Commonly Asked Dental Questions

Why do I have to go to the dentist twice a year?

I brush my teeth every day, so why do I have to get my teeth cleaned at the dentist twice a year? This is one of the most common questions people ask when considering the dentist. While brushing and flossing are good, it is necessary to let the dental hygienist clean off any hard-to-reach or tartar buildup that you may not be able to see or reach. Even if you aren’t having any symptoms, it is important to visit the dentist or preventative care! You could be missing some warning signs that could lead to dental issues down the road without a professional dentist checking your mouth.

When the outer layer of your tooth, known as the enamel, is worn away by dental decay, it cannot grow back. That’s why it is important to catch tooth decay at the earliest stage possible! This is just one of the many warning signs your dentist will check for.

When should my child first see the dentist?

We recommend that children visit the dentist by the age of 1, or whenever their first tooth erupts. That may seem young, but what many don’t realize is that a child’s baby teeth health will impact their lifelong overall health.

Even though children eventually lose their baby teeth anyway, you want to make sure children keep their baby teeth until they naturally fall out. Baby teeth are needed to help them learn how to chew properly and eat well. Along with, aiding speech development, saving space for permanent teeth, and promoting a healthy smile that children will feel good about! So go ahead and bring your children for a visit!

Why do I get cavities?

There could be a few different reasons someone gets a cavity. Even those that brush their teeth regularly are at risk of getting cavities, believe it or not. One of the main things that could lead to cavities is the neglect of flossing. While brushing is helpful, flossing allows patients to reach and remove bacteria leftover from brushing. This leads us to our next frequently asked question. Does flossing my teeth actually do anything?

Does flossing really help?

YES! There is a reason your dentist encourages you to floss once a day because flossing really does work. When you brush, you are getting all of the bacteria and particles off of the surface of the tooth but without floss, you could be missing up to 30% of the tooth as a whole. Flossing removes the particles that get stuck in those hard-to-reach spaces between the teeth, to prevent plaque build-up. So to make the process work best, patients need to brush AND floss.

How do I know if I have gum disease?

One of the best ways to check for gum disease is to regularly visit your dentist, who is trained and educated to look for warning signs. If your gums are red, swollen, or tender, that is a good sign your gums need a little attention. You may also notice bleeding when brushing or flossing, which can be a symptom of gum disease as well. Be sure to visit your dentist if you have experienced any of these signs so we can take care of you before the problem is more serious.

Of course, these are only a few of the commonly asked questions we receive at Montgomery Dentistry. If you have any other questions we may not have answered, give our office a call today!