes be painless and, therefore, people may be unaware they have it.
Visit your dentist for an assessment to learn more about gingivitis and good
oral hygiene.
What are some signs of gingivitis?
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Mild inflammation of the gums due to plaque buildup
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Red or swollen gums
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Gums that bleed easily
How can I keep my teeth healthy at home?
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Brush your teeth twice a day with an ADA-accepted fluoride toothpaste.
Replace your toothbrush every three or four months, or sooner if the
bristles are frayed. A worn toothbrush won't do a good job of cleaning your
teeth.
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Clean between teeth daily with floss or an inter-dental cleaner.
Decay–causing bacteria still linger between teeth where toothbrush bristles
can’t reach. This helps remove plaque and food particles from between the
teeth and under the gum line.
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Eat a balanced diet and limit between-meal snacks.
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Visit your dentist regularly for professional cleanings and oral exams.
I don’t have dental insurance and am not sure if I
can afford to go to the dentist.
Investing
in your dental health may be one of the most important investments you can make
to your overall health and well-being. Most dentists accept major credit cards,
such as Visa and Mastercard. Many also offer monthly payment plans through an
outside health care financing partner. Typically, you can begin treatment
immediately with little or no money down and then comfortably make low monthly
payments over time.
What types of cosmetic dental procedures are
available to improve the look of my smile?
With dentistry's many advances, you no longer have to settle for stained,
chipped, or misshapen teeth. You now have choices that can help you smile with
confidence. Even the most subtle change in your smile can make a dramatic
difference in the way you look and feel about yourself. Talk to your dentist
about the options most suitable for you, what your expectations are and the
dental fees involved. Some options are:
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Tooth whitening
( bleaching) brightens teeth that are discolored or stained. Bleaching may be
done completely in the dental office or the dentist may dispense a system for
you to use at home.
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Bonding
can improve the appearance of teeth that are chipped, broken, cracked, stained,
or have spaces between them. With bonding, tooth-colored materials are applied,
or bonded, to the tooth surface.
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Enamel shaping
involves modifying teeth to improve their appearance by removing or contouring
enamel. The process, which often is combined with bonding, usually is quick and
comfortable and the results can be seen immediately.
o
Veneers
are thin custom-made shells designed to cover the front side of teeth. Made of
tooth-colored materials, veneers are used to treat spaces between teeth and
teeth that are chipped or worn, permanently stained, poorly shaped or slightly
crooked.
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Braces
are not just for kids. Orthodontics may be needed if teeth are crooked, crowded
or do not meet properly. If your dentist thinks you should see a specialist for
treatment, he or she will refer you to an orthodontist.
What should I do in the case of a dental emergency?
Some dental hygiene injuries are not obvious. Trauma to the mouth can cause
damage that may not be seen, but could result in loss of one or more teeth. So
check with your dental professional as soon as possible after any injury to the
teeth or mouth.
If a tooth is knocked out during an accident:
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Do not scrub or clean the tooth.
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Place the tooth in a small container of milk, saline solution if available, or a
special tooth-preserving solution available at your pharmacy.
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See your dental professional as soon as possible, preferably within 30 minutes.
Don't forget to take the tooth with you.
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With prompt attention, a permanent tooth may be re-implanted into the tooth
socket and remain normal and healthy.
Copyright 2010
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