A: The brand of the toothbrush is not as critical as the type of bristle and the size of the head. A soft toothbrush with a small head is recommended because medium and hard brushes tend to cause irritation and contribute to recession of the gums, and a small head allows you to get around each tooth more completely and is less likely to injure your gums. It's unnecessary to "scrub" the teeth as long as you are brushing at least twice a day and visiting your dentist at least twice a year for cleanings.  Brushing at a 45 degree angle to your teeth will remove more plaque from the concavities between teeth and at the gum line.  Please ask one of our doctors or dental assistants to personally demonstrate this technique for you.  In our office we dispense high quality Oral-B extra soft toothbrushes or the smaller Oral-B indicator toothbrush.  We also highly recommend the new Colgate 360 sensitive toothbrush for those patients who have sensitive roots or root wear by the gum line.  An additional feature is the tongue and cheek scrubber on the backside of the toothbrush head.

Q: Is one toothpaste better than others?
A: Generally, no. However, it's advisable to use a fluoride containing toothpaste to decrease the incidence of dental decay. We recommend our patients, especially children, to use what tastes good to them as long as it contains fluoride.  For those who wish a name, we like to recommend one of the Colgate Total toothpastes and especially the new Colgate Sensitive Enamel Protect toothpaste, because this new toothpaste promotes the remineralization of enamel besides reducing sensitivity over time.   If you wish an organic alternative toothpaste, Costco currently sells a "Tom's of Maine" toothpaste.  Those of you who would like to continue to use Sensodyne will be glad to know that there is a newer version called Sensodyne Multi Action.  It comes in a canister and dispenses by pressing on the top end. This newer version has "iso-active foaming gel" which penetrates hard to reach areas.  The foaming action is quite heavy and is like brushing with shaving cream.  The taste is slightly on the bitter side.  If you are the daring type try it and share with us how you like it and whether you personally find that it is more helpful in reducing sensitivity. 

Q: How often should I floss?
A: Flossing of the teeth once per day helps to prevent cavities from forming between the teeth where your toothbrush can't reach. Flossing also helps to keep your gums healthy to prevent gingivitis, periodontitis and Halitosis (bad breath).  Flossing at night rids the mouth of food and bacteria before they can cause the most damage to your teeth and gums.  If you can, flossing twice a day is even better.  Flossing instructions:  Use a piece of floss approximately 18 inches long.  Gently wrap the floss around the  middle fingers of both hands.  Use the index fingers and thumbs to manipulate the floss.  It is important to limit the floss to between 1/2 inch and 3/4 inch between the fingers of both hands so that you can have complete control for placement and movement.  In order to reach the back teeth, extend the reach of the floss by placing the floss onto the tip of the index fingers of both hands.  Holding the floss taut, work the it back and forth until it passes thru the contact.  Stop immediately once the floss is through the contact so that it does not slam into the gums.  Then gently bring the floss down the middle along the papilla (triangular shaped gum) between the teeth favoring the side of the tooth you plan to floss first.  Go down until the floss stops at the gum line.  Wrap the floss around the tooth in a semi-circle and slide the floss out towards the cheek.  Then slide the floss down the papilla next to the adjacent tooth, repeat the cleansing motion sliding the floss out towards the cheek and through the contact.  Next move to the next space and repeat the same.  If you are still confused, come in and we can easily demonstrate this technique to you.  Happy flossing.

 Q: What's the difference between a "crown" and a "cap"?
A: These are restorations to repair a severely broken tooth by covering all or most of the tooth after removing old fillings, fractured tooth structure, and/or extensive decay.  The restorative material is made of gold, porcelain, composites, or even stainless steel. Dentists refer to all of these restorations as "crowns". However, patients often refer to the tooth-colored ones as "caps" and the gold or stainless steel ones as "crowns".

Q: What's the difference between a "bridge" and a "partial denture"?
A: Both bridges and partial dentures replace missing teeth. A bridge is permanently attached with dental cement to abutment teeth or, in some cases, to implant abutments. A partial denture is attached by clasps to the teeth and is easily removed by the patient. Given the option, patients are usually more satisfied with bridges than the larger, more cumbersome partial dentures.  However, partial dentures may be a better choice for patients with many missing teeth and/or weaker periodontally involved remaining teeth that cannot support bridges over time.  Partials may also be the preferred choice considering economic circumstances and desire.

Q: What about "silver" fillings versus "white" fillings?
A: Although the U.S. Public Health Service issued a report in 1993 stating there is no health reason not to use amalgam (silver fillings), more patients today are requesting "white" or tooth-colored composite fillings. We often prefer tooth-colored fillings because they "bond" to the tooth structure and therefore help strengthen a tooth weakened by decay. White fillings are also usually less sensitive to temperature, and they also look better. However, "white" fillings cannot be used in every situation, and if a tooth is very badly broken-down, a crown or porcelain onlay will usually be necessary and provide better overall satisfaction for the patient.

Q: Do I need to have a root canal just because I have to have a crown?
A: No. Most teeth which have had root canal treatments do need crowns because a root canal dehydrates the tooth by removing nerves and blood vessels. Root canaled teeth are also weaker due to the removal of tooth structure in the center of the tooth to gain access to perform the root canal. However, not every tooth needing a crown also needs to have a root canal.  A root canal is needed if the nerve is exposed while removing dental decay or if the tooth shows an abscess on a dental x-ray.