Frequently Asked Question (FAQ)

Every six months. Some people require more frequent recalls due to their periodontal condition.

A full mouth series of x-rays (x-rays of each tooth) should be taken every 3 to 5 years. Four bite wing x-rays (check-up x-rays) are recommended once per year to check for decay between the teeth. Additional x-rays are taken on a case by case basis, often for a dental emergency.

If you live in an area where your water is not fluoridated your children should be on a fluoride supplement. Children usually take a fluoride supplement from about 6 months to 12 years old. Fluoride is important in reducing caries by making teeth more resistant to decay.

Post-operative sensitivity is fairly common following a dental restoration (filling). A person might experience temperature sensitivity for a while following a restoration. However, if you experience throbbing pain, swelling or spontaneous pain you should contact your dentist immediately.

At our office we usually begin seeing children between 2-3 years of age, but any time after your child develops their first teeth is fine. It is important for a child to see the dentist at a young age to establish a positive relationship. These first visits to the dentist are also helpful at educating parents about baby bottle caries and caring for your child’s teeth.

For a tooth that has been knocked out, rinse the tooth under water (do not scrub it). Try to place the tooth back in the socket without touching the root. If you cannot place the tooth back in the socket place the tooth in between your cheek and gums, or place tooth in milk and call the dentist immediately.

No not all. The third molars (wisdom teeth) are often removed because they have not fully erupted. They may also be removed because they are causing crowding or erupt at an unusual angle that compromise adjacent teeth, or because they become infected.

Besides the obvious color difference, the white filling is a composite material that chemically bonds to the tooth structure. A silver filling remains in the tooth due to a mechanical shape of the tooth preparation. Both fillings are effective, safe, and widely accepted among the dental community.

D.M.D. stands for Doctor of Dental Medicine and D.D.S. stands for Doctor of Dental Surgery. The title of the degree depends on what school you attend, but the rights and privileges of both degrees are equivalent.

A dental sealant is a varnish like material placed in the grooves of a child’s adult molar. This helps protect the tooth from plaque and food getting trapped in the groove, which can cause decay.

Baby bottle caries occurs when parents put their infants or children to bed with a bottle of milk or juice. The sugar in the milk or juice constantly bathes their teeth throughout the night causing rampant decay.

Whitening your teeth can be done safely and effectively through a variety of methods as long as manufacturer and dentists recommendations are followed. Sometimes people experience slight sensitivity following whitening which usually decreases with time.