Why Does the Dentist Take X-Rays?
I’ve been told I need x-rays at the dental office, but I refused them. Why do they need x-rays, anyway? X-rays are an important part of diagnosing problems in your mouth because they can show problems the dentist can’t see. There are many conditions that can be seen on an x-ray before they can be […]
Why Should I Treat My Tongue Tie?
My dentist says I have a tongue tie. Why should I have this treated? A tongue tie is when the muscle attachment under the tongue (the frenulum) develops improperly, causing limited movement of the tongue. When this connection is too short, too thin or too tight, the tongue cannot be used properly, creating health consequences. […]
Are Your Dentures Making it Hard to Eat?
I have dentures and the lower one floats around. It makes it very difficult to eat. What can I do to be able to eat comfortably again? The hardest dental appliance to get used to is the complete denture that replaces lower teeth. When it does not have anything holding it in, it is fighting […]
Why are My Permanent Teeth Becoming Loose?
My teeth have gradually become loose. Why is that happening and what can I do about it? Teeth become loose because of mechanical factors or bacterial factors. Mechanical factors are how the teeth fit and the forces applied. Bacterial factors come from the bacteria that cause periodontal (gum) disease and tooth abscess (infection). Mechanical factors […]
Is Your Bite Uncomfortable? This May Be Why
My bite does not feel comfortable. It almost feels like I have two bites. What can happen if I leave this alone? How can I fix it? When a bite does not feel right, it is important to find out what is causing it and treat the problem. Things that can cause a bite to […]
Do You Think You Might Have Sleep Apnea?
Why is my dentist talking about sleep apnea and saying I should be tested for this condition? The question should be why wouldn’t your dentist be talking about this? About 22 million Americans have some type of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), with 80 percent of the moderate to severe cases going undiagnosed. Patients usually see […]
Do You Have TMJ and Need Braces? Read This!
Is it true I cannot start orthodontics if I have TMJ? What are my options? When teeth are not straight, it is a sign of instability. A reason not to start would definitely be TMJ (temporomandibular joint) problems. Those problems include, but are not limited to, clicking in the jaw, muscle pain, joint pain, pain to chew, ear […]
Are You Still Wearing Your Retainer? This Is Why You Should!
After having an open bite before braces, every night when I put my retainer in, it feels tight. What am I doing wrong? I am glad you are diligently wearing your retainer at night. This is important to keep the teeth from moving back to where they were before. If you just had your braces […]
Is a “Deep Cleaning” Necessary?
I was told I need a “deep cleaning” by my dentist. Is this necessary? When someone is told they need a “deep cleaning,” they are referring to treatment of periodontal disease. Periodontal disease starts out as just inflammation of the gums caused by bacteria, plaque and the hardened plaque, called tartar, leading to gingivitis. When […]
Why Would I Need a Bite Guard?
I was told I need a bite guard. Is this really necessary? Shouldn’t I just wait until there is a problem? If you are being told you need a bite guard, it is because you have some signs and/or symptoms of grinding or clenching your teeth. Signs are things the doctor sees that are a […]