FAQ's

Preventive treatment is always better than crisis treatment. We advise patients to visit the dentist twice a year to identify potential problems on time. People tend to visit a dentist only when there is a problem. However, you can save valuable dollars by  scheduling dental exams and cleanings near you.

Many dental problems do not show up as physical symptoms unless the condition has progressed. Tooth decay, for example, starts to hurt only when the decay has touched a nerve. Timely detection can prevent the need for the expensive treatment.

While brushing is essential, flossing helps clean food particles out from between the teeth and between the teeth and gum line. Millions of bacteria feed on food particles left behind in the oral cavity and form plaque, which eventually hardens to tartar. Tartar cannot be eliminated with brushing; it requires professional cleaning.

Flossing helps remove bacteria and food from places where a toothbrush cannot reach. Our dental team recommends flossing once and brushing twice a day.

Bacteria thrive in the oral cavity by feeding on sugars and carbohydrates in food. They release acids that attack and erode tooth enamel. The tooth begins to deteriorate, and the enamel gradually disappears. If left untreated, cavities may spread to the nerves and the gums and cause severe infection.

By visiting a trusted dentist near you in Plano, TX , you can get decay and cavities treated on time. You can prevent cavities from developing by brushing twice and flossing once a day. We also advise you to minimize the consumption of sugary and sticky foods and drinks.

The best way is to make brushing fun for your child! Allow them to choose their toothbrush and pick their favorite toothpaste. Play a song as they brush their teeth. This makes brushing more exciting, and you can also ensure that they brush for a full two minutes.

Most importantly, parents should remember to set a good example for your children. Kids tend to imitate adults and want to do everything that parents do. Start bringing them in for dental visits as early as possible. Searching online for ‘pediatric dentist near you' helps you locate trusted dental offices in Plano, TX.

Fluoride is found in food and water sources and is a natural mineral. It helps remineralize teeth enamel and offers added resistance to cavities. Saliva carries fluoride to the teeth enamel, and it seeps into the pits and grooves and works to remineralize the tooth. The frequent occurrence of tooth decays and cavities may show a lack of fluoride.

Many dental products contain fluoride, including toothpaste and mouth rinses. A fluoride treatment involves the professional application of concentrated fluoride to protect your child's teeth from bacteria. Regular exams and cleanings can prevent the chances of tooth extractions later on.

X-rays help highlight many hidden cavities, spots of decay, abscesses, impacted teeth, and tumors which the dentist may not be able to spot with the naked eye. Dentists use X-rays to:

• Examine tooth roots and locate cavities
• Check the bones surrounding the tooth for symptoms of infection
• Search for signs of periodontal disease and gum pockets
• Identify abscesses and cysts

X-rays help highlight problems inside the teeth, under the teeth, under the gums.  Dental x-rays Near you are a useful diagnostic tool. If you wish to know how many dental x-rays are safe per year, please call Lutke Dental in Plano, TX.

Even children with good oral hygiene habits may find it difficult to brush every nook and cranny properly. The rear teeth, including premolars and molars, may be especially difficult to clean. Dental sealants are thin coatings that we apply to the back teeth to protect them against cavities.

Children develop their first set of molars by the age of six and second set by twelve. With proper care, dental sealants can offer protection for several years. They are also more cost-effective than fillings, and our team can complete sealant application in one sitting.

A tooth that is knocked out can be re-inserted into its socket if you quickly search for an ‘emergency dentist near me’ at the earliest.

What you can do if your tooth gets knocked out:

• Rinse your mouth gently to clean it of debris and blood
• Do not attempt to insert the tooth in the socket on your own
• Keep the knocked-out tooth in milk or wrap it in a clean tissue
• Look on the Internet for ‘emergency dentist near me’ and get to a dental clinic as soon as possible

Bacteria in the mouth feed on food particles that break down and release sulfur compounds. Saliva is like a natural mouthwash and controls bad breath-causing bacteria. During sleep, saliva production decreases, and millions of bacteria thrive on the tongue, between teeth, and in the oral cavity. This is why we wake up with 'morning breath.'

However, persistent bad breath could be caused by gum disease, lack of oral hygiene, digestive disturbances, tobacco use, or other underlying causes.

If you find yourself wincing when you eat or drink hot or cold foods, you may be experiencing heightened sensitivity. Teeth become sensitive when dental enamel wears down or due to receding gums. The tooth nerve becomes exposed, and this leads to increased sensitivity. Consumption of acidic foods, including lemons, oranges, grapes, sodas, and tea, can increase sensitivity.

Patients can use specially formulated toothpaste that contains strontium chloride or potassium nitrate to reduce sensitivity. You may also want to discuss fluoride treatments for adults as fluoride applications effectively counter sensitivity.

Advanced cosmetic dental care options can help mask imperfections and transform your smile. Cosmetic dentistry in Plano TX offers a range of options including teeth whitening, Invisalign, implants, tooth re-contouring, crown lengthening, dental bonding, veneers, and much more.

Our cosmetic dentist will first evaluate your teeth and discuss the most suitable solutions for your requirements. Thanks to state-of-the-art equipment combined with high levels of expertise, we can help patients minimize imperfections and get the smile of their dreams.

Periodontal or gum disease can cause loss of jawbone and force your teeth to loosen and fall out. The following signs may indicate periodontal disease:

• Bleeding, tender or swollen gums
• Blood on your toothbrush after brushing
• Pus or pain
• Reddish, purplish color of the gums
• Persistent bad breath

Our dentists can treat early stages of gum disease with medication or antibiotics, but advanced stages may require surgical intervention. Untreated, periodontal disease can lead to major health issues, including heart disease and stroke at a later stage.

The effects of teeth whitening last for many months for some patients and wear away faster for others. If you look after your teeth properly after treatment, the effects will last for much longer.

Smoking or tobacco use, excessive consumption of alcohol, and staining foods like red wine, soya sauce, tea, and coffee can cause the effects to wear away quickly. Your teeth may start to appear yellowish, but these can be restored with touch-ups.

Zoom Whitening in Plano TX can help lighten the shade of your natural teeth by as much as 6-10 times.

Dental implants are a more durable and aesthetic option than bridges or dentures for patients who have lost or missing teeth. You don't have to worry about implants shifting in your mouth, and they are built for lifetime use.

Dental implants are surgically inserted in the jawbone, and they fuse with the jawbone. Once the bone heals, our dentist will insert crowns to give a smile you deserve. Although implants require a higher initial investment, they offer more value in the long run.

For more information about dental implants cost near you, please feel free to contact our team.

Smokeless tobacco has several unpleasant side-effects associated with its use. Some of these include:

• Lumps or whitish patches in the oral cavity
• A sore throat that refuses to disappear
• Difficulty in swallowing
• Difficulty in moving the tongue or jaw

We advise our respected patients to refrain from smoking any form of tobacco as smoking is known to increase cancer risk. Oral cancer screening can help identify cancers of the lip, tongue, cheek, and palate. Early detection increases the chances of a successful cure.