FAQ's
In the broadest sense, the term gum disease - or periodontal disease - describes bacterial growth and production of factors that gradually destroy the tissue surrounding and supporting the teeth. Gum disease begins with plaque accumulation to excessive levels; it can harden into a substance called tartar (calculus) in as little as 24 hours. Tartar is so tightly bound to teeth that it can be removed only during a professional cleaning.
Gingivitis and periodontitis are the two main stages of gum disease. In the early stage of gingivitis, the gums can become red and swollen and bleed easily, often during toothbrushing. Bleeding is a signal that your mouth is unhealthy and needs attention. The gums may be irritated, but the teeth are still firmly planted in their sockets.
When gingivitis is left untreated, it can advance to periodontitis. At this point, the inner layer of the gum and bone pull away from the teeth (recede) and form pockets. These small spaces between teeth and gums may collect debris and can become infected. The body's immune system fights the bacteria as the plaque spreads and grows below the gumline. As the disease progresses, the pockets deepen and more gum tissue and bone are destroyed. At this point, because there is no longer an anchor for the teeth, they become progressively looser, and the ultimate outcome is tooth loss.
Signs and Symptoms
• Gums that bleed during and after toothbrushing
• Red, swollen or tender gums
• Persistent bad breath or bad taste in the mouth
• Receding gums
• Formation of deep pockets between teeth and gums
• Loose or shifting teeth
• Changes in the way teeth fit together on biting, or in the fit of partial dentures
Dental caries is the medical term for tooth decay or cavities. It is caused by acid erosion of tooth enamel. Many different types of bacteria normally live in the human mouth. They accumulate on the surface of the teeth in a sticky film called plaque. Plaque forms especially easily in cracks, pits or fissures in the back teeth; between teeth; around dental fillings or bridgework; and near the gum line. Some of the plaque bacteria convert sugar and carbohydrates (starches) in the foods we eat into acids. These acids dissolve minerals in the surface of the tooth, forming microscopic pits or erosions that get larger over time.
The damage can occur anywhere the tooth is exposed to plaque and acid, including the hard outer enamel on the tooth crown or the unprotected root of the tooth that has been exposed by gum recession. Caries can penetrate the protective enamel down to the softer, vulnerable dentin (main body of the tooth) and continue through to the sensitive nerve fibers within the tooth pulp causing a toothache.
Bad breath, also known as halitosis, is breath that has an unpleasant odor. This odor can strike periodically or be persistent, depending on the cause. In many people, the millions of bacteria that live in the mouth (particularly on the back of the tongue) are the primary causes of bad breath. The mouth's warm, moist conditions make an ideal environment for these bacteria to grow. In addition, bad breath can be caused by the following: Poor dental hygiene - Infrequent or improper brushing and flossing can leave food particles to decay inside the mouth.
• Infections in the mouth - Periodontal (gum) disease
• Respiratory tract infections - Throat infections, sinus infections, lung infections
• External agents - Garlic, onions, coffee, cigarette smoking, chewing tobacco
• Dry mouth (xerostomia) - This can be caused by salivary gland problems, medications or by "mouth breathing."
• Systemic illnesses - Diabetes, liver disease, kidney disease, lung disease, sinus disease, reflux disease and others
Bad breath caused by dental problems can be prevented easily. Daily maintenance calls for brushing your teeth, tongue and gums after meals, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwashes approved by the American Dental Association (ADA). Regular dental visits (at least twice a year) should be made for dental examinations and for professional teeth and gum cleaning.
Bad breath also can be combated by drinking plenty of water every day to encourage saliva production. Other products that keep breath fresh and prevent plaque from forming include sugar-free gum, sugarless lozenges, raw carrots and celery.
What type of toothbrush should I use?
Most dental professionals agree that a soft-bristled brush is best for removing plaque and debris from your teeth. Small-headed brushes are also preferable, since they can better reach all areas of the mouth, including hard-to-reach back teeth. For many, a powered toothbrush is a good alternative. It can do a better job of cleaning teeth, particularly for those who have difficulty brushing or who have limited manual dexterity. Ask us about the Rotadent!
CEREC is a Computer Aided Design/Computer Aided Manufacture (CAD/CAM) system that allows us to make tooth colored ceramic fillings and crowns in one visit. Why CEREC? It protects and preserves your own tooth's structural integrity, ceramics are bio-compatible, only one appointment is needed, the restorations are long lasting and durable, and they look and feel natural.
A crown is used to entirely cover or "cap" a damaged tooth. Besides strengthening a damaged tooth, a crown can be used to improve its appearance, shape or alignment. A crown can also be placed on top of an implant to provide a tooth-like shape and structure for function. Your dentist may recommend a crown to:
• Replace a large filling when there isn't enough tooth remaining
• Protect a weak tooth from fracturing
• Restore a fractured tooth
• Attach a bridge
• Cover a dental implant
• Cover a discolored or poorly shaped tooth
• Cover a tooth that has had root canal treatment
Dental implants are made from a piece of medical titanium, similar to hip and knee implants, only very small and shaped like a tooth root. They are used to replace missing teeth, and can be covered with a crown or used to support bridges. Dental implants may also be used to support and stabilize ill-fitting dentures. They are a great solution for a single missing tooth, in that you can replace the individual tooth without drilling into the adjacent teeth.
A bridge may be recommended if you're missing one or more teeth. Gaps left by missing teeth eventually cause the remaining teeth to rotate or shift into the empty spaces, resulting in a bad bite. The imbalance caused by missing teeth can also lead to gum disease and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders.
Bridges are commonly used to replace one or more missing teeth. They span the space where the teeth are missing. Bridges are cemented to the natural teeth or implants surrounding the empty space. These teeth, called abutments, serve as anchors for the bridge. A replacement tooth, called a pontic, is attached to the crowns that cover the abutments. As with crowns, you have a choice of materials for bridges. Your dentist can help you decide which to use, based on the location of the missing tooth (or teeth), its function, aesthetic considerations and cost. Porcelain or ceramic bridges can be matched to the color of your natural teeth.
If you find yourself waking up with sore jaw or head and neck muscles or a headache, you may be suffering from bruxism - the grinding and clenching of teeth. Bruxism can cause teeth to become painful or loose, and sometimes parts of the teeth are literally ground away. Eventually, bruxism can destroy the surrounding bone and gum tissue. It can also lead to problems involving the jaw joint, such as temporomandibular joint syndrome (TMJ).
For many people, bruxism is an unconscious habit. They may not even realize they're doing it until someone comments that they make a horrible grinding sound while sleeping. For others, a routine dental checkup is when they discover their teeth are worn or their tooth enamel is fractured.
Based on the amount of tooth damage and its likely cause, your dentist may suggest:
• Wearing an appliance while sleeping - custom-made by your dentist to fit your teeth, the appliance slips over the upper teeth and protects them from grinding against the lower teeth. While an appliance is a good way to manage bruxism, it is not a cure.
• Finding ways to relax - Because everyday stress seems to be a major cause of bruxism, anything that reduces stress can help-listening to music, reading a book, taking a walk. It may help to seek counseling to learn effective ways for handling stressful situations. Also, applying a warm, wet washcloth to the side of your face can help relax muscles sore from clenching.
• Reducing the "high spots" of one or more teeth to even your bite - An abnormal bite, one in which teeth do not fit well together, may also be corrected with new fillings, crowns or orthodontics.
• Chipped tooth -if there is no pain and the chip is small, it's up to you to decide if, when and how the tooth should be repaired. Depending on the size of the chip, it can be smoothed or cosmetically corrected. Other options include veneers, crowns and fillings. Ask us to explain these options. If a filling or artificial tooth becomes chipped, it should be replaced.
• Cracked or broken tooth - cracked and broken teeth should be repaired as soon as possible to prevent further damage. Root canal therapy or tooth extraction may be necessary. If a crack affects the enamel and dentin of the tooth, a crown is frequently the best treatment. Keep in mind that cracks are not always visible, even on X-rays. Symptoms may involve pain while chewing and sensitivity to temperature, which may over time, becomes more pronounced.
• Tooth knocked out -the key to successfully reattaching a tooth is to get it reimplanted in the socket as soon as possible. The best chance for success is reimplantation within the first 30 minutes, with chances still good for up to two hours.
• If the tooth is loose, even extremely so, but is still attached in any way, leave it in place; do not remove it and visit our office as quickly as possible. If the tooth is out of the mouth, rinse the tooth with lukewarm water and reimplant the tooth if possible. Visit our office as quickly as possible.
• If unable to reimplant the tooth, handle it as little as possible and preserve it in milk or lukewarm water until it can be examined. Do not attempt to disinfect the tooth, or scrub it, or remove any tissue attached to it.
• Permanently lost teeth, whether they've been removed by a dentist or accidentally knocked out, should be replaced. This is to avoid problems such as difficulty chewing and speaking, a shifting of position among remaining teeth, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders caused by chewing on the side with more teeth, and a weakening of the jawbone. Options for replacing lost teeth include bridges, dentures and implants.
A veneer is similar to a crown in that it can completely change the look of a broken, chipped or discolored front tooth, but it is made as a thin covering of porcelain, and involves very little drilling on the tooth. Veneers can be used in place of braces or bleaching on front teeth.
How often should I see a dentist?
The American Dental Association recommends seeing the dentist and hygienist every six months for patients who do not have gum disease. Patients who are managing treated gum disease should see a hygienist every 3 to 4 months. Patients who have dentures should see a dentist at least once a year for oral cancer screening and evaluation/cleaning of the dentures.
Your teeth can become discolored by stains on the surface or by changes in the tooth material. Dentists divide discoloration into three main categories:
• Extrinsic discoloration - this occurs when the outer layer of the tooth (the enamel) is stained by coffee, wine, cola or other drinks or foods. Smoking also causes extrinsic stains.
• Intrinsic discoloration - this is when the inner structure of the tooth (the dentin) darkens or gets a yellow tint. Causes include excessive exposure to fluoride during early childhood, the use of tetracycline antibiotics while teeth are forming.
• Age-related discoloration - this is a combination of extrinsic and intrinsic factors. In addition to stains caused by foods or smoking, the dentin naturally yellows over time. The enamel that covers the teeth gets thinner with age, which allows the dentin to show through. Chips or other injuries to a tooth can also cause discoloration, especially when the pulp has been damaged.
Ask us about options available to whiten your smile!
A mouth guard is a custom soft plastic or laminate device used in sports to prevent oral injuries to the teeth, mouth, cheeks, tongue and jaw. The types of dental injuries that can occur without the use of a mouth guard are chipped or broken teeth, fractured crowns or bridgework, lip and cheek injuries, root damage to the teeth, fractured jaws, and concussions. Any athlete may be at risk for oral injury and any injury can be prevented with the use of a mouth guard.
Is it common for my teeth to be sensitive?
Many adults suffer from sensitive teeth or dentin sensitivity. This condition is common when gums recede or enamel covering the crown of the tooth is worn away and the root surfaces of teeth are exposed. There are many products available that sooth the nerve ends of the tooth and provides fast relief from tooth sensitivity. Ask us about specific products and in-office treatments that provide a direct desensitizing effect on the teeth.
Contact Us
1818 N Riley Hwy Suite A
Shelbyville, IN 46176
P: 317-392-1468
F: 317-398-2573
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