Richard Stockton Hoadley, DDS

Yes.

When you find out for sure, it will be too late. That is my wise-guy answer. The saying in dentistry is "there is nothing I can do that can't be undone by what the patient won't do." Sad, but true. The road to destroying your teeth with neglect is a bumpy one. I had one patient who destroyed her teeth by age 16, and others, it can take 50 to 60 years. Dentures are a substitute for no teeth, not good teeth. The path to destroying your teeth includes breath that people can smell across the room, sharp and broken-down teeth, infection, and pain. Infections in the mouth are more than painful, they affect your health, especially your cardiovascular system. On rare occasions, infections of the upper front teeth can migrate to the brain. When we are children, we brush our teeth to keep Mom off our backs. As young adults, we usually discover that we should brush and floss for our own wellbeing. If and when you have children, help them brush and make sure they see you brush. When my oldest son was about your age, he declared, "Why should I brush? You don't!" I was shocked to learn that I always brushed after he was in bed. You are worth it! Brush for your own health and wellbeing.

If decay is very dark or black, it is usually slow moving. If it is light colored, then it is likely aggressive/fast moving. The reason for frequent exams is to find decay before the patient can see or feel it. The smaller a cavity is, the less likely the pulp (nerve) will be damaged = no root canal. If you think or know you have a cavity, schedule an exam with your dentist soon. If you are looking for a dentist, ask your friends or your physician. My opinion is that the larger the clinic is, the more likely they are to over diagnose. I recommend getting your mouth free of infection and decay as phase 1. Use a payment plan if needed. Then, keep up with your regular re-care appointments. Get as much information from the hygienist as you can and they should be able to get you in a decay-free state. Yes, you will have some home work. You can do it!

The length of time a crown lasts depends on many factors. In my 51 years of practice, I have seen many changes in dentistry. The improvement in crown materials has been amazing. in the late '60s, the options were gold Acrylic, porcelain fused to metal, and a.l. porcelain. Each had drawbacks. The new all-porcelain crowns look nice and are strong. To prolong the life of a crown, you must keep the margin between the crown and the root very clean with brushing and flossing. Too aggressive brushing can cause recession of your gums. A gummy smile will show this, and the appearance may not satisfy you. If you have a high-sugar diet, all bets are off.

If a tooth has been treated with a root canal and becomes loose, it needs to be checked out. If the tissue at the end of the root didn't heal, a follow-up treatment may still save it. If the root has split, the tooth should be removed.

You should have access to the outside of the teeth. An electric toothbrush would help. Go light on the toothpaste. Several anti-bacterial rinses are available. A low sugar diet is highly recommended.

A trip to the dentist. That is the short answer. Over time, your ridge will get smaller. This has the effect of making the flanges too long. An adjustment is in order. Just putting up with the soreness can lead to redundant tissue, that requires surgery. Get it checked out before it gets worse.

There are three common ways to numb a tooth. A block is used on the lower teeth and upper back teeth and can last for hours. An infiltration is used mostly on the upper arch and may start wearing off at the end of the appointment. Single tooth anesthesia lasts only a short time. A lower block feel very profound because it also numbs the lower lip and tongue. You need to be careful not to bite yourself. I tell my patients, if it feels like rubber, don't bite it!

Richard Hoadley

A fixed bridge should look very natural.

Richard Hoadley
rshoadley@gmail.com

You should be able to use the stimulator several times a day. Watch for signs of irritation. Work with your hygienist to make sure you are using it correctly. I know you can't do that until they reopen dental offices for routine procedures.

Richard Hoadley

Yes, Orthodontics is frequently done on adults. Ask your dentist to refer you to the best Orthodontist in your area.

The situation should be checked by your dentist and hygienist for the best treatment plan. Make sure you brush your tongue when you brush your teeth.

No. The abscess might drain and stop hurting, but it is quietly destroying part of your jaw bone. Get it checked soon or it will become untreatable and have to be removed.

Baking soda and a mix of salt and baking soda have been used for years. I don't think it harms teeth or gums. There are some very effective antibacterial mouth rinses on the market.
Good home care is an important part of good oral health. Regular visits to your dentist are very important. Twice a year is common, but some people require three to four visits.

Make an appointment with your dentist promptly and find out what is going on. Any bump or sore in the mouth, that doesn't go away in 7 - 10 days needs to be checked out.

The word "Detox" puts up a red flag. A very good source of information is: https://www.quackwatch.org see what they say, but it sounds like a hoax to me. I don't trust anything that is promoted by a bunch of testimonials. The saying goes "multiple anecdotes still equals no data."

Yes, local anesthesia is used, especially on the first visit. If you are apprehensive about discomfort, local anesthesia is appropriate.

Night time grinding and clenching is one possibility. This is treated with a night guard.
Another possibility is teeth with large restorations (fillings), that should be restored with crowns.
You may need both crowns and a night guard.

I did a web search and found that liquid iron supplements are more likely to stain. Your pharmacist would be a good source of information.

Not that I know of. likely surface stain.