Ask the Dentist

Room 507 5/F Manuel F. Tiaoqui Bldg., Plaza Sta. Cruz St., Sta. Cruz, Manila
Tel. No. 733-01-12

How can I improve my child’s chances of avoiding tooth decay?
Should I be concerned if my child loses a primary tooth early? If my child knocks a tooth out, can a dentist put it back in?
How to prevent cavities?
What is the relation of sweet foods to formation of tooth decay? How important is balanced diet?
My gums bleed when I brush or floss my teeth, do I need to see a dentist?
My toothache is bearable ... must I take an immediate visit to the dentist?
What are the other adult dental problems that need attention?
What are the available methods to restore damaged or discolored teeth?
Why crooked or crowded teeth need correction?

How can I improve my child’s chances of avoiding tooth decay?

Today’s children can grow up with cavity-free teeth. You can improve your children’s chances of avoiding cavities by following these basic rules:

Eat right during pregnancy - baby’s teeth start forming before birth; calcium, phosphorus, vitamins A, C and D make up a healthy teeth.
Proper care of baby’s teeth - clean your baby’s teeth as soon as they appear, wipe the teeth and gums with gauze or damp washcloth; a small soft-bristled toothbrush can later be used for gentle brushing.
Teach toddlers to care for their teeth - by setting a good example; let your child watch and imitate you; start teaching them to brush at about age 2; always check their teeth after they finish and do a backup brushing if needed.
See a dentist early - when preparing your child for the first checkup, don’t use words like needle or drill or say it won’t hurt; that just put ideas into a child’s head; try to answer any questions in simple, reassuring terms. Children should see the dentist by age 2 to orient them and make them acquainted with the dental clinic; older kids may have teeth problems or suffering from toothache that could have been prevented if dental visit was done earlier.

Use FLUORIDES - fluoride in drinking water and toothpaste fight cavities by making tooth enamel resistant to decay-causing acids; your dentist may apply fluoride solution to the teeth or recommend supplements.

Ask you dentist about SEALANTS - sealants are special plastic coatings applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, where cavities usually begin. Applied by dentists, sealants form a barrier that keeps food and bacteria out of the tiny grooves in the tooth enamel, places a toothbrush can’t reach.

Eat and Snack Wisely - by avoiding sugary or starchy foods, because they feed on bacteria in the mouth that produces cavity-causing acids in 20 minutes, left unbrushed.

Avoid Baby-Bottle Syndrome - caused by giving baby at bedtime a bottle with milk, fruit juice or any drinks with sugar content. Don’t allow the child to go to sleep holding a bottle with anything other than water.

Back to Top

Should I be concerned if my child loses a primary tooth early? If my child knocks a tooth out, can a dentist put it back in?

When it is a natural loss, it’s okay. If the tooth is lost early due to injury or is pulled by the dentist, a space maintainer may be used to hold the space open for the permanent tooth. When the child accidentally knocks a tooth out, carefully pick the tooth by the crown, not by the roots, which contain tiny fibers needed for reimplantation. If it’s dirty, rinse it gently, and if you can, place the tooth back into the socket. If you’re afraid that your child will swallow the tooth, put it in a glass of milk or salt water or place it in a moist towel. Get to the dentist as quickly as possible, within 30 minutes is best.

Back to Top

How to prevent cavities?

Of all the measures we can to avoid losing teeth to decay, proper dental hygiene at home and regular dental checkups are the most essential. Regular brushing and flossing remove plaque and food debris from the teeth, which interrupts the decay process. Effective oral hygiene is simple but it does take a practice.

Back to Top

What is the relation of sweet foods to formation of tooth decay? How important is balanced diet?

Tooth decay starts with plaque, a bacteria-laden film that forms on teeth. The bacteria in plaque feed on sugars and starches from foods you eat and produce acids that gradually eat away tooth enamel (the hard outer covering of teeth) and cause decay. All types of sugars, including those found in natural foods like honey and fruit, cause tooth decay. Starches, which are a type of carbohydrate found in breads, crackers and cereals, also contribute to decay.

Eating a balance diet which includes protein, fats, vitamins, minerals, and water, other than carbohydrates is essential to health - teeth and gums need the same nutrition as the rest of your body. For example, vitamin and mineral deficiencies can make your mouth more susceptible to the bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum disease.

Back to Top

My gums bleed when I brush or floss my teeth, do I need to see a dentist?

Periodontal (gum) disease is the most serious dental problem faced by people over 18. Gingivitis, an early form of gum disease sometimes marked by soreness, bleeding, or puffiness, eventually affects almost every adult. Gum disease is fairly `silent’; it occurs so gradually that patients either don’t notice the changes or get used to them. Even if your gums begin to bleed and then stop, check with your dentist; the disease process could still be going on.

Gum disease is caused by plaque, the sticky, colorless film that forms constantly on the teeth. The bacteria in plaque accumulate around the teeth, and their by-products start an infectious process that destroy the gum and bone tissues that hold your teeth in place. To help prevent gum disease, daily brushing and flossing are essential; and a regular dental checkups, at least twice a year is important;

they allow dentists to spot trouble early when it’s easiest to treat. The type of treatment you will receive will depend on the extent of the disease.

Back to Top

My toothache is bearable ... must I take an immediate visit to the dentist?

A toothache should not be ignored, even if pain is bearable and lasts only a short time. It could mean the presence of a cavity or an abscess. Take a pain reliever, if necessary; but do not crush an aspirin over an aching tooth - it may chemically burn the gums; also, avoid extreme hot, cold, or sweet foods and beverages. An abscess is caused by an infection in either your tooth or gum. Symptoms include pain, swelling and discharge of pus. A dental infection will not get better on its own; ignoring an abscess could eventually affect the adjacent teeth and even your general health. An abscessed tooth may be save through root canal or gum therapy; as a last resort it will be extracted.

Back to Top

What are the other adult dental problems that need attention?

Other adult dental problems include root cavities, root canal infections and worn out fillings.

As we age, gums tend to recede, exposing the roots of the teeth, which are not covered with enamel. Decay on these surfaces is called root caries, and can cause sensitivity to hot and cold foods. Root cavities are treated like any other cavity - with fillings. If left untreated the decay may penetrate the root and kill the nerve. Root canal treatment will then be needed to save the tooth. Lost fillings, on the other hand, must be replaced because the hole left by the filling that has fallen out makes a great food trap - foods and bacteria will lodge there resulting to recurrent decay.

In addition, a clicking sound or popping in jaw joints when chewing can be a sign of temporo-mandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction - injury to the jaw joint in front of ear. Damage to these joints (from bruxism/ tooth grinding, injury, arthritis, or age) could alter your bite , causing head, neck, ear, jaw or shoulder pain.

About 5 percent of all cancers occur in the mouth. If a white or red patches appear in the mouth, persistent sores, swelling, bleeding, numbness or pain is experienced, see the dentist right away.

Back to Top

What are the available methods to restore damaged or discolored teeth?

Teeth can be disfigured by early-childhood illness, medications, accidents or crowding; drinks like coffee and tea, certain foods, and tobacco can cause stains. There are available dental techniques that can transform a smile and renew self-confidence:

Bleaching - a peroxide solution is applied to stained teeth to brighten them; may require several visits, because the results are cumulative; it may not remove all stains, particularly those caused by taking the antibiotic tetracycline in childhood.

Bonding - this technique covers stains completely but also rebuilds chipped or cracked teeth, closes front gaps, and builds up old, eroded teeth to make them look younger. Composite resins are “painted” onto the front surfaces of stained or damaged teeth and then hardened under a special light; finally, the coating is shaped and polished. Bonding is a one-step process that can last three to five years or even longer with proper care; but because it may yellow after several years or chip when you bite down on hard foods, it may require periodic touch-ups.

Laminate veneers - similar to false fingernails; a thin layer of plastic or porcelain is bonded to the outside surface of the tooth in order to improve the tooth’s appearance; in some cases, tooth enamel is removed but this rarely causes complications to healthy teeth. Laminate veneers require more than one visit to the dentist; they last several years and may have better color stability than conventional bonding.

Back to Top

Why crooked or crowded teeth need correction?

Crowded or crooked teeth are both unattractive and unhealthy. And because they’re hard to clean, the risk of cavities and gum disease may be increased. Many obscure headaches are due to teeth meeting improperly both during chewing and at night when clenching or grinding creates excessive pressures on the jaw joint.

Back to Top

Hosted by www.Geocities.ws