Frequently Asked Dental Questions
Below are some of the most frequently asked questions patients have about dentistry and oral health issues. If you have any other questions, or would like to schedule an appointment, we would love to hear from you. You can use our short contact form or the appointment form.
Click on a question below to see the answer.
Q: How can I get rid of my bad breath?
Q: What may be causing my bad breath?
Q: How often should I have a dental exam and/or profession dental cleaning?
Q: How can I tell if I have gingivitis or gum disease?
Q: Is it really important to use dental floss often?
Q: I am concerned about my smile. How can cosmetic dentistry help improve my appearance?
Q: I've heard a lot about porcelain veneers, how can they improve my smile?
Q: My teeth are stained and discolored, what can I do to fix this?
Getting rid of Bad Breath
Halitosis, commonly known as bad breath, is an unpleasant and embarrassing condition.
In orally healthy people, the major reason for bad breath is due to microbial deposits on the tongue. This is why it is important to brush far back on the tongue or use anti-bacterial mouthwashes.
Causes of Bad Breath
- Morning time - Saliva movement nearly stops during sleep, reducing cleansing and renewal. Stagnant saliva allows bacteria to grow, causing (morning) bad breath.
- Periodontal (gum) disease - Bacteria and food debris residing under inflamed and bleeding gums.
- Dental cavities odor from bacteria residing in cavities.
- Tobacco products - Aside from the general health issues, smoke dries the mouth causing bad breath.
- Dieting and Foods - Certain foods contain odor-causing compounds. Also, chemicals called ketones are released in the breath as the body burns fat, such as during exercise.
Recommended Frequency of Dental Cleanings
Having your teeth checked and professionally cleaned at least twice a year offers the best means of preventing a variety of dental ailments. Dr. Newman or a dental hygienist may recommend more frequent visits depending on any issues that are uncovered during the dental exam.
Regular dental exams and professional dental cleanings are vital in preventing dental problems and maintaining the health of your teeth and gums. Normally, each visit will involve a thorough cleaning of your teeth and checking for cavities. However, there are many investigative dental procedures that can be done to check and monitor your oral health. These include: medical history review, examination by diagnostic x-rays (radiographs), oral cancer screening, gum disease evaluation, and teeth polishing.
There are many other investigative opportunities at our disposal, scheduling a consultation allows you to receive an examination and treatment program suited for you.
Gum Disease
Four out of five people have periodontal disease and they don't even know it!
Gum disease, known in the dental industry as periodontal disease, is often painless in the early stages, causing many to ignore the early, hard to see, signs. It is possible to have periodontal disease without noticeable symptoms which is why regular dental check-ups and periodontal examinations are so important. We can help detect and correct the problems caused by periodontal disease.
Gum disease begins when plaque, a sticky, colorless, film of bacteria, food debris, and saliva remains on the teeth and gums. These collections of bacteria produce toxins (acids) that inflame the gums causing soreness and bleeding while slowly destroying the bone. Brushing and flossing regularly and properly will ensure that damaging plaque is removed.
Signs and Symptoms of Periodontal Disease
- Red and puffy gums
- Bleeding gums
- Persistent bad breath
- Bone loss (seen as unexplained new spaces between teeth)
- Tooth loss
- Receding gums
- Soreness, tenderness and/or discomfort
Good oral hygiene, a nutritious well-balanced diet, and regular dental visits with cleanings WILL help reduce your risk of developing destructive gum disease.
Flossing Best Practices
Tooth brushing removes food particles, plaque, and most of the bacteria from all tooth surfaces, but not always in between the teeth. Most toothbrushes can't reach the tight areas in between teeth that are highly susceptible to decay and gum disease.
Daily flossing is the best way to clean between the teeth and under the gumline. By flossing you are disrupting any growing colonies of bacteria, effectively preventing damage to the gums, teeth, and bone.
Cosmetic Dentistry
If you're feeling self-conscious about your teeth or you are not satisfied with how your smile looks, cosmetic dentistry can help! Cosmetic dental procedures may be the answer to creating a more beautiful, satisfying and confident smile.
Cosmetic dental procedures can be customized to meet your desired smile design. Materials and technology available today have allowed cosmetic dentists to improve patients' overall health as well as fix "broken smiles".
We offer several cosmetic dental procedures in our office to improve your teeth and enhance your smile, from restoring a single tooth to having a full mouth extreme makeover.
Cosmetic Procedures:
- Teeth Whitening
- Composite (tooth-colored) Fillings
- Porcelain Veneers
- Porcelain Crowns (caps)
- Dental Implants
- Dental Bridges
- Partial Dentures
Porcelain Veneers
Dental veneers are very thin shells of tooth-shaped porcelain that are crafted to cover the fronts of teeth requiring a "makeover". They are very durable, resemble the surface of your natural teeth and will not stain, making them a perfect solution to restore or enhance the beauty of your natural smile.
Porcelain Veneers are often used to restore, improve or correct the following dental conditions:
- Discolored or stained teeth
- Unevenly spaced teeth
- Cracked, chipped or worn teeth
- Slight tooth crowding
- Misshapen teeth
- Teeth too small or too large
Dental Veneers will normally require two visits. Porcelain veneers are created from molds that you dentist will make from the shape and form of your current teeth. Using the mold as a base, the cosmetic dentist and the dental technicians at the porcelain dental lab will create the necessary dental veneers. While the veneers are being created, the cosmetic dentist will prepare the teeth for receiving the veneers. For more information see our porcelain veneers page.
Tooth Discoloration
Teeth whitening is the top aesthetic concern of many patients, and because of this, there are many products, services and methods available to achieve a bright smile.
Professional teeth whitening, which may include some types of bleaching, is a simple, non-invasive dental treatment used to restore the color of natural tooth enamel. This is considered the ideal way to enhance the beauty of your smile, just as a professional cleaning is preferable to 'at home' cleaning systems. Over-the-counter products are available, however, they are less effective than professional treatments and may not be approved by the American Dental Association (ADA).
Over time we all wear away the outer layer of our teeth's enamel, revealing a darker or yellow shade. The color of our teeth also comes from the inside of the tooth, which may become darker over time. Smoking, drinking coffee, tea, and wine may also contribute to tooth discoloration. Occasionally, tetracycline and fluorosis stains are difficult to bleach. This is when other procedures, such as veneers or crowns, become the best options to cover up such stains.
