|
1. Do I really
have to go to the dentist every six months?
Regular check up and
cleaning appointments are vital.
6
to 12 month intervals are most common, however , how often
you go depends on your oral
health needs. It's
worth noting that you should not determine your need for dental
care on what your dental plan covers.
2. When should I
take my child to the dentist for the first time?
It's important to get an
early start on dental care, so that your child will learn that
visiting the dentist is a regular part of health care. Make the
first visit a positive one - this helps build a relationship and
trust.
If you are a nervous dental
patient, ask your spouse or another family member to take the child
for the appointment. If your child senses that you are nervous, he
or she may feel nervous too. When you talk to your child about
going to the dentist, explain what will happen without adding
things like "it won't hurt" or "don't be scared."
Be sure to get an early
start on regular dental care at home. Start cleaning your child's
mouth with a soft damp cloth before teeth come in and continue with
a soft toothbrush once he or she has a first tooth. Limit sugary
treats and focus on healthy food choices from the very
beginning.
3. I am very afraid
of the dentist but need my teeth fixed. What are my
options?
Lots of patients have
concerns about fear, anxiety and deeply rooted phobias they have
about seeing their dentist. Dr. Crosley will help you
determine what works best for you, be it Nitrous Oxide or Sedation
Dentistry. These options allow the patient to get through the
appointment in a calm, relaxing environment. Treatment can usually
be completed in 1- 2 appointments.
4. Should I have my
amalgam fillings replaced?
According to the Canadian
Dental Asscociation, it does not make sense from either a general
health point of view or a cost point of view to replace amalgam
fillings simply on the basis of the current questions being asked
about possible amalgam toxicity. Replacement may be considered for
individuals sensitive to dental amalgam.
5. How can I
manage my overall health to help improve my oral
health
Many patients want to know how to manage
health risk factors that affect their dental health. This can range
from diabetes, side effects of medication, cancer, to simpler
concerns such as smoking. Customised solutions are often needed to
address individual needs.
6. Tooth
Extraction / Common Post Extraction Instructions / Dry
Sockets
These are generalized instructions. If you have a concern
or feel you have developed a complication you should contact your
dentist.
Swelling: Swelling which is related to the
trauma of the tooth extraction should reach its maximum after
24 hours. Advil (pain medication) is very effective in controlling
pain and discomfort. If you find this is not sufficient , contact
your dentist or family doctor immediately to have your prescription
modified.
Keeping the
extraction site clean: It
is very important to keep the extraction site clean.
DO NOT RINSE your mouth out for the first 24 hours as you
will disturb the blood clot and cause the area to bleed
excessively. Beginning 24 hours after extraction, gently rinse the
area with warm salt water (1/2 tea spoon of salt in a cup of water)
after meals and before bed. Do not use commercial mouth rinses -
they can have a tendency to irritate the extraction
site.
Stitches: Some types of stitches (sutures)
will resorb (dissolve away) on their own, others will not and need
to be removed by your dentist. Make sure , if stitches were placed,
you know which type have been used. Usually a dentist will want to
remove stitches which don't resorb in about a week or so after the
extraction. The process of removing stitches is usually very easy
and painless.
Dry
Sockets: One of the more
common complications people experience after a tooth extraction is
that of developing a "dry socket". It is thought that dry sockets
occur when either a blood clot has failed to form where a tooth has
been extracted, or else the blood clot which did form has been
dislodged and lost. Since the formation of a blood clot is an
important part of the healing process, the healing of the
extraction site is significantly delayed. Dry sockets are most
frequently associated with difficult tooth extractions (in cases
where the dentist has had to remove bone from around a tooth during
the extraction process) . Persons who
follow their dentists's post-extraction instructions will reduce
their chances of developing a dry socket, Typically dry sockets manifest themselves as
a dull throbbing pain which doesn't appear until three or four days
after the tooth extractions. The pain can be moderate to severe in
intensity and often seems to radiate from the areas of the
extraction site to the ear. Dry sockets are usually associated with
a foul odor or bad taste. Dry sockets need
to be treated by your dentist. Do not hesitate to let them know that
you need help. Your dentist knows that there is no predictability
regarding who will develop a dry socket and who will not. Patients
who smoke in the first 48 hours after extractions increase their
risk for poor healing.
Completion of the
Healing Process: As time
progresses the body will repair itself and the site will fill
in with bone. While it can take weeks and months for this healing
process to complete, from a practical stand point, after 1 to 2
weeks enough healing will have occurred that the extraction site
will be only a minor inconvenience to you.
| 