My dentist stated that I would need to pull a tooth and that my back tooth was too damaged for a crown. I never had a tooth pulled, so I am a little worried. Will it hurt? What type of care do I need to have afterward? 

Reply: Feeling apprehensive about a tooth extraction is natural, especially if it’s your first time. However, the procedure is generally safe and routine and should not cause significant concern. The dentist will usually numb the area around the tooth before extracting it, so you should not feel any pain during the procedure. Afterward, you may experience discomfort or swelling, but this can be managed with over-the-counter pain medication and ice packs.

To ensure a smooth recovery, following the aftercare instructions provided by your dentist is essential. This may include avoiding certain foods and drinks, taking prescribed medication, and cleaning the extraction site. If you have any concerns or questions, be sure to contact your dentist for clarification and guidance. They are there to help you through the process and ensure a positive dental experience.

My daughter already has two cavities. I am still determining why I have her brush her teeth after breakfast and dinner. Although they are her baby teeth, I do not want her to continue getting cavities. What should I do about this? The dentist says to have her floss more. The truth is, right now, she does not floss. Getting her to brush is hard enough.

Does anyone advise on how to get her to floss?

Reply: Taking care of our teeth from a young age is essential to avoid dental problems later in life. Flossing is one of the best ways to prevent cavities, but getting children to do it regularly can be challenging. Here are a few tips that may help.

1. Make it fun: Encourage your child to floss by making it a fun activity. Play their favorite music or sing a song while they floss.

2. Use the right tools: Choose a floss appropriate for your child’s teeth. You can use a floss pick or a flosser that is designed for children.

3. Be gentle: Teach your child to be gentle when flossing. Flossing too aggressively can damage the gums.

4. Start early: It is recommended to start flossing your child’s teeth when they have two teeth that touch.

5. Lead by example: Show your child how to floss by doing it yourself. Children often learn by watching others.

6. Make it a routine: Incorporate flossing into your child’s child’s routine. Make it a habit so they continue to floss as they grow older.

Remember always to supervise your child while they floss to ensure they do it correctly. If you have any concerns, consult your child’s child for further advice.

When a baby cuts a tooth, can that tooth come through rotten? My friend’s baby is just getting her teeth in, and her teeth are already getting nasty. She does not know why this is happening. Can her baby just be born with bad teeth? If so, can they be fixed? I want to get her some information that may be helpful to her.

Reply: This may be useful if your friend asks for help finding information. A baby’s teeth can come in rotten, but it is uncommon. Most often, this is due to poor oral hygiene and bacteria buildup on the teeth. If your friend’s baby is experiencing this issue, she must take the baby to a pediatric dentist as soon as possible. The dentist can assess the situation and recommend the best course of action.

Sometimes, the baby’s teeth may need to be extracted and replaced with dental implants or crowns. Other times, a simple cleaning and improved oral care routine may be enough to fix the problem. Regardless of the solution, your friend must act quickly to prevent further decay and damage to her baby’s teeth.

Aside from poor oral hygiene and bacteria buildup, there are other reasons why a baby may have dental decay on incoming baby teeth. One of the common reasons is the consumption of sugary foods or drinks, which can lead to tooth decay. Additionally, some medications can cause dry mouth, leading to a higher risk of cavities. Another reason could be a lack of fluoride in the water or toothpaste, essential for strong and healthy teeth. Moreover, certain medical conditions or genetic factors may also contribute to dental decay. It is necessary to consult a pediatric dentist to determine the underlying cause of the problem and receive appropriate treatment.

My baby daughter’s teeth are just coming in, but they look yellow, which concerns me. I have started brushing her teeth daily, but the yellow does not seem to go away. My question is, do most babies have yellow teeth when they start coming in and turn white? 

Reply:  It is important to note that the yellowish tint on your baby’s teeth may be caused by various factors such as poor oral hygiene, medications, or even genetics. Regular brushing of your baby’s teeth is a good start, but it is also recommended to avoid giving sugary drinks or foods that can lead to tooth decay.

In addition, taking your baby to a pediatric dentist can help identify potential dental issues early on. The dentist can also advise properly caring for your baby’s teeth and gums and recommend any necessary treatments.

Overall, while it is common for baby teeth to appear yellow when they first come in, it is fessential to prioritize your baby’s dental health and seek professional advice when needed.

Once you find a dentist and or dental office you like and trust it can be very difficult to change providers just because you also want to have dental insurance to help control your dental care cost.  However you do not have to do this. There are many good dental insurance plan that let you choose and or stay with  your current dentist. These plans are called Indemnity plans. You will see these types of dental insurance plans on our website as Free Choice – Use Your Own Dentist plans.  That because Indemnity dental insurance plans do not have providers they let you choose whatever dentist you want to go to.  One thing to keep in mind though with Indemnity dental insurance plans is like PPO’s dental plan they to normally come with waiting periods.  So it is best to buy these types of dental insurance plan before you have a toothache to take care of.

Question: My son was brushing his teeth when I notice that his gums were bleeding a little. I looked at his teeth and his gums seem a little red. He was just at the dentist about four months ago with a clean bill of dental health. I am worried about him having gum disease since I never notice before that his gums where bleeding when he brush. However, he also could be brushing to hard causing his gums to bleed. How can I tell the difference?

Reply: I am not sure you can unless you brush and see if it happens to you when you brush his teeth. It is quite possible that he is brushing his teeth to hard.  Yet you may want to take him in to the dentist to make sure.

What Dental PPO and Indemnity plans have to offer: Dental PPO’s and Indemnity plans do let you choose your own dentist, for many people that can be a deciding factor on buying those type of dental insurance plans. For people that want to stay with their current dentist or to be able to choose their own dental provider these types of plans aloud for that.

Dental PPO and Indemnity plans are normally more costly then HMO’s dental insurance plans. Are dental PPO’s and Indemnity insurance plans worth the cost? The answer is yes. If you know your own dental needs and understand the plans terms and conditions many people are quite happy with their PPO plans. Trouble comes when you buy any dental plan without fully understanding the plans limitations.

It hard to believe that many children and adult still do not take simple measure that have been proven to be effective in the fight against oral diseases and another dental care issues. By making these changes you are not only preventing oral diseases but reducing your dental care costs. Brushing your teeth at least twice a day for at least two minutes. Make sure you are brushing your teeth correctly. Brush you teeth in small circles and not up and down or back and forth. Make sure you are brushing all your teeth including the back ones. (What kids as they are learning to brush. They tend to only brush the front teeth) Using toothpaste with fluoride as it is good way to prevent tooth decay and is cost-effective. With young children however make sure you keep the toothpaste out of their reach. Use only a pee size amount of toothpaste or less if younger. Otherwise do not use fluoride toothpaste until they learn to spit and not swallow.

Dental health, knowing the dental ADA codes when shopping for dental insurance.

For some people shopping for dental insurance can become confusing. They do not know if the dental services they want to have is cover under the plan they may be reviewing. How can you make sure that you are buying a dental plan that covers the dental service you may need. Know your ADA codes. ADA codes are codes use by the dentist and the dental insurance company so that the insurance company knows what dental services is being provided. So when you are shopping for dental insurance ask your dentist for the dental ADA codes that they may be quoting for you whenever possible. Also it is possible that not all the ADA codes are listed on the company fee schedule so if you do not see call the company and confirm if it covered prior to buying the plan.

When looking for a dentist for someone with special needs such as the disabled and elderly, ADA or Autism or dental fears. Make sure to address your special needs requirements to the dental office before making a appointment to be sure they will be able to provide you with the best care.