FAQs

They’re the last teeth to erupt in the back of your mouth. Usually, they erupt between the ages of 17 and 25. Occasionally though, they find their way our much later than that; some never erupt at all. Thanks to evolution, we’re evolving into the proud ownership of smaller jaws; unfortunately our teeth aren’t quite keeping pace. Most of our jaws only have room for 28 teeth, but we may have 32. Basically, this means that the last teeth to erupt, which are the wisdom teeth, have nowhere to go if there’s not enough room remaining.

Conscientious removal of plaque by flossing, brushing and regular professional cleaning will minimize your risk of gum disease. However, there are other factors that can affect the health of your gums, such as stress, diabetes, genetics, smoking, and pregnancy.

As the plaque and calculus accumulate, the periodontal disease continues. Supporting tissues around the teeth (gums, periodontal ligaments, bone) are lost. Periodontal pockets form which trap additional plaque. Bad breath often accompanies this condition. Once the bone that supports the teeth is lost, it will not re-grow without surgical intervention.

Periodontal disease is caused by the bacteria found in plaque. If plaque is not regularly removed, it calcifies into a rough, porous deposit called calculus, or tartar. By products from bacterial metabolism within the tartar irritate the gums, making them red, tender, swollen and more prone to bleed. Eventually, the supporting periodontal structures begin to breakdown. The result of this slow process is tissue loss, bone loss and eventual tooth loss.

In the earlier states of gum disease (what we would term mild to moderate periodontitis), most treatment involves scaling and root planning. The procedure aims at removing plaque and calculus from the surface of the tooth adjacent to gum tissue. The periodontal pockets around the tooth are cleansed and all affected root surfaces are decontaminated. In the majority of early gum disease cases, treatment entails improved home care techniques and scaling and root planning carried out by our dentists & hygienist. More advanced cases may require surgical treatment.

If you are not in any pain then call us as soon as possible and make an appointment, but try and keep the tooth as clean as possible and avoid biting hard on that tooth. If you have pain, then you will need to arrange an emergency appointment to see us.

Attempt to reposition the tooth to its normal alignment using very light finger pressure, but do not force the tooth. Bite down to keep the tooth from moving. Your dentist may splint the tooth in place to the two healthy teeth next to the loose tooth.

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 us 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 milk 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.

Radiographic or X-ray examinations provide us 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 us to determine the presence or degree of periodontal disease, tooth decay, abscesses and many abnormal growths, such as cysts and tumors. X-rays can also show the exact location of impacted (crowded) teeth. They can pinpoint the location of cavities and other signs of disease that may not be possible to detect through visual examination.

No. We are equipped with the very latest ultra-low dose digital imaging systems for the highest quality results with minimal exposure. In reality, even if you required a significant number of images you would receive considerably more radiation by taking an airline flight on holiday than you would from your dental x-rays.

The ideal time for your child to meet the dentist is six months after their first (primary) teeth erupt.
This gives us 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. Although in practical terms it is very difficult to carry out any treatment on a child of this age, it is actually beneficial for your child to get used to visiting us, so that in later years should treatment be necessary a visit to the dentist is not so much of an ordeal for your child.

Brushing and flossing are definitely the first steps to eliminating bad breath, along with ensuring that you regularly see your hygienist for routine scaling & polishing(professional cleaning). Brushing and flossing remove bacteria responsible for creating odorous sulfur 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 odors. You might want to consider a tongue scraper or soft brush. They’re very effective at removing the protective mucous layer from the back of the tongue.

Fluoride is a mineral that is naturally present in varying amounts in many foods and some water supplies. It is also used in many consumer dental products. Fluoride strengthens teeth making it more resistant to decay. It is important to use fluoride containing toothpastes, and sometimes mouth rinses or gels to gain the added benefit of preventing sensitivity and tooth decay.

Everyone is aware of how bad smoking is for the lungs, but many people forget about how much damage it does to your teeth. Smoking can cause serious long term damage to teeth and gums. The main concern for most smokers is the discoloration and staining of their teeth. Tobacco causes teeth to yellow and darken to a light brown color. Smoking will also cause bad breath, leave a bad taste in your mouth, and most importantly affect the blood-flow to the gums making you much more prone to gum disease. Smoking is also implicated with an increased risk of oral cancer.

Maintaining your teeth and gums as you age is an important step in sustaining your general health and well-being. Whilst exercising, eating the correct foods and regular health checks are important, looking after your teeth and gums is also essential. Good dental health will help you to lead a long, happy and healthy life.

Children, teens, and adults should all see the dentist for a regular checkup at least once every six months. Patients who are at a greater risk for oral cancer or gum disease may be required to see the dentist more than just twice a year. Your dentist will help determine how often you should visit the dentist for regular checkups.

A cavity is a small hole that forms inside the tooth because of tooth decay. Cavities form when plaque buildup on the outside of the tooth combines with sugars and starches in the food you eat. That produces an acid that can eat away the enamel on your tooth. If a cavity is left untreated, it can lead to more serious oral health problems. Cavities can be prevented by remembering to brush your teeth two times a day and floss between teeth at least once.

Your toothbrush will eventually wear out, especially if you are brushing your teeth twice a day for two to three minutes each time. We recommend that adults and children change their toothbrushes every three months. If you are using an electric toothbrush, be sure to read the directions because you may not need to change toothbrush heads as frequently. Patients with gum disease are encouraged to change their toothbrushes every four to six weeks to keep any bacteria from spreading. After brushing, rinse your toothbrush with hot water to kill germs and keep the bristles clean. If you’ve been sick, be sure to change your toothbrush as soon as possible.

Yes! It’s even more important that patients receiving orthodontic treatment visit their dentist regularly. With braces, food gets caught in places that your toothbrush can’t reach. That causes bacteria to build up and can lead to cavities, gingivitis, and gum disease. Your dentist will work closely with your orthodontist to ensure that your teeth stay clean and healthy while wearing braces.

Exposure to all sources of radiation — including the sun, minerals in the soil, appliances in your home, and dental X-rays — can damage the body’s tissues and cells, and can lead to the development of cancer in some instances. Fortunately, the dose of radiation you are exposed to during the taking of X-rays is extremely small.

Tobacco (cigarettes, pipes, cigars, chewing tobacco, and snuff) is the most common cause of oral cancer. Combining tobacco use with heavy drinking can also foster the development of oral cancer. Bad hygiene, prolonged irritation of the oral cavity, and extended exposure to strong sunlight on the lips are among other causes of the disease. Many dentists believe vitamins A and E can help prevent the acquisition of oral cancer.