Smile for Life Blog » Dr Kirtley http://www.smileforlife.com/blog Just another WordPress weblog Mon, 30 Jan 2012 08:52:02 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.3 en hourly 1 Is a badly fitted bridge the cause of my bad breath? http://www.smileforlife.com/blog/is-a-badly-fitted-bridge-the-cause-of-my-bad-breath http://www.smileforlife.com/blog/is-a-badly-fitted-bridge-the-cause-of-my-bad-breath#comments Fri, 16 Dec 2011 06:05:58 +0000 Dr George Kirtley http://www.smileforlife.com/blog/is-a-badly-fitted-bridge-the-cause-of-my-bad-breath/
Q.
About 5 months ago I had a bridge installed on 30,31,32. The next day, I called the dentist back and told him that there was a gap between the lower and upper teeth. The dentist told me that he left a bit of a gap because I had to have a root canal on #32 prep and he didn’t want to irritate it. He said that the teeth would naturally come together over time and my bite would be normal. This sounded strange to me, I didn’t know how teeth would get longer, but I didn’t pursue it further.

In the last few days, I have noticed that I have bad breath even minutes after cleaning my teeth and rinsing. I’m also having some very slight pain on my #3 tooth, directly above my new bridge. Could this be a result of the occlusion not being right and the tooth extending down too far to meet the bridge on the bottom and exposing too much of the tooth. I suspect that I have an abscess that is draining in my mouth and causing bad breath. But is isn’t painful because it is draining. If this is the result of a poorly fitted bridge, then I think this dentist should be responsible.

A.
It could be all the above. Certainly teeth can move. And, upper teeth can migrate downward if they are not in contact with the bridge. It is important that your bite be balanced As for the bad taste, it could be an abcess or it could be retention of debris under the bridge. If you have a bridge it is important to keep it very clean underneath.
]]> http://www.smileforlife.com/blog/is-a-badly-fitted-bridge-the-cause-of-my-bad-breath/feed 0 Are braces the best answer to my decay problems? http://www.smileforlife.com/blog/are-braces-the-best-answer-to-my-decay-problems http://www.smileforlife.com/blog/are-braces-the-best-answer-to-my-decay-problems#comments Fri, 16 Dec 2011 06:03:33 +0000 Dr George Kirtley http://www.smileforlife.com/blog/are-braces-the-best-answer-to-my-decay-problems/
Q.
Hi Dr. Kirtley, my 4/5 and 12/13 teeth have a strange alignment where they are pointed in different directions which puts them sitting almost next to each other on the roof of my mouth. It doesn’t look too weird or anything but it makes cleaning between the teeth difficult and an unnoticed cavity between 4 and 5 broke my #4 tooth earlier this year. I had a root canal done on the tooth and a filling put in which was supposed to be temporary. Now I have a cavity on the opposite side developing. My dentist recommended pulling one of the two teeth and that I talk to an orthodontist about braces. I would like to avoid braces if possible, so does it seem logical to pull the inward teeth and not having to deal with braces, but have two teeth with fillings – or to pull the damaged outward teeth and use braces to slide the inward teeth into their correct places. Additionally, if I absolutely needed braces are lingual braces an option for this situation? I know it is difficult to diagnose without xrays and what not but I would just like a second opinion. Thanks so much for your time.
A.
You should always opt for braces to correct your alignment. Bad alignment can create all sorts of problems….decay, periodontal disease, tooth loss…
]]> http://www.smileforlife.com/blog/are-braces-the-best-answer-to-my-decay-problems/feed 0 I have started to notice some bleeding around my implants, should I be worried? http://www.smileforlife.com/blog/i-have-started-to-notice-some-bleeding-around-my-implants-should-i-be-worried http://www.smileforlife.com/blog/i-have-started-to-notice-some-bleeding-around-my-implants-should-i-be-worried#comments Fri, 16 Dec 2011 03:44:08 +0000 Dr George Kirtley http://www.smileforlife.com/blog/i-have-started-to-notice-some-bleeding-around-my-implants-should-i-be-worried/
Q.
Hello Doctor,

I have recently had a dental implant placed at the side of my mouth and am slightly worried about its condition. I have an appointment with my dentist in a weeks time but would really appreciate any information I could receive now. Basically there has been some mild bleeding from the site and it does feel tender to touch (which i dont continually do, just when i brush it with my tongue) and I wonder does this, in your experience, sound like a rejected implant? If it is, would I be able to try again at some point or would that be too dangerous?

Thank you very much for your time

A.
Hello there and thank you for your question. It is likely not rejecting…success rate with implants is quite high. Just see the dentist who placed it and have it evaluated. If it is rejecting it will become loose. Hope this helps and good luck with your implants
]]> http://www.smileforlife.com/blog/i-have-started-to-notice-some-bleeding-around-my-implants-should-i-be-worried/feed 0 Can the chlorine contained in swimming pools damage your teeth? http://www.smileforlife.com/blog/can-the-chlorine-contained-in-swimming-pools-damage-your-teeth http://www.smileforlife.com/blog/can-the-chlorine-contained-in-swimming-pools-damage-your-teeth#comments Wed, 20 Jul 2011 10:59:03 +0000 Dr George Kirtley http://www.smileforlife.com/blog/can-the-chlorine-contained-in-swimming-pools-damage-your-teeth/
Q.
I have started going swimming about 3-4 times a week, but have read that the chlorine contained in the pool may cause erosion to the teeth? I try my best to keep from allowing the water into my mouth, but would still like this matter to be cleared up. It does sound a bit over the top, but there you go.
A.
I don’t think you have to worry about the chlorine hurting your teeth.
]]> http://www.smileforlife.com/blog/can-the-chlorine-contained-in-swimming-pools-damage-your-teeth/feed 0 How often should you change to a new toothbrush? http://www.smileforlife.com/blog/how-often-should-you-change-to-a-new-toothbrush http://www.smileforlife.com/blog/how-often-should-you-change-to-a-new-toothbrush#comments Tue, 12 Jul 2011 10:55:33 +0000 Dr George Kirtley http://www.smileforlife.com/blog/how-often-should-you-change-to-a-new-toothbrush/
Q.
How often is it recommended that you change your toothbrush? What is the limit at a push?
A.

Depending on the brand, you should replace your tooth brush every 3 months. 

]]> http://www.smileforlife.com/blog/how-often-should-you-change-to-a-new-toothbrush/feed 0 Does teeth whitening damage tooth enamel? http://www.smileforlife.com/blog/does-teeth-whitening-damage-tooth-enamel http://www.smileforlife.com/blog/does-teeth-whitening-damage-tooth-enamel#comments Tue, 12 Jul 2011 10:52:49 +0000 Dr George Kirtley http://www.smileforlife.com/blog/does-teeth-whitening-damage-tooth-enamel/
Q.
Does teeth whitening damage enamel? I would like to get my teeth whitened but will not if this is the case. Also, which of laser and bleach whitening is the safer option?
A.
No, bleaching does not damage the enamel of the tooth. Both laser and home bleaching techniques are safe and effective.
]]> http://www.smileforlife.com/blog/does-teeth-whitening-damage-tooth-enamel/feed 0 What is the best treatment for replacing a tooth? http://www.smileforlife.com/blog/what-is-the-best-treatment-for-replacing-a-tooth http://www.smileforlife.com/blog/what-is-the-best-treatment-for-replacing-a-tooth#comments Tue, 12 Jul 2011 10:50:42 +0000 Dr George Kirtley http://www.smileforlife.com/blog/what-is-the-best-treatment-for-replacing-a-tooth/
Q.
My tooth has fallen out and I want to get it sorted as soon as possible. There seem to be a fair few options when it comes to treatment. Would you be able to advise me as to which one is best?
A.
I beleive that the best option for tooth replacement would be an implant and implant crown. This is the solution that mimics nature the closest because it replaces the root of the tooth and the crown of the tooth, so your bone support will be maintained.
]]> http://www.smileforlife.com/blog/what-is-the-best-treatment-for-replacing-a-tooth/feed 0 Why do I keep getting mouth ulcers? http://www.smileforlife.com/blog/why-do-i-keep-getting-mouth-ulcers http://www.smileforlife.com/blog/why-do-i-keep-getting-mouth-ulcers#comments Tue, 12 Jul 2011 10:47:20 +0000 Dr George Kirtley http://www.smileforlife.com/blog/why-do-i-keep-getting-mouth-ulcers/
Q.
I get mouth ulcers quite often, and am sick and tired of them. Are there any main causes of this like not cleaning your mouth properly, or are some people just more inclined to getting them?
A.
The precise mechanism by which canker sores or mouth ulcers form has not been definitively determined, but it is likely that their development is related to the patient’s immune system.  It is also thought that a vitamin deficiency can cause cancer sores, such as B1, B2, B6, B12 and vitamin C deficiencies. Stress and hormonal changes have also been associated with the onset of canker sores.
]]> http://www.smileforlife.com/blog/why-do-i-keep-getting-mouth-ulcers/feed 0 What is a smile makeover? http://www.smileforlife.com/blog/what-is-a-smile-makeover http://www.smileforlife.com/blog/what-is-a-smile-makeover#comments Tue, 12 Jul 2011 10:41:13 +0000 Dr George Kirtley http://www.smileforlife.com/blog/what-is-a-smile-makeover/
Q.
I have come across what is called a smile makeover, and would like to know what this is exactly? I am guessing there must be a limit to how many treatments you get done within this treatment…
A.
A smile makeover is unigue to each patients’ needs and ususally the term is used to describe the outcome of cosmetic dentistry.  A makeover can consist of anywhere from just bleaching (to change color only) to veneers or crowns to change the shape and color of your teeth. If you are interested in improving the appearance of your smile a makeover may be for you!
]]> http://www.smileforlife.com/blog/what-is-a-smile-makeover/feed 0 How safe is sedation dentistry? http://www.smileforlife.com/blog/how-safe-is-sedation-dentistry http://www.smileforlife.com/blog/how-safe-is-sedation-dentistry#comments Tue, 12 Jul 2011 10:39:10 +0000 Dr George Kirtley http://www.smileforlife.com/blog/how-safe-is-sedation-dentistry/
Q.
I am a nervous patient and have been looking into the special services some practices now offer with sedation and such. I would just like to know if there are any possible side effects to this or whether it is completely safe?
A.
If fear is keeping you away from the dentists office, sedation dentistry may be for you. Sedation in the dental office can be in many forms: an oral medication you take before your appointment, which will make you relaxed and sleepy (but still awake) while the procedure is being done. Or, an intravenous medication can be given while in the dental chair, which will put you completely to sleep. There are minimal risks associated with each, and your dentist can go over these specifically with you after reviewing your medical history.
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