Why should I visit the dentist regularly?
Many people only visit the dentist when they have a noticeable problem. While they may think that they are saving money, the reality is that the treatments to repair and restore their teeth and smiles cost more money and time than it does to visit the dentist at regular intervals. Visiting the dental office regularly ensures that you receive preventive care to stop problems in the earliest stages of development and hopefully prevent them from developing in the first place. We can monitor your oral health and help you learn the best ways to care for your teeth so that they remain healthy. You should visit our office twice each year.
Why do I need to floss?
Brushing your teeth will clean the surfaces of your teeth but will not reach the areas between the teeth or below the gumline. Flossing ensures that plaque and bacteria are removed from your mouth before they can cause damage to your teeth.
How often should I brush and floss?
You should brush at least twice each day. It is especially important that you brush your teeth before going to bed. Use an ADA-approved soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoridated toothpaste. You should floss daily. We also recommend that you use a mouthrinse. Contact our office if you have questions.
How safe are dental X-rays?
Dental X-rays are extremely safe. In fact, you are exposed to less radiation with dental X-rays than you are in your day-to-day life from the sun. Advances in dentistry continue to make dental X-rays safer through digital imaging technologies and higher-speed X-rays. Additionally, federal law requires that X-ray machines be checked for safety and accuracy every two years.
I’m terrified to visit the dentist — what can I do?
Please speak with our team. We take your fear seriously and will work with you to help you feel more comfortable in our office. There are many strategies that we can use to help reduce anxiety and fear. These include medications to numb treated areas, sedation dentistry, the use of lasers instead of drills in your treatment, and a variety of techniques to reduce anxiety and mind or body pain (guided imagery, deep breathing, biofeedback, acupuncture, etc.). There are also dentophobia clinics and support groups available.
When should my child visit the dentist for the first time?
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends that children visit the dentist for the first time about six months after their first tooth erupts or no later than their first birthday. These appointments are designed to help your child become comfortable in the dental office and ensure that he or she is growing and developing correctly.
When will my baby start getting teeth?
Babies actually begin to develop teeth in the second trimester of pregnancy (about 16 to 20 weeks.) Teeth typically begin to emerge between 6 and 10 months of age. You should begin flossing your child’s teeth as soon as they have two adjacent teeth.
Why are primary teeth important?
Primary teeth are critical to maintaining good oral health and proper development. Your child’s primary teeth facilitate:
We cannot emphasize enough how important it is that you take good care of your child’s primary teeth. Please make an appointment with our team if you have questions.
What is cosmetic dentistry, and how can it help me?
Cosmetic dentistry is a dental field that focuses on improving the appearance of your teeth so that you can enjoy a more beautiful smile. It includes preventive care as well as restorative treatments. Some common cosmetic dental treatments include:
I’ve lost a tooth. What are my options for replacing it?
There are several options available to replace your missing tooth. When you visit our office, our periodontist will examine your mouth, discuss your oral health needs and smile goals with you, and review your treatment options. We will design a customized treatment plan to restore your tooth and your smile. Some of the tooth replacement options we may discuss include:
What is a root canal?
A root canal is a procedure performed when injury, infection or decay reach the inner tissues of the tooth. Our periodontist will clean out the infected pulp tissue within your tooth roots, sterilize the canals, and then fill them with medicated material and seal the tooth to prevent future infection. While root canals have a reputation of being painful, advances in dentistry have made it possible to perform your treatment comfortably as well as effectively.
What is orthodontics?
Orthodontics is a field of dental specialty that focuses on diagnosing, preventing and treating dental and facial irregularities, including misaligned teeth and jaws. An orthodontist is a dental specialist who has received two to three years of additional training following dental school in managing tooth movement and guiding facial development.
When should my child receive their first orthodontic screening?
The American Association of Orthodontists® recommends that children receive their initial orthodontic screening by age 7. At this age, several permanent teeth have erupted and any developing problems will be easy to diagnose and treat.
Am I too old for orthodontic treatment?
No! While the majority of patients who receive orthodontic treatment are children or teenagers, more and more adults are seeking orthodontic treatment to improve their smiles and oral health. As long as your teeth and supporting structures are healthy, you can receive treatment.
What do I do if I have bad breath?
Halitosis (bad breath) may be caused by any number of factors, including:
You can prevent bad breath by visiting our periodontist regularly, staying hydrated, practicing good oral hygiene, using mouthrinses and by not using tobacco products. If your halitosis persists, we recommend that you consult a physician to determine if your bad breath is caused by a medical condition and receive an appropriate treatment.
What is periodontal disease?
Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, is an oral condition that affects the gums and supporting structures in your mouth. It begins as a bacterial infection of the gums and gradually progresses until it destroys your gums and bone structure. The milder stage of periodontal disease is known as gingivitis, while the more severe form of the disease is known as periodontitis. You should be checked for periodontal disease each time you visit our periodontist.
What causes periodontal disease?
Periodontal disease is caused by the harmful bacteria trapped in plaque. As plaque hardens into calculus (tartar), the disease becomes more established in your mouth. Gum attachments begin to separate from your teeth and create pockets that harbor these harmful bacteria. If gum disease is allowed to progress without treatment, the condition may become irreversible.
What are the symptoms of periodontal disease?
Symptoms of periodontal disease include:
What is periodontics?
Periodontics is one of the nine fields of dental specialty recognized by the American Dental Association®. It focuses on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of gum disease and related conditions that affect the soft oral tissues and supporting bone of your jaws.
What is a periodontist?
A periodontist is a type of dental specialist. Periodontists receive three years of additional training following dental school in order to provide treatment for gum disease and other dental conditions affecting your soft tissues and supporting jawbone. This training also includes implant placement.
Can I develop periodontal disease without experiencing pain?
Yes. In fact, many cases of periodontal disease reach advanced stages of development without the patient feeling any pain or discomfort. For this reason, it is important that you visit the dentist regularly. Your dentist will be able to identify the signs of periodontal disease and recommend an appropriate treatment to halt the disease before it can cause serious damage.
Is periodontal disease treatable?
Gum disease is preventable with good oral hygiene and preventive care. If diagnosed in the early stages of development, it can be successfully treated. However, if your gum disease progresses to a more advanced and damaging stage, it may never successfully be removed from your mouth. There is a variety of treatments available to help you effectively manage periodontal disease, and our periodontist will work with you to develop a treatment plan that meets your needs. Common treatments include:
Who is at risk for developing gum disease?
You may have an increased risk of developing periodontal disease if you:
What can I do at home to prevent periodontal disease?
The best way to prevent gum disease is to practice good oral hygiene at home. We recommend that you brush your teeth at least twice a day. Ideally, you should brush after each meal and before going to bed at night. You should also floss daily. We recommend that you visit your dentist at least twice each year for routine dental cleanings and exams.
What is the connection between periodontal disease and overall health?
Your oral and overall health are very closely connected. If you have periodontal disease, you increase your risk of developing or exacerbating a serious medical condition, such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, respiratory disease or osteoporosis. If you have a pre-existing condition such as those previously listed, it is also more likely that you will develop gum disease. Women who are pregnant are also at risk of developing periodontal disease. Expecting mothers should make sure to visit their dentist regularly during their pregnancy, as gum disease while pregnant can lead to premature and low birth weight babies.
What is gum recession?
Gum recession is a condition, usually caused by periodontal disease or overaggressive brushing, where the edge of the gum recedes or draws back from the root of the tooth, exposing more of your tooth structure. This eventually leads to a loss of supporting bone and attachment tissues and can cause you to lose teeth. There are several treatments available to halt gum recession and restore healthy gum tissue to your mouth, including soft tissue grafting.
What are periodontal pockets?
Periodontal pockets are spaces between the gums and teeth. Normally, bone and gum tissue fit snugly around the teeth. Gum disease destroys this supporting bone and tissue, leading to the formation of pockets where bacteria can collect and cause further damage.
Why do I have to return so often after my treatment is over?
After being treated for periodontal disease, you will require regular periodontal maintenance to help keep your mouth healthy. Our periodontist will recommend a schedule of regular visits to clean your mouth and help you prevent gum disease from returning.
Are children at risk for developing gum disease?
Periodontal disease is rarely found in children and teenagers. However, children should learn how to properly care for their teeth while young so that they develop the good oral habits that help to prevent gum disease in the future. This includes daily flossing, brushing at least twice a day and visiting the dentist regularly.
How much will my periodontal treatment cost?
The cost of your treatment will depend on the type of treatment you receive. During your initial consultation, our periodontist will work with you to determine which type of treatment will be most beneficial for you and develop a treatment plan that meets your unique needs. We will then be able to provide you with an estimate of your treatment cost.