Your “Ask Us” responses

Your dental questions answered by the experts of Southern Boulevard Dental.

The following questions were from a live chat held July 30, 2010

KRQE Admin: Martin Goebbel, DDS - My background: I have been a dentist for 32+ years. I have provided general dentistry services to the New Mexico communities for 31 of those years. The changes that have occurred in dentistry over that period are mind boggling. Materials and technologies employed in dentistry are continually evolving- almost on a daily basis. I tend to be a technology buff and incorporate the latest proven systems into my practice. Doing so requires attendance at numerous educational classes, seminars and clinics. I continually strive to provide the utmost in patient care coupled with old-fashioned customer service treating each patient as if a family member.

Martin Goebbel: Welcome to Live Chat! I'm Martin Goebbel, DDS. Looking forward to answering your questions on Dentistry.

Question: Brush first, then floss? Or floss then brush? Does it matter? I've heard different things. Thanks!

Martin Goebbel: Brushing first is usally better as it removesthe bigger debris and then the floss removes the debris between the teeth.

Question: I have a tooth that is sensitive to both hot and cold. I have been using Sensodyne but it doesn't seem to help. Should I be concerned?

Martin Goebbel: There is a possibilty that you have a cavity or some gum recession that may need professional attention.

Question: If I want dentures, but still have some bad teeth, what is the procedure?

Martin Goebbel: There are several ways to procede. An immediate denture can be fabricated prior to removal of the remaining teeth so that you are not without teeth. Or the teeth can be removed and the mouth is allowed to heal for 2-3 months before the denture is made. Alot depends on the condition of your mouth.

Question: I have a few crowns including 3 molars. My 4th molar is deteriorating. A friend of mine just has her back teeth pulled which seems much less expensive and less nerve-wracking than the process of getting a crown. Should I just go with the extraction?

Martin Goebbel: Saving a tooth is always preferred. Depending on the location of the tooth in question, shifting of the remaining teeth could occur, Preparing a tooth for a crown is much less invasive then extraction.

Question: At what age should toddlers go the dentist?

Martin Goebbel: The latest research indicated that a relationship with the dentist should be established by age 1. There are preventative measures that can be taken to help keep children cavity free.

Question: What is the best way to keep your teeth white, other than not drinking coffee or drinking red wine. Is there a natural recipe?

Martin Goebbel: Brushing regularly- for heavy coffee drinkers this may be 3-4 times per day will help minimize the staining of the teeth. Also, seeing your hygienist regularly will help remove the surface stains.

Question: I've lost a couple of lower back teeth, but still have my two upper teeth opposite...would you recommend implants or a bridge? If implants, I hear that is a painful process is that true

Martin Goebbel: The best way to correct your problem depends on the condition of your remaining teeth. Whether a partial denture, a fixed bridge of implants are best can only be determined by a comprehensive examination. Implants are not as painful as you might think.

Question: I have veneers and am concerned about them as I get older. Are they permanent or can they fall out as normal teeth do? If so, what can I do to prevent losing them?

Martin Goebbel: Veneers can be permanent. The veneer may come off the tooth, but it can be recemented. With proper maintenance- good home care and regular periodontal cleanings to prevent gum recession, the veneers will last.

Question: My niece was told that she needs braces. She is 10 years old. At what age should they consider seeing an orthodontist. Is it possible she should seek a second opinion from another dentist? I am concerned that she is too young and wouldnt her mouth change if she were to get braces now?

Martin Goebbel: Children should have an orthodontic evaluation between the ages of 6 and 8. Certain orthodontic conditions lend themselves well to interceptive treatment which will limit the amount of time spent in braces later.

Question: About once a year I get this soreness in the back of the jaw where a wisdom tooth might be but I know there isn't one there. I went to the dentist once for this. They X-rayed and couldn't find a problem. By taking an anti-inflammatory, eg advil, the pain would go away in a couple of days. I am assuming I am just getting gum inflammation but it seems deep within the gums. Make sense?

Martin Goebbel: It sounds as if you may have a periodontal defect in the area that becomes inflamed. This may have come from the position of the wisdom tooth before it was extracted, When food/biofilm collects in the defect, the gum becomes inflamed.

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