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Moreno Dental
3115 Howe Place
Suite 101
Bellingham, WA
98226
360.676.0642
Moreno Dental is a proud member of:
All Major
Credit Cards Accepted
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Here are the answers to common dental questions we get asked.
How often do I need a checkup?
A double blind study completed in 1987 showed that effective maintenance
against periodontal disease and decay required quarterly professional
cleanings. Cleanings every six months allowed the same degree of
breakdown as yearly cleanings. With the previous information as
a guideline, we recognize that each person is unique and we will
let you know if your particular situation requires being seen on
a different schedule. |
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What happens if I
get a severe tooth ache outside of office hours?
If you are a patient of Moreno Dental, you're in severe pain
and we're not in the office, you can call our number, 360.676.0642,
and our answering service will contact one of our Doctors.
At other times, you can go to an emergency room and get a prescription
for pain relief that should take you to morning. |
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Why do you want to
know that I have diabetes?
We need to know about illnesses that you have because many illnesses
manifest their symptoms in your mouth.
Diabetics, for example, are at higher risk of oral infection and
bone loss. And periodontal problems can make it harder for you to
control your diabetes because they upset blood sugar levels and
make it harder for you to eat properly.
A further complication is that infections in diabetics heal more
slowly. Because of these possible problems, once we know that you
have diabetes, we'll probably want to put you on a more frequent
schedule of care.
Please alert the office if you have a medical condition that may
be of concern (i.e. diabetes, high blood pressure, artificial heart
valves or joints, rheumatic fever, etc.) or if you are on any medication
(i.e. heart medications, aspirin, anticoagulant therapy, etc.)
**If you are required to premedicate before a visit to
the dentist, please inform us.** |
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Should I cancel my
dental appointment if I have a cold?
Don't cancel your appointment if your only concern is not to spread
your cold. Our gowns and masks serve their function by protecting
us.
The only reason to cancel your appointment would be if your symptoms
are so severe that you would be unable to tolerate the procedures.
We ask that you give us as much notice as possible if you do have
to make a cancellation. |
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What
causes tooth decay?
As you eat and food passes through your mouth, it
meets the germs, or bacteria, that live in your mouth. You may have
heard your dentist talk about plaque. Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria.
These bacteria love sugars and starches found in many foods. When
you don't clean your teeth after eating, plaque bacteria use the sugar
and starch to produce acids that can destroy the hard surface of the
tooth called enamel.
After a while, tooth decay occurs. The more often you eat and the
longer foods are in your mouth, the more damage occurs.
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What
is Plaque?
Many of the foods you eat cause bacteria in your
mouth to produce acids. Sugared foods, such as cookies and candy,
are not the only reason for plaque. Starches, such as cereal, bread,
and crackers, also cause acids to form.
If you snack often, you could be having many acid attacks. After
many of these acid attacks, your teeth may decay.
Plaque also produces substances that irritate the gums, making them
red, tender or prone to bleed easily. After awhile, gums may pull
away from the teeth. Pockets form and fill with more bacteria and
pus. If the gums are not treated, the bone around the teeth can
be destroyed. The teeth may become loose or have to be removed.
In fact, gum disease is a main cause of tooth loss in adults.
One way to prevent tooth decay and gum disease is to eat a balanced
diet and limit the number of between-meal snacks. If you need a
snack, choose nutritious foods such as raw vegetables, plain yogurt,
cheese or a piece of fruit. read
more>> |
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What
causes bad breath?
What you eat affects the air you exhale. Certain foods,
such as garlic and onions, contribute to objectionable breath odor.
Once the food is absorbed into the bloodstream, it is transferred
to the lungs where it is expelled. Brushing, flossing and mouthwash
will only mask the odor temporarily. Odors continue until the body
eliminates the food. Dieters may develop unpleasant breath from infrequent
eating.
If you don't brush and floss daily, particles of food remain in the
mouth collecting bacteria that can cause bad breath. Food that collects
between the teeth, on the tongue and around the gums can rot, leaving
an unpleasant odor.
Dentures that are not cleaned properly can also harbor odor-causing
bacteria and food particles.
One of the warning signs of periodontal (gum) disease is persistent
bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth. Periodontal disease is caused
by plaque, the sticky, colorless film of bacteria that constantly
forms on teeth. The bacteria create toxins that irritate the gums.
In the advanced stage of the disease, the gums, bone and other structures
that support the teeth become damaged. With regular dental checkups,
your dentist can detect and treat periodontal disease early.
Bad breath is also caused by dry mouth (xerostomia), which occurs
when the flow of saliva decreases. Saliva is necessary to cleanse
the mouth and remove particles that may cause odor. Dry mouth may
be caused by various medications, salivary gland problems or continuously
breathing through the mouth.
If you suffer from dry mouth, your dentist may prescribe an artificial
saliva, or suggest using sugarless candy and increasing your fluid
intake.
Tobacco products cause bad breath, stain teeth, reduce one's ability
to taste foods, and irritate gum tissues. Tobacco users are more likely
to suffer from periodontal disease and are at greater risk for developing
oral cancer. If you use tobacco, ask your dentist for tips on kicking
the habit.
Bad breath may be the sign of a medical disorder, such as a local
infection in the respiratory tract (nose, throat, windpipe, lungs),
chronic sinusitis, postnasal drip, chronic bronchitis, diabetes, gastrointestinal
disturbance, liver or kidney ailment. If your dentist determines that
your mouth is healthy, you may be referred to your family doctor or
a specialist to determine the cause of bad breath.
Eliminating periodontal disease and maintaining good oral health is
essential to reducing bad breath. Schedule regular dental visits for
a professional cleaning and checkup. If you think you have constant
bad breath, keep a log of the foods you eat and make a list of medications
you take. Some medications may play a role in creating mouth odors.
Let your dentist know if you've had any surgery or illness since your
last appointment.
Brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste to remove food debris
and plaque. Brush your tongue, too. Once a day, use floss or an inter
dental cleaner to clean between teeth. If you wear removable dentures,
take them out at night. Clean them thoroughly before replacing them
the next morning.
Mouthwashes are generally cosmetic and do not have a long-lasting
effect on bad breath. If you must constantly use a breath freshener
to hide unpleasant mouth odor, see your dentist. If you need extra
help in controlling plaque, your dentist may recommend using a special
anti microbial mouth rinse. A fluoride mouth rinse, along with brushing
and flossing, can help prevent tooth decay.
Look for products that carry the American Dental Association Seal
of Acceptance. Products that display the seal have undergone strict
testing for safety and effectiveness. |
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How do I floss my teeth?
Break off about 18 inches of floss and wind most of it around one
of your middle fingers. Wind the remaining floss around the same finger
of the opposite hand. This finger will take up the floss as it becomes
dirty. Hold the floss tightly between your thumbs and forefingers.
Guide the floss between your teeth using a gentle rubbing motion.
Never snap the floss into the gums.
When the floss reaches the gum line, curve it into a C-shape against
one tooth. Gently slide it into the space between the gum and the
tooth.
Hold the floss tightly against the tooth. Gently rub the side of the
tooth, moving the floss away from the gum with up and down motions.
Repeat this method on the rest of your teeth. Don't forget the back
side of your last tooth.
People who have difficulty handling dental floss may prefer to use
another kind of inter dental cleaner. These aids include special brushes,
picks or sticks. If you use inter dental cleaners, ask your dentist
about how to use them properly to avoid injuring your gums.
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At what age should I
take my child to the Dentist?
The American Dental Association recommends that you take your child
to the dentist by age one. The earlier, the better.
The dentist can see if there are any areas of decay, advise you on
how to brush your child's teeth, and determine how much fluoride your
child should get. |
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Since my baby doesn't
have any teeth, do I still need to clean his mouth?
Yes. It is really important to clean your child's mouth after every
feeding. Just take a damp washcloth and gently wipe the baby's gums.
This takes away plaque and bacteria. |
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Can baby teeth get cavities?
Yes. As soon as teeth form, they are at risk for decay. One serious
reason for this is baby bottle tooth decay.
This happens when babies are given bottles while they sleep or nap.
The fruit juice, milk or sugar water pools around the teeth for long
periods of time, and the teeth are attacked by the acids.
If you have to give your child a bottle to nap or go to bed, make
sure it just has plain water in it. |
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Disclaimer:
The materials on this web site are informational only and not intended
as a substitute for professional dental and/or medical advice. Accordingly
you should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health
problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare
provider. |
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