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Dental FAQs
At Sage Dental, we aim to make you feel as comfortable as possible throughout your treatment. To help you prepare, we’ve compiled a list of frequently asked questions. We encourage you to review these questions and answers before your appointment to become more familiar with our practice, team, and procedures.
Dentistry involves the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of conditions, disorders, and diseases affecting the teeth, gums, mouth, and jaw. Essential for maintaining overall oral health, dental care can also significantly impact your overall well-being.
A dentist is a professional who specializes in diagnosing, treating, and preventing oral health issues. After completing at least eight years of education, a dentist earns either a DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) or a DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine) degree. If your dentist is a pediatric specialist, they focus on the oral care of children, from infancy through adolescence, and have received the necessary training to work with young patients. Other dental specialties include:
- Endodontics (root canals)
- Oral and maxillofacial (including pathology, radiology, and surgery)
- Orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics
- Periodontics (gum disease)
- Prosthodontics (dental implants)
Regular dental visits are essential not only for maintaining the health of your teeth and mouth, but also for supporting your overall well-being. Proper dental care is important because it:
- Prevents tooth decay and cavities
- Protects against gum disease (periodontal disease) that can result in tooth and bone loss
- Reduces bad breath by eliminating bacteria that cause odor
- Enhances your smile and boosts your self-esteem
- Maintains the brightness of your teeth by preventing stains from food, beverages, and tobacco
- Strengthens your teeth, ensuring long-lasting, healthy smiles for years to come!
Even if your teeth feel fine, regular dental visits are essential because problems can develop without you noticing. Your smile plays a big role in your appearance, and your dentist is here to help maintain both its health and beauty. Thanks to advances in dentistry, you no longer have to live with stained, chipped, missing, or misshapen teeth. Today's dental treatments offer a variety of options to help you smile with confidence, including:
Choosing a dentist who is a good fit for you and your family is crucial, and it may be helpful to meet with a few dentists before making your final choice. Your first visit is a great opportunity to determine if the dentist is the right one for you. During your appointment, keep the following in mind:
- Is the appointment schedule convenient for you?
- Is the office easily accessible and nearby?
- Does the office appear clean and well-organized?
- Was your medical and dental history properly recorded and filed?
- Does the dentist provide clear explanations on maintaining good oral health?
- Is information about treatment costs provided upfront before scheduling?
- Is your dentist a member of the American Dental Association (ADA)?
- Always brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss at least once daily!
- Use toothpaste with fluoride, and ask your dentist if you need a fluoride rinse to help prevent cavities.
- Limit sugary foods (which promote bacterial growth, plaque, and cavities) and avoid tobacco (which can stain your teeth, cause gum disease, and increase the risk of oral cancer).
- Don’t forget to brush your tongue! It helps remove food particles, reduce plaque-causing bacteria, and keep your breath fresh.
- Make sure to schedule regular checkups with your dentist—aim for every six months.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends that children first see a dentist as early as six-months-old and no later than one-year-old. During this time, your child’s baby teeth will be coming in and your dentist can examine the health of your child’s first few teeth. After the first visit, be sure to schedule regular checkups every six months.
Children, teens, and adults should all schedule a regular checkup with the dentist at least twice a year. Patients at higher risk for oral cancer or gum disease may need more frequent visits. Your dentist will advise on the ideal schedule for your checkups based on your individual needs.
A cavity is a small hole that develops in a tooth due to tooth decay. It forms when plaque on the tooth combines with sugars and starches from food, creating acid that erodes the enamel. If left untreated, cavities can lead to more severe oral health issues. To prevent cavities, make sure to brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss between your teeth at least once a day.
A filling is a material used by your dentist to restore a tooth after decay has been removed. The procedure is usually painless as your dentist will numb the area with an anesthetic. Fillings can be made from various materials, such as composite resin, gold, or ceramic. If you need a filling, be sure to discuss with your dentist which type would be most suitable for your needs.
Both your dentist and the American Dental Association recommend brushing your teeth at least twice a day. Brushing helps maintain the health of your teeth, gums, and mouth by removing plaque, which can lead to bacteria buildup. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste for the best results. Spend about one minute brushing your upper teeth and another minute on the lower teeth, and don't forget to brush your tongue to help keep your breath fresh!
Over time, your toothbrush will wear out, especially with regular brushing twice a day for two to three minutes. Dentists recommend that both adults and children replace their toothbrush every three months. If you're using an electric toothbrush, check the manufacturer's instructions, as the brush head may not need replacing as often. For patients with gum disease, it's advised to replace the toothbrush every four to six weeks to prevent bacteria buildup. After brushing, rinse your toothbrush with hot water to remove germs and keep the bristles clean. If you've been ill, be sure to replace your toothbrush as soon as possible.
Also known as periodontal disease, gum disease is primarily caused by the buildup of plaque and bacteria that goes untreated in its early stages. Other factors contributing to gum disease include tobacco use, teeth grinding, certain medications, and genetics. Gingivitis, the initial stage of gum disease, is treatable if detected early. However, if left untreated, gingivitis can progress into full-blown gum disease. Advanced gum disease can result in tooth and bone loss, and it becomes irreversible. Brushing regularly and visiting your dentist every six months can help prevent gingivitis and more severe forms of gum disease. Here are some common signs of gum disease:
- Red, irritated, bleeding, or swollen gums
- Chronic bad breath
- Loose teeth, or loss of teeth
- Extreme tooth sensitivity
- Receding gum line
- Abscessed teeth
Absolutely! In fact, it’s even more important for patients undergoing orthodontic treatment to visit their dentist regularly. Braces can trap food in areas that are hard to reach with a toothbrush, leading to bacteria buildup, which may result in cavities, gingivitis, and gum disease. Your dentist will collaborate with your orthodontist to ensure that your teeth stay clean and healthy throughout your braces treatment.
Just give us a call! The Sage Dental and Orthodontics front desk team will gladly assist you in scheduling your next dental checkup at a time that works best for you. If you're a new patient, let us know, and we'll provide you with all the information you need for your first visit.
