|
Q. |
What are some examples of
dental
care emergencies?
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|
A. |
Some examples of
dentistry
emergencies are avulsed teeth, extruded teeth, broken teeth, a bitten
tongue or lip, objects that are caught between teeth, toothaches,
tooth pain
and possible broken jaw.
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|
Q. |
What are avulsed teeth?
|
|
A. |
Avulsed teeth are teeth
that are knocked out.
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|
Q. |
What should you do if your tooth
is knocked out?
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|
A. |
If your tooth is knocked
out you should carefully rinse the tooth with water. You should attempt
to place the tooth back in its socket and secure it with a wet wrap.
If you can not place the tooth back in its socket, put it in a glass
with either saliva or milk. Then you should contact your
dentist immediately.
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|
Q. |
What are extruded teeth?
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|
A. |
Extruded teeth are teeth
that are forced out of position. This can cause serious
tooth pain.
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|
Q. |
What should you do if your tooth
is pushed out of position?
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A. |
If your tooth is pushed
out of place you should reposition it to its normal alignment using
very light finger pressure. You should hold the tooth in place with
a moist gauze or tissue. Make sure that a
dentist sees you within
a half an hour.
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Q. |
What do you do when you have
a
toothache?
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|
A. |
When you have a
toothache,
you should clean your mouth by rinsing with warm water and remove
any food that is trapped between teeth by flossing. Do not apply aspirin
on the aching tooth or gum tissues. See your dentist as soon as possible.
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|
Q. |
What do you do if you have something
caught between your teeth
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|
A. |
If you have an object
caught between your teeth you should try to remove it with dental
floss gently. Sometimes it helps to double up the floss. Do not attempt
to remove the object with a sharp or pointed device. If you can not
still can not remove the object, see your dentist.
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|
Q. |
How would you treat a bitten
tongue or lip?
|
|
A. |
To treat a bitten tongue
or lip you should gently clean the area with a cloth and apply cold
compresses to reduce swelling. If the bleeding continues, go to the
hospital emergency room.
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|
Q. |
Why do we brush our teeth?
|
|
A. |
We brush our teeth to
remove bacteria and left over food particles from the mouth.
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|
Q. |
How long should you brush your
teeth? |
|
A. |
You should brush your
teeth twice a day for at least two to three minutes (until they are
clean!).
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|
Q. |
What can you do to slow down
acid production when you can’t brush your teeth?
|
|
A. |
If you can’t brush your
teeth you can rinse your mouth with water after a meal or snack to
reduce acid reproduction by 30%. Wiping your teeth with a napkin is
also a temporary measure until you can brush your teeth. Chewing sugar
free gum helps, too.
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|
Q. |
What is tooth bleaching?
|
|
A. |
Tooth bleaching or whitening
is the process of lightening stains or discoloration of your teeth.
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Q. |
What is involved in tooth bleaching?
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A. |
Dentists
can determine
which bleaching method is right for you. They will either use an in-office
bleaching system or laser bleaching during your dental care visit. But,
most patients choose dentist-at-home-supervised bleaching. This method
involves a custom-made mouth guard for the patient along with bleaching
materials. You will be given instructions on how to wear the mouth
guard and this type of method generally required ten to fourteen days
to complete.
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Q. |
How does tooth bleaching work?
|
|
A. |
Tooth bleaching whitens
the teeth when the active whitening agent, carbamide peroxide, contacts
water and hydrogen peroxide is released.
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|
Q. |
Is tooth bleaching safe
for my teeth?
|
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A. |
Studies have proven
bleaching to be safe and effective. Bleaching does not soften, demineralize,
or weaken the teeth.
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Q. |
What are digitized X-rays?
|
|
A.
|
A digitized X-ray is
a computerized technology that allows a small sensor placed inside
the patient’s mouth to take the X-ray and instantly display it on
a computer screen for
dentists to review. |
