Kimberly Noland Hendrix

Well, one indication would be to look closely at the surface texture of the dark spot. If the enamel is smooth and the contour of the tooth is still normally shaped, it is possibly a surface stain. If the enamel is pitted or "moth-eaten" in appearance in the stained area, it is more likely to be decay. If the stain is right along the gum line, it could even be the stained tarter build-up if you have not had a professional dental cleaning in a while. You would need to see a dentist for an exam and X-rays to find out with certainty. 

Yes, bridges can be made to replace front teeth. However, it depends on the health and spacing of the adjacent teeth. Other options for replacing missing front teeth include removable partial dentures or dental implants. You would need to see your dentist for an exam to determine the best option for your mouth. 

No.

It varies greatly from person to person and cavity to cavity. Sometimes superficial cavities do not require much drilling and can be done with minimal discomfort. Larger, deeper cavities that require drilling into the middle dentin layer of the tooth are typically much more sensitive and are done more comfortably with a local anesthetic such as lidocaine. Ask your dentist prior to your procedure if you could try it without the shot if you are curious or nervous about the injection. 

It sounds like your tooth was not numbed up properly if you felt pain. With the proper anesthesia, drilling on your tooth should be painless except for feeling vibration or pressure. 

It varies greatly between different people. Some wisdom teeth are fully erupted like other teeth, others can be completely embedded in the jaw bone. To know for sure how yours are positioned, make an appointment with your dentist and ask for a panoramic radiograph. That's an X-ray that shows your full jawbone and all your teeth.

There is not one simple answer to that question. I'll preface by saying that not all teeth absolutely have to have a crown. However, if a crown has been recommended, the time frame in which you need to address can vary, and it depends on why the tooth needs crowned. If you have a posterior tooth which has been treated with a root canal, you want to crown it as soon as possible. Endodontically treated teeth become brittle and can fracture if uncrowned. If you have been informed your tooth has substantial decay and needs a crown, then that needs addressed soon as possible also. If treatment is delayed, the decay will progress and you might need more than just a crown (root canal or extraction scenario). If you have an existing crown with decay underneath it, that needs a new crown as soon as possible. If your tooth has a symptomatic crack, again, you need to address it soon as possible. An asymptomatic crack however could potentially be monitored for a while if you eat carefully on it and avoid any bruxism or clenching habits. A tooth with a broken cusp, but no decay and no symptoms could remain stable for years without treatment. Some dentists will recommend crowning teeth with large restorations. If there is no active decay present, sometimes these crowns can be delayed for a while with little risk. 
Hope this helped! Listen to the advice of your dentist who evaluated your tooth. 

Yes. Please use toothpaste on your crowns twice a day along with floss, too. 

Functionally they work the same. However, ceramic are more esthetic. Depending on where the implant is going to be in your mouth (incisors vs molars) the ceramic may give a nicer looking restoration because the metal ones can be somewhat visible in the anterior region where tissue is thinner. 

Yes, but you should skip the crackers. 

As much as my addled brain would love to give you a sassy answer, I will refrain and only say - No, it does not. Nor will it heal decay or periodontal disease. Abrasives like charcoal, baking soda, or some whitening toothpastes remove superficial staining from the outermost layer of your enamel. To really lighten the color of your teeth, you must use some type of bleaching agent containing carbamide peroxide, which can enter the deeper layers of our teeth and lighten the dentin. 

Even after a successful root canal, it is very common to have discomfort for several days following the procedure. Though the root canal removes all the nerve tissue inside the tooth, there are still nerves surrounding the root of the tooth in the socket. Be sure to take any prescribed antibiotics as directed and if you still have pain after 1 week, call the dentist who did your root canal and have it checked out.

Short answer - maybe. It depends on what is causing your root to hurt. You need to see a dentist and have an X-ray and exam to determine the cause of your pain. The solution could be as simple as needing a filling or an occlusal guard or more complicated like a root canal or even an extraction. Do not delay seeking appropriate dental care - dental infections can be very serious.

Yes! Flossing is a necessity. Flossing should be done at least once daily to remove food debris, oral bacteria and plaque from the teeth surfaces. Even the best tooth-brusher in the world cannot clean the interproximal contact areas of the teeth without floss. Imagine driving 5 cars through the mud so they are covered completely in filth. Then park the cars so the doors are touching. You can wash and scrub the front, back and top all day long, but when you drive the cars apart, the doors will still be nasty. Its the same with your teeth - you have to use floss to scrub the sides of the teeth to keep them clean and healthy.

If a tooth is becoming abscessed and infected, the tooth will either need to be extracted or need root canal treatment if there is enough tooth left to restore. Simply putting a filling in will not help the infection and often makes it worse as it "bottles up" infection inside the tooth. I can't give you a definite answer without seeing yours, but I would consult a dental professional in your area ASAP as dental infections can spread and become life-threatening.

First off, if you are not seeing a dentist routinely for cleanings, I would do that. A lot of yellow stain can be cleaned off with a good cleaning. Following professional cleaning, if you do not have cavities, you could try whitening products. Crest Whitestrips and similar over-the-counter products do work effectively to remove stains from your teeth. If you have decay though, whitening products will make you sensitive - that's why we recommend a good cleaning and check-up prior to use.