What type of toothbrush should I use?

The brand of the toothbrush is not as critical as the type of bristle and the size of the head. A soft toothbrush with a small head is recommended because medium and hard brushes tend to cause irritation and contribute to gum recession. In addition, a small toothbrush head allows you to get around each tooth more easily and is less likely to injure your gums. It's unnecessary to "scrub" the teeth as long as you are brushing at least twice a day and visiting your dentist at least twice a year for cleanings.

Is there a toothpaste that’s better than others?

Generally, no. However, it's advisable to use a toothpaste containing fluoride to decrease the risk of dental decay. We recommend our patients use what tastes good to them as long as it contains fluoride to make brushing a pleasant and consistent experience.

How often should I floss?

Flossing your teeth once each day helps to prevent cavities from forming between the teeth that your toothbrush can't reach. Flossing also helps to keep your gums healthy.

What's the difference between a crown and a cap?

These are terms used for the same structures. These structures are restorations used to repair a severely broken tooth by covering all or most of the tooth after removing old fillings, fractured tooth structure, and decay. The restoration material is made of gold, porcelain, composites, or even stainless steel. Dentists refer to all of these restorations as "crowns". However, patients can often refer to the tooth-colored ones as "caps" instead of "crowns".

What's the difference between a bridge and a partial denture?

Both bridges and partial dentures replace missing teeth. A bridge is permanently attached to abutment teeth or, in some cases, implants. A partial denture is attached by clasps to the teeth and is easily removed by the patient. Patients are usually more satisfied with bridges than with partial dentures.

Do I need to have a root canal to get a crown?

No. While most teeth that have had root canal treatments do need crowns to strengthen the teeth and to return the teeth to normal form and function, not every tooth needing a crown also needs to have a root canal.