Darren Gardner DDS, Provo Dentist
How do you treat receding gums? Receding gums can be caused by a few different things. Brushing too hard using a sawing motion with a hard bristle toothbrush is a common cause. Another cause is gum disease. Some recession is normal as we age and there is no treatment.
If a significant amount of root surface of the tooth is exposed because of the recession, a gum specialist, or periodontist, can graft gum tissue to the area to cover the root. This will help eliminate sensitivity and prevent decay on the root surface which is much more susceptibale to decay.
Prevention is the best measure. Use a soft bristle toothbrush in circular motions being careful to not place excessive pressure. A power toothbrush is great because it eliminates the technique problems that cause recession.
Gum disease causes recession when hardened plaque, called calculus, builds up at the gumline. After time, the gum in effect is pushed down by the calculus and the gum recedes. The only way to prevent this from happening is regular professional cleanings every 6 months. Brushing and flossing daily help minimize the buildup, but cannot completely eliminate it.
What are your recommendations for a partial denture? If you are missing several teeth on one side including the furthest back tooth, a partial denture is the most affordable option to replace missing teeth. Dental implants are the best option because they are most like your teeth and they help maintain the bone where the teeth have been removed. Implants also eliminate the metal framework of the partial denture that will fit onto surrounding teeth. This framework traps food and sometimes can be visible. Implants take 6-8 months to place and restore and are more expensive than the partial denture. A partial denture should be remade about every 5 years. To know what will work best for you, you will have to come in for an evaluation.
Do you floss before or after brushing? I recommend flossing before you brush and here's why: flossing (with proper technique) removes the plaque between the teeth, along with larger food particles. One of the main reasons brushing helps prevent decay is because toothpastes contain fluoride. Flouride incorporates into the tooth enamel and actually makes the tooth harder and more resistant to acid erosion. Fluoride cannot incorporate into the tooth when the surface is covered in plaque.
Is it true that mother's have worse teeth because if the calcium lost during pregnancy? If so, is there anything we can do to help our teeth stay strong? It is an old wive's tale that pregnancy robs calcium from the teeth for the baby. The baby gets its calcium supply from the bones. Tooth decay during pregnancy is due to changes in diet, home care, and vomiting. Pregnant mothers tend to eat more junk food and brush and floss less frequently. In addition, vomiting creates a very acidic oral environment which also causes the teeth to break down.
The best prevention is to eliminate frequent snacking on sugary foods, brushing 2-3 times daily with a fluoride toothpaste, and flossing at nightime. You should be sure to have a professional cleaning during your pregnancy to help eliminate plaque. Pregnant mothers have gums that are especially sensitive to plaque and their gums swell and bleed more easily. Plaque also causes decay.
How long does a porcelain crown last? There really isn't one answer to this question. When I place a crown, I hope that it will last 15-20 years. Statistically, a porcelain crown won't last as long as a full gold crown because over time porcelain fractures (though I have seen porcelain crowns last for 20-30 years.) A porcelain crown with a metal understucture will hold up longer than an all-porcelain crown because of the additional strength of the metal. A porcelain crown on a front tooth will last longer than a porcelain crown on a back tooth because more chewing force is placed on the back teeth.
One of the most frequent reasons crowns must be replaced is because the tooth begins to decay underneath the crown. A person who has a poor diet and frequent decay may get decay around a crown in less than five years. Someone who never has decay will likely have the crown over 20 years unless he/she clenches or grinds their teeth. Someone who aggressively clenches or grinds their teeth may fracture a porcelain crown within a few years. Insurance companies will allow replacement every 5-7 years, depending on the company.
Coming up next blog: whitening, sensitivity, fluoride, and care for children's teeth.