At Smiles of Memorial in Houston, TX, we often get asked a lot of questions, so we decided to share the most commonly asked questions along with our answers. So, here they are!
How often should I visit the dentist?
The answer to this is twice a year – well, for most people. For people who have periodontal disease, we encourage every 3-4 months. Even if your brush and floss daily, plaque will still build up. That is why you should get a cleaning every six months. And, by going to the dentist twice a year, we can also catch any potential oral health problems.
If my tooth isn’t hurting do I need a filling?
Most of the time you won’t feel any pain when a cavity is at the beginning stages. Decay will start to form on the outer layer of the tooth called the enamel. Because it is on the outside layer, you will most likely not experience any pain. However, if left untreated, the cavity will start to reach the inner layers and could create more of a dental issue.
How can I help my teeth sensitivity?
You are not alone! Many people have sensitive teeth. It could be too hot or cold food and drinks. But, the first thing you should do is to use a desensitizing toothpaste, which helps soothe the nerve endings in the tooth and reduce pain. Also, be sure to limit the number of acidic foods and drinks. The acid in certain foods and drinks can eat away at your tooth enamel over time, causing sensitivity. Lastly, be sure not to brush too hard. Bushing too hard can cause gum recession, which is a frequent cause of sensitive teeth.
Why are my teeth yellow?
Unfortunately, over time your teeth can start getting darker yellow. This happens because of age. But, trauma and some things like smoking, coffee, tea, wine, cola, berries, and some hard candies can cause tooth discoloration. The plus side to this is that we offer several teeth whitening options that can get your smile back to the beautiful white it once was! So if you are looking for teeth whitening in Houston, TX, schedule an appointment with our professional staff.
What type of toothbrush should I be using?
While we love using an electric toothbrush, a manual one will work just as well if you are brushing for two minutes using the correct brushing techniques. However, an electric toothbrush has a lot of features such as a timer, reminder if brushing too hard, and even have an app to help track your brushing and show you the place you are missing.
Do you have other questions that have not been answered above? Let us know and we will be happy to answer any questions you have! If not, schedule your appointment today and we can answer them at your appointment.