Youth/Teens
What is the best way for me to prevent cavities in myself and in my children?
There are some very simple steps that you can take in the prevention of cavities that can save you much pain and money in the long run. Here are a few of the major ones.
- Brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste.
- Floss daily when brushing.
- Eat nutritious and balanced meals and limit snacking. Limit the amount of sugars you and your children eat.
- Check with your dentist about use of supplemental fluoride, which strengthens your teeth, and about use of preventive resin restorations (stronger than sealants) applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth to protect them from decay.
- Visit your dentist regularly for professional cleanings and oral examinations.
At what age should my child first visit the dentist?
Generally speaking, when a child has all of the primary teeth in place it is a good time to have the first oral exam. The first cleaning and check-up appointment can follow a few months later, depending on the child`s maturity and readiness to accept the treatment. The goal is to have your child’s first dental experience be a positive one.How often should I change my toothbrush?
Most dental professionals recommend that toothbrushes be replaced every three months, or more frequently if you are an extremely vigorous brusher and you notice the bristles begin to flare out. Toothbrushes should also be replaced after you or family members have had a cold, flu, or other upper respiratory infections.Can children get too much fluoride?
Yes. If excess fluoride is ingested it can result in a condition known as fluorosis. Fluorosis can cause varying degrees of staining and irregular enamel formation in your child`s permanent teeth. Most municipal water supplies are fluoridated at safe levels (1.0 ppm). If your water source is an independent well, or if you drink only bottled water, you will have to investigate the level of fluoride that the water contains. Another potential source of excess fluoride is fluoridated toothpaste. Children should use a "pea" size dab of fluoridated toothpaste and expectorate as much as possible. Parents should always supervise young brushers.What are dental sealants?
The areas most prone to decay are the deep developmental grooves in the biting surfaces of molars and premolars. Dental sealants are transparent or opaque acrylic materials that can be applied to these surface grooves to effectively "seal-out" harmful bacteria and significantly reduce decay. Ask your dental professional if sealants are an option for you or your children.Can my teeth be whitened?
Today there are more options than ever for tooth bleaching/whitening. There are numerous over-the-counter as well as professionally dispensed whitening products. Many stains that are the result of smoking, coffee, tea and/or age may be improved with these treatments. Staining due to antibiotic use or excess fluoride are less likely to respond to these treatments. Before trying any whitening procedures, discuss your condition with your dental professional and together you can decide which treatment will achieve the results you’re seeking.Are amalgam (silver) fillings safe?
The majority of the dental community feels that amalgam fillings are completely safe and that the risk associated with the mercury contained in these restorations is minimal. If you have any concerns about amalgam fillings your dental professional will be happy to discuss alternative restorative options.Do I need a "cleaning" appointment every six months?
All patients are individuals, and have varied needs. The interval of six months for "cleaning & check-up" is a commonly recommended time frame, which may or may not be appropriate for you. If you have concerns about the frequency of your cleaning appointments you should discuss them with your dental professional. Together you can reach a cleaning schedule that is appropriate for your oral condition and that fits your busy schedule.Are routine dental x-rays really necessary?
Dental x-rays are taken to diagnose problems that may be occurring in your teeth and supporting bone that are not visible to the naked eye. If the condition is allowed to develop until it is detectable by a visual exam the problem will have progressed significantly and will probably require more extensive treatment than if it was caught in the early stages. Nevertheless, the radiation we receive from all sources is cumulative over our lifetime, so we need to be aware of exposures. Discuss with your dental professional why the x-rays are being taken and always have your x-rays forwarded if you change dental care providers.
Proper Flossing
Do I really need to floss my teeth?
Yes, you do NEED to floss. Brushing alone reaches only 3 out of 5 tooth surfaces. Also, the surfaces tooth brushing can't reach (the interproximal "between teeth" surfaces) are areas where periodontal diseases can most easily get started in your mouth. Some type of daily interproximal cleaning is essential for healthy teeth and gums.What is the proper method for flossing?
- Find floss that's comfortable for you. GUM® floss comes in a variety of sizes, textures, coatings and flavors.
- Remove about 18" of floss from its container.
- Wrap it a few times around one middle finger, then wrap most of the remainder around your other middle finger.
- Leaving 1" to 2" of floss in the center, pull taut and pinch between your thumbs and index fingers. These fingers will be your guides.
- Keeping taut, slowly and gently work floss between your teeth to the gumline. Do not snap floss into your gums. This can cause damage to your gums.
- Holding the floss against your tooth, scrape away food particles and plaque by moving it up and down the tooth surface on either side and under the gumline. Do not pull floss back and forth. This can cause damage to your gums.
Even after I brush, my mouth and teeth do not feel clean.
In order for teeth to feel clean, the plaque bacteria must be mechanically removed from all of the mouth structures. This includes the gums, the teeth, between the teeth, the cheeks, and the tongue. The best way to do this is with a soft, end-rounded, multi-tufted toothbrush, such as GUM® toothbrushes, and with dental floss and other between teeth cleaning products. These products are designed to remove plaque bacteria from your gumlines and teeth. The amount of time spent actually brushing should be approximately 2 minutes, or long enough to brush all of the gum tissues, tongue, cheeks, and teeth. This is about the length of one song on the radio. The size of the toothbrush is very important for good oral health. GUM® toothbrushes fit most mouth sizes and are very good for overall bacteria removal. Smaller mouths may require a toothbrush with a smaller or compact head such as the GUM® #409 Classic Straight Brush or the GUM® line of children’s brushes.
It’s hard for me to get in the habit of flossing every day.
For all of us, certain habits are more difficult than others to establish. Of course, the best way to establish any habit is to learn the skill when we are children. As adults, flossing is just as important as brushing. Here are some of the tips that may help: Make sure the floss is readily available...put it in the console of the car, in your briefcase, inside your daily planner, in the shower or anywhere you are. Our lifestyles frequently keep us away from home, so the dental floss in the bathroom cabinet is too far away for us to use. Floss for 21 days and then do not floss on the 22nd day. Usually patients can feel the plaque bacteria building up between their teeth on day 22. Then start flossing again on the 23rd day. Utilize floss that is easy to work with in your mouth and will not shred easily. GUM® flosses are shred resistant and clean very well between the teeth.
What exactly is Gingivitis, and what causes it?
Gingivitis is an early form of Periodontal Disease (gum disease). Periodontal disease involves inflammation and/or infection that results in destruction of the tissues that support the teeth. This supporting unit comprises the gingiva (gums), the periodontal ligaments (hold the tooth in place), and the tooth sockets (bone). Gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) is caused by the long-term effects of plaque deposits. Plaque is the sticky material that develops on the exposed portions of the teeth, consisting of material such as bacteria, mucus, and food debris. It is a major cause of dental decay. Un-removed plaque mineralizes into a hard deposit called calculus (tartar) that becomes trapped at the base of the tooth. Plaque and calculus cause mechanical and chemical irritation and inflammation of the gingiva. Bacteria and the toxins produced by the bacteria cause the gums to become infected, swollen and may bleed.