Thanks Brian,

Dear Brian,

We would advise you to ask your orthodontist about your situation. She will most likely be very understanding and accommodate you however there may be a fee charged when you have them put back on. Having your braces taken off for your short time in basic training will probably cause your teeth to shift some and move out of alignment from where they are now. Orthodontists have been known to take braces off of patients due to poor oral hygiene causing a gum infection or rampant tooth decay and will put them back on when the patients’ mouths are healthy again. Don’t hesitate to tell your orthodontist your situation for you are doing our country a service and she will probably most likely be able to meet your needs.

Post courtesy of Dr. Perry, Baton Rouge Dentist.

Thanks, Jeff

Dear Jeff,

It is standard procedure for a dentist to take an x-ray after an extraction site to make sure there is no part of the tooth left in the socket. Your bitewing x-rays taken at your dental check-up are necessary in order to see if you have tooth decay in between your teeth. Bitewings are usually taken either every six months or once a year depending on insurance and your dental needs. This type of x-ray is necessary for your dentist to do a proper dental exam. It is difficult to diagnosis tooth decay in between the teeth without a bitewing x-ray. Next time you are uncertain about a procedure don’t hesitate to ask so you feel more comfortable and have an understanding of what is needed and why.

Post courtesy of Dr. Perry, Baton Rouge Dentist.

Thanks, Kyle

Dear Kyle,

It sounds like your sister is having temporomandibular joint dysfunction. This type of disorder can come and go or be constant. Stress, grinding and clenching of the teeth, gum chewing, or misaligned teeth are some of the factors that lead to this disorder. Headaches, earaches, and pain upon opening are common symptoms of this dysfunction of the joint. Our advice would be to put heat and ice packs on the joints to help alleviate the pain, take ibuprofen as needed, rest the jaw by keeping teeth slightly apart, and reduce stress. We recommend she consult with a dentist who offers TMJ treatment. If she is grinding or clenching a mouth appliance may be recommended to prevent her from having symptoms, reduce the pain, and prevent her from causing damage to her teeth.

Post courtesy of Dr. Perry, Baton Rouge Dentist.

Thanks, Nick

Dear Nick

Mouth ulcers known as canker sores are common and can last up to 10 days. You are correct in saying that a weak immune system can trigger these to develop. Another reason you may be developing these ulcers is because you recently quit smoking and your body may be reacting to the cessation of the chemicals in the cigarettes. A poor diet or even having a lot of stress in your life can also contribute to canker sores. Things we consume that are high in acid like orange juice, coffee, strawberries, and even eggs can cause these sores to form. Ulcers can also be a sign that you may have a food allergy of some sort. Canker sores are annoying however to help them heal and sooth the pain we recommend you mix a teaspoon of salt to 8 ounces of warm salt water and swish with it a few times a day. These sores have to run their course. Having good dental hygiene like brushing your teeth and flossing daily as well as visiting your dentist every 6 months for your dental cleanings will also help reduce your risk of having mouth ulcers. If you continue to have a problem we recommend you visit your physician to help you resolve your problem with canker sores.

Post courtesy of Dr. Perry, Baton Rouge Dentist.

Thanks, Kim

Dear Kim,

The most effective way to whiten your teeth and keep your smile bright for years is to have them professionally whitened at the dental office. Most offices offer two types of bleaching. One is a take home kit that requires you to have dental impressions of your teeth so bleach trays can be designed to fit your teeth. You wear the trays daily for a couple of hours with the bleaching gel for two to three weeks. This is the most cost effective way to bleach your teeth. The price can range from $200 to $350. The other bleaching method is laser bleaching. This procedure usually requires about two hours in the dental chair and can brighten your smile about four shades lighter, depending on the shade of your teeth. This type of bleaching can cost anywhere from $500 to $600 however whitens teeth instantly unlike the trays. Both methods work well however our teeth can discolor overtime from dark liquids and smoking, therefore many like to touch up there smiles about every 3 to 5 years by purchasing a couple of tubes of dental bleach to put in their trays to brighten their smile. We recommend you consult with your dentist to see which procedure will best meet your needs.

Post courtesy of Dr. Perry, Baton Rouge Dentist.

I have a lot of plaque buildup and my bottom front tooth is shaking. Is there any way I can save it and will the dentist be able to clean my teeth without pulling the loose one out?

Thanks, Willliam

Dear William,

When teeth start to become mobile it’s usually a good indicator that gum disease is present. Knowing that you have a lot of plaque buildup your dentist will probably recommend a deep cleaning, in other words root planing and scaling to prevent you from losing more bone around your teeth. Depending on how mobile your lower front tooth is will depend on its longevity.

Have your teeth and gums evaluated by your dentist. They will know whether the tooth is savable or not. When teeth are a little mobile they can become fairly tight within the socket after a deep cleaning and you may be able to maintain it for years. After the deep cleaning is complete it is vital to go every three or four months for regular scheduled cleanings in order to maintain them and prevent you from losing more bone as well having good oral hygiene habits through brushing and flossing. Gum Disease not only causes the possibility of tooth lose but is linked to heart disease and diabetes, therefore highly important to treat your gum infection in order to prevent other health problems as well.

Post courtesy of Dr. Perry, Baton Rouge Dentist.

Thanks, Dena

Dear Dena,

It sounds like your daughter may be grinding her teeth which can cause them to chip and wear down. It is quite common for young children to do this when they are sleeping however most stop on their own and grow out of this when they are an adult. Grinding is usually caused from stress, anxiety, or if the top and bottom teeth don’t fit properly together but there could be other factors involved.

Watch her behavior and see if her appetite is changing, if she becomes moody, or if she is having sleep problems. Changes in her behavior are signs of stress. Did she start kindergarten this last year? Since she is five make sure she is relaxed about 30 minutes before bedtime, have a consistent bedtime routine, and that she gets plenty of sleep. There is not a risk to her baby teeth because they will fall out in a couple of years however if your still concerned discuss this matter with her dentist.

Post courtesy of Dr. Perry, Baton Rouge Dentist.

Thanks, Suzzanne

Dear Suzzanne,

Some common side effects of chemotherapy that affect our teeth are vomiting and a dry mouth. The longer you have to go through your chemotherapy treatments the more susceptible you can be to dental problems. It’s very common for patients to experience nausea from chemotherapy causing vomiting which leaves acid on our teeth, eroding the enamel, which can lead to tooth decay. We recommend rinsing out your mouth several times a day with a baking soda solution using ¼ teaspoon of baking soda with 8oz of warm water, after words rinse with water and wait 30 minutes before brushing your teeth with an extra soft toothbrush. Using baking soda to rinse your teeth after vomiting helps neutralize the acid caused by vomiting.

Many patients complain of a dry mouth from chemotherapy treatment. The dryer our mouths are the more prone we are to plaque and tooth decay. Some things you can do to help keep your mouth moist are sipping on water throughout the day, sucking on ice chips or sugar free candy, or chew sugarless gum. Avoid mouthwashes with alcohol because the alcohol will dry your mouth out even more. Prescription fluoride toothpastes prescribed by your dentist should be used twice a day as well as flossing daily to help in the prevention of tooth decay.

Other side effects of chemotherapy affecting our oral health are swelling of the oral tissues, mouth sores, tissue and tooth pain, cracking of the lips, and difficulty swallowing. We recommend you consult your oncologist and your dentist about your dental concerns to learn more about the prevention of dental complications during your chemotherapy treatments.

Post courtesy of Dr. Perry, Baton Rouge Dentist.

Thanks, Howard

Dear Howard

Sorry to hear about your gum disease problem at such a young age, however your teeth sound like there still savable. Bone loss involving six to eight mm pockets is considered moderate periodontal disease and very treatable especially if your teeth have very little or no mobility. Having the periodontal treatment recommended will stop the progression of the disease, therefore will help prevent you from losing your teeth; however it is vital that you develop exceptional oral hygiene habits and have dental cleanings every 3 months to maintain your smile and dental health.

The periodontal surgery can cost about the same as having all your teeth extracted and having dentures placed. Dentures are not like your natural teeth and most people can’t eat some of the foods they are use to. New denture wearers develop sores and gum pain which can end after a while or can last a lifetime especially if the denture is poor fitting. The bone and gums shrink over the years and dentures can become loose, therefore need to be relined or replaced. Upper dentures seem to stay in place better due to the suction we gain from the roof of the mouth, however lower dentures are another story. On the lower arch we do not get the same suction, there is less of a foundation, and the movement of the tongue prevents the lower denture from staying in place most of the time. If you choose to get dentures we would recommend that you consult your dentist about an over-denture on the lower jaw. This consist of having dental implants placed on the lower arch which then attaches to the denture keeping it stable and more comfortable.

We highly recommend that you save your natural teeth if possible. Always remember you will never have another set of teeth like your own and a denture is the last resort one should take.  If you’re concerned how well your teeth will respond to the periodontal surgery and there longevity you should get a second opinion to help you make the best decision for you.

Post courtesy of Dr. Perry, Baton Rouge Dentist.

Thanks Stacy,

Dear Stacy,

The best way to handle this is to be honest, show concern, and let your mother know. If you are noticing her bad breath so are her friends and coworkers. One of the main causes of bad breath is gum disease which is an infection of the tissues and bone surrounding the teeth. Signs and symptoms of gum disease besides bad breath are gums that are red, swollen, and bleed easily as well as pain in the teeth. If gum disease has been left untreated for sometime teeth start to shift and become loose in the socket.

Gum Disease is the major cause of tooth loss and is quite common among the adult population, especially when dental checkups are avoided on a regular basis. Besides the possibility of losing one’s teeth due to gum disease it also causes other health issues like heart disease, diabetes, and chronic inflammatory diseases. Gum Disease is very treatable, especially in the early stages and one can keep their teeth for the remainder of their life with good hygiene and frequent dental cleanings.

We recommend you discuss this issue with your mother and advise her to make an appointment for a dental exam to see if she does indeed have gum disease. If she is in the early stages of the disease her dentist will recommend a deeper cleaning to remove all the bacteria off of her teeth which will stop the disease from causing more damage to her surrounding tissues and bone however if she has severe gum disease he may recommend her to go see a periodontist who specializes in the treatment of this disease for further treatment. Once the disease is treated good oral hygiene and visiting your dentist on a regular basis are vital in order to keep the disease from progressing.

Post courtesy of Dr. Perry, Baton Rouge Dentist.