Dr. Sims FAQ

Having the healthiest possible gums and teeth requires a lifetime commitment. The
tips that are detailed below can help you avoid the debilitating infection of the gums
known as periodontal disease.
Every day, you need to take care of your teeth. Ideally you should do this by brushing
within the first hour of eating. You should also flush debris from in and around your
teeth by vigorously swishing a mouthful of water or mouthwash. And you should floss
at least once a day.
Always make sure that you schedule regular dental checkups. This way, you have a
chance at receiving an early diagnosis and treatment of periodontal disease before it
gets out of hand. Make sure your dentist restores any broken or missing teeth to
maintain a proper bite and good oral health. And while you're at it, have your
hygienist/dentist clean your teeth at least twice a year, more often if needed.
Long-term users of smokeless tobacco are 50 times more likely to develop oral cancer
than non-users. Stopping the use of all tobacco products can eliminate the cause of
some bad breath and stains on the teeth, and help you to avoid oral cancer and other
serious problems.
There are a number of signs that warn us of impending dental health issues. For
example, if bad breath remains even after you've brushed, decay or periodontal
disease may be present. If your gums are puffy or bleeding, you might have
periodontal disease. If your teeth seem to be getting "longer", it may be a sign of bone
recession. If warning signs are ignored for to long, gum disease and/or tooth loss may
result. These problems can be minimized or eliminated with the proper dental
treatment.
Healthy teeth and gums are vitally important to living a happy and fulfilling life. Teeth
and gums don't take care of themselves. Each of us must do our part, such as brushing
and flossing on a regular basis. Your dentist will help you improve and maintain your
oral health.

Do you often wake up with a dull headache or a sore jaw? Do you sometimes find
yourself clenching your teeth?

Until you experience pain, or have a dental checkup, you may not realize that you
have a condition called BRUXISM or TMJ disorder a habit of grinding or clenching the
teeth.

Many people are unaware that they grind their teeth because this happen while they
sleep. They may wake up with a headache, toothache or a earache. In addition to
causing discomfort, grinding can wear away or fracture tooth enamel and may
eventually loosen teeth.

Bruxism or TMJ can develop at any age, and children as well as adults can have the
habit of grinding their teeth. Although the causes of bruxism are not really known,
several factors may be involved. Stressful situations, problems sleeping, an abnormal
bite, and crooked or missing teeth may be responsible.

Regular dental checkups are important to detect damage in the early stages. Your
dentist can diagnose and treat irregular wear on teeth and determine the source of
facial pain that may result from bruxism or TMJ.

Based on your dentist's diagnosis, one ore more treatments may be recommended. The
dentist may suggest a nightguard that can be worn while sleeping. Custom-made by the
dentist from soft material to fit your teeth, the nightguard slips over the upper and/or
lower teeth and prevents contact between them. In addition providing cushioning. The
nightguard relieves some of the pressure of grinding and clenching.

When everyday stress seems to be a major cause of bruxism. It may be helpful to find
ways to relax, like listening to music, reading a book, taking a walk or enjoying a warm
bath. Applying a warm, wet washcloth to the side of the face may help relax muscles
that have become sore from clenching. If you have difficulty handling stress,
counseling may point to effective ways for dealing with stressful situations.

An abnormal bite, one in which teeth do not fit well together, may lead to grinding.
Treatment may involve reducing the "high spots" on one or more teeth. For serious
cases, your dentist may suggest reshaping or reconstructing the biting surfaces with
inlays or crowns.

Grinding is a common occurrence for many people at some time or another. If you
suspect that you are routinely grinding your teeth, see your dentist about protecting
your smile.

When should your child first see a dentist? How do you treat a cold sore? What
can you do to alleviate dry mouth? Dr. Sims Dentistry has the answers to these and
several other of our patients' most frequently asked questions.

When should my child first see a dentist? Most children should have their first visit
by the age of two. If a child is seen early the overall dental development can be
observed and any abnormalities or discoloration of the teeth will be noted. The
dentist can also educate the parents on thumb sucking, cavity prevention, pacifiers
and teething problems. If problems are suspected before the age of two years it is
best to call your dentist to arrange a first visit for your child at that time.
How many times a day should a child brush? It is rare that a child can find the time
or the discipline to brush three times a day as is recommended for adults. However, it
is very important that all children brush at least twice a day, once after breakfast and
once before bedtime. Most of the bacteria that causes decay does the preponderance
of its damage while the mouth is at rest and the child is asleep.

Can adults have braces? Yes! Adults can benefit from orthodontics. If an adult suffers
from a "bad bite" it can lead to many other problems (See "TM Disorder" and
"Periodontal Disease") that can be more difficult to treat. A dentist can formulate a
custom treatment plan after a comprehensive exam is done, including X-rays, study
models, and photographs of the face. Once the treatment plan is agreed upon the
treatment will be phased and the bands, brackets and wires will be placed. If a
removable appliance is used impressions will be taken for a retainer type appliance
(See "Orthodontics"). The active phase of orthodontics takes frequent visits to the
dentist and the total time required for orthodontic treatment usually takes longer than
for children because the facial bones in an adult have stopped growing. While both
adult and children's orthodontics requires a commitment, most patients agree that the
results are worth the financial and personal investment.

My gums bleed, do I have periodontal disease? Bleeding gums alone does not mean
that someone has periodontal (gum) disease, although bleeding gums are one of the
warning signs that periodontal disease may be present (See "Periodontal Surgery").
Some other signs of periodontal disease that should alert you to visit the dentist for an
examination are: Persistent bad breath, separating, loose or flaring teeth, a change in
the way your teeth bite together, gums that have pulled away from the teeth, gums
that are swollen, red or tender, and pus between teeth and gums when gums are
pressed. Most people do not experience any pain due to gum disease, so it is difficult
for patients to diagnose gum disease in the early, very treatable stage. Regular dental
check-ups, including a periodontal exam, by your dentist is an important step in early
detection of periodontal disease. Your dentist can design a personalized oral hygiene
program that fits your special needs and maximizes the opportunity to keep your teeth
for life!

How do I treat a cold sore? First, it has to be established if the lesion is a cold sore
or a canker sore. This can be easily done by your dentist. Cold sores (or fever blisters)
usually form in groups as tiny lesions around the mouth or lips and sometimes under the
nose. Cold sores are associated with the herpes simplex virus and are very contagious.
Once a person is infected with the virus associated with cold sores the person will
always keep the virus in their system. Recurrent attacks usually happen when a person
is exposed to a fever, sunburn or an increase in stress. Cold sores last about a week
and can be temporarily relieved by some over-the-counter anesthetics and by
anti-viral drugs that have been recently released by various pharmaceutical
companies. Canker sores (or aphthous ulcer) are small ulcers appearing as a single sore
within the mouth. Canker sores are caused by an immune response and are not
contagious. Fatigue, stress or even allergies can increase the likelihood that a canker
sore may occur. Hot foods and drinks can also contribute to canker sores. Canker sores
also last about a week. People suffering from canker sores should avoid hot, spicy
foods and use over-the-counter remedies to decrease the irritation. Sometimes
antibiotics also can be used. Remember, the major difference between cold sores and
canker sores is whether the sore is located outside or inside the oral cavity.

Do I need an antibiotic in connection with my regular dental cleaning
(prophylaxis)? Some people need to take antibiotics in connection with their regular
dental cleaning (prophylaxis) due to the existence of other medical conditions that
might allow bacteria to infect a certain area of the body, especially the heart. For
these patients, antibiotics are usually taken by the patient one hour before the
appointment and then again at a designated time after the appointment is finished.
During a dental cleaning (prophylaxis), bacteria is removed from under the gum-line,
this bacteria may get into the bloodstream where it can accumulate and do damage to
areas of the body that have been previously compromised (i.e., a heart valve due to
mitral valve prolapse (MVP) or a recently completed knee replacement). This is why it
is very important to inform your dentist of any changes in your medical history,
including allergies to any antibiotics or other types of medications.

My mouth is always dry, what can I do? Dry mouth (or xerostomia) is a condition
caused by a decrease in the flow of the saliva. Dry mouth can affect many different
people and a decrease in the salivary flow can lead to more potential problems in the
mouth, from an increase in tooth decay to infection of the gum tissue. Saliva keeps
the harmful bacteria in the mouth in constant motion; without the saliva the toxins
produced by the bacteria can cause tooth and gum damage. People who commonly
suffer from dry mouth include those who are taking certain medications, those
receiving radiation for head and/or neck cancer, those who are diabetic and those
who have a salivary gland disease. Dry mouth also is caused by Sjogren's Syndrome
(Show-grins), an autoimmune disease with no know cure, that causes the moisture
secreting glands of the mouth to dry up. To help increase moisture in the mouth try
sugarless lozenges or increase water consumption. There also are oral lubricants that
can be bought over-the-counter and fluoride gels and mouthwashes that can be
applied to keep the teeth protected. If you suffer from dry mouth, see your dentist
regularly and brush and floss diligently to help prevent decay.