>>> WELCOME TO ASK THE SPIRIT.

TONIGHT WE ASK THE DENTIST OSWCMU PUBLIC TELEVISION.

♪ ♪ >>> HI.

AND WELCOME BACK FOR ANOTHER LIVE EDITION OF "ASK THE SPECIALIST."

HERE ON WCMU PUBLIC TELEVISION.

I'M NAY IS-- MY NAME IS STEPHANIE MILLS AND TONIGHT I'LL BE ASKING LOCAL DENTISTS YOUR QUESTIONS.

SO WITH THAT, I WANTED-- TO WELCOME OUR GUESTS THIS NIGHT, OR TONIGHT.

I'M JOINED WITH DENTISTS FROM HOMAGE HERITAGE DIFFERENT INDUSTRY.

WELCOME BACK TO THE PROGRAM.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING US BACK, YEAH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> A LOT HAS CHANGED SINCE THE LAST TIME WE TALKED AND WE'LL GET TO THAT IN A MINUTE.

BUT DR.LOOMIS, BEFORE WE DIVE INTO OUR QUESTIONS, CAN YOU TELL OUR VIEWERS AT HOME A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF TONIGHT.

>> SO AGAIN, MY NAME IS MATT LOOMIS.

I'M A GENERAL DENTIST, JUST BORN AND RAISED IN ALMA AND I HAVE TO SAY HI TO MY BEAUTIFUL WIFE BECKY AT HOME AND OUR SON LINCOLN, WHO'S 9 MONTHS OLD, AND NORMALLY WOULD BE CRAWLING LIKE A MANIAC BUT IS SLEEPING RIGHT NOW.

GO BLUE IS MY APRIL FOOLS' JOKE.

I'M A DIE-HARD SPARTIE, SO GO GREEN.

>> THANKS.

DR.LOGANBERG.

>> I'VE BEEN AT ALMA SINCE 12-- 122012.

I PRACTICE WITH THE GROUP AS WELL.

>> AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO BE HERE TONIGHT.

WE HAVE QUITE A FEW QUESTIONS TO GET THROUGH.

FOR YOU AT HOME WATCHING TONIGHT, WE HAVE A FEW DIFFERENT WAYS FOR YOU TO BE A PART OF THIS CONVERSATION TONIGHT.

IF YOU'RE WATCHING US AT HOME, YOU CAN CALL THE NUMBER THAT IS RIGHT THERE ON THE BOTTOM OF YOUR SCREEN.

IT'S 844-975-3343.

YOU CAN ALSO POST YOUR QUESTIONS TO OUR FACEBOOK PAGE.

WE ARE STREAMING LIVE ON FACEBOOK.

SO AGAIN, THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENT WAYS FOR YOU TO GET YOUR QUESTIONS TO US ANONYMOUSLY.

OUR PHONE OPERATORS ARE STANDING BY, SO DON'T HESITATE TO PICK UP THE PHONE.

SO DOCTORS, WHILE WE WAIT FOR SOME OF THOSE QUESTIONS TO COME IN, LIKE I SAID EARLIER, IT'S BEEN A REALLY CRAZY YEAR.

THINGS HAVE CHANGED A LOT.

HOW HAS THE PANDEMIC-- MAYBE KIND OF AFFECTED YOUR JOB AND CHANGED THE WAY THAT YOU DO THINGS.

>> I THINK, FIRST AND FOREMOST, WE ALWAYS REMAINED OURSELVES IN ANY DENTAL OFFICE, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE STRIVE FOR IS CLEANLINESS, KEEPING THINGS AS STERILE AS POSSIBLE.

AND WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF COVID-19, THERE OBVIOUSLY HAVE BEEN SOME CHANGES, TEMPERATURE MONITORING, HEALTH QUESTIONNAIRES PRIOR TO ENTRY UPON THE BUILDING, WASHING YOUR HANDS BEFORE YOU SIT DOWN IN THE CHAIR, MOUTH RINSES, THOSE TYPES OF THINGS.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME, TOO, WE'VE ALWAYS BEEN PREPARED FOR ANY POSSIBLE VIRUSES COMING INTO THE BUILDING, INCREASED AIR FILTRATION TECHNIQUES, THINGS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN SAFE AND NOW THEY'RE EVEN SAFER.

>> YEAH.

ALL RIGHT.

AND WE HAVE OUR FIRST FACEBOOK QUESTION OF THE EVENING.

QUESTION IS WHAT ARE OPTIONS FOR SOMEONE TO DO-- ABRASIONS FROM BRUSHING TOO HARD WITH A HARDER TOOTHBRUSH GET TOO BAD.

>> SO WHAT I WOULD RECOMMEND TO THAT PERSON OR THAT PATIENT, CERTAINLY IF THEY FEEL LIKE IT'S GETTING TOO BAD, THEN THEY SHOULD GET A HOLD OF THEIR DENTIST TO GET THOSE AREAS EVALUATED.

IF THEY'RE BRUSHING TOO HARD OR USING TOO HARD OF A TOOTHBRUSH, AN ELECTRIC TOOTHBRUSH CAN BE A GREAT OPTION THAT WILL PREVENT YOU FROM BRUSHING TOO HARD.

IF ELECTRIC TOOTHBRUSH ISN'T SOMETHING THAT THEY'RE OPEN TO OR MAYBE NOT FOR THEM, THEN NOT USING THE HARD BRISTLE BRUSH BUT TAKING A STEP BACK AND USING SOFTER BRISTLES, AND THEN REALLY AT THE END OF THE DAY, IF YOU GET ABRASIVE OR ABRASION OR ABSTRACTION TYPE LESIONS, WHICH IT SOUNDS LIKE THEY'RE DESCRIBING, BY THEIR GUMS ON THEIR TEETH, THEN GETTING TOOTH COLORED RESTORATIONS OR FILLINGS ON THE TEETH IS PROBABLY THE MOST CONSERVATIVE STEP FROM-- FROM A MINUTIAL PROCEDURAL STANDPOINT.

>> WHAT ABOUT-- FROM A DENTAL PROCEDURAL STANDPOINT.

>> WHAT ABOUT AN ELECTRIC TOOTHBRUSH?

WHAT DO YOU RECOMMEND MORE?

>> I THINK IN DENTAL SCHOOL, WE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO TRY PHILLIPS SONIC CARE AND CREST ORAL B, BOTH OF THOSE I THINK ARE REPUTAM COMPANIES AND THERE ARE PLENTY OF OTHER ELECTRIC TOOTHBRUSH OPTIONS OUT THERE.

BUT PERSONALLY, I WOULD RECOMMEND EITHER OF THOSE, EITHER PHILLIPS SCOING CARE OR CREST ORAL B AS HIGH QUALITY.

AND ONCE EXPOSED TO THAT, ANY PATIENT WHO'S TRIED IT HAS SET, I'LL NEVER GO BACK.

THAT'S KIND OF THE RESOUNDING-- ONCE YOU TRY AN ELECTRIC TOOTHBRUSH, A QUALITY ONE, YOU WON'T GO BACK.

IT'S THAT BIG OF A DIFFERENCE.

>> WOW.

ALL RIGHT.

CALLER FROM LAKE ANN, I'M NOT SURE IF YOU GUYS-- YOU MIGHT KNOW THE ANSWER TO THIS QUESTION.

HOW MUCH DOES A CROWN COST FOR SOMEONE ON A FIXED INCOME?

>> THERE'S ACTUALLY A LOT OF AVAILABILITY WITH THE RESPONSE TO THAT QUESTION.

THERE ARE CLINICS OUT THERE.

IF THIS PERSON IS ON A FIXED INCOME, THAT DO OFFER REDUCED RATES OR POSSIBLY FREE DENTAL CARE.

THAT WOULD BE SOMETHING FOR THEM TO CHECK OUT.

USUALLY YOU CAN CONTACT THE LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND THEY CAN HEAD YOU-- SEND YOU OFF IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION THERE.

IN PRIVATE PRACTICES THERE'S QUITE A VARIETY.

ANYWHERE FROM A COUPLE HUNDRED DOLLARS AND KEEPS ON GOING UP FROM THERE, JUST DEPENDING ON THE TYPE OF CROWN YOU'RE LOOKING FOR.

THE MATERIAL THAT IT'S FABRICATED OUT OF AS WELL.

>> OKAY.

AND ALONG THOSE LINES, WHAT'S THE AVERAGE PRICE FOR A DENTAL CLEANING?

>> SIMILAR STORY.

PRETTY VARIABLE.

YOU KNOW, MOST DENTAL OFFICES, PRIVATE PRACTICES, AND COMMUNITY CLINICS ARE-- TRY TO KEEP IT WITHIN A REGION SO-- LIKE THERE'S KIND OF A SET SORT OF PRICE FOR THAT AREA OF WHAT A CLEANING-- MINIMUM COULD BE TO THE MAXIMUM.

AND THINICALLY YOU'RE GOING TO FIND-- TYPICALLY YOU'RE GOING TO FIND MOST OFFICES, IN A CERTAIN RADIUS, THEY'RE GOING PRETTY CLOSE TO ONE ANOTHER.

SO I GUESS SHOPPING AROUND IN A WAY FOR THE CHEAPEST CLEANING, YOU KNOW, IT'S JUST ONE OF THOSE THINGS-- IT REALLY DEPENDS ON THE OFFICE.

SOME OFFICES SAY THAT'S THE COST OF A CLEANING BUT THAT'S IT.

WHERE OTHERS MAY SAY YOU COME IN AND YOU'LL GET AN EXAM, X-RAYS, YOU KNOW, A CLEANING, OR ADULT PRO-- THAT WE CALL IT.

SO IT'S REALLY VARIABLE.

YOU JUST HAVE TO CALL DIFFERENT OFFICES TO ASK.

>> AND JUST GIVING THOSE OFFICES A CALL AND KIND OF COMPARING RATES, WHAT THEY MIGHT HAVE.

ANOTHER QUESTION FROM FACEBOOK IS, WILL SLEEPING WITH A CPAP MACHINE HAVE LONG-TERM IMPLICATIONS ON MY TEETH AND MY GUMS?

>> I THINK ONE OF THE BIGGEST THINGS ANYTIME YOU'RE USING AN APPLIANCE OR APPARATUS SUCH AS CPAP IS MAINTAINING YOUR ORAL HEALTH, REGULAR DENTAL CHECKUPS.

WE TYPICALLY COMPARE THE HEALTH OF YOUR MOUTH SIMILAR TO LIKE THE ENGINE ON YOUR CAR, THAT TYPE OF THING.

IF YOU DON'T MAINTAIN IT AND YOU DON'T STAY ON TOP OF KEEPING HEALTHY, YOU WILL RUN INTO ISSUES.

IT'S JUST A QUESTION OF WHEN.

DIRECT CORRELATIONS BETWEEN CPAP AND TOOTH PROBLEMS, I'M NOT AWARE OF ANY.

>> STAYING ON TOP OF, YOU KNOW, FOR PEOPLE WHO USE A CPAP, STAYING ON TOP OF WHETHER IT'S A FOUR OR SIX OR EVEN THREE-MONTH RECALL, NOT GOING A YEAR IN BETWEEN DENTAL VISITS OR COUPLE YEARS TO MAKE SURE THERE AREN'T ANY BAD THINGS HAPPENING TO YOUR TEETH OR YOUR GUMS OR YOUR ORAL HEALTH THAT'S GETTING NEGLECTED OR MISSED BY NOT COMING IN.

>> GOT IT.

ALL RIGHT.

CALLER FROM MT.PLEASANT TONIGHT.

THEY WEAR A NIGHT GUARD BECAUSE THEY GRIND THEIR TEETH.

HOW LONG WILL THEY NEED TO DO THIS FOR?

>> I WOULD SAY IT VARIES CASE BY CASE, BUT IF THEY'VE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH SOMEBODY WHO IS WEARING A BITE GUARD OR A BITE SPLINT AND TYPICALLY THAT'S KIND OF-- I CAN'T PUT A STAMP ON IT FOR EVERYONE, BUT THAT'S TYPICALLY FOR LIFE.

IT'S TYPICALLY NOT SOMETHING THAT YOU GET RID OF.

YOU CAN REDUCE THOSE HABITS BY REDUCING STRESS IN YOUR LIFE AND YOU KNOW, THERE ARE OTHER THINGS THAT YOU CAN DO, BUT IF YOU HAVE A SPLINT THAT WAS FABRICATED FOR YOU FOUR GRINDING OR CLENCHING, TYPICALLY THAT'S FOR THE LONG HAUL.

>> GOT IT.

WHAT CAN BE DONE FOR AN EXTREME GAG REFLEX?

TO YOU SEE ANY OF THAT?

>> -- DO YOU SEE ANY OF THAT?

>> I GUESS THE QUESTION PROBABLY PERTAINS TO DENTAL REALLY.

>> SURE.

>> ONE THING THAT GAG REFLEXES IS-- ONE THING WE'VE HAD SUCCESS WITH IS TRAINING YOUR TONGUE AND TRAINING YOUR MOUTH TO-- WHEN IT'S BRUSHING YOUR TEETH, SLOWLY INTRODUCING AND SLIDING BACK A LITTLE BIT FURTHER EACH TIME, FOCUSING ON PREETSZING THROUGH YOUR NOSE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE IF THAT'S POSSIBLE.

AND THE SAME THING APPLIES WHEN YOU'RE HAVING YOUR TEETH CLEANED OR DENTAL X-RAYS, FOCUSING ON BREATHING THROUGH YOUR NOSE AND TRYING TO FOCUS ON OTHER THINGS BESIDES WHAT YOU'RE ACTUALLY DOING CAN HELP.

AS FAR AS I'M AWARE OF, THERE'S NO QUICK AND EASY SOLUTION.

>> KIND OF DIFFERENT TIPS AND TRICKS IN THE OFFICE.

IF YOU'RE ABLE TO USE NITROUS, THAT CAN HELP.

LIKE LAUGHING GAS.

THERE ARE TRICKS WITH-- I GUESS DON'T QUOTE ME ON THIS, BUT I THINK IT'S LIKE TABLE SALT ON THE BAG OF THE TONGUE CAN HELP-- BACK OF THE TONGUE CAN HELP TO DEACTIVATE THE GAG REFLEX.

I KNOW THAT'S NOT THE MOST SCIENTIFIC RESPONSE.

>> THERE MIGHT BE SOMETHING TO IT, THOUGH.

>> BUT THERE ARE LITTLE TIPS AND TRICKS.

I DON'T WANT TO GIVE THEM ALL AWAY, BECAUSE PEOPLE WILL SAY THOSE DON'T WORK.

YOU'RE TRYING TO TRICK ME.

I CAN'T TELL ALL OF THEM, BUT THE BEST PEOPLE FOR THAT ARE DENTAL ASSISTANTS AND DENTAL HYGIENISTS.

THEY HAVE ALL THE TIPS AND TRICKS, SO SOMEONE THEY DEAL WITH SEVERE GAG REFLEX, MAKE THINGS HAPPEN AND MAKE THINGS WORK.

>> OKAY.

ANOTHER QUESTION FROM FACEBOOK.

MY DAUGHTER IS IN SECOND GRADE AND HAS ONLY LOST ONE TOOTH SO FAR.

SHOULD WE BE CONCERNED?

I THINK THIS IS A PRETTY COMMON QUESTION, RIGHT, THAT WE SEE.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> YEAH.

I'M JUST TRYING TO THINK OF THE TOOTH ERUPTION CHART IN MY HEAD.

BETWEEN-- YOU KNOW, AS A PARENT, YOU'RE ALLOWED TO BE CONCERNED.

I WAS EXPLAINING BEFORE THE SHOW MY SON-- HE'S NINE-MONTH-OLD AND HAD A DENTAL TRAUM-RELATED INCIDENTS AND WE NEED TO GET A HOLD OF A DENTIST.

I AM A DENTIST.

I NEED TO THINK ABOUT THIS MYSELF.

ALL CHILDREN CAN DEVELOP AT A DIFFERENT RATE.

THEIR TEETH CAN DEVELOP AT A DIFFERENT RATE.

YOU KNOW, IF THEY TRULY ARE CONCERNED, GETTING IN AND GET SOMETHING X-RAYS TO SEE, HEY, ARE SOME OF THESE TEETH REALLY CLOSE TO EXFOLIATING AND COMING OUT.

SOME OF THE BABY TEETH.

AND THEN WHAT DO THE ADULT TEETH LOOK LIKE THAT ARE DEVELOPING BEHIND IS WHAT'S MOST IMPORTANT.

IT'S NOT A HUGE DEAL IF THEY'RE NOT FALLING OUT.

BUT IF THERE ARE NO ADULT TEETH DEVELOPING THE BEHIND THEM-- BEHIND THEM, THAT'S WHERE SOME CONCERN WOULD ARISES.

>> SURE.

GOT IT.

ALL RIGHT.

WHAT'S THE PROCEDURE FOR GETTING A VENEER?

>> TYPICALLY WITH A VENEER, THERE'S A COUPLE DIFFERENT OMTIONZS THAT EXIST-- OPTIONS THAT EXIST.

ONE, DEPENDS ON THE EXHIBITIONING-- EXISTING DIMENSIONS OF THE TOOTH.

AND MOST OCCASIONS A LITTLE BIT OF THE TOOTH WILL NEED TO BE TRIMMED BACK IN ORDER TO PROVIDE ENOUGH SPACE FOR THE VENEER TO BE PLACED.

THE FIRST STEP USUALLY IS GETTING THE TOOTH TRIMMED BACK AND PLACING A TEMPORARY VENEER OVER TOP OF THAT.

AFTER THAT, A MOLD OR AN IMPRESSION IS TAKEN OF THE TOOTH THAT YOU PLAN ON HAVING THE VENEER PLACED ON, AND THEN A SUBSEQUENT VISIT COUPLE DAYS UP TO A FEW WEEKS AFTER THAT, WHERE THE TEMPORARY VENEER IS REMOVED AND THE LONG-TERM VENEER IS PLACED ONTALITY.

SO THERE ARE OPTIONS-- ON AT THAT TIME.

THERE ARE OPTIONS OUT THERE WHERE THE VENEERS CAN BE DIRECTLY PLACED THE SAME DAY, JUST DEPENDING ON THE PROCEDURE YOU'RE LOOKING FOR.

>> GOTCHA.

NEXT-- GOTCHA.

NEXT QUESTION, DO YOU RECOMMEND THE FLUORIDE VARNISH AFTER GETTING TEETH CLEANED?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> YEAH.

>> AND FLUORIDE VARNISH HAS COME A LONG WAY FROM WHEN WE WERE KIDS AND AT THE END OF THE APPOINTMENT, YOU HAD THIS BIG TRAY OF YOU'D CALL IT ORANGE GOOP OR PINK GOOP YOU FEEL LOOK YOU CAN'T BREATHE AND CAN'T TO PIT HAD-- SPIT IT OUT.

AND NOW IT'S PAINTING ON A CLEAR VARNISH AND NOT EATING OR DRIPPING FOR 30 MINUTES TO AN HOUR AFTER CAN HAVE SOME GREAT LONG-TERM BENEFITS.

SO I WOULD DEFINITELY RECOMMEND THAT AFTER EVERY-- AFTER EVERY CLEANING VISIT.

>> AND THE ONE THING TO TIE IN WITH THAT, WHEN YOU HAVE YOUR TEETH CLEANED, THEY'RE THE CLEANEST THEY'RE GOING TO BE RIGHT AFTER THEIR CLEANED AND IT'S A PERFECT OPPORTUNITY FOR THE FLUORIDE TO BE APPLIED.

IT CAN GET TO ANY AREAS THAT ARE STAG TO BECOME WEAKER AND HELP PREVENT LONG-TERM ISSUES IN THE FUTURE.

>> SO IT'S A GOOD THING.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> GOTCHA.

WE HAVE JUST ABOUT 15 MINUTES LEFT IN OUR PROGRAM TONIGHT.

IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION, THERE'S STILL TIME FOR YOU TO CALL IN AND GET THAT TO OUR GUESTS.

AGAIN, THAT NUMBER THAT YOU CAN CALL IS 844-975-3343.

AND AGAIN, YOU CAN POST YOUR QUESTION TO OUR FACEBOOK PAGE AS WELL.

AND SPEAKING OF FACEBOOK, WE HAVE ANOTHER ONE HERE.

THE QUESTION IS, IS SILVER DIEO-- MILDE-- AM AM I SAYING THAT RIGHT?

>> YEAH.

>> THE ONLY WAY TO FIX A TEETH OF A TODDLER IF THEY OVERLAP.

>> SILVER DIAMOND FLUORIDE, I THINK WHAT THE POSTERS ARE REFERRING TO, IS A GREAT OPTION.

IT'S A GREAT OPTION FOR SENSITIVITY ON TEETH.

IT'S ALSO A GREAT OPTION TO ARREST DECAY OR CAVITY OR TO STOP A CAVITY FROM GETTING BIGGER.

IT CAN BE USED IN-- YOU KNOW, TODDLERS, BABY, SMALL CHILDREN.

IT CAN BE USED IN THE JERRYIATIC POPULATION.

IT-- GERIATRIC POPULATION.

AREAS WITH LOW SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS WHERE THEY ARE LIMITED ACCESS TO CARE.

BUT IT'S NOT THE ONLY OPTION.

THE ONE DRAWBACK ON FRONT TEETH WITH SILVER DIALING FLUORIDE, SDF, IS THAT IT SANES THE CAVITY A DARK BLACK COLOR.

SO IF THAT'S THE ONLY THING THE PERSON HACKACHE SAYS TO-- HAS ACCESS TO, BUT THAT'S A GREAT OPTION.

BUT THE OTHERS ARE TOOTH-COLORED FILLINGS OR RESTORATIONS.

THERE ARE OTHER OPTIONS.

IF YOU HAVE VERY LIMITED ACCESS, IT'S THAT OR NOTHING, BEEN THAT WILL TO A GREAT JOB OF PREVENTING BIGGER ISSUES WHY COMING UP.

>> SURE.

GOOD.

WE HAVE ANOTHER KIND OF CLASS RESIDENT QUESTION.

-- CLASS-RELATED QUESTION.

MY CHILD MIGHT NEED BRACES.

MY CHILD MIGHT NEED BRACE POPS, HOW EXPENSIVE-- BRACES, HOW EXPENSIVE IS THAT?

>> A LOT OF THAT VARIES WITH THE COMPLEXITY OF THE CASE THAT YOU'RE LOOKING AT.

SOME CASES WITH BRACES, THERE'S VERY LITTLE MOVEMENT THAT'S NEEDED.

AND TYPICALLY THE COST WILL REFLECT THAT AND BE SCB SUSTAIN LESS.

-- SUBSTANTIALLY LEGISLATION.

SOME OTHER CASES YOU CAN GET INTO A YEAR, TWO YEARS, POSSIBLY EVEN LONGER, DEPENDING ON THE GROWTH PATTERNS, AND OBVIOUSLY THE MORE TIME ASSOCIATED WITH IT, THE HIGHER THE COST WOULD BE.

SO TO PUT AN EXACT DOLLAR AMOUNT ON A PRICE RANGE WOULD BE QUITE DIFFICULT TO DO.

>> PROBABLY A GOOD IDEA TO CALL THE OFFICE MAYBE AND GET SOME IDEAS THERE, LIKE-- >> ABSOLUTELY, YES.

>> GOT IT.

CALLER FROM EMPIRE, WHAT SHOULD I DO ABOUT HAVING DRY MOUTH-- >> SO THERE ARE, YOU KNOW, THERE ARE A LOT OF-- THAT'S A QUESTION THAT'S ASKED EVERY DAY IN THE OFFICE.

UNFORTUNATELY THERE'S NOT LIKE A MAGIC, YOU KNOW, POWLDER TO SPRINKLE OVER THE PATIENT AND FIX THINGS.

BUT STAYING HYDRATED IS VERY IMPORTANT.

HAVING A GLASS OF WATER BY YOUR BED STAND IS A SIMPLE FIX BUT IT'S SHORT TERM AND IT MAKES YOU HAVE TO MAYBE GO TO THE BATHROOM IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT.

SO IT'S NOT ALWAYS THE EASIEST THING.

BUT THERE ARE-- DRY MOUTH RINSES THAT PEOPLE CAN USE AND HAVE A LOT OF SUCCESS WITH THE DRY MOUTH, EVEN PRESCRIPTION SPRAYS THAT CAN HELP ALLEVIATE THE SYMPTOMS.

ONE THING THAT PEOPLE DON'T NECESSARILY THINK ABOUT BUT WITH DRY MOUTH, IT COULD BE SOMETHING STRUCTURALLY WITH THE WAY YOUR TEETH COME TOGETHER.

SO YOU MAY BE A GREAT CANDIDATE-- YOU MAY HAVE THE STRAIGHTEST TEETH OUT THERE AND THE PRETTIEST AND NICEST TEETH, BUT IF THEY DON'T COME TOGETHER PROPERLY, THEN YOU MAY BE A CANDIDATE FOR INADVISEI LINE OR-- SO WHEN YOU'RE SLEEPING YOUR TEETH COME TOGETHER INSTEAD OF YOUR LOWER JAW HANGING OPEN.

SO THERE'S-- THERE CAN BE A LOT THAT GOES INTO IT IS.

CAN BE SIMPLE OR IT CAN BE A VERY SCM PLEX.

-- COMPLEX.

>> THAT'S AN INTERESTING ANSWER.

THANK YOU.

WE'LL HAVE TO TALK MORE ABOUT THAT.

ANOTHER QUESTION FROM FACEBOOK HERE.

I'M 39 YEARS OLD AND STILL HAVE MY WISDOM TEETH.

DOES THIS MEAN I WILL PROBABLY NOT HAVE TO HAVE THEM REMOVED?

>> NOT NECESSARILY.

WISDOM TEETH, THERE'S A LOT OF FACTORS THAT GO INTO CONSIDERATION.

ONE IS IF THERE'S ENOUGH SPACE IN THE JAW FOR THEM TO COME THROUGH COMPLETELY.

THE SECOND IS ARE YOU ABLE TO KEEP THEM CLEAN.

AND TOO, IS THERE A CAVITY ON THE WISDOM TOOTH AND IF THAT'S TAKEN CARE OF, HOW DOES THAT IMPACT YOUR ABILITY TO KEEP THAT AREA CLEAN IN THE FUTURE AS WELL.

SO AS WITH LIFE, THERE'S NO GUARANTEES.

I WOULD SAY AGAIN, MAKING SURE YOU HAVE REGULAR CHECK-UPS AND CLEANINGS TO MAKE SURE THAT THINGS ARE STAYING HEALTHY.

THINGS CAN CHANGE QUITE RAPIDLY.

>> SURE.

>> AND THINGS CAN CHANGE OVER THE LONG, LONG TERM, TOO.

IN FACT, JUST A QUICK SIDE NOTE WITHOUT REVEAL WHO GO THE PATIENT WAS, I TOOK OUT AN INFECTED WISDOM TOOTH ON A PATIENT WHO TURNS 100 NEXT MONDAY.

WE TOOK IT OUT YESTERDAY.

>> MY GOSH.

>> SHE HAD THAT TOOTH FOR, YOU KNOW-- SINCE THE EARLY 19 HOUSTON, E-- 1900s, ESSENTIALLY.

BUT YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT CAN HAPPEN OVER TIME.

>> SURE, ABSOLUTELY.

NEXT QUESTION, WHAT DO YOU RECOMMEND FOR CROWNS?

-- [INAUDIBLE] OR DENTAL LAB-PRODUCED CROWNS?

>> SIRIK.

>> THAT'S IT.

>> VERY CASE-DEPENDENT.

BOTH ARE QUITE OPTIONS.

-- DEPENDING ON THE DENTIST, THEY MIGHT BE ABLE TO MILL THE CROWN IN-HOUSE OR IN THEIR OWN DENTAL LAB AND COULD HAVE IT DONE SAME DAY, WHICH CAN BE VERY CONVENIENT FOR A LOT OF PATIENTS.

THERE ARE AS A TON OF GREAT LABS ALL OVER THE STATE OF MICHIGAN AND ALL OVER THE COUNTRY THAT WE-- YOU KNOW, THAT DENTISTS ALL OVER WORK WITH.

SO WELL JUST DEPENDS ON THE PERSON, THE DENTIST, THE MATERIAL THAT THEY'RE USING.

FOR INSTANCE, SOME PEOPLE WANT A GOLD CROWN.

SO THAT RULE OF THAT-- THAT RULES THAT OUT FOR THEM.

SO THERE'S A LOT THAT GOES INTO IT.

THE MATERIAL-- AND IT DEPENDS ON IF IT'S A FRONT TOOTH, A BACK TOOTH.

IT'S VERY CASE DEPENDENT.

>> OKAY.

LET'S TALK ABOUT WHITENING TOOTHPASTE.

I FEEL LIKE THIS IS ANOTHER QUESTION THAT WE GET A LOT ON THIS PROGRAM.

HOW DO I NEED-- TOOTHPASTES WORK AND HOW EFFECTIVE ARE THEY?

>> MOSTLY TOOTHPASTE WILL HAVE SOME FORM OF PROBLEMS SIDE, WHETHER IT'S SOME-- PEROXIDE OR SOME VARIANT.

AND FREQUENTLY DO HAVE SOME ABRASIVE AGENTS AND THE IDEA IS SOME OF THE ABRASIVE AGENTS ACT LIKE ALMOST LIKE SOAP AND ESSENTIALLY SCRUB THE OUTSIDE OF THE TOOTH AS YOU'RE PHYSICALLY BRUSHING.

AND THE PEROXIDE COMPONENT OR WHATEVER TYPE OF ADDITIVE HAPPENS TO BE IN THE TOOTHPASTE THERE, TYPICALLY WILL WORK BY CLEANING THE ENAMEL, WHICH IS THE WHITE PART OF THE TOOTH.

IT CAN ENTER THE OUTER PORTION OF IT AND KEEP THE TOOTH A LITTLE BIT WHITER.

>> GOT IT.

AND HOW MUCH MORE INTENSE IS IT WHEN YOU GO TO GET YOUR TEETH WHITENED SAY AT THE DENTIST'S OFFICE USING A TEETH WHITENER TOOTHBRUSH?

WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE THERE?

>> TYPICALLY A MORE CONFEDERATE APPROACH TO START WITH IF-- CONSERVATIVE APPROACH TO START WITH A WHITENING TOOTHPASTE.

AND PEOPLE CAN GET THE RESULTS THEY WANT FROM THAT.

IF THEY SAY I'D LIKE A LITTLE MORE, THEN YOU CAN GET TAKE-HOME WHITENING KITS WHERE PEOPLE ARE DOING AT-HOME BLEACHING OR AT-HOME WHITENING, WHICH IS A HIGHER-- HIGHER GRADE WHITENING OR A HIGHER LEVEL, YOU KNOW, OF CHEMICALS ESSENTIAL THAT THEY CAN USE TO WHITEN THE TEETH.

>> THOSE MAKE YOUR TEETH MORE SENSITIVE, THOUGH.

SOME THEY DEFINITELY CAN.

THAT'S THE CAVEAT.

IT'S SIMILAR TO THINGS-- IF YOU'RE HAVING PAIN IN YOUR BACK AND YOU-- MORE IBUPROFEN YOU TAKE, THE BETTER.

THAT'S NOT THE CASE.

SAME THING WITH BLEACHING.

IF YOU KEEP BLEACHING YOUR TEETH OVER AND OVER, IT MAY MAKE THEM WHITER BUT IT'S GOING TO CREATE A LOT OF OTHER ISSUES THAT YOU-- MAY NOT BE PREPARED FOR.

>> SURE.

GOT IT.

CALLER FROM ALPENA, THEY'RE A SENIOR CITIZEN WITH ROOT CANAL PAIN.

DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE ON WHAT THEY SHOULD DO?

>> ROOT CANAL PAIN, IF THEY HAVEN'T SEEN THEIR DENTIST, THAT WOULD BE THE FIRST STEP.

ROOT CANAL PAIN, THE QUESTION BECOMES WAS THE ROOT CANAL RECENTLY COMPLETED, OR HAS IT BEEN DONE FOR QUITE SOME TIME.

THERE ARE A LOT OF QUESTIONS.

THAT CAN BE FRACTURES OR CAVITIES ON THE ROOT CANAL TOOTH OR THE CURRENT-- RECURRENT INFECTION.

IT WOULD BE IN THE BEST TONIGHT SEE A DENTIST AND FIGURE OUT EXACTLY WHAT'S GOING ON TO HELP CONTROL THEIR PAIN.

IN THE MEANTIME, OVER-THE-COUNTER MEDICATIONS.

>> SURE.

YEAH.

AND ALONG THOSE LINES, ACTUALLY KIND OF SIMILAR, PROBABLY NEED SOME MORE INFORMATION HERE, TOO, BUT THEY HAVE PAIN IN THEIR GUMS AND ENAMEL.

ENAMEL COMES OFF.

ANY SUGGESTIONS?

>> I GUESS TO KEEP THAT ONE KIND OF SHORT AND SIMPLE, I WOULD GET INTO A DENTIST FOR AN EVALUATION, BECAUSE THAT SOUNDS LIKE IT COULD BE POTENTIALLY REASONABLY SIMPLE FIX OR IT COULD BE VERY COMPLEX IN THE FORM-- THERE ARE GENETIC MUTATIONS WHERE PEOPLE HAVE SOFTER ENAMEL AND SOFTER TEETH.

THAT BECOMES A MUCH MORE COMPLEX SITUATION, BUT IT'S SOMETHING THAT DEFINITELY JUST NEEDS THE ATTENTION OF A DENTAL PROFESSIONAL.

>> OKAY.

CALLER FROM GREEN BUSH, DO YOU RECOMMEND USING BAKING SODA WHILE BRUSHING YOUR TEETH?

>> TIRPICALLY WE TRY TO STAY AFROM WAKING SODA-- BAKING SODA WHEN YOU'RE BRUSHING YOUR TEETH, ESPECIALLY OUT OF THE BOX, GIVEN HOW ABRASIVE IT IS.

OBVIOUSLY YOU WANT CLEAN AND WHITE TEETH.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME, IS TOO, WE TRY TO BE CONSCIOUS OF ANYTIME THAT YOU'RE BRUSHING QUITE AGGRESSIVELY ON THE TEETH WITH ANY ABRASIVE, IT WILL WEAR AWAY THE ENAMEL HAS TIME PASSES.

>> GOTCHA.

I'M A SENIOR CITIZEN, WHAT DO YOU RECOMMEND GETTING BOTTOM TEETH REMOVED OR GETTING THE TOP TEETH REMOVED?

I'M NOT SURE WHY THEY NEED TO GET THEIR TEETH REMOVED, BUT-- >> I GUESS-- AS FAR AS THE FIRST-- IF THEY'RE PLANNING ON DOING ONE FIRST BEFORE THE OTHER-- IN AN IDEAL SITUATION, I WOULD SAY IF THEY NEED THEIR TEETH REMOVED, GETTING THEM KIND OF REMOVED AT THE SAME TIME MAKES THE PROCESS EASIER BECAUSE YOUR UPPER AND LOWER JAW IS HEALING AT THE SAME TIME AND YOU CAN GET THE PROSTHESIS WHICH FROM THE SOUNDS IF THEY NEED ALL THEIR TEETH REMOVED OR EVEN A LOT OF THEM, A COMPLETE DENTURE OR PART SHALL DIFFERENT TOUR, GETTING THOSE-- DENTURE, GETTING THOSE FABRICATED AT THE SAME TIME I THINK IS EASIER FOR THE PATIENT, FOR THE PROVIDER, TORE THE LAB THAT'S WORKING ON THEM.

SO IT'S NOT ALWAYS THE EASIEST SITUATION FINANCIALLY.

BUT IN THE SHORT TERM, BUT IN THE LONG TERM I THINK THAT'S THE BEST WAY TO DO IT.

IF THEY CAN DO THAT.

>> ALONG THOSE LINES, ANOTHER ALTERNATIVES FOR DENTURES?

>> YES.

THEY'RE OUT THERE.

THERE'S REMOVABLE DENTURES, BUT THERE'S ALWAYS WHEN THEY CALL FIXED DENTURES OR YOU CAN HAVE INDIVIDUAL IMPLANTS, THINGS ALONG THAT LINE, ATTACHED TO THE JAW AND THEN ATTACHING INTO THE CROWNS TO THOSE.

ENTIRELY DEPENDS ON WHAT A PERSON'S LONG-TERM GOALS ARE AND ALSO THEIR FINANCES.

>> SURE.

CAN CRACKS IN YOUR TEETH BE REPAIRED?

>> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

AND YES AND NO.

I MEAN, IT DEPENDS ON HOW DEEP THE CRACK GOES.

IF IT'S MORE OF A SUPERFICIAL CRACK IN THE TOOTH, THEN IT MAY REQUIRE JUST KIND OF MONITORING ACTUALLY.

IF IT'S A LITTLE DEEPER, IT MAY REQUIRE A FILLING.

IF IT'S REALLY DEEP INTO THE TOOTH AND THEY REQUIRE A ROOT CANAL AND THEN A CROWN OVER TOP OF THE TOOTH.

OR IF IT'S DEEP DOWN INTO THE ROOT, THE TOOTH MAY NEED TO BE EXTRACTED.

SO IT'S A CRACK IN THE TOOTH ISN'T NECESSARILY THE END OF THE WORLD, YOU KNOW, FOR THAT TOOTH.

BUT DEFINITELY GETTING EVALUATED TO SEE IF IT COULD BE FIXED WITH A SIMPLE FIX VERSUS WAITING AND THEN RISKING LOSING THAT TOOTH, SO JUST GETTING IT EVALUATED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE WOULD BE SMART.

>> OKAY.

WE HAVE JUST ABOUT A MINUTE LEFT NOW.

A MINUTE OR TWO.

SO ONE OF THE LAST QUESTIONS, HOW LONG SHOULD YOU BRUSH YOUR TEETH?

CAN YOU ACTUALLY DAMAGE YOUR TEETH IF YOU BRUSH THEM TOO LONG?

>> ONE OF THE BIGGEST THINGS THAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR WHEN YOU'RE BRUSHING TEETH, OUR GOAL IS TWO MINUTES TWICE A DAY, MORNING, NIGHTTIME.

THE BIGGEST ISSUE YOU CAN RUN INTO BRUSHING TOO LONG IS IF YOU'RE APPLYING TOO MUCH PRESSURE.

IT CAN CAUSE THE GUM TISSUE TO SLIDE BACK, AND THE FIRST QUESTION ABOUT ABRASION.

YOU CAN CAUSE THE ROOT SURFACE OF THE TOOTH IF IT BECOMES EXPOSED, YOU CAN CAUSE THAT TO BASICALLY DISAPPEAR AND CREATE INDENTS IN CERTAIN AREAS THERE.

>> GOT IT.

ALL RIGHT.

WELL, WE ARE JUST ABOUT OUT OF TIME.

SO THANK YOU.

THAT WAS A SUPER FAST HALF-HOUR.

THANKS FOR TAKING THE TIME TO BE HERE AGAIN TO SHARE YOUR KNOWLEDGE WITH OUR VIEWERS AT HOME.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

>> YEAH, THANKS FOR HAVING US BACK.

WE APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY.

>> AND THANK YOU AT HOME TO OUR VIEWERS FOR WATCHING US THIS EVENING.

WE APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT, AGAIN.

THIS PROGRAM IS REALLY FUELED BY YOUR CALLS AND QUESTIONS.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

WE HOPE YOU CAN JOIN US AGAIN NEXT WEEK WITH OUR GUEST HOST BOB GARDNER RETURNS TO ASK THE DNR.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.