Frequently asked questions – Answers to common dental concerns

• Limit between-meal snacking and cut down on sweets
• Brush at least twice a day (or after meals where possible) and floss daily
• Avoid a hard toothbrush. Instead, use a soft or medium manual or electric brush and change the brush or head every 8-12 weeks
• Use fluoride toothpaste and mouthwashes to help remineralise and protect the tooth structure
• Visit your dentist for regular check-ups and consider professional cleaning twice a year.
• Don’t ignore tooth or gum problems. The quicker problems are checked out, the better and less costly they will be. Remember, a visit to the dentist isn’t expensive, but treating dental problems are!

Tooth decay also known as cavities or caries occur when teeth are exposed to sugary and/or starchy foods or drinks over a while. Bacteria found in plaque – a sticky film that constantly settles on the teeth – interacts with the sugars to produce acid. These acids will attack tooth enamel causing teeth to weaken and decay to form.

The symptoms of a cavity will depend upon how large it is and where it is in the mouth. While some people won’t develop any symptoms, others may experience one or more of the following symptoms:

• Intermittent pain or toothache
• Heightened tooth sensitivity particularly when eating or drinking something hot or cold
• Pain when you bite or chew
• Discolouration of the tooth– although this can be a sign of tooth decay, it may also be a sign of tooth staining.

If you have any of these symptoms, contact your dentist for assistance.

As already stated above, tooth sensitivity can be brought about by tooth cavities but it can also be a sign of teeth grinding. Otherwise known as Bruxism, this is a common problem that often affects people during sleep. As a result, the first a ‘bruxer’ knows of their problem is when they begin to experience tooth sensitivity or they visit their local dentist for a check-up.

Flossing cleans the small nooks and crannies between teeth where a toothbrush can’t reach. Food particles or debris can become caught up in these small spaces causing a build-up of plaque. When plaque is not removed it becomes hard. And by definition – difficult to remove. Over time, bacteria contained within plaque can attack the teeth and gums causing tooth decay and gum disease. Daily flossing removes many of the particles so that plaque can’t build up. The result is a far healthier mouth.

In a word, yes. However, products like whitening toothpaste tend to only remove light surface staining. For best results, consider professional teeth whitening supervised or carried out by your dentist. Chair-side teeth whitening, for example, can deliver quick results in just one visit - although the degree of whiteness achieved will vary from person to person. Alternatively, for an instant smile transformation, you may want to consider porcelain veneers. This cosmetic dental treatment is designed to cover problem teeth using thin shells of hard-wearing and lifelike dental porcelain.

Although you may want to ignore a missing tooth – particularly if it isn’t in your smile line – a missing tooth can trigger a multitude of issues that will eventually result in further tooth loss. So if you are looking to protect your teeth, then you should be looking to replace a missing tooth or teeth with a dental restoration.

You have several options open to you. Your dentist should explain your options and go through the pros and cons of each in detail. Dental implants, for example,  can be used to replace one or more teeth, or to stabilise a partial or complete denture. Traditional dentures can be used to replace several teeth, or an entire arch of teeth while a dental bridge (insert link here) is often used when two or more adjacent teeth are missing.