DO YOU HAVE questions for your favorite dental guys? One of yours may have made our FAQ list!
Question 1: How frequently do I need to visit the dentist?
We recommend a dental exam and cleaning twice a year for most people. Even for patients with perfect oral hygiene, it's inevitable that some tarter and plaque will still accumulate. We can give your teeth a professional cleaning to control tartar and plaque and catch any dental problems early, saving you pain, money, and time.
Some people can benefit from more frequent visits, often for reasons like a history of gum disease, a smoking habit, or a pregnancy. The ideal frequency of your visits is based on how committed you are to maintaining good oral hygiene and how healthy your gums are.
Question 2: Why do I need a filling if my tooth doesn't hurt?
Not all cavities are painful, but that doesn't mean you should ignore yours.
When it comes to cavities, it's all about the enamel. That's because cavities form when the acid produced by bacteria eats away at tooth enamel until it creates a hole in the tooth. At first, these holes aren't usually painful—they're just vulnerable to getting bigger and bigger as bacteria continue to feast on your pearly whites.
If left untreated, a cavity can progress until it reaches the dental pulp, where nerves are located, and pain is felt. At this point, a simple filling might not be enough.
Question 3: Is it essential to keep baby teeth healthy?
Baby teeth are temporary, but that doesn't mean they don't matter. Baby teeth are essential to a child's ability to speak, chew their food effectively, and master lifelong dental habits like brushing and flossing. They're also necessary placeholders for incoming adult teeth.
Question 4: What is making my teeth more yellow?
Teeth inevitably yellow or darken over time as a function of age, but environmental factors and trauma can make the effect much more pronounced. The biggest culprits of surface stains are cola, coffee, wine, cigarettes, tomato sauce, hard candy, sports drinks, and even berries. Your smile is the first thing people notice about you. And if it's not gleaming like the sun, it could be making you look older and less confident.
So what are you waiting for? We can help with whitening treatments that will make your teeth look brighter, healthier, and more beautiful than ever before.
Question 5: How bad are pacifiers and thumbsucking for my child's teeth?
Self-soothing habits in toddlers aren't usually a cause for concern. In fact, they're pretty common and totally normal. But when they continue beyond toddlerhood? That's when things get tricky.
Chances are that your thumb-sucking child will grow out of it on their own, but after age three, it's time to start considering strategies for discouraging the habit.
We Love Answering Our Patients' Questions!
The more you know about your teeth, the better you can take care of them.
If you have any questions about your dental health we didn't cover here, give us a call or schedule your next appointment today!