Family Dentistry Top 10 Frequently Asked Dental Questions

Family dentistry at Olathe Dental Care Center is a safe, comfortable, and caring place for kids – and grownups, too! At ODCC, Dr. Higgins and his staff are committed to making sure your visit to our Olathe KS family dentistry office is a positive, productive experience. We want you to be comfortable and know what to expect, and asking questions of your dentist is encouraged. Here are the top 10 most frequently asked questions we hear from our patients.

1. How Often Should I Get a Dental Checkup? In most cases, Dr. Higgins recommends you schedule a family dentistry visit once or twice a year for an oral exam and teeth cleaning.
2. How Often Should I Brush My Teeth? Maintaining your oral health care routine with twice-daily brushing and once-daily flossing is very important to protect your mouth against gingivitis, tooth decay, and other dental problems.
3. What Can I Do to Prevent Cavities and Gum Disease? The best way is to follow a healthy diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables and practice good oral health habits, use fluoride and schedule regular family dentistry visits. 
4. When Should My Child Start Seeing a Dentist? The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends booking the first family dentistry visit once their first tooth appears – or, at the latest, their first birthday. At ODCC, this helps Dr. Higgins to catch any potential problems that can affect your child’s overall health and well-being as more teeth grow in.
5. How Can I Get Whiter Teeth? Teeth that are stained by coffee, wine, tobacco, and pigmented foods can be professionally whitened. For internal discoloration, family dentistry at ODCC offers composite bonding or veneers to the affected teeth for a more permanent solution.
6. Are X-rays Always Necessary? Family dentistry usually requires X-rays at the beginning of your treatment in order to help your dentist diagnose dental problems; they also help the dentist monitor any changes that could be happening in your teeth between appointments.
7. How Often Do I Need Dental X-rays? Usually, adults will have bitewing X-rays every year and a full mouth series every four to five years.
8. What is Tooth Sensitivity? Sensitivity happens when tooth enamel that protects the tooth’s pulp and dentin is thinned from repeated exposure to acidity and extreme temperatures. Family dentistry can examine the affected teeth and recommend treatment to reduce your sensitivity.
9. What are Dental Implants? Dental implants permanently replace missing or weakened teeth and are an excellent alternative to dentures for some patients. Family dentistry often recommends implants to help prevent the remaining teeth from moving or loosening.
10. Why Do I Need a Filling if My Tooth Doesn’t Hurt? The bacteria in plaque produce acids that eat through the protective outer layer of enamel and cause cavities. Left untreated, the decay will reach the inner layers of the tooth, causing pain and sensitivity. Family dentistry detects the cavities while they are small, making the fillings last longer and helps avoid extractions.

Getting a checkup every six months can help the dentist catch problems before they get worse. Our family dentistry office boasts state of the art technology married with a caring, gentle staff in a calming environment designed to make your dental experience as painless and worry-free as possible!

Olathe Dental Care Center

913-782-1420
234 South Cherry St
Olathe KS 66061