FAQs - General
Questions
  1. How can fluoride help my teeth?
  2. How What should I do if a tooth is knocked out?
  3. Do I really need x-rays?
  4. Is it Safe to have X-rays taken?
  5. Should I have my wisdom teeth removed?
  6. What is a root canal? Is it painful?
  7. How long does it take? How long will it last?
  8. Is Tooth Whitening Safe?
Answers
1. How can fluoride help my teeth?
Along with proper home care, fluoride is one of the most effective ways of preventing tooth decay and improving oral health for a lifetime. It strengthen tooth enamel, making it less susceptible to decay. Fluoride can be obtained through drinking water or dietary supplements, through topical applications of toothpaste, mouthrinses, and gels, and it can be prescribed by your dentist.
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2. What should I do if a tooth is knocked out?
If a permanent tooth is injured, time is of the essence. Replace the tooth in its socket, and get to your dentist’s office immediately, holding the tooth firmly in place. If you are uncomfortable replacing the tooth in its socket, clean it (taking care not to remove attached tissues), and store the tooth in a glass of clean water or milk. Your dentist will try to re-implant and stabilize the tooth. If the tooth is a baby tooth, don’t replace it in its socket; damage to the permanent tooth could occur. When in doubt, place the tooth in milk, and call your dentist immediately.
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3. Do I really need x-rays?
Dental x-rays are taken routinely by your dentist. There are many diseases and dental defects, which can not be seen by the naked eye, especially where teeth are concerned. These may include such things as decay under old fillings, teeth trapped below the gums, cavities between the teeth, bone loss as a result of gum disease and changes in either jaw bone structure which can be affected by many systemic diseases.
Dental X-rays may reveal:
  • the number, size, and position of teeth
  • un-emerged or impacted teeth
  • the presence and extent of dental caries
  • bone damage (such as from periodontitis)
  • abscessed teeth
  • fractured jaw
  • gingivitis
  • impacted tooth
  • malocclusion of teeth
  • other abnormalities of the teeth and jaw bones


What your eyes can see


What an X-ray can see
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4. Is it Safe to have X-rays taken?
Yes. Numerous precautions and advances in x-ray equipment help protect patients from receiving unnecessary radiation. The amount of radiation received from a dental x-ray exam is extremely small compared to other naturally occurring sources of radiation, including minerals in the soil, radon and cosmic radiation from outer space. Unlike their medical counterparts dental x-rays are very low in radiation. A full-mouth series of films, using state-of-the-art technology, will deliver an effective dose that is equivalent to about 19 days of exposure to naturally occurring environmental radiation. The reason for this is that the amount of radiation needed to expose a film as small as a dental x-ray is very small. Also the areas in your mouth that are being x-rayed are far less dense than other areas of your body and therefore require very little radiation in order to pick up the image. Also the beam of radiation is a very small narrow one and literally passes through the cheek and out of your body. The rest of your body is also shielded from any stray particles with a lead apron or shield.
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5. Should I have my wisdom teeth removed?
Your wisdom teeth may need to be removed if they are impacted. That is, there is no room in your mouth for them to erupt, they prevent you from opening your mouth, and/or are causing pain, discomfort, or swelling in your jaw. The position of your teeth, your age, and the surgery involved are individual considerations that will affect your decision. Please arrange an appointment for a professional opinion.
Impacted wisdom tooth
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6. How long does the root canal last?
A root canal, coupled with proper restoration, will enable your tooth to function permanently as a healthy tooth. Your dentist will assess in advance if your tooth is a candidate for endodontics, or root canal therapy. Most
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7. Is Tooth Whitening Safe?
Whitening teeth with carbamide peroxide under the supervision of a dentist has been shown to safe for teeth and gums. Some patients have experienced increased tooth sensitivity and some temporary discomfort of their gums. These symptoms tend to disappear within 1-3 days after stopping the process. Usually after the sensitivity disappears the whitening process can be started again and usually the sensitivity does not return. In any case, any reaction should be reported immediately to your dentist or hygienist for their special instructions. Over-the-counter quick bleaching kits may cause problems that you may be unaware of such as irritation of the gums and surrounding soft tissue. Over zealous use of over-the-counter home bleaching can wear away tooth enamel, especially due to the fact that these solutions have a very high acid content. We can't over emphasize that these types of procedures are best controlled at your dentist's office. Your progress will be monitored carefully which will ertainly reduce most secondary effects. Only a dentist can make your teeth their whitest.
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