Research indicates that children may develop their first cavities early by the age of two years as well hence the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry validates that a child should be taken for a first visit between as early as six months of age until one year, as that’s when most children tend to start developing baby teeth. Post which, regular visits every six months should be all right.
The answer to this question is yes. You definitely should. The reason is simple flossing is an integral part of any oral care routine. The American Dental Association recommends flossing at least once a day to be included in the daily regime to procure prime oral health. Mainly, it is to help remove plaque from between areas of your teeth where the toothbrush cannot reach. Plaque that is not eliminated tends to harden into calculus or tartar. Hence, flossing is a must. It also helps in staying away from gum diseases and cavities alike.
Dental X-rays are a popular procedural diagnostic tool to help any dentist detect and assess damage or diseases not commonly visible during a regular checkup. They are considered extremely safe because of the low radiation produced, then other imaging procedures. When those x-rays are carried out nicely with adequate protection precautions in location, there’s little or no cause for any concerns. A usual routine checkup would expose you to roughly almost the same amount of radiation you will experience in a short airplane flight.
Teeth whitening taken place in a proper dental setting is a good option if that’s what your priority is, after not having the desired results by over the counter whitening methods.
To get the ideal smile you desire, you can either opt for professional teeth whitening products available in the market or visit us and get an in-chair zoom whitening procedure to achieve the desired results along with the continuation of the home whitening method administered and dispensed by your dentist.
Dental cleaning treatments, in general, don’t hurt. If you have pain during routine brushing and flossing before the visit, you could expect little soreness during the treatment, but rest assured, if needed, we can anesthetize (numb) your mouth, if required. Our utmost concern is your comfort and giving you a five-star experience.
Our standard first visits are up to an hour, so we can get a sense of the oral condition of your mouth, any presence of disease, and medical histories to accurately assess and diagnose the periodontal situation. Once regular treatment starts, the appointment time may decrease and last up to 45- 60 minutes.
Tooth sensitivity is the pain you may feel during the consumption of something hot or cold. It is a result of the thinning of tooth enamel, and/or receding gums. However, it is of importance to get it diagnosed by a dentist so you can be sure that there is no cavity. You can try to use sensitivity toothpaste, such as Colgate Sensitive/Sensodyne, that are high in strontium chloride or potassium nitrate. However, it will take months before you see any noticeable difference. Meanwhile, a dentist can treat those teeth with a bonding agent, so you don’t suffer from sensitivity over a long period.
According to the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists, oral health is a vital part of overall health during pregnancy and throughout your lifespan. Visiting a dentist during pregnancy is completely safe. Procedures like having your teeth cleaned and getting cavity fillings done are recommendations by a dentist before the baby is born. We do require medical clearance from your medical provider so we can collaborate with your medical provider.
It is important to note that it is common for pregnant women to have a condition called Pregnancy gingivitis. It is because of a heightened response to plaque because of pregnancy hormones. We strongly urge pregnant women to seek regular dental care, as Periodontitis is associated with poor pregnancy outcomes, including preterm birth and low birth weight.
Below listed are the most common signs of dental trouble. We recommend not to ignore these signs and schedule an appointment as soon as possible.
- Toothache
- Tooth sensitivity
- Bleeding or sore gums
- Dry mouth
- Bad breath
- Clicking in the jaw/ Jaw pain or popping
- Stained or discolored tooth
- Cracked or broken tooth
- Oral piercing Infection
- Face swelling/gum swelling
We do offer same day emergency appointment. You can schedule an appointment online or call us. If uninsured, we offer free exams and necessary x-ray with our special plans.
A facial swelling could mean that you have acquired an infection. In this case, you should make an appointment as soon as possible. Antibiotic prescription and/or release of pus would be necessary immediately until a definite treatment such as Root canal treatment or extraction is performed. We do offer a same-day emergency appointment.
You can schedule an appointment online or call us at our clinic to book an appointment with us. If uninsured, we will offer free exams and necessary x-ray with our special plans.
There are two main types of gum diseases, gingivitis, and periodontitis. Gingivitis is the inflammation of the gums. It is mild and mostly appears because of a buildup of plaque along your gum line. Routine gum cleaning with proper home care is generally sufficient.
If gingivitis is left untreated, it may lead to periodontitis, the most advanced gum disease. In periodontitis, the infection affects the jaw and tissues connecting the teeth to the gums and the gums themselves. Teeth or tooth loss is a great loss in this stage.
If a periodontal condition is not treated in time, it will ultimately lead to bone loss and tooth loss. A correlation has been established between gum disease and cardiovascular health. In addition, untreated periodontal disease is linked to stroke, low weight babies, preterm delivery, prostate cancer, respiratory disease, etc.
Generally, most periodontal treatments start with scaling and root planing (Deep Cleaning). The process is to remove the plaque and calculus from the area or the tooth surface that is around the gum tissue. Although early gum diseases can be treated with refined home care methods, scaling, and root planing, localized antibiotic treatment (arestin application), advanced cases may require a surgical treatment performed by a specialist. Usually, all the patients that have received periodontal treatment are recommended for a frequent dental cleaning (usually four times a year) as maintenance visits.
Dental implants serve as the best option for replacing missing teeth. They don’t decay, look like natural teeth, and prevent the bone from resorbing at the sites where placed, support dentures, keep your gums free of diseases and prevent facial sagging and premature aging, hence making them a cost-effective long-term solution for your missing teeth.
It is not uncommon to find one or more missing back teeth. Despite the fact, it is a false belief that teeth that are not in the smile line do not need replacement. People almost always regret their decision not to replace missing teeth after they experience the following side effects:
- Surrounding teeth misalignment
Because teeth alignment is supported by each other, once a tooth is removed the entire equilibrium disrupts. The body will attempt to correct balance by creating unwanted tooth movement towards the gap. As a result, surrounding teeth tilt towards the openings, and opposing teeth become longer. These changes will create a domino effect on all the remaining teeth, contributing towards a crooked smile, bite issues, TMJ changes, headaches, etc. Misaligned teeth will be more difficult to clean, leading to decay and gum disease, which may further lead to loss of other teeth, and this cycle repeats.
- Bone loss
The presence of teeth works as a stimulus for the jawbone to maintain its volume and vitality. In the absence of teeth, the jaw bone starts to atrophy, leading to loss of bone volume. Significant loss of bone volume will make jaw bone less stable to support the remaining teeth, prone to fracture, and eventually altering the shape of your face and your smile.
Here at Prime dentistry, we recommend thinking twice before deciding to go for extraction. We see many people making weak judgment calls of getting a painful tooth otherwise completely salvageable tooth removed because of financial concerns. We would like you to think again. Even though extracting teeth is not costly compared to other treatments such as root canal, and crowns, in the long run, replacing that tooth with the same function and aesthetics will be more costly, with more complex treatment. However, if the tooth is NOT salvageable, and we need to remove the tooth, we strongly recommend socket preservation (bone graft) at the same time of extraction.
Dental implants usually are designed to last for 20 or 30 years or more; they are a permanent solution to the loss of teeth. Though not everyone can be a candidate for implants. For an implant to last, strong bone support from the jaw bone and positive body response to the implant treatment is required. A functional tooth acts as stimuli for the jaw bone to maintain its vitality, and once a tooth eliminates, the jaw bone starts losing its volume and dentistry. We strongly recommend all extraction patients to get evaluated for immediate implant placement and/or socket preservation at the time of extraction; in that way, we can be sure that there is always enough bone support for implant success.
Yes, amongst a range of treatment options available, implants are commonly used to support dentures. Often people with dentures find it difficult to wear and keep their dentures safe in a place. Implants can solve this by providing support, security, and comfort.
Yes, partial and full dentures are quite likely to move from the type of food you may consume. Fixing this is possible by implants that offer functional stability and helps in allowing you to feel as normal as real teeth.
Partial and full dentures comparatively have much short-term life. They last up to 5-7 years only due to the continuous use or wear and tear over the period while maintaining the condition or changing it religiously once the period is up.
A root canal is a treatment or procedure that fixes or mends a severely damaged or infected tooth. The practice includes extracting the damaged area of the tooth (the pulp), cleaning and disinfecting it, and then filling and covering or sealing it. Hence the term “root canal” comes from the cleaning of the canals of the root of the tooth/teeth. The Root canal treated teeth should receive crowns (caps), as they have a higher chance of fracture in RCT treated teeth.
It is possible to a certain extent to avoid the need for root canal treatment by having routine check-ups and x-rays, where cavities are detected before it has an opportunity to advance and destroy teeth. Small Cavities are packed with regular tooth-colored fillings. Remember, most small Cavities do NOT show any symptoms, and you will NOT be able to know until it is advanced and move closer to the pulp of teeth. When there is throbbing spontaneous pain that lingers, evaluation for the need for the root canal will be necessary. At Prime dentistry, we recommend you to come in regularly, so we can be sure that you do not have to go through dental pain and get a root canal treatment.
For some, a gap between the front teeth may not be a problem, but for others, it may give away the charm of your smile. For the latter cases, depending on the size of the gap, there are many options you could go for; for little to medium gaps, we suggest you go for bonding or porcelain veneers as the best option. For a large gap, we advise Invisalign/Six-month smile as the best thing for you. Your dentist can discuss with you in detail as to what these procedures are, why they are the best, and customize an ideal treatment plan for you.
Porcelain veneers or dental veneers are immensely thin, custom-made shells of tooth-colored materials that are designed or meant to cover the front surface of the teeth to improve the appearance of the front of the teeth. These shells are fixed and can alter the color, shape, size, and length of the tooth if needed.
Tooth decay occurs when consumables rich in carbohydrates get stuck between/inside the tooth and are not properly cleaned while brushing or flossing. The bacteria in the plaque leave acidic by-products on the tooth-enamel that causes the slow formation of holes in the teeth called cavities. Without any treatment, these cavities can grow in size over time and may even harm the entire tooth.
Principal causes of tooth decay are foods that contain sugar, sticky foods, and beverages. Some naturally occurring sugar in dried fruits like raisins, dates, and apricots can also contribute to tooth decay. Sugar, in large amounts, creates more acids that lead to decay. Sugar, when combined with plaque, weakens the tooth enamel, leading to tooth decay. Every time you consume a sugary snack, your teeth are vulnerable to possible damage from the acids, roughly for the next 20 minutes time frame.
Prevention is like the hallmark of modern dentistry. It is the best way to protect your smile and overall oral health. In short, if we were to sum up, the why of it, it’s because it prevents tooth decay, prevents plaque, stops gum disease, helps save money with early detection of disease and prevention procedures, and improves your smile.
Fluoride is a natural mineral that helps build athletic teeth and prevents dental caries or cavities. Plaque erodes the teeth and breaks down the enamel layer. The application keeps tooth enamel impenetrable.
A fluoride varnish application is a pale-yellow topical gel that applies to a dry tooth surface on all sides of the tooth. It is for dental caries prevention therapy. The varnish stiffens on the tooth right after being applied, so it stays in contact with the outer surface for a long time.
Fluoride varnish applications are recommended two times a year and are safe when applied by a dentist at correct doses. This method is advised as an early preventative measure for children and adults alike to prevent/reduce the chances of developing tooth decay.
Most cavities (4 out of 5 cavities) occur in back teeth. A dental sealant is a protective layer that is applied to chewing surfaces of back teeth. The sealant acts as a barrier and prevents plaques, acids, and food particles from adhering to deep grooves of back teeth.
We suggest it for adults and kids (everyone!) who are at high risk for cavity development.
A dental sealing material could be a fine plastic coating painted on the chewing surfaces of molars (back teeth) and premolars (front teeth) to stop decay. We suggest it for kids/adults at a higher risk of cavity development. A sealing material will last for as long as five to ten years. Sealants ought to be checked at regular visits and can be applied again if disarranged.
Almost everyone experiences bad breath, it’s because your mouth is a virtual petri dish of biology and lifestyle. Mouth harbor bacteria, both good and bad. Bad breath, medically called halitosis, can be for a number of reasons. It could be food, dry mouth, poor oral hygiene, tobacco, certain medications, and/or mouth breathing.
But bad breath is typically caused by the bacteria present on the teeth and debris on the tongue. These bacteria double when the production of saliva in your mouth decreases when you are asleep. And saliva is our mouth’s natural mouthwash. This and it aggravates when mixed with the sulfur compounds found in the crevices of the teeth and on the tongue produced by the debris food particles.
To an extent, morning breath is normal, hence you can’t completely stop it. But you can take measures to minimize its severity and eradicate it once awake.
It’s not really known what causes canker sores. They are believed to be hereditary, and may also be influenced by a number of factors, including stress, a weak immune system, or hormonal changes. Some deficiencies like iron or vitamin B deficiency, or an injury to the lining of the mouth might also be a reason. The most common reasons being mouth injury from dental work, cleaning teeth too roughly, biting the tongue or cheek might be a contributing factor to these sores. Certain foods may also be a reason for canker sores, triggering foods being citric or acidic foods, or hard and sharp foods like chips, pretzels, and hard candies being the most common items that are likely to nick and injure the inside of mouth consisting of soft tissue.
To treat a canker sore, the mouth should be rinsed with antimicrobial mouthwash or warm water and salt. Some over the counter medications may also help. For the pre-longed presence of one, you should consult a dentist.
Bleeding gums are the most common symptoms of gum disease, they not only indicate oral and dental disease but could also point to serious medical conditions. If left untreated, it can affect the overall physical health of a person, along with the loss of teeth.
There are two main types of gum diseases, gingivitis, and periodontitis. Gingivitis is the inflammation of the gums. It is mild and mostly appears because of a buildup of plaque along your gum line. Routine gum cleaning with proper home care is usually sufficient.
If gingivitis is left untreated, it may lead to periodontitis, the most advanced gum disease. In periodontitis, the infection affects the jaw and tissues connecting the teeth to the gums and the gums themselves. Tooth loss is the major loss in this stage. Many factors increase the risk of periodontal disease. When a routine cleaning (prophylaxis) is no longer enough to curb the presence of periodontal disease, we suggest a deep cleaning instead of a professional that is. It includes scaling and root planing. In addition, untreated periodontal disease has been linked to stroke, low weight babies, preterm delivery, prostate cancer, respiratory disease, etc.
People who have either complete or partial dentures in their mouth with few to zero natural teeth should visit their dentists regularly. The reason being simple, it’s vital that the dentures fit correctly and have not moved from their original position as placed by their dentist. Because if they have moved, patients may experience gradual discomfort and pain along with problems while speaking and eating. They may also come off if the discomfort is prolonged, and the dentist is not religiously visited for the routine alignment and fit check-up. Hence, every denture patient must commit to visiting their dentist at least once a year to ensure that their dentures are still fixed in their place and working effectively.
It’s easy to forget that your mouth is one of the essential parts of your body, and it requires appropriate care, even if your teeth feel perfectly fine and need no attention. Because problems may exist without you knowing sometimes. That said, maintaining healthy teeth and gums should be of primary importance for everyone. Not only does it mean regular brushing and flossing as recommended, but it also means visiting a dentist to keep your dental health in check. Without the latter, you may miss out on the preventive necessary professional cleaning and maintenance that you may need. Because the majority of dental problems don’t become apparent or painful until they’re in the advanced stages. With the advancements in today’s dentistry, you don’t need to settle for stained, chipped, or misshapen teeth. The treatment choices are endless to help you have the perfect smile, including:
– Professional teeth whitening
– Fillings that replicate the appearance of natural teeth
– Tooth replacement and full smile makeovers
Every individual, including infants, children, and adults need to visit a dentist regularly apart from regular brushing and flossing every morning and night. Because a dentist can check for problems you may not see or feel. Frequent visits may give you an opportunity to uncover these problems and recover from them while it’s still manageable. On average, seeing a dentist once every six months works for most people. While some may need fewer visits, others may need more frequent ones. People with very little risk of cavities may be okay with only twice a year visit. Individuals with a high risk of dental diseases might need to see a dentist at least three to four times a year or more.
Brushing twice a day is vital as much as the technique used to do it, according to the dentists at Prime dentistry and the American Dental Association. Brushing keeps the bacterial load on your teeth in check and prevents bacteria from going out of control and causing cavities, bad breath, and gum disease. It is recommended you brush with fluoride toothpaste on a soft-bristled toothbrush that fits inside your mouth so it can easily cover all parts of the mouth. When brushing, practice gentle up and down strokes on all sides of the teeth, while making sure you brush your tongue as well to maintain zero bacteria build upon it and have a fresh breath.
Your toothbrush is your first line of defense against bacteria that cause gum disease, tooth decay, and bad breath. If you follow the standard recommendation of brushing 2 minutes twice a day, you’re already taking steps to prevent cavities. At this rate of use, the bristles in the brush will wear out or become mangled or twisted in about three months. So The Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) advise you to replace your toothbrush every three to four months if they don’t wear out before that. Because once the bristles in the brush start to lose their stiffness, they lose their efficiency to fight plaque. After brushing, rinsing a toothbrush with hot water to kill germs is recommended for a thorough cleaning. And if you’ve been sick, be sure to change your toothbrush as soon as you recover.
Orthodontic patients often have a false belief that they don’t need to see a dentist because they’re being treated by orthodontists. But orthodontists specialize in straightening teeth and are not regular dentists who specialize in helping you maintain your oral health. A visit to a regular dentist every six months is even more necessary when you’re wearing braces because the braces easily trap food and bacteria close to teeth where they can harm. And a patient in no way can thoroughly clean teeth while braces are on teeth without professional help. A dental hygienist uses special instruments to clean surfaces of the teeth that are hard for one to reach. Your dentist, however, can work closely with your orthodontist to take care of your oral health during the entire orthodontic treatment.
When a toothache strikes, it usually brings excruciating pain and discomfort along with it. And the best way to deal with a toothache is to avoid it in the first place b regular brushing and flossing. Still, if the toothache presents itself, you can rinse your mouth with warm water to clean it out. Brushing should be done gently with dental floss to remove any food caught between your teeth. Refrain from putting aspirin on your aching tooth or gums because it may burn the gum tissue. If the pain persists for more than a day or two, contact your dentist. Also, make sure to talk to them, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or have any underlying medical condition. Depending on what caused you the toothache, your dentist will determine a treatment that best fits your dental situation.
Primary, or “baby,” teeth are crucial for many reasons. Not only do they help children speak clearly and chew naturally to foster good nutrition, but they also aid in forming a path so permanent teeth can follow when they are ready to erupt. They also stimulate the normal development of the facial bones and muscles. The presence and position of baby teeth help them learn to speak and form words with the correct pronunciation and aid in speech development. Decayed or missing teeth can cause a lack of confidence and can affect their social interaction.
When a child starts to participate in recreational activities and organized sports, injuries can occur. Also, The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry reports seven million injuries every year to athletes as young as five years old. Meanwhile, the National Youth Sports Safety Foundation (NYSSF) predicts about three million youth get teeth knocked out in sporting events annually. But research shows, while the statistics are alarming, the right athletic gear prevents more than 200,000 injuries a year. A properly fitted mouthguard, or mouth protector, is a significant piece of athletic equipment that can help protect your child’s smile and should be used during any activity that could end in a waft to the face or mouth.
Mouthguards help avert broken teeth and injuries to the lips, tongue, face, or jaw. A correctly fit mouthguard will stay in position while your child is wearing it, making it easy for them to talk and breathe.
Inquire about our custom sports guard, and call us if your child does suffer a dental emergency and requires immediate care. We prefer that your child stays on the playing field itself and not in our office. Call us today to make an appointment for your child’s next regular visit.
