1. When should my child first see a dentist?
2. How often should x-rays be taken?
3. Which toothpaste should I use?
4. What is a dry socket?
5. How can I relieve a toothache?
6. Which Toothbrush is Really Better – Manual or Electric?
7. What is Dry Mouth?
8. What Causes Canker Sores?
9. Why is Oral Hygiene so Important During Pregnancy?
10. Are Mouth Guards Really Necessary during Sports?
11. What should I do if I have bad breath?
12. Question: How often should I brush and floss?
13. Are amalgam (silver fillings) safe?
14. Why is it important to use dental floss?
15. How can I tell if I have gingivitis or periodontitis (gum disease)?

1. Question: When should my child first see a dentist?

The American Dental Association, American Academy of General Dentistry, and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry all recommend taking your child to the dentist at age 12 months to 1 year. Waiting until a dental emergency or severe toothache could be traumatic for your child –we don’t want them to be afraid of us!

2. Question: How often should x-rays be taken?

If you have not had any x-rays before or have not had any taken within the previous year, a full set will probably be taken at the first appointment. For those with normal health and oral health, x-rays are generally only needed once a year. Others, with certain health-related or diet issues may need x-rays more frequently.

3. Question: Which toothpaste should I use?

There are many varieties of toothpastes on the market. There is everything from gels, whitening toothpaste, tartar control toothpaste, to natural toothpaste, toothpaste made for children, and sensitive teeth. The brand of toothpaste you choose is not as important as what is in the toothpaste itself. Even if you have fluoride in your drinking water, it is still wise to choose toothpaste that contains fluoride. Another thing to consider is the more chemicals that are added to the toothpaste the higher at risk you are for your teeth and gums to become irritated and sensitive. Before using any of the whitening toothpaste, tartar control toothpaste, sensitive tooth toothpaste, and the likes, consult with your dentist or hygienist to see if any of these toothpastes are recommended for you.

With the wide variety of toothpastes in stores, keep a few things in mind. Toothpastes with fluoride are good for keeping your teeth healthy. Also, when more chemicals are added to toothpastes (such as whitening toothpaste or tartar control toothpaste) it can irritate your teeth and gums. Consult your dentist before using those kinds of toothpaste. Other than that, regular brushing is what is most important.

4. Question: What is a dry socket?

After an extraction, a blood clot will form in the location of the extracted tooth. If this blood clot, which protects the nearby bone tissue, becomes dislodged or does not form, the bone tissue is exposed and begins to dry out. This “dry socket” is very painful and must be treated by your dentist to ensure proper healing and pain relief.

5. Question: How can I relieve a toothache?

First of all, don’t try to “wait out” a toothache. Call your dentist and schedule an appointment for as soon as possible. In the meantime, before you are able to get into your dentist, treating the toothache is possible with clove oil, which is a natural sedative for the nerve in your tooth. Simply dab a Q-tip in clove oil and then rub it on the aching tooth. You should feel some relief, and you can repeat this as many times as necessary. In addition, take an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as ibuprofen.

6. Question: Which Toothbrush is Really Better – Manual or Electric?

There are hundreds of toothbrushes in stores. So which is better? Manual or electric?
The Academy of General Dentistry recommends simply using a toothbrush that you will actually use, twice a day for two minutes. For smaller children, this might mean an electric one, because it’s more “fun.” However, it is a matter of personal preference.

If you’re not sure which type of toothbrush you would use the most, I have provided some pros and cons of both:

Manual Tooth Brush

Pros:
Inexpensive
Easy grip handles
Travel-friendly
Cons:
Have to keep track of the two minutes of brushing on your own

Electric Tooth Brush
Pros:
Larger ergonomic handles
Some have built in timers that alert you when two minutes is up

Cons:
Often expensive
May require charging or battery replacement

7. Question: What is Dry Mouth?

Xerostomia, commonly known as dry mouth, is a reduction in the flow of saliva. Saliva is needed to reduce plaque, wash away food debris, and prevent gingivitis and severe tooth decay.

Other problems related to dry mouth include:
Difficulty speaking
Hoarseness
Sore throat

Difficulty swallowing
Burning sensation in the mouth
Dry nasal passages

Discuss treatment methods for dry mouth with your dentist.

8. Question: What Causes Canker Sores?
The exact cause of canker sores, which are painful sores found inside the mouth that often appear out of nowhere, is not always known. Here are a few potential causes:

Injuries to the mouth
- Accidentally biting the inside of the mouth
- Getting hit in the mouth – as in contact sports

Irritation
- Hot food or drink
- Spicy or acidic foods
- Chewing tobacco use
- Poor-fitting dentures rubbing on tissues
- Orthodontic brackets or bands which cause friction against the mouth
- Broken teeth or restorations that rub on oral tissues

Other
- Allergies to metals, such as nickel, which can be in orthodontic materials
- Vitamin deficiencies, such as B12 or Iron
- Emotional stress
- Hormonal changes
- Genetics
- Allergic reactions to certain foods or bacteria
- Autoimmune disease

9. Question: Why is Oral Hygiene so Important During Pregnancy?

Due to the increased hormone levels during pregnancy, dental problems can worsen in a shorter amount of time, or be intensified. Also, good oral health is important for your baby. Research has suggested that serious gum disease is linked to premature birth and low birth weight.

During your pregnancy, visit your dentist regularly to ensure you are maintaining good oral hygiene. In addition, brush your teeth at least twice a day, use an antimicrobial mouth rinse, make sure to brush your tongue, and eat nutritious meals.

10. Question: Are Mouth Guards Really Necessary during Sports?

Mouth guards are designed to prevent trauma and injury to the teeth during contact sports such as basketball, football, or boxing. The American Dental Association says that an athlete is 60 times more likely to suffer an injury to the mouth or a tooth when not wearing a mouth guard.

Overlooking a mouth guard is a mistake, even for some non-contact sports where injuries can occur. There are three major types of mouth guards: ready-made, boil and bite, or one that is custom made by your dentist, which offers the best protection since it is tailored to an individual’s mouth. Whatever you choose, just make sure that it fits well, does not impair speech or breathing, and is comfortable.
As far as taking care of a mouth guard, rinse it after each use, and occasionally brush it with toothpaste or use soapy water to clean it.

11. Question: What should I do if I have bad breath?

The majority of the time, bad breath, or halitosis, is due to microbial deposits on the back of the tongue, and can be solved with brushing the tongue.

Some other causes of bad breath include:
Foods – garlic, onions.
Tobacco products
Gum disease
Cavities
Poor oral hygiene
Dry mouth
Medical conditions
Dehydration

12. Question: How often should I brush and floss?

Since plaque formation can be controlled solely by brushing and flossing, it is important to brush your teeth with toothpaste at least twice a day, brushing at a 45 degree angle with a circular motion.

Electric toothbrushes are an easy way to ensure that you are brushing properly, because they are more efficient than a regular brush.

Because flossing is the best method of cleaning between teeth, it is recommended that a person flosses daily.

Using 12-16 inches (30-40cm) of dental floss, wrap it around your hands until about two inches is exposed. Insert floss in between teeth, using a sawing motion.

13. Question: Are amalgam (silver fillings) safe?
According to the American Dental Association, as many as 76 percent of dentists use silver fillings for teeth, and that these fillings, which contain elemental mercury, are safe and do not cause health problems.
Unless someone has an allergy to a metal in the amalgam, every health organization states that they are completely safe and relatively cheap for their durability.

However, Mapleview Dentistry is a “Mercury-free” office, and uses numerous other options in place of silver fillings.

14. Question: Why is it important to use dental floss?
The areas that are extremely susceptible to tooth decay and gum disease are the only places our toothbrushes cannot reach. That is where flossing comes in. Flossing helps to interrupt bacteria that occurs in these hard-to-reach places and is essential for cavity prevention.

15. Question: How can I tell if I have gingivitis or periodontitis (gum disease)?
Periodontitis begins when plaque, which produces acids that inflame the gums, is left on the teeth and gums, and damage occurs.

Many people have early-stage periodontal disease and have no idea. Because in the beginning, there are few symptoms and no pain, it is important to have regular check-ups with your dentist to detect possible problems.
Some of the symptoms of periodontal disease include red, puffy or bleeding gums, bad breath, loose teeth, pus around teeth near the gums, and receding gums.