FAQ

I don’t speak Spanish. How will I communicate with my physician?

Pinares Dental Center provides a bi-lingual translator for you that will accompany you to all of your medical consultations and be with you throughout all of your treatments.

Can I pay my medical services with a credit card?

Yes, you can pay with Visa, American Express and Master Card.

FAQ Dental Health:

How often should I replace my toothbrush?

You should replace your toothbrush when the sides of the bristles start to flare out, after you’ve had a cold or the flu, or if you’ve gone four to six months without replacing it. Some people are "harder brushers" and will need to replace their toothbrushes more often.

What is fluoride?

Fluoride is a naturally occurring element. Over the years it has been tested and proved to be a beneficial element for teeth, helping them keep from decay. Fluoride is assimilated into the structure of the teeth, providing additional strength. Fluoride is the most helpful when teeth are forming.

What is gingivitis? Is it the same as gum disease?

Gingivitis, pyorrhea, periodontal disease, and gum disease are all the same. They are oral responses to bacterial infections. Some people are more suceptible to gum disease: diabetics, people who suffer from autoimmune diseases, and trisomy 21. Bacteria is an essential part of every body. We could not live without bacteria. Healthy gums come from a good balance between the type and number of bacteria present. When the balance goes off-kilter, gum disease occurs because a more pathologic agent is predominant in the gum tissue. Signs of gum disease are swelling of the tissue, redness, and pain while brushing. It is IMPERATIVE to get to a dentist as soon as possible because if gum disease is left untreated, it can damage the bone structure of the teeth, causing irreparable bone loss. The disease can be controlled, but a patient with gum disease needs to be conscious of the problem and take the time to visit a dentist at least bi-annually.

I have some missing teeth but feel fine. Do I need to replace them?

How healthy your mouth and jaw is depends on three things: your teeth, jaw joints, and muscles. When you loose teeth, your teeth alter their position in the mouth. In the long term, this alteration of teeth placement might affect the teeth and muscles, causing pain and jaw joint dysfunction. It makes sense, then, that missing teeth should be replaced not only for esthetic reasons, but also for the health of your mouth, teeth, jaw, and muscles.

Why would I need to get a root canal?

Many people don’t realize that teeth aren’t just white things that stick out of their gums. Teeth are alive, and they are filled with nerves (ever had a toothache?), and blood vessels. Each tooth has a chamber that holds the nerves and blood vessels, and if that chamber gets damaged or infected, it hurts (to say the least)! A root canal is when the infected or damaged tissue is replaced with a substance (not alive). If the dentist did not take out the damaged or dead tissue, the tooth would have to be removed.

This procedure used to be infamous for its pain and discomfort, but now, it’s become quite an easy procedure, relatively painless, and quite common. After the root canal is complete, the tooth is crowned to keep it stable and functioning.

At what age should children begin to see the dentist?

The dental health of your child should begin as soon as your child has teeth. The first few years, you will have to aid your child in brushing his/her teeth. Your child’s first visit to the dentist probably should happen when he/she is three years old. Some children, though, are frightened to be around new people, especially a dentist, at such a young age. We recommend you maintain healthy brushing habits with your child and at least try to get in by the time your child is 4 for the dentist to look in your child’s mouth. (Yes, easier said than done, but, well, it must be done!)

How can I improve my smile, non-surgically? Surgically?

Being comfortable with your smile is one of the most important things you can do for yourself. A good smile is confidence, pretty, and healthy! If you’re unhappy with your smile, there are a number of things you can do to address the issue: replace stained, broken, or missing teeth with porcelain crowns; get partials or dentures; invest in braces to straighten out your smile; get dental implants; bleach your teeth. There are many ways to work on your smile. Say, "Cheese!"

What is the difference between an orthodontist and dentist?

An orthodontist works to figure out the best relationship between your jaw joint and jaw muscles so that you can properly align your teeth. Orthodontists are the ones who shift the placement of your teeth using braces and the Universal Lingual Arch Wire System. In the past, orthodontists just worked to "straighten the teeth out" without any regard to the relationship between the three elements of the mouth. Now, however, all orthodontists work to create a harmonious relationship between the jaw joint, muscle and teeth.