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Dentistry/Deposit on teeth

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Expert: Stephen J. Moss - 8/5/2007


Question
Hello! My name is Ivan, from Bulgaria, 25 years old. I started having a mild toothache of the bottom front teeth and also my chin. This worried me because I have never so far had any problems with my teeth. The only more serious dental work on my teeth was when I was about 10 yrs. old I had 4 of my teeth pulled out (two upper and two lower) because new teeth were beginning to grow over.
On to my current problem...
The front of the teeth looked fine. I used a mirror to try and see if I have any holes, dark sports, etc at the back. With some difficulty, I also took a few photos. I couldn't see any dark areas and holes but I was surprised that there was a thick and hard limestone-like deposit on the back of my teeth. Here is what it looked like...

http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/958/img1455df2.jpg

I tried scratching with my nails, and a few small pieces of deposit fell off. Here is a photo ot the pieces (compared in size to a matchstick):

http://img154.imageshack.us/img154/6789/img1462lp8.jpg

The teeth now look like this:

http://img71.imageshack.us/img71/6950/img1460tu9.jpg
http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/9066/img1469sx3.jpg
http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/42/img1472pq2.jpg

There is still a lot of the deposit and the toothache and chin-ache have not gone away. Obviously I should go and visit a dentist but before that I wanted to receive an opinion on the problem.

Ivan

Answer
Dear Ivan,
the deposits on your teeth are calculus, a sediment from your saliva.
Most likely they extend below your gums and are causing you some discomfort.
At your age they are relatively easy to remove, and with them your discomfort.
Everyone varies as to how much deposit-calculus they form , you seem to be a heavy calculus former.
Any dentist should be able to help you in a relatively short period of time.
You will feel and look better.
All the best,
Dr. Moss

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Stephen J. Moss

Expertise

I am a professor emeritus at New York University, with a background that includes extensive research, scientific writing and biology. I also am an international consultant in health education, particularly in developing education on new science for health professionals and consumers. I am a past president of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, former head of the NYU Division of Oral Biology and I represent the World Dental Federation at the United Nations. I travel around the world to provide health education to professionals and consumers.

Experience

Having retired from New York Universit, where I directed the pediatric dentistry training program, a walk-in dental clinic and research on oral biology, I formalized my professional and consumer health education initiative in the form of Health Education Enterprises. This entity consults and provides information on new science pertaining to oral and general health, particularly leading edge concepts that can be employed in the health professions to improve the public's health. As such, I am an expert in communicating new science and its usefulness to professional and lay audiences alike. I also had a pediatric dentistry practice in New York City for nearly 30 years.

Organizations
I am affiliated with the American Dental Association, the World Dental Federation, the International Association of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Association of Pediatric Dentistry among other formal organizations. My experience has included a research fellowship at the National Institutes of Health and work at the Forsythe Dental Research Center

Publications
lpha Omegan USA, Nowa Stomatologia Poland, Journal of Public Health Dentistry, The Journal of the Southeastern Society of Pediatric Dentistry USA, News Bulletin Japan, Journal of Marmara University Dental Faculty Turkey, Italian Journal of Paediatric Dentistry Italy, Asian Dentist Singapore, The Journal of the Israel Dental Association Israel, ROBRAC Brazil, Italian Journal of Paediatric Dentistry
Italy, FDI World, STOMA Portugal, Pediatric Dentistry The Philippines, Modern Stomatology Bulgaria, Journal of the Indian Society of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry India

Education/Credentials
I obtained a doctor of dental science (DDS) degree, a master of science degree and am a board certified pediatric dentist.

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