FAQ

You should brush your teeth a minimum of two times daily and also floss once daily. Depending on your dental needs, your dentist may recommend that you brush or rinse more frequently. Maintaining proper home care is imperative to healthy teeth and gums and healthy smiles! Your dentist will review key concepts with you at your cleaning visit and answer any questions you may have regarding your progress from visit to visit.

Tooth decay is when the structure of a tooth is destroyed due to the accumulation of plaque on the tooth surface. Plaque begins as a sticky film of biomaterial and is where bacteria thrive on sugar and produce acid byproducts. These byproducts begin softening the tooth enamel and destroy the tooth, causing sensitivity, pain, gum disease, and possible tooth loss.

It is important to see your dentist regularly for check ups and cleanings in order to maintain healthy teeth and gums!

At Briter Dental, we emphasize the fact that each patient is unique and has very specific needs. We put special care in creating a treatment plan that is customized to your dental needs and goals, which is why the first appointment is so very important.

At your first visit, you will be requested to present your insurance information, fill out patient forms, and review privacy practice documents. You can speed up this process by downloading the forms on our website and bringing them with you to your first visit.

Next, radiographs or “xrays” are taken to provide the diagnostic tools for your dentist to combine with the clinical examination.

Your dentist will complete your exam, review your treatment options, and answer any questions you may have regarding the dental procedures. This process on average takes approximately 45 minutes to an hour.

At Briter Dental, we are dedicated to providing each patient with the most comprehensive, comfortable experience possible. We believe this is primarily achieved through a thorough patient interview and patient education at the very first dental appointment! We look forward to meeting you and your family!

We take most insurance plans at Briter Dental. The easiest way to find out what your coverage is and the details of your plan is to call us today!

It is important to see your dentist every six months for regular check ups for several reasons. Regular appointments allow your dentist to detect early signs of problems with your teeth and gums, which can reduce the chance of needing more advanced treatments. Also, prevention and/or maintenance of gum disease can help your smile stay healthy and happy.

This is a very commonly asked question by many patients. There are many products on the market, but ultimately the best toothpaste for you is the one you like to use and enjoy most.

Some products have various flavors (such as bubble gum or berry), which can be enticing to young patients, while adults tend to appreciate minty flavored toothpastes. The only key concept to be considered is that you make sure your toothpaste contains fluoride. Whitening toothpastes should be used cautiously if you have sensitivity on your teeth, as they may contain peroxides or abrasive particles that may make your teeth more sensitive.

In keeping your teeth clean between professional cleanings, it is important to use the proper brushing techniques, as reviewed with your dental healthcare professional.

There are several possible reasons why your gums may bleed when you are brushing. It may be due to any of the following: poor oral hygiene, lack of a regular cleaning by a dentist or hygienist, systemic diseases (ie. Diabetes, cancer), medications, ill-fitting restorations that trap bacteria, misaligned teeth, active infections, and/or fractured teeth.

Of these reasons, the most common reason is plaque accumulation along the gum line. Plaque itself has bacteria in it, and thus causes inflammation and bleeding when hygiene is not maintained.

Your dentist will be happy to review your health history, hygiene, and proper brushing techniques. Schedule an appointment today to start smiling ‘briter!’

A dental radiograph, commonly referred to as an “x-ray film,” is a picture of the teeth, bones, and other tissues in the mouth and jaws. Your dentist will use the radiographs to detect decay, gum disease, cancerous masses, changes in bone levels, and possible infections. The number of radiographs per patient may vary, depending on the number of teeth and the condition of the mouth.

Most adults have thirty two permanent teeth, including the third molars or “wisdom” teeth.

Most children have twenty primary or “baby” teeth.

Orthodontics is a specialty in dentistry that focuses on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of misaligned teeth and jaw bones. Incorrect positioning of teeth and/or jaws can lead to inability to chew properly, poor function of teeth, TMJ pain, sleep apnea or snoring, inability to maintain good oral hygiene, and low self-confidence.

An orthodontist is a dental specialist that has completed an additional two to three years of an ADA accredited residency program in orthodontics after completing dental school. An orthodontist is trained to prevent and/or correct misaligned teeth and jaws. At Briter Dental, we have our Board Certified Orthodontic Specialist, Dr. Sara Ekhlassi, who is here to help beautify and improve the health of your smile!

Patients may seek the help of an orthodontist for cosmetic reasons as well as health reasons. Dental misalignments and irregularities can cause inability to chew properly, poor function of teeth, TMJ pain, sleep apnea or snoring, inability to maintain good oral hygiene, and low self-confidence. The orthodontist is available to help correct crowding, crossbites, openbites, overbites, underbites, and jaw growth abnormalities.

With the aid of braces, Invisalign, retainers, and other special appliances, the orthodontist works to align or guide teeth into their proper positions.

If you are considering straightening your smile or are concerned about the alignment of your teeth, call us today to get your free consultation with our orthodontist, Dr. Sara Ekhlassi!

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child visit an orthodontist by age 7. Many dental and skeletal problems are easier to correct if treated at an early age before growth has slowed down or completed. The orthodontist can evaluate your child to determine whether it would be beneficial to begin early treatment.

Orthodontic treatment can be beneficial at any age. More and more adults are seeking out orthodontic treatment to help achieve that beautiful smile they have always dreamed of.

Orthodontic treatment can be completed in one or two phases. Early treatment, or Phase I, may need to be done prior to eruption of all permanent teeth. During Phase I, limited orthodontic treatment will be done using partial braces and/or appliances to correct crossbites, severe overbites or underbites, make space for permanent teeth, and address harmful oral habits such as thumb sucking. Comprehensive treatment, or Phase II, is usually initiated when all permanent teeth have erupted. During Phase II, orthodontic treatment is done using full braces and any necessary appliances the case may require for a successful outcome.

Orthodontic treatment times vary from patient to patient. Each case will need to be evaluated by the orthodontist in order to provide an estimate of treatment time. Treatment length and success will depend on factors such as patient compliance, maintaining regular appointments, growth rate, and health of teeth, gums, and surrounding bone.

Successful orthodontic treatment requires that all cavities be taken care of prior to braces being placed. The general dentist can help you prepare for orthodontic treatment by completing your dental check-up and informing you of any treatment and cleanings that need to be completed before braces. In addition, it is important to continue to see your general dentist every six months for regular cleanings and dental check-ups while you are receiving orthodontic treatment.