FAQ's
How
much time and effort is involved to get my teeth whiter?
Is it really necessary to go to the dentist
every six months?
How Do I Prevent Cavities?
Tongue Piercing – Is it Really Cool?
What causes tooth loss?
What are the warning signs of oral cancer?
How
much time and effort is involved to get my teeth
whiter?
Because
of the options available today, you can have your whitening
completed in one visit to the dental office or in a week
or two in your home on your own schedule. There are several
options and it's best to discuss your expectations with
your Great Expressions Dental Center dentist. He/she can
help you decide on which method will be right for you.
All bleaching or whitening will require touch up treatments
in the future depending on your habits.
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Is
it really necessary to go to the dentist every six months?
YES!! For many people, once every six months is not often
enough! Besides checking for cavities, your dentist is
evaluating the health of your gums, possible presence
of gum disease which may harbor bacteria or infection
that could create other health problems. Your head and
neck region are examined for infection and oral cancer.
! Many diseases of the body show symptoms and signs in
the oral cavity. To insure the best preventative care
for you and your body at least twice a year is recommended.
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How
Do I Prevent Cavities?
Good
oral hygiene removes bacteria and the left over food particles
that combine to create cavities. For infants, use a wet
gauze or clean washcloth to wipe the plaque from teeth
and gums. Avoid putting your child to bed with a bottle
filled with anything other than water. See "Baby
Bottle Tooth Decay" for more information.
For
older children, brush their teeth at least twice a day.
Also, watch the number of snacks containing sugar that
you give your children.
The
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends six
month visits to the pediatric dentist beginning at your
child’s first birthday. Routine visits will start
your child on a lifetime of good dental health.
Your
pediatric dentist may also recommend protective sealants
or home fluoride treatments for your child. Sealants can
be applied to your child’s molars to prevent decay
on hard to clean surfaces.
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Tongue
Piercing – Is it Really Cool?
You
might not be surprised anymore to see people with pierced
tongues, lips or cheeks, but you might be surprised to
know just how dangerous these piercings can be.
There
are many risks involved with oral piercings including
chipped or cracked teeth, blood clots, or blood poisoning.
Your mouth contains millions of bacteria, and infection
is a common complication of oral piercing. Your tongue
could swell large enough to close off your airway!
Common
symptoms after piercing include pain, swelling, infection,
an increased flow of saliva and injuries to gum tissue.
Difficult-to-control bleeding or nerve damage can result
if a blood vessel or nerve bundle is in the path of the
needle.
So
follow the advice of the American Dental Association and
give your mouth a break – skip the mouth jewelry.
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What
causes tooth loss?
Tooth decay and periodontal disease are the most common
causes of tooth loss. Tooth decay takes place when most
of the tooth's mineral makeup has been dissolved away
and a hole (cavity) has formed. While tooth decay primarily
affects children, periodontal disease, or gum disease,
affects mostly adults. Periodontal disease is an infection
of the gums caused by the buildup of plaque, and its earliest
stage is known as gingivitis.
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What
are the warning signs of oral cancer?
A Early symptoms of oral cancer include: a sore on the
lip, in the mouth, or in the throat that does not heal;
a lump on the lip, in the mouth, or in the throat; a red
or white patch found anywhere in the mouth; unusual pain
or bleeding in the mouth; swelling of the mouth; and any
difficulty or discomfort felt in chewing or swallowing.
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