Q.
My daughter, aged two, still sucks dummy. I am now getting her to stop. I just wanted to ask at what age a child should stop sucking a dummy? This can have a negative effect on teeth development, can it not?
A.
Yes, sucking a dummy can alter the arch development and cause the teeth to come in more crooked. I think that if you can stop her now you will be just in time.
Q.
I have read about lasers and other new technology being brought into dentistry. I hate needles and drills so am delighted to hear this. Is this something that is gradually going to replace such methods in the long term? Is it completely safe? My dentist does not seem to be taking on such methods as of yet.
A.
The science of Laser dentistry is developing rapidly. There are many different kinds of lasers in dentistry that are used for different treatments and they can speed recovery and healing tremendously.
Q.
I know you are supposed to keep your teeth clean and also your gums, but what about your tongue? Do you need to give this just as much attention when cleaning your teeth?
A.
Yes. Our office often recommends tongue hygiene as well. Bacteria can get trapped in the surface fissures of the tongue. Once here the debris can remain there adding to breath malodor, halitosis or bad breath. Tongue hygiene is very simple using one of the many different tongue scraping devices on the market today. Once you use a tongue scrappin device and see all the bacteria debris that can be removed you will never neglect tongue hygiene again!
Dr. Lemongello
Q.
hello are snap on smiles as good as veneers somebody told me they are painless and dont cost as much as dental veneers but look great. Do you offer snap on smiles?
A.
No, I do not offer snap on smiles. They are less expensive that veneers but of course they are not going to look as beautiful either. Patients with crooked teeth are not good candidates for this treatment because the snap on smile would be very bulky. Porcelain veneers are a permanent and durable solution.
Q.
I had some crowns put in my mouth and am really disappointed. I should of went to a cosmetic dentist. The ones at bottom back fit good but are too low and my mouth has dropped, can these be build up ?
A.
To build up a crown, it would have to be remade completely.
Q.
For some reason, my gums have started to bleed when I brush my teeth. What could be wrong?
A.
Bleeding gums can be a sign of periodontal disease so you should be evaluated by a dentist.
Q.
I had braces when I was younger and they worked in that they made my teeth straight. However, this led to a small gap forming between my two front teeth and I hate it. I hate to smile nowadays because I am so self-conscious about it. Is there any dental treatment which can help?
A.
For a small gap between two teeth that are otherwise in alignment there are a few choices of treatment. The first would be closing the space with composite, or white filling material. Composite fillings do stain and darken as they age, so this would have to be replaced every 3 to 5 years. The more permanent treatment would be porcelain veneers, which cover the entire front of the tooth and are made of a material that will not stain or darken.
Q.
I am thirteen and wanting to get invisalign. My teeth are not all that crooked so I should be okay to go ahead. I am just wondering whether I should opt for invisalign or invisalgin teen? Or will my dentist decide?
A.
Your dentist will decide which course of treatment is best depending on the chronological age of your teeth and whether or not all your permanent teeth have erupted yet. Either way Invisalign treatment is a great choice. Dr. Lemongello
Q.
I know you can get tooth whitening kits from the shops, but are these can’t be as good as getting it done by a professional, can it?
A.
The most predictable, safest way to whiten your teeth is in a dental office under the supervision of a dentist. In the dental office everything is custom made to fit properly and provide the optimal, safest environment for whitening. Anything else is a compromise. Dr. Lemongello
Q.
The 2 back teeth (located before the
wisdom teeth) in my mouth have been completely covered by gum tissue. All 4 of my
wisdom teeth have been removed. What is the name of the condition, what causes it, and how can it be fixed? Can it lead to a cavity?
A.
most likely your teeth were never able to fully erupt because of this overlying gum tissue. This condition is important to correct. Partial coverage of the gum tissue over the tooth can predispose the tooth to decay. Additionally, because of the gum tissue covering the tooth, it has been prevented from fully erupting into the mouth. This prevents its proper use in chewing. It can be corrected through removal of the gum tissue either by excision or through laser treatment. Obviously it would be important to have this evaluated by your dentist or an oral surgeon.
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Dr Kirtley
