When should I take my child to see the dentist?
The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends scheduling a visit to the dentist within six months of the eruption of the first tooth, and no later than the child's second birthday. If you take your child to the dentist at an early age, your dentist can help you prevent any problems. Your dentist will check for decay and other problems, teach you how to clean your child's teeth daily and identify your child's fluoride needs. By starting dental visits early, you'll help your child build a lifetime of good dental habits.

Can babies get cavities?
Yes. As soon as teeth appear in the mouth, decay can occur. One serious form of decay among young children is baby bottle tooth decay. This condition can occur when an infant is allowed to nurse continuously from a bottle of milk, formula, sugar water or fruit juice during naps or at night. If these liquids pool around the child's teeth during sleep, the teeth will be attacked by acids for long periods of time, and serious decay can result. If you must give your baby a bottle as a comforter at bedtime, make sure it contains only water. And never dip a pacifier into sugar or honey.

At what age can people have orthodontic treatment?
The biological process involved in moving teeth is the same at any age. Children and adults can both benefit from orthodontics. It is recommended that every child receive an orthodontic evaluation by age seven. Treatment may take a little longer for adults. Because an adult's facial bones are no longer growing, certain corrections may not be accomplished with braces alone.

What is root canal treatment?
Once upon a time, if you had a tooth with a diseased nerve, you'd probably lose that tooth. Today, with a special dental procedure called a root canal therapy you may save that tooth. Inside each tooth is the pulp which provides nutrients and nerves to the tooth, it runs like a thread down through the root. When the pulp is diseased or injured, the pulp tissue dies. If you don't remove it, your tooth gets infected and you could lose it. After the dentist removes the pulp, the root canal is cleaned and sealed off to protect it. Then your dentist places a crown over the tooth to help make it stronger. Most of the time, a root canal is a relatively simple procedure with little or no discomfort involving one to three visits. Best of all, it can save your tooth and your smile!

How can I have whiter teeth?
There are several types of products available for use at home, which can either be dispensed by your dentist or purchased over the counter. Bleaching solutions. These products contain peroxide(s), which actually bleach the tooth enamel. These products typically rely on percent carbamide peroxide as the bleaching agent, carbamide peroxide comes in several different concentrations (10%, 16%, 22%). Peroxide-containing whiteners typically come in a gel and are placed in a mouthguard. Usage regimens vary. Some products are used for about twice a day for 2 weeks, and others are intended for overnight use for 1-2 weeks. If you obtain the bleaching solution from your dentist, he or she can make a custom-fitted mouthguard for you that will fit your teeth precisely.

For more frequently asked questions please go to www.ada.org.