Q. I have only 7 teeth on the bottom and a partial plate, which I take out at night. It seems like there is a space developing between two teeth on the bottom. Should I keep the plate in at night to prevent the space from widening?

A. The spaces you describe could be caused by gum disease in the remaining teeth. If teeth loose the foundation (bone) around them, they can become unstable and move.

The best thing to do is to go to your dentist to have those teeth evaluated. Even though there are just a few remaining, it is important to be sure that they are healthy.

The partial denture may physically help keep the teeth in place but won't get the bottom of the reason why they are loose.

Q. How do you feel about electric toothbrushes and some of these new gadgets they have for massaging gums etc

A.Sonic toothbrushes can be a real advantage for some people, especially those with limited dexterity in their hands, such as people with arthritis. They can also make care-giving for a dependent person easier.

If a person is healthy, the good old manual method should do the job.

Q.My teeth have yellowed over the years. What about bleaching or other approaches to whitening the teeth? Are they safe? Are they effective?

A.Products for lightening the color of the teeth are safe and effective. However, it is important that they are administered or monitored (depending on the method and the product) by a dentist.

These products can be irritating to the tissues if used improperly. Be sure to ask your dentist about the specific product recommended, including advantages and/or potential side effects.

Q.Would you please tell me is it natural for me to feel like gagging every time I try to talk with my new upper dental plate? I have just had them for a day now and feels very bulky and long.

A.New dentures sometime take a few weeks to get used to. If you are experiencing gagging feeling quite often, it may be that the denture is a little long towards the back of the mouth. This is fixed very quickly and simply.

You may wish to return to your dentist and ask if it might be too long. A simple adjustment may make your denture much more comfortable for you to wear.

Q. Do you recommend permanent dental posts instead of a plate? I am having a hard time getting used to a plate and my dentist said this might be the answer - but the cost is huge! What do they actually do?

A.Dental implants can make dentures more stable. However, they involve a process with a relatively long healing time, and yes, they can be expensive.

They can offer a real advantage to individuals who have trouble getting used to or wearing a denture that has quiet a bit of movement. The implants are placed into bone and provide a stable base for attaching to a denture.

The denture can either clip onto a bar connecting the implants or be screwed into place over the implant. It can be a nice alternative.