Frequently Asked Questions about Dental Hygiene

Here are some commonly asked questions many dentist get asked everyday about dental hygiene.  If you do not see a dental question you have, please feel free to add a comment with your question and we'll do our best to answer it for your.

1.) What causes Tooth Decay?
Sugar in foods and drinks turns into an acid in your mouth.  The acid can burn a hole in your tooth which is the start of tooth decay.  Plaque is a sticky paste found on teeth.  Plaque is made by tiny living things called bacteria.  The bacteria in plaque feed on sugar that clings to teeth.  Plaque contains an acid that can make holes in teeth.

2.) What happens with a tooth decays?
If tooth decays reaches the center of a tooth, it causes a terrible pain.  The tricky thing about tooth decay is it does not hurt until it reaches the center of the tooth which is too late.  Nerves are located at the center of the tooth and they are responsible for letting you know you have a cavity.  When the decay reaches the nerves, the tooth throbs with pain and you need to see a Lone Tree dentist to treat the pain.

If tooth decay is not treated, the tooth will die and turn brown.  If a tooth is badly damaged by tooth decay, it may have to be pulled out.  If someone loses a permanent tooth, it will need to be replaced with a false tooth.

3.) How does a dentist treat tooth decay?
A dentist cleans away the rotten part of the tooth. Then they fill the hole with special chemicals to clean the treated area.  A dentist will use a drill to grind away all the rotting parts of a tooth to completely remove all of the cavity area.  They then fill it with a substance that turns very hard.  This chemical lasts for a long time but not as long as a natural tooth will which is why it is important to maintain your teeth and brush every day.

4.) How can you stop tooth decay?
The best way to stop tooth decay is by brushing your teeth for two minutes twice a day with toothpaste.  Brush them right before you go to bed and when you wake up after you have eaten breakfast. Do not use a worn out tooth brush, use one with bristles that are straight and firm.  If they are not you will not be able to brush all areas of your moth.

5.) What is Gum Disease?
Gum disease happens when the gums are infected by bacteria.  If your gums are infected, often times they will bleed.  Plaque often forms between the teeth and the gums.  The bacteria in plaque can cause gum disease which will cause them to soften and become sore.  Sometimes gum disease causes painful swelling called an abscess.  The abscess forms around the tooth inside the gums. The tooth becomes too sore to use when you eat.

6.) How can you treat gum disease?
When a person has gum disease, their dentists may tell them to rinse their mouth with mouthwash that has a certain chemical that kills the bacteria. If you have an abscess, you will need stronger medicine that what is in mouthwash. A doctor or dentist will give you an antibiotic to kill the bacteria.

7.) How can you prevent gum disease?
Dental floss is a great way to prevent gum disease.  It comes in a thin thread that can fit between your teeth and gums to clean away hidden plaque.  It reaches plaque in areas your tooth brush cannot get to.  People usually floss their teeth before they brush their teeth at night.  The will lift out any plaque from between the teeth and gums so it can be brushed away next.