Prevention Dentistry in Brooklyn Heights, NY

PROTECTING TEETH WITH FLUORIDE TREATMENTS
A routine dental treatment, fluoride treatments are usually performed after cleanings and help to further protect teeth from decay. Professional, in-office fluoride treatments at Brooklyn Comfortable Dental Care involve giving your teeth a high dose of fluoride to make them stronger. This strength them helps guard your teeth against future decay and cavities, providing an extra layer of safety that brushing, flossing, and even professional cleanings alone cannot provide. Fluoride treatments are primarily used for children, but they can be given to adults who are prone to cavities or experiencing sensitivity.

Fluoride treatments are perfectly safe for children and have been a reliable and effective dental solution for years, helping to strengthen teeth and keep them safe from decay. 

Speak with our team at Brooklyn Comfortable Dental Care today to learn more about fluoride treatments in our office.

WHAT ARE ORAL CANCER SCREENINGS?
Oral cancers can develop due to an overall lack of oral hygiene over a period of many years, smoking, drinking, or certain genetic factors. When it comes to spotting oral cancer, these cases can often be treated when caught early on, and our team at Brooklyn Comfortable Dental Care is highly skilled in identifying the early warning signs of oral cancer to help patients reduce the changes of developing oral cancer or treating it if already present. A comprehensive oral cancer screening involves an examination of the head, neck, and oral cavity for possible oropharyngeal cancers, which is part of every routine exam you receive from the doctors at Brooklyn Comfortable Dental Care. The exam will include looking for suspicious lesions or masses in the head and neck region. 

WHAT IS THE MOST COMMON FORM OF ORAL CANCER?
The most common form of oral cancer is a squamous cell carcinoma. It typically occurs on the lateral border of the tongue. It may also occur on the floor of the mouth, cheek lining, gingiva (gums), lips, or palate (roof of the mouth). Symptoms of oral cancer can include small spots on your inner cheek, on and underneath the tongue, oral swelling, pain in the tongue and gums, and other symptoms that our team can discuss with you. Our team will look for signs or oral cancer during routine exams. 

DO YOU USE FILM OR DIGITAL X-RAYS?
Our team at Brooklyn Comfortable Dental Care leverages the most modern and up-to-date digital x-rays and digital sensors. This gives us a higher diagnostic quality and limits x-ray exposure. We can also read the digital x-ray right away without having to develop the film. Another advantage of digital x-rays is the ease in which we can submit insurance claims digitally for faster reimbursement! If a patient is referred to a specialist, sharing radiographs (with the patient’s permission) is just a simple click away.

HOW OFTEN DO I NEED X-RAYS?
Again, the answer to these questions will depend on your individual needs. A full set of x-rays (18 exposures) will capture the entire mouth but is typically only needed every five years. Bitewing x-rays show cavities developing between teeth that the dentist cannot see directly and are typically required every 12 to 24 months.

Speak with our team if you have questions about imaging at our office.

WHAT IS A SEALANT?
A sealant is a protective coating that is placed on the surface of the permanent molars. First we gently clean the top of the tooth, then we gently add the protective layer. Afterwards the teeth are polished. Sealants are painless. There is no anesthesia needed. You can return to work or school and begin eating right away.

ARE SEALANTS FOR EVERYBODY? WHO SHOULD GET SEALANTS?
Sealants are a procedure that we typically recommend for children right after their molar teeth have erupted. Sealants are placed on the first permanent molars when they come in around six years of age and also on the second permanent molars when they come in around twelve years of age. Therefore, generally, dental sealants are ideal for children, however, some adults can benefit from dental sealants in order to guard against ongoing decay.

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A SEALANT AND A FILLING?
A filling is necessary when someone has a cavity, i.e., the tooth has been weakened and bacteria have started to enter the tooth. When we perform a filling, first we remove all the decay and damaged tooth structure. Then we place filling material into the remaining tooth structure.

A sealant is done before any cavities can happen. You can think of it like putting on a jacket on a winter day before you go outside so that you never get cold in the first place. Teeth have pits and fissures on their top surfaces in which food accumulates when you chew and gets stuck over time. This trapped food very often causes cavities on the tops of teeth, especially in children. Sealants protect the tops of the teeth, preventing any food from getting caught and making it much harder to get a cavity in the first place. Sealants are not a substitute for good brushing and flossing, but they go a long way in preventing cavities.

HOW LONG DO SEALANTS TAKE?
About two minutes per tooth. We allot extra time for each sealant appointment so that we can take our time and make sure our patients are comfortable.

ARE THERE ANY SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR GETTING SEALANTS?
No. It is a quick, easy, and pain-free procedure. You can go back to work or school and start eating right away.

WHAT DOES A DENTAL EXAM INVOLVE?
During a dental exam, your dentist or hygienist will evaluate your overall health and oral hygiene. He or she will look for tooth decay, root decay, and gum or bone disease. The dentist will also evaluate your need for any tooth restorations (fillings or crowns) or tooth replacement (implants or partial/complete dentures). The dentist or hygienist will also measure your gum pockets to check for gum disease. An oral cancer screening is also part of your periodic dental exam.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD I HAVE A DENTAL EXAM AND CLEANING?
The answer to this question will depend on the individual patient’s needs. Most patients with good oral hygiene and low risk for cavities will only need be seen twice a year (typically every 6 months). Patients who tend to get more buildup or are prone to frequent cavities may be seen every 3 or 4 months.

HOW OFTEN DO I NEED X-RAYS?
Again, the answer to these questions will depend on your individual needs. A full set of x-rays (18 exposures) will capture the entire mouth but is typically only needed every five years. Bitewing x-rays show cavities developing between teeth that the dentist cannot see directly and are typically required every 12 to 24 months.

DO YOU OFFER FILM OR DIGITAL X-RAYS?
Brooklyn Comfortable Dental Care exclusively uses digital radiographs. The radiation exposure is significantly lower, the image appears on the monitor instantly, and the clarity is far superior to traditional film. Another advantage of digital x-rays is the ease in which they can be electronically submitted to insurance companies or sent to dental specialist (with the permission of the patient of course).

A nightguard is a preventative device that protection your teeth, gums, jaws and musculature from grinding and clenching.

WHAT IS A NIGHTGUARD?
A nightguard is a preventative, custom-made appliance that protects your teeth, gums, jaws, and musculature from grinding and clenching.

WHAT IF I CLENCH OR GRIND MY TEETH DURING THE DAY?
For people who find themselves clenching and grinding during the day, a dayguard can be made. “Occlusal Guard” is the term that includes both nightguard and dayguard appliances.

WHY IS CLENCHING OR GRINDING ONE’S TEETH A BAD THING?
Many people experience jaw discomfort or pain from grinding at night. The discomfort can occur on either one side or both at once. Other consequences of grinding include wearing down your teeth, gum recession, and/or bone loss. Sometimes patients experience one or two of these issues, sometimes all of them.

Another downside to grinding is that it puts additional pressure and stress on any previous dental work you have. This extra stress can cause your existing fillings or crowns to break. An occlusal guard will protect any dental work that you may already have.

ARE OCCLUSAL GUARDS COMFORTABLE?
Yes! In fact, some of our staff members wear a nightguard every day. Feel free to ask us about it.

WHAT DOES GETTING A NIGHTGUARD INVOLVE?
The nightguard is made over the course of two brief appointments. During the first appointment the dentist takes a scan and a mold of your teeth. In between the appointments the mold is sent to a dental laboratory where the nightguard is custom fabricated. During the next appointment the nightguard is calibrated to your bite, so it fits comfortably.

HOW MUCH TIME IS NEEDED BETWEEN EACH APPOINTMENT?
Usually two weeks, but it can be done faster if needed.

WHAT ARE THE INSTRUCTIONS FOR USING A NIGHTGUARD?
After flossing and brushing your teeth at night, wear your nightguard to bed. In the morning, rinse it with cold water (you can brush it with a toothbrush and soap and water if needed) and then place it in its case.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD I WEAR MY NIGHTGUARD?
The more nights you wear it, the better. Just like brushing and flossing!