Frequently Asked Questions

Many people do not see a dentist on a regular basis, they only go when they have a problem. This is known as “crisis treatment” versus “preventive treatment.”

While these patients may feel they are saving money, it often ends up costing much more in dollars and time. This is because many dental problems do not have symptoms until they reach the advanced stages of the disease process. An example is tooth decay. It is typical to hear, “Nothing hurts… I don’t have any problems.”

Tooth decay often does not hurt until it gets close to the nerve of the tooth. It is not uncommon to see a patient with a huge cavity who has never felt a thing. The dentist can usually detect a cavity 3-4 years before it develops any symptoms. This early detection can help you prevent root canal treatment.

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• Always spend two to three minutes brushing your teeth, it takes that long to get rid of the bacteria that destroy tooth enamel.

• Do not brush too hard. It takes very little pressure to remove bacteria and plaque.

• Floss at least twice a day. Flossing is the only way to get bacteria from between your teeth.

• Watch the sugar you eat. There is sugar in candy, fruits, crackers and chips. These are the foods that the bacteria in your mouth like best.

• Be mindful of foods like raisins and peanut butter that stick to your teeth. They can provide a constant supply for the bacteria eating into your teeth.

• Try to minimize the times during the day when sweet items are eaten and brush your teeth afterwards.

• If you cannot brush after a meal, rinse your mouth with water – which can help to remove food from your teeth.

• Chewing sugarless gum after a meal can also help. Chewing regulates the flow of your saliva which acts as a natural plaque-fighting substance.

• And do not forget your regular dental check-up and clean