FREQUENTLY ASKED DENTAL QUESTIONS – DALLAS, TX
We Have the Answers You’re Looking For
Dr. Brumbaugh enjoys the opportunity to take as much time with his patients as they need in order to answer their questions. After all, a well-educated patient is one that can be proactive in protecting their smile and recognizing potential dental emergencies for what they are. To help you get started, here are the answers to questions that we’ve received particularly often; if there’s anything else you’re still wondering about afterwards, don’t forget to call us!
Most people need at least two dental checkups and cleanings every year; that’s one appointment every six months. During these appointments, we can clean the teeth and confirm that they’re in good health while recommending changes you can make to your oral hygiene routine. Some patients do need additional checkups throughout the year if they suffer from severe gum disease or other conditions.
If your dental phobia or anxiety has stopped you from seeking care in the past, we want to help! When you make your appointment, ask about our various options for sedation. Milder cases of anxiety usually only require nitrous oxide, but you can also request IV sedation for severe fear or specific extensive procedures.
Some toothaches occur for relatively benign reasons. For instance, there might be a piece of food stuck between your teeth that you’ll need to remove with dental floss. That said, dental pain often comes from much more serious causes such as worn enamel, cavities, and cracks. Call us right away if you’re suffering from persistent or severe pain.
There are many different ways that a dentist can leave your smile looking better than ever before. For instance, if your teeth have been stained, a professional whitening procedure can brighten them again. It’s also possible to hide discoloration with a veneer or a metal-free dental crown. If you schedule a consultation with Dr. Brumbaugh, we can create a treatment plan for you in order to address all of the flaws that bother you whenever you look in a mirror.
Some patients are tempted to leave the space left by a lost tooth alone, but that’s never a good idea regardless of whether or not anyone else will notice. The underlying jawbone will start to break down, your other teeth will start to move into the gap, and you’ll be at risk for several oral health problems. You should contact us to ask about receiving a bridge, dentures, or dental implants as soon as you realize tooth loss is in your future.
Gaps between your teeth aren’t just unattractive; they’re also hard to keep clean and provide a space for harmful bacteria and food debris to become trapped. It’s possible to close these spaces with veneers or through dental bonding. Of course, we’ll need to examine your teeth before deciding on an appropriate form of cosmetic dentistry.
Some people think that they aren’t at risk for oral cancer if they don’t smoke or drink alcohol. While those habits are a significant risk factor for the disease, the truth is that oral cancer can affect virtually anyone. The good news is that if you keep up with your regular appointments, there’s a very good chance that we’ll find potential warning signs of cancer in its earliest stages.
We can accept dental insurance from a variety of providers, though the coverage you receive largely depends on your specific policy. Please call us if you have any questions about how dental insurance works at our dental office.
