Dear Doctor,

I recently had a root canal done it has not even been three months and the tooth is sensitive. I was told that have to put a cap on it in the mean time what can i do to prevent pain.

Answer 

Root canal treatment is indicated when a tooth decay deepens and effects the underlying pulp  There will be an increased sensitivity of the tooth to hot and cold drinks initially, followed by severe pain. In an R.C.T the effected pulp is removed and pulp chamber filled with filling material. So the tooth is left in a non vital [dead] existence. It should no longer be sensitive. If your complaint is 'sensitivity' , it should be probably because of pulp remaining in the same tooth or a cavity in a different tooth.

Dear Doctor,

What are the current options to restore a chipped tooth?

Answer 

A chipped tooth can be
a. Rebuilt with a composite filling if the fracture is less than half of the tooth.
b. restored by a 'crown' or a 'post and crown' depending on the amount of tooth structure remaining.
c. Root canal treatment is indicated depending on the extent of fracture and the symptoms or if discoloration of tooth occurs.

Dear Doctor,

i am 18 years old and i have a very small tooth, it does not hurt but if it is a baby tooth why han't it come out? and what can be done if it is a baby tooth as i do not want a gap if it is a baby tooth. Is there anyway of pulling the adult tooth down.

Answer

If you have a decidous tooth remaining probably your permanent tooth is missing or impacted. where it is missing and you extract your decidous tooth the space will remain and you will need a replacement. If the permenant tooth is impacted chances of it  coming out or being pulled out depends on its position. It will be better you consult an oral surgeon or an orthodontist

Dear Doctor,

Hi I am a 23 year old female and over the last year or so my jaw has been really sore. Not all the time but some times it will start to ache and the pain seems to go up my jaw into my ear which will really start to hurt. I was wondering if you knew what it might be?

Answer 

You have not specified which jaw and on which side. Some causes of such pain are
a deep cavity which has effected the pulp inside.
b an impacted wisdom tooth.
c an erupting wisdom tooth.
d a new filling on a tooth or a crown which is little high and disturbing the way your upper and lower teeth meet
e Periodontitis with a deep pocket in relation to some tooth. [gum problem]

Dear Doctor,

Doctor, i brush my teeth daily, but my teeth are still yellowish. I think it started a few years ago when I did not brush my teeth everyday. Until this day I try to make it white, however, it's difficult. Should I seek a dentist?

Answer 

If your teeth are naturally yellow it is a difficult to make it white except by bleaching. This has to be repeated regularly .if the yellow colour is because of deposits, the deposits have to be removed by scaling and polishing.

Dear Doctor,

I have a gap in between my front teeth do you think that invisible braces would work for me i am 26 years old female, And in how long if they do . Thank you for your help...

Answer 

If you are 26 and you have a gap in your front tooth brazes can be adviced. but if the gap is small a composite filling or a porcelain crown will make the work cheaper and faster depending on the number of teeth involved.

Dear Doctor,

Hi, I had my wisdom teeth out 2 weeks ago. I woke up yesterday with swollen again on one side, and went to the dentist. He said it was an infection, and then he lanced the puss pocket, and packed it with cloves and I think gauze. My question is how many days after this should I have removed the packing? Or should I let it fall out on it's own? I still haven't taken it out yet because it hurts when I try to pull it out. Thank you so much, a quick response would be helpful in knowing if I need to go back to the oral surgeon.

Answer 

Few extractions may cause dry socket. the pack placed need not be removed.it will go off on its own.it is enough that the site is left clean and undisturbed

Dear Doctor,

My gums bleed sometimes can this be cured by regular brushing?

Answer 

If the bleeding is due to deposits it should be cleaned by the dentist.if other wise regular use of any medicated toothpaste for gums and vit c can help in gum bleeding .

Dear Doctor,

Is there other alternative means to straighten very crooked teeth other than braces? such as surgery

Answer 

In those cases where there is gross malallighnement and bone involvement surgical correction becomes more easier and accurate. than brazes

Dear Doctor,

what is the right way to use dental floss and how often should it be used?

Answer 

Take about 20'' of the floss. wind both the ends around your middle finger.leaving a short distance between them.
Insert the floss carefully between the teeth, then clean each side by pulling the floss gently up and down. Take care not to damage the gums by vigoruos flossing.Repeat the action for each tooth, winding on a fresh piece of floss for each space.Rinse after floss

Dear Doctor,

 I have gaps between my teeth & I also want 2 push my teeth a bit inside. I read in omanaccess.com that the gaps can B removed in a single sitting by cosmetic dentistry. Can Cosmetic dentistry B used 4 pushing the teeth inside as well??How much do U charge for it?

Answer

It is possible to correct gaps between teeth using ceramic filling.But proclination can be corrected by orthodontic correction only.

Dear Doctor,

I get puss blisters on my top gum They are always here. I've had them for about 12 years and nobody knows what is wrong. Could you help?

Answer

Blisters on the gum can be an aphthous infection which reccurs at intervals.It can be a sinus due to infected tooth.  Is there pus duscharge associated wih it?Blisters can also occur due to burns or trauma. - If pus discharrge is there it is more often associated with infected tooth.It will be advicable to check your blood sugar as well.

Dear Doctor,

My 8 year old daughter has what looks like an abcess on her gums above one of her baby teeth that has been filled. I took her to her pediatrician and they prescribed her an antibiotic for infections in the mouth. I do not have dental coverage and don't know if eventually I will have to take her to a dentist after the infection is gone, or will this be the end of it. Should I take her to the dentist before the infection is gone?

Answer

Abcess below the filled tooth is defenitely due to to infection in the tooth where the filling prevents the pus from coming out.
It will be better to remove the tooth if the abcess doesnt decrease or reccurs again as she is eight years now.
A new errupting teeth also appears as a swelling below the milk tooth.

Dear Doctor,

I have prob of wrong shape teeth. They are not in proper way. So do i need to use a braces? I am 24 so this treatment can work for adults?

Answer

24 years is not too late for correction.You can go for it as early as possible

Dear Doctor,

Recently started treatment, root canal left lower jaw in May. Dentist killed roots, but have had a painful tooth ever since. An abscess developed in the upper right jaw and my gums upper and lower are painful when flossing and otherwise. My dentist wants me to get well (I'm an insulin dependent diabetic for twelve years and have left side weakness with general malasia. The dentist referred me to see a private physician immediately. I have an appointment tomorrow. Question: The dentist states that once I am filling better, I'm to see an Endodontist for a consult. What does this specialist do and what exactly can I do to help him with any of my previous History? How much is too much? I'm concerned with this referral because my dentist feels that surgery will be necessary. Since I'm a slow healer, what is the best thing to do at this point, have the tooth pulled? Go ahead with the surgery when I'm Ready?

Answer

An infected tooth has to go in for a root canal treatment or at an advanced stage for "apoecectomy" (minor surgery), so as to clean the infected area and seal the tooth. An Endodontist deals with this sort of cases. From your x-rays & clinical findings, he can tell you how much successful the treatment can be.
As you are an insulin depended diabetics' patient whether to decide between surgery or extraction, depends on how much of infection is there. Extraction leaves a wound, likewise a minor surgery also leaves a wound. Your endodontist will be able to tell you which wound will heal faster provided your blood sugar is under control. 

Dear Doctor,

In the crease where your gums meets your lip I have what looks like a little hole, or irritation. It feels like it was cut there, but I don't think it is. My gums around it are a little more red than usual, however that could just be from me pulling my lip up and checking it all the time Is this just an irriation, or should I be concerned.

Answer

"A little hole" in the crease where gums meet the lips can be 
a) Aphthous ulcer - This recurs at intervals usually associated with stress.
b) Traumatic ulcer - Due to some trauma like a new toothbrush, a toothbrush with a big head etc.
c) A dental infection, which has advanced and drained through the surrounding bone. This is associated with a badly decayed tooth or a non-vital (dead) tooth. If this is the case the tooth should be treated according to the degree of infection.

Dear Doctor,

To stop gums bleeding and bad breath, clean your teeth with a mixture of equal quantities of salt and soda bicarb. I read this in handy hints appearing in one of the newspapers. Please tell me dr. is this remedy effective.

Answer

Using a mixture of salt & soda bicarbonate for cleaning to stop bleeding gums is quite outdated. Maybe to a little extend it stops bleeding but when discontinued bleeding starts all over again. Bleeding gums can be due to various reasons. It can be due to accumulation of calculus (deposit), Vitamin C deficiency, or other symptomatic diseases. The cause has to be identified and corrected. 

Dear Doctor,

My daughter (7yrs 3 months) has all her milk teeth, intact and none have shown any sign of falling. Two permanant teeth have started appearing just behind the two milk teeth, in the bottom jaw (the front ones). We also see the jaw portion there expanding to cover the total area occupied by the old as well as the new teeth. Since the milk teeth are still intact, do we need to do something ? like extract them to allow space for the new ones OR allow the neture to take it's course.
The dentist we have consulted, is of the opinion of extracting the old ones to give space for new ones, else there would be problems later on regarding their outlook.

Answer

The Lower Permanent Incisors Are Seen Frequently Erupting Behind Its Predecessor. It So Happens Because They Deviate From Their Normal Path Of Eruption And Fail To Resorb The Roots Of Its Predecessor. So The Predecessor Do Not Fall Off And The Permanent Teeth Erupts In The Back . It Is Advisable To Remove Them As Early As Possible.

Dear Doctor,

My 7 years son has gaps between his teeth. Please tell me if the milk teeth will fall and permanent teeth will come like the earlier teeth do I need to consult a dentist. He has till now got five permanent teeth. Two milk teeth have fallen recently. Please advise me on this.

Answer

For a child new teeth begins to erupt from the age of 6. This be a little early in a few or may be delayed in a few five permanent teeth at the age of 7 is a little early but there is nothing to worry.

Spacing which occurs after shedding of milk teeth gets corrected when new teeth erupts. Spacing present in the permanent teeth which has erupted in the front closes later on when the permanent teeth erupts in the back. Sometimes spacing between the upper centrals can be due to a 'high attached' .. (a strip of tissue extending from the inner aspect of the upper lip to the gums). This has to be relieved for the closure. Spacing can also be due to smaller size of the permanent teeth. For a connect guidance it is better you approach your dentist. 

Dear Doctor,

Recently started treatment, root canal left lower jaw in May. Dentist killed roots, but have had a painful tooth ever since. An abscess developed in the upper right jaw and my gums upper and lower are painful when flossing and otherwise. My dentist wants me to get well (I'm an insulin dependent diabetic for twelve years and have left side weakness with general malasia. The dentist referred me to see a private physician immediately. I have an appointment tomorrow. Question: The dentist states that once I am filling better, I'm to see an Endodontist for a consult. What does this specialist do and what exactly can I do to help him with any of my previous History? How much is too much? I'm concerned with this referral because my dentist feels that surgery will be necessary. Since I'm a slow healer, what is the best thing to do at this point, have the tooth pulled? Go ahead with the surgery when I'm Ready?

Answer

An infected tooth has to go in for a root canal treatment or at an advanced stage for "apoecectomy" (minor surgery), so as to clean the infected area and seal the tooth. An Endodontist deals with this sort of cases. From your x-rays & clinical findings, he can tell you how much successful the treatment can be.
As you are an insulin depended diabetics' patient whether to decide between surgery or extraction, depends on how much of infection is there. Extraction leaves a wound, likewise a minor surgery also leaves a wound. Your endodontist will be able to tell you which wound will heal faster provided your blood sugar is under control.

Dear Doctor,

In the crease where your gums meets your lip I have what looks like a little hole, or irritation. It feels like it was cut there, but I don't think it is. My gums around it are a little more red than usual, however that could just be from me pulling my lip up and checking it all the time Is this just an irriation, or should I be concerned.

Answer

"A little hole" in the crease where gums meet the lips can be 
a) Aphthous ulcer - This recurs at intervals usually associated with stress.
b) Traumatic ulcer - Due to some trauma like a new toothbrush, a toothbrush with a big head etc.
c) A dental infection, which has advanced and drained through the surrounding bone. This is associated with a badly decayed tooth or a non-vital (dead) tooth. If this is the case the tooth should be treated according to the degree of infection.

Dear Doctor,

To stop gums bleeding and bad breath, clean your teeth with a mixture of equal quantities of salt and soda bicarb. I read this in handy hints appearing in one of the newspapers. Please tell me dr. is this remedy effective.

Answer

Using a mixture of salt & soda bicarbonate for cleaning to stop bleeding gums is quite outdated. Maybe to a little extend it stops bleeding but when discontinued bleeding starts all over again. Bleeding gums can be due to various reasons. It can be due to accumulation of calculus (deposit), Vitamin C deficiency, or other symptomatic diseases. The cause has to be identified and corrected. 

Dear Doctor,

My daughter (7yrs 3 months) has all her milk teeth, intact and none have shown any sign of falling. Two permanant teeth have started appearing just behind the two milk teeth, in the bottom jaw (the front ones). We also see the jaw portion there expanding to cover the total area occupied by the old as well as the new teeth. Since the milk teeth are still intact, do we need to do something ? like extract them to allow space for the new ones OR allow the neture to take it's course.
The dentist we have consulted, is of the opinion of extracting the old ones to give space for new ones, else there would be problems later on regarding their outlook.

Answer

The Lower Permanent Incisors Are Seen Frequently Erupting Behind Its Predecessor. It So Happens Because They Deviate From Their Normal Path Of Eruption And Fail To Resorb The Roots Of Its Predecessor. So The Predecessor Do Not Fall Off And The Permanent Teeth Erupts In The Back . It Is Advisable To Remove Them As Early As Possible.

Dear Doctor,

My 7 years son has gaps between his teeth. Please tell me if the milk teeth will fall and permanent teeth will come like the earlier teeth do I need to consult a dentist. He has till now got five permanent teeth. Two milk teeth have fallen recently. Please advise me on this.

Answer

For a child new teeth begins to erupt from the age of 6. This be a little early in a few or may be delayed in a few five permanent teeth at the age of 7 is a little early but there is nothing to worry.

Spacing which occurs after shedding of milk teeth gets corrected when new teeth erupts. Spacing present in the permanent teeth which has erupted in the front closes later on when the permanent teeth erupts in the back. Sometimes spacing between the upper centrals can be due to a 'high attached' .. (a strip of tissue extending from the inner aspect of the upper lip to the gums). This has to be relieved for the closure. Spacing can also be due to smaller size of the permanent teeth. For a connect guidance it is better you approach your dentist. 

Dear Doctor,

I get lot of white sticky substance deposited in my teeth. I try to clean it with the toothbrush but it does not get clean fully. pl advise the right method to keep this clean.

Answer

Plaque deposits around your teeth contently. When you wake up in the morning you can feel their as a layer around your teeth. This has to remove by proper tooth brushing. If not it forms a rough surface on the tooth on which soft deposits tend to adhere.

Method of tooth brushing
Always hold the toothbrush at 45 angulations to the teeth. This allows the bristles to go into the. between the gum and the teeth, where the deposition starts. Then either move the brush in up and down.. so that the bristles cleans the entire surface of the teeth and the space between the teeth and end at 45 angulations to the lower teeth or move you brush in tiny circles over the teeth. Make sure you clean 2 - 3 teeth at a time and not the entire side in one stroke.

- Brush the insides of the teeth using the same angulations and short strokes.

- For the chewing surface use a light back and forth motion.

Dear Doctor,

Dr. my teeth have become pale yellow. I had got my teeth cleaned a year back by a dentist. I brush my teeth in long strokes for about 1-2 minutes. If I don't see my teeth from near and brush that particular tooth, I see that it has accumulated some plague with yellowish tinge. Pl advise.

Answer

I have explained the right method of brushing in the previous.. I'd like to remind you that firstly brushing in 'long strikes' is not advisable and secondly, 1 - 2 minutes is too short a time to be spared for your hard working teeth. As I had said earlier only 2 - 3 teeth should be cleaned in a stroke. Like this you can divide your teeth on the outer surface into 6 sections. Then remains the inner surface of the teeth and the biting surface. If half a minute is given for each section, still a total time 5 minutes is required.

The courses of .. Depositions are multiple. It depends on the ... of teeth, food habits, saliva constituency, cleaning habits etc. So the tendency for deposition varies individuals. Depending on this a chair side cleaning by a dentist is advised either every 6 months or may be once in a year. In those cases where deposition is rapid a took paste which protects the 'gums' from infection is be used at least once a day. 

Dear Doctor,

Hello doctor.. for the past 3 months suddenly i feel my teeth moving and a gap has occurred in between my tooth...my upper jaw tooth is coming in front..I feel my teeth arrangement has changed.. Please advice me on this matter what should I do.thanks..

Answer

I assume that you are in your late twenties or thirties. Mobility of teeth and spacing that occurs in n adult may be due to the following causes.

1) Period...  Infection of the supporting structures due to excessive deposition (calculus) around the teeth.

2) Unwanted habits - Mouth breathing due to some vassal problems, or habit of tongue thrusting etc.

3) Extraction- of a permanent tooth due to some cause.

4) Traumatic occlusion - Upper teeth bites on the lower teeth in an abnormal way coursing income to each other. 
The cursed should be detected and connected at first. Then if required a retentive appliance should be used to prevent the teeth from protruding out further.