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Question: If I neglected my teeth for years, am I able to get them back to a completely healthy state?

Answer: If your teeth have been neglected for years, chances are you have already done some irreversible damage. Gum disease can cause a loss of bone support, which will not grow back once the mouth returns to a completely healthy state. The gum recession that follows the bone loss will remain evident, unless you are a candidate for certain gum and bone grafting procedures. The good news is that you can arrest bone loss and gum recession by taking perfect care of them. In other words, while you may not get back to where you started, you can prevent further damage from occurring.

Teeth that are broken and/or have decay can often be restored and brought back to proper function and esthetics. Teeth that are beyond repair can be removed and replaced with implants and bridge work to regain chewing surfaces and enhance the mouth’s esthetics. Take one step at a time, and once you are at a completely healthy state, make sure to see your dentist regularly to maintain.

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Question: Should I floss before or after brushing my teeth?

Answer: It is recommended that you floss after you brush. Flossing before brushing can be very messy for most people. Additionally, flossing in a mouth that has a lot of debris can only serve to introduce more bacteria into the gum pockets. If one brushes very well, they should be able to better visualize what they are trying to accomplish with the floss.

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If you have a question that you would like answered, download The Dental Expert App to your iPhone, iTouch, or iPad and look for it updated here!