Q: How do you take care of primary teeth?
A: As soon as your baby grows their first tooth, take care of it by wiping it with a soft, damp, clean cloth. Don’t forget to clean the gums as well. You can also use a toothbrush that’s right for their age.
Q: Which primary tooth is usually susceptible to decay?
A: Usually decay starts in the incisors or two front teeth. This is usually caused by the use of feeding bottles for too long. Another decay-prone area is the primary upper molars. They are the last teeth you see towards the back of your mouth. If the primary teeth grew tight together, then you can expect decay to develop between them. Once they start growing, you also start flossing.
Q: What is the advantage of using dental sealants on children?
A: Dental sealants can protect permanent molars from decay by protecting the chewing surface. This method is done in a dentist’s office. First, the tooth is cleaned, dried and treated. Then they apply the sealant on the molar. In this case food and bacteria can’t remain on the surface.
Q: What are dental implants?
A: When children lose their tooth for some reason, a dental implant is an artificial tooth that can replace the natural tooth.
Q: How are dental implants done?
A: This is a surgical procedure. The dentist needs to cut through the gums to see the bones. Then they drill a hole in the jawbone to insert the screw-shaped implant. When the gum has healed, the artificial tooth is placed over it.
Q: How long does a dental implant procedure take?
A: It takes quite a while to make sure you have good strong implants. It ranges from three to ten months. Once the implant is buried, it takes three to six months for the gum to heal. In the meantime, the implant and the bones integrate, making a strong post. Other smaller posts are connected to the original post before the artificial tooth is set in place.
Q: Will the procedure affect my eating?
A: While the implant bond is developing and healing, the dentist will place a temporary artificial tooth on you. So you won’t have a hard time eating but you will have to choose soft foods that won’t damage the procedure.
Q: If I have implants, do are there extra measures I need to do to take care of them?
A: Take care of your implants as you would your original teeth. Of course they need regular brushing and flossing. Have your dentist check on them on your check ups.
Q: Will I be able to eat normally even with implants?
A: Yes. But of course your original teeth are stronger than them. Implants can stand up to about 450 lbs. per square inch of biting pressure while regular teeth can handle nearly 540 lbs. per square inch of biting pressure.
Q: How long can we expect dental implants to last?
A: Dental implants are expected to last a lifetime. But it still boils down to how they are taken cared of.
Q: What do they mean when they say “wisdom tooth”?
A: They are your third molars. They develop when you’re anywhere between 17 and 25 years old. Most grown ups have four.
Q: Do you need to have wisdom teeth extracted?
A: They only need to be extracted when they grow abnormally and if they cause problems like painful gums or they could damage your other molars.
Q: Could wisdom teeth cause problems?
A: To some people, yes. Because the gums might be too small for them to grow in. So sometimes they grow abnormally or they disturb the growth of other teeth.
Q: What happens if I have an impacted wisdom tooth?
A: It could allow bacteria to breed. Some wisdom tooth grow with partial eruption which means that only a part of the tooth shows up while the rest is covered by gums making it difficult for your toothbrush to clean it. Infection may develop. There is also a possibility that cysts and tumors could grow.
Q: How is a wisdom tooth extracted?
A: You undergo surgery to do this. The gum covering the molar needs to be removed; then the wisdom tooth is removed.
Q: How are lasers used in dentistry?
A: It can be sued in various treatments like surgery, treatment of gum problems, cancer sore and tooth whitening.
