Frequently Asked Dental Questions
Got Questions? We Have Answers
Should I Go To the Dentist Regularly ?
A regular dental checkup will help prevent many dental problems from becoming worse since they will be detected at a very early stage by your dentist. For example, early detection of dental caries or cavity will enable your dentist to stop its progression by removing it and placing a filling in your tooth, which may otherwise require a root canal treatment if left as such. This will not only save you from the inconvenience but also be light on your pocket.
How Can I Get My Kids To Brush Their Teeth ?
The best way to teach children to brush their teeth is to brush your own teeth twice daily. Kids tend to imitate adults and healthy habits will have to be incorporated in your own routine for them to follow. You can show them videos of their favorite cartoon character brushing their teeth. Younger children can learn from their elder siblings and you can even sing children’s tooth brushing rhymes to make it a fun task for them.
Why Do Dentists Take X-rays ?
- Your dentist may need to take radiographs for various purposes. Radiographs help in the diagnosis of the extent of infection of caries i.e. whether it has reached the innermost layer of your tooth, in which case you may need a root canal, or if it is superficial, the dental filling will be sufficient to treat caries affected tooth.
- During a root canal, your dentist may need several radiographs to assess the shape of the tooth root, extent of instrumentation and proper sealing of root canal.
Can Dentists Save knocked Out Tooth ?
Yes. But once a tooth is knocked out, time is of essence. The prognosis will depend upon two factors; how well do you handle the tooth i.e. the level of its contamination and second, how fast you replace it in its socket. It is advisable to keep the knocked out tooth under the tongue in the oral cavity and get to your dentist as fast as possible. Since it is dangerous to ask children to keep it in the mouth, for the fear of swallowing and choking on the tooth, you can keep it in water and bring it to your dentists’. Don’t try to clean the tooth vigorously and the best results are obtained if it is placed in its socket within the hour of its displacement.
Is There Any Thing Dentist Can Do About Sensitive Teeth ?
Tooth sensitivity is caused by various factors. It can be temporary, for example, if you chew a piece of ice, you may experience sensitivity but it will be alright in a while. However, if you experience tooth sensitivity for a very long time after you have had cold or sweet eatables, you may need to get your dental check-up done.the primary cause of sensitivity is gum disease. If, for some reason, your gums have receded, exposing the roots of your teeth, you will experience painful sensation every time that you have cold fluids or food. Another factor is excessive brushing of teeth. If you brush your teeth in a very aggressive manner, the outermost layer of your tooth wears off and the inner layer is exposed to the oral environment.You may need to see your dentist and get a proper treatment for sensitivity. You will be prescribed a medicated toothpaste for a while but the only solution is to treat the cause of sensitivity.
Isn′t Brushing Enough? Should I Floss ?
Flossing cleans up the space between teeth where a toothbrush won’t reach quite easily. Flossing will prevent proximal caries (i.e. the caries at the contact area of two teeth) and even gum problems from developing, in hard to reach areas of your oral cavity.
Can I Prevent Cavities ?
The best and most cost effective way to prevent cavities is to follow the rule of two. Two times brushing in a day for two minutes is sufficient to keep cavities at bay. But, the method of brushing also matters a lot. Follow the dos and don’ts of brushing teeth such as, do brush in a circular manner and don’t brush too aggressively. Excessive force while brushing will do more harm than good to your teeth and gums. Always use a soft-bristled tooth brush and fluoridated toothpaste.
Incorporate fluoride in potable water, if possible, for the toddlers, especially. But take precaution that the fluoride level does not exceed the prescribed limit.
Visit your dentist for routine dental checkups and get fluoride varnish or sealants applied to your kid’s teeth while keeping a check on their sugar intake.
Importance Of Fluoride To Oral Health
Fluoride is the shield that protects your teeth from the cavity causing bacteria. Though your teeth are made up of the hardest material found in the human body, called hydroxyapatite, fluoride combines with it to form fluorapatite and reinforces the protective barrier.
My Dentist Is Suggesting Sealants, How Do They Help ?
- Sometimes, small pits and fissures are present in our teeth, which is perfectly normal and a part of the tooth anatomy. But these pits and fissures act as breeding grounds for the oral, cavity-causing bacterial colonies. These colonies cause rapid progression of cavities and can cause caries which are not apparent on oral examination and are detected only on radiographs. To prevent such caries, sealants are used to seal these pits and fissures thus preventing bacterial colony formation and hence prevent caries. The sealants are primarily used in milk teeth since they have well developed pits and fissures as compared to permanent teeth.
When Should I Take My Child To The Dentist For The First Time ?
Based on various surveys the average age at first visit is 2 years however AAPD ( American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry) recommends that a child go to the dentist by age 1 or within six months after the first tooth erupts. Primary teeth typically begin growing in around 6 months of age.
Tt is very important to keep baby teeth in place until they are lost naturally. The primary teeth are important for many reasons including:
- Help chew properly to maintain good nutrition.
- Speech development.
- Save space for permanent teeth.
- Promoting a healthy smile to help children with.