TCI Free Press

PUBLISHED IN TCI WEEKLY NEWS
26th July 2014

Oral surgery is any procedure that involves cutting into or removing tissue from your mouth. It includes procedures like removing a tooth, gum surgery, and the placement of dental implants. Oral surgery also includes getting rid of diseased tissue from the mouth, correcting jaw problems, or repairing a cleft lip or palate.

Depending upon the individual case and the expertise of the dentist, oral surgery can performed either by your regular dentist or by an oral surgeon in a hospital setting.

PRINTED IN TCI FREE PRESS
March 8th, 2012

Why would I need a dental extraction?
There are a number of reasons for an extraction.
1) If a tooth is too decayed and broken down to fix
2) If restoring the tooth is not in the best interest of your overall mouth
3) If the tooth is too loose (due to gum disease) to recover
4) To relieve overcrowding.

PRINTED IN TCI FREE PRESS
February 23rd, 2012

Why would I need a filling?
A filling is required when there is a cavity (hole) in the tooth. A hole can occur for several reasons.
1) Decay- when sugars and/ or acid have been allowed to build up and attack the enamel of the teeth
2) Abrasion- when the a specific area of the tooth has been worn away
3) Erosion- when the enamel has begun to dissolve due to the direct effects of acid on the tooth. This can be seen for example if you consistently eat lots of citrus fruits or suffer with stomach acid reflux.

PRINTED IN TCI FREE PRESS
February 9th, 2012

I have tooth ache. Why?
Toothache can be due to a cavity, tooth sensitivity, gum disease, an infection at the end of the root or a fractured tooth. These different problems often have different symptoms and each require treatment in the appropriate way.

PRINTED IN TCI FREE PRESS
January 26th, 2012

How often should I brush my teeth?
In general you should brush your teeth twice a day, in the morning and last thing before you go to bed at night. The morning brush gets rid of that ‘morning breath’ taste and smell and the night brush removes plaque and food debris that has accumulated over the course of the day.

It may be suitable to brush during the day as well, particularly if you are eating or drinking a lot of sweet things. However, be aware that too much brushing can wear away the tooth enamel and weaken your teeth. This is particularly important as leaving teeth uncleaned overnight allows the sugars from the food in your mouth to turn into acid. It is this acid that can cause dental decay and cavities.