Dr. Karen DeLaney is a dentist who has answered some of the common questions Bizymoms visitors have about Gum Diseases.
Q. What Causes Tooth Loss?
A. Most tooth loss is due to bacteria growing inside of a tooth causing a cavity. When the cavity grows, it should be cleaned out by seeing your dentist for a filling. However, if the cavity continues to grow deep enough it causes pain. At this time your options become limited to either 1-pulling your tooth or 2- removing the nerve (root canal) and placing a permanent crown (cap). Tooth loss can also be the result of losing bone around your teeth due to periodontal (gum) disease.
Q. What Causes Periodontal Diseases?
A. Everyday, plaque (yellow film you see on teeth) forms around the teeth at the gumline. This occurs naturally through eating, drinking and your natural saliva in the mouth. If not removed daily gets collected, and eventually needs to be removed through a series of hygiene appointments called "scale & root planing," if not, it will eat away at the bone around your teeth and ultimately causing tooth loss.
Q. Can Periodontal Diseases Be Prevented?
A. Periodontal disease can be avoided simply by proper home hygiene care, through brushing and flossing regularly. Visiting your dentist at least twice a year for check-ups so that we may catch any problems early on and begin treatment, is a must.
People of all ages can have gum problems, if hygiene is poor.
Q. How Does Plaque Attack the Gums?
A. If the plaque continues to rest around your teeth and is not removed DAILY, the plaque will mix with your natural saliva and eventually harden forming a poisonous substance called tartar. This bacteria based poison lives around your teeth and grows under your gums causing them to swell, bleed & may even become painful over time.
Q. How Do You Stop Plaque Attacks?
A. Brushing before bedtime is important because when we are sleep our mouths are dry which gives plaque plenty of time to start hardening.
Q. How many times a day should I brush my teeth?
A. Brushing and flossing should be done at least twice a day.
Q. What kind of toothpaste should I use?
A. The best toothpaste for a lot of people is one that contains fluoride. Many toothpastes currently on the market do contain fluoride, which helps to prevent you from getting cavities and developing tooth loss. When trying to pick the best toothpaste for you, another common toothpaste ingredient that you may want to investigate further is sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), which is found in the majority of toothpastes currently on the market. If you are concerned about the presence of SLS in toothpaste, you will be pleased to know that there are a few toothpaste manufacturers that manufacture toothpastes that are SLS-free, including a brand called Thera Breath and, once again, Tom’s of Maine. When you want to pick the best toothpaste for toddlers, you will want to buy toothpaste designed for young children because there are no dangers associated with swallowing such toothpastes. (It is very difficult for very young children who are just learning how to brush their teeth to spit out their toothpaste, so they tend to swallow it, which means it must be safe.)
Q. How to contact Dr. Delaney if we have further questions?
A.
Address:
1705 S Fort Hood
Suite 102
Killeen, TX 76542
Phone: 254-618-5657
Fax: 254-449-8033
Email: delaneydentalcare@yahoo.com
Website: http://www.drdelaneydds.com/
