Understanding Dental Terms

Going to the dentist does not have to cause anxiety, though it does for some people. Understanding some of the basic dental terms and procedures may alleviate some of the stress. If you hear the dentist say that a bitewing is required, don’t worry, it’s just a name for a single x-ray showing upper and lower teeth. Some of the common terms that are used in the dentist’s office, by dentists and dental hygienists, are listed below.

Names of Your Teeth

Beginning from the front of your mouth, the incisors are the first four lower and upper teeth. They are used for cutting and biting food, along with the cuspids. The cuspids are the third from the center and are sometimes called canines. The bicuspids are the next teeth in line, the fourth and fifth ones that have only two cusps (points). They are mainly for chewing and grinding food. They are positioned right in front of the molars. The molars are the three back teeth that grind the food. They are located in the upper and lower quadrant. Wisdom teeth are the last molars that erupt through the gums in the back of your mouth. As these teeth come in last, usually around ages 18 to 25, they are sometimes positioned in a way that requires an extraction for the health of the surrounding teeth.

Dental Procedure Terms

Dental extractions are the removal of teeth by a D.D.S (Doctor of Dental Surgery). Wisdom teeth will sometimes need to be removed by extraction methods, but not always. Teeth that cannot be saved will need to be extracted, but the teeth that simply have small cavities will only need to have a filling. Fillings are used when there are cavities present inside or around a tooth. The dentist will clear out the decay with a drill or other tool and then fill the hole with resin or porcelain material. A root canal is a procedure that saves an abscessed tooth from an extraction, if it is possible to save. The pulp chamber is disinfected and cleaned, and then a permanent filling is placed inside the tooth. Root canals do not involve pain for most patients since local anesthetic is injected around the area in which the dentist will be working. Dentures are necessary when the teeth are unable to be saved. It involves replacing your natural teeth with artificial teeth. Dentures come in two forms, partial and complete. Partial dentures are used when some of the natural teeth remain, while complete dentures are used when none of the teeth can be saved.

Preventative Maintenance Terms

Your dentist may tell you to brush with fluoride toothpaste and floss daily. This means to use toothpaste with fluoride properties added. Fluoride is a mineral that strengthens tooth enamel to avoid decay. It is naturally ingested through water and food. An important procedure during annual cleanings is the fluoride treatment because it is applied directly to the teeth. Floss is a waxed, thread-like material to clean between all of the teeth. Dental hygienists can teach you the proper way to hold the pieces of floss and the correct amount of pressure to use when flossing.

Tips for Maintaining the Best Smile Possible

The future of your happiness and your smile depends on several factors that include taking care of your teeth, getting annual checkups, fluoride treatments, and seeking solutions for cavities and tooth ache pain. The first tip for maintaining the best smile is to visit the dentist at regular intervals. The dentist can keep your smile healthy by taking preventative measures and correct possible issues if they arise. Even small children should be taught the maintenance tips to ensure a lifelong healthy smile, and pediatric dentists can give further advice for young children. It is advised to take your child to the dentist when their teeth have erupted fully. When you practice good oral hygiene on a daily basis and the following maintenance advice, your child will follow your lead.

Proper Oral Hygiene

Beginning in infancy, teeth require proper oral hygiene in order to stay healthy. Even before your child has his first tooth, you should be cleaning his mouth with a soft cloth. Your baby should never be put in bed with a bottle. This would allow the liquids to sit on the teeth for extended periods and could lead to cavities and dental issues. From age six months to sixteen years old is approximately the most important time frame for preventing problems, though good oral hygiene is vital at any age. Dentists recommend daily routines of flossing and brushing for the best smile possible. Morning and evening are the best times to get into the habit of brushing your teeth; although after chewing candy or sweets would be another pertinent time.

Annual Fluoride Treatments

The American Dental Association recommends flossing daily and brushing your teeth with fluoride toothpaste twice a day, along with having fluoride treatments regularly.  Fluoride is a mineral that strengthens your teeth enamel. It allows the teeth to be less susceptible to issues like cavities and gum infections. Water and some foods that are ingested contain fluoride, but the dentist needs to apply the gel directly to the teeth for best results. When you visit the dentist for your cleaning, the fluoride may be applied by either brushing it on or by inserting it into a mouth guard for application. It is also important to continue fluoride treatments into adulthood, to avoid having other dental problems.

Consult your Dentist for a Tooth Ache

Having tooth ache pain could be an indicator that there is infection from simple decay or cavities, or something more serious like an impacted tooth. Gum disease can also cause pain that feels like a tooth ache. Emerging wisdom teeth can also create this type of pain. A visit to the dentist is important in order to correct the problem or the affected tooth could die and be lost. Sometimes, the tooth ache pain will feel like all of your teeth are affected, but the dentist will be able to pinpoint the exact tooth, whether it is one of your bicuspids, cuspids, or molars. The proper solution might never be determined without the help of the dental professional. Sore and bleeding gums, along with jaw pain are other good reasons to see the dentist for maintaining the best smile possible.

Overcoming the Fear of Dental Work

Fear of visiting the dentist is quite common, however, it can be overcome when you know what to expect once you arrive. Everyone feels differently about a dentist visit, and some have even avoided visiting the dentist because of fear. Some people may have even had past traumatic experiences during dental work, which increases their fear. Preparing for the dental appointment will include knowing the facts and procedure steps that will be taken. The fear will subside when you know exactly what will occur while you are there. Many dentist offices will offer headphones for the patient if the drilling sounds scare you. You can check with the office when you arrive for your appointment. Some of the common procedures are listed here for alleviating fears and gaining precise knowledge before your appointment begins.

X-rays

The first thing that will happen during the dental appointment is a visual inspection of your mouth, teeth, and gums by the dentist. The dental hygienists may be the ones doing this initial part, depending upon the dentist. The inspection will show some of the possible problems, but x-rays will be necessary for other issues like impacted wisdom teeth and bone loss from periodontal disease (gum disease).  In addition, the small decay in between teeth isn’t visible without taking x-rays. The dental hygienists will place a plastic device between your molars and ask you to bite down to hold it in place for the x-rays. This procedure is painless, so there should be no fear involved with the x-ray and visual inspection portion of the appointment.

Anesthetic

When there is a problem that requires dental work like root canals, dental extractions, crowns or fillings, the area will be numbed with local anesthesia. The anesthetic is injected into the gums around the area where the dental work will be performed, so that the patient will not feel any pain during the procedure. Some dentists offer nitrous oxide for calming patient anxiety before the anesthesia is injected. A slight discomfort may occur upon insertion of the anesthesia needle, but will quickly subside as the numbing takes effect. Within about ten minutes or so, you should be numb in the area where the dentist will be working.

Drilling and Filling

If your dentist finds cavities, you will need to get a filling in order to get rid of tooth ache pain and prevent further dental work. The decay needs to be removed with a drill or other tool before the filling material is applied. This is normally the area that most patients fear the most. However, the fear is unnecessary after the numbing has taken affect. The patient may feel a slight amount of pressure, but there’s no reason to be overly concerned about pain. As stated earlier, if the drilling sounds scare you, ask if they have headphones available to calm your fears. After the dentist rids the tooth of the decay, a porcelain or resin material will be packed into the hollow tooth for restoring the tooth structure. Polishing the tooth will complete the procedure and you will leave the office with a repaired tooth and a smile on your face.

Dental Symptoms to Discuss with Your Dentist

Everyone knows that it is important to maintain a good relationship with their dentist and have annual checkups and cleanings, but some symptoms may not seem important enough to make an additional appointment. However, there are several symptoms that your dentist should be consulted about, in order to prevent bigger dental issues. A few of them are listed here for your review, but anything that causes pain or concern should be discussed with your dental professional. 

Frequent Bad Breath

Bad breath doesn’t just affect your personal relationships; it can also indicate medical or dental conditions. It can be caused by smoking, not keeping your mouth clean, things you eat, or dry mouth, but it can also be an early sign of periodontal disease (gum disease). You can reduce the amount of bad breath that you get by brushing and flossing daily. Both practices are vital in preventing gum disease. You can also brush your tongue to get rid of lingering bacteria. If your family has a history of gum disease, it is even more important to follow a strict regime of brushing and flossing your teeth regularly. Breath mints can only improve the smell of your bad breath, but the dentist can correct what is causing it. 

Sore Gums or Sensitive Teeth

Both of these symptoms, sensitive teeth and sore gums, can be caused by conditions that may require dental work. If your teeth bother you when eating hot or cold foods, it is safe to say that you have sensitive teeth. This should be discussed with the dentist to see if it could be the result of gum disease, worn fillings, fractured teeth, tooth decay, or worn tooth enamel. Exposed tooth root from gum recession can also cause sensitivity to cold and hot. Sore gums would also be an area to discuss with your dentist. Bleeding gums could be a sign of early gum disease or it could be from brushing or flossing incorrectly. The diagnosis and treatment will depend upon the source, and the dentist will examine areas to determine the best avenue of correction. 

Tooth Ache

Any type of tooth ache should be discussed with the dentist on your regular checkup appointment, if it isn’t severe enough to make an emergency visit. Having a tooth ache is an indicator of dental issues, but sometimes you can’t tell which of the teeth is affected. It may just feel like your whole face and jaw is hurting. The dentist will be able to pinpoint the exact tooth and the reason for the pain. It could be anything from cavities to gum disease. Impacted wisdom teeth or other problems under the surface could also cause the pain. Your dentist will examine your teeth by taking an x-ray to locate the source of the issue and then determine the course of action to correct the problem and alleviate the pain. If you have any of the above symptoms, call your dentist for an appointment before it’s too late. Some dental work may need to be performed immediately. If you wait too long, you will take the risk of allowing the tooth to die before getting treatment.