Dental FAQs

Frequent brushing and flossing are both important to help keep bacteria and plaque in check and prevent dental disease.

Plaque is a combination of food debris and bacteria mixed with saliva that is mucous-like and sticks to gums and teeth. Bacteria present in plaque convert some types of food particles into acid that can cause tooth decay. In addition, plaque that isn’t removed can turn into calculus, also called tartar. When plaque and tartar aren’t removed as they should be, they can destroy gums and the underlying bone. That process of destruction is caused gum disease.

Plaque formation never stops, but it can be controlled by regularly and properly using a toothbrush and floss as well as other dental aids on your teeth.

• Tooth-brushing. Brush your teeth two times every day, most importantly before going to bed. Be sure to use an ADA-approved soft-bristled brush and an appropriate toothpaste.

  Brush at an angle of about 45 degrees to the gums using small and gentle circular motions, making sure you can feel the bristles brushing the gums. Brush all tooth surfaces -- outer and inner surfaces as well as the biting surface. With the tip of the brush head, clean behind the front teeth as well.
  Make sure to brush the tongue to clean away bacteria and debris and freshen your breath.
  We strongly recommend electric toothbrushes. They are simple to use and very effective. All you have to do is place the rotating bristles on your gums and teeth and let the brush do the job of cleaning several teeth at a time.

• Flossing. The best way to clean teeth below the gum line and in between is with dental floss. Plus, it disrupts bacteria colonies from increasing in size and therefore helps prevent damage to teeth, gums and underlying bone.

  To properly floss, pull out 12 to 16 inches of dental floss and wrap it around your fingers on each hand in the position that’s comfortable to you, following precise instructions provided by the dentists. Leave about 2 inches between your hands.
  Guiding with your thumbs and forefingers, insert the floss very gently between your teeth with a sawing motion. Pull the floss into a “C” so that it goes tightly around each tooth and down under the gum line. Move the floss up and then down a few times against the tooth on each side to clean it. If you have problems using floss, try floss holders.

• Rinsing. It is essential to rinse out your mouth with clean water after completing brushing and flossing and after meals when you cannot brush. If you use an over-the-counter rinse product, check with the dentist or hygienist to make sure it’s right for you.

A complete exam and cleaning is necessary twice per year unless the dentist or hygienist recommends a different schedule.

These regular visits are important for preventing dental problems and maintaining healthy gums and teeth. During the visits, your teeth will be cleaned and checked for cavities. Also, other checks are performed as needed and any previously detected issues will be rechecked. Things that will be done include:

• Medical history review. It is important for the dentist to know the current state of medical conditions as well as any new medications or illnesses for insight into proper treatment and overall health.
• X-rays: The best tool for detecting decay as well as cysts, tumors and bone loss is radiography. X-rays can also be important for determining tooth and root positions.
• Oral cancer screening. The dentist will carefully check the throat, tongue, lips, neck and face, gums and other related tissues for evidence of oral cancer.
• Gum disease evaluation. Gums and the bone beneath them are checked for signs of periodontal disease.
• Tooth decay exam. All tooth surfaces are checked thoroughly with special instruments to look for decay.
• Restorations exam. Existing restorations are examined, including fillings, crowns and any other dental work.
• Removal of tartar. Calculus or tartar is plaque that has hardened in place after being left on the tooth surface for a long time. This is removed from above and below the gum line with special dental instruments.
• Removal of plaque. Almost invisible and very sticky, plaque is a growing colony made up of living bacteria, food debris and saliva. Bacteria make toxins that irritate gums, and this is how gum disease starts.
• Teeth polishing. This is done to get rid of stains and any plaque that isn’t removed as part of normal tooth brushing or the tartar scaling procedure.
• Oral hygiene suggestions. The dentist will review with you any recommendations and suggest dental aids like an electric toothbrush, rinses and more.
• Dietary habits review. Because eating plays a large role in dental health, this is a sensible addition to a complete dental exam.

We are committed to high-quality care, and frequent checkups and cleanings are how we accomplish that.

Your dentist can determine if you have these conditions. As many as four out of every five people have periodontal disease and don’t know it because it is painless in the early stages. Tooth decay causes discomfort in most cases, but you can have gum disease without noticing the symptoms. Getting regular dental exams is essential and can help you detect whether problems that need treatment exist.

Gum disease starts with the sticky, colorless film called plaque, made up of food debris, bacteria and saliva. When it’s left on teeth and gums, the bacteria start to make toxins or acids that irritate the gums and destroy the bone beneath. Regular and proper brushing and flossing make sure that plaque is removed and cannot do any damage.

In addition to poor oral hygiene, the following additional factors increase your risk of periodontal disease:

• Using tobacco. Smoking or chewing tobacco makes you more likely to form plaque and tartar.
• Dental appliance condition. When a bridge doesn’t fit well, teeth are crowded or fillings are bad, they can hold harmful plaque and bacteria.
• Medications. Some medications have the side effect of reducing saliva, drying the mouth and making it easier for plaque to attach to teeth and gums. These include birth control pills, some blood pressure drugs, cancer therapy drugs and steroids.
• Pregnancy or puberty. These conditions cause hormonal changes that can cause gum tissue to be more sensitive to toxins than at other times.
• Systemic disease. These include things like HIV/AIDS, diabetes, blood cell disorders and more.
• Genetics. Some patients are simply more likely to have periodontitis than others. Those with a strong family history of tooth loss need to pay attention to the condition of their gums.
• Important Indicators of Periodontal DiseaseThe following are important indicators of gum disease you should not ignore:
  • Red, puffy gums. Gums should never be swollen or red.
  • Bleeding gums. Even when you brush vigorously, gums shouldn’t bleed.
  • Bad breath that won’t go away. This is caused by bacteria.
  • Additional space between teeth. Bone loss is the culprit.
  • Loose teeth. Bone loss and weakened periodontal fibers are the cause.
  • Pus in the mouth. This is a sign of an infection.
  • Receding gums. This is a sign of persistent gum disease.
  • Discomfort or tenderness. Irritation from plaque and tartar lead to discomfort.

  Strong oral hygiene habits as well as a good diet and regular dental visits can reduce risks from periodontal disease.

While brushing teeth gets food particles as well as sticky plaque and harmful bacteria from tooth surfaces, it does not reach in between teeth. A toothbrush simply can’t get into these areas, but these are the areas that are especially susceptible to gum disease and decay.

Flossing is the best way to get between teeth and below the gum line. It not only helps keep these areas clean, but it disrupts plaque colonies from setting up, preventing tooth, gum and bone damage.

Plaque is sticky and nearly invisible and can best be characterized as a living, growing colony of bacteria. When this plaque is not removed from above and below the gum line, it hardens into tartar, also called calculus. It also irritates gums and causes decay. Tartar further inflames the gums and destroys bone too. These are all parts of periodontal disease.

To floss properly, pull out 12 to 16 inches of dental floss and wrap it around your fingers as instructed by the dentist, leaving about 2 inches of floss between your hands. Use the thumbs and forefingers to move the floss between the teeth in a sawing motion. Pull gently on the floss to form it into a “C” shape so it will get around each tooth and beneath the gum line. Move the floss up and then down, cleaning the side of each tooth. If you have trouble doing this, try using a floss holder.

Daily flossing is essential to a beautiful and healthy smile that will last a lifetime

If your smile makes you feel self-conscious or you want your great smile to look even better, cosmetic dental treatments are likely the answer for you.

Cosmetic dentistry is more popular than ever for three reasons: procedures are more effective than ever, materials are better than in the past and people are more focused on improving their overall health and appearance.

There are a number of procedures that will make your teeth and smile look better. Depending on the extent of the work you need done, cosmetic dental treatments can improve your smile dramatically. Everything from the restoration of a single tooth to a full-mouth makeover is possible. Talk to the dentist about improving your smile with cosmetic dentistry.

The following are among the procedures available:

• Teeth whitening. Bleaching or whitening gets rid of stains or discolorations that are caused by age, food and drinks and smoking. Teeth darkening from some injuries due to medications and from some other causes can be bleached, but the degree of staining determines the effectiveness.
• Tooth-colored fillings. Composite or tooth-colored fillings are now used in most cases instead of mercury-containing silver amalgam fillings to make restorations for cavities and to replace older metal restorations. Tooth-colored filling material can also be used for repairing chipped, discolored or broken teeth and sometimes to fill gaps or protect exposed root surfaces that result from gum recession.
• Porcelain veneers. These custom-made thin, tooth-colored shells are bonded to the front of teeth to make a smile more attractive. They can restore or cover damage, discoloration, misshapen teeth and misalignment. They’re different from crowns because they don’t require the removal of much tooth structure.
• Porcelain crowns. Also called caps, crowns are custom-made tooth-colored coverings that go over an entire tooth surface and restore the original shape and size. Crowns strengthen and protect teeth that cannot be adequately restored with filling or other kinds of restorations. When teeth have large broken fillings or fractures or have significant decay, crowns are ideal.
• Dental implants. Implants are artificial tooth roots that are implanted surgically into the jaw to replace a missing tooth or teeth. Then, crowns, bridges and dentures can be made to fit on and attach to the implants. Implants provide a stable base for a variety of dental appliances.
• Orthodontics. Today’s brackets are more effective and less visible, making teeth straightening more popular than ever for adults. In some cases, teeth can even be straightened using removable clear aligners, and no braces are required.

orcelain veneers are simply thin shells of porcelain that are individually custom-made to cover the front of teeth and improve overall appearance. Stain-resistant and very durable, they’re a popular choice for people whose smile needs a boost.

Veneers are often the right choice for the following dental conditions:

• discolored or stained teeth
• large gaps between teeth
• chipped teeth
• badly worn teeth
• slight tooth crowding issues
• misshapen teeth
• teeth that appear too large or small

To get your veneers, two visits are usually required. The veneers are made from a mold of your teeth that is sent to a dental lab where each piece is custom-made to precisely the right shape and color for your smile.

With little or no need for anesthesia, your teeth are prepared for attachment of the veneers with light buffing and shaping on the front, making room for the thickness of the veneers. Then, your new veneers are fitted carefully and bonded to the appropriate teeth with a special cement. Sometimes, a special light is used to harden the bonding agent.

Veneers are an intelligent dental treatment for dramatically improving teeth and creating a beautiful, natural-looking smile without more complicated treatments.

Tooth whitening has become the top aesthetic procedure for dental patients, and there are a variety of methods and products available to make your smile brighter.

Professional bleaching or tooth whitening is a non-invasive and simple dental treatment that changes the color of tooth enamel, making it an ideal way to improve any smile. There are effective over-the-counter products available, but these are often less effective than professional treatments.

As people age, the tooth enamel’s outer layer wears off. This eventually allows a dark or yellow surface to show through. This color comes from deep inside the tooth, and the color may get darker with age. Other factors including smoking as well as drinking coffee, tea or wine also contribute to the discoloration of teeth, allowing teeth to appear dull and yellow. Some medications, including tetracycline, can discolor teeth, and so can excess fluoridation during the development of teeth.

It’s essential to have your teeth professionally evaluated by a dentist to make sure you’re a good candidate for teeth whitening. Sometimes, stains from over fluoridation or tetracycline are hard to bleach out, so the dentist may offer other options like crowns or veneers to cover stains. Whitening only works on natural enamel, so along with whitening it may be necessary to replace old fillings, crowns or other restorations. These new restorations can be matched to the results of the whitened teeth.

Since whitening is never permanent, touchups may be needed every few years or more often as necessary to make sure your smile is bright and white.

Teeth whitening systems are divided generally into two types:

1. Home teeth whitening systems. At-home whitening products most often come in gel form and involve custom-fitted trays made from a mold of your teeth. The trays are intended to be worn two times each day for 30 minutes or overnight. It often takes a number of weeks to get the results you desire, depending on how much staining there is and how white you want your teeth.
2. In-office teeth whitening. Done in the dentist’s office, in-office treatments give immediate results. More than one visit may be required, and each visit should last 30 to 60 minutes. With gum protection applied, the teeth are bleached with a solution. A special light may be used to speed up and improve the action of the bleaching agent.

It isn’t uncommon to experience tooth sensitivity after tooth whitening. This is temporary and goes away soon after completion of the bleaching process. The sensitivity may last a few days or up to one week.

Teeth whitening is a sensible and effective way to brighten and whiten teeth that might be right for you.