Question: I have slightly yellowish teeth. I need more money to get my teeth whitened at my dentist’s office since my dental insurance does not pay anything for whitening treatment. Has anyone used Crest whitening strips? Do they work well? Are they a pain to use?

Reply: Yes, at least to a certain extent. Crest whitening strips do work. Crest whitening strips can make your teeth look whiter because of a gel spread along the strip and placed onto the surface of your teeth. This substance contains hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide and works to penetrate the tooth enamel to remove stains. The strip won’t be near as “strong” as what you can get from your dentist. But it’s still effective enough to help with a relatively modest tooth stain. It is essential to use the strips as directed, so make sure to read and follow the directions provided with the strips 

Question: What is it like to have a dental filling done? Is it painful? 

Reply: Your dentist will numb your mouth, so you do not feel any pain. If you feel pain, you tell the dentist so that they can numb the area some more. For some people, the most painful part is just the shot to numb your mouth in the area needed.  

You may not like the noise the drilling makes, so if you are bothered by it, bring your headphones and listen to music. That will help distract you from what the dentist is doing. 

Question: What is the best nonprescription toothpaste with the most fluoride? I want the most potent toothpaste. I have no cavities, but I used to get cavities pretty quickly in the past. I want a strong toothpaste that will ensure I continue not getting any new cavities. What is the best toothpaste for that?

Reply: According to Fluoride toothpaste of different strengths for preventing tooth decay study, the specific strength of regular toothpaste is around 1000 to 1500 parts per million (ppm) fluoride, but many other strengths are available worldwide. 

No minimum fluoride concentration exists, but the maximum permissible fluoride concentration for toothpaste varies according to age and country. Higher concentrations are rarely available over the counter and are classed as prescription‐only medicine. Stronger fluoride toothpaste may offer more extensive protection against decay but also increases the risk of fluorosis (enamel defects) in developing teeth. 

I suggest discussing your concerns about cavities with your dentist to see what they may advise. Good at-home dental care habits such as brushing twice, flossing daily, and making and keeping regular dental checkups should help keep you cavity-free. 

Question: Does dental insurance cover crowns? I may need a crown, but I do not have dental insurance. Will dental insurance cover the cost of having a crown?

Reply: Most dental insurance plans offer benefits for crowns. When reviewing a dental insurance plan, however, you want to ensure that the plan you are reviewing does not have waiting periods for major services such as crowns. Typically PPO and Indemnity insurance plans will have waiting periods of up to a year or more for major dental services (note crowns will fall under major services under most dental insurance plans). Not all of these types of insurance plans have waiting periods. Some do not, so you want to read the plan terms and conditions carefully.

HMO insurance plans typically do not have waiting periods, but it is essential to read the terms of the plan carefully, as even with some HMOs, there can be waiting periods for services such as crowns. We offer both types of insurance plans and can help you with what will best fit your dental care needs. Just call our member services at 310-534-3444 M-F 8 am-4 pm. We are happy to assist you.

Question: I had a root canal done three years ago. Around two months, the crown they put on that tooth came off. I made a dental appointment for them to put the crown back on, but something came up, and I did not make the appointment and had to put it off.

My problem is that I cracked my tooth while eating, and now I am scared that the dentist may need to pull it or something. Can the dentist just put the crown back on? I have dental insurance, but if I have to get a new crown, it would be better to wait for two more months when my policy term rolls over, and I get the total 1500.00 max. Can I wait that long?
Advise, please. I am still trying to figure out what to do.

Reply: I recommend seeing your dentist now as you do not want to cause even more damage to your tooth by waiting. Your dentist can temporarily put your old crown back on until your policy term rolls over so you can get a new crown if needed. Only a dentist can advise on what services would be required and if you did more damage to the tooth. However, most dentists will always try and save a tooth if possible.

Calcium is the most plentiful mineral in our body, mainly found in our teeth and bones. Yet too much calcium can be harmful to your body and create what is known as calcium deposits. Calcium deposits, or tartar, happen when the soft, bacterial film on your teeth hardens. Calcium spots will look like white, chalky marks on the surface of your teeth. The deposits happen due to the calcium phosphate in your saliva sticking to the plaque on your teeth. Having good dental care habits along with regular dental visits will help to prevent calcium deposits

How do I get rid of calcium spots on my teeth?

Consider consulting a Cosmetic Specialist. I have provided a brief description of what Cosmetic Dentistry is, as noted below.

Dental Insurance – Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic dentistry may help you to get your best smile at any age. Bonding is one of the most popular cosmetic dental procedures for a perfect smile. Cosmetic dental bonding is a relatively painless procedure usually performed in one dental visit by applying an enamel-like material to your teeth which are then shaped, hardened with a special light, and polished. For a more dramatic smile, porcelain veneers can make a drastic difference. With veneers, you can control your new teeth’ color, position, shape, and size, which can correct crooked, worn, or chipped teeth. This procedure can cost between $1,200 – $3,500 per tooth.

Most dental insurance companies do not afford cosmetic dentistry insurance coverage. If you are with a group dental insurance company through your employer, you may want to inquire if cosmetic dentistry insurance coverage is provided under your dental plan.

Discount dental plans typically provide cosmetic dental coverage. Discount dental plans usually cover 15 to 20 percent of the cosmetic dental care cost.

Your gummy smile treatment options include gum contouring, jaw surgery, and lip lowering, or your black gums can be permanently treated to be brighter.

• Gum contouring: Gum contouring, which may also be called crown lengthening, is a procedure that is used to remove excess tissue and expose more of the natural tooth for a more proportionate, harmonious smile. This can be used alone or in conjunction with lip lowering surgery.
• Jaw surgery (orthognatic surgery): Jaw surgery may be needed for those with severe structural abnormalities that are causing or contributing to their gummy smiles.
• Lip lowering: Lip lowering is a conservative alternative to more invasive orthognathic surgery and involves adjusting the position of the lip to expose less gum tissue. Botox can also be used to relax the lip muscles and may be used in conjunction with and after lip lowering surgery.

Fluoride Toothpaste Should be Given to Babies – When First Tooth Appears.

Previously, the American Dental Association had recommended kids younger than two years old have their teeth brushed with water, before moving onto a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste through the time they’re six years old. Now, the ADA says go ahead and give your baby fluoride toothpaste that is about the size of a grain of rice once that first tooth comes in.

This recommended change comes after a new review published in the February issue of the Journal of the American Dental Association found that brushing with fluoride toothpaste had statistically significant benefits on preventing decay and cavities. The new guidance says kids younger than three should just get a “smear” of toothpaste before graduating to a pea-sized amount when three to six years old to prevent cavities and avoid fluorosis. Kids should spit out the toothpaste as soon as they are old enough to do so.

A study conducted by University of Manchester researchers finds a toothbrush can contain over 10 million bacteria including E. coli and Staph. Toothbrush can be contaminated by the water splashed when we wash our hands, or worse, by bacteria from an open-flushed toilet. Nasties that fall from toilet spray remain airborne long enough to settle on surfaces throughout the bathroom. And if you drop your toothbrush on the floor, the five second rule does not apply. Think about keeping your toothbrush out of your bathroom. Also you may want to soak you toothbrush in germ killing mouthwash once a week or so.

It is not hard to teach your child or children as the case may be good at home dental care habits. I sure you may have heard the saying “Monkey see Monkey do” When it comes to teaching your kids dental care habits it really is a case where leading by example is good advise.

Heed the hygienist’s or dentist advice by brushing frequently (in the morning, at night, and after meals), floss daily, and put a cap on sugary drinks and snacks.  By doing so you will help to instill the same tooth-friendly habits in your kids. With infants, clean your baby’s teeth with a soft cloth or gauze pad as soon as they start to come in, you can switch to a soft toothbrush when more teeth emerge

Sharing is Not always a good idea when it comes to your oral health. Many adults want to teach their children to share, and for the most part sharing is a good thing to learn. However when it comes to your and their oral health do not over share. If you have young kids, avoid sharing utensils with them or tasting food before serving it to them. Also make sure to cover your mouth when you sneeze.

Mouth rinse are not use just to fight bad breath issues. If a cavity has already formed then you will need to see a dentist for a filling. However, for early-stage decay, your dentist can prescribe mouth rinse with chlorhexidine, a powerful antiseptic that fights off bacteria and can prevent decay from developing into cavities.