Your Questions

What kind of toothpaste should I use? 

Most toothpaste on the market today contains fluoride. This is what works best for most people. Children under the age of two should not use toothpaste with fluoride since they swallow the majority of the paste. After two, a pea sized amount should be used if the child can spit the extra amount out.  Whitening toothpastes are fine, but don’t expect much whitening. They may, however, help from getting surface staining. Many people report an increased amount of sensitivity to these toothpastes. Sensitivity toothpastes are great for people with sensitive teeth but they must be used regularly to be effective.

What does my insurance cover?

It depends. Most insurance companies cover all of the cost of preventive treatments such as cleanings, x-rays, fluoride treatments and routine exams. They usually cover 50-80% of fillings and 50% of major treatments like crowns and dentures. Unfortunately, many companies have a maximum coverage per person of $1500 per year. This amount has not changed since the 1970s. However, the premiums certainly have increased!                                                                                                                  

Should my child be on fluoride pills? 

If you are on a public water supply or community well, find out if there is fluoride in the water and what amount. 1ppm is ideal. If not, then daily supplements are recommended from birth until 12 years old. Please note that sometimes a child gets fluoride from the water supply at day care, or school, or grandma’s house. Too much fluoride can make teeth become yellow brown in color. This is called dental flourosis.

Are electric or sonic toothbrushes better?

They have shown, in some studies, to remove more plaque.  If you have never been a great brusher, these brushes can sometimes help. If your dentist thinks you’re doing fine now with your brushing, then it’s probably not worth it. Remember to change brushes every 3-4 months.    

What is the difference between white fillings and silver fillings?

The white fillings look like your natural teeth. Most people now prefer these when possible. They are made of a composite material (plastic). Traditional silver fillings have worked very well for many years and still can today. They are made up of a mixture of different metals. On average a white filling will not last as long as a silver one. Recently, many new materials have come forth that have made the longevity of white fillings closer to silver ones. One idea worth noting is that sometimes only a silver filling can be done and visa versa. The materials are not totally interchangeable.  

How often should I get my teeth cleaned?

If you have no significant gum problems, then the answer is twice a year. If you have gum disease or gingivitis, then three to four times a year. If you have no teeth, then you should be seen once a year to examine your mouth and dentures and perform an oral cancer screening. It is not typical of your primary care physician to do this. This is your dentist’s responsibility.

When should I bring my child to the dentist for the first time?

Usually around 1 ½ to 2 years of age. We would like the parents to meet with us earlier if it is their first child. Why? We want to let you know how to take care of your child’s teeth before problems arise. Children get their first teeth around 6 months of age. If not cared for properly, they can get cavities in these teeth at this age. This is called early childhood caries. Also use of a bottle at night can cause “baby bottle decay”. This can cause a mouth full of cavities by 1 year of age. So we like to see the parents when the child is 6 months old. The child does not need to be present at this visit. Keep in mind that by age two, most all baby teeth have erupted.

Does bleaching teeth work? How long does it last? 

Yes! There are two basic ways of bleaching teeth (at-home and in office). The at-home versions consist of wearing specially made trays that are worn at night or for a half hour a day. This takes around two weeks. At this point you will be as light as you can.  Every so often, maybe once a month, you may want to touch up to keep your teeth their whitest. The in-office treatment is called Zoom, and you might have seen this on the “Extreme Makeover” television show. This process takes about one and a half hours. We still, however, make the special trays so you can lighten your teeth as needed at home. Bleaching is a great way to lighten your teeth, though it is a little hard at this time to predict how light your teeth will get. Studies show that after a year your teeth are still lighter than they were prior to bleaching, even without touch-ups. Since we make custom trays for you to use at home, you should be able to keep your teeth as light as possible!

How do you get gum disease? 

Gum disease includes gingivitis and periodontal disease. These are infections that lead to tooth loss. Gingivitis is most often caused by inadequate oral hygiene. There is usually little or more discomfort. Signs of gingivitis include red, swollen, and bleeding gums. Gingivitis is reversible with professional treatment and good oral home care. If gingivitis is not corrected, it can develop into periodontal disease. Certain types of bacteria under the gums produce materials that break down the bone holding your teeth in place. If the bone loss is too severe, your teeth will become loose and the gums will abscess. At this point the tooth may need removal. Fortunately, treatments are very effective in the early stages. Periodontal disease is the most common reason for tooth loss, not cavities. It is a painless disease. Much research is being conducted to understand the association between periodontal disease and many other systemic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, pneumonia and low birth-weight babies. 

How do I get a cavity (caries)?

Bacteria called streptococcus mutans live in plaque on your teeth. Plaque is the colorless film that you feel on your teeth when you haven’t brushed for a while. The bacterium uses sugar from your diet to form acids that de-mineralize the surface of a tooth. Therefore, two factors are important: how much plaque is on your teeth, and how much and how frequent you eat sugar sources. It is interesting to note that parts of the world with a processed food diet have more cavities than countries that don’t. The bottom line: brush and floss the plaque off your teeth, and minimize processed sugars and carbohydrates from your diet.