Even before your child has teeth, you should use a wet washcloth or gentle finger brush to clean your baby’s gums. Once the teeth begin to erupt, you should use a small children’s toothbrush. If you have questions about proper brushing techniques for children, please contact us today!

Yes, a decayed or damaged baby tooth needs to be treated, even though it will fall out in the future. If the primary tooth falls out too early, there may not be enough room for the adult tooth to grow, and there may be infection that can affect the health of the adult tooth.

It is average for a child to lose his or her first tooth between the ages of 4 and 8. If your child has not lost any teeth by the age of 8, you should schedule a visit with your dentist as a precaution. A child will typically continue losing teeth until the age of 12 or 13.

Diet soda does not contain the sugar content of regular soda, but the acidity is just as bad for your teeth. It is best to keep your soda consumption to a minimum to avoid damaging your teeth. If you do drink soda, rinse your teeth with water immediately afterwards.

Often, the dentist will be able to realign your dentures so they fit well again. If you have continual trouble with your dentures, consider asking our dentists about dental implants during your next appointment at our dental office.

If there is a black line on your crown, it is likely that you have porcelain fused to a metal crown, causing that line where they meet. You can replace your current crown with a fully porcelain crown if you would like to eliminate the line.

At Gateway Oaks Dental, we take every precaution to ensure the complete safety of our patients. The amount of radiation from our dental X-rays is extremely minimal – less than the amount you get from a day in the sun. The new X-ray technology we use is very safe and extremely effective in giving you the excellent treatment that you deserve.

Fluoride helps to strengthen your teeth and make them resistant to the bacteria that form plaque. Ask your dentist about fluoride levels in the drinking water in your area. In some cases, our dentists may recommend fluoride supplements to help protect your teeth. Please contact our office to ask about dental fluoride in Sacramento, California.

There is no need to replace these fillings if they are in good condition. If you want your smile to appear more natural, you can replace your current fillings with composite fillings that are tooth colored for a more aesthetically pleasing appearance.

Yes, washing with mouthwash can leave you feeling clean and give you fresh breath, but be sure to use a mouthwash that is alcohol-free so that you do not decrease the flow of saliva or dry out your mouth.

Whitening toothpaste can help reverse the effects of surface stains, but the change in the shade of the teeth is minimal. For information on professional teeth whitening, please feel free to contact our office.

To practice proper brushing techniques, you should brush your teeth for 2-3 minutes a day at least twice a day. Most Americans brush their teeth for less than half of the recommended time. Try setting a timer or using a mechanical toothbrush with a built-in timer. Also, most songs last at least 2 minutes, so try brushing your teeth while listening to your favorite song.

If you do not have a toothbrush or toothpaste on hand, rinse your mouth with water to neutralize acids and reduce the amount of bacteria from food. Chewing sugarless gum can also help to prevent the buildup of plaque until you can brush again.

Topical medicine can help to reduce the discomfort caused by canker sores. Typically, the sores will disappear within 2 weeks. If they are severe or persist, you should talk to your dentist about possible treatments.