Q: Which type of toothbrush should I use?

A: For a manual or electric toothbrush, the most important quality of the brush is having “soft” or “extra-soft” bristles. Any other strength of bristle is harmful to gums and the root structure of teeth. During cleaning visits to our office, we provide our patients with a soft or extra soft bristle toothbrush for them to take home. The brand/style of manual brush is not critical as long as it is soft or extra soft. We do highly recommend electric toothbrushes. Clinical studies have proved that electric toothbrushes remove 35-40% more plaque than manual brushing. Again, it is essential that bristles are soft or extra soft.

Q: Is one toothpaste better than others?

A: Generally, no. We recommend using a fluoride toothpaste.

Q: At what age should I start bringing my child to the dentist?

A: Three years old is the ideal age for a child’s first appointment. Your child will meet one of our hygienists and we take great care to make sure your child has a “fun” experience while he/she acclimates to the dental environment. In the first appointment, we count the teeth, polish them, talk to you and your child about brushing and flossing, and have Dr. Ference sit with them for an oral exam. Fluoride varnish may be administered at this first visit.

If you notice any issues with your child’s teeth before three years of age please call for an appointment.

Q: Is “Tooth Whitening” or “Bleaching” Safe for my teeth?

A: Yes. The active ingredient in bleaching products is Hydrogen Peroxide. Over the counter products are of a lesser strength than the products administered in a dental office and produce extremely varied results. Dental offices, by law, prescribe, and supervise the use of h3er solutions that produce better and more predictable results.

Q: How often should I floss?

A: Flossing of the teeth once per day helps to prevent cavities from forming between the teeth where a toothbrush cannot reach. Flossing also helps to keep gums healthy.

Q: What’s the best kind of floss?

A: The easiest answer is, “The one you will use!” The best flosses are those that remove the most plaque and food debris from between teeth where a toothbrush cannot reach. Dr. Ference prefers and recommends a thick floss or “tape” with a larger surface area, such as Johnson & Johnson Reach Dentoptape™. We also give samples of “slippery” types of flosses like Glide™  and Satin Floss™; and, for patients who might need flavor to motivate them to floss, we have flavored floss as well.

Q: Can Toothpicks, Softpiks, Plackers and other in-between the teeth cleaners replace flossing?

A: Almost all dental professionals consider floss wrapped between your fingers the “gold standard,” when it comes to removing plaque from between teeth and keeping a healthy mouth. Flossers such as Plackers™ and the Johnson & Johnson Access™ can be effective. However, technique matters. The floss filament must be pushed and pulled against the side of the teeth to remove the plaque.

Toothpiks and picks are considered to be an acceptable but less desirable alternative to flossing. Because of their non-pliable nature they cannot conform the pick to the rounded shape of the teeth. However, cleaning between the teeth is so critically important that daily use of picks still keeps a mouth healthier than merely brushing alone.

Q: Do I really need to have my teeth cleaned every six months?

A: Yes, you do, particularly if you are not a daily flosser. During the cleaning we are also checking for tooth decay, gum recession, gingivitis, loss of bone around the teeth, infection, and any indication of oral cancer. Studies conducted in the last twenty years suggest a h3 link between the health of the mouth and the health of the heart.

Though most patients are well monitored with 2 cleanings a year, some patients require more frequent cleanings. We recommend whatever is necessary for you to maintain optimal oral health.

Q: What about “silver” fillings versus “white” fillings?

A: Although the U.S. Public Health Service issued a report in 1993 stating there is no health reason not to use amalgam (silver fillings), more patients today are requesting “white” or tooth-colored composite fillings. Dr. Bleakmore also prefers tooth-colored composite fillings because they “bond” to the tooth structure and therefore help strengthen a tooth weakened by decay. White fillings are also usually less sensitive to temperature, more conservative to the tooth structure, and have a better esthetic appearance.

Q: I heard Dental X-rays are dangerous; I’m not sure I want them.

A: Dental x-rays emit far less radiation than any other kind of medical x-ray. Like any medical x-rays,  dental x-rays are a vital diagnostic tool. X-rays expose cavities, abscesses, cysts or tumors, and reveal the health of the bone around the teeth.

Our practice uses digital x-ray imaging, providing patients with the least amount of radiation possible in x-rays. Digital x-rays are the fastest and most up to date x-ray technology, providing quality x-ray diagnosis with the least amount of radiation exposure.

We follow the American Dental Association current recommendations on dental x-ray exposure which means evaluating a patient’s dental disease risk to decide the parameters in which we take their dental x-rays.

We are always happy to talk to our patients about dental x-rays and address any concerns.