Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

In most cases, your dentist will recommend a dental examination and teeth cleaning twice a year—or every six months. Seeing your dentist twice a year makes it possible to monitor your oral health. One of those visits will usually include dental x-rays, which will enable your dentist to detect potential dental issues while they are still small.

Depending on your particular situation, however, your dentist might recommend that you see the dentist more than twice a year. For those patients who have been diagnosed with gum disease, for instance, deep cleanings might be required every few months to help keep gums as healthy as possible. If you have gum disease, your dentist will develop a plan that is appropriate to maximize your good oral health.

In between visits to the dentist, be sure to practice diligent home care by brushing at least twice each day and flossing once (preferably at bedtime). Although nothing can take the place of a professional dental cleaning, it’s crucial that you brush and floss regularly. Avoid sugary foods and beverages to help in the prevention of plaque buildup as well as cavities.

If you have any questions about how frequently you should visit the dentist, we welcome you to give us a call. If it’s been a while since you last saw the dentist, we will be happy to put you on the Town Square Family Dentistry schedule!

The general rule followed by most dentists is somewhere between the ages of 18 and 24 months, which coincides with the eruption of the first baby teeth. These early dental appointments primarily serve as a way for kids to become accustomed to the dentist. Some children require a bit more time to be comfortable than others, so it’s best to start early.

Children who start seeing the dentist at an early age tend to have less anxiety about going to the dentist. Kids who see the dentist regularly tend to become adults who also see the dentist regularly.

At your child’s initial dental appointments, we will only do what feels comfortable for them as we do not want to cause anxiety. We understand that it can be tough for little ones to remain still in the dental chair for extended periods of time, so we make our examinations quick.

These first appointments also provide us with an opportunity to talk about proper home care with parents. Children don’t have the dexterity to effectively brush and floss until they are about seven or eight years old, so until then, it’s up to the parents to ensure it is being done correctly at home.

If any areas of concern are noted before your child is about a year old, please be sure to give us a call and make plans to bring him or her in earlier.

If your gums bleed when you brush or floss, this is usually an indicator for the early stages of gum disease. Sometimes bleeding gums can be accompanied by swollen gums. The bleeding is usually caused by a buildup of plaque or calculus that has accumulated below the gumline. Gingivitis, or gum disease in its earliest stages, is reversible if you seek treatment right away.

Gingivitis will worsen if left untreated. Later stages of gum disease, called periodontitis, cannot be reversed and will eventually lead to tooth loss. In fact, gum disease is the number one reason for tooth loss among adults in this country. Although periodontitis cannot be cured, it can be managed through deep cleanings at your dentist office. This can also help prevent gum disease from progressing.

One of the biggest problems with gum disease is that it often develops with no symptoms at all. The only way to know for sure if your gums are healthy is with an oral examination. This is why it is imperative that you visit your dentist regularly for biannual examinations and cleanings.

Whether your gums are bleeding or you are simply overdue for a regular exam, give Town Square Family Dentistry a call to make an appointment!

As you know, eating foods such as garlic or onions can cause a temporary case of bad breath. But when bad breath persists, there can be other reasons for halitosis. The main reason for bad breath is usually because of poor dental hygiene. But there are other causes of bad breath as well, including:

• Food particles that have gotten stuck between teeth
• Dry mouth (often from certain medications)
• Sinus drainage
• Gum disease
• Respiratory or gastrointestinal issues

If you are experiencing bad breath, it’s important to take good care of your dental hygiene. Be sure to brush thoroughly, including your tongue, cheeks, and the roof of your mouth. This can help ensure you have gotten all the bacteria and food particles. Flossing is equally important because it can eliminate any bacteria and food that may accumulate between teeth. You can also rinse with a mouthwash. Try to find one that doesn’t contain any alcohol as alcohol can dry out your mouth, increasing your risk of having bad breath.

When your breath is still bad despite thorough brushing and flossing, it might be time to visit the dentist to find out if there are other causes. Give us a call today to make an appointment!

Porcelain veneers are ultra-thin, translucent shells of ceramic material that are bonded to the front of the teeth to camouflage a variety of dental issues. Many of the perfect smiles you see in Hollywood are a result of porcelain veneer treatment from a cosmetic dentist.

Some of the more common uses of porcelain veneers include:

• To whiten your smile when stained teeth are resistant to the bleaching process.
• To fix crooked teeth. Veneers are sometimes referred to as “instant orthodontics” because of how they can easily mask crooked or gapped teeth. Rather than undergo orthodontic treatment, which can take months or even years of treatment, veneers can mask crooked teeth and make your smile perfectly straight and even.
• To lengthen the look of teeth that are too short.
• To replace damaged tooth enamel. The enamel on your teeth is strong, but it is not indestructible. Sometimes it becomes worn due to brushing too aggressively or eaten away from highly acidic foods and beverages. Veneers are a great option for teeth that have had enamel erosion or abrasion.

Because some of the tooth surface needs to be removed to make room for the veneers, this is considered a permanent solution. Veneers last about 10 or 15 years with diligent care.

There is no shortage of whitening products you can buy at the local discount or department store. Most over-the-counter bleaching products will get rid of surface stains on teeth, but the problem is that many of the products on the shelf today are abrasive. Over time, use of these products can damage the teeth.

Professional teeth whitening products along with supervision by your dentist is always the safest and most effective way to whiten your teeth.

Often patients who use whitening strips or gels they purchase outside the dentist office complain of feeling sensitivity in their teeth or gums after using them. Sensitivity frequently occurs because the products are used incorrectly. When you opt for professional whitening at the dentist, there is minimal sensitivity reported afterward. This is because your dentist takes care to protect your gums and other soft tissues during the whitening process.

Professional teeth whitening is also much quicker. If you opt for in-office whitening, you can come in during your lunch hour and leave with teeth several shades whiter and brighter. Even professional at-home treatments, which take about a week of daily use, offer similar results in a relatively short amount of time.

If you have questions about teeth whitening, be sure to give Town Square Family Dentistry a call!