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General Dentistry Care: Frequently Asked Questions

Q. When would you consider tooth bleaching?

A. You would consider tooth bleaching if your teeth have yellowed with age or are stained from tobacco, tea, coffee or food.

Q. What are the practical expectations of tooth bleaching?

A. Every case is different, but generally there is a two-shade improvement as seen on a dentist's shade guide. The success rate relies on the types of stain involved, your compliance, and the material and method used.

Q. How long does tooth bleaching last?

A. Depending on your personal habits such as smoking and drinking coffee or tea, tooth whitening should last from one to five years.

Q. Do over-the-counter bleaching products work?

A. Some over-the-counter bleaching products do whiten teeth, but many of the products can damage teeth with extended use or misuse because they are too abrasive or use ill-fitting trays. Some materials contain titanium dioxide that actually put a temporary pigment coating on the teeth. Although small doses of titanium dioxide are considered safe, the net effect is to put a layer of "paint" on the teeth that is soon lost.

Q. What is orthodontics?

A. Orthodontics, also known as malocclusion or “bad bite”, is the branch of dentistry that specializes in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental and facial irregularities.

Q. What is an orthodontist?

A. An orthodontist is a dentist who has undergone specialized training to require the advanced qualifications and specialized skills required to give their patients quality treatment.

Q. What causes orthodontic problems?

A. Most orthodontic problems are inherited, but some are acquired.

Q. What is the importance of orthodontic treatment?

A. Orthodontic treatment is important because crooked and crowded teeth are hard to clean and maintain. This may lead to conditions tooth decay, but eventually cause gum disease and tooth loss. Malocclusion (bad bite) can also lead to pain associated with TMD.

Q. What does orthodontic treatment involve?

A. Orthodontic treatment usually involves wearing braces prescribed and designed by the orthodontist. You may feel some tenderness as the teeth start to move. By placing a constant, gentle force in a carefully controlled direction, braces can slowly move teeth through their supporting bone to a new desirable position.

Q. How long does orthodontic treatment take?

A. Generally, orthodontic treatment time with braces ranges from 1 to 3 years. Early treatment procedures may take only a few months. The actual time depends on the growth of the patient's mouth and face, the cooperation of the patient and the how severe the problem is.

Q. How much does orthodontic treatment cost?

A. The actual cost of treatment relies very much on the individual case and depends largely on the length and complexity of treatment.

Q. What toothpaste should your child use?

A. You should use a match-head sized amount of toothpaste. The use of toothpaste should not begin until 2 years of age.

Q. When should you start taking children to see a dentist?

A. It is recommended that children see a dentist by age one and definitely by 16 months of age.

Q. How often should a child see a dentist?

A. It is recommended that the child be seen every six months after the initial examination.

Q. Why is it important to care for primary or baby teeth?

A. It is important to care for primary teeth because they are much more susceptible to tooth decay than the permanent teeth. There are many other reasons.

Q. How are digitized X-rays beneficial?

A. Digitized X-rays reduce the exposure of radiation to the patient, and eliminate the film and darkroom processing within the dental office.

Four Ways To Be Understood By Your Dentist

What do you want from your relationship with your dentist? Oftentimes, this question is answered when there is a dental problem or emergency requiring immediate attention. There is a different approach to your relationship with your dentist that relates to your own needs and dental health. This approach is designed to help you create the kind of experiences you want with your dentist.

You have a choice about this relationship and how it can support and assist you in your life. It begins with the simple question stated at the beginning of this article: What do you want from your relationship with your dentist?

The answer to this question can take many forms. For some people it may mean having a lot of information about their dental health and future. They seek facts to know they are making good, informed decisions. Others may want a friendly relationship in which openness and communication are valued. They want information but, more importantly, they want to know they are important to the dentist and the dental team. Some individuals want minimal information and discussion -- just the facts and the solutions to take care of any dental or dental financing problem.

We all have different wants in our relationships with health professionals such as dentists. Here are four tips to assist you in deciding what you want in your relationship with your dentist:

• Do you want a lot of detailed information about actual problems or potential problems or do you prefer a quick summary of data with recommendations about what to do?
• Do you like to make quick decisions or do you prefer to think about things before you act?
• Do you like to talk about what is happening or do you prefer to have your dentist just tell you what is going on?
• Do you want the dentist to describe a problem situation and solution with pictures so you can see what it happening or do you prefer to go on gut feeling?

Each person looks for different things in their relationships. It is your responsibility to determine what you want and look for that in the relationship with your dentist. The answers to the questions above will tell you something about this.

The next step is communicating what you want so that you are understood. Only you know when someone else understands you. Here are four tips to assist you in this communication process:

• Tell your dentist that you have some ideas about how he or she can assist you with your dental health and dental financing.
• Ask when it would be a good time to discuss your needs and desires for your dental care and relationship with your dentist.
• Communicate what you want and how that will help you.
• If you had a negative experience in the past with another dental professional, always discuss what happened. Past hurts or disappointments have a way of negatively influencing present situations that are similar in nature.

Communicating what you want is important to your dentist for it is the best way for him or her to plan for the optimal dental health for you.

By Brian DesRoches, PhD

+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.