QUESTION: My gums are in pain when I move my tongue and they bleed when I brush, does this mean I have gum disease? What can I do to help stop it and what can I use? ANSWER: It sounds like you do have a gum infection. The best thing you can do at home is brush, floss and then …
Class III y Maxillary Construction
QUESTION: My 8yr old was referred to an orthodontist with class III y maxillary construction. What does that mean? ANSWER: Usually this means the lower jaw is larger than the upper jaw and the teeth of the lower jaw are out side the upper teeth. This is also known as cross bite or an under bite. In young children the …
Heat or Ice for Abscess Tooth?
QUESTION: Should you use ice or heat for an abscess tooth? Dental appointment and antibiotics today but still in a lot of swelling and pain. ANSWER: Typically we suggest ice as a better option since the abscess is inflamed and heat just makes it more inflamed. I would suggest ice 20-30 minutes on then 20-30 min off. Also you can …
Crown Lengthening
QUESTION: What is Crown Lengthening and is it important? ANSWER: Crown lengthening is a procedure to expose more tooth structure so a properly fitting crown can be made. It is needed when a tooth is so broken down that there is not enough of it remaining to hold a crown. Tooth which is below the gum and maybe bone is …
Nerve Dying
QUESTION: Thursday I flossed my teeth and Friday my gums were swollen on the left side of my mouth at a tooth I had a cavity filled in at, and it was very painful in just that area. Saturday the pain was gone but my face is a bit swollen right over the tooth and I pushed on it a …
Baby Teeth
QUESTION: My seven year old granddaughter had her second pair of front teeth come out at age six. Yet her other baby teeth have not come out, just the two upper front teeth. My granddaughter has an older sister that is 24 years of age that has not lost her baby teeth other than just her two upper front teeth …
Aggressive Periodontal Disease
QUESTION: I have aggressive periodontal disease. My upper right quad is gone! no teeth, no bone! It is moving across my mouth to the next tooth, I can feel it. Is there any hope for me? Can any antibiotics help me? Please ANSWER: Aggressive periodontal disease is an infection of your gums and underlying jaw bone which can cause you …
Lovenox and Dental Cleanings
QUESTION: I Am On Lovenox 150 Mg daily for Pulmonary Embolism. Can I Get My Teeth Cleaned Without Stopping? My gums Do Not Bleed When I Brush ANSWER: Lovenox is a blood thinner. It is fine however for you to have your teeth cleaned while you are on the drug. You do not need to stop it for regular dental …
Spot on Back of Tooth
QUESTION: I have always had this spot at the bottom center of my tooth on the backside. Right where the tip of your tongue is. By spot I mean it seemed the tooth kinda stuck out of my gum. Today I was eating and it fell off. It was part of my tooth. So now part of my back bottom …
Black Along Gum Line
QUESTION: I haven’t been to the dentist in at least 10 years because I don’t have insurance and couldn’t afford it. I have tartar and some black along the gum line on the inside of my teeth. I am not in any pain. Can they be saved? ANSWER: Hopefully your teeth can be saved. It sounds like you need to …