Dr. Rosemarie Marquez, D.M.D.

It smells bad when you floss because there is food and bacteria hanging out there. Go to the dentist for a comprehensive exam. Both decay and periodontal disease are common reasons for the smell.

At one time a bridge was the best/most natural way to replace a missing tooth. That is no longer the case. An implant is the most natural way to replace a missing tooth. An implant restoration consists of 3 parts: the implant, the abutment and the crown. The implant is a small metal piece that is placed in the bone to act like the natural root of the tooth; this piece is below the gums. After the implant has fused to the bone, another piece is placed into the implant that sticks out of the gums; this is the abutment. The final component, the crown, is placed on the abutment. At the end of the process, you have a free standing restoration that looks and functions like a natural tooth.
The advantage of a bridge is that it is cemented in place and you do not have to take it out (unlike partial dentures that have to be removed everyday). Another advantage is that it is usually less costly than an implant. This however can be misleading, A bridge consists of 3 or more crowns joined together - in other words, to replace a missing tooth, you prepare the teeth on either side of the space for a crown, then an impression is taken and the laboratory makes a restoration that bridges the space with crowns on the tow teeth on either end a fake one (or ones) in the middle. While this may be less of an investment in the beginning, flossing is a challenge with a bridge. If you get recurrent decay (cavity) on one of the anchor teeth, the entire bridge has to be replaced; not just the tooth with the decay. This can get costly over your lifetime. Another drawback that is not always true is the cutting down of healthy teeth. This is different for every patient. In some cases, the teeth on either side of the space needs crowns, but sometimes those teeth have nothing wrong with them. Hope this helps.

The cause of your tooth pain is most likely decay (cavities). You need to have an exam and will need to get the cavities filled.

The bacteria in your mouth use the sugar in those sweets to cause decay, so eating too many sweets is bad for your dental health. It is also bad for your overall health. Sugar should be consumed in moderation and always brush and floss after consuming sugary foods. Chewing sugar free gum (especially one with Xylitol) can be beneficial after a meal when you can't go brush.

Absolutely! Everyone's pain tolerance is different and while some people have pain or discomfort with very small cavities, others have full blown abscesses without any discomfort. You should have your teeth check yearly by a dentist and cleaned a minimum of 2 times per year; some patients require more frequent cleanings. In addition to checking your teeth, the dentist should do a complete oral exam, including screening for oral cancer.

Yes! Once a year is what we recommend for an exam but most people should get them cleaned, at least, two times per year.

Discuss this with your dentist. If you are under a lot of stress you may be grinding or clenching and causing the enamel to break down at the gum line. This can expose the inner portion of the tooth (called dentin) which can be very sensitive. You may also have recession, your gums migrate away from the chewing surface of the tooth exposing part of the root which is not meant to be exposed. Just like the dentin, this root surface can be very sensitive. Your dentist can prescribe a concentrated fluoride toothpaste to help with the sensitivity or apply a medication at the office.

Hi, The pulp of the tooth is the tissue (nerves and blood vessels) inside the tooth. If you can see it or touch it, it is most likely infected, as it should not be visible in the mouth. It should be covered by tooth structure. The treatment for an infected pulp depends on how much tooth structure is left and can range from a root canal, post and crown to an extraction and an implant. Your dentist will have to see and x-ray the tooth to make an accurate diagnosis.
If you are referring to the soft tissue behind or around a tooth, then a cleaning or irrigation may be indicated. In some cases, antibiotics can be beneficial.
If you think you have an infection, call your dentist without delay.

Mouth ulcers can be very painful. You can treat them with over the counter medications or you can visit a dentist that has a laser. Laser can be used to speed the healing of mouth ulcers and therefore decrease your discomfort.

Yes. They have special brushes for babies. The bristles are soft enough not to hurt the gums but firm enough to keep those teeth clean and healthy. The earlier you start brushing your babies teeth the easier it will be. Do not use any toothpaste at this age, simply use a wet brush to remove any debris. Brush his teeth every night before bedtime and after his last feeding/bottle. Never let your baby go to bed with a bottle.

The average person should have their teeth cleaned 2 times a year or every 6 months. Some patients accumulate tartar at a higher rate and should get them cleaned more often. Patients with periodontal disease need to get them cleaned every 3-4 months. Your dentist and his hygienist can come up with a personalized schedule that works for your oral health.