Dental Health: FAQ
Q: Do toothpastes claiming to have dental whitening effects really work?
A: Today almost half of all toothpastes claim to have some kind of whitening effects, so no wonder people question this.
The effects of most whitening toothpastes are very similar to those of the usual toothpastes – they also have mild abrasives that remove stains from the surface. In addition they contain certain chemicals and polishing agents able to remove stains more effectively. So, while you can notice your teeth look “whiter” the truth is they just become lighter in color, because more stains have been eliminated from the surface. So, basically your teeth are not bleached, they are just cleaned more effectively.
Dental whitening is recommended to people who smoke, drink coffee or tea regularly, and consume certain other products affecting the color of their teeth. Special toothpaste is often required to prevent new stains from building up on their teeth.
Read the information provided about the toothpaste you are going to use to make sure it contains fluoride to protect your teeth against decay. It’s also recommended to discuss your decision with your dentist as teeth whitening is not a wise choice for everybody. Here are some facts concerning this procedure:
• This procedure is usually not covered by dental health plans.
• If you have any crowns, fillings, veneers, bridges or dental implants, they will not change their color while your teeth become whiter, so the difference may be quite noticeable.
• Your teeth will not be actually bleached; they will become lighter in color.
• The results of this procedure may vary from person to person; it depends on the general condition of the teeth and their original color.
• Gray-tinted teeth do not get a lot whiter, unfortunately, while people with yellow-tinted teeth will get the desired result in most cases.
• There are certain side effects you may experience, such as sensitive teeth and gum irritation.
• Gum disease is a contraindication for dental whitening.
• To make the procedure more efficient it’s recommended to have the surface stains removed beforehand.
• The whitening kits from your dentist are likely to have a better effect than the ones you buy over the counter as they contain a more powerful bleaching agent.
• You need to have all the cavities filled before whitening your teeth.
• You need to have touch-ups done regularly to maintain the color shade desired. This depends on your eating habits (whether you smoke, drink tea or coffee, eat certain foods, etc.).
Q: How dangerous is tooth erosion?
A: Tooth erosion is the destruction of the enamel caused by acid. The enamel is the hard white calcified substance covering the crown of each tooth. It’s very hard, but with time it simply wears away.
The enamel is constantly remineralized by the calcium our saliva contains, but when the amounts of acid are too big, there is nothing our body can do to help. So, if you consume a lot of food and drinks with high amounts of acid, tooth erosion is very likely. The main sources of acid are pure fruit juices and carbonated beverages (most soft drinks).
Some other causes of tooth erosion can be caused by a number of medical factors (acid reflux disease, gastrointestinal conditions, bulimia and decrease in saliva).
There are some symptoms that may help you detect tooth erosion; they vary from overly sensitive teeth to cracking. The earlier you notice one of the symptoms, the sooner you will be able to have this problem taken care of. So, if you experience any of the following, talk to your doctor as soon as possible.
Sensitive teeth. This is a very common symptom, and also one of the earliest. It happens because of the dentin exposure, and you can experience it when eating something hot, cold or sweet.
Rounded teeth. During the first several stages of erosion, your teeth may acquire a rounded look.
Discolored teeth. Tooth erosion resulting in great dentin exposure may lead to yellow teeth.
Transparent and sand blasted look. Sometimes you teeth can have a sand blasted look, or the front teeth may appear transparent (especially the tips).
More advanced symptoms of tooth erosion are:
Extremely sensitive teeth. The more dentin is exposed due to tooth erosion, the more pain you are likely to experience when eating hot and cold foods.
Dents. The biting areas of your teeth may become dented.
Cracking. If the condition is not treated properly or goes unnoticed for some time, you can soon have the edges of your teeth cracking and acquiring a rough shape.
Tooth erosion is very dangerous and detrimental to your teeth, but it can be prevented if certain steps are followed. Here is what you can do:
• Neutralize acid. After you consume any foods and beverages that contain acid, it’s recommended to rinse your mouth with drinking water.
• Wait for an hour. Wait for at least one hour after eating or drinking products containing acid to provide for the natural remineralization of the teeth; only then you can brush them.
• Revise your diet. Try to exclude carbonated drinks from your diet; instead you can drink milk, water, coffee or tea without sugar.
• Use a straw. Drinking juice or soft drinks through a straw will help you make sure the liquid its delivered to the back of your mouth without affecting your teeth.
• Swallow quickly. Don’t hold acidic liquids in your mouth for too long to prevent them from contacting with your teeth.
• Chew gum. Always have sugar-free gum you can chew. It increases the flow of saliva and your teeth can remineralize faster using the calcium.
• Use the right toothbrush. Your toothpaste should contain fluoride, and your toothbrush should be soft to protect your enamel from additional damage.
Tooth erosion can be caused by a number of factors, so make sure you talk to your dentist the minute you suspect you may have it. You can also learn about some dental products that can help you deal with the symptoms, such as, for example, extremely sensitive teeth.
Q: Does my dental health affect my general health in any way?
A: It does more than you would think. Our body is a very complicated and sophisticated system where everything is interconnected. There is now plenty of hard evidence showing that such conditions as periodontitis and gum disease (especially the advanced stage) are directly connected with stroke and heart disease. Some scientists believe periodontitis can contribute to low birth weight, premature birth, high blood sugar levels, pancreatic cancer and even bacterial pneumonia.
However, not all these theories have been confirmed by the results of research. According to the American Dental Association, if some problem occurs simultaneously with another condition, it doesn’t mean one of them causes the other, so until the matter is further researched, nothing can be said for certain.
Bacterial endocarditis is another condition connected with periodontal disease. It involves inflammation of the membrane that lines the cavities of the heart and forms part of the valves, which can damage the valves or destroy them if the condition is neglected. The way it happens is the following: bacteria get into the bloodstream (bacteremia), are then carried to the heart and then settle in the heart tissue, activating the infection. The risk factor is the heart tissue that has been damaged or an abnormal condition of the heart valves.
Q: What kind of filling is it best to choose: silver or white?
A: Amalgam (silver) and composite (tooth colored) fillings are used in most patients requiring this kind of procedure. Before making up your mind, you need to know as much information about each kind as possible. Here are some pros and cons that may help you decide:
Amalgam fillings
Pros:
• An amalgam filling is very strong and can withstand a lot of pressure; it’s most often used for the masticatory teeth (the ones we use for chewing).
• This is an affordable dental filling material.
• Most dental health plans cover amalgam fillings.
Cons:
• An amalgam filling contains a variety of metals, including mercury. Mercury is a very toxic metal than can seriously affect your health.
• Some patients report extreme tooth sensitivity following the procedure.
• Some dentists don’t deal with amalgam fillings anymore and prefer other kinds instead.
• A bigger preparation needs to be made, so you are likely to lose more of your tooth.
• There is some inconvenience after the filling is placed: you can’t chew using the tooth for several hours to make sure it hardens properly.
Composite fillings
Pros
• The materials used for composite fillings are acrylic resin and glass particles, so no toxic metals or substances are present.
• The filling material looks natural and is not obvious for an unaided eye.
• Once the filling is placed, you can chew on that tooth, which doesn’t create any inconvenience.
• You lose less of your tooth structure, as the hole made by the dentist is a lot smaller.
Cons
• The dental material cost: composite filing is more expensive.
• The whole procedure takes longer to perform.
• Just like your teeth, composite fillings stain with time, especially if you drink tea or coffee or smoke.
• The stains on the surface of composite fillings do not bleach during dental whitening.
• The composite fillings are not as strong as the amalgam ones and can’t withstand so much pressure.
• Many companies don’t provide dental insurance when you place this kind of filling on the masticatory teeth.
Now that you have all the information necessary to evaluate both types of fillings, you can make an informed decision and choose the kind you like and can afford.
Q: In what cases is endodontic treatment used?
A: Endodontic treatment deals with the problems inside your tooth.
In order to better understand the way it works, let’s look at the tooth anatomy. Your tooth has several layers, including the enamel, covering the surface, the dentin (the hard layer) and the pulp - soft innermost part of a tooth, containing nerves and blood vessels. The pulp is responsible for the growth and development of a new tooth and maintaining it when it’s already full-grown.
The pulp extends from the tip of the root all the way to the crown of the tooth. Its main function once the tooth is shaped is to connect the body of the tooth to the tissues in the gums. However, when the tooth is fully connected, it is able to survive without the pulp as it gets all the nourishment from the surrounding tissues.
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