- What can you do if you have gum disease?
If you are diagnosed with gum disease, your dentist may treat you or refer you to a periodontist. Your treatment plan will depend on how far the disease has progressed. Periodontal scaling and root planing is a method used to remove plaque and tartar that collect in "pockets" beneath the gumline. After this procedure, your dentist and/or hygienist will instruct you on how to care for your gums and teeth and will recommend a follow up visit to see whether your condition is improved. In advanced cases, your dentist may recommend additional measures, such as surgery to make it easier to clean the teeth and to remove infection. Maintaining good oral health and follow-up dental visits will help prevent your condition from becoming more serious or recurring.
John Mehlem, DMD
Dental Consultant for Delta Dental of Arizona back to top
- How Does My Dentist Know if I Have Oral Cancer and How is It Treated?
Oral cancer strikes an estimated 35,000 Americans per year with only a 50%, five year survival rate. Prevention and or early detection are the keys to successful treatment outcomes. Some of the risk factors include: heavy use of alcohol and tobacco, being an African American male, human papilloma virus infection, previous radiation of head/neck, long term irritation with ill-fitting dentures.
Your dentist should do a thorough oral cancer screening examination whenever you have you dental examinations and should be able to detect any small unnoticed problems before you would be aware of them. This would lead to further testing, biopsy and staging and typing of cancer. Like any cancer the more aggressive type and advanced stage the cancer, the more difficult the treatment and disfiguring it can be.
Surgery is the most common treatment for oral cancer. However, since oral cancer affects the lips, mouth, and throat, many functions like eating, breathing, talking, and appearance can be affected, necessitating multiple surgeries and also radiation and chemotherapy. After treatment will involve a team approach of specialists including a plastic surgeon, speech therapist, and dietician to give the patient the best chance of survival. For more information on this topic, please consult with your dentist.
John Mehlem, DMD
Dental Consultant for Delta Dental of Arizona back to top
- What are dental sealants and are they effective?
A dental sealant is a plastic resin material that is applied to the chewing surfaces of premolar and molar (back) teeth. This material is actually a thinner version of your tooth colored fillings that is bonded to the grooves and pits of the teeth in a relatively easy procedure.
The sealant protects your teeth by acting as a barrier to keep food and bacteria from penetrating and causing cavities. They are effective because all other dental procedures protect the smoother flat surfaces of the teeth but can’t reach down into the very small grooves. The sealant is applied to the cleaned and specially treated tooth and then hardened chemically or with a special bonding light. Sealants are safe and are primarily used for children after their molars erupt, typically after the age of six for the first set of molars and age 12 for the second set.
Sealants are very effective at preventing cavities and protecting the tooth as long as they remain intact and were done correctly. They are able to withstand normal chewing and can last for many years. During your regular checkups your dentist should check your sealants and determine if they need repair or reapplication.
John Mehlem, DMD
Dental Consultant for Delta Dental of Arizona back to top
- Are Dental X-Rays Safe and Why and How Often Should I Have Them Taken?
Dental x-rays are a source of radiation but exposure is extremely low when compared to some medical x-rays. High speed films and lead apron shields allow dentists to take a complete oral series of films (18) very safely with exposure 800 times lower than a chest x-ray. This makes them safe even if necessary during pregnancy. Digital dental x-ray systems further reduce exposure by 50 percent.
Dental x-rays are an important part of your oral examination, along with a visual exam. This allows the dentist to best evaluate a patient’s oral health. X-rays can detect unseen decay between teeth, bone disease (loss), root canal infections, abscesses and cysts, some tumors or developmental problems, especially in children.
How frequently dental x-rays are needed depends on your medical and dental history. Patients with high risk factors (ie. dry mouth, recent decay, or gum disease), require
x-rays every 6 months; patients with no risks only every 12-24 months. Your dentist should review your particular situation and determine what is best for you.
John Mehlem, DMD
Dental Consultant for Delta Dental of Arizona back to top
- What is the best way to clean my baby's teeth and when should he have his first dental check-up?
Start cleaning your baby’s teeth as soon as they appear, usually at about six months. Typically the two lower front teeth will erupt first. Use a washcloth at bath time and gently wipe off the teeth paying particular attention to the area where the teeth and gums meet. Switch to a small, soft bristled toothbrush as more teeth emerge. Use only a pearl-sized drop of toothpaste and a gentle circular motion. Replace the toothbrush every three months.
Begin baby’s dental check-ups at age one year. At baby’s first appointment your dentist will check that baby’s teeth are healthy and developing normally. In my office we encourage parents to bring their baby along at an older sibling’s check-up appointment to become familiar with the dental office environment. Then at 3-4 years of age children should start having their own regular cleaning appointments.
Dr. Wesley A. Harper
Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, Delta Dental of Arizona
4025 W. Bell Road, Suite 21 • Glendale, AZ 85308 back to top
- How can I keep my teeth and gums healthy during pregnancy?
Hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy make your gums more sensitive to toxins secreted from plaque, making fifty percent of women AT RISK FOR developing a condition called pregnancy gingivitis. The most common symptoms are red and swollen gums that bleed easily with brushing. In extreme cases there are large, deep red lumps called pregnancy tumors. These growths are not cancerous and slowly resolve after pregnancy, if intervention is not required before. Treatment and prevention of pregnancy gingivitis are often the same. It is especially important to eat a balanced diet, brush twice daily, floss once a day and use an antibiotic mouthwash rinse. Seeing your dentist every six months for cleanings and exams are also important. In some cases your dentist may recommend an additional cleaning in your third trimester.
Any dental work that is necessary should ideally be done in the second trimester because this will have a minimal effect on the fetus. All non emergency optimal procedures should be postponed until after delivery. If you are experiencing any of these dental issues, consult with both your dentist and obstetrician for advice and treatment.
John Mehlem, DMD
Dental Consultant for Delta Dental of Arizona back to top
- What causes receding gums, and what can be done about them?
There are a few main causes
- Overzealous tooth brushing. Brushing too hard around the gum line, or just brushing with bristles that are too hard, can erode gums.
- Tooth grinding (a.k.a. bruxism). Some people grind so hard that the pressure accelerates gum erosion. You may need to get a customized mouth guard to wear at night (when most grinding and clenching occurs) to prevent further damage.
- Misaligned (crooked) teeth. This can cause both bone and gums to thin and reseed. Your orthodontist may recommend braces to prevent or treat this problem.
- Gum disease. This is an infection of the gums that occurs when bacteria become lodged between the tooth and gum. The bacteria eventually eat away at the bone and the supporting tissues at the base of the tooth. As the bone recedes, so does the surrounding gum tissue.
What to do: Depending on the cause and the severity of the problem, your dentist may recommend anything from a deep cleaning of the teeth and gums to a gum graft.
John Mehlem, DMD
Dental Consultant for Delta Dental of Arizona back to top
- Are Tooth Whitening/Bleaching Products Safe?
Whitening is ideal for people who have healthy teeth and gums but have yellow tones in their teeth. Darker brownish to bluish grayish colored teeth are more difficult to whiten. Today there are many products available--both in dental office and over the counter. Whitening is not recommended for children under age 16; or, for people with sensitive teeth, gum disease, several fillings, cavities or receded gums. For more than ten years the ADA has monitored whitening products. The data shows that in-office 10% peroxide whitening products are safe and effective. Similar results appear to be forthcoming for stronger procedures. No data is available for over the counter products.
The most common side effects of whitening are tooth sensitivity and irritation of the gum tissue. Most systems have treatment recommendations for these temporary problems and they are easily overcome. Whitening is effective and usually the results last from 4-6 months, depending on a person’s diet and smoking habits. If necessary, color tune ups can be readily accomplished with 1 or 2 applications to restore your desired shade. A good approach to whitening is to start with an evaluation by your dentist to consider your goals and options.
John Mehlem, DMD
Dental Consultant for Delta Dental of Arizona back to top
- My child’s adult teeth are starting to come in however her baby teeth haven’t fallen out yet. Should I go to my dentist to have her baby teeth pulled?
Extraction of primary (baby) teeth is decided on an individual basis. Primary teeth (which number 20) are to be replaced by permanent teeth—a process usually complete at age 12 or so. It is usually best to let nature take its course because early or late loss can contribute to crowding problems with the permanent teeth even causing teeth to grow in out of place.
The best way to deal with a possible problem with your child’s teeth is to go to your dentist for an evaluation. They will do an exam and x-rays to determine the positions of the permanent teeth and root size of primary teeth. Other issues may include an orthodontic or jaw size problem. After considering all of these factors, the doctor should explain your options and best course of treatment e.g. extraction versus non extraction. A period of observation and/or referral to a specialist may be recommended.
John Mehlem, DMD
Dental Consultant for Delta Dental of Arizona back to top
- What is a crown and why would I need one?
Crowns are used to restore teeth to their original size, shape, and function when they have been badly damaged by decay or have broken. A crown covers the entire tooth like a “cap”, as opposed to a restoration (or filling) that fills a void or hole.
There are many types of crowns, depending on one’s needs—strength vs. cosmetics. On molars (back teeth), strength is often most important to support a large filling when little tooth structure remains or part of the tooth has broken off; a gold alloy or gold/porcelain crown is used. Crowns are often used to prevent cracked teeth from future breakage.
On front teeth, cosmetics are key and less strength is needed. Porcelain crowns are available to cover badly shaped or discolored teeth or to align and straighten crooked teeth, when braces are not an option.
John Mehlem, DMD
Dental Consultant for Delta Dental of Arizona back to top
- What causes tooth sensitivity?
Teeth that are sensitive to hot, cold, sweet, or pressure can be annoying and make everyday eating and drinking difficult. Some causes and cures are relatively straightforward and some are complex and will require a dental consult and treatment.
Sensitivity of short duration –around one minute—to cold, air, sweets, usually occurs for a few reasons which include: worn enamel exposing inner layers of the tooth, receded gums with exposed roots, recent dental work, poor oral hygiene, excess acidic foods or carbonated drinks, and teeth whitening or over using mouthwashes.
The remedies for these problems can be treated by improving oral hygiene, using softer tooth brushes, desensitizing tooth pastes, reducing acidic food intake, evaluating recent dental work, and controlling whitening and mouth wash use. Sensitivities of this type are often intensified by tooth grinding (bruxism).
More complex causes might include advanced tooth decay, a cracked tooth, chronic bruxism, swelling of the inner lining of the sinuses, eating disorders including bulimia, and advanced gum disease. In these cases, sensitivity to heat or pressure are worse and of longer duration or intensity. These conditions require a visit to your dentist for diagnosis and treatment planning.
John Mehlem, DMD
Dental Consultant for Delta Dental of Arizona back to top
|
Have a question you would like to ask our Dental Consultant? Email your question to: