FAQs (Common Misconceptions)

1.) Children Must Start Routine Dental Visits by Seeing a Pediatric Dentist.

Children do not have to start by seeing a pediatric dentist. They can be seen in the office of a general dentist by the age of three.

2.) My Teeth Feel Fine so I Only Need a Dental Check-up and Cleaning Once a Year.

Everyone should have a dental check-up and cleaning at least every 6 months (twice per year).

3.) My Teeth Are Not Sensitive or Painful so I Do Not Need To Have X-Rays Taken During Routine Check-Up Visits.

Dental X-rays produce extremely low amounts of radiation and are a vital and very important diagnostic tool that should be taken at proper intervals to check for things such as bone levels and cavities in between the teeth that cannot be seen visually.

4.) Brushing and Flossing My Teeth Once or Twice a Week is Sufficient.

Dentists and dental hygienists recommend brushing and flossing twice a day to prevent tooth decay, halitosis (bad breath), tartar accumulation, gum disease, and to reduce the risk of heart disease.

5.) I Should Use a Toothbrush With Hard Bristles and Brush My Teeth Very Hard to Get Them Clean.

It is important to always use a toothbrush with soft bristles and to use soft, gentle strokes when brushing.

6.) My Teeth Feel Fine so a Gum Screening is Not a Necessity.

A gum screening (periodontal charting) is another extremely important diagnostic tool that should be done at proper intervals to check for signs of periodontal (gum) disease.

Along with education, this screening makes patients aware of the signs and symptoms of gum disease.

7.) I Recently Had a Root Canal Completed on a Tooth Which Feels Fine so I do Not Feel That a Crown is a Necessity for This Tooth

A crown is done for a root canal tooth to prevent this tooth from fracturing and to provide this tooth with the proper function, protection, strength, and support.

8.) I Have an Old and/or Very Large Filling That Has Fractured and/or Broken Off and I Feel That My Best Option is to Again Put Another Filling in This Tooth.

Usually, the best option is to have a crown done for this tooth. Similarly to what it accomplishes for a root canaled tooth, a crown will prevent fracturing and will provide proper function, protection, strength, and support.

9.) My General Dentist Has Diagnosed Me As Having Periodontal Disease so I Will Definitely Need to See a Periodontist.

Unless the severity of the case is beyond the scope of the general dentist, he or she can routinely treat cases of periodontal disease in their office.

10.) I Am Missing Several Teeth in My Mouth so I Will Have to Wear Some Kind of Partial Removable Denture.

This may be an option, but several other options can also be available such as fixed permanent bridge(s) or dental implants.

11.) I Have Always Had Spaces Between My Teeth Which I Feel Will be Impossible to Close.

Spaces between teeth can be closed in a variety of ways including bonding, crowns, bridges, porcelain veneers, implants, and orthodontics.

12.) a Take-Home Treatment to Bleach My Teeth is Not an Option Because I Have to Keep the Trays in My Mouth Overnight.

High quality take-home bleaching systems are available that only require the bleaching trays to be worn for 30 minutes each day and provide excellent results.

13.) I Would Like to Change My Smile but I Don’t Think That Veneers Are a Good Choice for Me Because I Am Afraid That Too Much of My Tooth Structure Will be Lost and/or Compromised.

When a patient wants to transform his or her smile, one of the most effective options is often porcelain veneers. They are much more minimally invasive than crowns and porcelain veneers correct chips, gaps, misalignments, permanent stains, malformations, and other smile imperfections. Each veneer is a handcrafted shell made of fine dental porcelain and they are resistant to stain.