What type of toothbrush should I use?

The brand of the toothbrush is not as critical as the type of bristle and the size of the head. A soft or extra soft toothbrush with a small head is recommended because medium and hard brushes tend to cause irritation and contribute to recession of the gums. 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. We do recommend sonic tooth brushes (Oral-B Sonic, or Sonicare are two great choices).

Is one TOOTHPASTE better than others?

Generally no. However, it’s advisable to use a fluoride containing toothpaste to decrease the incidence of dental decay. We recommend our patients use what tastes good to them as long as it contains fluoride. Also we tend to favor gels as they seem to be less abrasive.

 

How often should I floss?

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 and helps to keep your breath fresh.

 

What’s the difference between a crown & a cap?

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 decay. The restoration material is made of gold, porcelain, or zirconia. Dentists refer to all of these restorations as “crowns”. However, patients often refer to the tooth-colored ones as “caps” and the gold ones as “crowns”.

 

What’s the difference between a bridge & a partial denture?

Both bridges and partial dentures replace missing teeth. A bridge which is also referred as a fixed partial denture is permanently attached to abutment teeth or, in some cases, implants. A partial denture (removable) is attached by clasps to the teeth and is easily removed by the patient. Patients are usually more satisfied with bridges than with partial dentures.

 

What about “silver” fillings versus “white” fillings?

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 also prefer tooth-colored fillings because they “bond” to the tooth structure, require less drilling in the tooth, and therefore help strengthen a tooth weakened by decay. While the white fillings are also usually less sensitive to temperature, they also look better. However, “white” fillings cannot be used in every situation, and if a tooth is badly broken-down, a crown will usually be necessary and provide better overall satisfaction for the patient.

 

Do I need to have a root canal because I have a crown?

No. While most teeth which have had root canal treatment do need crowns to strengthen the teeth, and return the teeth to normal form and function, very few teeth needing crowns also need to have a root canal.