Ask The Dentist

Email Us

If you have a question on dental care, please use the email form on the right and Dr.Warrier will respond to you as soon as possible.

Given below are some of the dental health questions we had received in the past. We value your privacy and no personally identifiable information will be posted on this page.

I just got a very large amalgam filling on a tooth that abuts a crown. The two metals are causing a painful reaction in my mouth. Are there any home remedies for this??
My teeth feel sensitive whenever I drink anything cold. What can I do about it?
My 8 year old granddaughter had a piece of the enamel break off from the tooth right behind the canine. The area is red and shiny. Can we wait until she is older?
Why would a crown/cap leave an odd medicine taste in your mouth ?
What is the aftercare after dental fillings if any? Such as amalgams, composites, pulpotomy, and dentures?
If you have a gap between your two front teeth how can you fix that?

I just got a very large amalgam filling on a tooth that abuts a crown. The two metals are causing a painful reaction in my mouth. Are there any home remedies for this?

What you are describing is a condition called galvanism. Whenever you have two dissimilar metals in a conductive environment, it acts like a cell producing minute amounts of current. In other words, the saliva in your mouth interacts with the dissimilar metals causing pain.

Unfortunately, there is no quick fix for this problem. With time, amalgam undergoes a normal corrosive process, reducing and eventually eliminating the discomfort. In rare cases, if the discomfort persists or is too intense, other options can explored such as replacing the amalgam with another filling material like composite or placing a crown onlay,inlay etc.

My teeth feel sensitive whenever I drink anything cold. What can I do about it?

There may be several causes of sensitive teeth. Some of them are cavities, recession of the gums and wearing of teeth due to grinding or improper brushing.

The good news is that there is help available. First of all, call your dentist for a check-up, where they will attend to any cavities, if any. Your dentist may apply a fluoride varnish or prescribe one for home use. A desensitizing toothpaste also helps.

My 8 year old granddaughter had a piece of the enamel break off from the tooth right behind the canine. The area is red and shiny. Can we wait until she is older?

The fact that a piece of her baby tooth chipped off probably indicates that there was a cavity in the tooth to begin with. Immediate attention is necessary if the tooth is aching or has sharp edges.However, if she is not in distress at this time, you could possibly wait for a while before getting professional help.

In girls, the permanent tooth replacing the tooth behind the canine usually erupts between 9 and 11 years of age.

Why would a crown/cap leave an odd medicine taste in your mouth ?

A dental crown may be cemented either temporarily or permanently, depending on its type and the stage of treatment you are at. Often, a temporary crown is cemented using a eugenol-based cement which leaves the typical medicine taste in your mouth when it dissolves.

If it is a permanent crown and has been recently cemented, it may just be the excess cement dissolving away. However, if it has been in your mouth for a while, it may indicate a leaky margin and/or decay underneath the crown, both of which need to be checked out by your dentist.

What is the aftercare after dental fillings if any? Such as amalgams, composites, pulpotomy, and dentures?

Teeth that have fillings in them are just as, or possibly even more succeptible to decay. Therefore extra care needs to be taken by focusing on good brushing and flossing techniques. Teeth that have large fillings may need crowns.

A tooth that has had a pulpotomy almost always needs to be followed up with a root canal (exception being baby teeth). As always go for regular dental check-ups every six months.

If you have a gap between your two front teeth how can you fix that?

A gap between the front teeth may be present either when teeth erupt or later on in life due to gum problems or tooth loss. Accordingly, the treatment also differs. If they are naturally present since the eruption of teeth, spaces can be closed with the aid of braces. Other options are dental crowns or veneers on two or more of the front teeth.

If the gaps appear later on in life, gingival(periodontal) problems, if present, need to be corrected. Any missing teeth need to be replaced. Veneers and crowns are again a viable option. Fillings on the front teeth, especially if the gap is small, can also be considered.