Dr. Laura Brenner is a dentist who has answered some of the common questions bizymoms visitors have about Oral Health.
Q. How does one know when it is time for a check up?
A. For the best in preventive care, a dental check-up and cleaning is recommended every 6 months for healthy patients. This enables early diagnosis in the event of any dental problems and maintenance to prevent most dental problems.
Q. What is the proper way to care for one’s teeth?
A. The proper way to care for teeth is to brush at least 2 times per day with a fluoride toothpaste. Many of the electric toothbrushes on the market help patients brush for the necessary 2 minutes. Flossing once a day helps remove plaque and food from between the teeth to help prevent tooth decay and periodontal disease.
Q. What is the most common cause of tooth loss?
A. Believe it or not, the leading cause of tooth loss is periodontal disease! It can often be a silent disease. We can compare it to high blood pressure as often times the patient can’t feel it! Some signs of it include bleeding gums, mobile teeth, or bad breath. This is one of the main reasons regular cleanings are so important. Even if you don’t have those signs, there could be underlying disease. Periodontal disease is the loss of bone surrounding the teeth. The earlier it is treated, the more likely we are to save the teeth. And remember, the mouth is connected to the rest of the body—an unhealthy mouth leads to an unhealthy body!
Q. How often one should brush and floss?
A. Brush at least 2 times per day and floss once a day
Q. How often one should have dental exam and clean?
A. A dental check-up and cleaning is recommended every 6 months
Q. How can a person tell if he/she have gingivitis or periodontitis (gum disease)?
A. Some signs of it include bleeding gums, mobile teeth, or bad breath.
Q. Why is it important to use dental floss?
A. When plaque sits against the tooth, it enables bacteria in your mouth to create acids that eat away at the teeth or bone in the form of tooth decay or bone loss. The toothbrush bristles cannot reach in between the teeth, so floss is the best tool to mechanically remove the plaque. When the tooth surface is clean, the bacteria doesn’t adhere to the teeth and gums and cause the breakdown of healthy surfaces.
Q. How to contact Dr. Brenner if we have further questions?
A.
Address:
4301 East Amherst Avenue
Denver, Colorado 80222
Phone: 303 758.5858
Fax: 303 758.6753
Email: WessChambers@codydental.com
Website: www.codydental.com
