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Dental implants and tooth replacement
Dental implant or bridge: which is better?
An implant is usually the better choice for a single missing tooth, because it replaces the root, preserves the jawbone, and leaves the neighbouring teeth untouched. A bridge is cheaper upfront and faster, but requires cutting down two healthy teeth and does not stop bone loss at the gap. Where those neighbouring teeth already need crowns, a bridge becomes the reasonable option.
Read the full answer →How long do dental implants last?
The implant fixture itself commonly lasts 15 to 25 years and often a lifetime, with published survival rates above 90 percent at ten years. The crown on top is the part that wears out sooner, typically at 10 to 15 years, and is replaceable. What ends an implant early is almost always peri-implantitis, gum infection around the fixture, driven by smoking and poor cleaning.
Read the full answer →How do I look after dental implants?
Implants cannot decay, so the risk moved from the tooth to the gum. Peri-implantitis, infection of the gum and bone around the fixture, is the leading cause of late implant loss and progresses faster than gum disease does around a natural tooth. Daily cleaning under the crown, three to four monthly maintenance visits, and not smoking are what protect it.
Read the full answer →What should you expect from full mouth rehabilitation?
Full mouth rehabilitation is a sequence rather than a procedure, typically running six to eighteen months. The order is fixed by biology: gum disease and infection are treated first, then extractions and healing, then implants and integration, and only then the definitive crowns. Anything that skips the groundwork fails after the money is spent.
Read the full answer →What are the side effects of dental implants?
Most dental implant side effects are short and expected: soreness, swelling, minor bleeding and bruising for several days after surgery. Less common problems include infection, a loose or failed fixture, numbness from nerve irritation, and sinus complications in the upper jaw. Serious complications are uncommon when the site is planned with a scan and kept clean afterwards.
Read the full answer →What types of dental implants are there?
Most dental implants are the same basic design, a root-shaped screw placed in the jawbone, and they differ by material (titanium or zirconia), width (standard or mini) and timing (conventional or same-day). Rarer types include blade, subperiosteal and zygomatic implants for severe bone loss. The right type depends on bone volume, the site and the load it will carry.
Read the full answer →What is All-on-4, and who is it for?
All-on-4 is the common name for a full-arch technique that supports a fixed set of replacement teeth on four implants, with the back two usually tilted to use the available bone. It suits people missing most or all teeth in one jaw, or teeth that cannot be saved, who have enough bone in the front of the jaw and are healthy enough for surgery.
Read the full answer →What are implant-supported dentures?
An implant-supported denture is a denture that clips onto two to four dental implants instead of resting only on the gums. This stops it shifting when you chew or speak, and it is the most useful upgrade for a loose lower denture. It is removed at night for cleaning, and it costs far less than replacing every tooth with implants.
Read the full answer →Do I need a bone graft for a dental implant?
You need a bone graft only if the jawbone is too thin, too short or too soft to hold an implant firmly. Many people with a recent extraction or a healthy ridge do not. A scan measures the bone before treatment, and the plan can include a graft at extraction, around the implant, or a sinus lift in the upper jaw.
Read the full answer →Dental implants or dentures: which is better?
Implants are usually better for chewing, comfort and keeping the jawbone, because they are fixed into the bone. Dentures cost far less, need no surgery, and can be made for almost anyone. An overdenture clipped onto two to four implants is the middle route. The right choice depends on how many teeth are missing, your bone, your health and your budget.
Read the full answer →What types of dentures are there?
The main types of dentures are complete dentures, which replace all teeth in a jaw, and partial dentures, which fill gaps. Variations include immediate dentures fitted at extraction, cast metal partials, flexible dentures with no metal clasps, and implant-supported dentures that clip onto implants. The right type depends on how many teeth remain, your gums and bite, and your budget.
Read the full answer →How should denture cleaning be done?
Clean dentures every day: rinse after eating, brush all surfaces gently with a soft brush and a non-abrasive cleaner (not regular toothpaste), then soak them overnight in water or a denture-cleaning solution as directed. Handle them over a basin of water in case they drop. Also brush your gums and tongue, and see your dentist if fit or comfort changes.
Read the full answer →What happens during dental implant surgery?
Dental implant surgery places a small titanium screw in the jawbone under local anaesthetic. The gum is opened, a channel is prepared in the bone, the implant is screwed in and the gum is stitched over or around it. A single implant usually takes 30 to 60 minutes, you stay awake, and you go home the same day.
Read the full answer →What are the parts of a dental implant?
A dental implant has three main parts. The fixture is a titanium or zirconia screw in the jawbone that acts as the root. The abutment is the connector that passes through the gum. The crown is the visible tooth. A healing cap temporarily covers the top of the fixture during healing, before the abutment and crown are fitted.
Read the full answer →What are zygomatic implants, and who needs them?
Zygomatic implants are very long implants anchored in the cheekbone (zygoma) instead of the upper jaw. They are used when the upper jaw has lost too much bone for ordinary implants and a graft is not wanted or has failed. They are specialised surgery, carry specific risks, and are usually used for fixed full-arch teeth in the upper jaw.
Read the full answer →What is an implant-supported bridge?
An implant-supported bridge is a fixed row of joined replacement teeth held on two or more dental implants rather than on natural teeth. It replaces several adjacent missing teeth without needing one implant for each tooth and without cutting down healthy neighbours. It is cleaned underneath with interdental brushes, floss threaders or a water flosser.
Read the full answer →What is osseointegration, and how long does it take?
Osseointegration is the process by which jawbone grows onto the surface of a dental implant and holds it firmly in place. It usually takes a few months, but the time varies with the jaw, bone quality, smoking, diabetes, grafting and when the implant is loaded. Your dentist checks it by testing stability and taking X-rays before fitting the final tooth.
Read the full answer →Can you get a dental implant for a front tooth?
Yes, a missing front tooth can usually be replaced with a dental implant, but it is the most demanding place for one. Thin bone, a high smile line and the need to match the gum shape make planning critical. A temporary tooth is normally worn during healing. Teenagers usually wait until jaw growth has finished.
Read the full answer →What are supraerupted teeth and how are they treated?
A supraerupted tooth is one that has slowly moved out of its socket, usually because the tooth it used to bite against was lost. With nothing to meet, it keeps drifting down or up into the gap. It can trap food, upset the bite and block replacing the missing tooth. Treatment ranges from reshaping to a crown, orthodontics or extraction.
Read the full answer →What is the full form of RPD in dentistry?
RPD stands for removable partial denture. It is a plate carrying one or more artificial teeth that replaces some missing teeth and can be taken out by the patient for cleaning. It usually rests on the gums and clasps onto remaining natural teeth. It is used when only some teeth are missing and a fixed bridge or implant is not suitable.
Read the full answer →What is a prosthodontist and what do they treat?
A prosthodontist is a dentist who has completed a three-year MDS in Prosthodontics and Crown and Bridge. They replace missing teeth and rebuild damaged ones with crowns, bridges, dentures and the teeth that sit on implants. General dentists make many crowns and dentures; referral is usually for complex or full-mouth cases.
Read the full answer →What does edentulous mean in dentistry?
Edentulous means without teeth. A person who has lost all natural teeth is fully (completely) edentulous, and one who has lost some is partially edentulous. The word is used in dental records and in planning treatment. Options in general terms include dentures, bridges and dental implants, chosen according to the mouth, bone and health.
Read the full answer →What are dentures, and how do they work?
Dentures are removable false teeth made to replace missing natural teeth. Complete dentures replace all the teeth in an upper or lower jaw, and partial dentures fill gaps while natural teeth remain. They are made to fit the mouth and usually stay in place through close contact with the gums, suction and, for partial dentures, clasps on remaining teeth.
Read the full answer →Braces and clear aligners
Clear aligners or braces: which is better?
For most mild to moderate cases, aligners and braces reach the same final result, so the choice is about visibility, discipline and cost rather than quality. Braces are fixed, work regardless of compliance, handle severe cases, and cost ₹25,000 to ₹45,000 in Lucknow. Aligners are removable and nearly invisible but must be worn 20 to 22 hours a day, and cost ₹60,000 to ₹2,50,000.
Read the full answer →What is the best age for braces?
The usual window for full braces is 11 to 14, once most permanent teeth are through and jaw growth can still be guided. But the first orthodontic assessment should happen around age 7, because some problems, crossbites and severe crowding among them, are far easier to correct while the jaws are growing. Adults can be treated at any age with healthy gums.
Read the full answer →Veneers or braces for crooked teeth?
Braces move the actual teeth and remove nothing. Veneers change the appearance in two to three weeks but require cutting healthy enamel off crooked teeth to make them sit flat, and enamel does not grow back. For a young patient with sound teeth, orthodontics is almost always the better answer, even though it is slower.
Read the full answer →How long do braces take?
Most cases run 18 months to two and a half years. Mild crowding can finish inside a year; extraction cases and bite corrections run longer. Teeth move at a biologically limited rate of about one millimetre a month, which no appliance changes, so a treatment promised in six months is usually treating only the front teeth rather than the bite.
Read the full answer →Do I need a retainer after braces, and which type?
Yes. Teeth drift back towards their original position after braces or aligners, so a retainer is needed to hold the result. The main types are fixed (a thin wire bonded behind the teeth), clear plastic removable trays, and wire-and-acrylic Hawley retainers. Most orthodontists advise wearing one at night for as long as you want the teeth to stay straight.
Read the full answer →What types of braces are there?
The main types are metal braces, ceramic (tooth-coloured) braces, self-ligating braces, lingual braces fixed behind the teeth, and removable clear aligners. All of them move teeth by the same principle of steady light force. What differs is visibility, comfort, how often you need adjustments, how easy they are to keep clean, and the price.
Read the full answer →Metal or ceramic braces: which is better?
For most patients, metal and ceramic braces give the same final alignment, so the choice comes down to appearance, durability and cost. Metal is stronger and cheaper. Ceramic is far less noticeable but more brittle, can stain at the ties and costs more. Neither moves teeth faster, and the right one depends on your case and priorities.
Read the full answer →Do braces change your face shape?
Braces do not change the bones of your face, but they can subtly change how the lips and profile look. Moving the front teeth back or forward changes the support under the lips, so the face can look slightly fuller or flatter. Changes are usually small in adults and can be larger in growing children when jaw growth is guided.
Read the full answer →What are the side effects of braces?
Common side effects are soreness after adjustments, mouth ulcers from the brackets, and food and plaque trapped around the wires. Less common ones include white marks on the enamel, swollen gums, and slight shortening of tooth roots. Most are minor and manageable with good cleaning and regular visits, and relapse is avoided by wearing retainers.
Read the full answer →Do braces hurt, and what can I eat?
Braces cause a dull ache or tenderness rather than sharp pain, usually for two to four days after fitting and after tightening. The brackets can also rub the cheeks and lips for the first weeks. Soft foods, wax over rubbing spots and an over-the-counter painkiller used as directed help. Hard, sticky and chewy foods are the ones to avoid.
Read the full answer →Do braces for overbite work?
Yes, braces can correct most overbites, where the upper front teeth overlap the lower ones too much or stick out. They do it by moving teeth, often with elastics between the jaws and sometimes extractions. Severe cases caused by a small lower jaw may need growth guidance in a child, or jaw surgery in an adult.
Read the full answer →Do clear aligners work, and what can't they fix?
Yes, clear aligners work for mild to moderate crowding, spacing and some bite problems, if they are worn 20 to 22 hours a day and the case is planned by an orthodontist or dentist. They are less predictable for severe crowding, large bite corrections and heavily rotated teeth. Results depend on case selection and on you wearing them.
Read the full answer →Are self-ligating braces better than regular braces?
Self-ligating braces are not reliably better than regular braces. They hold the wire with a built-in clip instead of small elastic ties, which can mean slightly less friction and easier cleaning. Mainstream evidence does not show that they shorten overall treatment or clearly reduce visits, so the choice is mostly about comfort, hygiene and cost rather than the final result.
Read the full answer →What are lingual braces, and who are they for?
Lingual braces are fixed braces bonded to the tongue side of the teeth, so they cannot be seen from the front. They work like regular braces, but they irritate the tongue and affect speech at first, are harder to clean, and need longer appointments. They suit many crowding and spacing cases but not every bite, and they depend on an orthodontist experienced with them.
Read the full answer →What is orthodontic wax, and how do you use it?
Pinch off a small piece of orthodontic wax, roll it into a ball, dry the bracket or wire that is rubbing, and press the wax firmly over it. Take it out before eating and brushing, and put fresh wax on afterwards. Swallowing a little is harmless. If a wire keeps poking or a bracket is broken, wax is only a stopgap, so call the clinic.
Read the full answer →What is the right way of brushing with braces?
Brush for two minutes after meals and before bed, angling the brush above and then below each bracket as well as across the tooth surface. Use a fluoride toothpaste, an interdental brush for the spaces under the wire, and floss with a threader or a water flosser once a day. Careful cleaning prevents white marks and swollen gums during treatment.
Read the full answer →What do braces rubber bands do?
Braces can have two kinds of rubber band. Small coloured ties hold the wire to each bracket and are fitted by the orthodontist. Larger elastics hooked between the upper and lower teeth pull the jaws into a better bite, and you change them yourself. Elastics only work if worn as prescribed, usually most of the day, so skipping them slows treatment.
Read the full answer →Can adults get braces?
Yes. There is no upper age limit for braces as long as the gums and the bone supporting the teeth are healthy. Adults are checked for gum disease first, and treatment can take somewhat longer than in teenagers. Existing crowns, fillings and missing teeth shape the plan, discreet options are common, and retainers are needed for life to hold the result.
Read the full answer →What are metal braces and how do they work?
Metal braces are small stainless steel brackets bonded to the teeth and joined by a thin archwire. The wire applies light, steady pressure, and the bone around each tooth slowly remodels so the tooth shifts into place. They are the most widely used and most affordable type, work for nearly every kind of crowding or bite problem, and are more visible than the alternatives.
Read the full answer →What causes crooked teeth, and can they be fixed?
Crooked teeth are usually caused by a mismatch between tooth size and jaw size (crowding), plus genetics, thumb sucking, losing milk teeth early or a narrow jaw. They can be straightened at almost any age with braces or clear aligners. Veneers can hide very minor irregularity but do not move teeth. Crooked teeth can also make cleaning harder, so fixing them is not only about looks.
Read the full answer →What is an overbite?
An overbite is the vertical overlap of the upper front teeth over the lower front teeth when you bite together. Some overlap is normal, usually about a third of the lower tooth. A deep overbite means the upper teeth cover much more, and in severe cases the lower teeth bite into the gum or the back of the upper teeth.
Read the full answer →What is an underbite, and how is it treated?
An underbite is when the lower front teeth sit in front of the upper front teeth, so the lower jaw can look pushed forward. It may be a dental problem (tilted teeth) or a skeletal one (jaws that grow out of balance). Children can be treated while the jaws grow. Adults with a skeletal underbite may need braces combined with jaw surgery.
Read the full answer →What are aligners, and how do they straighten teeth?
Aligners are clear, removable plastic trays made to fit your teeth. You wear a series, changing to a new tray every week or two, and each one moves the teeth a small amount. They must be worn about 20 to 22 hours a day and taken out to eat and brush. They suit mild to moderate problems best.
Read the full answer →What is overjet, and how is it treated?
Overjet is the horizontal gap between the upper and lower front teeth when you bite, and an increased overjet means the upper front teeth stick out, often called buck teeth. Common causes are thumb sucking, a small lower jaw or tilted upper teeth. Sticking-out teeth are more easily injured, and braces are the usual treatment.
Read the full answer →What does malocclusion mean?
Malocclusion means the upper and lower teeth do not meet correctly when you close your mouth. It covers crowding, gaps, overbite, underbite, crossbite and open bite. Dentists group bites into Class I, II and III depending on how the jaws relate. Many cases are mild and need no treatment, while others are corrected with braces or aligners.
Read the full answer →What are buck teeth (proclined teeth), and can they be corrected?
Buck teeth, also called proclined teeth, are front teeth that tilt forward, out of the line of the jaw, so they stick out. Causes include thumb sucking, tongue thrust, crowding and the jaw shape you inherit. They can make lip closure difficult and raise the risk of injury. Braces can move them back, whereas veneers cannot, because veneers do not change a tooth's tilt.
Read the full answer →What is a narrow jaw, and can it be corrected?
A narrow jaw, often called a small jaw, is one where the dental arch is too narrow to hold all the teeth comfortably. It commonly causes crowding and sometimes a crossbite. Expansion works best in growing children, because the upper jaw bones have not yet fused. Adults can still be treated, using braces, careful arch widening or, in some cases, surgery.
Read the full answer →What causes an asymmetrical jaw, and does it need treatment?
A slightly asymmetrical jaw is normal, because few faces are perfectly even. Larger asymmetry can come from teeth, such as a crossbite that makes the jaw shift to one side, or from the bones growing unevenly. Braces can treat dental causes, and skeletal ones may need surgery. A new or changing asymmetry, a lump or pain should be checked by a doctor.
Read the full answer →What is an orthodontist and what do they do?
An orthodontist is a dentist who has completed a three-year MDS in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics. They straighten teeth and correct bite and jaw growth problems using braces, aligners and other appliances. General dentists can legally fit braces too; an orthodontist is the choice for complex bites, jaw discrepancies and children's growth guidance.
Read the full answer →What is a crossbite, and does it need to be fixed?
A crossbite is when some upper teeth close inside the lower teeth instead of outside them, as they normally should. It can affect one tooth, a few teeth or a whole side of the mouth. It is caused by tooth position, a narrow upper jaw or a jaw growth difference, and it is usually corrected with an expander, braces or aligners.
Read the full answer →What is a palatal expander, and how does it work?
A palatal expander is a fixed orthodontic appliance that sits against the roof of the mouth and gradually widens the upper jaw. It is turned a little each day with a small key. It works best in children and young teenagers, whose upper jaw halves have not yet fused, and it is used for narrow jaws, crossbites and crowding.
Read the full answer →What is a snaggle tooth, and can it be fixed?
A snaggle tooth is a tooth that sticks out of line, overlaps its neighbour or sits twisted or tilted, most often an upper canine or lateral incisor. It usually happens when the jaw has too little room for all the teeth. It is often only a cosmetic concern, and braces or aligners can move it into line.
Read the full answer →What is a deep bite, and how is it treated?
A deep bite is when the upper front teeth cover too much of the lower front teeth when you close, sometimes hiding them almost completely. It is caused by jaw shape, tooth position or missing back teeth. Left untreated it can wear teeth and strain the gums and jaw joints. Braces are the usual treatment.
Read the full answer →What is an open bite, and can it be corrected?
An open bite is when some teeth do not touch when the mouth is closed, leaving a gap, most often between the upper and lower front teeth. Common causes are thumb sucking, tongue thrust, mouth breathing and the way the jaw grew. It can affect biting and speech, and braces, aligners or surgery can correct it.
Read the full answer →What is a permanent retainer, and how does it compare with clear and removable retainers?
A permanent retainer is a thin wire bonded to the back of your teeth, usually the lower front ones, to hold them in place after braces. You cannot remove it, so you cannot forget to wear it. It needs careful cleaning around the wire. Clear and removable retainers are the alternatives, worn mostly at night.
Read the full answer →What is headgear for braces, and when is it used?
Headgear is an orthodontic appliance worn partly outside the mouth, attached to braces, that gently pulls on the upper teeth or jaw. It is used in growing children to correct an overbite, hold back the upper teeth or guide jaw growth. It is typically worn for a set number of hours a day, often evenings and nights.
Read the full answer →What is an impacted canine, and how is it treated?
An impacted canine is an eye tooth that is stuck under the gum or bone and cannot come through to its normal place. It happens most often in the upper jaw, usually because there is not enough space or the tooth took a wrong path. Treatment is often a small gum procedure plus braces to guide it down, or removal.
Read the full answer →What does occlusion mean in dentistry?
Occlusion is the way the upper and lower teeth meet when you close your mouth or chew. A healthy occlusion spreads biting force evenly. When the teeth do not meet properly, it is called malocclusion. Dentists group malocclusion into Class I, Class II and Class III, based on how the first molars and the jaws line up.
Read the full answer →Root canal and crowns
Is single sitting root canal treatment safe?
Yes, for suitable teeth. Research finds single-visit root canal treatment achieves success rates comparable to multi-visit treatment, with no meaningful difference in long-term outcome. Suitability is the real question: a tooth with active pus discharge, a difficult curved canal anatomy, or a patient who cannot keep the mouth open for ninety minutes is better treated across two visits.
Read the full answer →Does a root canal hurt?
No, not during the procedure. The tooth is fully anaesthetised, so you feel pressure and vibration but not pain. The reputation comes from the toothache that brings people in, which the treatment removes. Expect mild to moderate tenderness for two to four days afterwards, manageable with ordinary painkillers, easing steadily rather than worsening.
Read the full answer →Zirconia or metal-ceramic crown: which is better?
Zirconia is the better default for most crowns today: it is metal-free, strong, and never develops the dark line at the gum that metal-ceramic crowns show as gums recede. Metal-ceramic still works and costs less, at ₹4,000 to ₹9,000 against ₹8,000 to ₹18,000 in Lucknow. For a front tooth where appearance is critical, lithium disilicate beats both.
Read the full answer →Do I need a crown after a root canal?
On a back tooth, yes. A root-treated molar or premolar has lost internal structure and access was cut through its biting surface, so it is significantly more likely to fracture without full cusp coverage. Front teeth with small access cavities can often be restored with a filling alone. Skipping the crown on a molar is the commonest preventable cause of losing a tooth after successful root canal treatment.
Read the full answer →What are the types of dental crowns?
There are five you will actually be offered: full metal, metal-ceramic, zirconia, lithium disilicate and temporary. Zirconia is the sensible default for back teeth because it is strong and never shows a dark line at the gum. Lithium disilicate is best for front teeth because it handles light like enamel. Metal-ceramic still works and costs less.
Read the full answer →What are the side effects of a root canal?
Most side effects are mild and short-lived: tenderness when biting for a few days, a numb lip or cheek for a few hours, a sore jaw from keeping the mouth open, and sometimes slight gum soreness. Over time a treated tooth can darken. Pain that worsens after day three, facial swelling or fever are not normal side effects and need prompt attention.
Read the full answer →What happens during root canal treatment, step by step?
Root canal treatment runs in a fixed order: examination and X-ray, local anaesthetic, a rubber dam to isolate the tooth, an opening to reach the pulp, cleaning and shaping of the canals with disinfectant, drying and sealing them with a filling material, then a permanent restoration. Back teeth usually need a crown afterwards to prevent fracture.
Read the full answer →What happens when you get a crown (cap)?
A dental crown, or cap, usually takes two visits. In the first, the tooth is numbed and shaped, an impression or scan is taken, and a temporary crown is fitted. The permanent crown is made in a laboratory over about one to two weeks. In the second visit the temporary is removed, the new crown is checked for fit and bite, and it is cemented.
Read the full answer →Filling or root canal: which do I need?
It depends on how far the decay has gone. A filling is enough when decay is confined to the enamel and dentine and the nerve is healthy. A root canal is needed when decay or a crack has reached the pulp, causing lingering pain, night pain, swelling or an abscess. An examination and X-ray settle which one applies.
Read the full answer →Save the tooth with a root canal, or extract and implant?
If the tooth can be restored, saving it with a root canal and crown is usually the better first choice, because a natural tooth keeps its own ligament, bone and bite feel, and the route is shorter and cheaper. Extraction and an implant make sense when the tooth cannot be restored, for instance with a root fracture or very little healthy structure left.
Read the full answer →What causes root canal tooth pain years later?
Pain in a root canal tooth months or years later usually means something has changed: bacteria have re-entered through a leaking filling or crown, a crack has opened, a canal was missed, or the bite has become uneven. A new X-ray normally shows which. Many such teeth can be re-treated, but a cracked root often cannot be saved.
Read the full answer →Can you get a crown without a root canal?
Yes. Most crowns are placed on teeth whose nerve is healthy, and no root canal is needed. A crown is chosen for a large filling, a crack, a worn tooth or cosmetic reasons. A root canal is only added if the nerve is already inflamed or dead, or becomes so during or after shaping the tooth.
Read the full answer →What can I eat after a root canal?
Wait until the numbness has fully gone, usually two to four hours, then eat soft, lukewarm food such as dal, khichdi, curd, banana, eggs or soup. Chew on the opposite side. Avoid hard, sticky or very hot food on the treated tooth until it has its permanent filling or crown, because the temporary seal is fragile.
Read the full answer →How is a root canal on a front tooth different?
A root canal on a front tooth is usually simpler and quicker than on a molar, because front teeth mostly have a single canal. The dentist reaches the nerve through a small opening on the back surface, so the visible side is untouched. Many front teeth are then restored with a bonded filling rather than a crown, though a tooth that darkens may need whitening from inside.
Read the full answer →What is a temporary crown, and how do you look after it?
A temporary crown is a short-term cap, usually acrylic or composite, cemented over a shaped tooth while the permanent crown is made in a laboratory. It protects the tooth and gum, keeps the appearance acceptable and stops neighbouring teeth drifting. It is normally worn for a week or two. Avoid sticky and hard food, and if it comes off, keep it and call the clinic.
Read the full answer →What is a zirconia dental cap, and is it a good choice?
A zirconia dental cap is a tooth-coloured, metal-free crown milled from a very hard ceramic called zirconium dioxide. In India a cap simply means a crown. Zirconia is strong, resists staining and suits back teeth especially, but it is less lifelike than glass ceramics at the front and needs careful shaping and polishing to be gentle on the opposing tooth.
Read the full answer →When does a front tooth need a crown rather than a veneer or bonding?
A front tooth needs a crown when it has lost too much structure to be repaired with bonding or covered with a veneer, for example after a large break, a big old filling or a root canal. Ceramics such as lithium disilicate or layered zirconia look most natural at the front. A dentist decides after examining how much healthy tooth remains.
Read the full answer →How can I prevent a root canal?
You prevent most root canals by treating a cavity while it is small, brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, cutting down frequent sugary snacks, and seeing a dentist when a tooth hurts. Protect teeth from cracks with a mouthguard for sport or grinding. Not every root canal can be avoided, but most follow decay that was left.
Read the full answer →What is the full form of RCT in dentistry?
RCT stands for root canal treatment, also called endodontic treatment. It is a procedure that removes infected or inflamed pulp (the nerve and blood vessels) from inside a tooth, cleans and disinfects the canals, and seals them. The aim is to save a tooth that would otherwise need extraction. A crown or strong filling usually follows.
Read the full answer →What is the full form of PFM in dentistry?
PFM stands for porcelain fused to metal. A PFM crown (or cap) has an inner metal shell for strength, covered by a layer of tooth-coloured porcelain for appearance. It has been used for decades to cover damaged or root-treated teeth and to anchor bridges. It is strong, but the metal edge can show at the gum line over time.
Read the full answer →What is the full form of FPD in dentistry?
FPD stands for fixed partial denture, the clinical name for a dental bridge. It replaces one or more missing teeth with an artificial tooth (a pontic) held by crowns on the neighbouring teeth, or occasionally by implants. Unlike a removable denture, it is cemented in place and cannot be taken out by the patient.
Read the full answer →What is an endodontist and when do you need one?
An endodontist is a dentist who has completed a three-year MDS in Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, the branch concerned with the inside of the tooth, the pulp. They do root canals, retreat failed root canals and treat difficult cases. A general dentist does most first root canals; referral is for complicated ones.
Read the full answer →What is a tooth cap, and when do you need one?
A tooth cap, also called a dental cap, is the everyday name for a dental crown: a tooth-shaped cover that fits over a damaged tooth and restores its shape, strength and appearance. A dentist usually advises one after a root canal, for a large filling that has failed, a cracked tooth or a badly worn tooth.
Read the full answer →Fillings and tooth decay
How do I stop tooth decay?
Two things matter more than everything else: how often you eat sugar, not how much, and using fluoride toothpaste properly. Each sugar exposure starts an acid attack lasting 20 to 40 minutes, so six small snacks do far more damage than one large dessert. Spit after brushing rather than rinsing, so the fluoride stays on the teeth.
Read the full answer →What does a cavity in teeth look like, and what happens if it is left?
A cavity is a hole in a tooth made by acid from plaque bacteria. It starts as a dull white patch, turns brown or grey, then breaks into a visible pit. It is usually painless until it nears the nerve. Left alone it only gets deeper, moving from a simple filling to a root canal, and eventually to extraction.
Read the full answer →Are black spots on teeth cavities?
Sometimes. A black or dark brown spot that feels rough, sticky or like a pit is often a cavity. But black spots can also be surface stain from tea, tobacco or paan, hardened tartar, or the shadow of an old filling. You cannot reliably tell them apart by eye, so a dentist's examination and X-ray settle it.
Read the full answer →Which type of filling is best?
No one filling material suits every tooth. Composite (tooth-coloured) is the usual choice for front teeth and many back teeth. Glass ionomer is used near the gum line and in children. Amalgam (silver) is strong but visible. Ceramic inlays suit large cavities. The right choice depends on cavity size, position, bite force, moisture control and budget.
Read the full answer →What is a temporary filling, and how long does it last?
A temporary filling is a soft, short-term seal placed in a tooth until the final treatment can be done. It is meant to last weeks, not years, and usually a few weeks at most. It is used between root canal visits, to calm an irritated nerve, or in an emergency. It wears and leaks, so it must be replaced with a permanent filling or crown.
Read the full answer →Is replacing silver fillings worth it?
Usually not, if the filling is intact. Mainstream health bodies consider dental amalgam safe for most people, and removing sound fillings only for safety reasons is not advised, because it costs healthy tooth and briefly releases mercury vapour. Replace a silver filling if it is cracked, has decay around or under it, has fractured the tooth, looks bad to you, or causes a proven allergy.
Read the full answer →What should I do if a filling falls out?
Keep the filling, rinse your mouth with lukewarm water, and check for sharp edges. Protect the hole with temporary dental cement from a pharmacy, chew on the other side, and book a dentist within a few days. It is not usually an emergency unless there is severe pain or swelling, but the exposed tooth can decay or break quickly.
Read the full answer →Why is my tooth sensitive after a filling?
Mild sensitivity to cold, sweet food or biting is common after a filling and usually settles within days to a few weeks. The tooth has been drilled and the nerve is irritated. A filling that is slightly high can cause bite pain and is quickly adjusted. Pain that lingers, comes on its own or wakes you at night suggests the nerve is not recovering and needs review.
Read the full answer →What causes tooth enamel erosion, and can enamel grow back?
Enamel erosion is the loss of tooth surface to acid, without bacteria, and it is different from decay. Common causes are acidic drinks and fruit, frequent sipping, acid reflux and vomiting. Enamel cannot grow back once it is lost, because it contains no living cells. Early softened areas can be strengthened with fluoride, and worn teeth can be repaired with bonding, veneers or crowns.
Read the full answer →What is amalgam, and is a silver filling safe?
Amalgam is a silver-coloured dental filling material made by mixing mercury with an alloy of silver, tin and copper. It sets hard, is strong and long-lasting, and has been used for generations. The mercury is chemically bound within the set filling. Many countries are reducing its use, and alternatives exist, so ask your dentist what suits the tooth.
Read the full answer →What is the teeth filling process, and is it painful?
A filling takes one visit, usually under an hour. The dentist examines the tooth, numbs it with local anaesthetic, removes the decayed part, cleans the cavity, places the filling material in layers, shapes it and checks your bite. You feel pressure and vibration but should not feel pain. Numbness wears off in a few hours.
Read the full answer →What are hypoplastic teeth (enamel hypoplasia)?
Hypoplastic teeth are teeth in which the enamel formed thin, pitted or incompletely, so the surface looks white, yellow or brown, or has grooves and pits. It happens when enamel development is disturbed in childhood. The teeth are more prone to decay and sensitivity, and can be protected or restored with fluoride, fillings, bonding or crowns.
Read the full answer →What is the full form of DMFT in dentistry?
DMFT stands for Decayed, Missing, Filled Teeth. It is an index dentists and public health researchers use to measure how much tooth decay a person has had. One point is counted for each permanent tooth that is decayed, missing because of decay, or filled, so a higher total means more past or present decay.
Read the full answer →Wisdom teeth and extractions
What is dry socket, and how do I avoid it?
Dry socket is pain that builds two to four days after a tooth extraction, when the blood clot protecting the socket is lost and the bone underneath is exposed. It is most common after lower wisdom teeth. You avoid it by leaving the clot alone: no smoking, no straws, no spitting, and no hard rinsing in the first days.
Read the full answer →What is pericoronitis (a swollen gum over a wisdom tooth)?
Pericoronitis is an infection of the gum flap that covers a wisdom tooth which has only partly come through. Food and bacteria get trapped under the flap, so the gum turns red, swollen and painful, sometimes with a bad taste. Cleaning under the flap settles a mild flare, but it tends to recur until the tooth is removed.
Read the full answer →What is recovery after wisdom tooth removal like, day by day?
Most people recover from wisdom tooth removal in about a week. Swelling and soreness peak around days two to three, then ease. Surgical removal of an impacted lower tooth takes longer than an erupted one. Expect soft food for several days, no smoking, straws or hard rinsing, and stitches coming out or dissolving at around seven days.
Read the full answer →Do wisdom teeth need removing?
No, not every wisdom tooth needs to come out. One that is fully through, cleanable, free of decay and biting against an opposing tooth can usually stay. Removal is advised for repeated infection, decay in the tooth or the one beside it, damage from an impacted tooth, or a cyst. The case has to be made for each tooth individually.
Read the full answer →Does wisdom tooth removal hurt?
The removal itself should not hurt, because the area is fully numbed with local anaesthetic. You feel pressure and movement, not pain. The discomfort comes afterwards, when the numbness wears off. It is usually worst on the first day, eases over two to three days, and is more noticeable after surgical removal of an impacted tooth.
Read the full answer →Can a wisdom tooth cause headaches or ear pain?
Yes. A troublesome wisdom tooth, most often an infected gum flap over a lower one, can send pain to the ear, jaw, temple and side of the head, because those areas share nerve supply. It is a real cause but not the only one. Ear pain with no dental signs, or a headache with other symptoms, needs a doctor to look elsewhere.
Read the full answer →What are wisdom teeth, and why do we have them?
Wisdom teeth are the third molars, the last teeth to come through, at the very back of each side of the upper and lower jaw. They usually appear between the late teens and mid twenties. Our ancestors needed them for chewing coarse food. Today many jaws have no room for them, so they may be useful, harmless or troublesome.
Read the full answer →What is an impacted tooth?
An impacted tooth is one that is blocked from coming through the gum into its normal place, usually because there is no room or it is growing at the wrong angle. Wisdom teeth are the most common, followed by upper canines. Some cause no symptoms and are found on an X-ray. Options are to monitor it, remove it, or help it into place.
Read the full answer →What happens in a tooth extraction procedure?
A tooth extraction removes a tooth after the area is numbed with local anaesthetic. You feel pressure and movement, not sharp pain. A simple extraction lifts out a visible tooth with forceps. A surgical one opens the gum and may remove bone or divide the tooth. Afterwards you protect the blood clot and avoid smoking, straws and hard rinsing.
Read the full answer →Do you need stitches after wisdom tooth removal?
Not always. A simple removal of an erupted wisdom tooth may need no stitches, but a surgical removal usually does, because the gum was lifted. Stitches hold the gum edges together, help control bleeding and protect the socket. They are either dissolving or removable, and removable ones usually come out after about a week.
Read the full answer →What are extra teeth, and do they need to be removed?
Extra teeth, called supernumerary teeth or hyperdontia, are teeth beyond the normal set. A common one is the mesiodens, between the two upper front teeth. Many cause no trouble and are only watched. They are removed when they block or crowd the proper teeth, or form a cyst. A dentist confirms with an X-ray.
Read the full answer →What is an ankylosed tooth and how is it managed?
An ankylosed tooth is one whose root has fused directly to the jawbone, losing the thin ligament that normally lets a tooth move. It stays put as the jaw grows around it, so it can seem to sink below the bite. It is most often a milk molar in a child. Management ranges from watching to extraction or building the tooth up.
Read the full answer →What is a dental cyst and does it need to be removed?
A dental cyst is a slow-growing, fluid-filled sac in the jawbone, usually near a tooth root. Common types form around the root of a dead tooth or around an unerupted tooth such as a wisdom tooth. Many cause no pain and are found on an X-ray. Treatment is by a dentist or oral surgeon. Spreading swelling or fever needs same-day care.
Read the full answer →Gum disease
How do I remove plaque from my teeth?
Plaque is a soft film you can remove yourself: brush twice daily at the gum line and clean between the teeth once a day. Tartar is plaque that has hardened into a mineral deposit bonded to the tooth, and it cannot be removed by brushing, oil pulling, baking soda or any home product. Removing tartar requires scaling with an instrument.
Read the full answer →What is teeth scaling?
Scaling is the removal of hardened tartar from the tooth surface using an ultrasonic scaler or hand instruments. It takes one appointment, is usually not painful above the gum line, and costs ₹800 to ₹2,500 in Lucknow. It does not weaken enamel or loosen teeth, despite being widely believed to do both.
Read the full answer →Can you cure gum disease without a dentist?
Early gum disease, gingivitis, can genuinely be reversed at home with proper brushing and daily interdental cleaning, usually within one to two weeks. Established periodontitis cannot, because hardened tartar below the gum line has to be physically removed and lost bone does not regrow. The dividing line is whether bone loss has already happened.
Read the full answer →Can gum recession treatment fix receding gums?
Receding gums cannot grow back by themselves, but the recession can usually be stopped. Treatment depends on the cause: gentler brushing, gum disease treatment, or fixing a bite problem. Where recession is significant or causing sensitivity or appearance concerns, a gum graft can cover exposed root in suitable cases. Which option fits is decided by examination, not by how the gum looks.
Read the full answer →What is pyorrhea, and can it be treated?
Pyorrhea is the older, commonly used name for periodontitis, a gum disease in which infection has spread below the gum and is destroying the bone holding the teeth. It can be treated: deep cleaning removes the deposits and stops progression. Bone already lost does not grow back, and the condition needs lifelong maintenance rather than a one-time cure.
Read the full answer →What is deep cleaning (scaling and root planing)?
Deep cleaning, also called scaling and root planing, removes plaque and hardened tartar from the tooth roots below the gum line, then smooths the root surface so the gum can reattach. It is used when gum pockets are deeper than a routine scaling can reach. It is done under local anaesthetic, usually one section of the mouth at a time.
Read the full answer →What are the stages of gum disease?
Gum disease has two main stages. Gingivitis is inflammation of the gum with no bone loss, and it is reversible. Periodontitis is when infection reaches the bone, and it is graded as early, moderate or advanced by how much support has been lost. Bone loss is permanent, so treatment at each stage aims to stop it advancing.
Read the full answer →What toothpaste for gum disease actually helps?
For gum health, choose a fluoride toothpaste, and consider one containing stannous fluoride, which also reduces plaque bacteria and gum bleeding. Chlorhexidine mouthwash is effective but only for short courses because it stains teeth. Mouthwash and toothpaste help control plaque and inflammation, but none of them removes hardened tartar or treats established gum disease on its own.
Read the full answer →Can gum disease affect your health beyond your mouth?
Gum disease is statistically linked with diabetes, heart and blood vessel disease, and pregnancy complications, but a link is not proof that gum disease causes them. The diabetes connection has the strongest support, and it runs both ways. Gum disease itself rarely kills; it mainly costs teeth, but it is worth treating for general health reasons too.
Read the full answer →Why are my gums swollen?
Swollen gums are most often gum inflammation (gingivitis) from plaque along the gum line, but the pattern points to the cause. Swelling all round the mouth suggests inflammation, hormones or medicines. Swelling at one tooth suggests trapped food, an abscess or an erupting tooth. Swelling that spreads onto the face, or comes with fever or trouble swallowing or breathing, is urgent.
Read the full answer →What is a gum boil, and is it an abscess?
Yes. A gum boil is the visible opening of a dental abscess: a small pimple-like bump where pus from an infection drains through the gum. The source is usually a dead or infected tooth or a deep gum pocket. It can burst, shrink and stop hurting, but it returns until the source is treated. Antibiotics alone do not cure it.
Read the full answer →What causes a white tongue?
A white tongue is usually a coating of food debris, dead cells and bacteria that builds up on the tongue's rough surface. Dehydration, mouth breathing, smoking and poor tongue cleaning make it worse. Thrush, a yeast infection, is another cause. A white patch that does not scrape off and lasts more than two weeks needs checking, especially with tobacco, gutka or paan.
Read the full answer →What is tartar on teeth, and how is it removed?
Tartar, also called calculus, is plaque that has hardened into a rough cream, yellow or brown crust on the teeth, usually at the gum line and behind the lower front teeth. Brushing cannot remove it once it has set, so a dentist or hygienist has to scale it off. Left in place, it irritates the gums and collects more plaque.
Read the full answer →What is plaque on teeth?
Dental plaque is a soft, sticky film of bacteria, saliva and food residue that builds up on teeth and along the gum line. It begins to form within hours of cleaning. The bacteria turn sugars into acid that causes cavities, and their by-products inflame the gums. Regular brushing and cleaning between the teeth removes it.
Read the full answer →What is gingivitis?
Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums caused by plaque left along the gum line. The gums look red or puffy and bleed easily when you brush or floss. It is the first stage of gum disease, and because no bone has been lost yet, it can be fully reversed with good cleaning and a professional scale.
Read the full answer →What is a periodontist and what do they treat?
A periodontist is a dentist who has completed a three-year MDS in Periodontology, the study of the gums and the bone that hold teeth in place. They treat gum disease, gum recession and loose teeth, and place gum grafts. Many gum problems are treated by general dentists; referral usually follows advanced disease.
Read the full answer →Why is my tooth loose and what should I do?
In a child of about six to twelve, a loose tooth is usually a milk tooth getting ready to fall out, which is normal. In an adult, a loose permanent tooth is never normal. The usual causes are gum disease, injury or heavy grinding, and it needs a dentist soon, because early treatment can often save the tooth.
Read the full answer →What is chlorhexidine mouthwash and how do I use it?
Chlorhexidine mouthwash is an antiseptic, not an antibiotic. Dentists suggest it for short periods to reduce plaque bacteria, for example when gums are inflamed or after some dental procedures. Use it as directed on the label, do not swallow it, and leave a gap after brushing. Side effects include brown staining, altered taste and more tartar.
Read the full answer →Children's teeth
When should a child have their first dental visit?
By the first birthday, or within six months of the first tooth appearing, whichever comes first. The first visit is mostly about examining, advising on feeding and cleaning, and letting the child get used to the surroundings. Starting early, before anything hurts, is the single most effective way to avoid producing an adult who is frightened of dentists.
Read the full answer →Do cavities in milk teeth need treatment?
Yes, in most cases. A cavity in a milk tooth does not stay put or fix itself. It grows, reaches the nerve, causes pain and can form an abscess that sits directly above the developing permanent tooth. Small cavities need a simple filling. Deeper ones need a pulpectomy or a crown, and only a tooth that cannot be saved is removed.
Read the full answer →What is a pulpectomy (a root canal for a milk tooth)?
A pulpectomy is the milk tooth version of a root canal. The dentist removes the infected nerve tissue from the tooth, cleans the canals, fills them with a material the body can absorb as the tooth falls out, and then restores the tooth, often with a crown. The aim is to keep the tooth in place until its natural time to go.
Read the full answer →What are pit and fissure sealants, and does my child need them?
A pit and fissure sealant is a thin, tooth-coloured or clear coating painted into the deep grooves on the chewing surface of back teeth, where a toothbrush bristle cannot reach. It blocks food and bacteria from settling there. It is quick, needs no drilling, and is mainly used on newly erupted permanent molars in children.
Read the full answer →What are normal teething symptoms?
Normal teething symptoms are drooling, chewing on everything, sore or swollen gums, mild irritability and slightly disturbed sleep, for a few days around each tooth. A baby with a high fever, diarrhoea, a rash or who is clearly unwell should not be put down to teething and should see a paediatrician. The first tooth usually appears at about six months.
Read the full answer →What is the milk teeth falling age, and in what order do they fall out?
Milk teeth usually begin to fall out at about six to seven years, starting with the lower front teeth, and the last ones go at about 11 to 12. Children have 20 milk teeth in all. The order and ages below are typical ranges, and a gap of a year or more either side of them can still be normal.
Read the full answer →Is fluoride treatment safe for children?
Yes, when used in the right amounts. Fluoride toothpaste and professional fluoride varnish are mainstream, well-studied ways to reduce decay in children. The risk comes from too much over many years, which can leave faint white marks on permanent teeth. The answer is a small, correct amount of toothpaste, supervised brushing, and not letting a child swallow it.
Read the full answer →What is the right way of brushing children's teeth?
Start brushing when the first tooth appears, twice a day, with a soft small brush and a smear of fluoride toothpaste the size of a grain of rice until about three years, then a pea-sized amount. An adult does the brushing or supervises closely until about seven or eight. Brush last thing at night, and teach the child to spit, not rinse.
Read the full answer →Why do some adults still have milk teeth?
An adult keeps a milk tooth when there is no permanent tooth underneath to push it out, because the adult tooth never formed or is stuck (impacted) in the jaw. It is more common than people think. A retained milk tooth can last for years, but an X-ray is needed to see what lies beneath and to plan whether to keep it.
Read the full answer →What should you do about a broken milk tooth?
Stay calm, comfort the child, and press a clean cloth on any bleeding. Find the broken piece, and check for other injuries, especially to the head. Do not put a knocked-out milk tooth back, unlike an adult tooth, because it can damage the permanent tooth underneath. Arrange a dentist visit the same day for a knocked-out, loose or deeply broken tooth.
Read the full answer →What causes childhood tooth decay, and how can it be prevented?
Childhood tooth decay is caused by bacteria turning sugars into acid that dissolves enamel, and it is common in young children. The usual drivers are frequent sugary food and drinks, sleeping or sipping with a bottle or sweet drink, and poor cleaning. It is largely preventable with limited sugar, twice-daily brushing with fluoride toothpaste and early dental visits.
Read the full answer →What are primary teeth (milk teeth), and why do they matter?
Primary teeth, also called milk teeth or baby teeth, are the first set of 20 teeth: ten in the upper jaw and ten in the lower. They start coming through at about six months and are usually all in by around three years. They help a child chew and speak, and they hold space for the permanent teeth.
Read the full answer →What is the milk teeth schedule, and when does each tooth come in?
Milk teeth usually come through from about six months, starting with the lower front teeth, and the full set of 20 is typically in by around two and a half to three years. The chart below gives the usual age range for each tooth. Normal variation is wide, so a child a few months early or late is rarely a concern.
Read the full answer →What is a pediatric dentist and when should my child see one?
A pediatric dentist, spelt paediatric in India, is a dentist who has completed a three-year MDS in Paediatric and Preventive Dentistry. They look after children's teeth from infancy through adolescence, including decay, prevention, habits and anxious children. Many general dentists also treat children routinely; referral suits young, anxious or medically complex children.
Read the full answer →What is a space maintainer and does my child need one?
A space maintainer is a small appliance, usually metal or acrylic, that keeps the gap open when a child loses a milk tooth earlier than normal. It stops neighbouring teeth drifting into the space, so the permanent tooth has room to come through. Whether a child needs one depends on which tooth was lost and how soon the adult tooth is due.
Read the full answer →Does thumb sucking damage a child's teeth?
Thumb sucking is normal in babies and toddlers and usually does no lasting harm. If it carries on once the permanent front teeth start to come through, around six years, it can push the upper teeth forward, open the bite and narrow the upper jaw. Most children stop on their own, and gentle encouragement helps those who do not.
Read the full answer →Whitening, veneers and gaps
Is teeth whitening safe?
Professionally applied peroxide whitening does not remove or weaken enamel. It causes temporary sensitivity in many people, which resolves within a few days. The things that genuinely damage teeth are the DIY routes: charcoal powders, baking soda scrubs and lemon juice all work by abrasion or acid, and the damage they cause is permanent.
Read the full answer →Do whitening toothpastes actually work?
Whitening toothpastes work on surface stain only. They polish off tea, coffee and tobacco marks with mild abrasives, and a few add a cosmetic film that looks whiter for hours. They cannot change the natural colour of the tooth, which is what professional whitening does. Highly abrasive pastes used for years can thin enamel and make teeth look more yellow.
Read the full answer →What are the options for dental gap filling between front teeth?
Yes, in many cases. A small gap between the front teeth can be closed without braces by composite bonding, which adds tooth-coloured material to the edges in one visit, or by veneers. Larger gaps, or gaps caused by gum disease or an overgrown frenum, may need braces or another treatment first. The cause decides the right fix.
Read the full answer →Can you whiten teeth at home safely?
Yes, but only some methods. Dentist-made take-home trays with a measured peroxide gel are a safe way to whiten at home. Lemon juice, baking soda and charcoal are not: they work by acid or abrasion and wear enamel permanently. Over-the-counter strips and kits can lighten a little, with more risk of uneven results and gum irritation.
Read the full answer →What happens in a professional teeth whitening procedure?
Professional whitening starts with an examination and a scaling, then the gums are protected with a barrier and a peroxide gel is applied to the teeth, often in two or three rounds with or without a light. The visit takes around an hour or more. Mild sensitivity for a day or two is common, and results fade with staining habits.
Read the full answer →What are the side effects of veneers?
The main downside of porcelain veneers is that enamel must be removed to place them, and it never grows back, so the tooth needs covering for life. Other risks are temporary sensitivity, chipping, gum irritation at the edge, the veneer lifting, and in some teeth a later root canal. Porcelain veneers last roughly ten to fifteen years, composite fewer.
Read the full answer →Do teeth whitening strips work, and are they safe?
Yes, whitening strips can lighten teeth a little. A thin film of peroxide gel sits on the front teeth and bleaches stain inside the enamel. Results are modest, uneven on crowded teeth, and fade with tea, coffee and tobacco. They are generally safe on healthy teeth if used as directed, with temporary sensitivity and gum irritation the usual side effects.
Read the full answer →Do teeth whitening pens work?
A whitening pen can lighten teeth slightly, but results are modest. You paint a peroxide-type gel onto the teeth, yet saliva dilutes it and it stays in contact for only a short time, so little bleaching happens. Pens are best treated as a quick touch-up between proper whitening sessions, not as a way to change your shade.
Read the full answer →Does purple toothpaste whiten teeth?
Purple toothpaste does not whiten teeth in the bleaching sense. A violet pigment sits as a thin film on the enamel and cancels yellow optically, so teeth look brighter for a short time. It washes off with eating, drinking and brushing, and it cannot lighten the tooth itself. Real whitening needs a peroxide gel.
Read the full answer →What is dental fluorosis, and can the spots be removed?
Dental fluorosis is a change in enamel caused by too much fluoride while the teeth are forming in early childhood. It ranges from faint white streaks to brown, pitted patches. It is not decay and does not spread. The marks cannot be rubbed off, but microabrasion, whitening, resin infiltration, bonding or veneers can reduce or cover them.
Read the full answer →Why did my gums turn white after teeth whitening?
Gums turn white after whitening because peroxide gel touched them and caused a mild chemical irritation, which blanches the tissue. It is usually temporary and fades within hours to a day or two without treatment. Rinse with water, pause whitening and avoid irritants. Call a dentist if you see blisters, severe pain or white patches that do not settle.
Read the full answer →How does chipped tooth repair work?
A chipped tooth is fixed according to how much is missing. A tiny chip can be smoothed and polished, a small to medium chip is rebuilt with tooth-coloured composite bonding, and a larger break may need a veneer or crown. If the chip has exposed the nerve, a root canal comes first. The tooth, its position and your bite decide the choice.
Read the full answer →Does baking soda teeth whitening work, and is it safe?
Baking soda is a mild abrasive that can lift fresh surface stains such as tea, coffee and paan, so teeth look a little cleaner. It does not bleach and cannot change the tooth's own colour. Used often or scrubbed hard it can wear enamel and irritate gums, and it should never be mixed with lemon or other acids.
Read the full answer →Is hydrogen peroxide teeth whitening safe?
Hydrogen peroxide is the bleaching agent in most professional whitening: it releases oxygen that breaks down the pigments inside the tooth. Used under supervision, with the gums protected, it is considered safe. Pharmacy solutions and homemade rinses are a different thing, with no control of strength or contact, and can burn gums and cause sensitivity.
Read the full answer →What is a cosmetic dentist and is it a recognised specialty in India?
A cosmetic dentist is a dentist who focuses on how teeth look, through whitening, veneers, bonding, gum contouring and smile design. In India, cosmetic dentistry is not a separate recognised specialty and there is no MDS in it. The work is done by general dentists and by specialists such as prosthodontists and orthodontists.
Read the full answer →What are veneers, and what does veneers mean?
Veneers are thin, tooth-coloured shells bonded to the front surface of a tooth to change its colour, shape, size or small irregularities. They are usually made of porcelain or composite resin. The word comes from a woodworking term for a thin covering layer. Placing them normally involves removing a little tooth surface first.
Read the full answer →What causes stains on teeth and can they be removed?
Teeth stain from tea, coffee, tobacco, paan and gutka, which colour the surface, and from ageing, injury, some medicines and too much fluoride in childhood, which colour the tooth from inside. Surface stains usually come off with a professional scale and polish. Stains inside the tooth need whitening or cosmetic treatment.
Read the full answer →Why are my teeth turning black or brown?
Teeth turn black or brown from decay, tartar, tobacco, paan and gutka, tea and coffee, old fillings, or a dead nerve after injury. Surface stain can be cleaned off. Decay or a dead tooth cannot be fixed at home and needs treatment. A tooth that darkens in one spot, or hurts, should be seen by a dentist.
Read the full answer →What does betel nut, paan and gutka do to your teeth?
Betel nut (supari), paan and gutka stain teeth red-brown to black, build up tartar, wear the teeth and irritate the gums. The stain is the smaller problem: these products are linked to oral submucous fibrosis and mouth cancer. A professional cleaning removes surface stain, but stopping the habit is what protects the mouth.
Read the full answer →What causes a gap between teeth and how can it be closed?
A gap between the teeth, called a diastema, is most often caused by teeth that are small for the jaw, a large or low-set frenum (the tissue between the upper lip and gum), a thumb-sucking habit or tongue thrust, or gum disease. It is often harmless. Options to close it include braces, bonding and veneers, depending on the cause.
Read the full answer →Toothache and emergencies
What should I do in a dental emergency?
A knocked-out permanent tooth is the true time emergency: put it back in the socket within 30 minutes, or store it in milk, and get to a dentist immediately. Facial swelling that reaches the eye or under the jaw, or affects breathing or swallowing, needs emergency medical care the same day. Most other dental problems can safely wait until morning.
Read the full answer →Which teeth pain medicine works for toothache?
Over-the-counter paracetamol or ibuprofen, taken as directed on the label, can ease toothache while you wait to be seen. Neither treats the cause, so the pain usually returns. Antibiotics do not relieve toothache pain and should never be started on your own. If you have swelling, fever or trouble swallowing or breathing, seek care the same day.
Read the full answer →Does clove oil work for toothache?
Clove oil can numb a sore tooth or gum for a short time, because it contains eugenol, a mild local anaesthetic. It does not treat the decay, crack or infection causing the pain, so the toothache returns. Used neat, it can burn the gums and mouth. It is a stop-gap for a few hours, not a treatment.
Read the full answer →Does a salt water rinse help a toothache?
A warm salt water rinse can help a toothache a little, mainly by cleaning the area and soothing inflamed gums. It works best when the trouble is food caught between teeth or a sore gum. It cannot treat decay, a crack or an infection inside the tooth, so if the pain keeps coming back, the tooth still needs to be examined.
Read the full answer →Can a toothache cause a headache?
Yes. A painful tooth can cause a headache, because the teeth and the head share nerve pathways and the brain can misread where the pain is coming from. It is felt most often at the temple, behind the eye or in the forehead, usually on the same side as the tooth. Not every headache starts in a tooth, so a dentist can help work out which it is.
Read the full answer →Why do I get tooth pain when eating sweets?
Pain with sweet food most often means decay that has gone through the enamel, or a filling that is leaking or cracked. Sugar draws fluid through the exposed dentine and irritates the nerve. Less often it is an exposed root surface. A short sharp twinge that stops quickly is an early warning rather than an emergency, but it still needs a dentist to look.
Read the full answer →Which teeth pain home remedies actually work?
A few home measures can take the edge off tooth pain for a night: a warm salt water rinse, a cold pack on the cheek, clove oil used carefully, and sleeping with your head raised. None of them treats the cause. Pain from a cavity, crack or infection returns, so book a dentist, and seek same-day care for swelling, fever or trouble swallowing.
Read the full answer →Is ibuprofen for tooth pain safe, and who should avoid it?
Ibuprofen eases tooth pain and reduces the inflammation behind it, so it suits many toothaches when taken as directed on the label and with food. Avoid it, or ask a pharmacist or doctor first, if you have stomach ulcers, kidney disease, asthma that worsens with anti-inflammatories, take blood thinners, or are pregnant. It does not treat the cause of the pain.
Read the full answer →What can I do about tooth pain during pregnancy?
Tooth pain while pregnant has the same causes as at any time, and pregnancy adds gum swelling, vomiting acid and frequent snacking. Rinse with warm salt water, use a cold pack, and see a dentist promptly, telling them you are pregnant. Do not take any painkiller without checking with your doctor. Swelling, fever or trouble swallowing needs same-day care.
Read the full answer →What should I do if a tooth is knocked out?
An avulsed tooth is one knocked completely out of its socket. If it is a permanent tooth, hold it by the crown, not the root, rinse it briefly if dirty, and push it gently back into the socket if you can. If not, keep it in milk or inside the cheek, and see a dentist within the hour. Never replant a milk tooth.
Read the full answer →Mouth ulcers and tongue problems
What are aphthous mouth ulcers?
Aphthous mouth ulcers, also called canker sores, are round or oval shallow ulcers with a white or yellow centre and a red rim, found on the soft lining of the mouth. They are not infectious. Most heal by themselves in 7 to 14 days. An ulcer that has not healed within three weeks should be examined by a dentist or doctor.
Read the full answer →What are the best mouth ulcer home remedies?
Warm salt water rinses, soft and cool food, avoiding spicy or sour triggers and a protective or numbing gel used as directed on the label can ease a mouth ulcer while it heals by itself in 7 to 14 days. None of them is a cure. An ulcer that is still there after three weeks needs examining.
Read the full answer →What are the signs of a mouth infection?
A mouth infection is caused by a fungus, virus or bacteria and shows up as pain, redness, white patches, sores, a bad taste or swelling. The common ones are oral thrush, herpes sores and tooth or gum infections. Spreading facial swelling or fever needs same-day care. Difficulty swallowing or breathing needs a hospital emergency department.
Read the full answer →What causes white patches in the mouth?
White patches in the mouth are most often thrush, friction from a tooth or denture, or lichen planus, and most are harmless. A patch that wipes away is usually thrush. A patch that does not rub off, especially in someone who uses tobacco or areca nut, needs examining by a dentist or doctor if it lasts more than three weeks.
Read the full answer →What is the meaning of stomatitis?
Stomatitis means inflammation of the soft lining inside the mouth, showing as redness, soreness, swelling or ulcers. It is a description, not one disease. Common types are aphthous, herpetic, denture-related and angular stomatitis at the corners of the mouth. Most settle in one to two weeks, and anything lasting three weeks needs examining.
Read the full answer →What causes a mouth ulcer in a newborn?
A true mouth ulcer is uncommon in a newborn. White patches are more often oral thrush, and small white or pearl-like lumps on the gums or palate are usually harmless cysts that fade by themselves. Take the baby to a doctor if the patches do not wipe away, the baby will not feed, or there is fever.
Read the full answer →What is the treatment for angular cheilitis?
Angular cheilitis is cracked, sore skin at the corners of the mouth, caused by saliva pooling, yeast or bacterial infection, low iron or B12, or an ill-fitting denture. Treatment means keeping the corners dry, fixing the cause and, if infected, using a cream a doctor or dentist prescribes. Corners that do not heal within a few weeks need examining.
Read the full answer →What are Fordyce granules in the mouth?
Fordyce granules, also called Fordyce spots, are small, painless yellow-white dots on the lips and inner cheeks. They are normal oil glands that sit close to the surface, not infectious and not cancerous. They need no treatment. A spot that changes, grows, hurts, bleeds or does not rub off like the others is worth showing to a dentist.
Read the full answer →What is a herpetic ulcer in the mouth?
A herpetic ulcer in the mouth is a sore caused by the herpes simplex virus, starting as small blisters that break into painful ulcers, often with fever in children. Unlike ordinary aphthous ulcers it is contagious. It usually heals by itself in one to two weeks. Fluids, rest and pain relief help; a doctor may prescribe antiviral medicine.
Read the full answer →Which doctor should I see for a mouth ulcer?
For a mouth ulcer, start with a dentist or a general physician. Either can examine it, check for a sharp tooth or denture cause, and order blood tests. Ulcers that do not heal in three weeks are referred for a biopsy, often to an oral medicine specialist, oral surgeon or ENT surgeon. A dermatologist helps when the skin is also involved.
Read the full answer →Which vitamin deficiency causes mouth ulcers?
Low vitamin B12, folate and iron are the deficiencies most often linked to recurrent mouth ulcers, and zinc is sometimes involved. People on vegetarian diets are more likely to be low in B12. A blood test shows which, if any, is the cause. Supplements work best when chosen after testing and taken as directed on the label.
Read the full answer →What to eat in a mouth ulcer?
With a mouth ulcer, choose soft, cool or lukewarm, mild foods such as khichdi, curd, well-cooked dal, banana, porridge and smoothies. Avoid spicy, sour, salty, crunchy and very hot food, which sting and scrape the ulcer. Drink plenty of water. If the ulcer is still there after three weeks, have it examined.
Read the full answer →What causes inflammation of the tongue?
Inflammation of the tongue, called glossitis, makes it swollen, red, smooth or sore. Common causes are low iron, vitamin B12 or folate, an allergy, irritants such as tobacco or spicy food, a dry mouth, and infections like thrush. Treatment depends on the cause. Sudden tongue swelling with trouble breathing or swallowing is an emergency: go to a hospital at once.
Read the full answer →What causes a tongue infection and how is it treated?
A tongue infection is most often oral thrush, a yeast overgrowth, or a viral sore such as herpes. Bacteria can infect a cut, bite or piercing. Signs are pain, white or red patches, blisters, pus or swelling. A dentist or doctor identifies the cause and prescribes treatment. Swelling under the tongue, fever or trouble swallowing or breathing needs same-day care.
Read the full answer →What causes black spots on the tongue?
Black spots on the tongue are most often harmless: staining from tea, coffee, tobacco or paan, natural pigmentation, or black hairy tongue where the surface bumps grow long and trap colour. A bruise or blood blister can also look dark. A new dark spot that grows, changes shape, bleeds or does not fade in three weeks should be examined.
Read the full answer →What is a pimple on the tongue or inside the mouth?
A pimple on the tongue is rarely a true pimple. It is usually a lie bump (transient lingual papillitis), an irritated taste bump, a small ulcer, or a fluid-filled cyst inside the lip. Most settle in a few days without treatment. A lump that is hard, growing or has lasted more than three weeks should be examined by a dentist.
Read the full answer →What causes blisters on the tongue?
Blisters on the tongue are usually caused by a burn from hot food, a viral infection such as herpes or hand, foot and mouth disease, an allergic reaction, or an ulcer that begins as a blister. Most heal within one to two weeks. Blisters with high fever, spreading swelling or trouble swallowing or breathing need same-day care.
Read the full answer →Are bumps on the back of the tongue normal?
Bumps on the back of the tongue are usually normal. A row of large taste bumps (circumvallate papillae) forms a V shape, and lingual tonsil tissue sits behind them. They can swell after a cold, irritation or looking too hard in the mirror. A bump on one side, growing, painful or lasting beyond three weeks should be examined.
Read the full answer →What is leukoplakia on the tongue?
Leukoplakia is a white patch on the tongue or lining of the mouth that cannot be rubbed off and has no other clear cause. Most patches stay harmless, but some can turn into cancer over time, so a dentist examines it and often takes a small sample (biopsy). Tobacco and areca nut are the main causes. Stopping them is the most useful step.
Read the full answer →Why do I have sores on my tongue?
Sores on the tongue are usually caused by a bite, a sharp tooth or brace, an aphthous ulcer, a viral infection or a vitamin shortage. Most heal within one to two weeks. A sore on the tongue that has not healed in three weeks, especially on the side, needs examining even if it does not hurt.
Read the full answer →What is the treatment for a bitten tongue or a tongue cut by teeth?
For a bitten or cut tongue, rinse gently with water, press firmly with clean gauze or cloth for several minutes, and hold something cold against it. Most tongue wounds heal quickly. See a dentist or doctor the same day if the cut gapes, bleeds heavily after firm pressure, or is deep. Go to a hospital emergency department if bleeding will not stop.
Read the full answer →What is the best treatment for a burnt tongue?
For a burnt tongue, rinse or sip cool water straight away, then eat cool, soft foods such as curd and avoid hot, spicy, salty and acidic food. Most burns heal in about a week as the surface renews. See a dentist or doctor if blisters are large, pain is severe, or it is not healing after two weeks.
Read the full answer →What do changes in tongue colour mean?
A healthy tongue is usually pink with a thin white coating. Colour changes are common and are usually caused by food, drink, tobacco, a coating of bacteria or a mild infection. A few point to a deficiency or a medical condition. Colour alone does not diagnose a disease, so see a dentist or doctor if a change lasts more than two weeks.
Read the full answer →What is geographic tongue and is it serious?
Geographic tongue is a harmless, common condition where smooth red patches with pale or white borders appear on the tongue and change shape over days or weeks, like a map. The cause is not fully understood. It is not infectious or cancerous. Spicy, acidic or salty food can sting. Get it checked if a patch stays in one place or an ulcer does not heal.
Read the full answer →What is a fissured tongue and does it need treatment?
A fissured tongue has deep grooves or cracks across its top surface. It is usually harmless and often present from childhood, becoming more obvious with age. Food and bacteria can collect in the grooves, so gentle brushing of the tongue matters. Soreness, a bad taste or a groove that bleeds or does not heal should be checked by a dentist or doctor.
Read the full answer →What is burning mouth syndrome and what helps?
Burning mouth syndrome is a burning, scalded or tingling feeling in the tongue, lips or roof of the mouth, usually with a normal-looking mouth. Causes include dry mouth, low iron, B12 or folate, thrush, diabetes, allergy to products, and in many people no clear cause. It is long-lasting but not dangerous. A dentist or doctor can look for the trigger.
Read the full answer →What is oral lichen planus and is it serious?
Oral lichen planus is a long-lasting, non-infectious condition where the immune system irritates the lining of the mouth. It shows as white lacy lines, or red, sore patches and ulcers, usually inside the cheeks. It comes and goes. There is a small long-term cancer risk, so regular checks by a dentist or doctor are advised.
Read the full answer →Which gel is good for a mouth ulcer?
Mouth ulcer gels ease pain or protect the sore while it heals. They are grouped by ingredient: local anaesthetics, choline salicylate, protective barrier gels and antiseptic gels. Use them as directed on the label. They do not cure an ulcer. An ulcer that has not healed in about two to three weeks needs checking by a dentist or doctor.
Read the full answer →Which tablet is used for mouth ulcers?
No tablet makes an ordinary mouth ulcer vanish. Paracetamol or ibuprofen, as directed on the label, can ease the pain. B-vitamin or iron supplements help only when a blood test shows a deficiency, after a doctor's advice. Steroid tablets are prescription only. An ulcer that has not healed in about two to three weeks needs checking.
Read the full answer →Bad breath and mouth taste
What causes a bitter taste in the mouth?
A bitter taste in the mouth is most often caused by acid reflux, dry mouth, a medicine or supplement, or bacteria from gum disease or a tooth infection. Pregnancy and a cold can also cause it. Drinking water, cleaning the tongue and teeth well and treating the cause usually clears it. One that lasts more than a couple of weeks needs a check-up.
Read the full answer →What causes a metallic taste in the mouth?
A metallic taste in the mouth most often comes from bleeding gums, since blood tastes of iron. Other common causes are medicines and supplements such as iron, pregnancy, colds and sinus infections, and dry mouth. It usually passes once the cause is dealt with. A taste that lasts more than two weeks, or has no clear cause, is worth getting checked.
Read the full answer →Why do I have a sour taste in my mouth?
A sour taste in the mouth is most often caused by acid reflux, where stomach acid comes up into the throat and mouth, particularly after meals or when lying down. Dry mouth, a coated tongue, gum disease and some medicines can also cause it. Smaller meals, not lying down after eating and good mouth cleaning help. Frequent reflux needs a doctor.
Read the full answer →What causes a strange taste in the mouth?
A strange taste in the mouth usually comes from the mouth or nose: gum disease, a tooth infection, dry mouth, smoking, a cold or sinus infection, or a medicine. A blood-like taste often means bleeding gums, and a tasteless tongue often follows a cold. A sudden loss of taste with weakness, facial droop or confusion needs emergency care.
Read the full answer →Does a tongue scraper help with bad breath?
Yes, a tongue scraper helps bad breath, because the coating on the back of the tongue holds the bacteria that make odour. Scrape gently from the back towards the tip once or twice a day, rinsing the scraper between strokes. It will not fix bad breath caused by gum disease, decay or tonsil stones, which need a dentist.
Read the full answer →Which home remedies for bad breath actually work?
The home remedies that work for bad breath remove the cause: brushing twice a day, cleaning between the teeth, cleaning the tongue, and drinking water to keep the mouth moist. Sugar-free gum helps by increasing saliva. Saunf, cloves and mints only mask the smell for a short time. Bad breath that continues despite this needs a dentist.
Read the full answer →Can bad breath come from the stomach?
Most bad breath starts in the mouth, not the stomach. Bacteria on the tongue and gums are the usual cause. The stomach can contribute when acid reflux brings sour-smelling contents up, and some stomach infections are linked to it in some people. If a dentist finds a healthy mouth and the breath persists, a doctor can look further.
Read the full answer →What do the different types of bad breath smells mean?
Different bad breath smells hint at different sources. A rotten-egg or sulphur smell usually comes from bacteria on the tongue and gums. A sweet or fruity smell, an ammonia or urine-like smell, a fishy smell and a faecal smell can signal medical causes. The smell is a clue, not a diagnosis, and persistent breath should be checked.
Read the full answer →Which mouthwash is good for bad breath?
Look for a mouthwash with cetylpyridinium chloride, zinc, chlorine dioxide or essential oils, which can reduce the bacteria that cause odour for a few hours. Choose an alcohol-free one if your mouth is dry. A mouthwash masks and reduces bad breath, but it does not treat the cause, such as the tongue coating, gum disease or decay.
Read the full answer →Which toothpaste is good for bad breath?
For bad breath, choose a fluoride toothpaste, and consider one with stannous fluoride or zinc, which reduce odour-causing bacteria. But the toothpaste matters less than how you clean: brush the teeth and gum line for two minutes twice a day, clean between the teeth and clean the tongue. No toothpaste fixes gum disease or decay.
Read the full answer →Sensitive teeth
What is a natural remedy for sensitive teeth you can use at home?
The home measures that help sensitive teeth are not herbal. Use a desensitising toothpaste every day for several weeks, brush gently with a soft brush, and avoid brushing straight after acidic food or drink. Warm salt water can soothe sore gums. If one tooth hurts sharply, lingers, or hurts on biting, it may be decay or a crack and needs a dentist.
Read the full answer →Which medicated toothpaste for sensitive teeth works, and what is in it?
Medicated toothpaste for sensitive teeth works through one of two actions: ingredients such as potassium nitrate calm the nerve, while stannous fluoride, arginine, strontium salts or calcium sodium phosphosilicate block the tiny channels in exposed dentine. It needs daily use for several weeks, and it cannot treat toothache caused by decay or a crack.
Read the full answer →Which mouthwash for sensitive teeth is worth using?
A mouthwash for sensitive teeth should be alcohol-free and contain a desensitising ingredient such as potassium nitrate, or fluoride to strengthen enamel. It supports your toothpaste but does not replace it. Use it at a different time from brushing, do not rinse with water straight afterwards, and see a dentist if one tooth stays painful.
Read the full answer →Why do my teeth tingle, or feel numb?
Teeth tingling is most often sensitivity from exposed dentine, but it can also come from early decay, a crack, grinding, sinus congestion or recent whitening. Numbness for a few hours after a dental injection is normal. Numbness or tingling in the lip, chin or face with no injection, or with face drooping or weakness, needs urgent medical attention.
Read the full answer →Teeth grinding and jaw problems
Do I need a mouth guard for teeth grinding?
You need a night guard if grinding is wearing, chipping or cracking your teeth, or if you wake with a sore jaw. It protects the teeth from wear but does not stop the grinding itself. Not everyone who grinds needs one: mild, painless grinding with no visible wear can often just be watched. A dentist can tell which applies to you.
Read the full answer →What is bruxism and how is it treated?
Bruxism means grinding or clenching your teeth, either while awake or, more often, during sleep. It is common and often harmless, but it can wear or crack teeth and leave the jaw sore. Treatment aims to protect the teeth and ease the strain: usually a custom night guard, stress and sleep habits, and treating any bite problem.
Read the full answer →How do I stop grinding my teeth when sleeping?
You usually cannot switch grinding off, but you can reduce it and protect your teeth. Wind down before bed, keep regular sleep hours, cut caffeine and alcohol in the evening, and relax your jaw during the day. A custom night guard protects the teeth while the habit settles. See a dentist if teeth are wearing or the jaw hurts.
Read the full answer →Why does my jaw lock?
A jaw usually locks because the cushion disc in the joint has slipped, or because the jaw muscles have gone into spasm, often from clenching, grinding or stress. Injury, arthritis and infection are other causes. If the jaw is stuck and will not open or close, get care the same day.
Read the full answer →Why does my jaw click or pop?
A jaw clicks or pops when the cushion disc in the joint shifts as you open or close. If it does not hurt and the jaw moves freely, it is usually harmless and needs no treatment. See a dentist if clicking comes with pain, limited opening or locking, since grinding or a joint problem may be behind it.
Read the full answer →Oral hygiene
What is oral hygiene, and why is it important?
Oral hygiene is the daily care that keeps your teeth, gums and tongue clean and healthy. It means brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, cleaning between the teeth, limiting sugary snacks and seeing a dentist regularly. Good oral hygiene prevents decay, gum disease and bad breath, and protects your ability to eat and speak comfortably.
Read the full answer →What is the right daily tooth care routine?
Good tooth care means brushing twice a day for two minutes with fluoride toothpaste, cleaning between the teeth once a day, cleaning the tongue, and keeping sugary food and drink to mealtimes. Drink water through the day and see a dentist regularly. Spit out toothpaste after brushing rather than rinsing, so the fluoride keeps protecting your teeth.
Read the full answer →What happens with poor oral hygiene, and how do you fix it?
Poor oral hygiene lets plaque build up on teeth and gums. Signs include bleeding gums, bad breath, a coated tongue, tartar and sensitive or discoloured teeth. Left alone, it leads to cavities, gum disease and eventually tooth loss. It can be reversed in its early stages with better brushing, cleaning between the teeth and a professional clean.
Read the full answer →Are bacteria in the mouth normal, and which ones are harmful?
Your mouth is home to hundreds of kinds of bacteria, and most are harmless or helpful. Harmful ones cause trouble when plaque builds up and sugar feeds them, causing cavities, gum disease and bad breath. The aim is not to kill every germ in your mouth but to keep plaque under control with brushing and cleaning between your teeth.
Read the full answer →Types of teeth and tooth anatomy
What are the types of teeth, and what does each one do?
There are four types of teeth: incisors, canines, premolars and molars. An adult has 32 permanent teeth when wisdom teeth are counted: 8 incisors, 4 canines, 8 premolars and 12 molars. A child has 20 milk teeth: 8 incisors, 4 canines and 8 molars, with no premolars. Each shape is built for a different job in biting and chewing.
Read the full answer →What are molar teeth, and when do they come through?
Molar teeth are the large, flat-topped back teeth used for grinding food. An adult has twelve: first, second and third molars in each quarter of the mouth, the third being the wisdom teeth. First molars come through at around 6 to 7 years, second molars at around 12, and wisdom teeth between roughly 17 and 25.
Read the full answer →What are premolar teeth, and how many do you have?
Premolars, also called bicuspids, are the teeth between the canines and the molars. An adult has eight, two in each quarter of the mouth, and they come through at around 10 to 12 years. Children have no premolars: the milk molars are replaced by them. They hold and crush food, and they are often the teeth removed to make space for braces.
Read the full answer →How does the tooth numbering system work?
The FDI tooth numbering system gives every tooth a two-digit number. The first digit is the quarter of the mouth (1 upper right, 2 upper left, 3 lower left, 4 lower right) and the second counts from the middle: 1 is the central incisor, 8 is the wisdom tooth. So tooth 36 is the lower left first molar.
Read the full answer →What is enamel, and can it grow back?
Enamel is the hard, white, translucent outer layer that covers the visible crown of each tooth. It is the hardest tissue in the human body and protects the softer layers beneath. It contains no living cells, so it cannot grow back once lost. It can be strengthened by fluoride and worn away by acid, grinding and hard brushing.
Read the full answer →What is dentin (dentine), and why does it make teeth sensitive?
Dentin, spelled dentine in British English, is the yellowish layer that lies beneath enamel and forms most of the tooth. It is softer than enamel, contains thousands of microscopic tubes running toward the nerve, and is alive. When enamel or gum is lost and dentin is exposed, cold, sweet or touch can reach the nerve and cause sharp sensitivity.
Read the full answer →What are canine teeth, and why are they also called fang teeth?
Canine teeth are the four pointed teeth at the corners of the mouth, one on each side of the upper and lower front teeth. They are also called eye teeth (the upper pair) or fang teeth because of their single sharp tip. Their job is to grip and tear food and to guide the upper and lower teeth together when you bite.
Read the full answer →What does incisors mean, and what do incisor teeth do?
Incisors are the flat, thin-edged teeth at the front of the mouth, used to cut and bite into food. There are eight: four upper and four lower, made up of two central and two lateral incisors in each jaw. They also shape speech and take up most of what shows in a smile.
Read the full answer →What does dentition mean, and what are deciduous teeth?
Dentition means the teeth in a person's mouth: their type, number and arrangement. There are three stages: primary (deciduous, or milk) dentition in young children, mixed dentition while milk teeth are being replaced, and permanent dentition in adults. Deciduous teeth means the temporary first set that falls out, from the Latin for "falling off".
Read the full answer →Dental X-rays
What are the types of dental X-ray, and when is each used?
The main dental X-rays are bitewing, periapical, occlusal, OPG (panoramic) and CBCT. Bitewings show decay between back teeth, periapicals show a whole tooth and its root, occlusals show a wider slice of the jaw, an OPG shows the whole mouth in one flat image, and CBCT gives a 3D view. A dentist picks the one that answers the question.
Read the full answer →What is a bitewing X-ray in dental check-ups?
A bitewing X-ray is a small dental picture taken while you bite on a plastic tab, showing the crowns of the upper and lower back teeth together. It is used to find decay between teeth, which cannot be seen by looking, and to check old fillings and the level of bone between teeth. It takes a few seconds per image.
Read the full answer →What is the full form of OPG, and what does an OPG dental X-ray show?
An OPG, or orthopantomogram, is a panoramic dental X-ray that shows all your teeth, both jaws and the jaw joints in one wide image. The machine turns once around your head while you stand or sit still. It is used to look at wisdom teeth, buried teeth and jaw problems, and as an overview before treatment.
Read the full answer →What is an RVG dental X-ray?
RVG stands for radiovisiography, a digital dental X-ray. A small sensor placed in the mouth replaces film and sends the image straight to a computer screen. It is the same kind of picture as a traditional periapical or bitewing X-ray, but it appears within seconds, needs no developing and uses less radiation than film.
Read the full answer →What is the full form of CBCT, and what is it used for in dentistry?
CBCT, or cone beam computed tomography, is a 3D dental X-ray. The machine turns around your head once and builds a three-dimensional image of the teeth, jaw bone and nerves in a chosen area. It is used when a flat X-ray is not enough, such as implant planning, buried teeth or complex root canals, and is not a routine check-up scan.
Read the full answer →What does a dental cavity look like on an X-ray?
On a dental X-ray, a cavity appears as a darker patch in the tooth, because decayed tooth absorbs less of the X-ray beam than healthy enamel and dentin. X-rays often show decay between teeth before it can be seen or felt. They can also miss very early cavities or make a small one look larger, so the dentist checks the tooth as well.
Read the full answer →What is the full form of IOPA in dentistry?
IOPA stands for intraoral periapical X-ray. It is a small dental X-ray taken with the film or sensor placed inside the mouth, showing one to three teeth in full, from the crown to the root tip and the surrounding bone. Dentists use it to check for infection, decay near the root, bone loss and root canal progress.
Read the full answer →Mouth cancer awareness
What does mouth cancer look like in the first stage?
In its first stage, mouth cancer often looks like something minor: an ulcer that does not heal, a red or white patch, or a small lump or thickening, frequently without pain. Most mouth ulcers are not cancer, but any ulcer, patch or lump still present after three weeks needs to be examined, whether or not it hurts.
Read the full answer →What is the difference between a mouth ulcer and cancer?
An ordinary mouth ulcer is usually painful, heals within about two weeks and tends to come and go. A cancer-related sore is often painless and does not heal, and may have a hard or raised edge. The two can look alike, so any ulcer lasting three weeks needs an examination rather than a guess.
Read the full answer →How do smoking and tobacco cause mouth cancer?
Tobacco in every form is linked to mouth cancer: cigarettes, bidi, chewing tobacco, gutkha, khaini and paan with tobacco. Areca nut (supari) is a risk on its own, and alcohol adds to the effect. Quitting lowers the risk over time, and it is worth doing at any age, whatever the habit.
Read the full answer →Can a dentist help with mouth cancer?
A dentist can notice changes in the mouth during a routine examination, look at an ulcer or patch, check for a cause such as a sharp tooth, and refer you for a biopsy if something looks doubtful. A dentist cannot confirm cancer by looking. That needs a biopsy, and treatment is planned by a specialist team.
Read the full answer →How is mouth cancer diagnosed?
Mouth cancer is diagnosed in steps: an examination of the mouth and neck, then a biopsy, where a small sample of tissue is tested in a laboratory. A biopsy is the only way to confirm it. Scans may follow to see whether it has spread. A doctor or dentist cannot diagnose it by looking alone.
Read the full answer →What is OSMF (oral submucous fibrosis)?
OSMF, or oral submucous fibrosis, is a long-term condition where the lining of the mouth becomes stiff and fibrous, making it hard to open the mouth wide. It is caused by chewing areca nut, supari, gutka or paan masala. It is a potentially malignant condition. Stopping areca nut is the single most important step, and it needs checking by a dentist or doctor.
Read the full answer →Dentists and dental specialists
What is the full form of BDS?
BDS stands for Bachelor of Dental Surgery. It is the undergraduate dental degree in India, regulated by the National Dental Commission, which replaced the Dental Council of India in 2026. The course runs five years including a one-year compulsory internship. A dentist with a BDS is qualified to diagnose and treat common dental problems such as fillings, cleaning, extractions, root canals and crowns.
Read the full answer →What is the full form of DDS?
DDS stands for Doctor of Dental Surgery. It is the professional dental degree awarded in the United States and Canada. A dentist with a DDS is licensed to diagnose and treat teeth, gums and the mouth. It is equivalent in scope to the DMD, and broadly comparable to the Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) awarded in India.
Read the full answer →What are the different types of dentists in India?
In India, most dentists are general dentists who hold a BDS degree and handle routine care: check-ups, cleaning, fillings, extractions, root canals and crowns. Specialists have a further three-year MDS in one branch, such as periodontology, endodontics, prosthodontics, orthodontics or paediatric dentistry. A general dentist refers you when a case needs deeper expertise in one area.
Read the full answer →Choosing care
How do I choose a good dentist in Lucknow?
Check four things. That the dentist is registered with the State Dental Council and will tell you the number. That you get a written, itemised treatment plan before treatment starts, not a verbal total. That imaging is taken before a quote is given, because a price without a scan is a guess. And that the conservative option is explained alongside the definitive one.
Read the full answer →How often should I see a dentist?
Every six months for most people. Every three to four months if you smoke, have diabetes, have been treated for gum disease, or have implants, because deposits reform faster and the consequences of missing them are larger. The interval is a risk judgement, not a universal rule, and it should be set for you rather than applied by default.
Read the full answer →Is dental treatment safe during pregnancy?
Routine dental care is safe during pregnancy and actively recommended. Cleanings, fillings and urgent treatment can all be done, ideally in the second trimester when you are most comfortable. Local anaesthetic is safe. Dental X-rays with shielding deliver a negligible dose. The genuine risk is leaving gum disease or infection untreated, not treating it.
Read the full answer →What should I know about dental treatment if I have diabetes?
Diabetes and gum disease make each other worse, and the relationship runs in both directions: treating gum disease measurably improves glycaemic control. Well-controlled diabetes is not a barrier to any dental treatment, including implants. Poorly controlled diabetes impairs healing and raises infection risk, which changes planning rather than ruling treatment out.
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