Dental FAQs

Brush twice a day for two minutes with a soft-bristled brush and an ADA-accepted fluoride toothpaste. Angle the bristles about 45 degrees toward the gumline and use short, gentle strokes — scrubbing hard can wear enamel and irritate your gums. Cover the outside, inside, and chewing surfaces of every tooth, and for the backs of your front teeth, tilt the brush upright and use up-and-down strokes. A quick pass over your tongue can help keep breath fresh. Replace your toothbrush every three to four months, or sooner if the bristles look frayed.

Cleaning between your teeth once a day matters, because a toothbrush can’t reach the tight spaces where plaque and food collect — and that plaque is what leads to cavities between teeth and to gum disease. Traditional floss is one option, but floss picks, interdental brushes, and water flossers all count. The best tool is the one you’ll actually use every day. If your gums bleed when you first start, that is usually inflammation from plaque that has been left in place; it typically settles as the area gets cleaner, but tell us if it doesn’t.

Either can do a good job. What matters most is brushing twice a day for two minutes with good technique. Some people find an electric brush easier to use well — for example, if you have arthritis, wear braces, or tend to rush. Whichever you choose, look for soft bristles and the ADA Seal of Acceptance.

For many patients, a checkup and cleaning every six months is a sensible starting point, but it isn’t one-size-fits-all. People with gum disease, frequent cavities, or conditions such as diabetes may benefit from more frequent visits, and we’ll recommend a schedule based on your mouth and your health. We explain our thinking in Why We Recommend a Cleaning Every 6 Months.

We start by reviewing your medical history and any changes since your last visit, then examine your teeth and gums and decide whether X-rays would help. Your cleaning removes plaque and tartar, and we measure the gum pockets around your teeth to check for gum disease. Dr. Singh also screens for oral cancer — looking at your tongue, cheeks, and the floor of your mouth, and feeling your jaw and neck for anything unusual — and then we talk through what we found and any recommended treatment. Learn more about oral cancer screening.

Dental care is personal, so comfort and trust matter. Ask friends, family, coworkers, or your physician for recommendations, read reviews, and don’t hesitate to call before you commit — ask about insurance, office hours, emergency availability, and how the practice helps nervous patients. Your first visit will tell you a lot about whether it’s a good fit. If you’re new to Warren or new to us, our New Patients page walks through what to expect and has forms you can fill out ahead of time.

Yes — Dr. Singh is accepting new patients of every age at our Warren office. For dental emergencies we prioritize same-day appointments, so call as early in the day as you can at (330) 847-0676. More about emergency dentistry.

You’re not alone, and it’s a normal thing for us to hear. When you call, tell us you’re anxious — we’ll book extra time and a good slot so nothing feels rushed. When it’s a good fit, oral conscious sedation is also available, and you stay awake and able to respond. Our Sedation & Dental Anxiety page explains your options, including what we don’t offer.

A regular cleaning removes plaque and tartar from the surfaces of your teeth and just below the gumline when your gums are healthy. A deep cleaning, called scaling and root planing, is a treatment for gum disease: it cleans below the gumline and along the root surfaces, where bacteria and hardened tartar have collected and inflamed the gums. It is often done in sections and followed by a re-check. Which one you need depends on what your exam and gum measurements show. Our Post-Op Care guides cover what to expect afterward.

We are in-network with Delta Dental and file those claims for you. If you have a different carrier, we treat you as out-of-network and submit your claim as a courtesy. We are not able to accept Medicaid, Medicare, CareSource, or DentaQuest plans. Our Insurance & Financing page has the details carrier by carrier.

Fees depend on what you need, so the most reliable answer comes from a quick call to (330) 847-0676 or from your visit. If you don’t have insurance, our Modern Dental Membership covers cleanings, exams, and X-rays for one annual fee, with savings on other treatment done in our office, and our financing options can help spread out larger treatment.

Act fast — a permanent tooth has the best chance of being saved if you get to us quickly, ideally within the first 30 to 60 minutes. Pick the tooth up by the crown (the chewing surface), never the root. If you can, gently place it back in its socket and bite on a clean cloth to hold it. If you can’t, keep it moist in milk or tucked inside your cheek (adults only) and call us right away at (330) 847-0676. Don’t scrub the tooth or let it dry out. A knocked-out baby tooth should not be put back in — call us instead. Our dental emergency guide has the full step-by-step.

Rinse gently with warm water and floss carefully around the tooth in case food is trapped. A cold compress on the outside of your cheek can help with swelling. Never put aspirin directly on the tooth or gums — it can burn the tissue. A toothache usually means something needs attention, so call us, especially if you have swelling, a fever, or pain that keeps you up at night. If swelling spreads or you have trouble breathing or swallowing, go to the emergency room. More in our dental emergency guide.

Fluoride strengthens tooth enamel and helps it resist the acids that cause cavities, for children and adults alike. It reaches your teeth through fluoride toothpaste, fluoridated drinking water, and professional fluoride treatments. The ADA continues to support community water fluoridation at recommended levels as safe and effective. You may have seen news about fluoride — we address the questions parents ask most on our children’s dentistry page, and we’re always glad to talk it through.

Use an ADA-accepted fluoride toothpaste and start brushing as soon as the first tooth appears; before that, wipe your baby’s gums with a clean, damp cloth. For children under three, use a smear about the size of a grain of rice. From ages three to six, use a pea-sized amount. Brush twice a day, supervise so your child uses the right amount and spits rather than swallows, and plan a first dental visit within six months of the first tooth and no later than the first birthday. There is no minimum age at our office — see our children’s dentistry page.

Yes. Dental care during pregnancy is safe and important, and the ADA notes that studies of pregnant patients receiving dental care have affirmed its safety. Let us know you’re pregnant and mention any changes you’ve noticed — hormonal changes can make gums more prone to swelling and bleeding, known as pregnancy gingivitis. Keep up with regular exams and cleanings, brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, clean between your teeth daily, eat a balanced diet, and limit snacking between meals. A healthy mouth for you supports a healthy start for your baby.

Dental X-rays use very low doses of radiation, and we follow the ALARA principle — “as low as reasonably achievable.” We take X-rays only when they help us see something we can’t see otherwise, such as a cavity between teeth or an infection under a tooth, and how often you need them depends on your age, your history, and your risk of decay or gum disease rather than a fixed schedule. Our X-rays are digital, which further reduces exposure. If you are or may be pregnant, let us know; the ADA notes that studies of pregnant patients receiving dental care have affirmed its safety. Our article on why cleanings and X-rays matter explains more.

Dental amalgam, the silver-colored filling made from a mix of metals that includes mercury, has been used for well over a century. The FDA states that the majority of evidence shows exposure to mercury from dental amalgam does not lead to negative health effects in the general population. The FDA also identifies some groups who may be more susceptible to mercury’s effects — including pregnant women and women planning to become pregnant, nursing women, children (especially those younger than six), and people with pre-existing neurological disease, impaired kidney function, or a known sensitivity to mercury or the other metals in amalgam — and encourages considering alternatives such as composite resin when appropriate. It does not recommend removing existing amalgam fillings in good condition unless it is medically necessary. In our office we mostly place tooth-colored (composite) fillings, and we’re happy to talk through which material makes sense for your tooth. Read the FDA’s page on dental amalgam fillings.

Bleeding when you brush or floss is most often a sign of gingivitis, which is gum inflammation caused by plaque along the gumline. Gentle, consistent brushing and cleaning between your teeth usually helps, and a professional cleaning removes the tartar that home care can’t. If your gums keep bleeding after a couple of weeks of good care, or you also notice swelling, receding gums, loose teeth, or a bad taste, come in for an exam — bleeding can also be an early sign of more advanced gum disease.

Sensitivity often comes from worn enamel or exposed root surfaces, which can result from gum recession or hard brushing, but it can also point to a cavity, a cracked tooth, or a filling that needs attention. A soft brush, gentle technique, and a toothpaste made for sensitive teeth help many people. If the sensitivity is sharp, lingers, or is limited to one tooth, we’d like to take a look.

Most bad breath starts in the mouth. Bacteria on the tongue and between the teeth are the usual cause, so brushing, cleaning between your teeth, and gently brushing your tongue go a long way. Dry mouth, gum disease, and cavities can contribute, and occasionally the cause is outside the mouth. If it doesn’t improve with good home care, an exam can help sort out why.

It depends on your bone and gum health, how many teeth are missing, your overall health, and your preferences. In general, an implant replaces a missing tooth root and stands on its own; a bridge uses neighboring teeth for support; and dentures replace many teeth or a full arch and can be removable. Each has trade-offs, and an exam and X-rays are what let us recommend the right fit. Read more about dental implants, crowns and bridges, and dentures.