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Dental Care: Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How does one care for primary teeth?

A. As soon as the first tooth erupts, primary teeth may be cleaned with a clean, wet wash cloth or wet gauze. The gums should also be gently wiped. If a toothbrush is used, it should be an appropriate size.

Q. Where does decay on the primary teeth occur most often?

A. With inappropriate or prolonged use of the baby bottle, decay may occur on the upper front teeth (incisors). The second most-often occurring site are the upper primary molars, which are found furthest back in the mouth. If there is no spacing between the primary teeth, there is a much greater chance of decay between the primary molars. These teeth should be flossed as soon as they come in.

Q. Why are dental sealants beneficial for children?

A. Dental sealants are protective coatings for the chewing surface of permanent molars. They protect the teeth from decay. Read on for more information.

Q. What is a dental implant?

A. A dental implant is a permanent artificial tooth replacement after a tooth loss.

Q. What is the procedure for receiving dental implants?

A. Dental implats are inserted surgically in two steps. The first step is to insert a "post" into or onto the jawbone. This post will then become the "anchor" for the artificial tooth that will be placed over the "post."

Q. How long is the procedure for dental implants?

A. Getting a dental implant is a two step process. Once te "post" is inserted into the jawbone, the patient will have between three and six months with a temporary restoration. During this period, the bone and gum area around the post will heal to create a strong and healthy bond. Once this bond is complete, an additional set of smaller posts is attached to the original post and then the artificial tooth is secured to the posts. The entire procedure could take anywhere from three to ten months.

Q. Can I eat regularly while the implants are bonding?

A. While th "post" is bonding with your jaw and gums, your dentist will place a temporary artificial tooth on the post. During the bonding period, you will need to eat soft foods.

Q. Do implants require special care?

A. Yes and No. Dental implants need to be brushed, flossed and checked regularly ba dentist, just as you would do with your regular teeth. But dental implants don't need special brushes or pastes.

Q. Can you eat and chew normally with dental implants?

A. Yes. Consider that natural teeth can absorb up to approximately 540 lbs. per square inch of biting pressure and properly placed dental implants can withstand up to approximately 450 lbs. per square inch of the same pressure.

Q. How long should a dental implant last?

A. With proper placement, excellent home care, regular dental visits, and good overall health, dental implants should be permanent.

Q. What are wisdom teeth?

A. Wisdom teeth are the third molars.

Q. Why is it necessary to remove wisdom teeth?

A. It is necessary to remove wisdom teeth to avoid problems, such as an impacted tooth destroying the second molar.

Q. Why do wisdom teeth cause problems?

A. Wisdom teeth generate problems because the shape of the modern human mouth is too small to accommodate these teeth, and they become impacted or unable to come in or move into their proper place.

Q. What problems occur from impacted third molars?

A. Partially erupted wisdom teeth are breeding grounds for bacteria and germs that may cause infection. Cysts and tumors may grow on trapped wisdom teeth.

Q. How is a wisdom tooth removed?

A. Wisdom teeth are remove by surgery. The gum tissue over the tooth is removed, the connective tissue is stripped gently away from the tooth and bone, the tooth is removed, and the gum sutured.

Q. When are lasers used in dentistry?

A. Lasers are used in oral surgery, gum surgery, tooth whitening, cancer sore treatment, and the treatment of gums that have been diseased.

+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.

What Is a Mouth Sore or Canker Sore and What Are the Causes?

People often use the terms "canker sores" and "cold sores" interchangeably. While both are very painful, a canker mouth sore is found on the inside of the mouth and is not contagious; cold sores are located on the inside or outside of the mouth and are contagious.

Canker Sores:

These sores are found inside the cheeks, on your tongue or the bottom of your mouth, and sometimes on your gums. They range from the size of a tiny pinhead to a penny. The sores are grayish-white in the center and circled with a red inflammation. Since it's an open mouth sore, it hurts when touched by anything, including saliva. They can burn and itch, too.

Canker sores might be called the "stress sores," because they are caused by different types of stress:

• Emotional stress;
• Physical stress, such as biting your tongue, burning your mouth, or an abrasion from braces or loose dentures; or
• Chemical stress producing changes in your body, perhaps resulting from an illness or change in eating habits (such as medications, or too much of acidic foods such as tomatoes, grapefruit, or lemons).

About one in five people get them. Women in the 20-to-50 year age group get them more often. Once you get them, you're likely to experience them again. However, they usually go away after seven to ten days, although some can be longer-lasting.

An antimicrobial mouth rinse may lessen the irritation. Temporary relief can be provided by over-the-counter topical anesthetics. Pain relief varies with different products. Some medications provide a protective film that physically blocks contact with food and saliva, lessening irritation.

Good oral hygiene and a healthy diet are preventive measures for reducing the frequency of outbreaks.

Cold Sores

Also known as fever blisters, cold sores are caused by the virus herpes simplex. These are painful blisters that usually break out around the lips and sometimes under the nose or chin and normally heal within one week. They are very contagious. The virus stays in the body, causing recurrent lesions prompted from a fever, sunburn, skin abrasions, or stress.

They can be treated by your dentist with the same topical anesthetics to relieve pain and irritation as for canker sores. Prescription antiviral drugs can be effective in reducing viral infections that cause flare-ups.

Additionally, there are new topical medications (ointments) now available that shorten the duration of a breakout, when applied immediately after the cold mouth sore is noticed. All antiviral medications work best in the prodromal or early stage of the lesion. If the wound is open and sore, these medications are of little use as the healing time is still the same.

Be sure to consult with your dentist when any mouth sores do not heal.

By Brian J. Gray, DDS, MAGD, FICO