Dental FAQs

Why should I floss? Isn’t brushing enough?

Good oral hygiene habits are essential for a healthy smile. But if you are only brushing and not flossing, you’re not getting the job done completely.

Even the most thorough brushing only cleans the surfaces of your teeth. You need dental floss to get between teeth to remove plaque from these hard-to-reach areas.

If you don’t remove plaque with a thorough brushing and flossing, it forms a hard substance called tartar that collects along your gum line and can lead to periodontal disease. Once tartar develops, no amount of brushing or flossing will remove it. Only a dentist or hygienist can carefully remove tartar using special dental instruments.

Making flossing a part of your everyday routine requires a commitment. You may find it inconvenient at first, but over time you will appreciate having a smile that’s as healthy as it can be!

If you would like tips on how to get the most out of your oral hygiene routine, please call our Tamarac dental office. We will be happy to arrange a professional cleaning with our hygienist who will review your brushing and flossing habits to ensure you get the best results.

How can I prevent cavities?

This is an excellent question because the key to a problem-free smile is prevention!

To ensure a healthy smile, you need to commit that you will follow all the steps your dentist recommends.

  • Proper oral hygiene – Even if you brush and floss regularly, it’s easy to get a little lazy with your habits. During your dental cleaning at Smile Practice Family Dentistry, our hygienist will be happy to provide a refresher to ensure you are getting the most out of your efforts.
  • Routine dental visits – The American Dental Association says you should have dental cleanings and exams every six months. These visits give us the opportunity to monitor your oral health and find and correct conditions before they become complicated to repair.
  • Fluoride and sealants – During your regular visits, Dr. Gonzalez may recommend an application of fluoride to protect and strengthen your teeth. Another excellent preventive treatment is dental sealants that protect cavity-prone teeth like molars.
  • Well-balanced diet – Proper nutrition is as important for your oral health as it is your general well-being. If you aren’t eating foods that support good oral health, your resistance is lowered, and you are more likely to develop periodontal disease.

We would be happy to arrange an appointment so we can review your oral health and show you how you can achieve the healthiest smile possible. Please call our Tamarac, FL dental office so we can get started!

Why does the dentist take x-rays?

Dentists use x-rays for the same reason as medical doctors – to get a detailed view of hidden structures of your mouth to provide appropriate treatment.

Using x-rays, we can find cavities, infection, and bone loss because of severe gum disease. X-rays are an invaluable diagnostic tool because they allow us to identify these problems with your teeth long before they cause any discomfort.

We know that some patients have concerns about radiation exposure with x-rays. That is why at Smile Practice Family Dentistry we use state-of-the-art digital x-rays. Traditional x-rays were helpful, but digital x-rays take the process to a whole new level.

First, digital x-rays produce highly detailed images that enable us to see the tiniest details of your teeth. We can display these images on your chairside monitor, and Dr. Gonzalez can manipulate them so you can easily see what the problem is and why treatment is necessary.

Digital x-rays are faster and more comfortable because we use flat digital sensors instead of bulky x-ray films to produce a high-quality image. Since no hazardous chemicals are needed, digital x-rays are safer for the environment than traditional x-rays.

However, the most significant benefit of digital x-rays is that they expose you to about 80 percent less radiation than film x-rays.

We offer lots of great technology at our Tamarac, FL dental office and would be happy to show you how it benefits you. Please call us to arrange your next appointment.

How can I remove white spots on my teeth?

There are many reasons why white spots may develop on your teeth. Fluorosis causes white spots and is the result of consuming too much fluoride in childhood while your teeth were still developing.

Another cause of white spots is demineralization, which occurs because of inadequate oral hygiene. Demineralization is a frequent problem for kids and adults who wear braces.

Whatever the reason for white spots, your primary objective is to achieve a more uniform tooth color, and there are a few ways we can help:

Teeth whitening – A professional teeth whitening treatment can often help balance the whiteness of your teeth. We recommend either an in-office whitening treatment or professional at-home whitening supervised by your dentist.

Porcelain veneers – If you want to permanently banish white spots, you might want to consider porcelain veneers. A veneer is a thin slice of porcelain that is bonded to the front surface of your tooth to completely hide the white spots. In addition, veneers can be customized to change the shape of your teeth or conceal gaps and uneven spaces.

If you are bothered by white spots on your teeth that you would like to correct, please call Smile Practice Family Dentistry. We will be happy to arrange an appointment with Dr. Gonzalez so she can evaluate your needs and make appropriate recommendations.

Why do I have to take antibiotics before my dental appointment?

Taking a course of antibiotics before dental treatment is known as antibiotic prophylaxis. The reason we may recommend this approach is that we all have bacteria in our mouths. Even routine actions like chewing, teeth grinding, and brushing and flossing disturbs bacteria and can allow it to enter your bloodstream; this is called bacteremia.

In the majority of cases, this isn’t a problem because a healthy immune system is strong enough to prevent bacteria from doing any harm. For some people, however, there is a risk that bacteria in the bloodstream can lead to infection in another part of the body.

The American Heart Association recently released guidelines to identify those at risk and who may require antibiotics before dental treatment. At-risk patients include:

 

  • artificial heart valves
  • a history of infective endocarditis, which is an infection of the lining inside the heart or heart valves
  • a heart transplant that developed a heart valve problem
  • certain types of congenital heart conditions
  • joint replacements

At Smile Practice Family Dentistry, we are very cautious about recommending antibiotics for our patients. So you can be confident that if Dr. Yanela Gonzalez or Dr Yehia Elgohary decide your physical health warrants the use of antibiotics, they will explain why they are necessary.

If you would like more information about the use of antibiotics or would like to schedule an appointment, please call our Tamarac, FL dental office!

 How long will the results of teeth whitening last?

How long will the results of teeth whitening last?

There’s nothing like a professional teeth whitening treatment to transform your smile and boost your confidence! Of course, now that your teeth are bright and sparkling, you want the results to last as long as possible.

First, we are all unique, so the results achieved with whitening and how long they last are different for everyone. After you complete the whitening procedure, we provide customized trays and whitening gel for you to use at home. For most people, a touchup every six months is all that’s needed to maintain a bright, white smile.

However, several factors affect the longevity of your whitening treatment. Good oral hygiene is essential if you want to maintain a fresh-looking smile, so be sure to brush and floss regularly. Keeping up with routine dental cleanings is another good way to make sure your teeth are healthy and brighten your smile.

We understand how challenging it can be to quit smoking, but you can’t smoke and have a bright smile. While they aren’t as damaging as smoking, consuming staining foods and drinks like red wine, coffee, dark berries, and curries on a regular basis can also discolor your teeth.

If you would like more information about maintaining the whiteness of your smile, please call Smile Practice Dentistry to schedule an appointment.

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