Below are some of the most frequently asked questions patients have about dentistry and oral health issues. If you have any other questions, or would like to schedule an appointment, we would love to hear from you.
Dentistry involves diagnosing, treating, and preventing conditions, disorders, and diseases of the teeth, gums, mouth, and jaw. It is essential for overall oral health and can also affect the well-being of your entire body.
A dentist is a highly trained professional who specializes in diagnosing, treating, and preventing oral health issues. They have completed a minimum of eight years of schooling and have earned either a DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) or a DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine) degree. If your dentist is a pediatric specialist, they focus on providing dental care for children from infancy through their teenage years. They have received specific education and training to work with young patients. Other specializations in dentistry include:
- Endodontics (root canals)
- Oral and maxillofacial (including pathology, radiology, and surgery)
- Orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics
- Periodontics (gum disease)
- Prosthodontics (dental implants)
Regular dental check-ups are essential even if your teeth feel fine. Undetected problems can still exist. Your dentist plays a crucial role in maintaining the health and beauty of your smile. Thanks to advancements in dentistry, you no longer have to live with stained, chipped, missing, or misshapen teeth. Modern dentistry offers a variety of treatment options to help you achieve a confident smile.
It is important to schedule regular dental check-ups to ensure good oral and overall health. Taking care of your teeth and mouth is vital for maintaining a healthy body.
- Brushing and flossing regularly helps in preventing tooth decay and protecting against gum disease, which can result in tooth and bone loss.
- Maintaining good oral hygiene also helps in preventing bad breath by reducing the amount of bacteria in your mouth.
- It can give you a more attractive smile and boost your self-confidence.
- By preventing staining from food, drinks, and tobacco, it helps in keeping your teeth looking bright.
- Strengthening your teeth through proper oral care ensures healthy and beautiful smiles for a lifetime!
It is crucial to find a dentist who connects well with you and your family. It is recommended to explore multiple dentists before making a final decision. Your initial visit will help you determine if the dentist is the right fit for you. During your appointment, take into account the following factors:
- Are the appointment times convenient for you?
- Is the office easily accessible and nearby?
- Does the office look clean and organized?
- Was your medical and dental history documented and stored in a permanent file.
- Does the dentist provide information on maintaining good oral health?
- Are you informed about the cost before scheduling treatment?
- Is your dentist a member of the American Dental Association (ADA)?
Remember to brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss daily! Use fluoride toothpaste and consider a fluoride rinse for extra cavity protection. Avoid sugary foods and tobacco to prevent plaque buildup and potential cavities, gum disease, and oral cancer.
Don't forget to brush your tongue to remove food particles and bacteria that cause bad breath. And schedule your routine dental checkup every six months for optimal oral health.
It is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) that children have their first dental visit as early as six months old and no later than one year old. This is when your child's baby teeth are starting to come in, and the dentist can check the health of their first few teeth. After the initial visit, remember to schedule regular checkups every six months.
It is recommended that individuals of all ages, including children, teenagers, and adults, visit the dentist for a routine checkup at least every six months. Those with a higher risk of oral cancer or gum disease may need to schedule more frequent appointments. Your dentist will assess your individual needs and advise you on the appropriate frequency of checkups.
Tooth decay can cause the formation of small holes inside the tooth known as cavities. Plaque buildup on the tooth's surface, combined with sugars and starches from food, creates an acid that can erode the enamel. Untreated cavities can result in more severe oral health issues. Prevent cavities by brushing teeth twice a day and flossing daily.
Fillings are synthetic materials used by dentists to fill cavities after removing tooth decay. They are typically painless as dentists numb the mouth with an anesthetic. Fillings can be made from various materials such as composites, gold, or ceramic. Consult with your dentist to determine the best type of filling for your teeth.
Your dentist and the American Dental Association recommend brushing your teeth at least twice a day to maintain clean and healthy teeth, gums, and mouth by removing plaque. It is advised to use a soft bristle toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Spend one minute on the top teeth and one minute on the bottom teeth, and don't forget to brush your tongue for fresh breath.
It is important to replace your toothbrush regularly to maintain good oral hygiene. Dentists recommend changing your toothbrush every three months if you brush twice a day for two to three minutes each time. If you use an electric toothbrush, check the instructions as you may not need to replace the brush head as often. Patients with gum disease should replace their toothbrush every four to six weeks to prevent bacteria from spreading. After brushing, rinse your toothbrush with hot water to kill germs. If you have been sick, replace your toothbrush as soon as possible.
Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is primarily caused by the buildup of plaque and bacteria when left untreated. Other factors that can contribute to gum disease include tobacco use, teeth grinding, certain medications, and genetics. Gingivitis is the initial stage of gum disease and can be treated if detected early. If left untreated, gingivitis can progress to more severe gum disease. Advanced gum disease can result in tooth and bone loss, and is a permanent condition. To prevent gum disease, it is important to brush your teeth regularly and visit the dentist every six months. Look out for common signs of gum disease.
- Gums that are red, irritated, bleeding, or swollen
- Persistent bad breath
- Teeth that are loose or missing
- Severe tooth sensitivity
- Receding gum line
- Teeth with abscesses
It is important for patients receiving orthodontic treatment to make regular visits to the dentist. Food particles can become trapped in braces, which can lead to bacteria buildup and potential dental problems such as cavities, gingivitis, and gum disease. Your dentist will work closely with your orthodontist to keep your teeth clean and healthy during your treatment.
Just give us a call! Our friendly front desk team is ready to assist you in booking your next dental checkup at a time that works best for you. If you're a new patient, please inform us so we can give you all the details you need for your first visit.
Having bad breath, also known as halitosis, can be an uncomfortable and embarrassing issue. It's common for people to not realize they have bad breath, especially in the morning. One of the main reasons for bad breath in healthy individuals is the presence of microbial deposits on the back of the tongue. Research has shown that brushing the tongue can reduce bad breath by up to 70 percent.
In the morning, saliva flow decreases during sleep, allowing bacteria to grow and cause bad breath. Certain foods like garlic and onions can enter the bloodstream and be exhaled through the lungs, contributing to bad breath. Poor oral hygiene habits, periodontal disease, dental cavities, and improperly fitted dental appliances can also lead to bad breath. Dry mouth, tobacco products, dieting, dehydration, hunger, missed meals, and certain medical conditions like diabetes, liver and kidney problems, chronic sinus infections, bronchitis, and pneumonia can all contribute to bad breath.
It may be helpful to track your food intake to pinpoint the source of bad breath. Additionally, discuss any medications, surgeries, or illnesses with your dentist.
Here are some tips for maintaining good oral hygiene:
- Brush at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and a toothbrush approved by the ADA. Don't forget to floss daily to remove food debris and plaque from between your teeth and under the gumline. Use a tongue scraper to clean your tongue and reach the back areas. Remember to replace your toothbrush every 2 to 3 months. If you wear dentures or removable bridges, make sure to clean them thoroughly and put them back in your mouth in the morning.
- Visit your dentist regularly for check-ups and cleanings, at least twice a year. If you have or have had periodontal disease, your dentist may recommend more frequent visits.
- Quit smoking or chewing tobacco. Ask your dentist for recommendations on how to break the habit.
- Stay hydrated by drinking water frequently. Water helps keep your mouth moist and washes away bacteria.
- Consider using mouthwash or rinses recommended by your dentist. Some over-the-counter products only provide a temporary solution for bad breath. Ask your dentist about antiseptic rinses that not only freshen your breath but also kill the germs causing the issue.
If bad breath persists despite good oral hygiene practices, your dentist can help determine the cause. If your mouth is healthy but bad breath continues, your dentist may refer you to a physician for further evaluation and treatment.
It is important to properly floss in order to remove food particles, plaque, and bacteria from between the teeth and under the gumline. Brushing alone cannot reach these areas, so flossing is essential for preventing decay and gum disease by breaking up plaque buildup. Plaque is a sticky film made up of bacteria, food particles, and saliva that can cause cavities and gum inflammation if not removed. Correct flossing technique is vital for keeping your oral health in good condition.
- Cut a piece of dental floss measuring 12-16 inches (30-40cm) and wrap it around your middle fingers, leaving about 2 inches (5cm) of floss between your hands.
- Use your thumbs and forefingers to guide the floss, gently inserting it between your teeth with a sawing motion.
- Curve the floss into a “C” shape around each tooth and under the gumline, moving it up and down to clean the sides of each tooth.
If you struggle with traditional flossing, consider using floss holders. Remember, daily flossing is essential for maintaining a healthy and beautiful smile throughout your life!
If you're feeling insecure about your teeth or want to enhance your smile, consider cosmetic dental treatments for a more confident and beautiful smile. Cosmetic dentistry has gained popularity in recent years due to advancements in procedures and materials, as well as a growing focus on overall health. There are various cosmetic dental procedures available to improve your teeth and smile, from restoring a single tooth to a full mouth make-over. Consult with your dentist to learn how cosmetic dentistry can enhance the health and beauty of your smile.
Cosmetic Dentistry Services:
- Teeth Whitening: Lightens teeth stained by age, food, drink, and smoking. Can also bleach teeth darkened by injury or certain medications, depending on the degree of staining.
- Composite Fillings: Tooth-colored fillings used to repair cavities, replace old fillings, and fix chipped, broken, or discolored teeth. Also useful for filling gaps and protecting exposed root surfaces.
- Porcelain Veneers: Custom-made shells bonded onto teeth to restore or camouflage damaged, discolored, poorly shaped, or misaligned teeth. Require minimal tooth structure removal.
- Porcelain Crowns: Custom-made coverings that encase the entire tooth surface, ideal for teeth with large fillings, fractures, decay, or breaks.
- Dental Implants: Artificial roots surgically placed into the jaw to replace missing teeth, with crowns, bridges, or dentures attached for a strong, stable solution.
- Orthodontics: Less visible brackets and wires for straightening teeth, with options for custom-made clear aligners for some cases.
- Modern dentistry offers cosmetic treatments to enhance your smile!