| Is it really important to brush your teeth after every | | | | heat, cold, acidic or sticky foods to stimulate the |
| meal? "Ideally, we would all brush out teeth after | | | | nerves and cells inside the tooth, causing |
| every meal. If you can't brush after a meal, try | | | | hypersensitivity and some discomfort. Also, receding |
| chewing sugarless gum, to clean off the teeth." | | | | gums can be the cause of sensitivity." |
| How often should I bleach? "It is best not to bleach | | | | What causes bad breath? "The most common cause |
| your teeth more often than once a week. If you | | | | of halitosis is bacteria. Anaerobic bacteria (those living |
| become aware of an increase in sensitivity, stop | | | | and growing in the absence of free oxygen) feed on |
| bleaching until all sensitivity has gone away. Also, if | | | | leftovers and dead cells. The harmful microorganisms |
| you notice that your teeth begin to look chalky | | | | attack teeth and gums, producing a typical foul smell |
| white, it may mean they have been dehydrated due | | | | Regular dental care will help with bad breath." |
| to too much bleaching." | | | | Is an electric toothbrush more effective? "An electric |
| Is smoking bad for gums? "Gum disease is | | | | toothbrush may help those who have difficulty |
| characterized by inflamed gums that recede from the | | | | brushing their teeth, but it has not proven to clean |
| teeth and often leads to tooth loss. And it has been | | | | better than a regular toothbrush. And, remember, to |
| proven that smokers are six times more likely to | | | | replace your toothbrush every two to three months, |
| develop gum disease than non-smokers. Some | | | | as well as after colds, to keep it in top shape." |
| researchers in England, observed a group of smokers | | | | If I brush my teeth three times a day, do I still need |
| with gum disease and found that the some of their | | | | to have my teeth cleaned? |
| symptoms improved in the ones who quit smoking | | | | "Yes, this is usually the case. Periodontal treatment |
| during the study." | | | | deals with the health and care of the tissues |
| Why is flossing important? "Brushing alone does not | | | | surrounding and supporting the teeth. Bacteria |
| remove all plaque from your teeth and plaque can | | | | inflaming the tissue housing the roots of the tooth |
| lead to tooth decay. Flossing removes the plaque in | | | | are known as periodontal disease. Treatment is in the |
| between the teeth where a toothbrush doe not | | | | form of regular dental cleaning and, in less healthy |
| reach and it also helps to remove food that is caught | | | | instances, full tooth scaling (scraping bacterial plaque |
| between the teeth. Flossing can help to control bad | | | | and calculus from the tooth). State of the art |
| breath, also." | | | | ultrasonic scaling equipment is more thorough and less |
| Should I brush or floss first? "It is not important | | | | invasive than scraping; however it is not as |
| whether you floss first or brush first. Do whichever | | | | comfortable a procedure for those patients with |
| seems most logical to you. But do floss at least once | | | | sensitivity issues. Although scraping is often not |
| a day for two to three minutes, to be most | | | | needed if regular teeth cleaning has been done." |
| effective." | | | | How often should I have my teeth checked? "It is |
| What makes teeth sensitive, even if no decay | | | | best to see your dentist every six months for |
| exists? "Sometimes the top layer of a tooth, the | | | | cleaning and a checkup. The teeth are so related to |
| enamel, has been lost or lessened. This being the | | | | you physical condition and well-being, I suggest a |
| protective layer of the teeth, if it is missing it allows | | | | very vigilante attitude toward dental health. |