16. My tooth was knocked out , how soon should I see a Dentist?
Immediately. Getting to a Dentist within 30 minutes can make the difference between saving and losing a tooth. When a tooth is knocked out:

• Immediately call your Dentist for an emergency appointment.
• Handle the tooth by the crown, not the root. Touching the root (the part of the tooth below the gum) can damage cells necessary for bone reattachment.
• Gently rinse the tooth in tepid water to remove dirt. Do not scrub.
• Place the clean tooth in your mouth between the cheek and the gum to keep it moist.
• It is important not to let the tooth dry out.
• If it is not possible to store the tooth in the mouth of the injured person, wrap the tooth in a clean cloth or gauze and immerse in milk.

17. What can gum disease mean for a diabetic?
Gingivitis is an infection within the gums caused by bacteria found in plaque. A diabetic's body doesn't respond as quickly to infection as a non-diabetic. If the infection persists, it can spread to the underlying bone that supports and anchors the teeth.

It has been shown that diabetics who keep their condition under control and maintain good oral hygiene have a far better chance of combating infections than those who are poorly controlled.

18. Why do I need X-Rays?
Radiographic or X-ray examinations provide your Dentist with an important diagnostic tool that shows the condition of your teeth, their roots, jaw placement and the overall composition of your facial bones.

X-Rays can help your Dentist determine the presence or degree of periodontal disease, abscesses and many abnormal growths, such as cysts and tumours. X-rays can also show the exact location of impacted teeth. They can pinpoint the location of cavities and other signs of disease that may not be possible to detect through visual examination (such as changes in the jaw bone structure as a result of systemic disease).

19. When should my child first see a Dentist?
The ideal time for your child to meet the Dentist is six months after their first (primary) teeth erupt.

This gives your Dentist a perfect opportunity to carefully examine the development of their mouth and catch problems such as baby bottle tooth decay, teething irritations and prolonged thumb-sucking early.

20. I brush my teeth constantly but still have bad breath. What can I do?
Brushing and flossing are definitely the first steps to eliminating bad breath. Brushing and flossing remove bacteria responsible for creating odourous sulphur compounds and the food they feed on. However, bacteria hide not only on and around the teeth but also on the tongue under a layer of mucous. Here they are free to create odours.

It is best to brush your tongue daily or you may want to consider a tongue scraper. Both are extremely effective at removing this protective mucous layer from the back of the tongue.

The latest products on the market for bad breath are toothpastes and mouthwashes containing chlorine dioxide. The chlorine dioxide neutralises the odourous sulphur compounds, instead of simply covering up the odour.

In most cases of bad breath we find that the patient is not brushing as effectively as they think they are and / or they already have gum disease. Very rarely a medical condition that can cause bad breath. The only way to find out is to have your teeth inspected by a dentist.

FAQ's Page 1 | 2 | 3