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| | Archive By Date: General Dentistry |
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Answered questions from the past 2 years:
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January 12, 2009
I cracked my dentures eating something. Can they be fixed or do I have to get new ones? |
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December 29, 2008
When I was expecting my daughter, I had morning sickness for almost all of my pregnancy. Recently, I noticed that my teeth are sensitive when I eat or drink anything that is cold or sweet, and even when I brush them. What could have caused this? Do you think that it has anything to do with my morning sickness? I didn't have this problem before my daughter was born. |
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December 22, 2008
I had four impacted wisdom teeth removed about 3 months ago. One of the four areas just recently closed fully. Three days ago, I started feeling pain in that area. I felt around and noticed that something hard was pushing through my gum. It almost feels like a bone, but is not exposed. It is a long sliver running along the edge of my gum. What could it be? Several people are telling me that it might be a bone spur. Can a bone spur occur this many months after oral surgery? |
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December 19, 2008
Less than a year ago, I had an onlay completed. The first one would not stay in place, so a second one was made. The second one just fell out while I was flossing. If it won't stay in, do I need something besides an onlay? I have one on the bottom with no problems. |
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December 17, 2008
My 13-month-old daughter got her one-year molars. Recently, I looked in her mouth and she has two teeth coming in on the roof of her mouth, in about the same positions as the molars. What should I do? |
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December 10, 2008
My teeth are yellow, and also very sensitive. Do I have to live with yellow teeth because they are too sensitive for whitening or veneers? |
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December 1, 2008
I am interested in getting my teeth whitened. They are not that badly discolored, but I would like to brighten my smile. I asked my dentist about the Zoom whitening system. He told me that an at-home whitening kit (he would make a mold of my teeth to use) would work just as well, if not better. Is this true? What is the difference between the two? |
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November 21, 2008
My gums bleed every time I brush. I do not smoke or drink. I don't have sensitive teeth. What is wrong? |
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November 14, 2008
I recently had a metal filling replaced. Since then, I have experienced a strange sensation when biting on food. I went back to my dentist who filed the tooth down, but I still get an odd feeling when I bite down. Is it possible that the filling is placed too high or has failed to bond correctly? Does it mean I need a root canal? |
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October 29, 2008
I was wondering if my daily oral care routine is a good one or if it is in need of any modification. I use a whitening pre-brush rinse once or twice a day, followed by brushing (at least twice a day), flossing (once a day) and then Listerine mouthwash (twice a day.) Is this a good routine? I don't have any problems but I was wondering about any long-term effects. |
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October 22, 2008
I am a 27-year-old woman. I have bad breath and a bad taste in my mouth. I brush and floss every day and rinse with Listerine, but it doesn?t seem to help. I avoid face-to-face contact with people. What might be causing my bad breath and what can I do? |
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October 20, 2008
In the past, I have occasionally developed a cold sore on my upper lip. Recently, I seem to be getting one almost every month. Otherwise, I am in very good health. Is there any reason why I might be getting them so often? |
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October 13, 2008
I have had a skin tag hanging from the roof of my mouth for more than 8 months now. I was wondering if you could give me some ideas on what it could be and if I need to have it taken care of right away. |
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October 10, 2008
My daughter's baby teeth have not fallen out, but the permanent teeth are growing in behind them. Should we have the baby teeth removed? |
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October 6, 2008
Recently, I had an old filling replaced. The dentist gave me one shot of local anesthesia, but nothing happened. I received a second shot and became numb and he did the work. Partway through, I found I couldn't close my right eye, and the right side of my face was paralyzed. The tooth in question was the last molar on the lower right. I recovered several hours later, and had an irritated eye for a day. How can medicine injected into lower jaw affect the eye? Did I get too much? What happened? |
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October 1, 2008
What effect can Crohn's disease have on your overall dental health? What should my dentist know when treating me? |
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September 29, 2008
I had fillings in my front teeth, but they came out. Can they be filled again? |
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September 24, 2008
I had a lot of pain, so I went to see my dentist. He said I had a decayed tooth that needed to have a root canal. He cleaned the tooth out. I now have more pain than before, as well as swelling in the gum area. Is this normal? |
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September 19, 2008
I am interested in six-month braces versus 'traditional' orthodontic treatment, but I have found little information except ads for six-month braces. The braces are applied by a dentist who is not an orthodontist. Do you have any further information? |
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September 15, 2008
I had a cavity in one of my back teeth for almost two years and never had it treated. For a time, I suffered incredible pain in that tooth and even worse pain when I tried to chew on it. Now, the pain is gone, except when I chew on it. The tooth has significantly decayed. What will happen? Will the tooth be pulled? Do I have root canal done? Should I see a dentist for an oral exam first, or go straight to a specialist? |
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September 5, 2008
What is the difference between a general practice dentist and a periodontist? |
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August 29, 2008
I had my two lower wisdom teeth pulled about 10 days ago. My left tooth was infected. I was on antibiotics before they pulled it, as well as after. I ended up having a dry socket after that tooth was pulled. I had my dry socket packed on Thursday and it's now Monday and I still have a stabbing pain in my left ear as well as a headache. Is it normal for me to still have this kind of pain? I did go to the doctor and he said I would have swelling as well as a fever if it were infected. I do have this funny taste in my mouth. Is this normal? |
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August 15, 2008
I brush and floss twice a day. I have had a bad taste in my mouth for a week or so. I often cough up small white balls that smell bad. I don't smoke, I have a good diet and I visit the dentist often. What could this be? |
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August 12, 2008
I had a filling in a one of my top right molars that fell out a while ago. It doesn't hurt. It's a little sensitive to cold. I have tried to keep food out of the hole. But recently, a part of the tooth chipped off, and the filling in the tooth next to it fell out. I know I'll probably need a root canal and a crown for the first tooth. While I'm waiting to see the dentist, do you have any suggestions for products I can use to prevent infection? |
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August 6, 2008
I was recently pregnant and had morning sickness almost the whole time. Now my teeth have white lines at the gum line. They feel rough when I rub my tongue across them. My teeth are now also sensitive to cold, sweets and brushing. What could have caused this, and what can be done to keep it from getting worse? |
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August 4, 2008
I just noticed my 6-year-old son has white ridges and pits or discolorations on his lower back left molar and the upper farthest back left and right molar. His dental visit 6 months ago was normal. Is this early decay? I believe the lower molar must have just erupted, because when I brushed his teeth I didn't notice this last month. I never looked at the back upper teeth until now. |
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July 30, 2008
Does whitening damage tooth enamel? |
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July 23, 2008
About a year ago, my filling came out of my upper molar tooth and part of my tooth broke. Almost a quarter of my tooth is gone. It just recently started to bother me and I do not have dental insurance to fix it. What is the danger of not having it fixed or extracted? Can the surrounding teeth be affected? |
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July 18, 2008
What are Black classification cavities? |
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July 16, 2008
I was biting my nail and I heard a cracking noise. My front tooth is now loose. Will it be okay if left alone? I did it two weeks ago. The pain was intense at first, but it has now subsided. |
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July 2, 2008
if someone has hard white bumps on their gums, so it looks like you can see the jaw coming out, what would this be? |
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June 30, 2008
I am 28 years old and I have a wisdom tooth coming through the gum on the lower left side of my mouth. The tooth is causing pain. I had my upper wisdom teeth taken out in the past, but my dentist said I had room on the bottom. If I have this tooth taken out at age 28, will it cause more pain and trouble than leaving it in? How serious are the complications I can have at my age? |
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June 27, 2008
I am in my 40s and am getting braces next month. My orthodontist says there is no need to take any of my teeth out to make room for the straightening process. He says he can shave my teeth down because I have big teeth. I don't like the sound of that. Won't it damage my teeth or make them prone to staining? |
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June 25, 2008
Should you buy a new toothbrush every month? |
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June 13, 2008
My 12-year-old daughter went in for a filling and she was given gas. After the local anesthesia, she got very fidgety and started to twitch her head and shoulder. Is this a normal reaction? It was very scary. |
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June 2, 2008
I have been having tenderness in the roof of my mouth, making it hard to eat hardened food items. I also have white patches on my tongue and tenderness of the gums. I was taking penicillin for seven days, but I have been off the medicine for over three weeks. What could be wrong with me? |
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May 30, 2008
I do not have access to dental insurance from my job. Can you suggest an alternative for me? I have heard about several dental discount plans. I know I need to have a lot of work done. |
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May 28, 2008
I take very good care of my teeth, but I have become obsessed about losing them and can barely think about anything else. I am scheduled to have a checkup with my dentist next month, but I am so concerned about the state of my teeth that I?d like to go right now. I am desperate to know if I have any cavities. |
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May 19, 2008
I am scheduled to have a root canal in two weeks. I know that many people are afraid of getting a root canal, but my biggest fear is not of the pain that will be involved but of getting the shots ? I am terrified. Will my dentist use a numbing gel on my gums before he gives me the shot? My dentist has prescribed me some pills that he says will help me relax. |
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May 16, 2008
I have a small white lump on the inside of my cheek. My oral surgeon is going to remove it under local anesthesia. I never had a local before ? what will I feel? Will it hurt afterward? |
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May 5, 2008
Can a mucocele be on the inside of the cheek? |
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April 28, 2008
My teeth hurt quite often. Sometimes I clench them together or bite down on them because I am trying to stop the pain. Could this have something to do with having sinus problems? I also have a salty taste in my mouth, and bad breath. |
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April 21, 2008
How do I go about finding a dentist who treats people with dental fear? |
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April 18, 2008
I used to avoid going to the dentist because I was so afraid. I finally had to go because of a toothache, and I have now been going to the same dentist for more than 25 years. When I first started seeing my dentist he always gave me nitrous oxide, but over time he seems to have forgotten my fear, and is now reluctant to give it. When I last had an appointment with him and asked him to give me the nitrous oxide, he told me that it was only a minor procedure and that I didn?t need it. In my opinion, even if it was a minor procedure, I still need it; it helps me to relax and feel less fearful. I am not sure what to do about this. I am not very assertive and don?t feel comfortable telling my dentist that I want the nitrous oxide. How should I deal with this situation? |
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April 4, 2008
My friend has black gums in her mouth. What could this be? |
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April 3, 2008
I've always brushed my teeth. But after I had both my children, my teeth have gotten very bad. I've already had four teeth pulled since then, and I need three more pulled. Why is this happening? |
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March 24, 2008
What causes tooth decay and how can one manage it? I have lost four teeth due to decay and may lose two others. What can I do? Is extraction the only solution? |
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March 13, 2008
I am a nervous dental patient and I haven?t been to the dentist for over 17 years now. As you can probably guess, my teeth are not in good condition. I am ashamed of them and frightened to smile at people at times. Will the dentist be unhappy with the state of my teeth and tell me off? Also, do most still use a drill quite a bit? This scares me. |
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March 12, 2008
My 5-year-old son has a white gum boil that keeps coming up above a loose tooth. He visits the dentist every 6 months and cleans his teeth twice a day, so I am concerned about what it is and how to treat it. |
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March 7, 2008
My boyfriend developed an abscess in his mouth, near the top row of teeth. The abscess is right above a tooth (I think it's the 3rd or 4th tooth from the back) that has significant decay on the side. The pus has formed a 'pimple' on his gum line. I know that he should go see a dentist immediately, but he doesn't have any dental insurance. Besides this tooth he has another decayed tooth, and both have been causing him a lot of pain. He doesn't have much money right now so he couldn't pay a dentist out of pocket either. Is there a way he could see a dentist, considering his situation? |
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March 5, 2008
I think I have a mucocele starting in my lip. Is there anything that I can do to stop it before going to the dentist? I have had three others removed and it was very painful, with massive swelling for weeks later. |
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February 27, 2008
I was eating a piece of chicken with a lot of small bones and I bit into one of the small bones by accident. It sent a strong pain to my upper mouth. I haven't been able to eat well at all since then. On the other side of my mouth I have a tooth where a filling fell out a couple of years ago, so that side is sensitive, too. I'm afraid of the dentist due to a bad experience. Please help. |
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February 22, 2008
What is osteoradionecrosis? |
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February 13, 2008
I have a lump on the tip of my tongue. I've had it for more than a year. It does not hurt, but I'm concerned about it. |
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February 8, 2008
How do I remove plaque and tartar from my teeth at home? |
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February 7, 2008
A friend has severe damage to her teeth and will need dentures. Her dentist called this damage 'Mountain Dew mouth' because of all the soda she drinks. Is soda really this harmful to teeth? |
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February 1, 2008
One of the main reasons I haven?t gone to the dentist regularly is that frankly, I?m scared. I really want to make the appointment. What do you suggest might relax me? |
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January 28, 2008
I got my teeth cleaned for the first time in a few years. There was a lot of tartar on the inside of my lower teeth. The hygienist said that's because there are salivary glands near those teeth. But I thought saliva was supposed to wash away debris and prevent tartar from forming. So wouldn't those teeth have less tartar on them? Why would tartar build up in this area? |
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January 23, 2008
If you have not been to a dentist in a very long time, is it too late to start going? |
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January 18, 2008
I've started to notice toothbrush abrasions on some of my teeth. Is there a current or upcoming treatment option to restore enamel at the gum line? Would an extra intake of calcium make any difference? |
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January 7, 2008
What does "D.M.D." after a dentist's name stand for? Is it different from "D.D.S."? |
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December 19, 2007
I have had burning mouth syndrome since I entered my late 30s. I have been to several specialists, including an oral pathologist. No one can figure out the cause. Some say it is stress related. Lately, it has been unbearable. The only time I get relief is when I am sleeping. I don?t know what to do anymore. I just turned 50 and am in the menopausal stage of my life. I am at my wit's end with this! My lips burn, my tongue burns and my lips are always very dry. |
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December 10, 2007
Can you give me information on ptyalism, or excess saliva in pregnancy? |
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December 5, 2007
Do I need to be put to sleep to have a tooth taken out? |
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November 30, 2007
I add fresh lemons to my water each day. At the end of the day, I eat the lemon pulp. Is this causing harm to my teeth? I sip the lemon water through a straw, but I saw a commercial recently and was wondering if I'm harming my teeth. |
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November 28, 2007
Why might a general dentist prefer a patient to have three cleanings per year, rather than two per year? Does age play a part in this? |
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