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Please email us here with your questions. Below are some of our frequently asked questions. But be sure to let us know what questions you might have and we will do our best to update this page with answers for you. Q - How can adults benefit from in office Fluoride treatments? A - To answer this question, it is first necessary to explain the decay process. Our saliva, in healthy conditions, has a pH level of about 7, which is neutral like water. In order for a cavity to start, this level needs to drop to a more acidic level, and sugar needs to be present. When we eat or drink anything acidic (eg: soda, juice, etc.) the pH level in our mouth drops. Cavities on a root surface can occur in a pH level of 6.5. Cavities on the enamel surface of our tooth can occur in a pH level of 5.5. Many sodas have a pH level of 2 or 3, which isn’t much higher than that of battery acid. With each acid attack our mouth endures, it takes our saliva 20 minutes to reach that neutral level again. This means that for every sip of something acidic we drink, it takes 20 minutes. The longer our teeth are exposed to such substances, the longer it takes for our saliva to neutralize again. Obviously the addition of sugar in any form will increase this risk of decay as that is what the bacteria that cause decay feed on. Many people think that drinking diet soda is “better” for their teeth, but it still has a very low pH level, and will drop the pH in our saliva for long amounts of time. Adding any type of carbohydrate to that equation will make it as risky as just drinking a regular soda. Soda is just one example of an acidic beverage. Coffee is also very acidic, as well as some bottled waters, and juices and fruits. Fluoride helps prevent tooth decay by making the tooth more resistant to acid attacks from plaque bacteria and sugars in the mouth. It also reverses early tooth decay. Fluoride also helps speed up remineralization (which is when the tooth surface recovers from an acid attack) as well as disrupts acid production in already erupted teeth of both children and adults. People are now living longer and retaining their natural teeth longer. Because of this it is necessary to take good care of them. Many older adults experience problems with gum recession which exposes the root of the tooth, which as previously stated decays at a higher pH level than the enamel of the tooth. Many older adults also take medications which can dry the mouth out (xerostomia) which also increases the risk of decay. Other people at higher risk of decay are those that have gum or periodontal disease due to more root being exposed; those going through head/neck radiation, those with crowns, bridges, or braces, and also diseases that cause a dry mouth. Living in an area with well water, or only consuming bottled water, also increases ones risk of decay as neither contains fluoride. The benefits of a topical in office fluoride application can last up to four months after your appointment. It also reduces risk of cavities by 44%. Preventing cavities can save a lot of money in the long run, as well as preserve your teeth for life! Ask about getting a fluoride treatment at your next visit! Q - Why are baby teeth important? Don't they fall out anyway? A - Your child's primary, or "baby" teeth are very important to take care of because:
So how can you keep your child's mouth healthy?
If you have any questions about your child's dental health, or to schedule an appointment today call our office at 262-673-7826. Q - Why is annual oral cancer screening necessary? I thought only people that used tobacco products were at risk? A - Approximately 35,000 people in the U.S. will be newly diagnosed with oral cancer in 2010. This is the fourth year in a row in which there has been an increase in the rate of occurrence. The two main causes are tobacco and alcohol use, and the other is through exposure to the HPV-16 virus (human papilloma virus version 16). This is the same virus responsible for the vast majority of cervical cancers in women. While some people think that this cancer is rare, one person every hour of every day dies from it. When found early there is an 80% to 90% survival rate. But unfortunately most are found as late stage cancers which raises the death rate to 45%. For decades this cancer affected 6 men for every woman and the majority were over the age of 40. Due to the use of smokeless tobacco used at a younger age, and the spread of the HPV virus, this has shifted the risk group to younger females. HPV related oral cancers appear to occur on the tonsillar area and the base of the tongue. The HPV virus was found in 72% of patients newly diagnosed with oropharyngeal cancer in a recent study published by the New England Journal of Medicine. The new cervical cancer vaccines (i.e.: Gardasil) will also have an impact on head and neck cancers. This vaccine is now being encouraged in males as well as females. Today anyone old enough to have engaged in sexual behaviors which are capable of transferring this virus needs to be screened annually for oral cancer. At Grand Avenue Dental Care we screen annually for oral cancer beginning at age 14. We use a highly specialized light called Velscope as part of our exam. This enables us to catch cancers in their earliest stages, which of course increases the survival rate. Call today to set up your appointment (262)673-7826. Q - How does diabetes affect oral health? A - It's estimated that up to 20 million people have diabetes, but only two-thirds of these individuals are diagnosed. Studies have shown that diabetics are more susceptible to the development of oral infections and periodontal (gum) disease than those who do not have diabetes. Oral infections tend to be more severe in diabetic patients than non-diabetic patients. And diabetics who do not have good control over their blood sugar levels tend to have more oral health problems. These infections occur more often after puberty and in aging patients. Q - What is a composite Resin (white filling)? A - A composite filling is a tooth-colored plastic and glass mixture used to restore decayed teeth. Composites are also used for cosmetic improvements of the smile by changing the color of the teeth or reshaping disfigured teeth. Q - I don't understand laser dentistry. What exactly is that? A - A laser is an instrument that produces a very narrow, intense beam of light energy. When laser light comes in contact with tissue, it causes a reaction. The light produced by the laser can remove, vaporize or shape tissue. Dental Lasers can be used to :
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