Part I
What is Periodontal (Gum) Disease?
What is Tooth Decay?
What is Endodontic (Root Canal) Treatment?
What are Crowns (Caps)?
Why Replace Missing Teeth?
How to Replace Missing Teeth?

Part II
What are Restorations (Fillings)?
What is bonding?
What are Third Molars (Wisdom Teeth)?
What is Orthodontics (Straightening of Teeth)?

Part III
Guide to Dental Nutrition
Care for Mouth After an Extraction
First Aid for Dental Problems
Sterilization Process

Dental Nutrition

• A diet with nutritional well-balanced meals that is good for your general health is also good for your teeth and gums.
• All foods that contain sugar can contribute to tooth decay.
• The amount of time foods containing sugar stay in the mouth is more damaging than the amount of sugar consumed at one specific time. For example; it is better to eat 5 pieces of candy in 10 minutes instead of sucking on them for 2 hours.
• If you chew gum, suck on breath mints, or drink soda pop a lot, at least select the sugarless brands. · If you or your children like to snack between meals, try more nutritional foods such as popcorn, nuts, cheese, raw vegetables, etc.
• This is the sequence by which sugar causes tooth decay:
  Plaque + Sugar = Acid
  Acid + Tooth Enamel = Tooth Decay

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Care for Mouth After an Extraction

• Immediately following a tooth extraction, keep pressure on gauze until the bleeding stops, 30-45 minutes. Repeat if necessary. If heavy bleeding continues, call your dentist.
• Do not smoke, rinse your mouth vigorously, or drink through a straw for 24 hours. These activities will disturb the healing blood clot.
• Do not suck on extraction site.
• Immediately after a tooth is extracted, you may experience some discomfort and notice some swelling.
• To reduce swelling, place ice packs on the side of your face off and on for 24 to 48 hours. · Reduce strenuous activity for 24 hours.
• Drink plenty of fluids and maintain as normal a diet as possible which may be limited to soft foods for the first few days.
• Avoid alcoholic beverages and hot liquids.
• Brush and floss as normal being extra careful around extraction area.
• On the following day gently rinse your mouth with warm salt water (1/2 tsp. in one glass of water).
• Depending on your situation, medication may be prescribed to help control pain and infection.
• If you have prolonged or severe pain, swelling, bleeding or fever, call your dentist.

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First Aid for Dental Problems

• Toothache - can be a forewarning to a possible abscessed tooth. Take pain medication and call your dentist. Do not place aspirin directly on teeth or gums.
• Cracked Filling or Tooth - If painful, take medication. Call your dentist as soon as possible to have the tooth repaired; if not, it will only get worse.
• Bleeding Gums - can be an early warning to gum disease. Brush and floss thoroughly and rinse with warm salt water. Consult your dentist.
• Wisdom Tooth Pain - Take pain medication. Rinse with warm salt water. Consult your dentist about this often recurring problem.
• Canker Sore - This condition usually heals on its own within 7-10 days. Consult your dentist for proper diagnosis and symptomatic relief.
• Loose Crown - Do not use any type of glue to recement the crown back on the tooth. This could cause pain and damage to the tooth and gums. See your dentist immediately.
• Gum Boil - If painful, take medication. Rinse 4 times a day with warm salt water. This is a sign of an abscess (infection); this problem will not solve itself. Call your dentist.
• Teething Pain - Cold objects such a teething rings usually help. Also, over the counter teething ointments will give relief.
• Chipped Baby Tooth - If painful, give child the pain medication of your choice. If you notice swelling, place cold packs over that area. Call your dentist.
• Broken Denture or Partial - Do not attempt to repair the plate yourself; this will almost always make things worse. Save all broken pieces and see your dentist.
• Knocked Out Tooth - If you have the tooth, there is a good chance it can be reimplanted. Rinse tooth gently and if not too painful, try to insert it back into the tooth socket and see your dentist immediately. Or rinse tooth gently and place it in your mouth or in a glass of milk and immediately go to your dentist.

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Sterilization Process

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