Family Dentist

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Frequently Asked Questions

Are baby teeth really that important to my child?

Primary, or "baby," teeth are important for many reasons. Not only do they help children speak clearly and chew naturally, they also aid in forming a path that permanent teeth can follow when they are ready to come in.

What should I do if my child has a toothache?

First, rinse the irritated area with warm salt water and place a cold compress on the face if it is swollen. Give the child acetaminophen for any pain, rather than placing aspirin on the teeth or gums. Finally, see a dentist as soon as possible.

How do dental sealants work?

Sealants work by filling in the crevasses on the chewing surfaces of the teeth. This shuts out food particles that could get caught in the teeth, causing cavities. The application is fast and comfortable and can effectively protect teeth for many years.

How do I know if my child is getting enough fluoride?

Have your family dentist evaluate the fluoride level of your child's primary source of drinking water. If your child is not getting enough fluoride internally through water (especially if the fluoride level is deficient or if your child drinks bottled water without fluoride), then we may prescribe fluoride supplements.

What can I do to protect my teeth during sporting events?

Soft plastic mouthguards can be used to protect teeth, lips, cheeks and gums from sport related injuries. A custom-fitted mouthguard will protect your teeth from injuries and even provide protection from severe injuries to the head.

How safe are dental X-rays?

There is very little risk in dental X-rays. Family dentists are especially careful to limit the amount of radiation to which you and your family are exposed. Lead aprons and high-speed film are used to ensure safety and minimize the amount of radiation. Digital x-rays provide an even greater level of protection by using up to 90 percent less radiation.

At-Home Tips to Surprise Us During Your Routine Visit

  • Use a timer, or play a song that lasts two minutes while you brush your teeth twice a day.
  • Brush softly. Brushing too hard, especially with a hard tooth brush can ruin the enamel on your teeth.
  • Change your toothbrush every 3 months. Change it when you’ve been sick, too.
  • Pamper yourself with a high-tech rotary toothbrush. They clean better than ol’ manual brush.
  • Chew gum; just make sure it’s sugar free! If you can’t brush your teeth in between meals, gum can help keep your teeth cleaner than if you did nothing at all.
  • Floss, floss and floss. Brushing your teeth isn’t enough. If you really want to surprise us, floss BEFORE you brush to help dislodge anything below the gum line.

Philosophy of Care

The team at Quality Gentle Dental Care believes in the importance of preventative care. We focus on keeping patients in good oral health so that they can live a full, healthy, and enjoyable life that is free from oral pain. This starts by educating our patients on what they can do to stay healthy at home. In our family dentist office we recommend that patients eat a healthy diet that consists of green leafy vegetables, lean protein, nuts, dairy products, and crunchy fruits and veggies. Eating these foods along with drinking water can help to keep teeth healthy and make them stronger. By simultaneously reducing sugar intake, patients can also reduce their risk of cavities.

It is also important to brush and floss throughout the day. Instead of waiting for bedtime to brush teeth, carry a small toothbrush and use it after meals and snacks. This makes it possible to remove sugar and bacteria from the teeth and gums before it has the opportunity to turn into acid that can attack the teeth. This preventative step can greatly reduce a persons' risk of getting a cavity or gum disease. We understand the importance of taking these steps at home and will spend the time necessary to educate and inform patients so that they can stay healthy overall. Education, after all, is essential for living a long and healthy life.

Visits to Our Family Dental Office

We welcome patients throughout the East Orange NJ, area to schedule an appointment with our family dentist's office by calling (973) 245-9943. Everyone should have their teeth cleaned and examined at least twice a year, so if it has been a while since you visited a dentist, don't delay in scheduling an appointment. During these ongoing dental exams, we will make sure that your teeth are thoroughly cleaned and look for any signs of cavities or gum disease. If any are found, they will be treated right away before they can spread and create additional problems. Early detection and treatment are important for reducing any pain that may come as a result of an infection. For example, if gum disease is caught early, it can be treated with a thorough deep cleaning. If gum disease is left undiagnosed, surgery may eventually be required in order to correct it.

Understanding the importance of these regular dental exams, the staff at Quality Gentle Dental Care work to make each patient extremely comfortable. This includes being welcoming and kind while performing dental treatments in a way that is painless and relaxing. Patients visit our dentist's office because they trust us to do just that – take care of their teeth and gums, gently. The majority of our patients are local and come from the greater East Orange area, we also see patients who are looking for gentle dental care.

Age Groups

We treat adults, children, and seniors. Each age group requires a different approach due to dental needs and oral health changing with time. For example, with children, the goal is to keep them comfortable and relaxed so that they will enjoy visiting our dentist's office and be willing to come back. With children, we go as slowly as necessary to ensure that their appointments are pleasant. Additionally, we focus on keeping their teeth healthy and free from cavities. This often involves additional treatments to strengthen and protect their teeth as preventative measures. We know that it is far easier to keep a child's teeth healthy and free from cavities than to try and get them comfortable with a major dental treatment. If you have children, call (973) 245-9943 to schedule an appointment to stay in good oral health as they grow.

In adults, we also focus on keeping teeth healthy with preventative care but end up treating a large number of patients who have damaged their teeth and need restorative solutions. With a full set of adult teeth, there are no replacements coming in. If a tooth has become damaged, we can restore it in a way that looks and feels completely natural. It is much easier for the tooth to become cracked or chipped than people think, so we regularly get calls from patients throughout East Orange needing an emergency appointment in order to correct the damage. We try to accommodate last-minute appointments as much as possible.

Seniors, on the other hand, often struggle with gum disease and oral infections. As people age, their teeth can become weaker and infected more easily. Bone loss is incredibly common with seniors and by conducting regular dental exams, the team at Quality Gentle Dental Care can help seniors to have strong teeth and reduce the risk of them falling out. Since over seventy percent of U.S. adults suffer from tooth loss, preventative care is important.

We welcome patients from throughout the East Orange area to schedule an appointment with our office. We are committed to providing high-quality dental care that is painless and comfortable. To schedule an appointment call (973) 245-9943.

Definition of Dental Terminology

Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic dentistry is generally used to refer to any dental work that improves the appearance (though not necessarily the function) of a person’s teeth, gums and/or bite.

Decay

Tooth decay is when the enamel of the tooth begins to decay and cause erosion from plaque and tartar on the teeth.

Dental Caries

Dental caries are also known as cavities and result from a lack of proper oral hygiene leaving plaque that forms tiny holes in the teeth.

Dental Checkup

A dental checkup is an appointment that involves cleaning the teeth, identifying any signs of infection and removing said signs of infection at least once every six months in the office.

Dental Filling

A dental filling involves restoring the structure of the tooth by using metal, alloy, porcelain or plastic to fill the tooth.

Dental Prophylaxis

A dental prophylaxis is a professional and detailed cleaning that involves the removal of plaque, calculus and stains from the teeth.

Dental Sealants

Dental sealants contain a resinous material that we apply to the chewing surfaces of the posterior teeth to prevent dental caries.

Dentist

A dentist, also known as a dental surgeon, is a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases and conditions of the oral cavity.

Gingivitis

Gingivitis is the inflammation of gum tissue that results from plaque, other infections in the mouth and poor oral hygiene.

Preventive Dentistry

Preventive dentistry is the dentistry that focuses on maintaining oral health in order to prevent the spread of plaque, the formation of tartar and infections in the mouth.

Tartar

Tartar forms when plaque builds up on the surface of the teeth and calcifies into a hard surface that is much more difficult to remove and will require professional treatment.

Tooth Enamel

Tooth enamel is the protective visible outer surface of a tooth that contains the dentin and dental pulp.

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About our business, license, and website security

  • Quality Gentle Dental Care was established in 2007
  • We accept the following payment methods: American Express, Cash, Discover, MasterCard, and Vis
  • We serve patients from the following counties: Essex County
  • We serve patients from the following cities: East Orange, Orange, West Orange, Newark, Montclair, Bloomfield, Union, Harrison, Irvington, Nutley, Livingston, and Verona
  • National Provider Identifier Database (1598977514). View NPI Registry Information
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