{"id":1269,"date":"2022-12-21T08:00:27","date_gmt":"2022-12-21T08:00:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mydentalpracticeblog.com\/graystonedental\/?p=1269"},"modified":"2022-12-21T08:00:27","modified_gmt":"2022-12-21T08:00:27","slug":"its-time-for-a-dentist-faq-session","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mydentalpracticeblog.com\/graystonedental\/dental-care-blog\/its-time-for-a-dentist-faq-session\/","title":{"rendered":"It\u2019s Time for a Dentist FAQ Session"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\nDO YOU HAVE<\/b> questions for the dentist? There\u2019s a good chance one of yours made our frequently asked questions list!<\/p>\n

Question 1: How often do I need to visit the dentist?<\/h3>\n

For most people, we recommend a dental exam and cleaning twice a year. Even for patients with perfect oral hygiene, it\u2019s inevitable that some plaque and tartar will still build up<\/strong>. We can give your teeth a professional cleaning to control plaque and tartar and we can catch any dental problems early, which will save you time, pain, and money in the long run.<\/p>\n

Some people can benefit from more frequent visits, often for reasons like pregnancy, a history of gum disease, or a smoking habit. The ideal frequency of your visits is based on how healthy your gums are and how committed you are to maintaining good oral hygiene.<\/p>\n

Question 2: Why do I need a filling if my tooth doesn\u2019t hurt?<\/h3>\n

Not all cavities are painful. Cavities form when the acid produced by bacteria eats away at tooth enamel until it creates a hole in the tooth. Cavities usually don\u2019t hurt in the early stages when they only affect the enamel.<\/strong> You don\u2019t want to leave a cavity untreated until it hurts, because that means letting it progress until it reaches the dental pulp where the nerves are. At that point, a simple filling might not be enough.<\/p>\n

Question 3: Is it really important to keep baby teeth healthy?<\/h3>\n

It\u2019s true that baby teeth are temporary, but that doesn\u2019t mean they don\u2019t matter<\/strong>. Baby teeth are essential to a child\u2019s ability to chew their food effectively, speak clearly, and master lifelong dental habits like brushing and flossing. They\u2019re also important placeholders for the incoming adult teeth.<\/p>\n

Question 4: What is making my teeth more yellow?<\/h3>\n

Teeth inevitably darken or yellow over time as a function of age, but trauma and environmental factors can make the effect much more pronounced. The biggest culprits of surface stains are cigarettes, wine, coffee, tea, cola<\/strong>, sports drinks, berries, hard candy, and even tomato sauce. If your smile is losing its sparkle, talk to us about whitening treatments.<\/p>\n

Question 5: How bad are pacifiers and thumbsucking for my child\u2019s teeth?<\/h3>\n

At first, they aren\u2019t bad at all! These self-soothing habits only become an oral health concern when they continue beyond toddlerhood. Most children will grow out of them on their own<\/strong>, but after age three, it\u2019s time to start considering strategies for discouraging the habit, like clipping a pacifier. We can help!<\/p>\n

These aren\u2019t the only habits that can damage teeth!<\/b><\/p>\n