Frequently Asked Questions

Why is visiting the dentist so important?

Visiting the dentist regularly will not only help keep your teeth and mouth healthy, but will also help keep the rest of your body healthy. Dental care is important because it:

• Helps prevent tooth decay

• Protects against periodontal (gum) disease, which can lead to tooth and bone loss

• Prevents bad breath – brushing, flossing, and seeing the dentist regularly will help reduce the amount of bacteria in your mouth that causes bad breath

• Gives you a more attractive smile and increases your self-confidence

• Helps keep teeth looking bright by preventing them from becoming stained by food, drinks, and tobacco

• Strengthens your teeth so that you can enjoy healthy, beautiful smiles for the rest of your life!

QUESTION 1

I feel fine. Do I still need to see a dentist?

QUESTION 2

Your teeth may feel fine, but it’s still important to see the dentist regularly because problems can exist without you knowing. Your smile’s appearance is important, and your dentist can help keep your smile healthy and looking beautiful. With so many advances in dentistry, you no longer have to settle for stained, chipped, missing, or misshapen teeth. Today’s dentists offer many treatment choices that can help you smile with confidence, including:

• Professional teeth whitening

• Fillings that mimic the appearance of natural teeth

• Tooth replacement and full smile makeovers

What should I look for when choosing the right dentist for me?

QUESTION 3

How can I take care of my teeth between dental checkups?

QUESTION 4

Choosing a dentist who “clicks” with you and your family is important, and you may wish to consider several dentists before making your final decision. During your first visit, you should be able to determine whether the dentist is right for you. During your appointment, consider the following:

• Is the appointment schedule convenient?

• Is the office easy to get to and close by?

• Does the office appear to be clean and orderly?

• Was your medical and dental history recorded and placed in a permanent file?

• Does the dentist explain techniques for good oral health?

• Is information about cost presented to you before treatment is scheduled?

• Is your dentist a member of the ADA (American Dental Association)?

• Always remember to brush your teeth at least two times a day, and floss at least once!

• Make sure to use toothpaste that contains fluoride, and ask your dentist if you need a fluoride rinse. This will help prevent cavities.

• Avoid foods with a lot of sugar (sugar increases the amount of bacteria that grows in your mouth causing more plaque and possibly cavities) and avoid tobacco (this can stain your teeth, cause gum disease, and eventually lead to oral cancer).

• Don’t be afraid to brush your tongue! By brushing your tongue, you will remove food particles and reduce the amount of plaque-causing bacteria. Tongue brushing also helps keep your breath fresh.

• Be sure to schedule your routine checkup. It is recommended that you visit the dentist every six months.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends that children first see a dentist as early as six months of age and no later than one year of age. During this time, your child’s baby teeth will be coming in and your dentist can examine the health of your child’s first few teeth. After the first visit, be sure to schedule regular checkups every six months.

At what age should I start taking my child to see the dentist?

QUESTION 5

Why should I take my child to the dentist with baby teeth?

QUESTION 6

1. Watch for any abnormalities

2. Make sure teeth are coming in correctly

3. Look for any missing teeth or extra teeth

4. All baby teeth approximately are in by 2.5-3 years of age

Approximate age of baby teeth coming in. Everyone is different, some kids are fast and some are slow. We usually give an estimated 12-month range on teeth coming in

QUESTION 7

Do I need to pay the remaining co-payment?

When you have insurance, for example, 80% coverage, you are responsible to pay the remaining 20% portion. It is ILLEGAL not to pay the 20% and it is considered insurance fraud and can cause severe consequences.

What is fluoride and why should I use it?

QUESTION 8

1. Excellent for decreasing the risk of dental decay

2. Best in kids as they help in decreasing the rate of decay in adult teeth

3. Works great in small doses in your daily tooth brushing routine

When should I change my tooth brush?

QUESTION 9

How to choose a toothpaste / toothbrush?

QUESTION 10

1. 6-8 months

2. When the bristles on your brush become spread out

3. If you are using a hard/medium toothbrush

1. Toothpaste should contain some fluoride to help against cavities

2. You can compare the concentration of F in toothpaste

3. If you have sensitive teeth, Colgate pro relief is great. You can use it as an alternative to your regular toothpaste, or put a little on your finger and directly onto the sensitive site

ToothBrush

1. Something that is soft or extra soft if you brush hard

2. A tongue section to help with cleaning your tongue

3. Something that is also cheap

Do I need a root canal?

QUESTION 11

Wisdom teeth, when to remove?

QUESTION 12

1. Have you had any random spontaneous sharp pain?

2. Long duration to sensitivity to hot and cold things or cold making it better

3. Radiating pain

4. You may need a root canal, come see us see what is going on

1. Causing pain

2. Creating persistent gum and bone issues

3. Possible harm to your tooth next door

4. Angulation of wisdom teeth that are in the wrong direction

5. Causing more harm than good

6. Cavities

7. Best to remove between the ages of 17-25 as they are at an increased risk to move and cause damage

Have sensitive teeth, here's maybe why.

QUESTION 13

Snoring, mouth breathing at night is that a concern?

QUESTION 14

1. Grinding/Clenching can cause pressure on your teeth and can harm enamel and gums. This can expose your tooth structure that is softer and more prone to sensitivity and dental decay

2. You are brushing aggressively and causing damage to your tooth and gums. This causes gum recession

3. Excessive Amounts if acidic beverages and foods can wear down teeth. Alcohol, lemon, lime, coke, juice, carbonated water

4. Acid reflux, medical-related issues

5. Your teeth are sitting in an incorrect position. This causes a biting imbalance that over time can cause chips/pain issues with your teeth.

1. Your breathing can be disrupted while sleeping

2. This can be due to a large tongue, large to tonsils or incorrect positioning of teeth and or jaw

3. Mouth breathing can also cause your mouth to act as a “nose” and it will change its shape to help you breath better.

4. Come in to assess your sleep

QUESTION 15

When is the best time to see a dentist?

1. Every 6months to maintain your oral health

2. Check for signs of oral cancer, cavities, or other general health concerns

QUESTION 16

Why do I need to come in every 6 months

1. To assess early signs of cavities

2. Signs of possible cancer, oral diseases

3. Make sure your gums/teeth healthy to prevent gum disease

When do I need to take Xrays?

QUESTION 17

Xrays are harmful, I don't want them

QUESTION 18

1. Large Xrays every 6 years to assess sinus, bone, wisdom teeth, or any new abnormalities

2. Smaller Xrays can be taken in 6-12-24 month intervals depending on dental decay rate, previous root canals, crowns, and implants

1. The power of X-rays is so minimal that is less harmful than you think!. We also use protective barriers to minimize the risk even more!

2. They are also an excellent tool to diagnose, prevent, and treatment plan cases to make sure your health is in tip-top shape

QUESTION 19

What causes erosion and how can I prevent it?

QUESTION 20

I've never had a cavity, why do I need to floss?

1. Any acidic beverages can cause your teeth to wear over time

2. Sports drinks, energy drinks, alcohol, coke, etc are very acidic

3. Rinse your mouth with water right away to help decrease the acidity in your mouth. Brush 30min after you do this

Dentistry is a fine balance between genetics, diet, and home/professional care. If that balance is disrupted, you will begin to develop issues down the road. Early signs can vary from bad breath to gum inflammation and sensitivity. Long-term signs include bone/gum loss that can lead to tooth loss. This is why it is important to come to see a dentist every 6 months to catch things early to prevent future problems.