Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Toddlers should have all their baby teeth by two years of age.   At this time it is appropriate to schedule an appointment with your dentist so that he or she can evaluate the child’s dentition for any abnormalities or cavities.  Cavities in baby teeth can have irreversible negative effects on the underlying adult teeth and must be treated as soon as possible.  Seeing the dentist at a young age also alleviates anxiety and fear for a child and allows for easier and calmer dental visits for the remainder of their lifetime.

As a new patient, usually a new set of xrays are needed in order for the dental team to properly assess your oral health and any conditions you may have. This is similar to having a blueprint before building a house. A blueprint is the roadmap to have the construction team build your house properly for you, much like xrays help the dental team do.

If a patient is having an emergency such as a severe toothache, we many times will just need to take one xray of that specific problem area in order to properly diagnose the situation

Existing patients will typically only require several maintenance xrays per year. If you are keeping up with your oral health care, you shouldn't need many additional xrays.

If you have further questions, or if you'd like to schedule an appointment with our team, contact us today!

Air-floss is not better than standard floss.  Traditional string floss is more effective in removing plaque and debris than a burst of air.  Air floss is a great alternative option for individuals suffering from arthritis or those who lack the dexterity to use standard floss.

Tips on how to floss

Flossing is an important part of your oral health! Making sure that you can get in and clean between the teeth, removing debris and buildup, helps to avoid tooth decay and gum disease over time. However you need to floss, making it a part of your daily routine is vital, along with regular professional cleanings twice a year.

Need to schedule a cleaning? Give our office a call today for more information!

Electric toothbrushes such as a Sonicare or Oral-B are very effective in plaque removal and keeping the oral cavity healthy in between dental cleanings.  They also typically have built-in timers and shut off automatically after 2 minutes.  Manual toothbrushes can be effective as well if used properly and for at least 2 minutes. However, studies show that 40-50% more plaque is removed with electric toothbrushes than with properly used manual brushes. Soft bristles are recommended for both manual and electric toothbrushes.

Shopping for toothpaste can be very overwhelming since there are so many brands and types available like sensitivity toothpaste, whitening toothpaste, strengthening toothpaste, etc.  Whichever toothpaste you choose, be sure that it has fluoride in the active ingredients.  Fluoride is a mineral that strengthens the enamel and helps to prevent tooth decay as well as strengthening areas of the teeth that have started to decay.

If you think you might need a special kind of toothpaste, it's best to consult with your dentist or hygienist. We always want to make sure that you are making informed decisions about your at-home care to make sure you are preventing any serious issues that could arise. Questions? Give us a call now for more information!

Teeth with large fillings benefit from the placement of crowns, many times, because teeth with large fillings are usually weak teeth, develop fractures, and/or bacteria end up leaking below these fillings. These teeth have a high probability of fracturing with the potential of losing the tooth and/or may require Root canal therapy due to fractures or decay.

Dental x-rays help your dentist see areas of the gums and teeth that are otherwise not visible. This is the best way to help prevent issues from progressing too far, and it helps your dentist and staff to properly diagnose and treat dental concerns.

For most patients, getting x-rays done once per year is normal. However, if you undergo any more serious treatments, or if your dentist needs to monitor your condition, you may need more x-rays to help the process. For example, during a root canal treatment, your dentist may take several x-rays to ensure that your affected tooth is cleaned and filled properly, and they won't be able to fully evaluate this without an x-ray.

Problems that cannot be seen clinically in the mouth can many times be caught early with periodic x-rays, which leaves patients with better treatment options that lead to less time in the office and less cost. X-rays help to identify tooth decay like cavities, allowing your dentist to fill them before they become more serious decay.

If you have any questions, or if you'd like to schedule an exam with our team, don't hesitate to contact us todayfor more information!

Your tooth is actually made up of a number of layers.

The first, outermost, layer is the enamel. This is actually the hardest substance in your body, which makes sense since it exists to protect the interior of your tooth. The next layer down is the dentin. This part of your tooth is more porous and provides the main structure for the tooth. The innermost layer is the pulp. This area houses all the soft tissue of the tooth, such as nerves and blood vessels, and keeps your tooth healthy.

Smaller cavities that don't penetrate the enamel can't be felt because there is no stimulation occurring from the nerve to the enamel. Cavities that penetrate into the dentin may in some cases cause sensitivity, but will rarely cause pain since an infection has not yet occurred. However, many teeth don't experience pain at all, initially – even once the cavity reaches the nerve!

Why is there no pain with a tooth infection?

We know you may be wondering, "How can a tooth with an infected nerve not lead to pain?" Well, many times, patients only start to feel excruciating pain once the bacteria in the nerve travel all the way down to the end of the root, forming an abscess. At this point, the tooth is much more difficult to treat and anesthetize due to the abscess.

The main point to take away here is that routine maintenance appointments, along with any necessary x-rays, are the most certain way to avoid emergency type of tooth pain that can come out of nowhere.

If it has been awhile since you have been to the dentist or suspect that something may be going on with a tooth or teeth, make sure to see a dentist sooner rather than later. Small problems can turn into large problems without symptoms.Give us a call today!

It may sometimes feel like a nuisance to have to have your dentist do an examination once a year especially when your teeth are feeling fine. However, dental examinations in Loxahatchee can help you avoid more significant dental concerns in the future.

Did you know that your dentist is screening you for different treatment concerns during every examination? Conditions such as tooth decay, oral cancer, and gum disease are treated most effectively and with less expensive treatment procedures when you detect them early on. Early detection saves you time, money, and the stress of enduring more complicated procedures.

Your dental cleaning is also essential because it removes the plaque and bacteria buildup that causes many of these concerns. This is also your opportunity to connect with your resources – your dentist and hygienist – to ask the questions you’d like to about your smile and your dental health.

Dr. Elkhechen recommends that healthy patients visit every six months for cleanings  in Loxahatchee, while patients managing gum disease may need three or four dental cleanings throughout the year to help them successfully control their condition. All patients should have a dental examination with their dentist one time per year.

If you have questions about the preventive schedule recommended for you, please call Groves Dental Care today for more information.