Questions Shoreline Dentist

Your Shoreline dentist can solve your doubts, so you don't have to visit him so often or be scared. What scares patients when they visit the dentist? Is it that fake bed chair, the rubber gloves, or his noisy drilling instruments? Going to the dentist in Shoreline doesn’t need to be uncomfortable. We know that tooth pain and sensitivity are some of the worst discomforts one can face so we do our very best to help alleviate those.

Doubts about oral health, diseases or problems that may arise in the oral cavity, treatments, and going to the dentist, are frequent. Therefore, we will answer some of those questions that sometimes remain unclear. We have compiled some of the most frequent questions that arise in patients.

1. At what age should you go to the dentist?

It is recommended to visit the dentist for the first time when the first teeth are complete, according to the American Dental Association, around the age of two and a half or three. However, it can also be done at the age of one or with the eruption of the first teeth. And, of course, before any problem arises with those first teeth or their eruption. In addition, that first visit to the dentist is very beneficial as a contact with the dentist and to build trust to avoid future fears or fears that arise in some patients or children, especially when their first visit is directly for treatment, like the filling of a cavity.

2. What is the dental check-up for? How often should you visit the dentist?

Regularly visiting the family dentist helps detect problems early and avoid late and urgent treatments. Although no discomfort or pain is felt, some disorders are asymptomatic or are felt in advanced stages. In addition, orthodontic needs are often not visible to the naked eye. Thus, periodic reviews are a preventive measure. The periodicity of the visits depends on your age and the state of your teeth. They usually range from six months to a year.

3. What is the worst food for our teeth?

Undoubtedly, sugars are carbohydrates that contain starch - these "feed" the bacteria that form the acid that causes cavities. Sticky foods, such as chewy candies that stick strongly to dental surfaces, make hygiene very difficult. Other foods, or citrus juices, can cause erosion in the pieces if consumed frequently. Within liquids, the worst are sugary drinks, so our Shoreline dentist recommends drinking water over another option.

4. Does chewing gum hurt us?

If you've finished eating and don't have a toothbrush handy, you can chew sugar-free gum for about five minutes to generate some "cleaning" and increase salivary flow. Some contain xylitol, which helps to inhibit the development of bacteria that cause cavities. Still, it should not be abused either because by chewing gum, you are tricking your brain, which begins to generate gastric acids that can cause problems in the future. Chewing gum can also cause joint damage, especially if you have bruxism.

5. How often and when do you have to brush your teeth?

Ideally, brush your teeth after each meal. If this is not possible, you should brush your teeth at least twice a day and always at night before going to sleep. The time spent brushing teeth and the method are also important. It is recommended that brushing last around two or three minutes. The best technique is to use a soft brush placed at a 45-degree angle, with short forward and backward and circular movements, completely covering the teeth. It would help if you always brushed your teeth inside, outside, and in the chewing area. The brush should be changed every three to four months.

6. Are all kinds of toothpaste the same?

There are kinds of toothpaste for specific problems. For example, some focus on preventing cavities thanks to their high fluoride content to strengthen and mineralize the tooth. For gum inflammation problems (gingivitis), there are kinds of toothpaste with substances with antiseptic activity. When gingivitis extends to the ligaments and bones that support the teeth (periodontitis), the occasional use of chlorhexidine kinds of toothpaste may help. Its use cannot be prolonged for a long time because sometimes it causes stains. Some pastes help remove stains from the teeth and keep them white, and others for those who suffer from tooth enamel deterioration or receding gums. For those who wear orthodontics, some kinds of toothpaste protect the enamel and gums from the action of orthodontic devices. In addition, there are special pastes for children, with the amount of fluoride recommended for their age. In any case, pharmacy pastes are always recommended.

7. What is the most common oral disease?

The most common pathology is dental caries, which can occur at any age. They consist of injuries caused by the corrosive action of the bacteria in the mouth that destroy the tissues of the tooth. The most effective way to prevent them is through good daily hygiene. Its treatment is filling or obturation. It consists of cleaning the cavity in which the decay is and filling it with a material called composite, which imitates the exact tone of the piece with decay. This problem is followed in terms of prevalence by gingivitis (inflammation and redness of the gums due to the accumulation of bacterial plaque) and periodontitis (progression of gingivitis affecting the bone).

8. What is the hardest thing I can bite without breaking my teeth?

It is very relative; some patients can break a tooth eating toast, others by biting ice, and some bite bones, and nothing happens to them. Many times, patients come to the clinic with a broken tooth and say it happened out of nowhere. It is not normal for your teeth to break; that means they are weakened. Teeth are one of the hardest tissues in the body, but they are made for chewing food. We do not recommend that you try to bite hard things or open bottles.

Don’t hesitate to contact our office, Dr. Eric Yao, DDS, MAGD, LLSR, to find out which dental treatments you need and how we can help you maintain your oral health.