Interview with a Dentist:
Dr. Donald Saltzman

 

Q. Have you ever given someone fake teeth? If you have, how?
A. I have made many sets of false or fake teeth over the years. Sometimes teeth have to be extracted or removed because of extensive decay (cavities) or because of gum disease which causes the gums to be infected and painful and allows the teeth to become loose. After the bad teeth are removed, an impression of the gums is made and a mold of the patient's gums is used to construct the fake teeth that will look and chew like their own.

Q. Why are kids getting more and more cavities?
A. Kids are getting more cavities because of bad eating habits: too much junk food (candy, gum and sweets) and soft drinks containing lots of sugar.

Q. How long should a kid brush and floss his or her teeth?
A. Teeth should be brushed after every meal or snack if possible. If they are not able to do that, the teeth should be brushed thoroughly in the morning (before and after breakfast) and again at night before bed along with flossing. Teeth should be brushed 2-3 minutes and then carefully and gently flossed to remove food particles.

Q. What do braces do to your teeth and why do you need them?
A. Braces are used to straighten the teeth if they are out of line so they will look and function better in chewing food.

Q. How can you tell something is wrong with your teeth?
A. Teeth will hurt if there are cavities. Cold drinks and sweets will make teeth hurt if they are decayed. Sometimes you can see cavities as dark spots on teeth.

Q. What teeth diseases are there that people can get?
A. Cavities and gum disease are the two commonest problems. Cavities are more prevalent in young people than gum disease, but if the teeth are neglected and not brushed or cleaned regularly and if too much junk food is being eaten, then the gums in kids will develop problems. Also, physical conditions such as diabetes or the medicines used to treat certain medical conditions can cause cavities and weaken gums.

Q. What's the best way to make teeth healthier than brushing them?.
A. Eating healthy foods, drinking milk and eating fresh fruits instead of candy or gum. Drinking water instead of soda pop or juices with sugar added will keep teeth healthier. Snacks beginning with "P": popcorn, pretzels and potato chips are better than things beginning with "C": candy, cake and cookies.