Frequently Asked Questions

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• A toothache could be from a tooth cavity, irritated gum, abscessed tooth(infection), tooth fracture or etc. 
• Clean the area of the affected tooth. Rinse the mouth thoroughly with warm salt water (Stir a ½ teaspoon of salt into a glass of warm water and rinse your mouth thoroughly). You can use dental floss to dislodge any food that may be impacted. You can use over-the-counter medications like Tylenol, Ibuprofen, or Aleve as needed  
• Do not place aspirin or heat on the gum or on the aching tooth. Don’t give a child under the age of 16 aspirin; use Tylenol instead. If your face is swollen, apply cold compresses and contact us immediately.

• Rinse the tooth with WATER ONLY! 
• Put the tooth back in the socket if possible. Have the patient hold the tooth in place by biting on a gauze or clean cloth.
•  If you cannot reinsert the tooth, transport the tooth in a cup of milk, NOT water. 
• If milk is not available, you can also keep it moist by holding it between your cheek and gum.
• The patient must see a dentist IMMEDIATELY! Time is a critical factor in saving the tooth. Call us at (512) 986-7196 to book an appointment!

 Many people brush twice a day, so they are surprised when their dentist discovers cavities during a checkup appointment. Unfortunately, only brushing your teeth won't prevent cavities. Here are some of the most common causes of cavities: 

• Tooth Location: Cavities are often found in your back teeth, molars and premolars. These teeth have lots of grooves, pits, and crannies that can trap food particles and bacteria. These spaces can also be hard to reach with a toothbrush. 
• Not Flossing: Floss can reach the spaces between your teeth, the place cavities are commonly found. If you don't floss every night, the bacteria will slowly eat away at the enamel and cause a cavity.  
• Fluoride Deficiency: Fluoride, a natural mineral, helps prevent cavities and can even reverse e earliest signs of tooth damage. Fluoride is commonly found in in toothpaste and mouthwash. 
• Dry mouth: Saliva can help prevent tooth decay by washing away food and plaque from your teeth and help counter the acid produced by bacteria.
• Diet: Acidic food and beverages such as juice and carbonated soda may break down the enamel to teeth and cause cavities. Try to rinse your mouth out with water immediately following soda intake. 
• Genes: Some people tend to have thin enamel. Patients with thin enamel are more prone to cavities.

• Brushing your teeth first thing in the morning can be beneficial in removing that plaque and bacteria build up from the night before.
• Brush before going to bed at night can limit any prolonged acid exposure while you’re sleeping. 
• If you are one of those people who like to brush after every meal, be sure to wait at least 30 minutes before doing so. If you brush immediately after eating a meal, you may be removing those helpful minerals in your saliva. If you need a rinse after eating, drinking water, or eating sugarless gum can help increase your saliva flow and keep your teeth healthy.

Teeth scaling and root planning can cause some discomfort, so you’ll receive a local anesthetic to numb your gums. You might expect some sensitivity after your treatment. Your gums might swell, and you might have minor bleeding, too.

There are several differences between these two procedures, and they aren't interchangeable. A routine cleaning can be done in one sitting, while a deep clean takes two visits. A routine clean also doesn't involve any medication; a dentist needs to apply local anesthesia for a deep clean. While a routine cleans only cleans above the gum line, a deep clean will tackle below and above the gum line.

• Teeth whitening is a cheaper and less invasive option 
• Teeth whitening is a temporary treatment, while veneers are long-term restorations 
• Veneers are permanent and cannot be removed.