Our team has compiled a list of frequently asked questions about dentistry and oral health so that you can be better informed. Get in touch today if you still have questions.
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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.
A: You should have your teeth checked and cleaned at least twice a year, though we may recommend more frequent visits if necessary.
Regular dental exams and cleanings are essential in preventing dental problems and maintaining the health of your teeth and gums. At these routine visits, we clean and check your teeth for cavities and we do a number of other things that help us help you maintain your dental health, including:
As you can see, a good dental exam and cleaning involves quite a lot more than just checking for cavities and polishing your teeth. We are committed to providing you with the best possible care, and to do so requires regular check-ups and cleanings.
A: Bad breath can be an unpleasant and embarrassing condition. Many of us may not even realize that we have bad breath, but everyone has it from time to time, especially in the morning.
There are various reasons a person may have bad breath, but in healthy people, the major reason is due to microbial deposits on the tongue, especially the back of the tongue. Some studies have shown that simply brushing the tongue reduces bad breath by as much as 70 percent.
Keeping a record of what you eat may help identify the cause of bad breath. Also, review your current medications, recent surgeries, or illnesses with your dentist.
In most cases, we can treat the cause of bad breath. If we determine that your mouth is healthy, but bad breath is persistent, we may refer you to your physician to determine the cause of the odor and an appropriate treatment plan.
A: Four out of five people have periodontal disease and don’t know it! Most people are not aware of it because the disease is usually painless in the early stages. Unlike tooth decay, which often causes discomfort, it is possible to have periodontal disease without noticeable symptoms. Having regular dental check-ups and periodontal exams is very important and will help detect if periodontal problems exist.
Periodontal disease begins when plaque—a sticky, colorless film of bacteria, food debris, and saliva—is left on the teeth and gums. The bacteria produce acids that inflame the gums and slowly destroy the bone. Brushing and flossing regularly and properly will ensure that plaque is not left behind to do damage.
Other than poor oral hygiene, there are several factors that may increase the risk of developing periodontal disease:
Good oral hygiene, a balanced diet, and regular dental visits can help reduce your risk of developing periodontal disease.
A: Brush your teeth at least twice a day (especially before going to bed at night) with an ADA approved soft-bristle brush and fluoride toothpaste. Floss at least once a day to clean between the teeth and under the gum line.
Brushing and flossing help control the plaque and bacteria that cause dental disease.
Plaque is a film made of food debris, bacteria, and saliva that sticks to the teeth and gums. The bacteria in plaque convert certain food particles into acids that cause tooth decay. If plaque is not removed, it turns into calculus (tartar). If plaque and calculus are not removed, they begin to destroy the gums and bone, causing periodontal (gum) disease. Plaque formation and growth is continuous and can only be controlled by regular brushing, flossing, and the use of other dental aids.
A: Brushing our teeth removes food particles, plaque, and bacteria from all tooth surfaces, except in between the teeth. Unfortunately, our toothbrush can’t reach these areas, which are highly susceptible to decay and periodontal (gum) disease. Daily flossing is the best way to clean between the teeth and under the gum line. Flossing not only helps clean these spaces, it stops plaque colonies from building up, preventing damage to the gums, teeth, and bone.
How to floss properly:
Daily flossing will help you keep a healthy, beautiful smile for life!
A: If you’re feeling somewhat self-conscious about your teeth or just want to improve your smile, cosmetic dental treatments may be the answer. Cosmetic dentistry has become very popular in the last several years, not only due to the many advances in cosmetic dental procedures and materials available today, but also because patients are becoming more and more focused on improving their overall health. This includes dental prevention and having a healthier, whiter, more radiant smile.
There are many cosmetic dental procedures available to improve your teeth and enhance your smile. Depending on your particular needs, cosmetic dental treatments can change your smile dramatically, from restoring a single tooth to having a full mouth make-over. Ask us how you can improve the health and beauty of your smile with cosmetic dentistry.
Cosmetic procedures include:
Thanks to the advances in modern dentistry, cosmetic treatments can really make your smile shine!
A: Porcelain veneers are very thin shells of tooth-shaped porcelain that are individually crafted to cover the fronts of teeth. They are very durable and will not stain, making them a very popular solution for anyone seeking to restore or enhance the beauty of their smile. Veneers may be used to restore or correct the following dental conditions:
Veneers are an excellent dental treatment that can dramatically improve your teeth and give you a natural, beautiful smile.
A: As we age, the outer layer of tooth enamel wears away, eventually revealing a darker or yellow shade. The color of our teeth also comes from the inside of the tooth, which may become darker over time. Smoking, drinking coffee, tea, and wine may also contribute to tooth discoloration, making our teeth yellow and dull. Sometimes, teeth can become discolored from taking certain medications as a child, such as tetracycline. Excessive fluoridation (fluorosis) during tooth development can also cause teeth to become discolored.
Professional teeth whitening (or bleaching) is a simple, non-invasive dental treatment used to change the color of natural tooth enamel and is an ideal way to enhance the beauty of your smile. Over-the-counter products are widely available, but they are much less effective than professional treatments and may not be approved by the American Dental Association (ADA).
It’s important to have your teeth evaluated by your dentist to determine if you’re a good candidate for bleaching. Teeth whitening can be very effective and can give you a brighter, whiter, more confident smile!
A: Losing a tooth or multiple teeth can be a very traumatic experience, and it’s very unfortunate when it does happen. If teeth are lost due to injury or illness or they have to be removed, it is imperative that they be replaced to avoid cosmetic and dental problems in the future. Options for replacement of missing teeth include:
If you are missing teeth, ask us if they need replacement and what options are available to you. Together we will select the best replacement option for your particular case. Prevention and early treatment is always less involved and less costly than delaying treatment and allowing a serious problem to develop.
A: Old fillings are not only unattractive, they can also become defective. When a filling is old, the margins (space between the tooth and filling) may eventually open and allow bacteria and food debris to enter, potentially causing dental decay. We can check your fillings and evaluate if they are defective and need replacement. Also, if you simply want to replace fillings that are unattractive, we can advise you on which ones should be replaced first and what replacement options would best suit you. There are many state-of-the-art dental filling materials and procedures available today that are quick, painless, and cost effective for replacing old, unattractive or defective fillings.
Options for replacing old, unattractive, or discolored fillings include:
As you can see, there are various options for replacing old, unattractive fillings. These treatments will provide strong, natural, and long-lasting replacement solutions to enhance the health and beauty of your smile.
A: Many people are unaware that having periodontal disease (the destruction of gum tissue and bone that hold our teeth in place) can affect your overall health. Periodontal disease is one of the most common infections, often more prevalent than the common cold! Periodontal disease is not only the number one reason people lose teeth, it can also affect the health of your body.
Periodontal disease is a bacterial infection, and in its earliest stages it’s called gingivitis. It starts when an accumulation of plaque (a colony of bacteria, food debris, and saliva) is not regularly removed from the gums and teeth. The bacteria in plaque produce acids that irritate and infect the gums and eventually destroy the jaw bone that supports the teeth. When periodontal disease is not treated it can eventually lead to tooth loss.
There are numerous studies that have looked into the correlation between gum disease and major medical conditions. These studies suggest people with periodontal disease are at a greater risk of systemic disease, and they indicate that periodontal disease may cause oral bacteria to enter the bloodstream and travel to major organs and begin new infections. Research suggests that periodontal bacteria in the bloodstream may:
Researchers conclude that there is still much research to be done to understand the link between periodontal disease and systemic diseases, but enough studies have been conducted to support the conclusion that infections in the mouth can play havoc elsewhere in the body.
To ensure a healthy, disease-free mouth, we recommend the regular dental check-ups and cleanings, including a periodontal evaluation. Also, diligent home care and a proper diet can help reduce the plaque and bacteria in the mouth.
Remember the mouth body connection…taking care of your oral health may contribute to your overall medical health.
A: Although thorough brushing and flossing remove most food particles and bacteria from easy-to-reach tooth surfaces, they do not reach the deep grooves on chewing surfaces of teeth. More than 75% of dental decay begins in these deep grooves (called pits and fissures). Toothbrush bristles are too large to clean most of these areas. This is where sealants play an important role.
A sealant is a thin plastic coating that covers and protects the chewing surfaces of molars, premolars, and any deep grooves or pits on teeth. Sealant material forms a protective, smooth barrier that covers the natural depressions and grooves in your teeth, making it much easier to clean and help keep these areas free of decay.
Sealants are easily applied, and the process only takes minutes per tooth. After the chewing surfaces are roughened with an acid solution that helps the sealant adhere to the tooth, the sealant material is “painted” onto the tooth surface, where it hardens and bonds to the teeth. Sometimes a special light is used to help the sealant material harden.
After sealant treatment, it’s important to avoid chewing on ice cubes, hard candy, popcorn kernels, or any hard or sticky foods. Your sealants will be checked for wear and chipping at your regular dental check-up.
Combined with good home care, a proper diet, and regular dental check-ups, sealants are very effective in helping to prevent tooth decay.
A: We’re all at risk for having a tooth knocked out. More than 5 million teeth are knocked out every year! If we know how to handle this emergency situation, we may be able to actually save the tooth. Teeth that are knocked out may possibly be reimplanted if we act quickly—yet calmly—and follow these simple steps:
The sooner the tooth is replaced back into the socket, the greater the likelihood it has to survive and possibly last for many more years. So be prepared, and remember these simple steps for saving a knocked-out tooth.
