Healthy Teeth
iTEEN Questions
iCosmetic
Do Whitening Toothpastes Work?
Whitening toothpaste is designed to remove stain (coffee, juice) from the outside of your teeth. It will not “whiten” your teeth they way that bleaching will. If you are interested in changing the color of your teeth, talk with Dr. Schroeder.
What are options for lightening my teeth?
We have two options available in our office.
- Bleach Trays- These are custom trays that we make in the office. They fit right over your teeth. The bleach is placed in the tray and the tray is worn for a specific time frame that will be customized to your whitening needs.
- Crest White Strips- These strips have professional strength bleach that is not available in stores. They can be worn everyday, weekly or monthly, depending on the desired result.
I have a space between my front teeth!
Depending on your age the space may still close, especially once all of your adult teeth come in. The space may close by itself, but if it doesn’t you can get an orthodontic evaluation. From there, they will let you know what you can do to close the space.
How do I keep my breath fresh at school?
It is important to brush and floss before you go to school. A mouth rinse can also be used for extra fresh breath. Some mouth rinses are anti-bacterial and help reduce the bacteria in the mouth. If you notice a thick coating on your tongue, a tongue scraper can be used to remove the coating. A large amount of bacteria live on the back of your tongue. These bacteria release sulfur compounds as waste that contribute to bad breath.
Throughout the day, you can use gum or mints if they are allowed at school. You can brush your teeth at school as well.
Keeping your mouth plaque free will help reduce your bad breath. If you still can’t conquer your bad breath, talk to Dr. Cara about it at your next visit.
Why do the movie stars teeth look so good?
Movie stars often have their pictures altered by computers to make themselves appear different than they are in real life. Cosmetic dentists often place veneers and crowns to cover up their imperfections. It may take thousands of dollars to obtain a “perfect” smile. It takes money and time, and movie stars have a lot of both.
iBraces
Do I need braces?
If you feel that you might need braces, talk with Dr. Cara at your next cleaning appointment. She will let you know when it is time for you to see a specialist called an orthodontist. From there, they will tell you whether or not you may need braces.
Can I use the invisible kind?
That is up to you, your parents and your orthodontist to decide. There are many new advances in the orthodontic field and the orthodontist will let you know which ones are right for you.
How long will I have to wear braces?
This is a question best answered by your orthodontist. However, the average child wears braces for 18-30 months.
What is the best toothbrush for me?
The best toothbrush to use is one that you like! Look for a toothbrush that fits your mouth and also has soft bristles. Remember to replace your toothbrush at least every 3 months!
Why do I have to floss, it is hard!
Flossing removes the plaque and bacteria from in between your teeth. Because the teeth are so close together, toothbrush bristles are unable to reach in between your teeth. Plaque and bacteria cause cavities, red swollen gums and bad breath.
If flossing is hard for you, ask Dr. Cara or your dental assistant how to correctly floss. We know that flossing can be hard and we want to help you be successful, so just ask us!
My teeth are still yellow around my brackets, even after I brush.
The yellow that you see after brushing is usually the cement that your orthodontist used to cement on your brackets. If you think that it is something besides the cement, ask Dr. Cara at your next appointment.
Who is the best orthodontist?
The best orthodontist is one that you and your parents feel comfortable with. Whether you prefer a male or a female, or one that is close to your home, all of the orthodontists in our area are very good. You can also schedule consults with the orthodontists to see which one fits your needs the best. If you want more information, ask Dr. Cara at your next visit.
iHygiene
How much time to I have to spend brushing my teeth?
It is not a matter of how much time it takes to brush your teeth, but a matter of how WELL you brush. For example, it may take 2-3 minutes to brush if you have braces. But, it can also take someone without braces 2-3 minutes in order to remove all of the plaque and bacteria from their mouth. It takes an average person 2 minutes, 1 minute on the top teeth and 1 minute on the bottom teeth, to do a thorough job. 2 minutes!
If you feel that you need help with your brushing, talk to Dr. Cara about it at your next appointment. Brushing is not something that should not be rushed!
I don’t have time to brush.
Yes you do! Two minutes is less time than it takes to listen to your favorite song, or to send a text message. You can do it!
What is plaque?
Plaque is a thick film made of bacteria that sticks to your teeth, gums and tongue.
What does plaque do to my teeth?
Saliva is unable to penetrate the build-up of plaque and cannot deliver healthy minerals, like fluoride, that are needed to protect your teeth against cavities. In addition, the bacteria in the plaque pull minerals from your teeth, leaving white lines behind. These white lines are the first stage of a cavity. Failure to remove plaque by regular tooth brushing and flossing can also lead to red swollen gums and bad breath.
Why are my gums red and bleeding?
When you have red, bleeding and puffy gums, this is called gingivitis. Gingivitis is caused by plaque. Plaque contains bacteria, which can cause an infection in your gums. Your body fights this infection be “sending in the troops” which are white blood cells that can attack and kill the bacteria. White blood cells travel through our blood. An increase in blood, which is dark, causes the tissue to look very red.
There is an increase in blood wherever you have an infection in your mouth. Because of this your gums bleed easier, and more often.
I have bad breath, what can I do?
It is important to brush and floss everyday. A mouth rinse can also be used for extra fresh breath. Some mouth rinses are anti-bacterial and help to reduce the bacteria in the mouth. If you notice a thick coating on your tongue, a tongue scraper can be used to remove the coating. A large amount of bacteria live in the plaque coating on the back of your tongue. These bacteria release sulfur compounds as waste (Yuck, plaque poop!) that largely contribute to bad breath.
Keeping your mouth plaque free will help reduce your bad breath. If you still can’t conquer your bad breath, see Dr. Cara.
Why do my gums bleed when I brush?
Your may bleed for a couple of reasons. If you have gingivitis
What kind of toothpaste should I use?
Find toothpaste that you like and ask Dr. Cara about it at your next appointment. It is important to use toothpaste with fluoride to help prevent cavities.
iSports
Do I really need a mouth guard for sports?
Children and teenagers should wear a mouth guard during sports in an effort to prevent any damage to their teeth. Even a soft bump to the mouth can result in a broken tooth or root.
The new generation of sports guards has been shown to reduce forces that not only protect the teeth but also can prevent concussions, neck injuries, jaw fractures, cerebral hemorrhage and even death.
What are my choices?
A sports mouth guard is a soft plastic ‘shield’ that fits over the teeth and part of the gums that protects the teeth from fracture during impact sports.
We offer two types of sports guards in our office. For someone who does not have all of their adult teeth, we recommend boil and bite mouth guards. These are an inexpensive, temporary fix for children that still need the protection of a mouth guard, but have permanent teeth that still need to come in. For an older child or teenager that has all of their adult teeth, we recommend professionally made mouth guards that fit your teeth exactly.
Ask Dr. Cara about it at your next visit or you are welcome to call the office and make an appointment if you feel that you would like to have a mouth guard made for you.
Why are sports drinks bad for my teeth?
When you drink sports drinks, the sugar is quickly released in the mouth. The sugar stays in the mouth for a long period time, leading to an increase in cavity potential. Read the label of your sports drink and check the amount of sugar in it. A drink with little to no sugar is the best. If your coach wants you to have something besides water, try to drink it with a straw and rinse your mouth out with water after you drink it.
My coach says I need to stay hydrated. What can I do?
Drink water!!! The body is made of about 50-60% water, so when you sweat it out, you need to replace it. Otherwise you will get dehydrated and become lightheaded, weak, have nausea, vomiting and muscle cramps.
iGrinding
What is grinding?
Grinding is when the upper and lower teeth move back and forth together with excessive force. Bruxism is the medical term for the grinding of teeth or the clenching of jaws, especially during deep sleep or while under stress.
Why do my jaws hurt in the morning?
Grinding often involves clenching of the jaw. This clenching involves the use of the jaw muscles, which can become very sore after hours of clenching, kind of like you feel after a work out. The soreness usually goes away by the end of the morning. If you feel that you are waking up in the morning with sore jaws, please call our office to schedule an appointment or talk to Dr. Cara about it at your next check up.
My teeth looked chipped.
When the upper and lower teeth move back and forth together with excessive force, it often causes parts of the teeth to chip off. This usually happens on the front teeth. If you have chips on your front teeth, talk to Dr. Cara about it at your next visit. She may recommend that you wear a night guard to prevent any further chipping of your teeth. If your teeth are rough or sharp, call our office to make an appointment and we can smooth those teeth for you.
iWisdom Teeth
What are wisdom teeth?
Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, are the last teeth to erupt in your mouth. This generally occurs between the ages of 17 and 25.
My teeth are crowding, is it my wisdom teeth?
If you are between the ages of 17 and 25, the answer could possibly be yes. We will need to take a special x-ray to see your wisdom teeth to know for sure. Ask Dr. Cara about it at your next visit or you are welcome to call the office and make an appointment if you feel that your wisdom teeth are causing your crowding.
Why do I have to have my wisdom teeth removed?
As wisdom teeth grow, their roots become longer, the teeth become more difficult to remove and complications become more likely. In addition, partially or totally impacted wisdom teeth are more likely to cause problems as patient’s age.
No one can predict when third molar complications will occur, but when they do, the circumstances can be much more painful and the teeth more difficult to treat. It is estimated that about 85% of third molars will eventually need to be removed.
My friends say it hurts!
Before surgery, your oral surgeon will discuss with you what to expect. This is a good time to ask questions or express your concerns.
Most wisdom tooth extractions are performed in the oral surgery office under local anesthesia, intravenous sedation or general anesthesia. Your oral surgeon will discuss the anesthetic option that is right for you.
Following surgery, you may experience some swelling and mild discomfort, which are part of the normal healing process. Cold compresses may help decrease the swelling, and medication prescribed by your oral and surgeon can help manage the discomfort. This discomfort only lasts a couple of days, so don’t worry!
iDental Checkups
I’m to busy to go to the dentist!
You may think that you don’t have the time, but it is important to make the time! It is important to catch cavities when they are small. Cavities may not hurt until they get fairly large, and then they may need root treatment, or the tooth may even have to be extracted!
Why do you take x-rays?
X-rays allow us to see cavities that start in between the teeth. This area is not visible in the mouth like the sides of the teeth and the biting surfaces. They also allow us to see below the gums around your roots. An infection may start under the gums and we can’t see the infection without the x-ray.
We are also able to see the permanent teeth developing under the baby teeth. We can see if there are any missing teeth, or even extra teeth.
I can’t miss school!
The great thing about our office is that we start work early in the morning, even before you start school. You can also come in after school, or during half days. We work during spring break and on many holidays as well. We understand how important school is to many kids and teenagers and we try very hard to accommodate your needs.