Q: WHICH TYPE OF TOOTHBRUSH SHOULD I USE?
A: The brand of the toothbrush is not as critical as the type of bristle and the size of the head. At Rosati Dental, we recommend a soft toothbrush with a small head 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 in a circular motion at least twice a day and visiting us at least twice a year for professional cleaning's.
Q: IS ONE TOOTHPASTE BETTER THAN ANOTHER?
A: Generally, no. However, it is advisable to use a fluoride containing toothpaste to decrease the incidence of dental decay. Rosati Dental recommends our patients to use what tastes good to them as long as it contains fluoride and is ADA approved.
Q: HOW OFTEN SHOULD I FLOSS?
A: Thorough flossing is recommended once per day to help prevent cavities from forming between the teeth where your toothbrush cannot reach. Flossing also helps to keep your gums healthy. It is an integral part of your dental health.
Q: WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A "CROWN" AND A "CAP"?
A: These are restorations to repair a severely broken down tooth by covering all or most of the tooth after removing old fillings, fractured tooth structure and all decay. The crown restoration material is either made of gold, porcelain, or a combination of the two. Dentists refer to all of these restorations as “crowns”. However, patients often refer to them as “caps”.
Q: HOW OFTEN SHOULD I SEE THE DENTIST?
A: The American Dental Association recommends seeing a general dentist every 6 months for your regular cleanings and checkups. Your dentist may suggest more frequent visits if decay or gum and bone disease has been detected.
FAQ'S
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 to abutment teeth or, in some cases, implants and is not removable. A partial denture is attached by clasps or attachments to the teeth and is removed daily by the patient. Patients are usually more satisfied with bridges because they feel and function more like their natural teeth.
Q: WHAT ABOUT "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" fillings, or tooth colored composite fillings. We also prefer composite fillings because they have the ability to "bond" to the tooth structure and therefore help strengthen a tooth that was weakened by decay. White fillings are also usually less sensitive to temperature change and they look more natural.
Q: DO I NEED TO HAVE A ROOT CANAL JUST BECAUSE I NEED A CROWN?
A: No. While most teeth which have had root canal treatments do need crowns to strengthen the teeth and to return the teeth to normal form and function, not every tooth needing a crown also needs to have a root canal.
Q: WHAT ARE IMPLANTS?
A: Implants are a very stable way to replace missing teeth, with a look and feel that's extremely close to your natural teeth. Implants are titanium posts that are surgically placed into the bone beneath your gums. The implants fuse with the jawbone providing stable support for artificial teeth, preventing individual teeth, bridges, or dentures from shifting in your mouth. They are a high-tech way to replace missing teeth, and offer more stability than traditional bridgework since they do not rely on neighboring teeth for support.