Q.  How often could I get a dental checkup?.

A.  A regular dental checkup is the best preventative care for your oral health.  The number of visits for dental         checkup depends on the condition of your gum and teeth.  For an instant, people with gum inflammation and       bleeding may require 3-4 visits per year while people with healthy gum and no bleeding need 2 visits per           year.  During your regular checkup, your teeth and gums will be inspected for any sign of periodontal                 disease.  Also, X-rays will be taken to evaluate your teeth below the gingiva to detect any cavities tor sign         of injection.  The checkup will provide thorough teeth cleaning and polish.

Q.  Why dentist visits are important?.

A.  Regular visits to the dentist are necessary to keep your teeth and gum healthy.  Also, the dentist can detect       early cavities and restore them.  If the cavities are detected too late, they tend to be bigger and lead to               more complicated procedures such as root canal therapy and crown.  These procedures tend to be costly.           In addition, visitation to the dentist gives the patient a chance to ask any question regarding his/her oral             health and get an answer. 

Q.  How to select the best toothpaste and toothbrush?.

A.  For toothpaste: it is best to look for one with fluoride content because fluoride protects tooth enamel from         cavities.  Also, check for ADA seal of approval which specify that the toothpaste meets ADA’s strict                     requirement.  In addition, ingredients may be a factor if you are looking for organic ingredients.  

     For toothbrush: select the toothbrush that has a narrow head so that it can reach the back teeth easily to         clean it.  Brush twice a day for 2 minutes each time and clean all the teeth surfaces and tongue.  Inspect           your toothbrush and change it when the bristles are no longer effective for cleaning.  

     Electric toothbrush: it has an advantage over manual toothbrush because it has a timer when the 2                 minutes time frame has reached.  In addition, some advance electric toothbrush has speed setting from             slow, medium to high.  This feature is good for people with sensitive gum.  By setting to low speed, there is         less chance of gum recession while brushing.  Also, some replacement head has a color indicator in the             bristles to let the user knows when to change the brush head.  

Q. Should I use mouthwash regularly?.

A.  Mouthwash is good to clean the gum especially after flossing.  When you floss, you break up the food                 particles that stick to your teeth and gum, then you use mouthwash to flush those food particles out of the           gum crevices.  Nowadays, there is mouthwash without alcohol so there is no burning sensation when you           gargle it.

Q.  What’s gum disease?. 

A.  Gum disease is often referred to as periodontal disease.  It is a serious condition where your gum is                    swelling and bleeding a lot.  Periodontal disease causes bone loss around the tooth because the bad                  bacteria produces acid to destroy the bone.  This condition will lead to tooth loss if periodontal disease is          not treated.

Q.  What are the signs of cancer oral?.

A.  In general, the dentist will check your mouth during the regular dental checkup.  If there is any abnormal           tissue in the mouth, it may be a sign of oral cancer.   Therefore, the dentist will refer the patient to an oral         surgeon to further evaluate the area and a biopsy of the area may be needed for testing. 

Q.  How can I improve my dental health and other problems?.

A.  In order to prevent any serious dental problem, it is best to practice oral hygiene such as brushing and               flossing afterward whenever you are eating.  Also, visit your dentist for a regular checkup.   During the               checkup, the dentist will use a special instrument called a cavitron with high frequency to remove the tartar         or calculus that has hardened on the tooth surfaces.   Even with flossing, you cannot remove the tartar               buildup which will lead to periodontal disease.  

Q.  What kinds of foods are good for my teeth?.

A.  According to the American Dental Association (ADA), healthy food can improve the health of your mouth.           Some of the healthy foods are dairy products, fruits, and vegetables.  Dairy products such as cheese and           yogurt are high in phosphate and calcium.  They are low in acidity and balance the pH in your mouth.                 These minerals help rebuild tooth enamel and the low acidity level helps to combat the bad bacteria that             cause gum disease. 

     Fruit is a great source of vitamin for your teeth when eaten in raw form.  Select fruit that is rich in vitamin C       which will nourish your gum to make it firm and healthy.  Vegetables are another good foundation for your           teeth.  Vegetables such as carrot or celery are rich in vitamin A and C which benefit the tooth enamel.  Also,       vegetables tend to have fiber content which can clean your teeth and gum as you eat them raw.  As you             chew these vegetables, your mouth will produce more saliva which neutralizes the bacteria that cause               cavities.

Q.  Is teeth whitening safe for me?.

A.  Teeth whitening is safe to do under the care and supervision of a dentist.  The dentist can examine your             teeth to make sure that you are a good candidate for whitening.  Always follow the manufacturer                         recommendation in order to avoid any discomfort.  If you are doing an in-office teeth whitening treatment,           follow the dentist recommendation to maintain the whiteness of your teeth.  Teeth whitening will remove             only the extrinsic stains which come from food or drink and it will not work on dental crown or filling.

Q.  How smoking affects my teeth and gum?. 

A.  Most people know that smoking causes lung cancer and other chronic lung problems.  Few people realize           that smoking also affects your mouth, teeth, and gum.  Smoking reduces the blood circulation in the mouth         and lessens your body immune defense.  Smokers tend to have more plaque buildup which is the breeding         ground for bad bacteria to weaken the gum and leads to gum disease.  The toxins from cigarette and                 chewing tobacco can lead to yellow staining teeth, gum recession, gum disease, tooth loss, and mouth               cancer.   The best prevention to fight against gum disease or mouth cancer is by giving up smoking and             practice good oral hygiene.