Dental

Faqs

A dentist is a specialist who works to diagnose, treat, and prevent oral health problems. Your dentist has completed eight years of schooling and received either a DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) degree or a DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine) degree. If your doctor is a pediatric dentist, they specialize in caring for children from infancy through their teen years. Your dentist has received the proper education and training to work with young kids. Other specializations include:

Endodontics (root canals)
Oral and maxillofacial (including pathology, radiology, and surgery)
Orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics
Periodontics (gum disease)
Prosthodontics (dental implants)

Visiting the dentist will not only help keep your teeth and mouth healthy but will also help keep the rest of your body healthy. Dental care is important because it:

It helps prevent tooth decay.
Protects against periodontal (gum) disease, which can lead to tooth and bone loss
Prevents bad breath – brushing, flossing, and seeing the dentist will help reduce the amount of bad-breath-causing bacteria in your mouth.
It gives you a more attractive smile and increases your self-confidence.
It helps keep teeth looking bright by preventing them from becoming stained by food, drinks, and tobacco.
Strengthen your teeth so you can enjoy healthy, beautiful smiles for the rest of your life!

Your teeth may feel fine, but you must see the dentist regularly because problems can exist without you knowing. Your smile’s appearance is essential, and your dentist can help keep your smile healthy and looking beautiful. With so many advances in dentistry, you no longer have to settle for stained, chipped, missing, or misshapen teeth. Today’s dentists offer many treatment choices that can help you smile with confidence, including:

Choosing a dentist who “clicks” with you and your family is essential, and you may wish to consider several dentists before making your final decision. During your first visit, you should be able to determine whether the dentist is right for you. During your appointment, consider the following:

Is the appointment schedule convenient?
Is the office easy to get to and nearer?
Does the office appear to be clean and orderly?
Was your medical and dental history recorded and placed in a permanent file?
Does the dentist explain techniques for good oral health?
Were details about cost presented to you before treatment began?
Is your dentist a member of the ADA (American Dental Association)??

Always brush your teeth at least two times a day, and floss at least once!
Make sure to use fluoride toothpaste, and ask your dentist if you need a fluoride rinse. It will help prevent cavities.
Avoid foods with a lot of sugar (sugar increases the number of bacteria that grows in your mouth, causing more plaque and possibly cavities), and avoid tobacco (this can stain your teeth, cause gum disease, and eventually lead to oral cancer).
Don’t be afraid to brush your tongue! By brushing your tongue, you will remove food particles and reduce the amount of plaque-causing bacteria. Tongue brushing also helps keep your breath fresh.
Be sure to schedule your routine checkup. It is advised that you visit the dentist every six months.

A cavity is a small hole that forms inside the tooth because of tooth decay. Cavities are formed when plaque buildup on the outside of the tooth combines with sugars and starches in the food you eat. It produces an acid that can eat away the enamel on your tooth. If a cavity is left untreated, it can lead to more serious oral health problems. Cavities can be prevented by remembering to brush your teeth at least two times a day and floss between teeth at least once.

Brushing keeps your teeth, gums, and mouth clean and healthy by removing bacteria-causing plaque. According to the dentist and the American Dental Association, you should brush your teeth at least twice daily. You should spend at least a minute on the top teeth and a minute on the bottom teeth, and remember to brush your tongue – it will help keep your breath smelling fresh! It would be best to use a soft bristle toothbrush and toothpaste that contains fluoride when brushing your teeth.

Your toothbrush will eventually wear out, especially if you brush your teeth twice daily for two to three minutes each time. Gainesville dentist recommends that adults and children change their toothbrushes every three months. Read the directions if you use an electric toothbrush because you may not need to change toothbrush heads as frequently. Patients with gum disease are encouraged to change their toothbrushes every four to six weeks to keep any bacteria from spreading. After brushing, rinse your toothbrush with hot water to kill germs and keep the bristles clean. If you’ve been sick, change your toothbrush as soon as possible.

Also known as periodontal disease, gum disease is mainly caused by plaque and bacteria buildup left untreated in its early stage. Other causes of periodontal disease are tobacco use, teeth grinding, medications, and genetics. Gingivitis is the beginning stage of gum disease and, if detected, is treatable. Gingivitis left untreated may turn into severe gum disease. Advanced gum disease will lead to tooth and bone loss and is a permanent condition. Brushing your teeth regularly and visiting the dentist every six months will help prevent gingivitis and more severe cases of periodontal disease. Common signs of gum disease:

Red, irritated, bleeding, or swollen gums
Chronic bad breath
Loose teeth, or loss of teeth
Extreme tooth sensitivity
Receding gum line
Abscessed teeth