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. A soft bristled toothbrush with a small head
is recommended, and allows you to get around each tooth more
completely. Medium and hard bristles tend to cause irritation and contribute to recession of the gums.
Q: Is one toothpaste better than others? A:
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.
Q: How often should I floss? A:
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.
Q: What's the difference between a "crown" and a "cap"? A: Patients
often refer to crown restorations as caps. Both are acceptable terms
for describing the restorations used to repair a severely broken tooth.
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. A
partial denture is attached by clasps to the teeth and is easily
removed by the patient.
Q: What about "silver" fillings versus "white" fillings? A: More
patients today are requesting "white" or tooth-colored composite
fillings verses silver (amalgam) fillings. We also prefer
tooth-colored (composite) fillings because they "bond" to the tooth
structure and therefore help strengthen a tooth that has been weakened
by decay. In addition to looking more natural, white fillings can also
be less sensitive to temperature.
