General Dentistry FAQs

When should I schedule my child’s first dental appointment?

Schedule an appointment with Dr. Hernandez as soon as your child’s first tooth appears. This is important to prevent pediatric dental problems; it is also important for your child to start forming positive associations with dental care.

Is thumb sucking harmful to a child’s teeth?

Generally, thumb sucking is not harmful because most children stop at a relatively young age. However, if your child sucks his or her thumb past the age of 3, bring this up to Dr. Hernandez at your next dental appointment. There are appliances to curb this behavior.

How often do I need to brush and floss my teeth?

It is recommended that you brush your teeth twice a day and floss at least once. Look for products with the American Dental Association Seal of approval.

Pediatric and General Dentistry

How can I get rid of bad breath?

Make sure you are following healthy oral hygiene habits, such as brushing and flossing. This removes odor-causing bacteria from the mouth. Other things you can to do freshen your breath are:

  • rinse your mouth with water after eating
  • chew sugarless gum to stimulate the flow of saliva
  • eat a well-balanced, nutritious diet
  • brush your tongue
  • use an antibacterial mouth rinse

How often do I need to visit the dentist?

You should schedule a dental visit with Dr. Hernandez every six months for a professional examination and cleaning.

Are dental X-rays safe?

Yes, dental X-rays are safe. Our office uses lead aprons and high-speed film to reduce the amount of radiation exposure during an X-ray.

What should I do if one of my teeth is knocked out?

If one of your teeth is knocked out, make an appointment with Dr. Hernandez as soon as possible to boost the chances of salvaging the tooth. In the meantime, keep the tooth moist and handle only by the crown (not the root). Keep it in a container of water or milk, or between your cheek and gums.

Pacific Beach General Dentistry Patient

How can I protect my teeth from an injury or trauma?

The best things you can do to protect the integrity of your teeth (besides normal oral hygiene habits) are to:

  • wear a mouth guard while playing contact sports
  • wear a mouth guard at night if you are prone to tooth grinding or clenching
  • avoid chewing ice, popcorn kernels and other hard items

How can I improve the appearance of my smile?

Dr. Hernandez offers a wide variety of cosmetic dentistry services to enhance the appearance of your smile. Depending on what bothers you about your teeth, the goal of treatment could be to straighten teeth; close small gaps; conceal small chips or cracks; or lighten stains and discoloration. Dr. Hernandez may recommend treatment with a set of porcelain veneers, teeth whitening, the Invisalign system or porcelain crowns.

Contact Pacific Beach Smile Studio Today

If you have additional questions about the dentistry services offered by Dr. Hernandez, or about maintaining your dental health, please contact our office. You can reach us by calling 858-272-6047.

4460 Olney Street

San Diego, CA 92109

(858) 272-6047

Call us today!

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