Tag: Family Dentist Tree

Crowns are a common practice in dentistry. They are used to help prevent further cracking, to protect already heavily filled teeth, and for aesthetics. Many of our patients ask how long their crowns will last. The answer is: it depends! Crown Longevity Depends on Good Home Care There are many factors that go into the longevity of a crown. A big misconception is that crowns can’t get cavities. A crown is simply a real tooth, covered. The tooth still has a root and nerve. There are still surfaces of the tooth that are exposed and capable of getting cavities. Meticulous Read More →

Your child’s smile is bound to change throughout the years, as they transition from baby to permanent teeth. One of the most common question our Rochester family dentists get from parents is, “When will my child lose their first tooth?” The answer is not concrete. For many, the first tooth is lost between the ages of 5 and 7. Typically, the first teeth lost will be the lower, central incisors. When permanent teeth erupt, they tend to have bumps on the edge. These are called mammelons – and they are normal! As time goes on, they wear down to be Read More →

At Family Dentist Tree, we work with dental benefits every day. We know they can be confusing and difficult to navigate. While it’s important to review and understand your specific dental benefit package, here are some general tips to ensure that you are getting the most out of your benefits. Pre-authorizations If you are unsure of what your dental insurance will cover, ask your dental office to submit a pre-authorization. While pre-authorizations do not guarantee benefits, they are usually pretty accurate. If you have questions about your pre-authorization, talk to your dental office and they can help you understand your Read More →

Electric toothbrushes have been around for quite some time. They come in a variety of sizes, brush heads and prices. As a consumer, it can be tricky shopping for a new brush. Here is the advice I give patients when asked about electric toothbrushes. Brand Matters Stick with a brand that is trusted. I caution patients on purchasing battery operated five dollar brushes, because the bristles used in these brushes are not always soft or extra soft. Replacing the batteries often becomes pricey. Further, not all of the motions they use are effective at cleaning the gumline areas. Braun Oral Read More →

Just as it feels summer is finally in full swing, we are suddenly bombarded with back to school ads and supply lists consuming our mailboxes. Ready or not, we will soon be trading out our shorts and flip flops for our new fall fashions. Back to school can bring a lot of anxiety for all, but it doesn’t have to be stressful. The most important thing we can provide for our kids before hitting the books is making sure they are healthy and able to absorb all of the information their brains can handle! Here at Family Dentist Tree, we Read More →

From Christina, Dental Hygienist: We all know someone who took a bite out of an apple and heard that dreaded crunch that signified a chipped tooth. Check out our tips for what to do when you chip a tooth and how each solution depends on the size and extent of the fracture. Smooth Over the Teeth If your tooth doesn’t have a deep fracture or if the neighboring teeth were already a bit shorter than the fractured tooth, smoothing over the chipped tooth to match the teeth around it may be a great option to consider. Even a smallest chip Read More →

Here is an explanation of dental probing that will hopefully help you understand… Most of us have heard the terms gingivitis or gum disease. Once a year, these numbers we record are taken to evaluate the health of our gum tissue. A periodontal probe (tiny gum ruler) is utilized to measure the pocket depths in millimeters along the gumline, on the front and back of each tooth, totaling 6 measurements per tooth. When listening to these numbers, 1, 2 and 3 millimeters are all normal, healthy gum attachments to the teeth. If you hear 4 millimeters, this is an area Read More →

There has been a lot of buzz going around about the additives in toothpaste and what they do to our teeth. Many people look for whitening or tartar control toothpastes to brighten their smile, while others are on the hunt for a paste that allows them to eat ice cream without cringing. How do we decide what toothpastes are good for our teeth and which ones to avoid? Our office now hands out a list of toothpastes widely used on the market and where they land in abrasiveness. It is a good way to choose a toothpaste option that is Read More →

People use the dentist is two main ways. First, some people use their dentist as a “dental emergency room.” This tends to be people who wait for something to break or become painful, then come in to have it fixed. There’s nothing wrong with this model, however, it usually leads to increased costs and unpredictability for the patient. When we wait for the teeth to tell us something is wrong, it’s usually REALLY wrong. We are usually talking big, expensive dental work that needs to be done ASAP. Another option is to come in proactively, BEFORE you suspect problems. We Read More →

What is dental floss and why should I use it? Dental floss is a cord of thin filaments that removes food and plaque that stick between teeth where a toothbrush is unable to reach, polishes hard to reach tooth surfaces, and can help control bad breath. What kind of floss should I use? It really is a matter of personal preference. Waxed floss has a coating that helps it slide through tight spaces. Unwaxed floss does not have this coating, so it is thinner. You can also use Dental tape which is helpful if you have a bridge or wider Read More →