Dr. Amy G. David

Composite, tooth colored, fillings last between 7 and 10 years on average. They can last longer, or fail sooner, depending on the area of the mouth. If a tooth is hard to clean or maintain free from plaque, the filling will fail sooner. Some people have softer teeth than others, and are more cavity prone. If that is the case, a filling may not last as long there as well. Even after a tooth is restored, anywhere there is natural tooth structure where plaque or food can remain for extended periods of time, a new cavity can occur. Increasing your fluoride can help protect and prolong dental restorations and routine cleanings to make sure that all areas of the mouth are being maintained properly can help minimize your risk.

I would definitely add flossing to your daily routine. Also, if you have recession, pocketing or deeper restorations in any area of the mouth, a water pik can really help maintain those areas and improve gingival health.

Clove oil asks as a topical anesthetic, and has been show in studies to be as effective as Benzocaine or products like Orajel. It can give pain relief for teeth that have small cavities, and does have some antibacterial properties. If a tooth has an active infection, any topical pain relief is not going to work miracles. Antibiotics and systemic pain medicine will be needed. You should see your local dentist regularly, even in the absence of pain. If you are having sensitivity or pain with a tooth, seeing a dentist is very important to prevent a potential problem from getting worse.

Clove oil is not for everyone. It has a strong and sometimes unpleasant taste, and if large quantities are accidentally ingested, it too can have side effects. It was widely used in dentistry before the advent of more commercial anesthetics, and research shows it works thanks to its active ingredient, eugenol, the same compound responsible for the plant’s aroma. Clove
oil can be found in most health food stores for a few dollars a bottle. To use it, apply a very small amount to a cotton swab or piece of tissue and apply gently to the affected area. Although considered safe when used correctly in small amounts, it can cause liver and respiratory problems when ingested in large quantities.

Bad breath can be caused by a wide variety of issues. If you haven't been to the dentist in a while, having an oral examination to rule out any hidden periodontal issues, cavities or sources of food impaction is a good first step. Bacteria on the back of your tongue can also be a significant source. Try using a tongue scraper on a regular basis, and really get back as far as you can. You might see an amazing difference. Bad breath can also be caused by tonsil stones. If that is the case, there are several things you can do to treat and prevent them. Your dentist can go through those if that seems to be the cause. Bad breath can also be caused by several metabolic diseases. So...start with an oral exam to determine a cause there, and then go see your doctor if the problem persists.

Around 99% calcium present in your body is stored in your bones and teeth. Naturally, if your calcium levels drop, you’ll be susceptible to toothache and decay. Also, you’ll be at a greater risk of suffering from periodontal disease. In children, calcium deficiency has been linked to delayed and defective teething. Try looking into other sources of calcium that you can increase in his diet. I have little ones...and that is easier said than done. I have listed a few options below that you might/could sneak into smoothies or into dishes you are cooking.

- Seeds are tiny nutritional powerhouses. Some are high in calcium, including poppy, sesame, celery and chia seeds.

- Almonds are the nuts highest in calcium. An ounce of almonds, or about 22 nuts, delivers 8% of the RDI.

- Whey is exceptionally rich in calcium. A 1-oz scoop of whey protein powder isolate contains 20% of the RDI.

- Dried figs have more calcium than other dried fruits - 5% of the RDI in an ounce.

Clove oil asks as a topical anesthetic, and has been show in studies to be as effective as Benzocaine or products like Orajel. It can give pain relief for teeth that have small cavities, and does have some antibacterial properties. If a tooth has an active infection, any topical pain relief is not going to work miracles. Antibiotics and systemic pain
medicine will be needed. You should see your local dentist regularly, even in the absence of pain. If you are having sensitivity or pain with a tooth, seeing a dentist is very important to prevent a potential problem from getting worse.

Clove oil is not for everyone. It has a strong and sometimes unpleasant taste, and if large quantities are accidentally ingested, it too can have side effects. It was widely used in dentistry before the advent of more commercial anesthetics, and research shows it works thanks to its active ingredient, eugenol, the same compound responsible for the plant’s aroma. Clove oil can be found in most health food stores for a few dollars a bottle. To use it, apply a very small amount to a cotton swab or piece of tissue and apply gently to the affected area. Although considered safe when used correctly in small amounts, it can cause liver and respiratory problems when ingested in large quantities.

People with diabetes have a higher than normal risk of periodontal diseases. Periodontal diseases are infections of the gum and bone that hold the teeth in place. In advanced stages, they lead to painful chewing problems and even tooth loss. Like any infection, gum disease can make it hard to keep your blood sugar under control. Bleeding gums can be a sign of periodontal disease or other oral problems. I would definitely get checked out by a dentist, and determine if any periodontal or other
restorative treatment is needed.

Gum recession can be a very slow process that is not very noticeable. It is not uncommon for a new exam to bring up an issue that has been extremely slow growing (and therefore not a alerted) during previous exams. However, brushing too hard is a very common issue...that I suffer from myself!! An electric toothbrush can give you that firm feel, as well as alerting you when you are brushing to hard. I also recommend brushing with your non-dominant hand, or just holding the very end of the toothbrush. A toothbrush should be extra soft, or soft at the most. The most important thing is being aware of your tendency to brush too hard, and being careful in the future.

If a tooth infection is left unchecked to grow...It is possible for it to spread to a neighboring tooth. That would not happen overnight, but it is possible. With an aggressive active infection, I recommend starting on antibiotics for 5-7 days, then returning to treat the cause of the infection. This is either a root canal or an extraction. With the infection calmed down after 5-7 days of antibiotics, you are more able to get fully numb for the determined procedure, and you still have a few more days of antibiotics left to facilitate the healing process.

The short answer is yes. Having pain or a source of infection that could
affect the baby is more detrimental to the baby than dental work. We
routinely do emergency dental work, such as root canals and extractions,
during pregnancy to decrease any sources of infection in the mouth.
Routine Dental work like fillings, that reduces the risk of infection, are
also performed. Preventative dental care is essential to avoid oral
infections such as gum disease. All this said, there are precautions that
we take. All non-essential dental work is postponed until after the baby
is born. If dental work is done during pregnancy, the second trimester is
ideal. Once you reach the third trimester, it may be difficult to lie on
your back for an extended period of time. If dental work is needed, the
amount of anesthesia administered should be as little as possible, but
still enough to make you comfortable. Though the most commonly used
anesthetic, Lidocaine, does cross the placenta after administration, the
stress of pain is has more negative effects than the minimal effects of the
anesthesia. The routine antibiotics prescribed for dental infections are
safe to take during pregnancy as well. Routine x-rays are postponed until
after the pregnancy, but x-rays necessary for the needed dental work are
safe with the appropriate shielding. Especially with the significant
decreases in the amount of radiation needed for digital radiography.
Hopefully all this makes information makes you more comfortable with your
impending appointment! Good luck with the baby!!!

It definitely isn't fair, but periodontal disease is a complicated chronic disease. Even if you work harder than most, brushing and flossing regularly, it can still occur. There are many genetic factors that do play a role in the exacerbation of periodontal disease. Several of these include race, gender, diabetes, smoking and body mass index. Another important factor is that family members inadvertently transfer bacteria from sharing cups and silverware. Seeing your dentist regularly is important, because periodontal disease can sneak up on you, and there may not be any pain or other noticeable symptoms at first. Reaching every surface of all your teeth with regular brushing and flossing is impossible. Getting any buildup that develops in those unreachable areas is important in preventing periodontal problems from beginning or getting worse.

Water-flossing is a great addition to your oral care routine, but nothing
replaces traditional flossing completely. Ideally, we would all do both!!
Flossing helps to disrupt plaque and removed food particles from the curved
surfaces in between your teeth. A water-flosser helps to flush food
particles out of the same area, as well as gums on the inside and outside
of the teeth. However, it does not mechanically disrupt plaque as well as
traditional floss does. Water-flossing is definitely better than doing
nothing, but flossing will always be an important part of the recommended
oral hygiene routine.

Clicking, popping, or crackling of the jaw is a very common problem. For many people, it is stable, causing no pain, or other problems. If that is the case, it can be followed, with no treatment required. However, some jaw popping or clicking is associated with pain, limited opening, or a locked jaw. Sometimes, it can cause bite changes, which might be a sign of a serious problem. If any of these problems occur, it might be necessary to see a specialist to determine the exact cause of the issue. Any time the problem is progressing, a thorough evaluation is required.

If your tooth has been knocked loose, it needs time to heal and tighten back up. As long as it was not knocked out of place, and you are not hitting it when you eat...it might tighten back up on it's own. If it is out of place at all, or if you are hitting it when you eat at all...It is best to see your dentist. He or She can make sure it is in the proper position and stabilize it will a small amount of wire or filling material. After about 2 weeks, the splint can be removed.

With any trauma, there is a chance that the nerve was damaged as well. Even if there is no pain after the initial trauma has healed...watch for a darkening of the tooth, pain that returns, or any signs of changes in the tissue of the gums above the tooth. It is always best to have your local dentist check the tooth with x-rays, to watch for signs that the tooth was irreversibly damaged. Root canals are commonly needed after trauma to a tooth.