FAQs For Dental Care!

What Should I Do IF I Have Bad Breath?

One of the simplest solutions for curing bad breath, or halitosis, can be brushing your tongue. The tongue accumulates microbial deposits especially in the back of the tongue. Studies have shown that brushing your tongue can reduce bad breath by 70 percent. It is also very important to brush your teeth twice a day and visit your dentist regularly. Drinking water frequently and using mouthwash are also big helps. 

How Often Should I Brush or Floss?

Brushing and Flossing help control the plaque and bacteria that cause dental disease.You should brush your teeth twice daily, especially before going to bed at night. Also daily flossing is the best way to clean the hard to reach places between the teeth. Flossing not only helps clean these spaces, it disrupts plaque colonies from building up, preventing damage to the gums, teeth and bones. 

Are Amalgam (silver) fillings safe?

Amalgam is a blend of copper, silver, tin and zinc bound by elemental mercury.  This method has been used for over 100 years.  The controversy is due to claims that exposure to the vapor and minute particles from the mercury can cause a variety of health problems. According the American Dental Association, over 76% of dentists use silver containing mercury, and that these silver fillings are safe. There has been no link found between the substance and any medical disorder. 

How often should I Have a Dental Exam and Cleaning?

You should have your teeth checked and cleaned at least twice a year, though your dentist or dental hygienist may recommend more frequent visits.

How Can I tell if I Have Gingivitis or Periodontitis (gum Disease)?

Four out of Five people have periodontal disease and don’t know about it.  Most are unaware because it is usually painless in the early stages.  Having regular dental check-ups are a good way to prevent this from going unnoticed.  Periodontal disease begins when build-up is left on teeth or gums.  The bacteria produce toxins which inflame the gums and destroy the bone.  Brushing and flossing regularly help prevent this from occurring.  Symptoms include red puffy or bleeding gums, persistent bad breath, new spacing between teeth, loose teeth, pus around teeth, receding gums and discomfort. 

Why is it important to use dental floss?

Brushing our teeth removes food particles, plaque and bacteria from the surfaces of our teeth.  But it is very hard for a toothbrush to get in between each tooth.  Flossing is the best way to remove these things from under the gum line.

How can cosmetic dentistry help improve the appearance of my smile?

Some of the procedures offered by cosmetic dentist include:

Teeth Whitening: Bleaching lightens teeth that have been stained or discolored by age, food, drink, and smoking. Teeth darkened as a result of injury or taking certain medications can also be bleached, but the effectiveness depends on the degree of staining present.
Composite (tooth-colored) Fillings: Also known as “bonding”, composite fillings are now widely used instead of amalgam (silver) fillings to repair teeth with cavities, and also to replace old defective fillings. Tooth-colored fillings are also used to repair chipped, broken, or discolored teeth. This type of filling is also very useful to fill in gaps and to protect sensitive, exposed root surfaces caused by gum recession.
Porcelain Veneers: Veneers are thin custom-made, tooth-colored shells that are bonded onto the fronts of teeth to create a beautiful individual smile. They can help restore or camouflage damaged, discolored, poorly shaped, or misaligned teeth. Unlike crowns, veneers require minimal tooth structure to be removed from the surface of the tooth.
Porcelain Crowns (caps): A crown is a tooth-colored, custom-made covering that encases the entire tooth surface restoring it to its original shape and size. Crowns protect and strengthen teeth that cannot be restored with fillings or other types of restorations. They are ideal for teeth that have large, fractured or broken fillings and also for those that are badly decayed.
Dental Implants: Dental implants are artificial roots that are surgically placed into the jaw to replace one or more missing teeth. Porcelain crowns, bridges, and dentures can be made specifically to fit and attach to implants, giving a patient a strong, stable, and durable solution to removable dental appliances.
Orthodontics: Less visible and more effective brackets and wires are making straightening teeth with orthodontics much more appealing to adult patients. Also, in some cases, teeth may be straightened with custom-made, clear, removable aligners that require no braces.

What are porcelain veneers and how can they improve my smile?

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 those seeking to restore or enhance the beauty of their smile.

What can I do about stained or discolored teeth?

Since teeth whitening has now become the number one aesthetic concern of many patients, there are many products and methods available to achieve a brighter smile.  Many stores offer home teeth whitening systems, such as a gel or strips. You can also visit your dentist to have your teeth bleached, which may require multiple visits.

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