Question:  I have two cavities one on the top right back and one on the top left back. Will I get two shots or one? Just wondering having to go to the dentist to get them fixed but really do not like getting the numbing shots.

Answer: More then likely you will need to have two shots one on each side of your mouth. In addition sometimes it will take more then one shot on each side to achieve the desired amount of numbness. However before your dentist starts you can ask him/her how many shots he/she is planing to give you so that you can be prepared for them

Question: I chew tobacco however I make sure to brush my teeth like three times a day. I also floss daily and use a strong mouthwash. I am not at the point where I want to stop chewing tobacco but I also do not want bad oral health.

 Answer: If you can you may wish to rethink chewing or start to slowing reducing how much you chew until you are able to quit completely. The side effects of chewing tobacco are many but since we are talking about your teeth here are the side effects related to just your mouth. I say the risk is not worth taking but that is still your choice.

1) Stained teeth
2) Bad breath
3) Sores on the gums and in the mouth that are stubborn to heal
4) Some of the effects on dental health are escalated by the sugar that is added to the tobacco during processing to improve the taste.
5) A higher risk of developing oral cancer

Is There Any Dental Insurance Available for Getting Braces?

Question: I like to get braces but want to get some help with the cost. Is there any dental insurance plan that helps pay for adult braces?

Answer: Yes you can get dental insurance and dental discount plans to help you with the cost of having braces. With respect to dental insurance make sure the plan you want to buy covers not only braces but braces for an adult if you are over the age of 19. In regards to dental discount plans age is not a factor and in general the average discounted saving is around 20% off.

TMJ pain is often the product of tension-producing stress. Simple relaxation exercises can help.

Here are two relaxation exercises:

* Slowly inhale, allowing your stomach rather than your chest to expand. Exhale slowly while making your exhalation last about as long as your inhalation. Repeat 5-10 times.

* While sitting or lying in a comfortably supported position, tense and release tension from each muscle in your body. Begin with the feet and work upwards to the head.

Strengthening exercises are best to perform between TMJ flare-ups. During times of intense pain, they can make the pain worse.

Here are two strengthening exercises:

* Place a thumb under your chin and push your chin downward against it. Continue opening the mouth against moderate force from your thumb, and then hold it open for 5-10 seconds.

* Open your mouth as wide as you comfortably can. Put your index finger between your chin and lower lip. Push inward while closing your mouth against the resistance.

The temporomandibular joints open, close, and move the jaw. These joints are under pressure from chewing, talking, and other motions. That means they are also a common source of pain, and muscle and joint problems.

Chronic temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain warrants a trip to the doctor or dentist to assess the cause. Teeth grinding often plays a role, as does a habit of tensing the joint without realizing.

Going to the Dentist to Pull a Tooth.

Question: I never had a tooth pull before but one of my back teeth needs to be pull and I am worried about having it done. I am not sure what to expect will I be in a lot of pain during and after. I want to ask questions but I do not want to bug the dentist or get him upset with me for asking stupid questions.

Answer: When going to the dentist and you are unsure of what to expect. Try going to your dentist appointment a little early. Ask the dentist to explain to you what they are going to do in order to pull your tooth. Do not let them pull it until you understand the process. Do not worry about the dentist getting upset, a good dentist will take the time to go over all your questions until you can feel okay with the dental work needed. Also there is no stupid question if you do not know the answer. If your dentist dose not know that you have concerns or worries they can not address them with you. By doing this you will feel better about having the work done and not so worried about it.

How may times you are supposed to brush and floss your teeth a day?

Question: I brush my teeth before I go to bed and floss at least three to four time a week. I do not always remember to floss every day. My mom complains I need to brush and floss more but why I do not have any cavities.

Answer: It is best suggested for good oral and dental hygiene habits that you brush your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes, and floss daily. Though if you do eat something that leaves a film on your teeth or food bits between your teeth, brushing or flossing afterwords is a good idea even if it means brushing three times in a day.

For people who do not have the time or desire to make their own solution, some manufacturers offer retainer cleaners, these products are normally an affordable option.  Yet it is important to follow the directions on the packaging. A few types require the use of a sonic cleaning machine or overnight soaking. Others should not be used on certain types of retainers, or for people with sensitive teeth or gum disease.

An orthodontist may be able to recommend a retainer cleaner that meets your individual needs.

When I was younger I did not take good care of my teeth and gums and got gingivitis. However now I am brushing two to three times a day flossing once or twice a day and using Listerine after brushing my teeth. I also see my dentist two the three time a year depending on what is needed. Yet I like to know if there is anything else I need to do to control or avoid getting gingivitis again that I am not currently doing.

Answer: You stated that you are bushing your teeth two to three times a day. That you also floss at least two times a day and you are using Listerine mouthwash after brushing, as well as seeing your dentist for the required cleaning. I think you are covering all your bases very well. There is not much more you can do. I know that there are some mouthwash that will indicate that they have gingivitis protection maybe look for that.

How Can I Get Over Dental Fear.

Question:  I had a really bad a dentist that hurt me while doing a filling.  After that going to the dentist really scares me. I tend to avoid going even for check up and cleanings.

Answer: I do not know how long ago you had that experience at the dentist. However, this might help you to know that most dentist now will numb your gums before doing dental fillings. It is also a good idea to explain to your dentist about your fears. Dentist are not in the business to cause any one any unnecessary pain. They would not stay in business very long if they were. However if they know about your fears or concerns they can be a little more cautious when treating you.

Mouthwash is designed to help fight against plaque, bacteria, and other deposits in the mouth. It can also clean a retainer if other options are not available.  However, using mouthwash to clean a retainer every time is not ideal and may not clean it thoroughly enough. Mouthwash, containing alcohol, can also dry out both a retainer and the mouth.

If no other options are available, people can try dipping a retainer in non-alcoholic mouthwash for 2-3 minutes, rinsing with cold water, then gently brushing with a soft toothbrush.

Pain After Wisdom Tooth Extraction.

Question: I had two of my wisdom teeth removed three days ago and my jaw still hurts when I try to eat or open it too wide. I worry that I may be getting dry socket since I was told that hurts for a long time and it been three days now.

Answer: Pain after wisdom extraction is normal and for some it does take longer to recover then others. From how you are describing your pain it seems more like a jaw pain then pain from the extractions. This may be because of having your mouth open for a long period of time when they did the extraction. Sometimes because of that your jaw can hurt for a longer period of time. As for it being dry socket. From my understanding dry socket would be very painful, since you are exposing a nerve. So off hand I would say you may not have to worry about it being that. But go see you dentist anyway have him/her confirm what the real issues are so that they can treat you for it.

My Gums Are Pink and Brownish

Question: I brush my teeth twice a day and floss daily I see my dentist at least twice a year and have no cavities. However my gums are mostly pink but in some spots they seem light brownish is that okay?

Answer: It sounds like you are taking really good care of your teeth and gum health. The fact that you are seeing a dentist and he/she has not commented on the color of your gums might be because they are just fine. You may want to directly ask you dentist about your gum color the next time you go in for a check up.

Baking soda is a safe, all-purpose disinfectant which can control bacteria without harming your mouth. Baking soda may also help whiten retainers that have yellowed. It helps to controls bacteria without harsh chemicals and can prevent a retainer from developing pH imbalances that harm the mouth.

To use baking soda: People should create a paste that is half water and half baking soda. The mixture should be thick enough to stick to the retainer. Then scrub the retainer gently with the mixture and a soft toothbrush, just as you would with toothpaste. Residue should be removed by rinsing the retainer, thoroughly.

More people are heading to the emergency room with dental problems. The increase people going to the emergency room with dental problems is largely driven by young adults who do not have dental benefits, according to the ADA Health Policy Resources Center. The number of dental emergency room visits in the U.S. increased from 1.1 million in 2000 to 2.1 million in 2010, according to the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey. The survey also showed dental ER visits as a percent of total ER visits increasing from 1.06 percent in 2000 to 1.65 percent in 2010—a change HPRC cites as statistically significant.

There are many possible reason for having sensitive teeth. One of the reason why you may have sensitive teeth could be that you have a receding gum line that exposes part of your tooth root that is not covered by your tooth enamel. The tooth root which is exposed has tiny tubules leading to the tooth’s nerve center. So when you have hot or cold items it reaches the nerve in your tooth, which can then results in the pain you may feel. The same thing can happen if you have a wearing down of your tooth enamel. Make sure to talk to your dentist about any prolong problem of teeth sensitively

Denture cleaner is safe to clean a retainer with, from time to time, particularly if no other option is available. Over time, however, denture cleaner can turn a retainer yellow.  To clean with denture cleaner, people should rinse the retainer and then allow it to soak in the denture cleaner for about 20 minutes. After taking it out, they should then gently scrub it with a soft toothbrush.  If the retainer tastes like denture cleaner afterward, rinsing should continue until it no longer does.

You want to clean your retainer, by gently brushing with a soft-bristled brush, every time you brush your teeth. Note: A more extensive cleaning should be done at least once a week.

Here are some signs that your need to clean your retainer:

* The retainer smells or tastes bad
* There is a film on the retainer
* The retainer looks cloudy
* It has been more than a week since it was cleaned
* There are white spots on the retainer.

* Another sign that a retainer needs cleaning is it keeps breaking or cracking. Just as bacteria can damage the teeth, they can also damage a retainer.

Note: If someone suddenly begins getting cavities, tooth sensitivity, or other oral health problems, there may be a problem with their retainer. If this occurs, they should review proper retainer care with their dentist or orthodontist, and ask them to check the retainer fits properly.

Generally speaking, most people would never consider going days without brushing their teeth. Yet, too many retainer wearers can go for long stretches of time without cleaning their devices.

The same bacteria that build up on teeth can also grow on a retainer. As a result, putting an unclean retainer in your mouth is like applying a bacteria and plaque-laden solution to the teeth and gums.