Dental questions and answers

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• Q My son had an adult front tooth knocked out while playing rugby. Nobody could find the tooth. If somebody had found it, could it have been put back in?
  A If it is the whole tooth then gently push it back into the socket. Fold a clean handkerchief into a pad and use this to bite on to keep the tooth in place. Contact your dentist immediately. If the tooth is dirty, do not scrub it first. Rinse it carefully in milk or cold water before putting it back into the socket. If you can't push it back in then put it in some milk or saliva and contact your dentist immediately. People playing rugby or other contact sports should wear mouthguards for protection. It's a good idea to ask your dentist about getting one made professionally.
• Q I'm 62. I've got an ulcer under my false teeth. It's been there for nearly a month. Will it go away or do I need some medicine?
  A When false teeth are new you sometimes get a sore spot that can easily be helped by your dentist a djusting the denture. However there are various types of ulcers that you can get in your mouth. If you have any ulcers, swellings or lumps in your mouth that persist then contact your dentist for urgent advice. Most of these are easily explained but sometimes they need urgent attention.
• Q Since becoming a mum again for the second time last year, I've started taking contraceptive pills. Should I tell my dentist?
  A Yes, definitely yes. If you are prescribed an antibiotic by your dentist (eg for a tooth abscess) then this may interfere with how well your contraceptive pills work. They may not work properly. In fact, your dentist needs to know about all medicines that you are taking (whether prescribed by a doctor or bought at a chemist). You should also tell your dentist your full medical history. This is very much to help you.
• Q I've noticed some white spots on my front teeth. My 2 year old son is getting the same. Is this infectious? What have we got?
  A There are various reasons for white patches or spots on both adult and milk teeth. You may have what dentists call "white spots"!! These are where the tooth surface has started to weaken but is not yet an obvious hole. In toddlers and adults this is often caused by too many sugary snacks or drinks, especially at bedtime. It can usually be stopped from becoming a hole. You need to ask your dentist, who may put a coating on the teeth to strengthen them and give you specific advice.
• Q My dentist says I need a filling in a back tooth but I can't see a hole. What's going on?
  A Tooth decay does not always show up as an obvious hole. Sometimes there is a very small brown mark in the centre of a glassy patch on a tooth. The dentist may only be able to see this after drying the tooth and shining a bright light on it. The brown mark is a tiny opening and the glassy patch indicates that decay has spread under the surface. Sometimes the decay is even more hidden. If you are unsure about anything then please ask your dentist. They are there to help you and answer your questions.

Brad Cheek 1998