Dental FAQs

Visiting the dentist regularly will help keep your teeth and mouth healthy, which actually contributes to your overall health. Even if you have pristine home care without any symptoms, it's extremely important to visit the dentist at least twice a year. In addition to examining your oral cavity for any signs of decay or tooth breakdown, the dentist also performs an oral cancer screening. Early detection and prevention for any issues is key!

Your teeth may feel fine, but it's still important to see the dentist regularly because problems can exist without you knowing. Usually once symptoms develop, the treatment needed is far more extensive than what it would have been if the cavity or infection was caught early, prior to any symptoms. This is also why taking radiographs at least once per year is crucial.

Children, teens, and adults should all see the dentist for a regular checkup at least once every six months. Patients who are at a greater risk for oral cancer or gum disease may be required to see the dentist more than just twice a year. Your doctor will help determine how often you should visit the dentist for regular checkups.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends that children first see a dentist as early as the eruption of their first tooth and no later than their first birthday. 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.

Yes! In fact, it's even more important that patients receiving orthodontic treatment visit their dentist regularly. With braces, food may be caught in places that your toothbrush can't reach. This causes bacteria to build up and can lead to cavities, gingivitis, and gum disease. Your dentist will work closely with your orthodontist to make sure that your teeth stay clean and healthy while wearing braces.

• 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. This will help prevent cavities and keep your enamel strong.
• Avoid sugary foods which increase the amount of bacteria that grows in your mouth, causing more plaque build up and cavities. If you do have a sweet tooth, try to limit the frequency of when you consume sugar. It's better to have it at one time instead of exposing your teeth and mouth to sugar multiple times a day.
• Avoid tobacco as it can stain your teeth, cause gum disease, and eventually lead to oral cancer.
• Don't be afraid to clean your tongue! By scraping your tongue, you will remove food particles and reduce the amount of plaque-causing bacteria, also keeping your breath nice and fresh.
• Be sure to schedule your routine checkups!

Your toothbrush will eventually wear out, especially if you are brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes each time. We recommend that adults and children change their toothbrush every three months. If you are using an electric toothbrush, be sure to read the directions on your toothbrush heads, as they often come with some kind of indicator that tells you when it’s time to switch. Patients with gum disease are encouraged to change their toothbrush every four to six weeks to keep any bacteria from spreading. After brushing, rinse your toothbrush with hot water to kill germs and keep the bristles clean. If you've been sick, be sure to change your toothbrush as soon as possible.

A cavity is a small hole that forms inside the tooth because of tooth decay. Cavities are formed when plaque buildup on the outside of the tooth combines with sugars and starches in the food you eat. This produces an acid that can eat away the enamel on your tooth. If a cavity is left untreated, it can lead to more serious oral health problems. Prevention and early detection is key when it comes to cavities. In addition to proper homecare, it's important to keep up with your dental appointments for professional cleanings and to catch any cavities while they're still small. Visit our “Restorative Dentistry” page to learn more about the various ways we restore cavities.

Also known as periodontal disease, gum disease is mostly caused by plaque and bacteria buildup that is not treated in its early stage. Other causes of periodontal disease include tobacco use, teeth grinding, some medications, and genetics. Gingivitis is the beginning stage of gum disease, and, if detected, is treatable. Gingivitis left untreated may turn into periodontal disease. Advanced disease will lead to tooth mobility and bone loss, and is a permanent condition. Brushing your teeth regularly and visiting the dentist every six months will help prevent gingivitis and more severe cases of periodontal disease. Common signs of gum disease:

• Red, irritated, bleeding, or swollen gums
• Chronic bad breath
• Loose teeth, or loss of teeth
• Extreme tooth sensitivity
• Receding gum line
• Abscessed teeth