We always
try to answer your questions as clearly
and completely as we can, but we know
that sometimes it's too easy to just
forget to ask. In case that has happened
to you, we hope that you'll find the
answer to your question below.
HOME ORAL HYGIENE
TOOTH
PAIN
-
My sister and
I have been arguing about using
aspirins for a toothache. My sister
says you should swallow the aspirin.
I say you should put it between your
tooth and the inside of your cheek.
Which one of us is right?
DENTAL PROBLEMS
MEDICAL
CONDITIONS
ANSWERS
HOME
ORAL HYGIENE
How often
do I need a checkup?
In general, we recommend professional
cleaning every 6 months for healthy
individuals. Periodontal concerns will
necessitate 3 month hygiene intervals to
effectively guard against further
periodontal breakdown. With the
previous information as a guideline, we
recognize that each person is unique and
we will let you know if your particular
situation requires being seen on a
different schedule.
When
should I throw away my toothbrush?
Replacing
your toothbrush frequently helps reduce
the transmission of bacteria which cause
colds, flu, bronchitis, and upset
stomach -- not to mention cavities and
gum disease.
If you or
anyone in your family gets sick, replace
your toothbrush three times. Use a new
one when you become ill, another when
you begin to feel better, and a third
after recovery.
Snoring
If you are a person who tends to snore,
there are non-surgical dental options.
We make custom dental appliances that
are used to keep your jaw in a better
position while you sleep to stop
snoring.
Bad Breath
(Halitosis)
If people frequently tell you that you
have bad breath, it would be wise to
make an appointment to see your dentist
to rule out decay or other oral concerns
as being the cause.
Sports/Mouth Guards
Q: My son plays hockey. Should he be
wearing a mouth guard?
A: A mouth guard not only protects
teeth, but it can also minimize
concussion-
related injuries that can result from
contact sports. We make custom-made
sports guards in our dental office that
can help prevent sports injuries.
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TOOTH
PAIN
My sister
and I have been arguing about using
aspirins for a toothache. My sister says
you should swallow the aspirin. I say
you should put it between your tooth and
the inside of your cheek. Which one of
us is right?
I think
this time you'd better listen to your
sister. Aspirin tablets contain an acid
compound which can seriously burn the
soft tissues of the mouth if a tablet is
allowed to dissolve there. When you are
suffering with a toothache, you may not
be able to tell that your soft tissue is
being burned until it is too late. The
injury to the gums, lips, and cheeks
will add to your discomfort and may take
weeks to heal.
Don't
forget that a toothache is nature's way
of telling you that something may be
wrong with your tooth. It would be wise
to get in touch with our office
promptly.
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DENTAL
PROBLEMS
Why are
wisdom teeth removed even if they don't
hurt?
Many
times there are no symptoms of wisdom
tooth trouble. But x-rays may show us
that there is the potential for a
serious problem, or that other teeth in
your mouth may be at risk for damage.
About 28 percent of wisdom teeth are
impacted because the jaw is not big
enough to accommodate them. These
impacted wisdom teeth may grow sideways,
break part way through the gum, or
remain trapped beneath the gum and bone.
Bacteria and food can lodge under the
flap of gum over the partially erupted
tooth, causing infection in the gum. A
cyst can form around the crown of the
tooth and destroy the surrounding bone
or neighbouring teeth.
Because of their position, wisdom teeth
are difficult to clean and are often
victim to decay. The results of
extensive orthodontic treatment can be
ruined if your wisdom teeth crowd
adjacent teeth, causing them to shift
position.
If we spot a potential problem, we may
recommend removing the wisdom tooth,
even before it is fully developed. It is
easier to remove wisdom teeth at an
early stage because the roots are not
yet fully formed or strongly planted in
the jaw. This means that the sooner your
wisdom teeth are removed, the easier the
procedure and the smaller your risk of
complications.
Please let us know right away if you
have any obvious problems with your
wisdom teeth. But you can rely on our
expertise to diagnose existing or
potential problems caused by your wisdom
teeth, whether you have symptoms or not.
What
exactly is a root canal?
A root
canal is a procedure to remove the pulp
tissue (nerve and blood vessels) from a
tooth because the pulp has become
infected. The infection, or abscess,
causes discomfort, swelling, and can
even cause bone damage.
By removing the infected pulp, the tooth
can usually be saved. A hole is made in
the top biting surface of the tooth just
large enough to expose the pulp chamber.
Once the pulp has been removed,
medication may be placed inside the
empty chamber to stop infection. The
chamber and hole are then refilled. It
may be necessary, following a root
canal, to crown the tooth.
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MEDICAL CONDITIONS
Should I
cancel my dental appointment if I have a
cold?
Don't cancel your appointment if your
only concern is not to spread your cold.
Our scrubs and masks serve their
function by protecting us. The only
reason to cancel your appointment is if
your symptoms are so severe that you are
unable to tolerate the procedures. We
ask that you give us as much notice as
possible if you do have to make a
cancellation.
Why do you want to
know that I have diabetes?
We need to know about illnesses that you
have because many illnesses manifest
their symptoms in your mouth. Diabetics,
for example, are at higher risk of oral
infection and bone loss. And periodontal
problems can make it harder for you to
control your diabetes because they upset
blood sugar levels and make it harder
for you to eat properly. A further
complication is that infections in
diabetics heal more slowly. Because of
these possible problems, once we know
that you have diabetes, we'll probably
want to put you on a more frequent
schedule of care.
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