Most Common Dental Questions

By Tarek Mogharbel, DDS

Mira Dental Care

. http://themiradentalcare.com/

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Most Common Dental Questions

1. Does bleaching damage teeth?
No. Bleaching does not soften, de-mineralize or weaken teeth.

2. Do over-the-counter bleaching products work?
Yes, to some extent, but the results take longer to achieve and are not as good.

3. What are porcelain veneers and why are they used?
Porcelain veneers are ultra-thin shells of ceramic material which are bonded to the front of the teeth. They can be an ideal choice for improving the appearance of the front teeth by masking discolorations, whitening teeth and/or reshaping a smile.

4. What causes my jaw to pop when I open it?
The primary cause of the “popping” occurs when you open your mouth too wide and the jaw bone “pops” off the pad or disk that separates the jaw bone from the skull. Treatment is not required unless pain is associated with the “pop” or the jaw locks.

5. What causes tooth decay?
Tooth decay is caused by plaque in your mouth reacting with sugary and starchy deposits from food, producing acid, which damages the enamel and weakens the tooth.

6. What can be done for ulcers or canker sores in the mouth?
Ulcers are very difficult to treat. There are a few medications that will give temporary relief from the pain, but they need to be started as soon as symptoms appear. Ulcers will generally diminish and disappear in 7-10 days.

7. How can I stop grinding my teeth at night?
Grinding your teeth can be very damaging to the teeth and also difficult to stop. A night guard may be prescribed to prevent grinding during sleep.

8. Are there any alternatives to dentures?
Strategically placed supports, or implants, can now be used to support permanently cemented bridges, eliminating the need for a denture. They closely resemble the “feel” of real teeth. Dental implants are becoming the alternative of choice to dentures.

9. Are silver fillings, fluoride or x-rays, a danger to my health? What are the alternatives?
Dental amalgam, or silver filling material, is a mixture of mercury, and an alloy of silver, tin and copper. The release of mercury from silver fillings is less than what patients are exposed to in food, air and water.

Fluoride makes the entire tooth structure more resistant to decay and promotes re-mineralization, which aids in repairing early decay before the damage is visible.

All health care providers are sensitive to patients' concerns about exposure to radiation. Your dentist knows which techniques, procedures and x-rays can minimize your exposure to radiation.

10. What are dental implants and how do they work?
Dental implants are substitutes for natural tooth roots and rely on the jawbone for support. Strategically placed, implants can now be used to support permanently cemented bridges, eliminating the need for a denture.

11. What is a root canal?
A root canal is a procedure done to save the damaged or dead pulp in the root canal of the tooth by cleaning out the diseased pulp and reshaping the canal. This enables patients to keep the original tooth.

12. When is the best time to remove wisdom teeth?
Removal of wisdom teeth is best done when the roots are approximately 2/3 formed, usually in the adolescent years.