FAQ's

Here you will find dental tips to prevent cavities and increase your overall oral hygiene, so you can smile with confidence!

Request an appointment today!

+1 972-853-2100

Frequently Asked Questions

Approximately 1 out of 5 people suffer from halitosis. Most of the time, the cause for bad breathe is preventable and much more simple than you’d think. Very rarely a person’s bad breath may require medical attention.

Causes:

Smoking- Smoking is a major cause of bad breath. It can cause multiple different oral infections and diseases. Not only your body, but your friends and family will thank you for quitting. When you’re ready to quit smoking contact your doctor! Don’t just take care of your oral health! Make your mental and physical health a priority too!

Dry Mouth- Saliva washes away excess foods and bacteria. If you suffer from dry mouth you are more likely to suffer from tooth decay and cavities. Specific medications, not drinking enough water, and breathing through your mouth are some major causes of dry mouth!

Lack of Floss– It is extremely important to floss your teeth! If you don’t, you are missing about 40% of your tooth surfaces! Small particles can get stuck in between your teeth and cause bad breath. It is very important to be consistent with your flossing routine, even if you have braces!

Tongue Bacteria- About 80-90 percent of bad breath is caused by bacterial growth on the tongue. If you are inconsistent with brushing and flossing your teeth you will leave behind plaque bacteria on your teeth and gums. It can lead to tooth decay, gingivitis (gum disease), and bad breath.

Treatments:
Raw fruits and veggies- In fact, an apple a day may keep the doctor away. Biting into an apple is a great way to freshen breathe before brushing and flossing.

Sugar-free gum- Gum can remove food particles by increasing saliva production. This can help prevent tooth decay and bad breath!

Water- Dry mouth leads to bad breathe very quickly! Try carrying a water bottle around throughout your day to stay hydrated and reduce bad breath.

What are X-Rays and why are they necessary for Dental work?

X-rays, also known as radiographic images, are essential when it comes to dental care. They are diagnostic, but can also be preventative. X-rays help dentists see any future problems that may occur or current problems that need to be taken care of!

What is an X-Ray?

An X-Ray is a type of energy that passes through the soft tissues in your mouth and is absorbed by the dense tissue. Because bones and teeth are so dense, they show up on the images!

Types of X-Rays

They are divided into two different categories, intraoral and extraoral. Extraoral X-rays are taken outside of the mouth while intraoral X-rays are taken inside of the mouth. Intraoral Images are much more common when it comes to dentistry. It allows dentists to:

-Find cavities
-Check the health of bone around teeth
-Determine if periodontal disease is an oral care issue
-Look at tooth roots
-Understand status of emerging teeth

A full series of x-rays are recommended about every 6 months for your check-up. A panoramic image is recommended about every 3 years. If you do have any type of pain or discomfort on a particular tooth, your dentist may take one x-ray on that area to get a better look at what’s going on.

How do I know if I have a cavity?

Cavities are the second most common health issue among children and adults. They result from tooth decay caused by plaque build up and bacteria due to inadequate brushing, certain foods and drinks, dry mouth, and more. Occasionally, cavity symptoms aren’t present until the decay has already advanced. The following 3 symptoms can occur and signify that you might have a cavity.

1. Noticeable Differences

Swollen Gums – An untreated cavity can cause red, swollen gums due to bacteria and infection surrounding a sore tooth.

Holes – Tooth decay causes the enamel to slowly erode, creating a pit or hole. These holes are the breeding ground for bacteria and can result in bad breath.

Discoloration – Discolored spots on the surface of teeth can be black, brown, or white, and indicate a cavity exists.

2. Heightened Sensitivity

Cavities often increase the sensitivity of the nerves surrounding teeth. Although pain resulting from sensitivity may vary in intensity, it can be triggered by a wide variety of conditions.

Temperature – When a cavity is present, it is common to experience sensitivity to extreme temperatures while eating or drinking things that are hot or cold.

Sugar – Because cavities are sensitive to sugar, pain may occur when consuming a sugary item, such as candy or a soda.

3. Pain and Discomfort

Toothaches differ in pain intensity and should be watched closely. If pain or discomfort occurs, it might be a sign of a decaying tooth.

Chewing – Pain caused from biting into or chewing foods can be an indicator that there is a cavity.

Continuous Pain – Pay attention to consistent toothaches, whether the pain is mild or extreme, as this can signify it may be time to schedule an appointment with your dentist.

If you think you have a cavity, don’t hesitate to call us. We are here to help keep your smile healthy and cavity-free. We are always accepting new patients and we look forward to helping improve your dental health!

Most common reasons for tooth removal or extractions?

Your dentist will try to fix your broken or damaged tooth with a filling, crown, or other dental treatment. However, if there is too much damage to the tooth beyond repair, the tooth may need to be extracted from its socket in the bone.

Beyond damage and decay, here are some of the most common reasons for tooth removal:

Sometimes baby teeth don’t fall out in time to allow the permanent teeth to come in.
Third molars, or wisdom teeth, are often extracted either before or after they erupt in the mouth. They commonly come in during the late teens or early 20’s. They need to be removed if they are decayed, infected, or if there is not enough room in the mouth.
People receiving radiation to the head and neck may need to have teeth in the field of radiation extracted.
People receiving cancer drugs may cause their teeth to develop an infection resulting in a weakened immune system. Infected teeth may result in removal if necessary.
People getting braces may need teeth extracted to create room for the teeth that are being moved into place.
Some people have extra teeth that block other teeth from coming in.

How to maintain clean teeth?

In addition to following a complete oral care routine, you can support your cleaning teeth efforts by eating healthy, visiting a dental professional regularly, and avoiding cigarettes and tobacco products. Keep these other tips in mind to maintain clean teeth:

Rinse away stains: if you can’t brush your teeth after consuming food or beverages that may stain your teeth, preserve clean teeth by rinsing your mouth with water or a mouthwash.
Quit smoking: Smoking is one of the top factors undermines clean teeth. You can go a long way toward having a healthy mouth if you avoid tobacco products. That includes not only cigarettes, but cigars, pipes, and chewing tobacco. If you use tobacco products, it’s not too late to have a healthy mouth if you quit, or at least cut back. Studies have shown that smoking may contribute to gum disease by getting in the way when normal gum tissue cells try to do their job of maintaining a healthy mouth.
Eat right: Eating a balanced diet helps promote a healthy mouth, healthy teeth, and healthy gums. The American Dental Association recommends keeping between-meal snacks to a minimum to promote a healthy mouth. If you do need a snack, some healthy mouth choices include raw veggies, plain yogurt, cheese, or a piece of fruit, such as an apple or pear.

Steps to prevent plaque and tartar buildup

Staying on top of your oral health and preventing plaque buildup on teeth is the best way to prevent tartar. To help prevent tartar, be sure to brush your teeth, floss and use mouthwash at least twice daily, preferably with a tartar-control fluoride toothpaste and floss once a day. It is also very important to visit your dental office at least every six-months for oral exams and cleanings.

Here are a few important steps to help prevent dental plaque and tartar:

Choose an anti-plaque fluoride toothpaste to use every morning and night to help strengthen your tooth enamel (outer layer). This will help with decay and sensitivity.
Floss daily to remove food particles and plaque between teeth. It is important to floss at least once a day to prevent buildup.
Use mouthwash at least once a day after brushing your teeth
Consider investing in an electric toothbrush, and remember to replace the head every 3 months.
Visit your dentist every 6 months. Adults who see their dentists regularly are less likely to have plaque related dental diseases.
Avoid smoking to reduce the risk of increased plaque and tartar.
Cut down on any sugar drinks and foods to help protect your teeth from decay and plaque buildup.

NEGLECT IS EXPENSIVE

Give our office a call today to schedule your six-month check-up, cleaning, and exam. (972) 853-2100

Sinus Infection & Dry Mouth

Sinus Infection Side Effects

One of the possible side effects from a sinus infection is that you may start breathing through your mouth. Mouth breathing promotes a dry mouth, and a dry mouth can increase your risk of dental health problems. Saliva in the mouth helps digest food and wash away the bacteria that can cause tooth decay and gingivitis.

At-Home Remedies

If you notice signs of dry mouth after sinus infection tooth pain, try the following:

Use a fluoride toothpaste and mouth rinse daily.
Drink plenty of water.
Try to breathe through your nose as much as possible.

How do I care for a root canal after treatment?

A treated and restored tooth can last a lifetime with proper care. Root canals have a high success rate. Here are a few ways to take care of your teeth after a root canal:

Practice good oral hygiene: Brush teeth twice and floss at least once a day. Taking care of your teeth can help prevent future problems.
Visit the dentist regularly: Cleanings and examinations by dentists and hygienists are important to check-up on the status of your root canal.
Avoid chewing on hard foods: Chewing on hard foods such as ice can cause teeth to break, and can harm root canals.

If you have any concerns after your root canal procedure let your dentist know as soon as possible!

What are common signs of teething?

The eruption of your baby’s first tooth is a milestone event. Most babies will develop their first tooth at six months of age. Children typically develop their full set of primary teeth by three years. Many people understand the most common signs of teething are irritability and excessive drooling. However, there are a number of other signs that may signal your child is teething.

Decreased Sleeping: Have you noticed a significant change in your baby’s sleep pattern? While going through this process, many babies will find it more difficult to fall asleep. The pain caused by the discomfort of their gums can also cause them to wake up more often.

Rubbing of Cheek and Ear Area: A baby teething will typically rub their cheek and ear area to try and relieve discomfort. They are also likely to bite or gnaw on anything they can find. The pressure of biting or gnawing causes pressure relief of the gums. Giving your baby a teething ring is a great way to help alleviate the discomfort.

Loss of Appetite: When a child is teething, their gums will become tender and sore. As a result, they may refuse food. Naturally, the process of chewing causes more discomfort to the baby.

It’s important to understand all babies deal with discomfort differently. Teething can be a very painful process. Understanding the possible signs of your baby teething can help them be more comfortable during the process.

What is tooth Decay?

Tooth decay is damage that occurs in our teeth when the bacteria in our mouth make acids. The acids eat a hole in the tooth and create a cavity. If the cavity goes untreated, it can cause pain, infection, and eventually tooth loss.

A tooth has 3 layers. The outside layer is called enamel. The middle layer is called dentin. The center of the tooth is the pulp. Bacteria love the warmth, and their main objective is to eat their way through the enamel and dentin to get to the pulp. This is the warmest section of the tooth. The more layers that are affected by the bacteria and their acids, the worse the toothache and damage will be.

So what is the main cause of tooth decay? Bacteria get hungry just like we do. They feed on the sugars in the food we eat. As the bacteria eat, they make acids that damage our teeth. The acids can keep destroying our teeth for 20 minutes after we eat. Some of the practices or conditions that make one more prone to tooth decay are:

Not brushing and flossing your teeth
Eating foods that are high in sugar
Not having enough saliva (saliva washes away food)

A toothache is the most common symptom of tooth decay. You can also develop swelling in your gums next to a sore tooth. Swelling can be a sign of a cavity that has progressed through all 3 layers of the tooth. It usually requires a root canal and crown to save it.

If you develop a toothache, don’t wait. Go see your dentist. Sometimes tooth pain will come and go, but the tooth decay will not stop. It will keep growing. Save yourself time, money and grief. Brush two times and day and floss once. Try to limit foods that are high in sugar and see your dentist for regular cleanings and check-ups.

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FAQ's

Here you will find dental tips to prevent cavities and increase your overall oral hygiene, so you can smile with confidence!

Request an appointment today!

+1 972-853-2100

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Noticeable Differences

2. Heightened Sensitivity

3. Pain and Discomfort

Sinus Infection Side Effects

At-Home Remedies

Don't see your question here?

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