Dr. Maxwell Johnson, D.M.D.

First and foremost do not worry... the likelihood that something has "happened" is extremely low with today's dental technology. Radiation from dental X-rays is extremely low and likely had no lasting harm. Though there is no way to be a 100%, the lead apron cover and the small field of view of the X-rays significant lowers any potential risk. Going forward just simply minimize any additional risks or exposure by limiting your care to emergency or simple hygiene visits only.

Dr. Maxwell Johnson
(520) 975-4965

Preventing plaque by avoiding particular foods is not an ordinary strategy that I offer to my patients. I general there is a large part of the population that tends to accumulate plaque on a more frequent basis. For those people in our office we often find it necessary to have them come in every 4 months instead of every 6 months, so that we can help them manage their plaque buildup. Additionally I like to talk to patients about their sleeping and exercise habits. People who tend to suffer from Snoring, sleep apnea or who are big exercisers tend to breathe through their mouth more often so the mouth tends to be drier. With a drier mouth the plaque is able to accumulate at an accelerated rate thus leading to higher levels of plaque buildup and inflammation.

Dr. Maxwell Johnson
(520) 975-4965

The decision on who removes the necessary tooth is made by the general dentist most often. His or her decision is based on his or her level of comfort and training. Additionally some general dentists are not certified in sedation dentistry (putting you to sleep), so if the patient requests that he has to refer to an oral surgeon.

The answer to your question is based off how crooked or rotated that one tooth is... if it's simply turned a little then complete mouth braces may not be necessary however if all the teeth are crowded and the tooth is badly rotated it may be necessary to move all the teeth slightly to allow the crooked tooth to fit in place. Nowadays there are multiple options for straightening teeth without the need for comprehensive and complete braces. Things like 6 Month Smiles or Invisalign are great in these circumstances.

Using a water flosser in lieu of traditional floss is an adequate technique if that person doesn't like to use traditional floss. The water flosser is certainly better than nothing and if they have a lot of crowns/caps or other restorative work then it is great for getting into the nooks and crannies around teeth that thread floss can't reach. I often recommend that to patients who say they can't floss or don't like to floss!!!

Good morning,
The issue at hand is whether the root of the tooth was damaged at all. If there is damage or a crack on the root of the tooth then there may be some treatment necessary to prevent future issues such as infection. Without a x-ray it's difficult to ascertain the extent of the trauma to the tooth. If only minor trauma the tooth may be loose just from being hit and will get firmer with time. However if the root is cracked then the loose teeth will only proceed to worsen and become looser.

Dr. Maxwell Johnson
(520) 975-4965

The gums are likely bleeding due to the presence of gingivitis and inflammation around the teeth. If it has been longer than 6 - 8 months since your last dental hygiene visit, then that may help to explain why your gums are inflamed. My best advice would be to consult your local dentist and schedule a hygiene visit. If it has been longer than 18 months or so, it may be necessary for a more involved cleaning to make sure all the bacteria both above and below the gum line is cleaned out.

In the meantime, continuing to brush twice daily and flossing each night is a necessity to maintain your current level of inflammation. Additionally, rinsing with a mouthwash or salt water will help to minimize the bleeding and puffiness of the gums. It's important to remember that your current hygiene will maintain your current inflammation, but only a professional cleaning will be able to remove all residual bacteria.

Hope it helps! :)