In the last article, we featured some simple solutions to problems people have with their gums. In this segment, there are several more simple solutions to very common dental problems.

Because of the legal stuff, I must ask that you not take this advice over that of a qualified dentist. If you're in trouble, seek professional help.

STAY SMART- KEEPING YOUR WISDOM TEETH

At least once a week, someone calls up and asks how much we charge to remove an impacted wisdom tooth. When we question them a little, we find out that they have a wisdom tooth that is part way into the mouth, with a little flap of skin over top of it- so that just a little of the tooth itself is showing.

They tell me this area gets infected and swells up from time to time, sometimes to the point where they can't even close their mouth- it gets so sore.

What happens is this: food gets trapped under that little flap of skin, and it is easy for this to get infected. Sure, you can have the tooth removed, but before you do, here's a simple solution that will work most of the time:

Go to the baby section of the drugstore or supermarket and buy a little rubber bulb syringe- the kind you would use to wash out a baby's ears. Also get a bottle of Chloraseptic Mouth Wash.

Fill the syringe with the Chloraseptic, then, putting the end of the nozzle right up to (or even just under) the flap of skin, squirt the mouthwash under the flap. What you are trying to do is wash out the food- and anything else trapped underneath the flap of gum. Don't try to do everything all at once- use gentle pressure when you squeeze, and do this several times throughout the day.

If you can clean it out, the swelling and pain usually disappear within a few hours. If it works, you've saved a lot of time, money and misery. If not, you're only out a few bucks for the syringe and mouthwash; and you can always go and have the tooth removed.

GETTING INTO THE ACT

My parents' generation lost their teeth early, and many of them needed false teeth. Today, we are living longer, and keeping our teeth longer. That's great, but it sets up a different problem. As we get older, many of us find our gums shrinking, exposing the sensitive roots of the teeth.

Besides being sensitive to cold/sweets, etc. the root area of a tooth is more likely to get a cavity than is the part of the tooth covered in enamel.

I hope you purists out there won't jump all over me for telling you this, but here is a neat little thing you can do to either slow down- or stop the formation of cavities, especially low down on the tooth near the gumline:

Go to the drugstore and get a product made by Johnson & Johnson called ACT. It is a fluoride rinse which is designed to be used once a day.

Here's how to use it: just before you are ready to go to sleep, take a capful of the ACT and swish it around in your mouth for a minute or so. Then spit it out and go to bed. DO NOT RINSE. You want to leave a film of it on your teeth. That's where the protection comes from.

True, it is not natural, or homeopathic, or anything like that- but it SURE WORKS, and, in my humble opinion (IMHO), does no harm. The air pollution in the Metro stations is more harmful, I think.

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO NOW?

If you would like help, what you should do is call our office for an appointment now. I'd love to be your dentist!