Philadelphia Dentist Answers Frequently Asked Questions

Posted on: October 15, 2016

DentistAs your Philadelphia dentist, I answer a large number of questions during regular dental checkups and exams. I am happy to answer any questions a patient has since the answers can help fuel the patient’s interest in oral health. The more you know about your teeth and gums, the easier it will be to keep them in good health. I encourage you to call the office and schedule an appointment for your own exam. In the meantime, here are answers to some of these frequently asked questions.

How often should I buy a new toothbrush?

I recommend that you change out your toothbrush every three months. However, if you notice that your toothbrush smells funny, looks stained, or the bristles are fraying, you should throw it away and buy a new one. Another reason to buy a new toothbrush is if you have been really sick. Brushing with the same toothbrush will only put germs back into your mouth.

What kind of toothbrush should I buy?

It is best to purchase an electronic or battery-powered toothbrush if you are able to choose since they will provide you with the cleanest teeth. Otherwise, I suggest a soft toothbrush. The enamel on your teeth can easily break down if you use a hard toothbrush or brush too aggressively. Using a soft toothbrush will clean your teeth in a safe manner.

How often should I floss?

As a dentist, I recommend that you floss your teeth on a daily basis. Flossing is the most important thing you can do at home to prevent gum disease. You need to be sure to floss all the way down so that you can remove the plaque from between your teeth and gums.

Why do I need to visit the dentist regularly?

No matter how hard you try to keep your teeth clean, there will be areas inside of your mouth where plaque and tartar become trapped. When you receive a professional teeth cleaning, we can remove any plaque and tartar to significantly lower the chances of you developing a cavity or gum disease. Additionally, these visits allow us to identify any oral health problems while they are small and before they cause you any discomfort.

Are root canals uncomfortable?

Not with the right dentist and the right medication. We complete root canals quickly and efficiently in our office after numbing the area to help you relax. You will feel some pressure but any discomfort will be minimal. A root canal is an important procedure that has gotten a bad reputation, primarily because of how the tooth feels when it is infected, before treatment. You will feel pain when the tooth is still infected opposed to after a root canal. After the procedure, your tooth may be sensitive for a few days but that can easily be controlled with medication.

Does teeth whitening really work?

Yes, teeth whitening works incredibly well. We can whiten your teeth in our dentist office to remove surface stains and deep discoloration. With professional teeth whitening, we can help your beautiful smile shine through.

If you have more questions, call and schedule an appointment with our Philadelphia dentist office.


Related Posts

April 18, 2018

Everything You Need to Know about Dental Local Anesthesia

Your dentist might need to apply dental local anesthesia to numb an area of your mouth while performing certain procedures. We do this by injecting medicine – known as a local anesthetic – into your …

April 21, 2017

Helpful Dental Information Right At Your Fingertips

Helpful Dental InformationWe offer helpful dental information such as the fact that you need to floss before brushing for any real effect. The flossing releases food particles from between teeth that the brush cleans up. …

November 10, 2016

Down the Avenue to Pristine Oral Health

With getting the kids up to get to school on time, making breakfast, driving the kids to school, going to work, picking up groceries, taking one kid to soccer practice and another to a band …

November 2, 2015

Bad Breath Tips from a Dentistry for Kids

We are an experienced Dentistry for Kids and families. Parents trust us to take care of their children and to keep them in good oral health. This is something that we take very seriously and …