FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
These are just a few questions patients ask frequently. If you have a question that is not on our list please feel free to ask us via emailing at: dentist@viewdental.com
How often should I have teeth cleaning?
The way you brush and floss your teeth, your bite, the amount of bacteria you have in your mouth, the condition your teeth are in and your over all health are all factors in answering this question. Therefore, the time between cleanings for you may vary drastically from that of another person. Typically, patients remain on 2,3,4,or 6-month intervals. At each visit, re-evaluation of the mouth and the changes that has taken place will affect the frequency of teeth cleaning.
How can I reduce my dental bill?
Prevention is the best way to stay in good health. Good home dental hygiene (brushing and flossing) is the best way to reduce any dental problems. Regular dental check-ups provide healthy gums and early warning of potentially expensive problems. When problems are seen early, they are often less expensive to treat.
Why do I need X-Rays?
X-Ray film is one of the best tools for the dentist to see below the gum line, see between teeth and detect unseen decay and bone loss. The type, frequency, and the number of X-Rays taken will depend on the dental condition of each individual person.
I don't believe bleeding gums are a problem, because my gums bleed when I brush and floss, but they do not bother me. Should I do anything to stop bleeding gums?
Bleeding gums are sign of periodontal (gum and bone) disease. Normal, healthy gum tissue does not bleed from brushing and flossing. You and your dentist must do everything possible to save your teeth from possible disease and tooth loss. If periodontal (gum) disease is left untreated, the disease may escalate and promote further, irreparable damage to your teeth.
Why should a baby tooth be fixed?
A baby tooth must be maintained in the mouth for its expected lifetime. If a baby tooth is lost prematurely, permanent tooth shifting will occur and necessitate braces at a later date. It is recommended to have a child see a dentist before the age of 2-years old.
What is Scale and Root Planing and how is that different from teeth cleaning?
Scale and Root Planing is a form of "teeth cleaning". Some call this procedure "deep Cleaning". Scale and Root Planing is done for a patient who has gum disease with signs that includes but not limited to deep pockets of gums, bleeding gums, tartar/calculus on teeth, and red-swollen-receded gums. This is usually the initial step in the treatment of gum disease. Once the gums are in a healthy condition, then regular teeth cleaning called prophylaxis were scaling and polishing of teeth can be done on the appropriate frequency.
Why do I need a root canal?
A root canal procedure may be performed for 1 of 4 reasons:
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Infection of the nerve.
- Exposure of the nerve while removing deep decay.
- Massive tooth loss. So much that a crown has nothing above the gum line to adhere too.
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To shorten a supra-erupted tooth.
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