Question & Answer

Our Question and Answer Section below is some of the most frequently asked questions patients have about dentistry and oral health issues. If you or your family have any other questions, or would like to schedule an appointment, feel free to call or visit one of our convenient locations. We are here to help you and we are always accepting new patients.

What should I do if I have bad breath?

Halitosis, or bad breath, is a condition that can be both unpleasant and embarrassing for the sufferer. Many people don’t even realize they suffer from bad breath, but it is very common from time to time. Many of you may experience it in the morning. There are a variety of reasons for bad breath; the most common reason, in healthy people, is the result of microbial deposits on the tongue. Studies show that by brushing your teeth and tongue you can significantly reduce bad breath.

What may cause bad breath?

  • Morning time – Saliva flow almost stops during sleep and its reduced cleansing action allows bacteria to grow, causing bad breath.
  • Certain foods – Garlic, onions, etc. Foods containing odor-causing compounds enter the blood stream; they are transferred to the lungs, where they are exhaled.
  • Poor oral hygiene habits – Food particles remaining in the mouth promote bacterial growth.
  • Periodontal (gum) disease – Colonies of bacteria and food debris residing under inflamed gums.
  • Dental cavities and improperly fitted dental appliances – may hold particles of food in your mouth that are hard to remove with brushing that can cause foul odors.
  • Dry mouth (Xerostomia) – May be caused by certain medications, salivary gland problems, or continuous mouth breathing.
  • Tobacco products – Dry the mouth, causing bad breath.
  • Dieting – Certain chemicals called ketones are released in the breath as the body burns fat.
  • Dehydration, hunger, and missed meals – Drinking water and chewing food increases saliva flow and washes bacteria away.
  • Certain medical conditions and illnesses – Diabetes, liver, and kidney problems, chronic sinus infections, bronchitis, and pneumonia are several conditions that may contribute to bad breath.

What can I do to prevent bad breath?

  • Practice good oral hygiene – Brush at least twice a day with an ADA approved fluoride toothpaste and toothbrush. Floss daily to remove food debris and plaque from in between the teeth and under the gumline. Brush or use a tongue scraper to clean the tongue and reach the back areas. Replace your toothbrush every 2-3 months. If you wear dentures or removable bridges, leave them out overnight, clean them thoroughly and place them back in your mouth in the morning.
  • See your dentist regularly – Get a check-up and cleaning at least twice a year. If you have or have had periodontal disease, your dentist will recommend more frequent visits.
  • Stop smoking/chewing tobacco – Ask your dentist what they recommend to help break the habit.
  • Drink water frequently – Water will help keep your mouth moist and wash away bacteria.
  • Use mouthwash/rinses – Some over-the-counter products only provide a temporary solution to mask unpleasant mouth odor. Ask your dentist about antiseptic rinses that not only alleviate bad breath, but also kill the germs that cause the problem.

How often should I brush and floss?

What is plaque?

Plaque is a growing colony of living bacteria, food debris, and saliva that forms a sticky, almost invisible film on the surface of your teeth. Removal of this plaque is very important to your overall health. The bacteria produce toxins that will inflame your gums and can begin the early stages of periodontal disease.

What is Tartar?

Tartar is found above and below the gum line and requires special dental instruments to remove. The tartar is plaque that has been on the tooth surface for so long that it has hardened and is fully attached to the tooth surface.

Tooth Brushing:

You should brush your teeth at least two times a day with an ADA approved soft bristle brush and toothpaste. The most important times to brush are before going to bed and upon waking up in the morning. Replace your toothbrush every 2 to 3 months. If you have questions about the quality of your toothbrush or how to properly brush your teeth, please talk with your dentist or dental hygienist about finding the right one for you at your next visit.

To improve your brushing technique immediately follow these simple tips until you can see your dentist.

  • Brush at a 45 degree angle to the gums, gently, using a small, circular motion, ensuring that you always feel the bristles on the gums.
  • Brush the outer, inner, and biting surfaces of each tooth.
  • Use the tip of the brush head to clean the tongue side of your front teeth.
  • Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and freshen your breath.

Electric toothbrushes are also highly recommended. They are easy to use and can remove plaque efficiently. Simply place the bristles of the electric brush on your gums and teeth, turn on, and allow the brush to do its job.  Slowly move the brush over each surface of every tooth.  All of our offices have electric toothbrushes and other dental care aids available, ask your office if you are interested in learning more about these items.

Flossing:

Flossing is the process of using a thread-like material to clean between the contact areas of teeth. You should floss daily because it is the best way to clean between the teeth and under the gumline. Flossing not only helps clean these spaces, it disrupts plaque colonies from building up, preventing damage to the gums, teeth, and bone.

To improve your flossing technique immediately follow these simple tips until you can see your dentist.

  • Take 12-16 inches (30-40cm) of dental floss and wrap it around your middle fingers, leaving about 2 inches (5cm) of floss between your hands.
  • Using your thumbs and forefingers to guide the floss, gently insert the floss between teeth using a sawing motion.
  • Curve the floss into a “C” shape around each tooth and under the gumline. Gently move the floss up and down, cleaning the side of each tooth.
  • Floss holders are recommended if you have difficulty using conventional floss. All of our offices have floss holders and other dental aids available, ask your office if you are interested in learning more about these items.

Rinsing:

Contrary to popular belief it is NOT necessary to rinse your mouth after you brush.  In fact, if you don’t rinse you will continue to get the benefit of your fluoridated toothpaste for even longer.  If you are using an over-the-counter mouthwash for rinsing, it is a good idea to consult with your dentist or dental hygienist on its appropriateness for you. And finally, if you are unable to brush after meals it’s best to rinse your mouth with water to help reduce plaque buildup and return your mouth to a neutral pH.

We recommend brushing your teeth at least twice a day, preferably after your breakfast and then again before bed.  Brushing after breakfast removes the night time plaque build up and the food debris from your first meal giving you a fresh start to the day.  At night, right before bed, brush and floss your teeth again to remove all the days’ food from your teeth.  This prevents cavities and tartar buildup because as your saliva flow slows during the night it is less likely that your spit will naturally wash away the particles in your mouth.

How often should I have a dental exam and cleaning?

It is recommended that you have your teeth checked and cleaned at least twice a year, although your dentist or dental hygienist may recommend more frequent visits.

These regular dental exams and cleanings are essential in preventing dental problems and to help you maintain the health of your teeth and gums. At these visits, your teeth are cleaned and checked for cavities. Additionally, there are many other things that are checked and monitored to help detect, prevent, and maintain your dental health. These include:

  • Medical history review: Knowing the status of any current medical conditions, new medications, and illnesses, gives us insight to your overall health and also your dental health.
  • Examination of diagnostic x-rays (radiographs): Essential for detection of decay, tumors, cysts, and bone loss. X-rays also help determine tooth and root positions.
  • Oral cancer screening: Check the face, neck, lips, tongue, throat, tissues, and gums for any signs of oral cancer.
  • Gum disease evaluation: Check the gums and bone around the teeth for any signs of periodontal disease.
  • Examination of tooth decay: All tooth surfaces will be checked for decay with special dental instruments.
  • Examination of existing restorations: Check current fillings, crowns, etc.
  • Removal of calculus (tartar): Calculus is hardened plaque that has been left on the tooth for some time and is now firmly attached to the tooth surface. Calculus forms above and below the gum line, and can only be removed with special dental instruments.
  • Removal of plaque: Plaque is a sticky, almost invisible film that forms on the teeth. It is a growing colony of living bacteria, food debris, and saliva. The bacteria produce toxins (poisons) that inflame the gums. This inflammation is the start of periodontal disease!
  • Teeth polishing: Removes stain and plaque that is not otherwise removed during tooth brushing and scaling.
  • Review dietary habits: Your eating habits play a very important role in your dental health.

We check for many things in your dental exam and cleaning. At Family First Dental we strive to provide you with a comprehensive and comfortable experience.

How can I tell if I have periodontal disease?

Periodontal disease is a serious bacterial condition that damages and destroys the gum tissue and bone that support your teeth. Untreated periodontal disease is a leading cause of tooth loss among adults. Except in its earliest stages (gingivitis), periodontal disease cannot be completely cured. It can only be controlled and managed. Current research shows some alarming new information about the effects of periodontal disease. Many studies, including several published in the Journal of Periodontology, confirm that people with periodontal disease are at a greater risk for other serious illnesses. That is because infected gums release significantly higher levels of bacteria into the bloodstream which then spread to other organs in the body. There are many stages of periodontal diseases and it is important to discuss your individual situation with your doctor.  There are many stages of periodontal diseases and it is important to discuss your individual situation with your doctor.

Periodontal bacteria may contribute to: Heart disease, stroke, diabetes, osteoporosis, and pre-term, and low birth weight babies.

Contributing risk factors include but are not limited to: age, smoking, stress, poor dental care, diabetes, genetics, hormonal changes, medications, other systemic diseases, poor nutrition, uneven bite forces, clenching, and grinding teeth.

How can cosmetic dentistry help improve the appearance of my smile?

Cosmetic dental treatments may be the answer if you are feeling self-conscious about your smile, a single tooth, or wish to improve your entire smile. We can help give you that confident and beautiful smile. Family 1st Dental enjoys helping you achieve a healthier, whiter, more radiant smile!

There are many options available to give you the smile you have always wanted; from restoring one tooth to a complete smile makeover.  Call or stop by one of our convenient locations to find out how you can enhance your smile and improve your health through cosmetic dentistry.

What are veneers?

They are a thin, custom-made shell of tooth-colored plastic or porcelain that are bonded directly to the front side of natural teeth to improve their appearance -- for example, to replace lost tooth structure, close spaces, straighten teeth, or change color and/or shape. Like other dental restorations, veneers are not permanent and may need to be replaced in the future, but are very durable and will last you many years. Many people choose veneers for cosmetic reasons to have uniform white teeth. They are also used in cases of crooked, misshapen, discolored, or stained teeth, or for those that are too small or large with unwanted or uneven spaces or to cover worn or chipped teeth.

Porcelain Inlay or Onlays

These are tooth-colored restorations made of porcelain, cemented or bonded in place.

Tooth Bleaching and Whitening

This is a simple, non-invasive dental treatment which is used to change the color of natural tooth enamel to enhance the aesthetic look of the teeth.

Visit Our Storm Lake Dental Office

Dentist Storm Lake

Storm Lake Location

217 West 6th Street,
Storm Lake, IA 50588

(712) 732-2319

Family First Dental Storm Lake

Our Dental News

Dentist Storm Lake

How to Maintain Your Oral Health While on Vacation | Dentist 50588

Keeping up with your dental hygiene and oral health can be easy during your work-week, but being on vacation can complicate things. Follow our advice to ensure your smile stays bright while you enjoy your vacation.  Plan Ahead  Make sure […]

Learn More

Cracked Teeth and How to Avoid Them | Dentist 50588

A cracked tooth can affect the appearance of your smile and hinder the function of your teeth. Depending on the severity, you may experience discomfort or find it difficult to chew comfortably. Thankfully, damage to your teeth can be avoided […]

Learn More

5 Mistakes You Might Be Making While You Brush | Dentist in 505885

Brushing your teeth can feel like a no-brainer after decades of practice, but are you aware of the mistakes surrounding home care that you might be making? Keep your oral health top-notch by  reading our quick list and see how […]

Learn More