Patient Education
As part of earning our patients’ trust and serving them with high-quality dental care, we want to help our patients become active participants in their dental health. So whether you’re visiting for a teeth cleaning or coming in for extensive work, we involve you every step of the way. We’ve put together some of the most frequently used dental terms and answered some of our patients’ most frequently asked questions to help you better understand your oral health.
Contact UsAbscess
A painful, pus-filled pocket caused by an infection
Amalgam
A silver-colored tooth filling
Bitewing
The most common type of X-ray; taken where the upper and lower teeth touch each other
Bruxism
Teeth grinding, typically when a person is asleep
Caries
The formal name for tooth decay or cavities
Composite
A tooth-colored filling
Fluoride
A naturally occurring mineral that strengthens tooth enamel
Gingivitis
The earliest stage of gum disease; marked by inflamed gums that often bleed when brushing or flossing
Malocclusion
A misaligned bite
Prophy (or Prophylaxis)
The formal name for teeth cleaning
I brush twice a day; do I really need to come in for teeth cleaning twice a year?
In short, yes! Brushing and flossing at home is great, but it can only remove so much. At our Lubbock dentist office, we have tools specially designed to get between your teeth and below the gum line, and to clean off any plaque or tartar that may have built up on your teeth. Plus, coming in regularly lets us keep an eye on your oral health and catch small issues before they become big problems.
Is an electric toothbrush really better than a manual toothbrush?
While the bristles are the same, the power behind an electric toothbrush does tend to provide a more thorough cleaning than a manual toothbrush. Think about it: when brushing for two minutes manually, your hand can only move in the prescribed circular motion so fast, and it’s nowhere near as fast as an electric toothbrush. The electric toothbrush is going to give you more passes over the surfaces of your teeth in the same amount of time. Of course, any brushing is better than no brushing, and don’t forget to floss, too!
My gums bleed when I floss. What’s the deal?
Because gums are a soft tissue, you can expect a little irritation from time to time. But if your gums regularly bleed when you brush or floss, you may have some form of periodontal disease. The early stage, called gingivitis, is characterized by red, tender, or inflamed gums that often bleed during brushing or flossing. If you’ve noticed that your gums have become more sensitive lately, call Hub City Dental, and our dentist in Lubbock, Dr. McLarty, will have you in to take a look. If we catch gingivitis early, we can often treat it with a deep cleaning. Once gum disease has progressed to later stages like periodontitis, more invasive treatments like scaling and root planing may be necessary to get your gums back to full health.
Do you see dental emergencies?
Of course! If you’re in need of an emergency dentist because of a severe toothache, a lost filling – or worse, tooth – or a chipped or cracked tooth, give Hub City Dental a call. We’ll do our best to fit you in the day you call so that you don’t have to wait around in pain.
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