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Most Answered Questions.

You should visit your dentist for a regular hygiene visit twice a year, or once every six months. There are exceptions to this rule, however. If you have gum disease or a history of gum disease, your dentist may recommend more frequent visits. Another reason you may need to see the dentist more frequently is if you are undergoing orthodontic treatment. The bottom line is that you need to at least see the dentist twice a year and you need to comply if it is recommended that you make those visits more frequent.

Many people do not see a dentist on a regular basis. They only see the dentist when they are in pain. While these patients may feel they are saving money, it often ends up costing much more in money and time. This is because many dental problems do not have symptoms until they reach the advanced stages of the disease process. An example is tooth decay. It is typical to hear, “Nothing hurts… I don’t have any problem.”
Tooth decay often does not hurt until it gets close to the nerve of the tooth. It is not uncommon to see a patient with a huge cavity who has never felt a thing. The dentist can usually detect a cavity 3-4 years before it develops any symptoms. This early detection can help you prevent root canal treatment or major restorative treatment.

Dental x-rays are very safe. The amount of radiation that a dental x-ray produces is about the same as you would receive from a cross country airplane ride.

Dental x rays help the dentists to see issues that are otherwise nearly invisible to the naked eye. Using these x-rays, your dentist can see:

  • Areas of decay, including those in between teeth or under a filling
  • Bone loss associated with gum disease
  • Abscesses, which are infections at the root of the tooth or between the tooth and gum
  • Tumors
  • Changes in the root canal
  • Development of wisdom teethWhether baby teeth are loosening properly to accommodate new permanent teeth
  • Whether baby teeth are loosening properly to accommodate new permanent teeth

Without an x-ray, many of these problems could go undiagnosed. With an x-ray as a reference, dentists are also better equipped to treatment plan tooth implants, dentures, braces, and other similar treatments.

Yes, flossing the teeth is very important. Food that’s left between the teeth causes gum inflammation and tooth decay. Flossing is the only way to remove it. A toothbrush just can’t get between teeth. Flossing helps you prevent bad breath, the formation of cavities, tartar buildup, and gum diseases. Gum disease is also linked to heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, premature birth, and many other health conditions.
For a patient who finds it difficult to use regular floss, we do recommend using Water Flosser. Water flosser provides a unique combination of water pressure and pulsation to clean deep between teeth and below the gum line, removing harmful bacteria and flushing toxic waste products that traditional brushing and flossing can’t reach.

Fluoride is important to dental health because it helps to prevent tooth decay by making your tooth enamel more resistant to acid attacks from plaque bacteria in your mouth. Fluoride can also prevent or even reverse tooth decay that has started.

By preventing cavities and slowing the growth of bacteria, a fluoride treatment may also:

  • prevent gum disease
  • reduce tooth pain
  • prevent the premature loss of teeth

Fluoride treatments are typically professional treatments containing a high concentration of fluoride that a dentist or hygienist will apply to a person’s teeth to improve health and reduce the risk of cavities. These in-office treatments can be in the form of a solution, gel, foam, or varnish. Always give your dentist your full health history so they can choose the right treatments for you

When you are asleep, the production of saliva in your mouth decreases. Since your saliva is the mouth’s natural mouthwash, most people experience morning breath. Bacteria found on teeth in the crevices and on the taste buds of the tongue, break down the food particles, which produce sulfur compounds. It is actually these sulfur compounds that give our breath a bad odor. During the day, your saliva helps to wash away bacteria and food particles. Your saliva also helps to dissolve the foul-smelling sulfur compounds.

Unlike traditional braces, Invisalign aligner trays are clear and removable so nobody will know you are getting orthodontic treatment during special events and occasions. Even when you are wearing the aligner trays, it is tough to see them, so you don’t have to avoid socializing or business events while you straighten your teeth. Benefits of Invisalign include:

  • Comfortable to wear
  • Smooth aligner trays
  • Can continue brushing and flossing teeth as normal
  • Fewer doctor visits than traditional braces
  • Boosts self-confidence
  • Removable any time of day

A cavity is a small hole in the tooth that develops as a result of tooth decay. Bacteria on the surface of the teeth produce acid that damages hard surfaces of the teeth, In other words, decay eats away at the tooth and results in an empty space that disrupts the structure of the tooth. It’s important to get cavities fixed otherwise they will continue to grow and get larger with time.

Following tips help to prevent cavities:

  • Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste
  • At least floss once a day to clean in between the teeth
  • Limit between-meal snacks. This reduces the number of acid attacks on teeth and gives teeth a chance to repair themselves.
  • Cut back on sugar and acidic drinks. Drink more water.
  • If sticky foods are eaten, brush your teeth soon afterward.
  • Patients with dry mouth are always at higher risk of cavities. Consult your dentist if you have a dry mouth.
  • Heartburn or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can cause the flow of stomach acid into your mouth which can damage teeth. Consult your physician.
  • Visit your dentist regularly for professional cleanings and oral examination.
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