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Common Problems Crooked teeth Having crooked teeth or large gaps between your teeth can cause problems. Food and bacteria could get stuck between the teeth which could cause decay. Similarly, if your teeth stick out, this could cause problems, either with mouth ulcers and decay, or with speech problems. Your dentist might suggest that you have your teeth straightened through orthodontics - by wearing a brace. The majority of orthodontics is carried out on teenagers, but increasing numbers of adults are opting for orthodontics too. Your dentist will probably refer you to a specialist - an orthodontist - who will take examine and probably x-ray your teeth to see how best to straighten them. Mouth ulcers Mouth ulcers can be uncomfortable. They look similar to small blisters and can be caused by a tooth rubbing against the tongue or cheek, a lack of vitamin B12, anaemia or even stress. Treatment of ulcers is quite simple and they will usually heal within 7 days. If they last for more than two weeks, you should go and see your dentist as they may be an early indication of something more serious. If you have a mouth ulcer, you can help clear them up by using a special antiseptic mouthwash or with special pastilles. These are available from most chemists and pharmacies - just ask the pharmacist for advice. Having a healthy diet can help prevent mouth ulcers and ensure you keep in good health generally. Remember to eat five portions of fruit and vegetables a day. If you have an ulcer, avoid citrus fruits and tomatoes as the acid may aggravate it. When Accidents Happen Accidents happen, especially if you're playing sports. You can help avoid injuries when playing sports by wearing a specially-fitted mouthguard. However if your teeth do get, chipped or damaged, then your dentist may be able to repair them. If a tooth gets knocked out completely, there is a chance that they can be put back in by a dentist. Simply follow these steps:
If you can't put the tooth back in, try this: Go to your dentist immediately. Treatments Braces The type of brace - or appliance - will depend on how much your teeth need to be straightened. One of the most common is the fixed or 'train track' brace. The orthodontist will glue small metal or tooth-coloured blocks directly to each tooth, then run a fine wire through those blocks. Special elastic bands may then be added to help straighten the teeth. The wire and the bands are tightened and adjusted on a regular basis. Another common type of brace is the removable brace. This is a special plate which either sits in the roof of the mouth or just under the tongue with a special wire that runs across the teeth to pull them into line. A similar type of appliance is the retainer This is used following the removal of the 'train track' type brace to make sure the teeth stay in position. One of the newer types of brace is like a transparent cover for the teeth which, when adjusted regularly, has a similar effect as the other braces. This type of brace is proving popular with adults as it is barely visible. Fillings and Restorations If part of a tooth has been lost through decay or damaged due to an accident, your dentist may put in a filling. A filling will plug the hole and stop any future pain or discomfort. A filling can be made out of a variety of materials. The most common of these are amalgam (silver) or composite (white). Silver fillings are made of a material called amalgam, which is a mixture of mercury, silver, tin, copper, and other metals. Amalgam fillings are very hardwearing which is why they are often put into the back chewing teeth. Some people opt for white fillings which match the colour of the natural tooth better. White fillings are becoming more popular, but, for the back teeth, they are only available privately. If you need a filling in one of your front teeth, you can get a composite filling. Having wisdom teeth taken out Sometimes there may not be room in your mouth for your wisdom teeth and, as they start to come through, they push against the teeth already there or may start to come through at an angle. When this happens, you might feel some pain or discomfort, so the best thing to do is to visit your dentist. The dentist will probably take an x-ray of your mouth to see how - or if - your wisdom teeth are coming through. From this, they will be able to make a judgement on whether or not to take them out, and how easy or difficult it might be. These days, dentists are less likely to remove wisdom teeth, unless there is a problem with decay or infection. Often - especially if the teeth are already partway through - your dentist will be able to remove the wisdom teeth at their practice. However, if they think it might be difficult, they will probably refer you to a hospital where you can have them removed. Tooth Extraction Having a tooth out is the same as having an operation and, because of this, you must look after the area to speed healing and to reduce the risk of infection. Here are some pointers:
Your dentist may have given you some gauze to place onto the area where the tooth has been removed - if not, a clean cloth handkerchief will do just as well (but not a paper tissue).
Oral Hygiene Bad breath Having bad breath can have a drastic effect on your social life - not to mention your love life. But don't panic - it's usually very easy to sort out. Bad breath is mostly caused by strong smelling food or drink, smoking or by not brushing your teeth properly. If you want to keep your breath - and your mouth - nice and fresh, you need to make sure you're brushing properly, using a fluoride toothpaste and a toothbrush with a small head. This will let you get into all the nooks and crannies in your mouth and help you get rid of all the old bits of food and bacteria that might be lurking there. Use small circular motions with the brush and don't forget to brush the backs of the teeth and your tongue, as bacteria can hide here too. If you're worried that your breath smells, don't be tempted to just suck on a mint and hope the problem goes away. Most mints are full of sugar and what that will do is feed the bacteria already in your mouth and make the problem worse. If you can't get to a toothbrush and toothpaste, try chewing some sugar-free gum. This will stimulate the saliva in your mouth which can then help flight the bacteria. Smoking Smoking can have a massive effect on your mouth. Not only will it give you bad breath, it can reduce your ability to taste things, stain your teeth and, in some cases, cause mouth cancer. Giving up smoking isn't easy, so the best thing is never to start. Don't be pressured by your friends to start. Whatever they say, it doesn't look cool. And if you're tempted, remember what an ashtray smells like, and ask yourself if you really want your breath, your hair and your clothes to smell like that. ORTHODONTICS Introduction Orthodontics is a specialist form of dentistry which aims to straighten the teeth to produce a healthier bite. Although more and more adults are having braces, the majority of patients are in their teens. Treatment usually lasts around 18 months, although it will depend on the type of brace fitted and how much treatment is needed. Your orthodontist will explain your course of treatment to you and what you will need to do to keep your brace clean. Although you will have regular check-ups with your orthodontist, it will be up to you to look after your brace on a day-to-day basis. This area of the site will give you information about your treatment, as well as advice on getting the most from your brace Fixed braces Fixed braces are often referred to as 'train track' braces. The orthodontist attaches metal or tooth-coloured brackets - small blocks - to the teeth and then runs a special wire over the brackets to pull the teeth into the right position. Because the brackets are stuck to the teeth, you won't be able to take the brace off during your treatment. When the brace is first fitted, it may feel strange and possibly uncomfortable. Because the brackets are raised, they may rub against the inside of your lips or cheeks. Your orthodontist will give you some special wax to prevent this rubbing which should make it more comfortable. You may also find that, for the first few days, your jaw aches because of the pressure of the brace. If this is the case, you may find a painkiller helps - the sort of thing you might take for a headache will be fine. If the discomfort lasts longer than a few days, though, you may wish to go back to your orthodontist, who can then readjust the brace. Although you'll still be able to eat most of the foods you were eating before, you will need to take care not to damage your brace. There are some foods that you'll need to cut out altogether though:
With other foods, like apples, you might need to cut them up, but you'll still be able to eat them. Because your brace provides food with more places to hide, you'll need to be extra careful with your hygiene routine. Brushing your teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste is essential, and you may also find using a fluoride mouthwash last thing at night is helpful to protect your teeth while you sleep. If you don't look after your teeth while you're wearing your brace, they may become permanently stained. As well as the brace itself, your orthodontist may attach elastic bands to it to increase the pressure on certain teeth. Some brace wearers customise their braces with coloured elastics. Once the brace is taken off, you will need to wear a retainer brace which is removable. Retainers Once your fixed braces have been removed, you will need to wear a retainer to make sure the teeth don't move back to their original position. You'll probably need to wear the retainer for around six months - all the time at first, and then probably just at night. Your orthodontist will tell you when you can make this change - don't be tempted to reduce your wear of the retainer yourself, as this could have an impact on your treatment. Brushing your teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and keeping your diet healthy is important whether you wear a retainer or not, but you should be especially aware of cutting down on sugary snacks and fizzy drinks, as these may case more damage to your teeth while you are wearing your retainer. You should take your retainer off when you brush your teeth but make sure you give it a clean too to get rid of any old food. If you are using your toothbrush, though, do be careful not to damage the retainer. Even if your brace is removable, you should still wear it for the amount of time recommended by your orthodontist. Don't be tempted to flick it in and out as, not only will this not help your treatment, it may also damage your retainer. FAQs I want to have my tongue pierced. Will it damage my teeth? There is a temptation to fiddle with a tongue piercing and this can damage the teeth - biting down on the metal could chip your teeth. There are other risks that go with having your tongue pierced. It could cause an infection, which might make your tongue swell. If this happens, you run the risk of blocking your airway. An infection could also cause blood poisoning, which could be life-threatening. I'd like a jewel fitted in my tooth. How can I do it? Having a diamond or other jewel fitted into the front of one of your teeth can be quite fashionable, but it should be done properly. Dentists are in the best position to do this as the procedure involves applying acid and a very strong glue to the tooth. Don't be temtped to ask an unqualified person to do it - if it's not applied properly, it may work loose and could be a choking hazard. |
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