We always have doubts that we would like to address with our dentist, but we do not.

Sometimes we think it is not the time, or we postpone it because “I went for another reason”, or we are ashamed to ask.

So that you do not stay with the intrigue, we leave you 13 answers that surely you are interested to know.

Ssssssssh! From 9 we talked about sex …

I am no longer a teenager and I want to get an orthodontic treatment, but I do not want to wear an appliance because it is unsightly. Is there an alternative?
Yes, there is the so-called invisible orthodontics, whose best-known brand is Invisalign.

Very good results can be obtained with this type of treatment and no metal braces are used, but transparent aligners that no one will notice.

In many cases, results similar to conventional orthodontics can be obtained.

1. I take good care of my teeth. Why do some people have whites?

Apart from the external factors (food, hygiene habits, smoking, etc.) that can alter the color of the teeth, this depends largely on the person’s race and the tone of his skin.

White-skinned people tend to have teeth that are more yellow than brown-skinned people.

2. I have type 2 diabetes, is it true that it affects my teeth and gums?

Diabetes can cause serious problems in the mouth, so it is important to prevent its effects and to go to the dentist more often than other patients.

People with diabetes may have more infections in the mouth and one of the most frequent in gum disease or periodontal disease (popularly known as “pyorrhea”).

This chronic disease can damage the gums and bone that supports the teeth, causing them to be lost in advanced stages of the disease.

Periodontal disease can also make it harder to control blood glucose, so it’s becoming more common for endocrine and periodontals (dentists specializing in gum disease) to work together to control the effects of diabetes in their patients.

Diabetes can also cause dry mouth and a fungal infection called thrush or oral thrush.

So, if you have diabetes, check your blood glucose levels, brush your teeth and floss every day. Also, visit your periodontist regularly.

3. I do not want to hurt my baby. If I am pregnant, can I have an orthodontic treatment?

Yes. Orthodontics poses no risk to the mother or the baby.

Orthodontic treatment can be started as long as the mother does not require any additional treatment that is contraindicated during pregnancy.

4. I’m afraid to lose my teeth. To get an orthodontic treatment, do I need to have a piece removed?

In most cases extraction is not necessary.

Each patient is valued individually and it is the orthodontist who will make that decision, after consultation with you.

5. My dentist has told me that I need a root canal because the nerve of my tooth is dead. Is it painful to have a root canal?

Endodontics are performed under local anesthesia, therefore, with good technique and the effect of the anesthetic will not hurt you.

At the end of the anesthetic effect you may notice slight discomfort, so your dentist will prescribe pain medication to prevent them from appearing.

6. I have stained teeth and I want to bleach myself. Is it a treatment suitable for everyone?

Currently we have modern techniques and materials that make the majority of people can perform a teeth whitening.

Nevertheless, it is important the evaluation of your dentist to rule out some contraindication that prevents to carry out the treatment.

7. I read in a women’s magazine that women are at higher risk for periodontal disease. That’s true?

Yes, there is an increased risk of these diseases due to the changes that occur in your body during specific stages of life, especially in pregnancy and menopause.

For that reason, in those stages, women should pay more attention to their mouth.

8. I had unprotected oral sex some time ago, how do I know that everything is right in my mouth?

Pay attention to some details.

If after some time you see canker sores or ulcers, vesicles, blisters, white patches or yellowish secretions, and the lesions do not disappear as the days go by, it is very likely that it is an STD.

When in doubt, the best option is to check with your dentist. Do not be ashamed to ask. Your health comes first.

9. Is the only risk of having unprotected oral sex is to get STDs?

Although it is the greatest risk, there are also other diseases such as oral cancer, which can appear in the oropharyngeal mucosa after exposure and infection to the human papillomavirus (HPV) without diagnosis or early treatment.

However, these risks do not have to prevent you from enjoying this sexual practice, you should only use the appropriate protection, especially if you do not have a stable partner.

10. Is it true that smoking is bad for my teeth?

Absolutely.

Some of the effects that tobacco causes in your mouth are: halitosis (bad breath) from tar and cigarette additives, yellow teeth, reduced sense of taste and smell, and increased risk of oral cancer, because contains a high number of carcinogens such as nicotine and tar.

But not only that.

Tobacco decreases the blood supply to the gums, so they have a paler color and appear less inflamed than they really are.

Do you know the worst? That the diseased gums do not bleed what they should and that is why periodontal disease is usually masked in smokers.

In addition, a smoker’s gums “defend” worse from bacterial attacks and also responds worse to periodontal treatments.

That is why it is so important that smoking patients go to the periodontist to prevent and / or control the effects of tobacco on their gums.

11. If I suspect that I have an STD in my mouth, should I go to the doctor or dentist.

While STDs are treated mostly by doctors of different specialties, your dentist is trained to detect and identify lesions in your oral cavity. In addition, it will guide you on what you can do about it.

12. The state of oral health and erectile dysfunction, have any relation?

A person’s health may be reflected in his or her mouth and can affect a person’s sexual performance in many ways.

In the specific case of periodontal disease, studies have been performed showing a significant relationship with erectile dysfunction.

This does not mean that one generates the other. What the studies suggest is that there may be some vascular alteration that generates the risk for both pathologies. However, there is currently no conclusive evidence.

Remember that there are no uncomfortable questions when it comes to health. If you have any questions, talk to your dentist. Your well-being comes first.

Have you had any doubts in the inkwell? Come and consult us.