Offering
FAMILY & EMERGENCY
dental care

Karl Haemig, DDS

Frequently Asked Dental Questions

How should I clean my baby’s teeth?
There is a common misconception you need special tools to clean your infants teeth, but you can use a soft-bristled toothbrush with a child-sized head once a day to clean their growing teeth. Haermig Family Dentistry recommends doing so before bed time.

I’ve heard that if baby teeth aren’t taken care of, it’s not as big a deal as with permanent teeth because they will fall out. Is this true?
The idea that baby teeth don’t matter as much as permanent teeth is false. Not only do they help children speak clearly and chew naturally, they also form a path permanent teeth can follow when they come in.

What advice can you give me to get rid of bad breath?
Halitosis can be unpleasant and embarrassing. Sometimes we may not realize it. Aside from medical conditions, healthy people have bad breath due to microbial deposits on the back of the tongue. Haemig Family Dentistry suggests thoroughly brushing the tongue with a brush or a tongue cleaner to see if the problem resolves itself after a few days. If bad breath persists, we can determine if a dental or other health issue is the cause.

How do I know if I have gum disease?
Four out of five people have periodontal disease and don't realize it. It is usually painless in the early stages but can lead to losing some or all of your teeth. It begins when food and bacteria gather along the gum line and inflame the gums, so brushing, flossing, and regular cleanings at Haemig Family Dentistry can detect, prevent and treat periodontal disease.

What can I do to fix stained and discolored teeth?
Over-the-counter whitening products can help improve discoloration slightly, but prescription-strength whitening available at Haemig Family Dentistry can achieve deeper, longer-lasting results. However, whitening does not change the color of your existing fillings and crowns, so replacement of these restorations may be necessary to match the newer white shade of your teeth.