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