Frequently Asked Questions

We participate in many insurances and we welcome everybody! If you have insurance, you need to know that each insurance policy is different and needs to be looked at (due to the variety of plans and underwriters). We don’t want you to feel overwhelmed by that and do our Best to provide assistance and help you reach your Dental Goals in Millennium Dental.

For patients with no insurance, we provide options and incentives. Our goal is in helping you get what you want! Please do not hesitate to make your complimentary first visit consultation appointment to meet us and get informed.

You should visit the dentist at least twice a year. A dental exam can reveal early signs of decay and diseases like Oral Cancer , Periodontal disease with long term big impacts that you may not see or feel. Catching these conditions early can help control them before they get worse and harder to treat. Additionally, getting a cleaning by a trained professional will remove plaque in areas you may have missed or cannot reach.

You should brush at least twice a day, once in the morning and once before going to bed. You should floss once a day as well. The effectiveness of your brushing and flossing is very important. Proper techniques and timing along with proper materials are required to achieve a positive result. We at Millennium Dental will address all these considerations with you on a personal and customized level.

The following guidelines are important to flossing correctly.

1. Take 18″ of floss and wind it around the middle finger of each hand .You can use these fingers to take up floss as it becomes dirty. Using your thumb and forefinger, pinch the floss leaving 1-2 inches in between for cleaning.

2. Gently move the floss up and down the spaces of your teeth. Never snap the floss down onto your gums, as it can cause damage.

3. As you move the floss down into the space between two teeth, slide it up and down against the surface of one tooth. Gently clean at the gum line as well.

4. Repeat this process for all of your teeth.

The following guidelines are important to brushing correctly.

1.Firstly, make sure to use a soft bristled brush. Hard bristled brushes can wear down the enamel of your teeth.

2. Place your brush at a 45 degree angle to your gum line. Bristles should contact both the tooth surface and the gum line.

3. Use short back and forth strokes or tiny circular movements to brush your teeth. Each movement should be no bigger than the size of each tooth. Or get an Electric Toothbrush that does the job for you!

4. Make sure to use gentle strokes while brushing. Gentle strokes are effective in removing plaque, while too much pressure can wear down the enamel of your teeth.

5. Brush all surfaces of each tooth, including the outer, inner, and the chewing surfaces of the teeth.

6. Finally, don’t cut your brushing short! Make sure to brush for at least 2 minutes.

While our teeth start out pearly white, they can discolor through the years as our enamel wears down. The wearing down of enamel allows dentin, a yellow color substance that makes the core of our teeth, to show through. This is what gives our teeth a yellowish tint. Also, the color of the teeth can have varieties just like the color of the skin! Your dietary habits also play a big role. Ask Dr Al about all these.

Bad breath is caused by a variety of factors, including the types of food you ingest, periodontal disease, dry mouth, and other causes. Going to Dr Al will help you determine the cause of your bad breath, so that you can take steps to eliminate it.

Regardless of the cause of your bad breath, good oral hygiene and regular checkups will help reduce it. Brushing and flossing and mouthwash will eliminate particles of food stuck between your teeth which emit odors. It will also help prevent or treat periodontal disease (gum disease), caused by plaque buildup on your teeth, which can lead to bad breath. Dentures should be properly cleaned and soaked overnight in antibacterial solution (unless otherwise advised ). Finally, make sure to brush your tongue regularly to eliminate any residue.

Plaque is a sticky, clear film which forms every day on teeth from food debris and bacteria. If plaque is not removed, it can lead to gum disease, bad breath, bad taste in your mouth, bleeding and red gums and cavities. Regular dental check ups, along with brushing and flossing every day, can help prevent plaque buildup on teeth. In addition, avoiding sugary snacks and eating a balanced diet can help control plaque. Talk to us at Millennium Dental about these concerns of yours for a proper solution for you.

Periodontal (gum) disease is an infection of the gums and bone that hold your teeth in place. Typically, periodontal disease occurs when plaque builds up on the teeth and hardens, often due to poor brushing habits. The gums can become swollen and red in the early stage of the disease, called gingivitis. As the disease advances, periodontal disease can lead to sore and bleeding gums, pain while chewing, as well as tooth loss. There are other factors like genetics, smoking and type 2 diabetes that play a significant role in the problem. You need to know the existing risk and contributing factors in your mouth and ways to manage it. Ask Dr Rezaei about these at Millennium Dental.

The following are signs of periodontal (gum) disease, and you should contact your dentist if you experience any of these:

• gums that bleed while brushing
• red, swollen or tender gums
• gums that have pulled away from the teeth
• bad breath that doesn’t go away
• pus between your teeth and gums
• loose teeth
• a change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
• a change in the fit of partial dentures

Periodontal disease can be prevented by practicing good oral hygiene. This includes brushing, flossing, and visiting you dentist regularly. Also make sure to eat a healthy diet to get the required vitamins and minerals necessary for your teeth. Remember, if you have periodontal disease, you can slow the progress of this problem significantly by creating a team and plan with your dentist before you lose your teeth. Prevention and management are always cheaper and the best cure.

Below are the three most popular teeth whitening options available today:

In-office teeth whitening 
In-office teeth whitening works by producing a significant color change in your teeth in short amount of time, usally within an hour. The procedure is done at the dentist’s office applying a high-concentration gel on the teeth after they have been protected with a special shield.

Professionally Dispensed Take-Home Whitening Kits
These whitening kits are purchased from your doctor for use at home. The strength of the gel used in these kits is lower than that used for in-office bleaching, and thus the gel can be applied for longer periods of time. Usually the trays are worn based on chemical composition of the product.

Over the counter whitening
Over the counter teeth whitening kits are store-bought and use a lower concentration gel than both in-office bleaching and take-home kits purchased from your doctor. While they are less expensive, they typically are less effective than methods that can be performed by your dentist because of the low concentration gel. Additionally, over the counter trays are not custom fit for your teeth, which can result in irritation to your gums while wearing the trays.

ALWAYS remember to brush with Waterpik after every meal and use Proxabrush to remove all food from brackets and between the teeth. Make sure to use toothpaste that contains fluoride, and ask your orthodontist or Dr Al  if you need a fluoride rinse. This will help prevent cavities!

Keep your retainer clean, too, by brushing it gently with a toothbrush and toothpaste. You may also soak it in denture cleaner as instructed by your orthodontist. Do not put your retainer in boiling water or in the dishwasher. During your treatment, try to avoid foods with a lot of sugar, which increases the amount of bacteria that grows in your mouth, causing more plaque and possibly cavities. Avoid sticky and chewy foods (caramel, chewing gum, gummy bears), hard foods (hard candy, nuts, ice cubes), or any foods that could possibly get stuck in your braces (corn on the cob, soft bagels, ribs, taffy, etc.). Be sure to schedule your routine checkups with Dr Al. It is recommended that you continue to visit the dentist every three (yes, 3!) months.

Taking proper care of your dentures helps to ensure that they last as long as possible and that your mouth remains healthy.