COVID-19

We are excited to announce our office will reopen Wednesday, May 6, 2020, following our 7-week closure in response to a state mandate. We are in the process of rescheduling all the patients who had canceled appointments. We will also be providing more information in the coming days along with a video, to give you a clear picture of all the new protocols we have in place. I can assure you we have implemented many new protocols on top of the universal precautions our office already had in place. We are looking forward to sharing all we have added and will be doing to protect our staff and patients.  You can now reach us Monday - Friday during our regular business hours. We look forward to hearing from you and seeing you all soon!

Q: Which type of toothbrush should I use?

A: The brand of the toothbrush is not as critical as the type of bristle and the size of the head. A soft toothbrush with a small head is best because medium and hard brushes tend to cause irritation and contribute to the recession of the gums. A small head allows you to get around each tooth more completely and is less likely to injure your gums. It's unnecessary to "scrub" the teeth as long as you are brushing at least twice a day and visiting your dentist at least twice a year for cleanings.

Q: Is one toothpaste better than others?

A: Generally, no. However, it's advisable to use toothpaste that contains fluoride to decrease the incidence of dental decay. We recommend our patients use what tastes good to them as long as it contains fluoride.

Q: How often should I floss?

A: Flossing your teeth once per day helps to prevent cavities from forming, especially between the teeth that your toothbrush can't reach. Flossing also helps to keep your gums healthy.

Q: What's the difference between a "bridge" and a "partial denture"?

A: Both bridges and partial dentures replace missing teeth. A bridge is permanently attached to the surrounding teeth or, in some cases, implants. A partial denture is attached by clasps to the teeth and is easily removed by the patient. Patients are usually more satisfied with bridges than with partial dentures.

Q: What about "silver" fillings versus "white" fillings?

A: Although the U.S. Public Health Service issued a report in 1993 stating there is no health reason not to use amalgam (silver fillings), more patients today are requesting "white" or tooth-colored composite fillings. We also prefer tooth-colored fillings because they "bond" to the tooth structure and therefore help strengthen a tooth weakened by decay. "White" fillings are also usually less sensitive to temperature, and they also look better. However, "white" fillings cannot be used in every situation, and if a tooth is very badly broken-down, a crown will usually be necessary and provide better overall satisfaction for the patient.

Q: Do I need to have a root canal just because I have to have a crown?

A: No. While most teeth that have had root canal treatments do need crowns to strengthen the teeth and to return the teeth to normal form and function, not every tooth that needs a crown must also have a root canal.