Frequently Asked Dental Questions – North Bethesda, MD

Do you recommend particular types of toothbrushes or toothpastes?

We do recommend that you use an electric toothbrush instead of a manual toothbrush, as it will generally do a more thorough job of cleaning the teeth and gums. Regardless of what kind of toothbrush you use, though, you should also be using dental floss on a regular basis. As for toothpaste, there are different brands we might recommend depending on your needs. For example, if you have sensitive teeth, then Sensodyne or Crest Sensitivity Protection are generally good options for reducing your discomfort whenever you clean your teeth.

I’m interested in having my teeth look whiter. What can you tell me about bleaching?

Store-bought teeth whitening products tend to yield limited results and come with certain risks. For example, if you get a whitening kit from the store that contains oral trays that have not been fitted for your unique smile, then there’s a chance that they could cause your gums to be damaged by the bleaching gel. The bleaching that we offer is safer and more reliable, and it comes in two major forms:

The Zoom! In-Office Whitening System allows us to whiten your teeth by several shades in just an hour, making it ideal if you want results immediately for an important upcoming event.

For those that don’t mind waiting a couple of weeks for maximum whitening, take-home whitening trays may be more convenient. The trays are all custom-fitted to your unique smile and are filled with prescription-strength bleaching gel while you wear them for a few hours every day.

You can set up a consultation with us so that we can discuss your questions about bleaching and go over which options are best for you.

Do you recommend replacing silver fillings with tooth-colored fillings?

Yes, and there are several reasons why we might make such a recommendation. For one thing, silver fillings actually don’t seal your teeth quite as well as tooth colored fillings, meaning they could leave you vulnerable to further decay. Composite fillings bond directly with the enamel, leaving no space for decay to grow, thus making it the better option for long-term health.

Also, with metal fillings, the teeth will be more likely to crack. In contrast, tooth colored fillings are made of composite resin that joins directly with the teeth, and that actively strengthens them and makes them more resistant to damage in general.

And of course, there’s the matter of aesthetics, as composite resin fillings that have been properly shaded look much more natural than dark-colored silver fillings.

Do you see children?

Yes, we’re always happy to treat the youngest members of your family, and we recommend scheduling their first visit around the age of three, when they’ll be better equipped to deal with the sights and sounds of a dental office.

Why are implants considered the most advanced restorations?

Compared to other restorations, dental implants come the closest to completely replacing your missing teeth because they are the only type of restoration that accounts for the missing roots. The implants are placed in your jaw and are allowed to join with the surrounding bone tissue so that it can provide strong, stable support for a crown, bridge, or dentures. Dental implants look and feel natural while also letting you eat all your favorite foods and speak clearly.