SWELLING OF GUMS CAN CAUSE GINGIVITIS WHICH CAN LEADS TO PERIODONTITIS. TREATMENT & CAUSES.

 Frequently asked questions in Dentistry ? 

One of the questions we’re frequently asked is whether it’s really necessary to have a cleaning and checkup every six months. Our short answer is, yes! But a more nuanced answer includes that time-honored truth that prevention is the best medicine.

Every appointment includes a thorough cleaning by a hygienist. Then the dentist examines your teeth and gums, looking for any new cavities and signs of gum disease. Every checkup also includes a screening for oral cancer.

Sometimes we need to see patients more frequently. Someone with gum disease, or who is undergoing orthodontic treatment, should have appointments more often than twice a year. We determine that on a case-by-case basis.

Patients often wonder how long a filling will last. Some people think they’ll last a lifetime, but unfortunately that is not usually the case. Fillings can break down or become loose over time. If that happens, decay can get into the area around it and cause problems. You can extend the life of any restoration with good oral hygiene at home. If you have any questions about what that means, don’t hesitate to ask.

What kind of toothbrush is best? This is among the most-asked questions for any dentist. Manual and electric toothbrushes, used properly, both do an excellent job. We recommend soft bristles, with mixed bristle heights and angles. They do a better job getting between the teeth.

To really get between the teeth, we also recommend daily flossing. String floss is best. Whether it’s waxed or unwaxed, flavored or not, or wide dental tape, is up to you.

When it comes to toothpaste, we recommend one that has the American Dental Association Seal of Acceptance. That means it contains fluoride, which strengthens and protects your teeth. the answers to our most frequently asked questions regarding everyday dental questions.

What is the best technique for brushing teeth?

One way is to use an elliptical or circular motion to brush a few teeth at a time until you have covered the entire mouth. At a 45-degree angle, place the toothbrush next to the teeth and gently brush in that circular motion. First brush the outside, then inside of the teeth, the tongue, and then the chewing surface and between areas of the teeth. Brushing your teeth with a back and forth motion can cause the gums to recede, the root surface to be exposed, or to make the root surface tender.

How long should I brush my teeth?

Most dentists recommend brushing for three or four minutes at a time (brush with the radio on – that is the length of the average song!). You can also use an egg time to measure brushing time. Most people don’t realize that the average person spends less than a minute brushing their teeth each session.

What type of toothpaste should I use?

The brand of toothpaste doesn’t really matter as long as it contains fluoride. This is true for tooth pastes, gels, and powders. Dr. Schlotterer recommends buying toothpaste that bears the American Dental Association’s seal of approval. This shows that there is adequate evidence of efficacy and safety in controlled clinical trials.

Is it safe to use toothpicks to clean my teeth?

Toothpicks can be handy in a pinch, but should not be used for daily cleaning between the teeth. Dr. Schlotterer, always recommends flossing over toothpicks.

If you do need to use a toothpick, don’t press too hard as this could break the toothpick and lodge it in the gums.

What causes yellow teeth as you get older?Collapse

Your tooth enamel is naturally white and shiny, however as the enamel becomes thinner, to becomes more transparent and the inner layers of your teeth begin to show through. In this case it’s the dentin that is showing through and your dentin is naturally more yellow in colour that the enamel that covers it.

Sadly as we age the enamel layer of our teeth naturally becomes thinner. This is the main reason why as we get older our teeth begin to look increasingly yellow.

What are the likely causes of tooth discolouration?Collapse

Extrinsic stains, what we know as surface stains are superficial stains on the surface of the tooth.

Common surface stains are dental plaque and calculus, tars (in tobacco), tannins (in tea or coffee), coloured foods such as soy sauce, soft drinks, and even the ingredients in some mouth rinses; mouth rinses are not supposed to be used more often than is recommended.

Internal stains (often called intrinsic stains) are colours and pigments that have been incorporated into the internal structure of the tooth. This colour incorporation can occur as the tooth is developing, or after, when the teeth are fully formed and in the mouth.

There are some fifty conditions that can cause developmental colour incorporation in childhood which include illness and fevers; antibiotics, such as Tetracycline; childhood medical conditions that affect blood and/or liver; excessively high fluoride levels from swallowing toothpaste (which can lead to white marks forming on the teeth).

When the teeth are already in place in the mouth, the most common causes of discolouration are the yellowing of aging, a grey tinge caused by corrosion from amalgam restorations (fillings), tooth decay, and damage to the tooth from an injury, or root canal work, or the normal decay process.

Gum Disease

Gum disease can occur in two conditions, namely mild gum disease and severe or severe gum disease. Gingivitis is mild gum disease; the symptoms include red, tender, and possibly bleeding gums, which can be treated by brushing your teeth twice a day and using dental floss every day. In contrast to severe gum disease, Periodontitis is severe gum disease. When experiencing this thing, the patient should contact an emergency dentist. What will happen you do not treat Periodontitis immediately? The patient will be in great pain when chewing food; the gums will bleed profusely, and they can even lose their teeth.

Plaque buildup is one of the causes of gum disease. Therefore, here are ways to prevent gum disease :

• Brush twice a day, and do not forget to use toothpaste with fluoride
• Flossing
• Consum good food and healthy drink
• Avoid smoking
• Visit the dentist routinely

 

Dentures

For a long time, people have used dentures to replace lost teeth. Of course, these dentures also have their treatment. As with natural teeth, when using dentures, it is highly recommended to visit a dentist to make sure the dentures match the position and shape of the gums.

For cleanliness, there are also personal care products such as toothbrushes and denture cleaning fluid (to soak the dentures at night).

Pay attention to the food and drinks you consume when you wear dentures. It will be harder to feel hot food and cold beverages when wearing dentures. Therefore, eat foods with smaller pieces, soft and non-sticky foods, and do not have a strong smell to avoid leaving an odor that sticks to the dentures, and last chew food slowly. Another thing to remember; do not forget to remove your dentures before you go to bed to prevent swelling.

 

Dry Mouth

An important aspect that must be cared for in the mouth besides the teeth, gums, and tongue is saliva. Besides dissolving food for easier digestion, saliva also prevents dry mouth. There will be problems, like cavities, fungal infections in the mouth when the mouth is dry and other damage. Many triggers cause this condition, one of which is taking common medicines such as the medicine for high blood pressure, depression, bladder problems, and others. In addition to medication, of course, the food you eat can be one of the causes of dry mouth. 

here a ways to keep saliva in the mouth: 

• Avoid sugary drinks 
• Reduce smoking, alcoholic beverages 
• Foods that are too spicy, salty, or sour 
• Drink lots of water 
• Chew sugarless gum 

And finally, we advise you to visit the dentist in your area for further consultation on oral health. If needed, we may also suggest using artificial saliva to keep the mouth from drying out.

 

Oral Cancer

Cancer is a disease that can also infect our mouths. Many health experts, articles when discussing oral and dental care, oral and dental health, and other things related to the mouth and teeth, always include suggestions to visit the dentist regularly. Visit your dentist regularly so your dentist can detect oral cancer and prevent this disease from spreading to all parts. 

Other things that can we try to avoid this disease are by:

• Do not use tobacco products (in any form).
• Do not consume much alcohol.
• Use a lip balm that contains sunscreen.
• The use of e-cigarettes also needs to be reduced. Although dentists are still researching their health effects, it is common knowledge that e-cigarette vapor contains chemicals that cause cancer.

 

Ideal Way To Clean Your Teeth And Gums

In the end, the most important thing that we have to keep our teeth and mouth healthy is to maintain cleanliness in the right way. Here is how to brush your teeth and use the correct dental floss:

• Use a toothbrush with a soft-bristled brush.
• Use a paste that contains fluoride.
• Brush teeth in a circular motion back and forth.
• Gently brush the teeth along the gum line.
• Don’t forget to clean your tongue either using a toothbrush or a tongue cleaner.
• Change your toothbrush every 3-4 months.
• Clean between the teeth using dental floss for more optimal results.

Some people with certain conditions that limit hand movement can use the following methods:

• Using an automatic toothbrush.
• Use a toothbrush with a large handle.
• Tie the toothbrush handle to your hand using tools such as wide rubber bands.
• Using tools for flossing.