Questions & Answers
- Does tooth fillings cause bad breath?
Old existing tooth fillings may cause bad breath due to decay underneath of them. The dentist will examine old fillings and check all the margins of the existing fillings. If we do find that one filling shows signs of decay, we will ask the patient for a recommendation of replacing the filling. When we do that, we remove the old material and clean the tooth of any existing decay, then place a new filling back inside the tooth.
- Can loose teeth from periodontal disease be fixed?
Yes, we would recommend a procedure called open flap debridement. This is where the dentist exposes the roots of the teeth and cleans any tartar under the gum tissue. We will use bone graft material in defects of the bone as well as dermis to add tissue. We stitch the gums back together, and what is underneath is clean healthy gum tissue with more support from healthy bone and tissue.
- How to get into the habit of brushing teeth?
Always have a regime. What this means is plan a specific time of the day to brush your teeth. Dentist’s recommended morning and evening but the MOST important time is always right before bed. The reason is because when we all go to bed, the saliva in our mouth decreases as we sleep. Saliva has enzymes in it that prevent bad bacteria forming cavities. If you let sugars sit on your teeth at night before bed, those bad bacteria will have the best opportunity to cause dental decay.
- Foods to eat after gum graft surgery?
You want to eat soft foods and stay away from hot foods as well as spicy foods. You would want to eat cold foods like yogurt and smoothies and steer clear of rough foods like bagels and sandwiches.
- Does xylitol prevent cavities?
Xylitol does not prevent cavities. It is only a substitute for sugar. The bad bacteria in our mouth’s love to eat sugar which is sucrose. The enzyme in our mouths breakdown sugar by an enzyme called salivary amylase. Once sugars are broken down the bacteria will eat the sugar which causes erosion to the enamel which forms a cavity. Xylitol is a sugar substitute, it only tricks your brain into thinking it tastes like sugar but it is not sugar.
- Does gum prevent cavities?
No. Dentist should not recommended gum use too frequently because even though sugar free gum exists, gum has been linked to causing TMJ and or jaw joint disfunction.
- What is restorative dental care?
Restorative dental care includes many different things. It is a broad range of procedures that restore the function of the tooth, whether it be a dental filling, a dental crown, a partial denture or full complete denture. All are restoring function to the mouth.
- How are crowns placed?
A crown is placed on an abutment. An abutment is either a smaller version of your natural tooth that will fit a crown over the top or an abutment will fit an implant crown over the top. Abutments is a dental term for placing a crown overtop of a supportive structure.
- How much does flossing help with bad breath?
Flossing helps with bad breath to remove the soft plaque that sits under the gums. Overtime if this soft plaque is not removed it will cause bad breath and gum swelling and inflammation.