What is Plaque?
Plaque is the soft and sticky substance that accumulates on the
teeth from food debris and bacteria. Plaque can be removed by brushing
and flossing thoroughly. If plaque is not removed, it can lead to gum
disease and cavities. Regular dental check ups, brushing and flossing
daily, and eating nutritional snacks will help to prevent plaque from
forming on the teeth.
What is Calculus?
Answer: Calculus, also known as tartar, is the hardened residue that
forms on your teeth when plaque is not removed. Plaque can be removed by
brushing and flossing daily. If tartar is allowed to remain on the teeth
and below the gumline, it can lead to chronic infection and
inflammation. The only way to remove tartar is to have your teeth
professionally cleaned at your dental office.
What is Periodontitis?
Answer: Periodontitis is the serious and advanced stage of gum disease,
which includes bone loss. Periodontitis is irreversible. The gum tissue
and bone that surround and support your teeth could become seriously
damaged and the teeth affected could become loose and fall out.
Periodontitis occurs when the early stage of periodontal disease,
gingivitis, is left untreated. Periodontitis has also been linked to
serious health problems such as an increased risk of stroke and heart
attacks. Some research has even suggested that gum disease can cause
premature birth and low birth weight.
What is a Veneer?
Answer: A veneer is a thin shell made out of porcelain or composite
material. They are custom made and bonded to the front side of the
tooth. A veneer can be used to treat various dental conditions including
slightly crooked, discolored, chipped teeth; gaps between teeth; and
worn teeth.
A veneer can be made by the dentist or in a dental laboratory, depending
on the materials used and the preference of the dentist.
What is an Abscessed Tooth?
Answer: An abscess of the tooth is an infection. An abscess can include pus and
swelling of the soft gum tissue surrounding the tooth. An abscess can
develop from tooth decay or tooth trauma, such as a broken tooth. If
there is an opening in the enamel of a tooth, such as a cavity, bacteria
can get in and infect the pulp (center) of the tooth and cause an abscess.
Once an abscess occurs, the infection could spread throughout the mouth
and body. A root canal is usually the only option to save a tooth once
it has become abscessed. If you suspect that you have an abscessed
tooth, you should see your dentist right away.
What is a Root Canal?
Answer: A Root Canal is a dental procedure to fix a tooth by removing
the pulp chamber of the tooth and filling it with a suitable filling
material. A root canal is usually performed when the tooth cannot be
filled or restored any other way because the decay has reached the nerve
of the tooth or the tooth has become infected. A root canal is also
called root canal therapy or root canal treatment.
How does the mouth affect overall health?
In the past, oral health has been associated only with the mouth. New
research has found that the advanced stage of gum disease,
periodontitis, is linked with health problems such as heart disease and
stroke. Some research has even suggested that periodontitis can cause
premature birth and low birth weights in newborns. Even though studies
have linked gum disease to many health problems, the American Dental
Association states that, "just because two conditions occur at the same
time, doesn’t necessarily mean that one condition causes the other."
Much more research is needed on this subject.
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