How often should I have regular check up X-rays taken?

In my practice we normally take four bitewing xrays once per year. Some patients, who prefer to receive less radiation have their check up X-rays every year and half to two years.

Most of the time bitewing check up X-rays are necessary, since cavities are painless, in their initial stages, and if the decay occurs where it can not be viewed by the dentist with direct visualization (between the back teeth), radiographs help visualize the decay.

We also take periapical xrays, that show entire teeth, including the apex, to check for abscesses or other problems. Once every five to seven years we try and take a full set of radiogrphs which are comprised of eighteen different X-ray views.

All X-rays are saved and new radiographs are often compared to older sets to see if there are any changing conditions that can be visualized on the radiographs, such as bone loss or beginner cavities that are worsening and may require filling.

The gums hurt behind my last molars. What can I do?

Usually when a patient reports this symptom they are experiencing an infection of their wisdom tooth. When the wisdom tooth is partially impacted, this is called a pericoronitis. If left untreated this infection can sometimes cause difficulty in swallowing and even spread to the neck area.

The treatment for the pericoronitis usually involves cleaning the area under the flap of gingiva that is covering the wisdom tooth, placing the patient on the appropriate antibiotic for 7-10 days and having them rinse often with warm salt water. I ask them to place table salt in a cup of water and microwave it until it is warm and rinse six times per day.

In the case of an impacted wisdom tooth which is fully covered by a flap of gingiva, often it is not possible to clean out the area, but if I am able , I irragate the area with saline solution and place the patient on antibiotics.

I see the patient again one week later and discuss whether removal of the wisdom tooth is advisable.

Is there anything I can use to clean between my teeth other than floss?

There are many devices that are available to clean intraproximally between teeth. Stimudents by Johnson and Johnson are easy to use and effective. They are placed in between the teeth and pushed in and out two or three times. It helps if you have a hygienist show you how to use them.

For patients who have some recession in between the teeth, proxabrushes by butler are the secret weapon of many periodontists. They come in different sizes and shapes and are extremely effective at cleaning any intraproximal surface that they can reach. They are not good for people without sufficient recession.

Another new product that I like is G.U.M. SOFT PICKS which appear to be plastic tooth picks covered with some sort of tiny rubber(latex?) bristles. these are tiny and fit in between the teeth.

Still another device we give out from our office is called staiNo whitening minis. These are inexpensive small hand held devices that are similar to proxa brushes, but are less expensive and very portable. They come 10 to matchbook sized box. My patients who have room for these, love them.