Baton Rouge Dentist

Archives for February 2012

Can My Loose Tooth Be Saved?

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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.

My 5 yr old daughters’ teeth are chipping off.

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Six months ago she went to the dentist and her teeth were fine and now they are chipping. What does this mean and how can I fix it?

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.

How does chemo affect your teeth?

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I have recently been diagnosed with breast cancer and will be starting chemotherapy very soon. I was wondering how this will affect my teeth.

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.