Fact: Proper oral hygiene should start at a very early age. Forgetting to care for baby teeth can result in issues with a child’s bite, alignment, and even adult teeth if baby teeth decay and are removed early. It is also important to start training kids early not to be afraid of the dentist and encouraging regular exams. This will allow kids to be comfortable when going to the dentist, and set a lifetime of good habits. Encouraging and demonstrating proper brushing twice a day with children starting as early as 12 months old is crucial to preventing any bottle decay or other tooth-related issues.
Fact: Proper home care is one of the best defenses against tooth decay and gum disease. That is why your dentist reminds you to brush twice a day and to floss every day. When you skip a brushing or flossing, bacteria from particles of food can get stuck in the teeth. If you don’t remove these particles, they can become plaque and harden into tartar. Brushing also helps keep the teeth smooth so bacteria won’t collect on the surface of them.
Fact: You’ve probably heard it a million times: sugar rots teeth. While sugar is a main culprit in tooth decay, it’s not actually the real offender: bacteria is the real villain. Bacteria in your mouth from sugars, food particles, and carbohydrates produces acids that eat away at the tooth enamel. When these acids combine with saliva, plaque begins to form. A diet high in sugar and carbohydrates and without proper brushing and flossing can result in a higher rate of cavities. Proper oral care at home and visiting a dentist like Southwest Portland dentist Dr. Melissa Beadnell, is key to preventing cavities.
Fact: People in their 30s and 40s can have gum disease, also called periodontal disease, and even those as young as teenagers can get gingivitis, which is a milder version of periodontitis. If left untreated, gum disease is a leading cause of loss of teeth, and can result in more serious illnesses, like heart disease and diabetes, if left unchecked. Also, men are more prone to have periodontitis than women of the same age.
Fact: Just because your teeth look healthy doesn't mean that it is a good idea to skip going to the dentist. You should visit your dentist twice a year for an exam and dental cleaning to make sure that your teeth stay healthy and that any dental problems are treated before they become serious.
Fact: Most dentists recommend using a soft toothbrush to avoid being overly rough on gums and teeth. If you do so, you shouldn't run into any problems brushing twice a day or -- if possible -- after each meal.
Fact: While chewing sugar-free gum after meals can help clean your teeth and freshen your breath after meals, it is no replacement for thoroughly brushing and flossing to remove dental plaque and debris.
Fact: Bleeding gums are often caused when dental plaque or food debris is not properly removed by regular brushing and flossing. If you notice that your gums become more prone to bleeding, it is a good idea to thoroughly and gently brush and floss them at least twice a day. If the bleeding continues, visit your dentist.
Fact: Thanks to modern dentistry, root canals are relatively painless. In fact, the whole point of a root canal is to relieve pain caused by damaged tissue. This is accomplished by removing the tissue, eliminating the source of the pain.
Fact: Root canals can be completed in as little as one or two appointments. It may need a follow-up just to be sure the tooth is fine after the treatment.
Fact: Root canals are designed to save the tooth and prevent extraction. The surface of the root is still alive.
Fact: This is false because otherwise it would defeat the purpose of the root canal to begin with. It makes no sense to go through the trouble of removing the infected tissue and nerves without properly sealing and protecting it afterwards
Fact: Since dental implant procedure is the surgery, and you may feel some discomfort and pain. So pain should not be a factor that affects your decision-making process. Choose the treatment that gives a permanent solution to your problem. Most patients who undergo implants treatment doesn’t feel much discomfort or pain compared to other dental procedures.
Fact: Dental implant cost is not much expensive when compared to some other dental procedures. The treatment cost may vary depending on the complexity of the procedure and the quality of the materials used for the procedure. Even though the procedure is expensive for some cases, the lifetime benefits it offers mitigate the cost. Also, your insurance may cover a part of the tooth implant cost, and sometimes even the prosthetic procedures are covered.
Fact: There is no proven record for this claim. If you experience a migraine after the procedure, it can be a result of stress during the implant procedure. But most patients don’t experience a headache or migraines after the procedure, so don’t worry about it.
Fact: Even though it is legal for a licensed dentist to perform dental implants process, not every dentist has undergone training for this procedure. The properly trained dentist can handle critical situations in a smooth manner. So it is essential to choose a dentist who is well trained in the dental implants procedures.
Fact: With over 40 years of practice the dental implants procedure provide good results to the patients and last for many years if maintained properly. Using the latest technologies, this procedure has become a regular process done by the patients suffering from missing tooth or teeth. The implant treatment has gained 98% of success rate compared to other tooth replacement options.
Fact: Generally, the dental implant does not require any special maintenance. Since it is attached to your jaw bones, it works like your natural tooth. Therefore, the dental implants need the same care as your natural tooth and no need of any special care as like dentures.
Fact: Simply because your teeth are white doesn’t necessarily mean they are healthy teeth. There could be a cavity in the tooth or a gum infection around white-looking teeth. Remember, the natural color of teeth vary from one person to another, just like skin or eye color. People with healthy teeth could have darker teeth than a person with whiter ones.