Dr. Bruce R. Altschuler, DDS

There are many reasons for the condition you describe. Take your child to a dentist or to a pedodontist (a dentist who specializes in children dentistry). A thorough examination is necessary and subsequent visits with a pediatric specialist cannot be ruled out.

Dear question person,

An untreated dental abscess that pierces the barrier to the brain is a life-threatening event. You will probably need antibiotics and the tooth may be treated in a number of ways, one of which is extraction. Sometimes a drain can be placed to lesson the abscess. You need to see a dentist, oral surgeon, possibly an endodontist, and a head and neck physician specialist to work together as a team to get you better.

Bleeding from tongue after drinking pineapple juice: While you did not specify whether you had profuse bleeding or slight oozing, it is definitely not normal. You must see your dentist and consult with your physician. Sometimes a lesion on the tongue may not have been diagnosed, or occurred between periodic visits. Nevertheless, the tongue should be carefully given a physical examination. This could be a serious problem. It is also possible that the source of bleeding is a periodontally infected tooth where the bleeding is occurring along the gum line and is only showing up on your tongue. Your dentist needs to perform a thorough examination of all your teeth. An immediate appointment is necessary. Do not delay.

Dear person,

Depending on circumstances, an abscess in a tooth can be treated in a number of ways. One way is to extract the tooth. Another way is to treat the tooth with antibiotics and perform endodontic treatment. Some teeth may be saved and have many more years of service if treated endodontically. Sometimes a crown is required after endodontic treatment, and other restorations are possible. Make an appointment and see a dentist as soon as possible. Tell the person answering the phone that you have an abscess and it is an emergency. The dentist will assess the health of the tooth, the other teeth in your mouth, your general health, and what would be the best way to treat the tooth. Do not wait to see a dentist. Make an appointment and see a dentist immediately. An abscessed tooth is a dental emergency and could become a medical emergency if not treated.

Regards,

Dentist

Teeth are covered with the hardest material in the human body, commonly known as enamel. Enamel is formed before the tooth erupts. Once the enamel surface is "outside" the circulatory system it does not heal itself. There are now indications that some "healing" may occur due to salivary action on very small lesions, and with the use of various products or dietary foods. Enamel can be worn away from eating foods, or from hard toothbrushes covered with abrasive toothpastes. Some enamel has defects caused by over fluoridation, as found in some parts of Texas in the natural drinking waters. While unsightly, they do no harm. When enamel has worn away there are methods available by the dentists to cover the teeth. These involve restorative materials that cover the enamel defects and cosmetically restore form. They can last up to ten years. More permanent methods involve crowning the tooth with permanent fixed prostheses. Rear teeth in the back of the mouth would usually involve permanent crowns. Your dentist can more fully evaluate your personal condition and advise you on clinical choices depending on your individual teeth and needs, so visit your dentist and listen to the advice given.

Unless you have gum disease (periodontal disease) rinsing your mouth with salt water is unnecessary. Some people will mix a little salt with sodium bicarbonate to produce a toothpaste. Arm and Hammer makes a toothpaste using similar ingredients. If you live in a very hot climate, be sure you have enough salt intake to compensate for sweating. Dentists recommend a little salt in a glass of water for rinsing your mouth after a tooth extraction for a couple of days only. Follow the exact instructions given by your dentist.

Yes. Under most circumstances, cavities need to be "filled" so the tooth can be returned to normal function. A cavity that is not professionally treated could lead to the tooth's nerve to be infected. This could lead to a great deal of pain and the nerve could die. This may lead to root canal treatment which can be expensive, and may need to be followed by a crown being
placed on the tooth. An untreated cavity and dead or dying nerve could also lead to an infection of the jaw or sinuses, which in turn could lead to draining infections and even to infection of the brain. Death could follow if no treatment is available.

Very small lesions found in middle aged persons sometimes may be left alone if the person has good dental hygiene otherwise. This is a matter for you to bring to the attention of your dentist and ask for his/her opinion. Every person is different, so you need the opinion of the dentist after he/she makes a diagnosis.

You are not my patient and I do not have radiographs and a clinical impression of what your teeth look like and what your individual oral condition is. I suggest you visit a licensed dentist in your state of residence and have him/her assess your dental health and provide you a dental plan to improve or restore your teeth, gums, and oral structures. This plan should include the dentist's opinions as to how to whiten your teeth. There are many causes for teeth to have less than desired "whiteness" and only a licensed dentist can determine the best way to brighten your smile. I do not recommend any home remedies until a diagnosis of your condition has been made. There are tooth pastes and whiteners on the market, some work better than others, but only on healthy teeth that do not have other causative stains due to genetics, underlying health conditions, tobacco or tea drinking or environmental absorbed toxins, diseases you may have had or medications you might have taken as a child, or excess fluoride or other materials in your drinking water when you were a child. Developmental problems may have caused staining, involving deep stains that have become a part of your tooth structure. It is worth seeing a dentist to find out (or eliminate) other dental problems before attempting to whiten your teeth by yourself Consider any such expense as an investment in your happiness and overall dental health. You wish to keep your teeth for a long time.

Some forms of non-sugar or limited sugar chewing gums may be helpful to many persons with otherwise healthy dentition. For example, military personnel who eat MRE's (a special type of pre-prepared meals, have non-sugar chewing gum included with their meals. Always see a licensed dentist in your area to get his/her opinion of your individual dental health and to determine his/her thoughts on this matter.

There are many reasons for you to have a toothache. Only a licensed dentist in your area can assess your oral health and properly diagnose your problem. The best "natural remedy" is a visit with your dentist. Clove oil can sometimes provide temporary relief, but it is not a "cure" nor a "treatment". Dental conditions always come back and usually get much worse without dental treatment (and also cost more to fix).

There are many kids with various oral health conditions. If your licensed dentist in your area, or pedodontic (child) dentist specialist, recommends a mouthwash, ask him/her to specify the brands that are acceptable. That way you cannot go wrong.

Children have their own timetable. Visit your local licensed dentist or pedodontic (child) dental specialist to assess your own daughter's teeth and oral health. Sometimes a tooth will not "fall out" because an adult tooth simply isn't there to take its place. Sometimes the adult tooth is misplaced and needs to be "nudged" into place by the dentist or orthodontist. Sometimes the mouth is very crowded and the orthodontist must intercede.
Only a licensed dental professional, taking dental radiographs and perhaps models (impressions) can give you the answer you are asking.

Always use a soft or ultrasoft toothbrush. Brush in a gentle up and down stroke. Replace your toothbrush at the first sign that the bristles are out of position. Dry out your toothbrush by placing it upright in a dry cup. See your licensed dentist to check your gums and determine if you have gum issues. He/she will be able to help you if your gums have problems. You might try Paradontax toothpaste for a week if your dentist says your gums are otherwise healthy. Make sure to include fruit juices or fruit slices that contain Vit. C every morning, such as orange or pineapple or grape juice or slices.
Make sure your physician checks you annually for any underlying diseases.

If your husband has revealed to the treating dentist or oral surgeon that he has diabetes, the dental professional will monitor your husband and provide instructions before the tooth extraction is scheduled. In some cases, the treating physician is also consulted. I have no idea what your husband's current diabetic condition is, so he should provide detailed information to the dentist well before the scheduled date of extraction. In most cases, when the treating dentist is aware, and the patient follows the dentist's pre and post extraction instructions, the tooth extraction should be relatively "safe".

It is always advisable to consult a physician and get a physical whenever you suspect you have a problem. Also consult with your dentist. Tooth yellowing could be caused by diet, work related or hobby related causes, and a host of other reasons.